STAFF REPORTS ::: The state release of graduation rates shows that the Griffin-Spalding County School System graduation rates continue to rise. “Data from 2011 – 2013 shows we are moving up each year in our graduation rate,” said Curtis L. Jones, Jr., superintendent of schools. “While we are not where we want to be, we […]
Smart Snacks in Schools will be implemented 2014
November 29, 2013 by 1 Comment
STAFF REPORTS ::: Beginning next school year, Griffin-Spalding County School System will implement “Smart Snacks in School” standards, which will offer healthier snack options for students during the school day. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 required USDA to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools — beyond the federally-supported meals […]
Griffin students prepare for regional robotic competition
November 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
ALEXANDER CAIN ::: Fifth grader Ansley Potter has been studying robotics, both at home and at school. “My brother wants to grow up to be an engineer, and with him building all these things at home, it got me interested in it as well,” Potter said. “He got a robot for Christmas and I’ve […]
Three GSCS schools named 2013 High-Progress Schools by GaBOE
November 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
JESSICA GREGORY ::: Griffin-Spalding County School System’s Kennedy Road Middle, Cowan Road Elementary, and AZ Kelsey Academy were among the Georgia schools named 2013 High-Progress Schools by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). A “High-Progress School” is among the 10 percent of Title I schools in the state that is making the most progress in […]
Schools’ staggered start times unlikely to be reconsidered
November 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: School officials say staggered start times have saved the system money, but some parents contend that having students at bus stops as early as 6:30 a.m. is not beneficial to their health or education. Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones said he recognizes the challenges associated with the current schedule, but that it […]
GSCS System announces 2014 Teacher of the Year
November 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SUBMITTED::: Griffin-Spalding County School System’s 2014 Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Raye Aragon. She will represent the Griffin-Spalding County School System in the state-level Teacher of the Year competition. Mrs. Aragon has taught in Griffin-Spalding County School System since 1993. Mrs. Aragon holds a Masters Degree and is certified as both a gifted teacher and […]
GSCS announce MVPs: Most Valuable Parents
November 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SUBMITTED ::: Congratulations to Ms. Lillian Walker, Ms. Jamie McSwain, Ms. Heidi Clinton, Ms. Amy Brown, and Ms. Tabitha Hunsucker for being selected as Griffin- Spalding County School System’s Most Valuable Parents for the month of October. These five parents were recently nominated and elected to be the new PTO board for Jackson Road Elementary. […]
GSCS recognized for having “Go Build Georgia” teams at GHS, SHS
November 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SUBMITTED ::: Gov. Nathan Deal and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development (GOWD) recognize Atlanta Public Schools (APS), Griffin-Spalding County Schools, Bartow County Schools, Douglas County Schools, Oconee County Schools, and Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools for having 100 percent of the system’s high schools organized with a Go Build Georgia High School Team. As part of Gov. […]
System celebrates 60 years since city/county schools consolidation
October 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
ALEXANDER CAIN ::: alexander@the-grip.net The Griffin-Spalding County School System will celebrate 60 years of educational cooperation this year – and a lot of it will happen the week of Halloween, according to Judy Parker, Director of Communications and Partnerships with the Griffin-Spalding County School System. “It starts on Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m. with a […]
Students encouraged to bring devices to help bridge schools’ digital divide
October 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA MATHEWS ::: School administrators are now encouraging students to BYOD – Bring Your Own Devices – in an effort to help meet the goal of a 1-to-1 student-computer ratio. According to Griffin-Spalding County School System Director of Technology and Communications Rod Smith, one of the greatest benefits will be the increased learning potential. “We […]
Zero tolerance does not equal standard disciplinary measures
September 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Originally printed in the Sept. 12 edition of The Grip In light of the recent rash of weapons brought to school by students, many in the Griffin-Spalding community are wondering what the phrase “zero tolerance” actually means in terms of policy and procedure within the school system. Student handbooks define zero […]
A tale of two knives, two different punishments
September 16, 2013 by 1 Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Originally printed in the September 12, 2013 edition of The Grip. Two children prepared for school on Tuesday, Sept. 3 by purposefully packing knives to take with them. Both were 12-year-old Griffin-Spalding students and were later caught with the knives, but the similarities of their situations end there. One incident occurred […]
The GRIP 