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GCS Monday MorningA weekly update for Gaston County Schools employees and parents September 29-October 5
News, Notes and Information
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Spelling bee registration for elementary and middle schoolsGaston County Schools is working with The Gaston Gazette to plan the annual countywide spelling bee. The Gaston County Spelling Bee will be held in March 2015, but now is the time to register your school. To register, visit https://secure.spellingbee.com/enrollment/register. Please register your school by October 15. Again this year, Gaston County Schools will pay for each school to participate in the countywide spelling bee. If you have questions, please call the GCS Communications Department, (704) 866-6118.Manufacturing Career Expo is this FridayThe Career Expo: Discover the New Face of Manufacturing event is this Friday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Gaston College Myers Center in Dallas. The program gives high school students an opportunity to learn about manufacturing careers and employment. The sponsors include Gaston County Schools, Gaston College, Gaston Regional Chamber, Gaston Career Climb, Gaston College Foundation and local manufacturing companies.National Board CertificationHave you ever thought about seeking National Board Certification? If so, now is the time to go for it. A meeting will be held Tuesday, September 30 from 3:45 - 5:00 p.m. at the Rader Staff Development Center for anyone wishing to seek National Board Certification. A meeting for teachers seeking to renew their National Board Certification is scheduled for today (Monday) at 3:45 p.m. at the Rader Center. For more information, call GCS National Board Certification coordinator Debbie Dunlap at (704) 824-2828 or e-mail: dldunlap@gaston.k12.nc.us.Board of Education work session is Monday, October 6The Gaston County Board of Education will conduct a work session on Monday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room, 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia. The public is invited. The meeting will air live on Channel 21 and through the Ustream video streaming website.Volunteer orientation sessions for OctoberOrientation sessions for adults wishing to serve as school volunteers will be held October 1 at 8:30 a.m., October 9 at 12:15 p.m., October 13 at 8:30 a.m., October 22 at 8:30 a.m., and October 27 at 4:00 p.m. at the GCS Central Office. For more information, call the Business Partnership Office, (704) 866-6329.Open enrollment for State Health Plan, October 1-31Attention, employees: Open enrollment for the State Health Plan is October 1-31. The choices you make will remain in effect from January 1 through December 31, 2015. For more information, visit www.shpnc.org. If you are satisfied with your current plan, you do not have to re-enroll in that plan. However, if you are enrolled in the Enhanced 80/20 plan or the Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP) and wish to maintain or lower the premium, you will need to complete the wellness premium credits by October 31. If you do not complete the wellness premium credits, you will remain in the Enhanced 80/20 plan or CDHP, but the employee-only premium will be higher.Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for middle and high school studentsThe Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is a national youth recognition program that honors middle and high school students for outstanding volunteer service. To learn more about the nomination and application process, please visit the National Association of Secondary School Principals website: www.nassp.org/spirit. The application deadline is November 4.
GCS Photo of the Week
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Forest Heights welcomes special visitorsSuperintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker and N.C. Representative John Torbett visited Forest Heights Elementary last Thursday morning to spend time with the children in the school's pre-kindergarten program. The students enjoyed having the special visitors in their classroom and loved talking about what they do at school each day. Pictured with Mr. Booker and Representative Torbett are pre-kindergarten teacher Stephanie Watts (right) and teacher assistant Debbie Stines.
School Events and Activities
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Ashbrook High School: PTO Board Meeting, Monday, September 29, 6:00 p.m. in the new conference room.
Belmont Central: Read to Achieve Night program for third grade, Monday, September 29, 6:00 p.m.Belmont Middle: 75th anniversary program and celebration, Sunday, October 5 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.W.A. Bess Elementary: PTO meeting, Thursday, October 2, 7:00 p.m.Carr Elementary: Read to Achieve Night program for third grade, Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room.Costner Elementary: Read to Achieve Night program for third grade, Monday, September 29, 6:00 p.m.Stuart W. Cramer High School: 2014 Choral Collegiate Symposium, Thursday, October 2, 6:30 p.m. featuring choirs from Appalachian State, High Point, Wingate and Winthrop universities. Tickets are $6 for adults and $1 for guests 18 and younger.East Gaston High School: Barbecue Sale, Friday, October 3. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will be used to purchase computers and classroom materials.Gardner Park Elementary: Read to Achieve Night program for third grade, Thursday, October 2, 5:30 p.m.Page Primary: Parent Forum, Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 p.m.Rhyne Elementary: Read to Achieve Night program for third grade, Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 p.m.Robinson Elementary: PTO Meeting and Open House, Monday, September 29, 6:00 p.m.Sadler Elementary: Read to Achieve Night program for third grade, Monday, September 29, 5:30 p.m.Sherwood Elementary: Family Fun Night program featuring Math Investigations and Read to Achieve information, Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 p.m.Springfield Elementary: Parent Night, Tuesday, September 30, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Must See Pictures from Gaston County Schools
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The sun is setting a little earlier and there is a chill in the evening air. Fall is officially here and so is high school football. Each Friday night in stadiums across Gaston County, football is the sport of choice for thousands of students, parents and fans who fill the stands to cheer for their favorite team. Check out this slideshow of pictures that captures the excitement of high school football in Gaston County.
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Superintendent's MessageGaston County Schools is extremely fortunate to have many loyal volunteers who believe in the power of one -- the power of one person to make a difference in the life of a child. On any given day, you can find volunteers working in our schools as mentors, tutors, lunch buddies, field trip chaperones, test proctors, clerical assistants and guest speakers. They help students and teachers with many tasks and provide support in classrooms, libraries, offices and other areas.There is no doubt that our volunteers enhance the educational program. They help our children to gain confidence, improve their reading and math skills and become successful in school and life. We have many incredible stories about how our volunteers affect students. I recall one story about a high school student who contemplated dropping out, but chose to stay in school and eventually graduated thanks to the encouraging words and support from her mentor. This is just one example that shows how our volunteers make a significant difference.Volunteers are needed and welcomed at all schools. We currently have more than 2,200 people registered as volunteers in Gaston County Schools, but we are always looking for more. Adults wishing to help are encouraged to contact the principal at the school in their neighborhood to discuss volunteer opportunities. All volunteers complete an online application and attend an orientation.Our school volunteers prove that one person can make a significant difference. They contribute their time, talent and expertise by offering academic support, serving on school committees, advising student organizations and assisting with special events and programs. Please join me in thanking and commending our school volunteers for being a powerful influence in Gaston County Schools.W. Jeffrey BookerSuperintendent of SchoolsWould you like to become a Gaston County Schools volunteer? If so, please click here or call our Business Partnership Office at (704) 866-6329.
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Recent Headlines
Check out these recent news headlines from Gaston County Schools:
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On the CalendarOctober 1-31National Principals Appreciation MonthOctober 3Manufacturing Career ExpoGaston College Myers Center11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.October 6End of First Six-Week Grading PeriodBoard of Education Work Session6:00 p.m.October 6-10Fire Prevention WeekOctober 8International Walk to School DayOctober 13-17School Lunch WeekOctober 16Early DismissalHigh School Parent ConferencesElementary and Middle School Professional LearningOctober 17Optional Teacher WorkdayOctober 20-24School Bus Safety WeekOctober 20Board of Education Regular Meeting7:00 p.m.October 28End of First Nine-Week Grading PeriodOctober 31HalloweenClick here for the GCS calendar
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Weekly Points of Pride
Rosalind White of Cherryville High School was named the 2014 Southwest Regional School Social Worker of the Year. As our regional winner, she will compete for the North Carolina School Social Worker of the Year recognition.The Forestview High School boys’ team and the Ashbrook High School girls’ team won the Gaston County cross country championships. Forestview claimed its eighth boys’ title in nine years and Ashbrook won the girls’ title for the fifth consecutive year. Stuart W. Cramer High School freshman Haley Bourhill won the girls’ individual championship and East Gaston High School freshman Landon Maxwell captured the boys’ individual championship.Thirteen teachers at W. Blaine Beam Intermediate each received a $50 gift card from Wal-Mart of Cherryville to purchase classroom supplies. The contribution is part of Wal-Mart’s Teacher Rewards program.North Gaston High School sophomore William Anderson was appointed by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners to serve as the youth representative on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
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Communication Tip
All school employees are PR ambassadorsIt is important for all employees to realize that they are public relations ambassadors for Gaston County Schools. As a school employee, people at the grocery store, church, beauty salon and other public places often look to you for information about our schools. A good PR ambassador knows that what is said to friends, family, neighbors and colleagues has an effect on how a school is perceived in the community.Source: National School Public Relations Association
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This week's GCS Monday Morning is produced by the Communications/Public Information Department for Cherryville High School's Rosalind White, the Southwest Regional Social Worker of the Year, 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.us