InnerViews
Keeping staff informed about GISD through news and views!
GISD Volunteers Honored
Congratulations to EKLC staff Sheila Gafney and Pat Peters for winning Priority Children’s award for Volunteerism Opportunities for Youth or to Serve Youth at the recent Children’s Champions Awards!
Donate Your Soles
Get those shoes you don't wear out of your closet and to the Transition Center!
Students are asking for your help to raise funds for their programs by donating new or gently worn shoes. More details.
Water Crisis Resources and Info for Staff
Water Crisis: Event for Early Childhood Educators
Experts will present information and take questions regarding working with students and families impacted by lead exposure.
Early Childhood Town Hall Meeting
Impacts of Lead on Child Development
March 4, 2016
More information
Communications Crew Update
The GISD Navigators Communication Crew has been busy in the New Year creating and disseminating various tools that communicate the organization’s mission of leadership, service, innovation – partnering for success.
A Fun Game for Staff
One of those tools is a fun Kahoot game that was created for use at building or department team meetings. For more information about how it works and how to use the one created for GISD, contact your team leader, your administrator, or a member of the Communications Crew.
New Video Coming Soon
The finishing touches are being completed on the new GISD Onboarding video. This has been a major project of the Communication Crew over the last several months. Once completed, the video will be used for future Onboarding, Reboarding, and Outboarding sessions to help staff members and community stakeholders understand the full breadth of GISD’s programs and services within the region, and at the state and national level.
Focusing on Improvement
Another important focus area of the Communication Crew was developing and implementing an engagement survey to gather feedback from all of GISD’s team members. Find more information about the survey results and next steps here.
GISD Retirees Continue to Serve our Community
A group of retired GISD Para-Educators has been spending one day a week preparing and serving dinner for clients at the North End Soup Kitchen, through the Catholic Charities of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties. As part of their volunteerism, they do all the preparations, serving, and most of the clean-up. The group is listed on the organization’s monthly schedule as the GISD Retirees, and proudly talk about GISD programs and services and answer many questions from clients about what GISD does for kids. Thank you, GISD Retirees, for continuing to serve the Genesee County community even during your retirement years, and for continuing to tell the GISD story!
Edwin Black at Mott Middle Colllege
On February 9, Mott Middle College (MMC) students were paid a special visit by one of the foremost authorities on the Holocaust. Author of 11 award-winning and best-selling books, Edwin Black came to Flint to educate, inform, and discuss with the students of MMC the history of the Holocaust, eugenics, and human rights.
MMC History Teacher Eric Wood was excited to host such a renowned authority of history at his school. Wood prepped the students for Black’s arrival by giving them a background in the history of inequality in American society from 1830-1970, while also having them research the American eugenics movement to better understand the connections and historical implications.
When asked how he felt about talking to high school crowds and younger, Black replied, “I’m very interested in reaching middle school and high school students, not only to give them information, but to inspire them and help them see the dynamic value of information.”
Employees Honored with STAR Award
At the February GISD Board of Education meetings, two GISD team members, highlighted below, were honored with the STAR award for their leadership, service, and innovation in their roles of working with staff and students. The STAR award recognition program is open to all employees. To nominate a staff member, simply complete the nomination form that is available in the Staff Resources area of the GISD website and in the main office of GISD school buildings.
Andy Feldhus, Customer Service Project Coordinator - Technology and Media Services
Andy’s nominator for the STAR award noted that, “Andy is an outstanding representative of the mission of the Genesee ISD. He is always ready to assist, is always accessible, and a very valuable asset. Andy makes challenging things seem easy after he steps in and assists. No task is brushed aside, lunch hours come and go and he grabs something to eat between tasks. He is friendly, courteous, and professional at all times.”
Linda Smith, Instructor for Marketing Sales and Service – Genesee Career Institute (GCI)
The colleague that nominated Linda noted, “Linda is dedicated to all GCI students. She has a positive attitude on a daily basis, is a leader among the GCI staff, and she goes above and beyond to help the students and her colleagues.” They also mentioned, “Linda exemplifies leadership, service, and innovation. She leads students and staff by setting an example for others with her positive words and actions. She provides selfless service, donating hours of extra time to make her class the best it can be and to support community service initiatives. She does whatever it takes to help her students and colleagues be successful. Linda is an innovative thinker that shares her great ideas with staff and administration to find ways to make GCI better for all.”
Many more wonderful words were used to describe both award winners and how they make a difference every day for GISD staff and students. Congratulations for this honor, and thanks for exemplifying the GISD mission, Andy and Linda!
Robot Helps Student Participate in Class
This school year, the Genesee Career Institute purchased a virtual presence robot that allows students who may be homebound to remotely connect to the classroom and participate with their fellow classmates. The robot was first used this year with a Forensic Science student who was going to miss a crucial mid-term project that required students to work in teams to process a crime scene. The student was able to remote in from their home computer, making them able to control the robot. The student was able to drive the robot around the crime scene, interact with their teammates, and fully participate in the class. They mentioned that as a result of the experience, it felt like they had never been absent.
Partnering with VSA for Arts Workshops and Concerts
VSA artists and musicians recently visited the Marion D. Crouse Instructional Center (MCIC) for its annual Arts Festival entitled, Be Bold. Students participated alongside general education peers in dance, storytelling, visual arts, and interactive music concerts. Each day, a different honor society from area schools assisted the MCIC students, including honor students from Powers Catholic High School, Hamady High School, and Genesee Christian.
The Dance Project made its debut appearance to rave reviews. Returning artists included Marti Miller in mono-printing and Susan Mulholland, storyteller. Students also created make and take craft projects and in the afternoon each day, participated in an interactive concert with local musicians Pat Cronley, William Billington, Ron Ledford, and MCIC Music Therapist, Carolyn Vierkorn.
MCIC Teacher and coordinator of the event, Hannah Wilcox, noted, “The event would not be possible without the support of general education peers and the amazing artists provided by VSA.”
Genesee Intermediate School District
Email: connections@geneseeisd.org
Website: www.geneseeisd.org
Location: 2413 West Maple Avenue, Flint
Phone: (810) 591-4400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GISDPage
Twitter: @GeneseeISD