• GCS Monday Morning
    A weekly update for èAVƵ employees and parents   •   May 22-28, 2017
     
    "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Elenor Roosevelt

Weekly Message

  • W. Jeffrey Booker
    Superintendent of Schools 
     
    Superintendent Booker
       On Saturday, June 10, more than 2,000 seniors in the Class of 2017 will celebrate a milestone in life – high school graduation. It is an exciting time for our students as they walk across the graduation stage and take a big step into the future.
       We are extremely proud of our seniors. They have earned recognition for excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, extracurricular activities, and community service. Their achievements are significant because of their ambition to excel and succeed.
       The diploma that our seniors will receive represents the knowledge and skills they acquired during their time in èAVƵ, but there is so much more for them to learn. Learning is a lifelong process and that is why it is important for all graduates to continue to seek information, ask questions, and explore topics of interest.
       The future for our seniors involves going to college, serving our country in the military, and joining the work force. It is a time for taking a new path in life and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. We are confident that our graduates are prepared for all that tomorrow holds for them.
       The Board of Education joins me in congratulating the Class of 2017 and extending best wishes to our seniors. For each graduate, our wish for you is to experience a life filled with success and happiness, and we encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity to dream more, care more, do more, and be more.

On the Calendar

  • May 23
    New Teacher and Teacher Assistant of the Year Reception
    Schiele Museum
    3:45 p.m.
     
    May 24
    N.C. Pre-Kindergarten Administrative Committee Meeting
    12:00 p.m.
    èAVƵ County Public Library, èAVƵia 
     
    May 25
    School Nutrition Banquet
    Sandy Plains Baptist Church, èAVƵia
    6:00 p.m. 

    May 29
    Memorial Day Holiday
     
    June 1
    Ron L. Ensley Grants Reception
    First Presbyterian Church, èAVƵia
    4:00-6:00 p.m.
     
    June 5
    Board of Education Work Session
    Central Office
    5:30 p.m.
     
    June 6
    Curriculum and Instruction Committee Meeting
    Central Office
    4:30 p.m.
     
    June 8
    Students' Last Day (Early Dismissal)
     
    June 9
    Mandated Teacher Workday

    June 10
    Graduation Day
     
    June 12
    Mandated Teacher Workday
     
    June 13
    Retirement Reception
    èAVƵ Country Club
    3:00-5:00 p.m. 
     
    June 13-14
    Optional Teacher Workdays 

    for our calendar.

  • Graduation time is here!
    Graduation time is here for the Class of 2017. Last Thursday evening, the èAVƵ Early College High School held its graduation, the first of 13 high school ceremonies for èAVƵ. Thirty-three students received their high school diploma and most of them earned an associate degree from èAVƵ College. The Early College gives students an opportunity to complete high school and college coursework. Check our district website over the next few weeks for graduation coverage as we salute our seniors.
     
     

5 to Know

  • 1. A note about GCS Monday Morning
    This is our last edition of GCS Monday Morning for the 2016-2017 school year. We appreciate you reading and hope you found our weekly update to be positive and informative. This fall, we will launch a revamped version of our newsletter to keep you up-to-date with what is happening in èAVƵ. We hope you have a great summer!

    2. Board to appoint èAVƵ College trustee
    The Board of Education is conducting the process to select an appointee to the èAVƵ College Board of Trustees. The appointee will serve a four-year term beginning July 1, 2017. The appointee is expected to possess knowledge of community needs, awareness of the roles of the North Carolina Community College System and K-12 education, and an understanding of the relationship between county commissioners and funding for public education. Click here for more information and the application. 

    3. School production wins two Blumey Awards
    Stuart W. Cramer High School was a big winner during Sunday night’s presentation of the Blumey Awards at the Belk Theater in Charlotte. The school won best musical and best set construction for its spring musical production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” The Blumey Awards program recognizes outstanding achievement in high school theater and involves more than 40 schools in the Charlotte region. Congratulations to theater director Chuck Stowe and the entire “Thoroughly” cast - this is a significant recognition for theater arts education in èAVƵ.

    4. Students earn top finishes in track and field
    èAVƵ has five students who finished this weekend’s track and field competition as state champions. East èAVƵ’s Ne’ja Ervin won the 3-A discus competition, and Bessemer City’s 4x200 meter relay team of Summer Meeks, Brianne Davis, Ja’Ciya Guthrie, and Kiayzia Degree won the 1-A state title. It is the second straight state championship for Bessemer City in the 4x200 meter relay contest. Additionally, two students finished as state runners-up. North èAVƵ’s Ben Finger took second in the pole vault competition and Bessemer City’s Isaiah Cole was second in the 200-meter dash and the high jump. Congratulations to our student-athletes for their outstanding performances in the state track and field championship.

    5. Must see TV coming up on Channel 21
    Channel 21 is “must see TV” over the next few weeks as we air several of our recognition programs. See the schedule below.
    ◾Evening of Excellence (May 22-28)
    9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.
    ◾Business and Community Partners Reception (May 29 - June 4)
    9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.
    ◾Star Teacher-Student Awards - Class of 2017 (June 5-11)
    1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.
    You also can watch the programs anytime on the . Be sure to check out Channel 21 over the summer for “encore presentations” of programs from this school year as well as back-to-school and other important information.
     
     

5 to Remember

  • 1. Virtual Academy applications accepted this summer
    We will accept applications throughout the summer for the new èAVƵ County Virtual Academy, which is designed especially for middle school students (grades 6-8) who could benefit from school flexibility and personalized online learning. The Virtual Academy is ideal for students currently enrolled in home school programs, students who need a flexible school schedule because of athletics and other competitive activities, or students who experience difficulty with the transition from elementary school to middle school. Click here for more information and to apply online.

    2. Schools, central office to observe summer hours
    Again this summer, our schools and central office buildings will observe a four days per week, 10 hours per day work schedule. Our hours will be Mondays through Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and closed on Fridays beginning Monday, June 19. The summer schedule will continue until Friday, August 11. Schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday.

    3. Proctors needed for end-of-year testing
    Our schools could use your help with end-of-year testing. Proctors are needed for elementary and middle school tests scheduled May 25 through June 8. Proctors are needed for high school tests scheduled June 2 through June 8. Adults who are available to help with testing should contact the school in their neighborhood for more information and to sign up. Proctors are needed at various times, and schools are able to accommodate proctors’ schedules.

    4. Sports Physical Day is Saturday, June 3
    The annual èAVƵ Sports Physical Day is Saturday, June 3 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. at CaroMont Specialty Surgery in èAVƵia. Student-athletes can take advantage of this opportunity to complete a physical for the fall sports season. The cost is $10. Click here for more information.

    5. Register now for Youth Police Academy
    The èAVƵ County Police Department will sponsor its Citizens’ Police Academy for Youth July 10-14. The program is designed to introduce students (ages 12-15 years) to the law enforcement profession and provide them with information about the èAVƵ County Police Department. A group of 24 students will be selected for the program based on letters of reference from a teacher, principal, and guidance counselor. Click here for information about the application process.

Points of Pride

  • Ashbrook High School senior Delante Sykes earned a full scholarship from the University of North Dakota to participate in track and field.

    South Point High School seniors Jerme Leeper and Maya Sadler are recipients of the James S. Miller Scholarship, which is named for the late èAVƵ County principal, teacher, and pastor.

    Forestview High School won the 2017 Wells Fargo Cup for the Big South 2-A/3-A Conference. The award recognizes the school’s outstanding performance in conference athletics.

    Bessemer City High School student Cameron Hall signed a letter of intent to play golf at Pfeiffer University.
     
    Lisa Funderburk of Catawba Heights Elementary, George Scoumis of York Chester Middle, and Trish Jones of Stuart W. Cramer High School received the School Custodian of the Year recognition from Keep èAVƵia Beautiful.
  • Class of 2015

Recent Headlines

  • Class of 2015

Communication Tip

  • Keep parents informed over the summer
    Summertime is just around the corner, which means a break from the daily routine of school. But just because it’s summer, don’t take a break from sharing news and information about your school. Keep your parents up-to-date about what you are working on for the new school year by posting on your website and social media accounts, using your communication system to make phone calls and send e-mail, or mailing a letter to them. By communicating with parents over the summer, you will already have a relationship with them when the school bells ring in August.

    Source: N.C. School Public Relations Association
  • Class of 2015
  • This week's GCS Monday Morning is produced by the Communications/Public Information Department for the Stuart W. Cramer High School theater arts department, which won Blumey Awards for best musical and best set construction, and everyone who cares about èAVƵ.
     
    Please e-mail information for GCS Monday Morning to Todd Hagans, Chief Communications Officer:  tthagans@gaston.k12.nc.us
     
    to read past editions of GCS Monday Morning.