Window opens for Foundation Scholarship applications

If you have a member of the Class of 2019 at home, your fall weekends may be filled with campus visits and work on college applications. Don’t forget to put scholarship applications on the to-do list. The GCPS Foundation Fund is now accepting applications from members of the GCPS Class of 2019. Annually, the Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to GCPS seniors, funded through the support of local businesses and organizations and contributions from generous staff and community members. Last year, more than 130 graduating seniors earned $175,000 in district and school-specific scholarships administered through the Foundation. Find the 2019 GCPS Foundation Scholarship Catalog online. Scholarships range in value from $500 to $2,000 and most are one-time awards. The deadline for scholarships managed by the Foundation is Dec. 7. (All scholarship deadlines are included in the scholarship information and clearly noted on each application.) The Foundation will announce scholarship recipients in May.

Election Day is a student holiday!

Families are reminded that Tuesday, Nov. 6, is a holiday for Gwinnett students. Adults and older students (age 18 as of Election Day) who are registered to vote and haven't advance voted yet are encouraged to vote at their regular polling place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day. Find poll locations and a sample ballot on the Secretary of State’s (SOS) website at MVP (My Voting Page). Georgia voters can expect a lengthy ballot, including local, state, and national races as well as a G.O. Bond referendum for Gwinnett schools, and additional local measures for some municipalities. Registered voters are encouraged to learn more about the issues and candidates under consideration this election cycle, and to be certain to complete the entire ballot.

Share your ‘adulting’ experience with students at JA Discovery Center

A partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) launched the JA Discovery Center at Gwinnett, now in its fourth year. Annually, more than 50,000 GCPS middle schoolers take part in day-long simulations at the center to learn how to navigate the workplace and manage money. No matter your profession, your life experiences qualify you to be a successful volunteer to serve as a mentor and coach for students in these simulations:

• JA BizTown: Students interact within a simulated economy and take on the role of citizen, consumer, and employee. (6th Grade)

• JA Finance Park: Students make the connection between their education and career, career and income, and ultimately their income and future lifestyle. (8th Grade)

More than 4,000 volunteers have supported the Center since its inception. Email VolunteerGwinnett@georgia.ja.org if you’re interested in volunteering at the Center this year.

The JA Center is on the campus of Discovery HS, located at 1333 Old Norcross Road in Lawrenceville.

Last chance to register for golf fundraiser!

Oct. 1 is the deadline to register as a golfer or sponsor for the 9th Annual Golf Tournament  to benefit GCPS’ Community-Based Mentoring Program. For more information about the Oct. 8 tournament or the mentoring program, check out the Mentoring Program web page or call 770-682-8086.

Hit the links to support mentoring in Gwinnett

Mentors and community leaders are hitting the links at Lanier Islands Legacy Golf Course in Buford to benefit GCPS’ Community-Based Mentoring Program. The 9th Annual Golf Tournament is set for Oct. 8 (a student holiday). Registration is open for both golfers and sponsors at all levels so pass the word. The deadline to enter has been extended to Monday, Oct. 1. The money raised will go toward college scholarships, resources, enrichment activities, and background-building experiences for students in the mentoring program.  For more information about the tournament or the mentoring program, check out the Mentoring Program web page or call 770-682-8086.

Hit the road as a GCPS bus driver!

GCPS is accepting applications for school bus drivers! The hourly wage for drivers is competitive, and bus drivers have excellent benefits and paid training as well as summer vacation and holidays off. Prospective drivers don’t need to hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to apply to become a school bus driver. Our Transportation Department trains and supports new drivers through the process! Applicants are required to be 21 or older and hold a good driving record and a high school diploma or GED. Learn more and apply today (Posting #56860) at GCPSjobs.org, or call 678-225-7670!

Don’t miss feedback opportunity on fine arts resources

Friday, Oct. 5, is the last day for GCPS parents, staff, and community members to review and provide feedback on proposed curriculum resources. The review is for student textbooks, digital resources, and associated teacher resources for Fine Arts for grades K-12, and is available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the review, both print and digital resources can be reviewed at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Road NW in Suwanee. For more information about the instructional review process, contact Jadd Jarusinski, director of Instructional Resources and Support, at 678-301-6828 or by email.

Wanted: Career Connections exhibitors

Looking for a way to give back to your community? Community members from across the career spectrum are needed for “show and tell” interviews and activities at the upcoming Career Connections event, set for Tuesday, Oct. 16. The event supports college- and career-readiness for the district’s College and Career Academy 8th graders. The 5,000+ student participants attend the 11 middle schools that feed into our seven College and Career Academy high schools: Berkmar, Central Gwinnett, Discovery, Lanier, Meadowcreek, Shiloh, and South Gwinnett. Prospective exhibitors who can find information about the event and a sign-up form online. There's no cost for exhibitors to participate in the event. To learn more, contact Billy Sayers in the Office of Academies and Career and Technical Education at 678-301-7050 or by email.

65+ Gwinnettians qualify for free pass for sports, fine arts events

Are you 65 years of age or older and a resident of Gwinnett County? We’ve got your ticket to Gwinnett County Public Schools fine arts and athletic events. And, it’s free!  You can use your Senior Pass to enter any GCPS-sponsored athletic or fine arts event— from football games and track meets to school plays, recitals, and concerts. (The passes are not valid for region or state competitions.) Find upcoming events on school websites. Call 678-301-7274 with questions. Learn more about the Senior Pass in this GCPS TV video.