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GCS Monday MorningA weekly update for Gaston County Schools employees and parents • April 24-30, 2017"A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes." - Wade Boggs
Weekly Message
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W. Jeffrey BookerSuperintendent of SchoolsWelcome back! We hope you enjoyed spring break and had time to relax and re-energize as we now look forward to the final seven weeks of school. It will be a busy time for us with end-of-year testing, recognition programs, graduation, and other activities.We know the overall success of our schools should not be based solely on test scores because there are so many other factors to consider when determining how well we are doing. However, state testing is the practice used to measure academic growth and student achievement, and we want our students to do their best.Our teachers and school staffs are already focused on the end-of-grade and end-of-course tests that begin in a few weeks. With test time upon us, it is important for parents to remember the following tips:
▪ Make sure your child is at school every day unless he or she is sick.
▪ Encourage your child to take the tests seriously, but without creating anxiety.
▪ Avoid conflict before your child leaves for school on test day.
▪ Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats breakfast.
▪ Ask your child’s teacher about what you can do at home to help your child.We are very proud of what our students and employees have done this year to focus on quality teaching and learning, and we anticipate celebrating the positive results of their hard work and commitment to excellence.
On the Calendar
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April 26
Administrative Professionals DayEnd of Fifth Six-Week Grading PeriodBest and Brightest Awards presented by The Gaston GazetteSchiele Museum5:30 p.m.April 27Benefits Fair for Employees3:00-5:30 p.m.Sandy Plains Baptist Church, Gastonia
April 29
Quiz Bowl
Forestview High School
9:00 a.m.May 1Board of Education Work SessionCentral Office5:30 p.m.May 2Evening of Excellence CeremonyGaston Country Club6:00 p.m.May 4Fifth Six-Week Report Cards DistributedMay 11Business and Community Partners ReceptionSadler Elementary4:00 p.m.May 13
CaroMont Community Challenge benefiting Gaston County Schools’ robotics program
Stuart W. Cramer High School
8:00 a.m.
Click here for information.
Click here for our calendar.
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Education Foundation celebrates 25 years
The Gaston County Education Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary of providing support for the schools in our community. Check out this “GCS TODAY” video clip from Channel 21 that features an interview with Jennie Stultz, executive director of the Education Foundation. The latest episode of “GCS TODAY” is airing this week (April 24-30) on Channel 21 at 7:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. The episode also includes information about the Gifted and Talented Academy at Pleasant Ridge Elementary and a talk with Sadler Elementary counselor Tim Hardin, who was elected to serve as president of the N.C. School Counselor Association. Click here to watch the episode now on YouTube.
5 to Know
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1. A ‘shout out’ to our school volunteers
Last week was Public School Volunteer Week, and this week is National Volunteer Week. Knowing this, it’s the right time for us to give a “shout out” to the many adults we have in our schools as volunteers. Our volunteers take on roles such as mentors, lunch buddies, tutors, library and office assistants, chaperones, and more. They assist teachers and staff with day-to-day activities, coordinate fundraising projects, and make school PTOs/PTAs and booster clubs possible. We salute our school volunteers for helping us to ensure student success, and we say, “We could not do it without you!”
2. Board of Education “forgives” snow day
Just in case you are wondering about the one snow day from January that had not been made up, no need to wonder anymore. The Board of Education voted during its April 10 meeting to “forgive” the day. There are enough instructional hours remaining in the school calendar; therefore, students do not have to make up the day. You may recall that students missed school on January 9 and 10 because of inclement weather, and January 24 was used to make up one of the days.
3. Applications accepted now for magnet schools
We are accepting student applications for two of our magnet school programs: the Hawks Nest STEAM Academy and the new Gifted and Talented Academy at Pleasant Ridge Elementary. Students who will be in kindergarten next school year (2017-2018) may apply to attend Hawks Nest. Students who will be in grades K-4 may apply to attend the Gifted and Talented Academy. Parents who are interested in either of these magnet programs should submit an online application by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 15. Click here for more information.
4. Benefits Fair for employees is Thursday
The annual Benefits Fair for all Gaston County Schools employees is this Thursday, April 27 from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Sandy Plains Baptist Church, 5323 Union Road, Gastonia. Employees will have an opportunity to receive information about available benefits and also meet with Pierce Group representatives about enrolling or changing optional benefits for 2017-2018. For more information, call the Human Resources Department, (704) 866-6129.
5. Proctors needed for end-of-year testingOur schools are already thinking about end-of-year testing, and they could use your help. Proctors are needed for elementary and middle school tests scheduled May 25 through June 8. Proctors are needed for high school tests scheduled June 2 through June 8. Adults who are available to help with testing should contact the school in their neighborhood for more information and to sign up. Proctors are needed at various times, and schools are able to accommodate proctors’ schedules.
5 to Remember
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1. Say ‘thank you’ to our administrative professionals!
It’s Administrative Professionals Week, and Wednesday is Administrative Professionals Day. Make sure to recognize and say ‘thank you’ to our administrative professionals in Gaston County Schools for their hard work and dedication. We appreciate everything they do!
2. Watch the Star Teacher-Student Awards on Channel 21
If you follow us on Facebook, you saw the Star Teacher-Star Student profiles that were posted last week. Now, you can watch the ceremony on TV. The Star Teacher-Student Awards will air on Channel 21 this week (April 24-30) at 9:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. each day. Click here to watch the ceremony now on YouTube and click here to read more about our Star Teachers and Star Students for the Class of 2017.
3. Apply now for a student transfer for 2017-2018
If you are thinking about a student transfer for the 2017-2018 academic year, now is the time to act. Click here for the student transfer application. The application must be submitted by May 15, and notification letters will be mailed by June 1. It is important for parents to understand that students are not able to transfer to schools where enrollment is at or above capacity. For more information, call the Student Assignment Office, (704) 810-7284.
4. Annual enrollment for Flexible Benefits Plan
Attention, Employees: The annual enrollment period for the Flexible Benefits Plan runs through June 13. Employees who are currently enrolled in one of the flexible spending accounts must re-enroll online or meet with the Pierce Group representative if they wish to continue contributing to the flexible spending account. If you do not take action, your current contribution will stop effective September 30, 2017. Click here for more information.
5. Orientation sessions for school volunteers
Orientation sessions for adults wishing to serve as school volunteers will be held Monday, April 24 at 12:15 p.m., Friday, May 5 at 12:15 p.m., Monday, May 8 at 8:30 a.m., and Wednesday, May 17 at 12:15 p.m. at the Central Office. For more information, call (704) 866-6329.
Points of Pride
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The following middle school choral students participated in the Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) Festival at Wingate University: Belmont Middle, superior rating; Bessemer City Middle, excellent rating; Cramerton Middle, superior rating; Holbrook Middle, superior rating; Mount Holly Middle, superior rating; Southwest Middle, superior rating; and Stanley Middle, superior and excellent ratings.
Katie Kiser of Highland School of Technology won first place in the statewide InvestWrite finance contest.
The East Gaston High School concert choir sang the national anthem for the Charlotte Hornets game on April 5.
Students at Bessemer City Primary, Cherryville Elementary, McAdenville Elementary, and Springfield Elementary enjoyed a visit from “Hugo the Hornet,” who brought the Charlotte Hornets’ book bus to the schools and gave a fun presentation about the importance of reading.
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Class of 2015
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Class of 2015
Communication Tip
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It’s the time of year for awards and bragging
It’s the time of year for school award ceremonies and recognition events. In addition to handing out honor roll certificates, perfect attendance trophies, and citizenship medals, make sure you take time during the program to review your school’s accomplishments for the year and brag on students and employees. Sharing positive comments about the people who have helped to ensure a successful school year will complement your program and make a good impression on your audience.
Source: N.C. School Public Relations Association
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Class of 2015
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This week's GCS Monday Morning is produced by the Communications/Public Information Department for the East Gaston High School concert choir and everyone who cares about Gaston County Schools.Please e-mail information for GCS Monday Morning to Todd Hagans, Chief Communications Officer: tthagans@gaston.k12.nc.usClick here to read past editions of GCS Monday Morning.