Check out the latest episode of In5ive

Take a few minutes to catch up on your district news in the latest edition of In5ive. In this episode, four GCPS educators are honored by the Teach On Project… Jackson EMC awards $25,000 in grants to several GCPS teachers… Suwanee ES reveals an innovative reward system for students. Enjoy these stories and more in this latest edition of in5ive.

Learn to code in just one hour!

This week, students across the county are taking part in the Hour of Code, a worldwide initiative to introduce students to computer science and computer programming. The initiative, sponsored by Code.org, helps demystify “coding,” shows that anyone can learn the basics, and encourages young people to consider how computer science could fit into their future.

On the Hour of Code website, dozens of hour-long activities are available for every grade level and ability and feature kid-friendly activities like building a Star Wars galaxy, using code to develop apps or write music, exploring Minecraft, and designing your own chatbot. 

It takes more than 60 minutes to become an expert, but the Hour of Code will show students that computer science is fun and creative, and may spark an interest to learn more.

Students who want to go beyond an Hour of Code can learn more with these tutorials:

• Get Creative with Coding—Use block-based coding with Scratch to create interactive games, stories, and animations.

• Learn Computer Coding—Learn the basics of JavaScript programming with this free course from Khan Academy.

• Intro to Codesters—Learn core coding skills while creating an interactive program.

Give the gift of learning: Donate to GCPS Foundation Fund

As you consider your end-of-year giving and the impact of your charitable donations, please consider a donation to Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing financial resources to enrich and enhance education in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). Since its beginning in 2006, the Foundation has provided resources and support to improve the educational future of all students.

As a donor, you have a number of choices when you decide to give to the Foundation. You can make a one-time contribution or elect to give a recurring monthly donation. You can give to support a scholarship fund or a district-level program like the Community-Based Mentoring Program or the GCPS Book Mobiles. You can designate your gift to an established fund for a school or cluster, or, you can make a contribution “where the need is greatest.”

Whatever you give and however you designate your gift, know that your donation to the GCPS Foundation is appreciated and will make a difference for Gwinnett County schoolchildren and staff members!

Dec. 7 deadline approaches for Foundation scholarship applications

Students graduating in May still have a few days to apply for scholarships administered by the GCPS Foundation Fund. Annually, the Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to GCPS seniors. On the Foundation website, find the 2021 GCPS Foundation Scholarship Catalog online and other scholarship opportunities. 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. The Foundation will announce scholarship recipients in May.

GCPS extends deadline for feedback on equity procedures through Jan. 11

Last month, GCPS launched GCPS Talks Educational Equity, a series of programs on GCPS TV that explores the district’s equity efforts and the work done to date by six equity teams reviewing current procedures with an eye toward equity.

GCPS stakeholders—students, staff, families, and community members—are invited to watch the GCPS Talks Educational Equity sessions and give their feedback on proposed changes to procedures and equity issues in the district. The online survey to gather feedback has been extended through Jan. 11.

Throughout the fall, the teams have analyzed and provided suggestions to improve the structures, systems, and support needed to promote educational equity throughout the district. They’ve also recommended new procedures for consideration. The teams are working in the areas of:

• Educational Opportunities and Expectations;

• Teaching and Learning;

• Student Support;

• Community Engagement and Partnerships;

• Facilities and Assets; and

• Human Resources, Leadership, and Staff.

 “As a district, we are committed to addressing and reducing educational inequities that exist and to providing students and staff with programs and support that increase opportunities for success,” says Dr. Tommy Welch, GCPS chief equity and compliance officer. “The feedback we receive during the live GCPS Talk sessions and via our online survey will be very helpful as we continue our work in this critical area of educational equity.”

GCPS Talks Educational Equity

The GCPS Talk Educational Equity series is available via the GCPS TV app, on the school district’s webpage, and via your cable TV provider. The first sessions that aired in November are available on-demand—Educational Equity Overview and Student Meeting.

Remaining sessions include:

• Dec. 7     Community meeting (Live) with Special Guest Nury Crawford, director of Community-Based Mentoring

• Jan. 11   Educational Equity Summary (Live)

Become a substitute in Gwinnett!

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 our schools!

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

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!

Email substitutes@gcpsk12.org for assistance.

Upcoming Virtual Job Fairs:

• Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m.

• Monday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m.

• Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m.

• Monday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.

• Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m.

GCPS to host annual Child Find event on Dec. 3

Each year, GCPS conducts a meeting for the families of children with disabilities (birth to age 21) currently not served by GCPS who may benefit from support services available through the school system's Department of Special Education and Psychological Services. This year, the Child Find meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Collins Hill Room (2.143) in Building 200 of the  J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Road NW in Suwanee.

Families unable to attend are encouraged to contact GCPS with their questions about services for students with disabilities. Call or email Becca McCleskeywith GCPS’ Office of Compliance at 678-301-7104 or contact Parent Mentors Jackie McNair (678-301-7149) or Dawn Albanese (678-301-7212).

Thankful for our students, staff, and families!

All GCPS schools will be closed for Thanksgiving Break during the week of Nov. 23. Students will return to in-person class or online learning on Monday, Nov. 30. Gwinnett’s district offices will be open next week, closing Thursday and Friday (Nov. 26 and 27) for the Thanksgiving holidays. If you have questions about the student calendar, you can find a copy on the GCPS website. Enjoy a safe, healthy, and relaxing holiday week!

Share feedback on GCPS procedures in equity review

In November, GCPS launched GCPS Talks Educational Equity, a series of programs on GCPS TV that explores the district’s equity efforts and the work done to date by six equity teams reviewing current procedures with an eye toward equity.

What is Educational Equity?

Providing access to ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills to succeed as contributing members of a global society, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, English proficiency, faith, socioeconomic status, or disability.

GCPS stakeholders—students, staff, families, and community members—are invited to watch the GCPS Talks Educational Equity sessions and give their feedback on proposed changes to procedures and equity issues in the district. An online survey will gather feedback through Dec. 11.

Throughout the fall, the teams have analyzed and provided suggestions to improve the structures, systems, and support needed to promote educational equity throughout the district. They’ve also recommended new procedures for consideration. The teams are working in the areas of:

• Educational Opportunities and Expectations;

• Teaching and Learning;

• Student Support;

• Community Engagement and Partnerships;

• Facilities and Assets; and

• Human Resources, Leadership, and Staff.

 “As a district, we are committed to addressing and reducing educational inequities that exist and to providing students and staff with programs and support that increase opportunities for success,” says Dr. Tommy Welch, GCPS chief equity and compliance officer. “The feedback we receive during the live GCPS Talk sessions and via our online survey will be very helpful as we continue our work in this critical area of educational equity.”

GCPS Talks Educational Equity

The GCPS Talk Educational Equity series is available via the GCPS TV app, on the school district’s webpage, and via your cable TV provider. All sessions are available on-demand after the initial airdate. (Note that codes in live sessions are no longer active after they have aired.)

• Nov. 9      Session 1: Educational Equity Overview (Pre-recorded)

• Nov. 16    Session 2: Student Meeting (Live)
  Special Guest Laura Ross, Five Forks Middle School counselor, 2020 National Counselor of the Year

• Nov. 30   Session 3: Equity Teams Overview (Pre-recorded)

• Dec. 7      Session 4: Community meeting (Live)
  Special Guest Nury Crawford, director of Community-Based Mentoring

• Jan. 11 Session 5: Educational Equity Summary (Live)

The Great Thanksgiving Listen 2020: Use StoryCorps Connect to preserve family stories virtually

The Great Thanksgiving Listen is a national movement that empowers young people—and people of all ages—to create an oral history of the contemporary United States by recording an interview with an elder, mentor, friend, or someone they admire. Even though we may not be able to gather with family and friends during the holidays, we can still create a unique oral history by interviewing a loved one virtually.

The StoryCorps Connect  platform allows you to record a StoryCorps interview with a loved one remotely, using video conference technology. If you choose to share your interview, the audio and a still photo will be archived with the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to be preserved for future generations to discover.

On the StoryCorps website, find tips for getting started, great questions to consider for your interview, and suggestions for getting the conversation going. (Also, check out technical recommendations and a step-by-step video for the StoryCorps Connect platform online.) If you are interviewing a member of your household, you can use the StoryCorps App to record an in-person interview.

Discover more about StoryCorps and check out the archives for inspiration.

The Great Thanksgiving Listen 2020… Listen. Honor. Share.

Check out the latest episode of In5ive

Take a few minutes to catch up on your district news in the latest edition of In5ive. In this episode, the six finalists for GCPS Teacher of the Year are revealed…a Mountain View HS graduate working for NBC wins an Emmy Award…and Oakland Meadow School has a brand new sensory playground. Enjoy these stories and more in the In5ive episode for the week of Nov. 16.

Join us in celebrating our Community Heroes on Thursday, Nov. 19!

While 2020 has been a year of community challenge, together we can continue to work and serve each other for a Greater Gwinnett!

How can you take part in this celebration?

• Share a message of thanks with the heroes who are making a difference in our community—teachers and other support staff, healthcare workers, public safety personnel, and first responders.

• Display or wear red, white, and blue on Nov. 19.

• Say “thank you” on social media, using the hashtags #RedBlueaAndYou and #CelebratingGwinnettHeroes. Make sure to tag @RedBlueAndYou.

• Celebrate the Gwinnett community with a random act of kindness.

Watch for photos later this week of American Education Week celebrations, courtesy of Red, Blue & You, a local non-profit.