News You Can Use
Manchester University students visit Patrick Elementary School to learn about the district's AI framework
Twelve students and two professors from Manchester University visited Patrick Elementary School recently to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives at the school and in Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) Seckinger Cluster. Their interest was piqued by a CBS Morning News Show story that highlighted the district’s commitment to AI. The Manchester contingent immersed themselves in various educational settings, spanning general education classrooms, computer science labs, and STEM programs. GCPS Director of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, Sallie Holloway, and Patrick Elementary's Computer Science teacher, Amber Melander, provided insight into the county and cluster's AI journey, showcasing how students actively engage with technology to foster future-ready skills outlined in GCPS' AI framework. The visit also included a panel discussion featuring educators from other AI-themed schools in the cluster, including Jones Middle School and Seckinger High School. The event provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of AI integration across different educational levels. The visitors were part of a specialized course exploring the intersection of race and education. The visit culminated in a debrief session, providing an avenue for further inquiry and reflection.
McClure Health Science High School hosts Medical Day for Special Olympics of Georgia GCPS students
McClure Health Science High School (MHSHS) recently hosted a Medical Day for Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students participating in Georgia’s Special Olympics. The event, which was free of charge, provided the district's special needs students with the chance to undergo essential medical examinations required to participate in Special Olympic events throughout the semester.
With the support of Oakland Meadow School’s adapted Physical Education department, The Special Olympics Coordinator, GCPS Transportation, MHSHS staff, and Northside Hospital Gwinnett-Family Medicine Residency at Strickland Family Medicine Center, MHSHS provided medical exams to 77 GCPS Special needs student-athletes. MHSHS Health Science Coordinator Jennifer Chambers says events like this are impactful. She explains, “Many of these students lack primary care physicians or health insurance, and some families with students in wheelchairs face transportation challenges due to a lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.”
Lilburn Elementary School gets new mural
Lilburn Elementary School has some new artwork on-site, thanks to a grant from the Gwinnett Creativity Fund. Three local artists painted a mural on a retaining wall near the playground. The work of art was unveiled during a ceremony attended by students, staff, and local leaders, including Lilburn City Manager Jenny Simpkins and Dr. Adrienne Simmons, Gwinnett County Board of Education District IV representative. Lasandra Cobb, a Lilburn Elementary teacher, says students love the mural. “As the mural was created, students in my class watched in awe,” Cobb shares. “Each day of the project, they looked at the progress, anticipating the finished product. After the mural was completed, students gravitated to the wall and took note of every detail! They found so much joy and asked to take pictures of them with the beautiful painting. We are all grateful for the blessing of a colorful wall and the warm message it displays every day.”
Baggett Elementary establishes Community Sports Leagues to support students after school
Baggett Elementary School is introducing after-school youth sports leagues to address the needs of its community. The new extracurricular program provides students with athletic and creative opportunities to grow and learn. Baggett Elementary staff members volunteer their time to serve as coaches, referees, and concession attendants. Jasmin Riley, a new physical education teacher, initiated the program. He modeled it after initiating a similar program at a school in Florida. Riley’s passion for sports has helped fuel the expansion of the program. Now in its second year, the after-school program has added soccer, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, a dance/step team, and it will soon have Tee-ball. During soccer season, Baggett Elementary collaborated with Discovery High School. Student-athletes from Discovery High volunteered in the afternoons to assist with coaching and mentoring the elementary school students.
Lilburn Middle School Partners with Vision to Learn to Expand Access to Eye Care
More than 500 Lilburn Middle School students have access to comprehensive eye exams and glasses thanks to a partnership with Vision-to-Learn,. This initiative aims to address vision impairments that could hinder academic performance and the overall well-being of students.
Sixth-grade counselor Kutana Parrish spearheaded the collaboration with Vision-to-Learn, an organization dedicated to providing eye care services to children in need. The program provides free comprehensive eye exams for identified students. Additionally, those needing corrective lenses can choose glasses at no cost, ensuring timely intervention and removing potential financial barriers to proper vision care. Given the potential impact of uncorrected vision on a child's educational success and development, this support is crucial for many families.
This initiative exemplifies the collaborative efforts of dedicated school personnel, like Parrish, in seeking innovative solutions to address student needs. Partnerships with organizations like Vision-to-Learn expand access to critical services, promote student well-being, and create a more equitable learning environment for all.
Discovery High School hosts "Challenge Day"
Discovery High School recently hosted Challenge Day, a transformative, two-day social and emotional learning (SEL) workshop that immersed 75 students and 25 adults in a journey of personal exploration and connection. Designed to foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging, the experience went beyond traditional classroom learning. It involved engaging participants in dynamic activities and discussions for six hours each day.
The event, attended by students, teachers, administrators, counselors, and local community members, focused on the core themes of inclusion, diversity, bullying, and equity, using energizing exercises and open conversations. Participants were encouraged to embrace their vulnerabilities to foster a sense of authenticity and shared understanding that transcended social barriers.
Shiloh High Fosters Well-being with Community Collaboration
Shiloh High School partnered with Silence the Shame, a local non-profit, to offer a pre-semester "COPE Clinic" for students and families. This collaborative effort provided a space for teens to connect, share experiences, and gain valuable life skills.
Lolade Bakrin, Shiloh High's behavioral therapist and alumnus, answered questions and provided advice during a teen chat panel involving current students. The event tackled themes like navigating school, social media, and home life. Attendees engaged in conversations with peers, parents, teachers, and community members, focusing on self-care, stress management, and building self-awareness and communication skills.
Kimberly Mahmud, a parent who attended the event, loved it. “This event was brilliant.” Mahmud shares. “It is helping Shiloh on their rise to greatness.” Hasset Mengest, a 2023 graduate of the program, agrees. “It touched my heart that so much thought was put into who we are as individuals,” Mengest added.
Listen to the most recent episode of Teaching Gwinnett Podcast
Collins Hill High School DECA Program Hosts Shoe Drive Throughout February
Collins Hill High School’s DECA program and Funds2Orgs are teaming up to support a shoe drive through the end of February. The initiative aims to engage the Collins Hill cluster community in reusing items it would typically discard. Funds2Orgs is a nonprofit organization that helps groups plan and run shoe fundraisers. Through this drive, students and community members are encouraged to donate new or gently worn shoes, which are then turned over to Funds2Orgs, which facilitates their distribution to people and communities in economically disadvantaged countries worldwide. Funds2Orgs works with micro-enterprise businesses to ensure the shoes reach people in need and help local economies. Collins Hill’s DECA program hopes to fill 100 bags with 25 pairs of shoes. Shoes can be dropped off at Collins Hill High on weekdays between 7:10 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. For more information, contact Tene Manning at Collins Hill High School.
Listen to the most recent episode of En Familia con GCPS, A Spanish Language podcast for GCPS families
Did you know that students who participate in a CTAE program have a 98.4% chance of graduating high school?
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Erline Carrillo, Instructional Coach at Lanier High School to discuss CTAE (career, technical, and agricultural education) and how it helps students gain real-world experience in exploring careers and their interests.
¿Sabías que los estudiantes que participan en un programa CTAE tienen un 98,4% de posibilidades de graduarse de la escuela secundaria?
En este episodio, nos acompaña la Dra. Erline Carrillo, entrenadora de instrucción de Lanier High School para hablar sobre CTAE (educación profesional, técnica y agrícola) y cómo ayuda a los estudiantes a obtener experiencia del mundo real al explorar carreras y sus intereses.