Watch registration deadlines for GCPS programs and schools for 2021–22

Special schools, programs, and charters in Gwinnett have scheduled information sessions and registration dates for students interested in attending one of the schools in the 2021–22 school year:

• Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST): Registration for GSMST has closed.  The registration lottery will be held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 9 at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center.

• New Life Academy of Excellence: Enrollment for new students is open through Feb. 5. If needed, a registration lottery will be conducted Feb. 9. 

• North Metro Academy of Performing Arts:  Enrollment is ongoing.

• Grayson HS Technical Education Program: Online registration is open, with a virtual information session set for Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Students can apply from any GCPS computer, and must be in the GCPS network to apply. 

• Maxwell High School of Technology: Registration continues, with a virtual Open House set for Feb. 18 between 4 and 6 p.m. Students can apply from any GCPS computer, and must be in the GCPS network to apply.

• Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC): During February, students in grades 4–12 may complete the registration process to attend GOC next school year. Register for an information session on the “Interested in Attending GOC” webpage.

Check out the latest episode of In5ive

Find out who came out on top when two Gwinnett teams – Grayson High and Collins Hill High – faced off in the state football championship game . . . And meet the students and teachers from Mountain View High, South Gwinnett High, and Parsons Elementary who earned special recognition for their hard work and big hearts. Enjoy these stories and more in this latest edition of in5ive, and remember that Monday, January 18 is a student and staff holiday.

Reminder: Free school meals available through end of school year

A reminder for 2nd semester… GCPS will continue 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. This includes children who are attending GCPS schools in-person and those who are digital learners as well as children who are not school-aged and those who are not GCPS students. These meals are provided at no cost to the individual through the federal School Nutrition Program. Online, find more information about GCPS’ free meals program, including a list of schools offering curbside meal pick-up for digital learners and other children age 18 and under.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, is Election Day for Senate, PSC runoffs

If you are registered and haven’t voted in the runoff election for Georgia’s two U.S. Senate seats and Public Service Commissioner, Election Day is Tuesday, Jan. 5. Plan to vote at your regular polling place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day. Find your poll location on the Secretary of State’s (SOS) website at MVP (My Voting Page). Election Day information is available from the Gwinnett County Elections Office online.

Give feedback on equity issues, procedures through Jan. 18

GCPS stakeholders—students, staff, families, and community members—are invited to give their feedback on the district’s equity efforts and the work done to date by six equity teams reviewing current procedures with an eye toward equity. An online survey is available through Jan. 18.

The GCPS Talks Educational Equity series is available via the GCPS TV app, on the school district’s web page,and via your cable TV provider. The first few sessions that aired are available on-demand—Educational Equity Overview, Student Meeting, and Community Engagement Meeting. The remaining session—Educational Equity Summary (Live)—is set for Jan. 11.

GCPS to host virtual career fair for special education teachers

GCPS will host a Special Education Virtual Teacher Career Fair on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. Contracts of employment for the 2021-22 school year will be offered. Those who are interested must complete the online application at http://www.gcpsjobs.org, then register to attend. Please note that a request to participate does not guarantee an interview. Registration for the fair will close on Jan. 28, or after all interview times have been filled.

Special programs and schools announce registration plans for 2021–22

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 2021–22 school year:

• Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST): GSMST registration for next school year is open through Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. The final information session for rising 9th graders and their families is set for Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at the school. The registration lottery will be held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 9 at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center.

• New Life Academy of Excellence: Open enrollment for new students is set for Dec. 14 through Feb. 5.

• North Metro Academy of Performing Arts:  Open enrollment for new students begins Jan. 1. 

• Maxwell High School of Technology: Registration for the 2021-22 school year begins online on Jan. 12, with a virtual Open House set for Feb. 18 between 4 and 6 p.m. Students can apply from any GCPS computer, and must be in the GCPS network to apply.

• Grayson HS Technical Education Program: Online registration opens Jan. 12, with the Winter Open House set for Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Students can apply from any GCPS computer, and must be in the GCPS network to apply. Virtual information sessions will be conducted on the website on Jan. 12 and Feb. 11.

• Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC):Students in grades 4–12 interested in attending GOC full time for 2021–22 must complete the registration process during the month of February. Interested families are encouraged to attend an in-person information session and tour at the school’s campus. Visit the “Interested in Attending GOC” webpage to register for an information session.

In-person advance voting begins this week for U.S. Senate, PSC runoffs

This week, in-person advance voting begins for the General Election runoff for Georgia’s two U.S. Senate seats and the Public Service Commissioner. This option is available to Gwinnett voters every day, including weekends, through Dec. 31 (with the exception of Dec. 24-25) 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 Thursday before the election (Dec. 31). There is no advance voting on New Year’s Day or the Saturday, Sunday, or Monday immediately prior to Election Day (Jan. 5).

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 Jan. 5 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.

Know these important dates for Winter Break

Winter Break is right around the corner! Make sure to circle these important dates on your calendar.

High school students will be released from school early on the last three days of the semester—Dec. 16, 17, and 18— as they take final exams. Elementary and middle school students will follow their regular school schedule those days. Friday, Dec. 18 will be the last day of classes for all students.

While schools will be closed, the district’s central office locations will remain open on Monday, Dec. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 22. All schools and offices will be closed from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1. District offices will reopen Jan. 4, and teachers will report back to work for planning and staff development on Jan. 5. All employees will be on the job on Jan. 6, but students don’t return to school until Thursday, Jan. 7.