GCPS Moments in History: Thomas Livsey remembers the Promised Land

Join us on a journey through time as we take a look back at moments in the history of Gwinnett County Public Schools. This month, we hear from community leader Thomas Livsey who was born and raised in the Promised Land, a community in the southern end of the county. Throughout the school year, watch for remembrances and reflections from longtime residents, students, and teachers, as well as other voices from our past.

GCPS to hold job fairs for prospective substitutes

A Substitute Teacher Job Fair is scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Peachtree Ridge HS. A second job fair will be held at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center (ISC) on Tuesday, Feb. 6, between 4 and 7 p.m. During the fairs, staff will conduct a formal presentation, followed by one-on-one sessions with members of the Substitute Management team. Computer labs will be available and fully staffed to walk interested candidates through the application process. Registration is not required for these hiring events for prospective substitutes. Both job fair locations are in Suwanee— Peachtree Ridge at 1555 Old Peachtree Rd. and the ISC across I-85 at 437 Old Peachtree Rd. NW.

District plans learning events for parents of students with special needs

Parents of students receiving special education services in Gwinnett are invited to attend upcoming sessions, presented by the Gwinnett County Parent Mentors in collaboration with GCPS' Special Education Department staff and community leaders and organizations. Parent Mentors Jackie McNair and Dawn Albanese are parents who work within GCPS' special education department, providing information and support to other families who have children served in special education. The mentors have first-hand knowledge of raising a child with special needs as they both have a child who has been served or is being served in GCPS. (In this GCPS TV video, learn more about the district’s parent mentors.)

Upcoming events include the following:

• “Criminal Justice: How It Impacts Students with Disabilities”
  On Jan. 22, parents of students with disabilities, ages 12 to 22, are invited to this session about the juvenile justice system and the parent’s role when a young person is arrested or detained by law enforcement. Gwinnett County State Court Judge Pamela South will present the session, set for 10 a.m. to noon. RSVP by Jan. 19 by contacting Ms. McNair by phone at (678) 301-7149 or by email at Jackie_McNair@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. The meeting will be held in Building 200 in the Collins Hill Room (2.143) at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center (ISC), located at 437 Old Peachtree Road, NW, in Suwanee.
• “Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services  in the School:  What are They?”
  Scheduled for Jan. 23, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., this program for parents will feature Dr. Ryan Mitchell, an occupational therapist with GCPS. RSVP by contacting Ms. Albanese by phone at (678) 301-7212 or by email at dawn_albanese@gwinnett.k12.ga.us by Jan. 22. The meeting will be held in Building 200 in the Central Gwinnett Room (2.111) at the ISC in Suwanee.

For more information regarding the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership, go to www.parentmentors.org.

2018-19 registration continues for special programs and schools

Gwinnett charter schools and a number of other special schools and programs have scheduled information sessions and registration dates for students interested in attending one of the schools in the 2018–19 school year:

• Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST): Jan. 26 is the last day for GSMST registration for 2018-19. A registration lottery will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 5 at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center.
• Maxwell High School of Technology: Online registration for the 2018–19 school year is now available. Information visits will be held at GCPS high schools through Feb. 15. Dates and times of high school visits will be posted on the Maxwell website. The school also has an Open House set for March 1 between 5 and 7 p.m.. 
• Grayson HS Technical Education Program: Online registration opens Jan. 16. (Students can apply from any GCPS computer, and must be in the GCPS network to apply.) Information visits will be held at GCPS high schools between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15, with the Winter Open House set for Feb. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC): Students in grades 4–12 interested in attending GOC full time for 2018–19 must complete the registration process during the month of February. Interested families are encouraged to attend an open house and tour at the school’s campus from 10 to 11 a.m. on Jan 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, Feb. 13, Feb. 14., or Feb. 15. An informational meeting is set for Feb. 28, 6:30–7:30 p.m., or check out informational videos online.
• New Life Academy of Excellence:  Open enrollment for new students is open through Jan. 31. If needed, a registration lottery will be held on Feb. 19.
• North Metro Academy of Performing Arts: Re-enrollment for current students will run Jan. 16-31. Open enrollment for new students begins Feb. 1. School tours are available daily.

Join us in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King at MLK Day celebration

Again this year, Gwinnett County Public Schools is partnering with The United Ebony Society of Gwinnett County, Inc., to host the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration on Monday, Jan. 15. With a theme of “Honoring the Past and Empowering the Future,” the event will kick off at 11 a.m. with a ceremony followed by the annual parade at noon. The parade route begins at the front parking area of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) and concludes at Moore MS. A community celebration— featuring student performances and student artwork and information on community resources— will begin in the school cafeteria following the parade. Activities for the 18th annual celebration will conclude at 3 p.m.

GJAC is located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville and the school address is 1221 Lawrenceville Highway, also in Lawrenceville.

Organizers advise that limited trolley service will be available between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., running between Moore MS and parking lots at Central Gwinnett HS and First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville.

#MLKDay

Love That Book! Hooray for this modern-day hero!

In this episode of GCPS TV’s “Love That Book!,” best-selling children's author Carmen Agra Deedy shares the story of a modern-day hero and shows her friend James that everyone has the potential to do something heroic by going above and beyond what is expected. Learn more in Hooray for Heroes as Carmen introduces some new books and old favorites.