EDUCATION RIEFS. PSC clears superintendent in data-reporting case IN THIS. Wanted: Speech Language Pathologists

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1 EDUCATION RIEFS B EB IN THIS ISSUE PSC clears superintendent (pg. 1) Speech Language Pathologists wanted (pgs. 1 2) Enrollment count close (pg. 2) Redistricting for 4 schools begins (pg. 2) Instructional materials on review (pgs. 2 3) AKS suggestions sought (pg. 3) United Way campaign prepares for kickoff (pg. 3) Local school Teachers of the Year announced (pg. 4) Calendar items, invitations, deadlines on EB Bulletin Board (pg. 5 7) HR Briefs and Perks (pgs. 7 8) EB Spotlight (pgs. 9 10) Click Here Connection (pg. 10) Information and celebrations for Gwinnett County Public Schools and district employees Volume 24, Number 2 September 2003 News PSC clears superintendent in data-reporting case Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) unintentional underreporting of student discipline data to the state Department of Education last year prompted reviews by three agencies and made headlines over the past few months. Two of those investigations concluded last week, as both the Professional Standards Commission (PSC), the state agency charged with licensing Georgia educators, and the Georgia Department of Education determined that the underreporting was unintentional. On Thursday, Sept. 11, the PSC found no probable cause to support allegations of unethical behavior in the case of CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and the underreporting of discipline data to the state. No action will be taken, therefore, and the complaint will be cleared from his records. The PSC s unanimous decision also fully closes the State Department of Education s investigation, as State Superintendent Kathy Cox had stated her intention to turn the matter over to the PSC. Gwinnett District Attorney Danny Porter has not concluded his investigation into the matter, and the school system continues to cooperate fully with his office. Upon hearing the commission s decision, Mr. Wilbanks said he was pleased that the PSC recognized that there was no intent on anyone s part to mislead the state or the citizens of Gwinnett County. From the outset I took the situation seriously, and I have assured the State, the PSC, and most importantly, the citizens of this county that such a mistake will not occur again, said Mr. Wilbanks. Processes have been strengthened, appropriate staff training has been conducted, and the expectation has been clearly communicated: Gwinnett County Public Schools will be a model for Georgia school systems in the collection and submission of data that are complete and accurate to the fullest extent humanly possible. Wanted: Speech Language Pathologists Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) currently is seeking Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and will pay a $100 referral fee to current employees if they make a referral that leads to half-time or full-time hire of an SLP. This specialty is a critical-need area throughout the country, and metro Atlanta is no exception, as public schools compete with the medical profession for top candidates. The outstanding reputation of the special education program in Gwinnett has helped attract good candidates. However, as the system grows, GCPS needs continue to increase. SLP candidates should have the ability to work with children in a group setting, as well as the ability to work cooperatively with parents and school personnel in planning individual student needs. Full- and part-time positions are available at all levels Pre-K, ES, MS, HS. GCPS is seeking candidates who are available now, but it is not too early to apply for fall 2004, as well. Gwinnett expects to hire 15 to 20 SLPs to fill the needs for next school year. The GCPS recruitment team of Kelly Herndon, Debbie Cate, and Stan Maywether, will (continued)

2 EB News The mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools is to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and world-class standards. Education Briefs is produced by the Department of Community & Media Relations. EB Staff: Laura Nurse, Lori Larsen, and Sloan Roach 2003 GWINNETT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Dr. Robert McClure, chairman; Dr. Mary Kay Murphy, vice chair; Dr. Billy Britt; Louise Radloff; and Daniel Seckinger CEO/SUPERINTENDENT J. Alvin Wilbanks Speech Language Pathologists, continued be joined by Dr. Love Kimbrough and Dr. Jan Calkins, special education recruiters, as they conduct interviews for these and other positions at the University of Georgia on Oct. 21. Additional fall dates are set around the region. For additional information or to refer a candidate, please contact Ms. Herndon, director for Recruitment and Retention, at GCPS post-labor Day enrollment count within 0.06% No, the Planning Department does not go house-to-house and count school-age children in order to come up with the enrollment projection. It just seems that way. With a record-setting 128,856 students in the Sept. 2 count, GCPS was just 83 students over the projection, a difference of 0.06%. The school system s planning office has a history of making remarkably accurate forecasts, hitting close to the mark year after year, says CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks. This year s forecast is no different. Such a high degree of accuracy is a testament to the good planning and smart forecasting on the part of GCPS planners Greg Stanfield and David Barber. The student tally will fluctuate throughout the year, but the post-labor Day count gives valuable information for facility and staffing changes. Redistricting begins for 4 schools opening in Even though the schools doors won t open for nearly a year, GCPS already has begun the process to develop school attendance boundaries for four new elementaries Alcova ES (Dacula Cluster), Charles Brant Chesney ES (Duluth Cluster), Margaret Winn Holt ES (Central Gwinnett Cluster), and Level Creek ES (North Gwinnett Cluster). Each school that will see relief when the new schools open is forming a Boundary Committee to consider the draft attendance lines and redistricting criteria. Boundary committees are cochaired by an educator and a parent or community member. Draft boundary maps will be delivered to affected schools on Oct. 3. Committees will accept input about the proposed boundaries, and will submit suggested revisions the following month. Public meetings will be held in November to get additional input from parents, staff, and citizens on the proposals. Final recommendations will be presented to the Board of Education in December. The Board will vote on the attendance lines at the Dec. 11 meeting. These schools will be affected by the new boundaries: Harbins ES, relieved by Alcova ES Berkeley Lake ES and B. B. Harris ES, relieved by Charles Brant Chesney ES Cedar Hill ES, Lawrenceville ES, and Simonton ES, relieved by Margaret Winn Holt ES Riverside ES and Suwanee ES, relieved by Level Creek ES Instructional materials on review Oct. 7 through Nov. 7 Parents, staff, and community members are invited to review and to provide input on proposed curriculum materials. This review covers instructional materials for grades 6 8 language arts, grades K 8 health and physical education, and three high school electives. The review will begin Oct. 7 and will run through Nov. 7. All materials may be reviewed at the following locations and times: Buchanan HS of Technology: Monday Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturdays on Oct. 18 and 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and evenings on Oct. 14 and 28, 5 to 8 p.m. Buchanan HS of Technology is located at 2595 Beaver Ruin Rd. in Norcross ( ). Lawrenceville East: Monday Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays on Oct. 18 and 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and evenings on Oct. 14 and 28, 5 to 8 p.m. Lawrenceville East is located at 723 Hi-Hope Rd. in Lawrenceville ( ). (continued) Page 2 of 10 Education Briefs

3 EB News Instructional materials, continued Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) holds an extensive review before adopting materials for classroom use. Each content area with materials under review convened a committee to select materials to consider for adoption from those submitted by publishers. Review committees include teachers, administrators, and parents. The materials were reviewed for alignment with the school system s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. During the review process, materials are piloted in GCPS classrooms. Data from the reviews and pilots will be considered in making textbook adoption recommendations to the Board of Education in early For more about the review process, contact Lisa Burleson of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Staff invited to submit AKS suggestions The annual review of the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum is underway and you can be a part of it. Staff members may submit suggested changes, additions, or deletions to the AKS, using the Review Form. (Ask your principal for a copy.) Direct your submission to Joanne DuVall in the Curriculum Development Office at Lawrenceville East or send a LotusNote no later than Oct. 29. Curriculum coordinators and directors will review the suggested changes, additions, or deletions in their subject area. In March 2004, the GEMS Oversight Committee will review both these comments and the AKS suggestions before making its recommendation to CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and to the Board of Education. Once the Board acts on the recommendations, staff members who made suggestions will receive a follow-up on their suggestions. Working together for results in our community What Matters is the theme for this year s United Way campaign, but it s not about slogans, according to CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks. What matters is working together to get results, change lives, and shape our community, he says. That s why our participation really matters. Every GCPS school and location kicks off its United Way campaign on Oct. 1. GCPS Campaign Co-chair Jean Walker of the School Improvement Team points out the importance of doing what matters this year, In this economy now, more than ever our community needs your help, she says. United Way supports important programs that nurture children and youth, strengthen families, promote self-sufficiency, create safer neighborhoods, and meet basic needs. More than 400 programs in metro Atlanta benefit from United Way funding and the work of trained volunteers. United Way will invest $4 million in programs and initiatives in Gwinnett County alone. Traditionally, the school system s employees and students have been leaders in support of United Way. Ms. Walker says the GCPS goal of $400,000 in pledges will make a big difference for Gwinnett agencies, but equally important is the goal of 100% participation. No matter how big or small the pledge, it represents our collective concern about building a stronger and safer community for our children. Ms. Walker and co-chair Kelly Herndon, director of Recruitment and Retention, worked with these GCPS Planning Committee members to ensure a successful campaign: Suzanne Brighton, safe and drug-free schools program specialist at Meadowcreek HS; Dr. Frances Davis, chief human resources officer; Nancy Hammond, B. B. Harris ES principal; Dr. Otis Lane, part-time assistant director for Student Discipline and Behavior Interventions; Donna Powers, Maxwell HS of Technology assistant principal; Dr. Angela Pringle, Meadowcreek HS principal; Joyce Spraggs, ES staffing director; Vivian Stranahan, Shiloh ES principal; and Jeff Weiler, chief financial officer. Call for more about United Way.W Page 3 of 10 Education Briefs

4 EB News GCPS names top teachers for local schools Congratulations to this year s local school Teachers of the Year (TOTY). From this list of 88 teachers, 20 semifinalists will be selected by a committee of administrators, parents, and former local TOTY winners. Six finalists from among the semifinalists will be considered for the district-level honors of Elementary School TOTY, Middle School TOTY, and High School TOTY. One of those level winners will be named Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year. Local TOTYs will be honored and the county TOTY named at a banquet on Nov. 4, See below for a list of the Local School TOTYs. Note: Some new schools and special entities did not select a TOTY this year. Annistown ES, Pat Buttram Arcado ES, Debi Shane Beaver Ridge ES, Christina Polizos Benefield ES, Nancy Johnson Berkeley Lake ES, Janie Doroff Berkmar HS, Michael Herring Bethesda ES, Nettie McCoy W.C. Britt ES, Denise Krauth Brookwood ES, Dawn Henning Brookwood HS, Rick Barry T. Carl Buice Center, Ciatta-Mae Harris Camp Creek ES, Julie Carter Cedar Hill ES, Meg Dowd Centerville ES, Linda Taylor Central Gwinnett HS, Lisa Cole Chattahoochee ES, Ruthie Johnson Collins Hill HS, Judson Bridges Craig ES, Patricia Stephens Creekland MS, Ginny Williams Alton C. Crews MS, Chip Seidel Dacula ES, Bob Tucker Dacula HS, Terasa Martin Dacula MS, Peggy Engelman Duluth HS, Joanna Root Duluth MS, Yvonne Parker J. G. Dyer ES, Beth Threlkeld Five Forks MS, Colleen Ulrich Fort Daniel ES, Beth A. Martinez Freeman s Mill ES, Martha Moore GIVE Center, Cindy Murphy Local School Teachers of the Year Grayson ES, Denise Tiencken Grayson HS, Rick Wood Gwin Oaks ES, Kathy McKinzey Harbins ES, Gaye McNeil Harmony ES, Elaine Bishop B. B. Harris ES, Misty Piper R. D. Head ES, Joy S. Murphy G. H. Hopkins ES, Brenda Murphy Richard Hull MS, Barbara Towns Jackson ES, Valerie Treadway Kanoheda ES, Bonnie Craft Knight ES, Karen Rossi Lanier MS, Ammie Butorac Lawrenceville ES, Priscillia Toney Lilburn ES, Becky Murdoch Lilburn MS, Kellie Wall J. C. Magill ES, Rose Exon Dr. M. H. Mason Jr. ES, Sue Kain Maxwell HS of Technology, Scott Wilson J. P. McConnell MS, Patti Orsi McKendree ES, Linda Botts Meadowcreek ES, Verlene Poteet Meadowcreek HS, Pam Gibson Rebecca Minor ES, Patty Bickell Mountain Park ES, Shelley Graham Nesbit ES, Cassandra Matthews Norcross ES, Judy Stubbs Norcross HS, Nathan Ballantine North Gwinnett HS, Patrick Yaggy R. L. Norton ES, Sherry Smith Oakland Center, Ryan Lambert Parkview HS, Sandy Peterson Parsons ES, Jinny Hayden Henry Partee ES, Clarence Davis Peachtree ES, Maureen Taylor Peachtree Ridge HS, Dean Feldman Pharr ES, Connie LaPlume Phoenix HS, Becky Raffalovich Pinckneyville MS, Linda Flagler J. E. Richards MS, Shelly Kaufmann Riverside ES, Joyce D. Nelson Rock Springs ES, Kimberly Hobgood Rockbridge ES, Beverly DeMaeyer Shiloh ES, Lisa Speers Shiloh HS, Murla Crawford Shiloh MS, Glenn Burrows Simonton ES, Kathy Ramos Simpson ES, Elisa Brown Snellville MS, Karen Folkard South Gwinnett HS, William Nye Susan Stripling ES, Libby Swinton Sugar Hill ES, Deb Jackson Summerour MS, Carroll Polak Suwanee ES, Ricardo Quinn, Sweetwater MS, Eva Parks K. E. Taylor ES, Shanon Lutz Trickum MS, Trish Biemiller Walnut Grove ES, Gloria Howard Page 4 of 10 Education Briefs

5 While you have your calendar out The Gwinnett County Board of Education meets Oct. 9. Oct. 11 is an SAT I testing date. Oct. 13 is a holiday for students and 180-, 190-, and 200-day staff. Students and 180-day staff are off on Oct. 14 as well. The Retiree Reunion Luncheon is Oct. 17 at 11:30 a.m. On Oct. 21, GCPS 9th and 10th graders will take the PSAT. Oct. 25 is an ACT testing day. Standard Time begins on Oct. 26, so set your clocks back one hour. EB Bulletin Board United Ebony Society invites educators to reception The United Ebony Society of Gwinnett County invites staff members to the 21st Annual Educators Reception on Oct. 10. The society will honor CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks at the event, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice Administration Center (GJAC) auditorium. If you have questions, call Robbie Moore, society president, at Calendar reminders for October October s around the corner along with heritage celebrations for Americans of Italian, German, and Polish ancestry. It s Computer Learning Month. W National Community Education Day is Oct. 3. Fire Prevention Week W activities run Oct. 5 11, and National Metric Week W is celebrated the same week. National Education Office Professionals Career Awareness Week starts Oct. 12. Columbus Day/Discovers Day fall on Oct. 13. Gwinnett cafeterias are Wild About School Lunch, serving up good food and fun during National School Lunch Week, Oct W National Boss Day is celebrated Oct. 16. Shhh Railroad Crossing is the theme for National School Bus Safety Week, starting Oct. 19. Share a favorite book with your favorite teen during Teen Read Week, Oct Red Ribbon Week celebrates safe and drug-free schools, Oct Change, correction for Employee Calendar Top teacher banquet moved: Changes in the state deadline have prompted GCPS to move its Teacher of the Year (TOTY) celebration from Dec. 3 to an earlier date, Nov. 4. Business partners help sponsor the banquet to honor local school TOTYs and their guests. Please make that change on your calendar. Mill Creek Cluster correction: In the front of your employee calendar, you ll find a list of construction projects. Duncan Creek ES is incorrectly listed as a feeder school for Glenn C. Jones MS. Currently part of the Dacula Cluster, Duncan Creek will move to the Mill Creek Cluster next school year as a feeder school for Frank N. Osborne MS. Employee ID means free entry to GCPS events Membership has its privileges. GCPS team members have a free pass to GCPSsponsored athletic events at local schools when they show their employee picture ID! The pass does not cover regional or state playoffs or championship events, nor does it cover admission to a local school s fundraising program, such as an invitational tournament. Note: Only the employee is given free admission; the pass does not extend to family or friends, and may not be transferred. GCPS retirees and Gwinnett senior citizens (over age 65) can attend sporting events free, too. They should contact Susan Allison at for more information. GCPS TV to rerun English class; tapes available Last spring, GCPS TV, in partnership with Gwinnett Technical College, produced and aired a televised, beginning English class for adult learners, called English Yes, I Can! (Series 1). The class was so well received by new English speakers in the community that we will rebroadcast the series this fall. The class will be aired in hour-long segments Monday through Thursday between Oct. 6 and Dec. 2. (The shows will be aired at 9 p.m. and at 1 a.m. (continued) Page 5 of 10 Education Briefs

6 EB Bulletin Board English class, continued later the same night. Weekly shows will be run again as a four-hour block on Sundays.) In addition, this entry-level telecourse is available free to local schools as a set of 34 VHS videotapes, including a facilitator s guide. Community groups, churches, employers, and civic organizations may order the video set for $90, the cost of dubbing the tapes. Schools or community members interested in the English... Yes, I Can! video set should contact Kolinda Scialabba by or by phone at Adults learning English can continue their learning with the next level of instruction on GCPS TV. Series 2 is in production now and will be aired, beginning in January.W Homework help available for library patrons September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, so there s really no excuse for not having access to one of the nation s top library systems (2000 Library of the Year). Remember, non-residents who work for the school system can apply for a free Gwinnett County Public Library card.w Another bonus for your students or children: Gwinnett library patrons in grades 4 12 have a personal online tutor as close as their home computer or one of the library s computers, thanks to Live Homework Help. (A library card number and personal identification number are required for home use.) The service, launched earlier this year, remains free, easy to use, and available to students when they need homework help the most between 4 and 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.W Reading Council seeks members The Gwinnett Reading Council invites you to become a member for the school year. A mere $12 covers newsletters and registration for two conferences, featuring dynamic speakers. The Council recognizes outstanding readers at an awards ceremony in April. For more information about membership or upcoming events, contact Diana Pafford of Duluth HS by LotusNotes. Junior League offers mini grants Teachers may apply for up to $250 in funding for an innovative learning tool or program through the Educational Mini Grants Program, sponsored by the Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties. Call for more information. The application deadline is Oct. 31. The group will distribute the grants in January. Fifteen GCPS educators earned grants last year.w Channel 11 calls for Class Act nominations Gwinnett classrooms are brimming with Class Acts, the teachers who unlock students minds, advance their knowledge, and make a difference in the lives of their students. WXIA-TV highlights and honors top metro-atlanta teachers with a weekly Class Act segment, hosted by 11Alive reporter Donna Lowry. Nominate a colleague or your own child s teacher. Call to request a form. Ms. Lowry will accept nominations throughout the school year.w Lawrenceville West visitors need permit Parking lots can be overcapacity, too. The lot at Lawrenceville West can no longer support the many employees who visit Lawrenceville West for training and meetings. (continued) Page 6 of 10 Education Briefs

7 EB Bulletin Board Lawrenceville West, continued Visitors now will be asked to display a parking permit on their dashboard, and park in the Phoenix HS parking lot, accessible from Pike St./Hwy If you need a parking permit, contact the Customer Support Center at Service opportunities abound during Great Days On Oct. 24 and 25, join more than 100,000 Gwinnett volunteers in two Great Days of Service to the community. Schools, clubs, civic organizations, and groups of co-workers can volunteer for the event. The Gwinnett Coalition will match volunteers with one of the identified service projects. Call to sign-up to volunteer and to learn more about the Coalition, which represents more than 800 health and human services agencies and organizations in Gwinnett.W GCPS travelers have options on two continents Periodically, readers will find notices about travel opportunities, arranged by educators for educators, on the EB Bulletin Board. Spain awaits. Spend spring break in Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville, Costa del Sol, and Morocco. Cost is $2,005 for the Apr. 3 11, 2004, trip. Pay $50 more after Sep. 30. Europe in June. Visit France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark, on this June 14 25, 2004, trip, at a cost of $2,472. After Sep. 30, pay $2,547. Land of the Incas. Peru is the destination with stops in Lima, Cuzco, Pisac, Machu Picchu, and six other ruins. Travel July 5 13, 2004, for $2,365. Prices for each of the trips include airfare, hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, and adult supplement. Enroll by Oct. 31 to qualify for a drawing for free luggage and cash vouchers. Contact Linda H. Waters at Fall Teacher Fair, Nov. 8, Berkmar HS The Fair is open to certified teachers only. Student teachers and December graduates are welcome. Applicants will be interviewing for positions for the school year. However, a few positions will be open for Jan W HR Briefs BlueChoice, Promina ink deal to avert HMO network loss By now, the school system s BlueChoice members should have gotten word that the Special Open Enrollment, scheduled for September, is no longer needed. Insurer BlueChoice and Promina, a provider for the HMO, were able to come to a contractual agreement on hospitals and doctors remaining in the HMO network. If you have any questions about your BlueChoice coverage, contact BlueChoice HMO Customer Service at or call your doctor s office. Find the GCPS personnel handbook online The GCPS Benefits web page has a wealth of information about your benefits, but did you know that an electronic version of the GCPS Personnel Handbook also is available on the school system s web site? Presented as a PDF, the handbook includes links to a GCPS phone directory, specific policies, the benefits page, and additional online resources, including links to the web pages for the state Department of Education and the Professional Standards Commission. The electronic handbook is a living document and will be updated as policies and procedures are revised. GCPS will continue to produce a printed version of the handbook each fall to distribute to staff members who do not have computer access during the work day.w Page 7 of 10 Education Briefs

8 HR Briefs Watch for more great offers in future issues of Education Briefs. Do you know a merchant who would like to participate in GCPS Personnel Perks? Contact Kelly Herndon, director of GCPS Recruitment and Retention, at Advanced teaching degree triggers increase in pay Certified staff members who recently completed an advanced degree must complete paperwork from the Professional Standards Commission (PSC). Here are the required steps: Download a Georgia PSC Certification Application online or request a form by calling W Submit the completed application and an official transcript to the GCPS Certification Office, located at 52 Gwinnett Dr. (The official transcript must show the type of degree and the date the advanced degree was conferred.) Certificate changes will be processed and payroll information will be updated for the next available payroll period. This payroll update is retroactive to the effective date of the certificate. If the effective date falls during the summer break, the pay increase will take effect for the following school year. This process can take up to six to eight weeks from the time the paperwork is submitted. Deb Garner can answer your certification questions, and Barbara Sharpe is your contact for salary-related questions. GCPS Personnel Perks Periodically, Human Resources provides promotional information about discount programs, special Appreciation Days, and other benefits extended to GCPS staff members by businesses and corporations. All discounts are subject to change. Gwinnett County Public Schools does not endorse any business or service, and is not liable for any change or inaccuracies this list may hold. For additions or corrections, please Kelly_Herndon@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. Unless otherwise noted, just show your GCPS ID badge to get the discount. Franklin Covey: The Franklin Covey Gwinnett Place location offers GCPS employees a 20% discount on many items. You may call ahead and pick up your order, or have it shipped to you. Your GCPS ID is all you need to take advantage of this discount. However, technology accessories, clearance items, and kits are not included. Call for more information. The Grande Club Apartment: As a GCPS employee, you can save $150 to $200 on rent through the Grande Club Apartment preferred employee special plan. Call for more information, or visit the Grande Club Apartment at 3740 Club Dr. in Duluth.W Gwinnett Federal Credit Union (GFCU): New GCPS employees may qualify for a New Employee Survival Loan. Borrow up to $1,200 at 1.9% APR. It s easy to apply. Join GFCU by opening a $25 savings account and a checking account. Applicants must complete a loan application and provide proof of new-hire status.w Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep: This Lawrenceville-based dealership offers the entire 2003 model year inventory, priced below invoice, to GCPS employees. All available rebates and incentives will be honored. The only added costs? Sales tax, title, tag, and a $ dealer service charge. For more information, call Hayes is located at 719 Pike St. in Lawrenceville.W Mirror Finish Auto Wash: Located at 3767 Lawrenceville Hwy. (near Little Gardens and Quik Trip), Mirror Finish Auto Wash offers GCPS employees a $2 discount on the Mirror car wash. Just enter this special code: (That s GCPS, plus a 0.) Call Jeffrey Jones, owner, at with feedback. Mr. Transmission: GCPS employees get 15% off repairs, a free performance check, and $29.95 transmission service and fluid change at two Mr. Transmission locations (422 W. Pike St. in Lawrenceville and the Winder store). GCPS employees also can designate a local PTA to receive a donation. Call W Page 8 of 10 Education Briefs

9 Honors EB Spotlight Spotlight on Alexis Cash of Dacula MS honored with a 2003 BellSouth Excellence in Education Award. More than 1,000 metro-area teachers were nominated and 24 were selected for the honor. Honorees were recognized at Turner Field before an Atlanta Braves game. The edition of Images in Ink, the literary magazine of Berkmar HS recognized as All-Southern, the highest evaluation bestowed by the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Jonathan Stroud is advisor for the student publication. Degrees This issue of Education Briefs includes 115 GCPS honors. Will you or your school be in the next honors section? Not if you don t let us know. If you are a GCPS employee who has earned a state or national award, earned a degree, made a presentation, or had work published, send the information to the Education Briefs mailbox via Lotus Notes, or to the Community & Media Relations department through the courier. Dr. Bob Burgess of Collins Hill HS earned a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia (UGA). Kathi Abraham of K. E. Taylor ES earned a specialist s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University (LMU). Elizabeth Alday of K. E. Taylor ES earned a specialist s degree in Educational Stephanie Auls of Parkview HS earned a specialist s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from LMU. Mary Beard of Alton C. Crews MS earned a specialist s degree in Educational Nancy Bolen of Alton C. Crews MS earned a specialist s degree in Educational Doug Day of Meadowcreek HS earned a specialist s degree in Teaching and Learning, Secondary Mathematics, from Georgia State University. Laura T. Harris of South Gwinnett HS earned a specialist s degree in Educational Gloria Howard of Walnut Grove ES earned a specialist s degree in Administration and Supervision from State University of West Georgia. Darlene Kukulski of Walnut Grove ES earned a specialist s degree in Instructional Technology from UGA. Sharon Lawrence of J. P. McConnell MS earned a specialist s degree in Educational Todd Marschke of Alton C. Crews MS earned a specialist s degree in Educational Maria Miller of G. H. Hopkins ES earned a specialist s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Sarasota (Fla.). Pam Parker of Walnut Grove ES earned a specialist s degree in School Counseling from Georgia State. Linda Retter of Alton C. Crews MS earned a specialist s degree in Educational Kishina Sagoes of Rockbridge ES earned a specialist s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Sarasota. Denise Thomas of Rockbridge ES earned a specialist s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln. Melissa Howell of J. A. Alford ES earned a master s degree in Children s Literature and Language Arts from UGA. Angie Jones of Arcado ES earned a master s degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. (continued) Page 9 of 10 Education Briefs

10 Degrees Participants EB Spotlight Letha Kelly of Grayson ES earned a master s degree in Educational Technology from Nova Southeastern University. Reneé Whaley of Arcado ES earned a master s degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State. Jennifer Garcia of Brookwood HS selected to serve on the Georgia Advisory Council for Future Educators of America. Leslie Watkins of Brookwood HS selected as one of three co-hosts this past June for the Lincoln Financial Group/National Forensic League National Speech and Debate Tournament held at Georgia State University. More than 2,700 students from across the United States competed in this weeklong tournament. Ms. Watkins also has been reelected as treasurer for the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association and as the district chairperson for the Georgia Northern Mountain District of the National Forensic League. W Click Here Connection For more about Computer Learning Month For more about Fire Prevention Week Classroom_Materials/classroom_materials.asp For more about National Metric Week For more about National School Lunch Week For more about Class Act nominations For more about GCPS TV highlights For more about applying for a library card For more about Live Homework Help For more about Junior League mini-grants For more about the Great Day of Service For more about United Way For more about the GCPS Personnel Handbook For more about the PSC application For more about Grande Club apartments For more about Hayes For more about Gwinnett Federal Credit Union Page 10 of 10 Education Briefs