GCSS Community Update
Greene County School System News & Notes for the Community
In this Issue
- College Acceptances Roll in for GCHS Seniors
- 1 Million Word Reader at GCPS
- Scenes from District-wide STEM Expo
- Highlights from Read Across America Week
- GCCA Students Compete at State SkillsUSA Competition
- GCPS Career Carousel
- Fine Arts Festival Announcement
- Special Education Parent Expo
- Career Coach Spotlight
- How to Get Involved
- Upcoming Events & Important Dates
From the Superintendent
It has been a very busy spring here at Greene County Schools! Recent highlights include our district-wide STEM Expo, when the community was invited into all our schools to view examples of student STEM projects and attend presentations and demonstrations by our community partners in STEM fields. You can find a photo gallery of the Expo below. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that we have hired a district Director of Teaching and Learning; look for a spotlight on her career and accomplishments in the next issue of this newsletter.
Our hearts go out to the staff, students, and families of Covenant School in Nashville, TN in the wake of the devastating shooting at their school earlier this week. The Greene County Board of Education and GCSS district staff are evaluating our facilities and taking action to guard against this type of incursion in our schools.
Some of you may have recently read an article in the local press about Georgia House Bill 318, which would have required school districts with a local charter school to itemize the 3% administrative fee for district services provided to the charter school. This bill did not pass; however, if it had passed, it would not have applied in Greene County because the Board of Education does not levy on the taxpayers the 3% cost of district services provided to Lake Oconee Academy (such as special education, payroll, federal programs compliance, administrative oversight, testing and assessment, and more). Because you already pay for district office staff in another section of the budget, to levy the 3% would essentially be double taxation.
Other state mandates will greatly affect our Fiscal Year 2024 budget, however, including a roughly 50% increase in the employer-paid cost of state health insurance and a $2,000 raise for every teacher directed by the governor. Because the Greene County School System is already 75% locally funded, the state is only providing funding for about 20% of the cost of these mandates, which means the rest must be born by Greene County taxpayers. These increases, plus the rising cost of funding LOA, may result in a larger budget for the school system next year, so we are making every effort to inform the community early.
As we prepare for state testing which starts next month, we look forward to seeing our students build on the improved test results we saw in January. Many of our students have made great gains this year, and we are excited for them to demonstrate their progress on the state exams.
The school district will be closed next week to allow students and staff to rest and recharge during Spring Break, and we hope you are able to do the same and enjoy this beautiful weather during Master’s Week.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Houston
College Acceptances Roll in for GCHS Seniors
Jai'Lyn Armour Racks up 50 Acceptances
GCHS senior Jai’Lyn Armour has committed to attending the University of Georgia close to home in Athens this fall, although he did not have a shortage of options. Jai’Lyn has been accepted to 50 colleges and universities, as far north as Pennsylvania (Lincoln University) as far west as St. Louis, Missouri (Harris-Stowe State University) and as far south as Miami, Florida (Florida Memorial University).
Jai’Lyn said he applied to so many schools because the current college admissions scene is extremely competitive. He had heard that many students are often waitlisted or deferred from the schools at the top of their lists. “I knew I couldn’t have just a plan A, B, and C,” he said. “I also wanted to have a plan X, Y, and Z.”
So, he started early, in July 2022, and applied to a college or two each week until January. He was accepted everywhere he applied but was especially overjoyed to receive the acceptance letter from his first choice. “UGA has always been my dream school,” he said. “I am very grateful that I get to attend my Plan A school.”
Jai’Lyn plans to major in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Read more of Jai'Lyn's story here on our website.
GA Tech Admissions Team Visits GCHS to Surprise Aiden Turner
Mariah Leslie receives band scholarship to Savannah State University
1 Million Word Reader at GCPS
STEM Highlight: Scenes from District-wide STEM Expo
Read Across America Week
Monday - "Hats off to reading!" (Wear a hat)
Tuesday - Reading jogs your mind. (Wear exercise clothes)
Wednesday - Dress for success! (Dress up as your favorite profession)
Thursday - Reading gives you superpowers! (Dress like a superhero)
Friday - Cozy up with a good book. (Wear your pajamas)
GCCA students participate in SkillsUSA Statewide Competition
GCPS hosts Career Carousel for students
Join us for GCSS Fine Arts Festival on April 11th!
Special Education Parent Expo big success in 2nd year
Career Coach Spotlight: Margie Heimer
Hobbies/Interests: My husband and I have a pipe organ in our basement that he built. It is the size of one you would find in a church. I enjoy singing in choral groups and currently sing with the Athens Choral Society in Athens GA.
Career: Elementary school music teacher (6 years); Job Training Partnership Act Case Manager with Augusta Technical College (4 years); Student Support Coordinator and Advisor with Athens Technical College (21 years)
Note to students: Education is one of the most important things in your life; It will determine how you live and how your future family lives so study hard and do your best and know that you CAN make a difference in this world.
Note to Parents: I am excited to be working with your child. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this high school experience a good one for them.
How YOU Can Get Involved
Volunteer - Reading Buddies (GCPS & CMS)
Help a 2nd grader at Greene County Primary School or a 4th grader at Carson Middle School by becoming a Reading Buddy! You can make a REAL difference with just 1 hour per week by sparking conversations, building relationships and social skills, and helping children foster a love of reading. Interested? Contact Beth Thomas at beth.thomas@greene.k12.ga.us or 706-347-0750.
Volunteer - After School Enrichment (CMS)
Donate - Wraparound Program (GCHS)
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
April 3-7, 2023
District Closed for Spring Break
All schools and the District Office will be closed for Spring Break.
April 11, 2023
GCSS Fine Arts Festival
Join us at Festival Hall in Downtown Greensboro on Tuesday, April 11th from 5-8 p.m. to view the talents of GCPS, CMS, GCHS, and LOA art students! Refreshments will be provided by OPAS and GCHS Culinary Arts Department. The Art Reception begins at 5:00 p.m. and musical performances by the GCHS band, OPAS, and others begin at 6:00 p.m.
April 20, 2023
Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting
The Greene County Board of Education will hold its April Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room located at 101 E. Third St. in Greensboro. To view Board of Education agendas and minutes, please click here.
April 29, 2023
Parent University
The next Parent University session is on Saturday, April 29th at Greene County High School from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., with a hot breakfast served beforehand from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Parent University is designed to equip parents with tools & knowledge to help their children succeed in school, with topics coming up in the April session such as Social Emotional Learning, End-of-Year Testing, School Nutrition, and more!
We want to hear from you!
Please also share this newsletter with your communication circle and encourage them to sign up on this form so we can include them on our mailing list for future updates, and thank you for helping spread the word about the great things going on in Greene County Schools. As always, we appreciate your support as we strive to educate, inspire, challenge, and support Greene County’s students.
Keep up with us!
Email: gcsscommunications@greene.k12.ga.us
Website: www.greene.k12.ga.us
Location: 101 3rd Street, Greensboro, GA, USA
Phone: 706-453-7688
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Twitter: @gcsstigers
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