GCPS LINKS

The Blueprint in Action focus for the months of November and December is Each and Every Student. During these months we will be spotlighting how our schools are taking on the challenge to meet the needs of each and every student.

• Title I in GCPS Schools: Promoting Academic Success for All Students (video)

• Celebrating Our Mentors ahead of National Mentoring Month

And be sure to catch up on all Each and Every Student spotlight stories here!

A regular attendance routine is essential for your child’s well-being, learning, and long-term success. Consistent attendance helps children build a strong foundation for their education, develop good habits, and stay engaged with their peers and teachers.

However, we understand that cold and flu season, as well as community spread of viruses, can raise concerns about excused absences. Here are some tips to keep your child healthy and avoid unnecessary absences from school, including during the holiday season:

• Encourage good hygiene and boost their immune system
• Monitor for symptoms and communicate with the school
• Maintain a routine and engage in educational activities while on break
• Prepare for the return to school

Step into the holiday spirit with this festive showcase highlighting the diverse talents of our students throughout the GCPS community, featuring choirs, orchestras, bands, guitars, and solo performances that celebrate the magic of the season. (60 minutes)

Visit our 2024 Winter Break Resource Guide! This is a collection of Gwinnett County resources that provide food, financial, and some holiday assistance. The list is organized alphabetically by city and listed schools in each city.

Gwinnett County will open warming stations for residents to receive temporary, overnight relief when temperatures fall to 35 degrees and below. If you or someone you know needs a place to rest and eat a meal, please find a station near you. For more details, visit GwinnettCounty.com/WarmingStations or call 770-822-8850.

If you'd like to donate groceries or help families celebrate the holidays, you can make a donation at the Lawrenceville Festival of Trees. Place your donations under your favorite tree to vote for this year’s winner.

The GCPS School Nutrition Program has reached a major milestone, serving more than 10 million meals to students since the start of the school year on August 5. This impressive feat is a demonstration of the hard work and dedication of the school nutrition team, who are committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals to our students.

But it's not just about quantity — the School Nutrition Program is also dedicated to quality. Each month, they feature a locally grown food item as part of their Farm to School program. This month, they're highlighting fresh, locally grown Satsumas from Georgia farms. These sweet and easy-to-peel citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C and are the perfect way to boost immune systems during the chilly winter months. By supporting local farmers, the School Nutrition Program ensures that students are getting the best of the season. This commitment to local sourcing not only benefits our students' health and well-being but also supports the local farmers.

As we move forward into the second half of the school year, the School Nutrition Program will continue to provide fresh, healthy meals that meet the high standards of our students and parents. With their focus on quality, nutrition, and community, it's no wonder they're serving up a record-breaking number of meals. Congratulations to the GCPS School Nutrition Program on this impressive achievement!

One of our very own GCPS graduates has been named in Forbes 30 Under 30. Graduating in the class of 2015 from Peachtree Ridge HS, Simi Shah went on to graduate from Harvard University, and create and run the South Asian Trailblazers media platform. Go Lions, and congratulations to Simi!

GCPS applauds Travis Hunter, a stand-out student-athlete at the University of Colorado, who won the 2024 Heisman Trophy, college football’s most prestigious individual player of the year award. Travis is a class of 2021 graduate of Collins Hill HS. View his acceptance speech on ESPN.

Gwinnett County Public Schools thanks District 1 Representative Karen Mulzac Watkins and District 3 Representative Dr. Mary Kay Murphy for their service to the students, staff, and community of GCPS. Ms. Watkins joined the Board of Education in 2021. Dr. Murphy is the longest-serving representative currently on the board, having served since 1997.

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) – An Information Night for 8th grade families is scheduled for January 9 in the GSMST cafeteria. Learn more about the lottery application process.

Grayson Technical Education Program – Registration opens on January 10, and an Open House is scheduled for February 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Learn more about the courses of study for juniors and seniors.

Maxwell HS of Technology – Registration opens on January 10, with an Open House event scheduled for February 27, 5-7 p.m. Learn more and apply online.

Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC) – Registration for the 2025-26 school year will open on Monday, May 5 and will remain open throughout the summer. Students who receive special education services should have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting prior to enrollment at GOC. Learn more about GOC and its application process.

There's still time for GCPS high school students to apply for the Bank of America Student Leaders paid internship. The 2025 application for this program is open through January 15.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization. They will also attend an all-expense paid leadership summit in Washington, D.C. to learn how government, business, and the nonprofit sector work together to address critical community needs. Interested students are invited to join an information session on January 7, 2025 at 7 p.m. Please register via this link.

Students return to school on Monday, January 6.
Staff can find the second semester return dates by employee group here.

• Board meeting and work session
  
• Connected (December 5)
• GCPS Links (November 21)
• Coffee with Calvin (December 5)
• News Releases
  
• Student Calendars
  

And much more at www.gcpsk12.org!

• Keep Connected with news from GCPS TV… the next episode airs January 9!
• The next regular Board Meeting is January 16.