Help your child develop as a digital citizen

It’s Digital Citizenship Week!

If it weren’t true before, it is now. Our kids live in a digital world. Students participate in virtual classrooms and socialize with their friends and family in a digital space. We have a unique opportunity to help our students develop as positive digital citizens. If you are a fan of Pinterest, follow the GCPS Pinterest board for Digital Citizenship for a collection of cyber-savvy sites and resources broken down by topic and age. Linked resources include tips related to the following topics:

• Cyberbullying, including signs of cyberbullying and skills that will help your child be an “upstander, not a bystander, when others are bullied online.

• Digital Footprint, including your child’s online social development

• Online Safety and Security, including device management

• Sensitive Topics such as sexting and peer pressure.

#KeepGALearning #KeepGCPSLearning

GCPS supports You Can Do It Drive for Great Days of Service

This week, from Oct. 19 to Oct. 22, students and staff at 80 GCPS schools, the Instructional Support Center, and other central office locations will participate in the Great Days of Service (GDOS) You Can Do It Drive, accepting donations for Gwinnett families affected by COVID-19. (Donations will be picked up Oct. 23.) In addition, anyone in the community can make a “contactless” donation drop-off at locations around the county. Check the GDOS website for dates and times for community collections. Requested items include canned proteins, canned soups and fruit, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper. This year, GDOS organizers also are seeking books for young children (ages 0-8) and electronic devices such as laptops, computers, and tablets. Check the GDOS website for opportunities to volunteer to help with collection efforts Oct. 23-24. Gwinnett Great Days of Service is a program of the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, a local nonprofit dedicated to addressing the health and human service needs of everyone in Gwinnett County. Like GDOS on Facebook to keep up with the latest on this event.

Select 2nd semester learning option on Parent Portal starting Oct. 28

Starting Oct. 28, families will be able to select their student’s learning option for 2nd semester—either in-person at the school or digital learning at home. Families will indicate their choice in an online survey in the Parent Portal. Families can make changes to their selection up to 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 15, when the selection process closes. Students whose families do not update their preference on the portal will continue in their current learning option on Jan. 6, when students return to learning for the spring semester.

Families that don’t have an account yet can find the Parent Portal registration form online or at their student’s school. To verify their identity, parents must return the completed form in person or contact the local school to set up a virtual meeting. Learn more about the registration process in this flyer for families online.

Now Playing: School Lunch!

Healthy, hearty meals served through Gwinnett County Public Schools’ award-winning school nutrition program (SNP) are the ticket to good nutrition for our students!

During National School Lunch Week (Oct. 12-16), we’re raising the curtain on the contributions of the 1,400+ food service professionals for their dedicated work in preparing and serving more than 100,000 meals each day through the district’s 132 school cafeterias! This big job is even bigger this year as our cafeterias are feeding both in-person students at the school and digital learners and other children in the community via curbside pickup.

“Our school nutrition employees are doing an incredible job during these unprecedented times, and they have adapted and adjusted in a professional and positive manner,” says Ken Yant, executive director of School Nutrition Programs. “They have demonstrated a true commitment and dedication to ensure we provide access to meals for all GCPS students.”

Café Gwinnett plays a critical role in ensuring students have access to nutritious meals—both breakfast and lunch. Based on strict federal guidelines, every school lunch served in our cafeterias contains fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy to help feed students’ bodies and fuel their minds. Gwinnett cafeterias serve many of the brands families use at home, such as Tyson, General Mills, Kellogg’s, and Land O’ Lakes. In addition, students are served a variety of fruits and vegetables, many locally grown, through GCPS’ Farm to School program.

#thankSNPstaff #SchoolLunch #KeepGCPSFed

Free meals extended through end of school year

Thanks to USDA waiver extensions that were issued on Oct. 9, the school district is able to offer both breakfast and lunch on school days to all Gwinnett children, ages 18 and younger, at no charge through the end of the school year, including children who are not school-aged and children who are not GCPS students. (Note that GCPS does not provide meals on weekends or on scheduled student holidays.)

Gwinnett County Public Schools encourages families who are eligible for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program to complete the annual application to ensure meal benefits continue when this waiver expires. Note that those eligible for free- and reduced-priced meals may be able to access other types of public assistance or services that may be available during this pandemic.

Become a substitute in Gwinnett!

Virtual Job Fairs in October:

• Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m.

• Wednesday., Oct. 28, 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 in October—Oct. 16, Oct. 23, and Oct. 30. 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.

If you’re looking for part-time employment with a flexible schedule, consider becoming a substitute teacher for Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS)! Check out GCPSjobs.org and opportunities for substitute teachers in Gwinnett County Public Schools!

GCPS is holding a series of virtual job fairs for prospective substitute teachers during October, 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.

If you think substitute teaching may be for you, learn more about becoming a sub and complete an online application (Posting #66797) today!

Check out GCPSjobs.org. Email substitutes@gcpsk12.org for assistance.

In-person advance voting begins this week

This week, in-person advance voting begins for the General and Special Election. This option is available to Gwinnett voters every day, including weekends, through Oct. 30 at the following locations:

•         Elections Office (455 Grayson Hwy., Suite 200, in Lawrenceville), 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

•         Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

•         Lenora Park Gym, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

•         Dacula Park Activity Building, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

•         Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

•         George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

•         Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

•         Mountain Park Activity Building, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

•         Shorty Howell Park Recreation Center, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Online, check wait times for advance voting locations.

The last day to vote in person is the Friday before the election (Oct. 30). There is no advance voting on the Saturday, Sunday, or Monday immediately prior to Election Day (Nov. 3).

If you’re voting by absentee ballot, check out these FAQs to ensure that your ballot is completed correctly. Make sure to mail your completed ballot as soon as possible to avoid mail delays or deposit at one of the official ballot drop boxes, which feature 24-hour surveillance and are available 24/7 through Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

If you have requested an absentee ballot, but decide to vote in person, you must surrender your absentee ballot to poll officials. The ballot will be cancelled and you will be allowed to vote an electronic ballot. If you decide to vote in person, but don’t have your ballot with you, you may still vote at a polling location. Poll officials will assist you in completing the Cancellation of Absentee Ballot (English/Español) and the poll official will record the transaction in a log.

Call the Gwinnett County Office of Elections at 678-226-7210 with questions. Online, learn more about what to expect as an in-person voter in Gwinnett.

What’s on the ballot?

Offices up for election on this lengthy ballot include U.S. President/Vice President, two U.S. Senators, U.S. House of Representatives seats, three Public Service Commissioners, State Senators, State Representatives, District Attorney, Clerk of Superior Court, Sheriff, Tax Commissioner, Chair of the County Board of Commissioners, County Commissioners (Districts 1 and 3), School Board Members (Districts 1, 3, and 5), six Superior Court judges, four State Court judges, Probate Court judge, and Chief Magistrate. In addition, the ballot includes GCPS’ E-SPLOST and a transit question in Gwinnett, some statewide measures, and contests in some municipalities.

Do your part for a complete census count

We’re down to the wire… The updated deadline to complete the #2020Census is Thursday, Oct. 15, at 11:59 p.m. If you haven’t responded yet, it’s not too late! You can respond online at 2020census.gov, by phone, or by mail. The census takes just a few minutes to complete and the process is safe, secure, and confidential. 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 make sure you and your family are counted!

Celebrate educational leadership during National Principal Month

Did you know?

GCPS is home to the 2020 National Principal of the Year… Kerensa Wing, principal of Collins Hill HS!

Student success takes all of us working together… families, school and district staff, and the community.

Families—a child’s first teachers—play a key role in preparing their child for a lifetime of learning.  And, committed, caring, and highly qualified teachers are a critical part of the student success story. Our schools bring all of those elements together under the educational leadership of our principals, the school-based leaders tasked with improving achievement, cultivating a culture of student success, and guiding staff members to grow professionally.

October is National Principal Month!

We salute our principals for their dedication, hard work, and leadership, especially during these challenging times. Please take a moment to #ThankAPrincipal! Send an e-card to your principal through the National Association of Secondary School Principals, or go on social media to say “thanks” with a post or tweet and a hashtag to celebrate the ways our school leaders help students and staff to shine!

#ThankAPrincipal #ShineBright #GCPSLeader

Watch for Essentials newsletter!

Coming soon to your mailbox… The most recent issue of Essentials will bring you a look at how our schools, staff, and students are adjusting to the ‘New Normal’ this school year, a look to the future, a new arts-centric program open to rising 9th and 10th graders from around the district, jobs for bus drivers and substitutes, and more! You'll also find a special insert with information about the E-SPLOST on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Enjoy your Fall Break!

It’s finally fall! The leaves are turning, the temperatures are cooler, and GCPS students have three days away from school for Fall Break. Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday of this week, Oct. 8 and 9. Students also will have the day off on Monday, Oct. 12, which is a staff development day for teachers. Students and all staff will be back to school—in-person or online—on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Have fun, be safe, and stay well during your break!

Vote 2020: Request ballot or plan in-person voting

One of our most important civic responsibilities is participation in the electoral process.  Make sure you’re ready to vote in this fall’s election. Go to the Secretary of State’s website and log on to MVP— My Voting Page— where you can find your voter registration status (if you registered before the Oct. 5 deadline), mail-in application and absentee ballot status, sample ballot, poll and advance voting locations, and more. Call the Gwinnett County Office of Elections at 678-226-7210 with questions about voting in Gwinnett.

To vote by mail, request an absentee ballot as soon as possible— by phone (Gwinnett Elections Office, 678-226-7210), by mail (download the application, sign, and return), or online at https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov/. Online, check out FAQs on absentee voting and in-person advance voting.

Give feedback on proposed instructional resources in October

Staff, parents, and community members are invited to review and provide input on proposed curriculum resources for select grades and courses in Language Arts, Social Studies, Career and Technical  Education, and Foreign Language. This year’s virtual review will begin Oct. 1 and will run through Oct. 31. Before adopting instructional resources for classroom use, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) holds an extensive review. The curriculum content offices and Instructional Resources and Support jointly convened multiple committees involving various stakeholder groups to select resources to consider for adoption submitted by publishers. The resources were reviewed for alignment with the school system’s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. During the review process, resources are piloted in GCPS classrooms. Data from the reviews and pilots will be considered in making adoption recommendations to the Board of Education in early 2021. To begin the review, please visit this link. For more about the instructional resources review process, contact the Office of Instructional Resources and Support, at 678-301-6828.