Over the years, the E-SPLOST has provided thousands of needed classrooms as well as technology improvements that are essential to teaching and learning.
A walk with Spot
In this “Focus Moment” from GCPS TV, follow along as students from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology take “Spot” for a STEM-friendly walk… thousands of miles away in San Francisco.
Annual AKS review runs through Oct. 12
The annual review of the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum runs through Oct. 12. Through the review process, parents, staff, and community members can give feedback on new AKS (Academic Knowledge and Skills) standards developed to align with the Georgia Standards of Excellence and/or Georgia Performance Standards. The AKS spell out the essential concepts students are expected to know and skills they should acquire in a given grade, subject, or course. This review is addressing AKS for career and technical education, foreign language, Health and PE, and core academic courses. Input on these courses will be given via an online survey. On Nov. 5, the GEMS Oversight Committee—a group of community and school system representatives charged with the annual review of the AKS curriculum—will review the suggestions and curriculum director comments before making recommendations to CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks for adoption by the School Board.
Sept. 22 is National Voter Registration Day
The deadline to register to vote in Gwinnett County (or make changes to an existing registration) is Oct. 5.
2020 Census: Respond by Sept. 30 to be counted!
By now, more than 90% of U.S. households have been counted in the #2020Census. Census takers are visiting every household that has not already responded to make sure all households are counted. If you haven’t responded yet, it’s not too late! The deadline to respond is Sept. 30. You can respond online at 2020census.gov, by phone, or by mail. If a census taker comes to your home, please cooperate. Your community needs your response. Results of the census shape many aspects of our community— from funding for schools, highways, emergency services, and libraries to representation in Congress. Visit 2020Census.gov today to get started!
Re-apply for F&R meal benefits by Sept. 23
The deadline to carry over 2019-20 eligibility for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program is Sept. 23. Eligible families should complete the annual application to ensure benefits continue when GCPS' waiver for free meals expires at the end of 2020. Note that those eligible for free- and reduced-priced meals may be able to access other types of public assistance or services available during the pandemic. Families with existing benefits that miss the deadline and those who become eligible during the year can re-apply or apply at any time.
Your Passion. Your Creativity. Your School… School of the Arts @ Central Gwinnett High School
SOTA will offer a unique “arts-centric” learning experience for Gwinnett County high school students, boasting the most fine arts courses in the district.
Freddie Falcon visits honored teachers with gifts
Kelsi Hamilton was shocked when she walked out of Trickum MS to a surprise Back-to-School Bash Delivery from Freddie Falcon.
GCPS to hold virtual job fairs for substitutes in September
Upcoming Virtual Job Fairs are scheduled for the following dates:
September 16, 6 p.m.
September 21, 2 p.m.
September 23, 6 p.m.
September 28, 2 p.m.
September 30, 6 p.m.
GCPS is offering an open computer lab for substitute applicants who need assistance. The lab will be staffed by the Substitute Team from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on designated Fridays—September 18, September 25, and October 2. Visitors should follow the signs to the Galileo Computer Lab from the front desk of Building 200 at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center (437 Old Peachtree Rd NW in Suwanee). Applicants must wear a mask or face covering to enter the building and work in the computer lab.
Looking for part-time employment with a flexible schedule? Check out GCPSjobs.org and opportunities for substitute teachers in Gwinnett County Public Schools!
Throughout September, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is holding a series of virtual job fairs for prospective substitute teachers, with open computer lab hours for applicant support on designated Fridays.
Substitutes work in our schools on daily or longer assignments, providing instruction through an in-person, digital, or hybrid format. You can choose the assignments you want to accept and determine your own schedule! Compensation ranges from $98 a day up to $120 per day for on-call subs.
Applicants must complete an online application, provide a reference, provide college diploma or transcripts (at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarters hours from an accredited institution), and complete GCPS Substitute Teacher Training Program (unless applicant has a valid or expired teaching certificate or has completed practicum or student teaching in GCPS).
If you think substitute teaching may be for you, complete an online application (Posting #66797) today!
Learn more at GCPSjobs.org. Email substitutes@gcpsk12.org for assistance.
District’s Community-Based Mentoring Program seeks volunteer mentors
In Gwinnett County Public Schools, we believe in the Power of One… one caring adult can change a child’s life. With the support of community members and GCPS employees, the district’s Community-Based Mentoring Program is building on the Power of One to connect caring adults in the community with students to provide guidance, encouragement, and support to help them become successful young adults, both in and out school.
Studies show that successful mentoring programs help students develop social skills, improve their school achievement and graduation rates, build character, and many other benefits. While our focus is on teaching and learning, we know that many things beyond the curriculum can have an impact on how we teach and our students learn, including building relationships with trusted adults.
The district is seeking both male and female mentors for the 2020-21 year. Currently, GCPS’ mentoring activities are virtual and district staff are supporting mentors and mentees for successful “remote” mentoring for individuals and small groups.
Prospective mentors can learn more about how to become a mentor and find an application online. Training sessions for new mentors will be held online this school year.
Check out this video about Mentoring the Promise from GCPS TV.
Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Community-Based Mentoring Program
One mentoring program with three priorities, serving students through individual and small-group mentoring:
African-American Boys Priority— Young men in grades 4-12 at more than 60 schools
African-American Girls Priority— Female students at 27 middle schools
Hispanic Boys and Girls Priority— Students attending 15 middle schools
GCPS to provide meals free of charge through the end of the school year
Thanks to USDA waiver extensions, the school district is able to offer both breakfast and lunch on school days to all Gwinnett children 18 and under at no charge through the end of the school year.
Bus driver honored with 2020 Hidden Hero Award
Michele Bourdonnay couldn’t hide the shock on her face when she opened her front door to a socially distanced “crowd” with some exciting news.
General Election 2020: Now’s the time to request absentee ballot
Election season— like everything else during this time of COVID-19— is going to be different.
‘School Crashers’ renovate Harris ES playground
In this “Focus Moment” from GCPS TV, see how parents and staff members from Harris ES joined 40 volunteers from Georgia United Credit Union in renovating the school’s playground and refreshing its outdoor classroom, thanks to a “School Crashers” grant from the credit union.
Books 2 Kids events kept students reading all summer
This summer, coronavirus concerns didn’t stop our Book Mobiles from taking to the road to support literacy through a new initiative- Books 2 Kids events!
2020 Census: Your response matters!
If you haven’t yet completed the census for your household, it’s not too late to respond!
By completing the 2020 Census, you’re helping to shape the future of our community for the next 10 years.
Results of the census shape many aspects of our community— from funding for schools, highways, emergency services, and libraries to representation in Congress.
You can complete the #2020Census now online, by phone, or by mail. It takes just a few minutes to respond to the questions and the process is safe, secure, and confidential. Remember, if you respond online or by phone today, a census taker is less likely to have to visit your home to collect your response. (However, if a census taker does come to your home, please cooperate so that we can get a complete count for our community.)
Visit 2020Census.gov today to get started!
Brookwood HS’ ‘Astrobutler’ needs your vote!
A group of Brookwood HS students is hoping their time-saving prototype for meal preparation will help make life a little easier for the three astronauts who live on the International Space Station.
Labor Day—Sept. 7— is school holiday
Don’t forget… Monday is a holiday! All GCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. If you have questions about the student calendar, you can find a copy on the GCPS website.
GCPS… the Giving Way: Cookies to Chromebooks
In this GCPS TV video— Cookies to Chromebooks— learn how three students started Pink Confetti, a home bakery with online sales, to help fund five Chromebooks for digital learners at Duncan Creek ES and other worthy causes.
The video is part of “Giving… the GCPS Way,” a series that explores the many ways GCPS students and staff give back to the community with generous hearts and kind deeds. Another recent installment features a Colllins Hill HS student who launched an effort to raise funds and donated meals to feed Gwinnett healthcare workers as the pandemic took hold last spring.
Apply for state superintendent’s student advisory team by Oct. 1
State School Superintendent Richard Woods is seeking public school students in grades 9-12 to serve on his 2020-21 Student Advisory Council. Council members will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom, along with other issues related to education, and will serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools. Students must apply by Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. Council members will be announced Oct. 15. The first meeting will be held virtually on Nov. 5, with other meeting dates announced to participants at a later time. Applicants must be enrolled in a Georgia public high school for either virtual or in-person instruction. Any questions should be submitted to students@doe.k12.ga.us.