News You Can Use
GCPS Students and Staff Give Back During the Holidays
Students and staff in Gwinnett County public schools are giving back during the holiday season helping people in need. Members of Brookwood High School’s Beta Club, National Honor Society, and National Latin Society collected more than 1,330 cans of food and other items and donated them to the Lilburn Co-op. At Lilburn Elementary, Jasmine Beasley, a 4th grade teacher at the school, ran a “shoe drive” that collected more than 80 pairs of shoes which were donated to families in need in Africa. Working with family, friends, and local sponsors, she also hosted an “Adopt a Child” event to help students in her class. “Considering our economic situation, inflation, and food insecurity continue to be a problem,” Jasmine Beasley shares. “Many children struggle with adequate clothing and shoes to meet their seasonal needs. After realizing this crisis, I decided to highlight this issue and provide a solution.” Due to the generous support of the Lilburn community, each and every student in Beasley’s class will receive their favorite shoe and a warm coat for the winter months.
South Gwinnett's 3DE Students Engage in 'Shark Tank' Challenge with Delta Community Credit Union
Eleventh-grade students in South Gwinnett High School's 3DE marketing class recently engaged in a "Shark Tank"-style competition, sponsored by Junior Achievement. Students were asked to devise a company, create a business plan, and then present it to the “Sharks,” representatives from Delta Community Credit Union, who provided business coaching and feedback. This exercise provided students with invaluable real-world insight into planning, pitching, and running a business. This is the first time Delta Community Credit Union has participated in the “Shark Tank” exercise at South Gwinnett High. Nikki Thornton, the school's 3DE director, says that exercises like this are invaluable. “These experiences are impactful because it gives our students an opportunity to learn from business and industry experts on life and business skills,” Thornton shares. “In addition, they also gain an entrepreneurial mindset that will give them competitive advantages in their future endeavors.”
Collins Hill High School Hosts Inaugural Community Outreach Day: Government Agencies Engage Students in Law and Community Insights
Collins Hill High School's American Government teachers recently hosted the inaugural Community Outreach Day, drawing several state and county government agencies to engage with government, economics, and forensic science students eager to delve into law and crime. Representatives from the FBI, Gwinnett County Police, Gwinnett County SWAT, School Resource Officers, District Attorney of Gwinnett County Office, Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia House of Representatives from District 111, and the Mayor of Dacula participated in discussions spanning job opportunities, agency roles in the community, and work experience. Students interacted with these agencies, gaining unique insights and valuable learning experiences.
Gwinnett County Public Schools celebrate diversity during International Nights
Taylor Elementary and Cedar Hill Elementary Schools recently hosted international nights, celebrating their diverse school communities. These events allowed students and families to embark on a global journey, exploring various countries within their classrooms. Featured countries this year included Liberia, Vietnam, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Venezuela, India, and the USA. Each stop offered insights into the country's culture through displays, student work samples, and engaging craft activities. Outside, students and the school choruses treated guests to performances of music, songs, and dances from around the world. The halls were adorned with paper-doll cutouts, creatively representing students' diverse cultural backgrounds. The evening highlighted food samples the PTA and local business partners provided, alongside a vibrant cultural fashion show and captivating performances. Participants showcased their traditional attire, bringing to life enchanting dances and heartfelt songs representative of their cultures.
Lawrenceville Elementary Presents 'The Lion King Kids' at School of the Arts
Lawrenceville Elementary School's Fine Arts students staged Disney's "The Lion King Kids" at the School of the Arts. The 30-minute musical, tailored for elementary and middle-school performers, drew inspiration from Julie Taymor's direction of the Broadway production and the 1994 Disney film. The cast, comprised of approximately 43 students from grades one to five, was directed by Amie Schaff, Robin Norris, and Jaylon Givan. Over two consecutive nights, Lawrenceville Elementary students showcased their talents, attracting attendees from across the county to show their support.
Listen to the most recent episode of Teaching Gwinnett Podcast
Eagle Takeover Episode: Shoes have become an important part of our lives, but have you ever thought about how they came to be? Join us in an extra special edition of Teaching Gwinnett, where we team up with McKendree Elementary School's "Eagle Talk" to discuss the origins of the shoe! Produced by McKendree's very own Nicole Duque and Mary Hulon, Eagle Talk is a podcast that is put together by students! Along with our discussion on fancy footwear, we'll hear from the students and producers about their experiences in podcasting! As always, stay tuned in until the end of the episode for another edition of "Pop Quiz!"
