Ed Briefs

In this episode of Coffee with Calvin, Dr. Watts gets to know GCPS' front office support staff.

Dr. Watts shares reflections and well wishes in his end-of-year message for all GCPS students, families, staff, and community members.

Each month of the 2023-24 school year, we will spotlight one of our strategic priorities or Portrait of a Graduate competencies by sharing the stories of two clusters—highlighting their classrooms, notable events, community insights, achievements, community service projects, student organizations, volunteer efforts, and more.

GCPS students and staff listen actively to understand information, values, attitudes, and intentions. They articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills; with the goal of being informative and clear about their purpose, and responsive and respectful of their audience.

In May, we'll focus on Communication in the Archer and Central Gwinnett clusters.

On May 7, we celebrate National Teacher Day, and May 6-10 is National Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you, TeamGCPS teachers, for your commitment to excellence, empathy, and equity in education. You ensure that each and every student feels welcome, safe, accepted, valued, and prepared for the future. As both of these special recognitions approach, we want to express our deepest gratitude to each of you. Your commitment, dedication, and compassion make a tremendous impact on the lives of our students at GCPS. Use the hashtag #ThankAGCPSTeacher today for all they have done and will continue to do to help our students finish this school year strong!

On Friday, May 3, we salute the dedicated professionals supporting the nutritional needs of students and TeamGCPS. We recognize the district’s school nutrition staff on School Lunch Hero Day. They keep our students’ bodies and minds well-fed.

May 8 is National School Nurse Day, and we say thank you to our TeamGCPS county and school nurses and clinic workers who help support health in our school communities and ensure that each and every student is healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

GCPS recognizes National School Police Week, May 13-17. Thank you to our School Resource Officers and Safety and Security staff members for your commitment to the safety of each and every student and all #TeamGCPS families, staff, and community members! Learn more about Safety and Security in GCPS.

This month, GCPS recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. On Tuesday, April 30, President Biden issued a Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month. GCPS celebrates #EachAndEvery individual as we cultivate a culture of belonging while leading with empathy, equity, and excellence to ensure that #TeamGCPS students, families and staff feel welcome, safe, accepted, valued, and prepared for the future.

Come to the Instructional Support Center (ISC) this Saturday, May 4 to participate in the 2024 Book Mobile 5K and Fun Run. This year's t-shirt logo celebrates Star Wars Day, and Darth Vader and other Star Wars characters will be at the event!

The 5K is our primary fundraiser for purchasing new books for the Book Mobile program. Since 2017, more than 142,000 Gwinnett children have received new books at 698 school and community visits. During the summer, the Book Mobiles help combat summer slide by visiting 90 weekly stops in neighborhoods and apartment complexes. This ensures that students have the opportunity to keep reading during June and July.

Register at bookmobile5k.com or the at the ISC the morning of the event (until 7:45 a.m.), and take part in May The Fourth Book Mobile 5K and Fun Run at 8 a.m.

Advance voting is available now through May 17 for the general primary and nonpartisan election (including Board of Education races) on Tuesday, May 21.

Visit the Gwinnett County elections website to find advance voting locations, check what voter identification is required, and see a sample ballot.

All schools and locations will be closed for three holidays during summer break: Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day; Wednesday, June 19, the Juneteenth holiday, and Tuesday, July 4, Independence Day.

While Wednesday, August 5 is the first day of the 2024-25 school year for GCPS students, most staff members get an earlier start on the new school year. Here are the start and ending dates for the employee groups that make up the majority of school staff.

There will be Hope Thru Soap events on May 18 at Lanier High School and June 22 at Discovery High School. Hope Thru Soap, in partnership with the GCPS Foundation, Sugar Hill Church, and many community partners, will host lunch and support the events at Lanier and Discovery High Schools in May and June from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend for free lunch, showers, haircuts, school supplies, household items, vaccinations, and more!

This episode from GCPS Tech Tips focuses on the end-of-year Google Classroom Process. Returning student work, removing students, and archiving classes are some of the processes that will be covered. Check it out here!

All district families should be receiving their copies of Spring Essentials, either distributed at school to all elementary school students or by mail to families with students in middle or high school. This issue includes an insert highlighting the progress of E-SPLOST-funded projects across the district. Every school in GCPS receives an improvement, new capacity, or update in each SPLOST program. Translations are available online.

Your Gwinnett Retirement System (GRS) is seeking to appoint a teacher to serve on the GRS Administrative Committee. This person will continue the role of a committee member whose term is ending. You will become part of a nine-member committee providing oversight and guidance to the funding and administration of the plan. If interested in serving, please email a “Statement of Interest” to David Harris, Director of Retirement, at david.harris@gcpsk12.org no later than Friday, May 17, 2024. Your Statement of Interest should include:

· Your Name

· Your contact information (phone and/or email)

· Your reason(s) of interest and/or relatable experience

All applications will be reviewed, and final recommendations will be presented to the Superintendent and Board for appointment.

Please contact David Harris, david.harris@gcpsk12.org, if you have questions about the role, responsibilities, and background of GRS.

This training is open for Spanish/English bilingual school personnel with a working knowledge of academic language who serve or want to serve as school-wide interpreters. Please note that attendance at all four sessions is required to complete the program and will occur in person at our location. If you are off contract on the training dates, you will receive a daily stipend for attending. If you have any questions or for further information, contact Michelle Moody, Language Services & Parent Outreach Manager, at 770-277-4418

1. Register in PD&E. Course #32965, Section #59504

2. Download the application from PD&E, print it, and fill it out. Completed application must have principal's signature.

Sessions (you must attend all four sessions)

June 3 & 4, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Initial session (stipend available)

September 13, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Intensive Interpretation

March 28, 2025, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Intensive Translation

When you are preparing to retire, it is important to contact the Retirement Services Department at 678-301-6100 to schedule an appointment as soon as possible prior to the date your pension is to begin. You must file a written application with the Gwinnett Retirement System for benefits no later than seventy-five (75) days before retirement benefits begin.

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed annually in the U.S. in May to bring attention to mental health and well-being. We can raise awareness in our community by spreading the word and promoting advocacy. Learn more about how you can get involved.

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

988 Fast Facts

• 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365, connecting those experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis with trained crisis counselors.
• Access is available through every landline, cell phone, and voice-over-internet device in the United States, and call services are available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in over 150 languages.
• The 988 dialing code is available for call, text, and chat.

You can learn more about 988 and access resources at 988lifeline.org.

Want to share a success story about your school or department with the entire GCPS community?

Are you looking for a way to celebrate an honor and recognize a teacher, student, or team member for their work? Do you want to share an achievement, upcoming event, or opportunity?

Do you have GCPS Good News to share? Let us know through this online form.

• Board meeting and work session (April 18)
• Connected (April 25)
  
• GCPS Links (April 18)
  
• Coffee with Calvin (April 4)
  
• News Releases
  
• Student Calendars
  
• News You Can Use
  

And much more at www.gcpsk12.org!

• Keep Connected with news from GCPS TV… the next episode airs May 9!
• The next regular Board meeting is May 16. (Online, find links to sign up for the public comment sections of the meeting.)
  
• Watch for the next issue of GCPS Links on May 16!