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GCS Insider - Making a Difference


Making a Difference – GCS Nurses


While tummy aches, sore throats and bumps and bruises are still commonplace in schools, nurses are dealing with far more serious health issues compared to 10 or even five years ago. Most GCS nurses focus on chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and life-threatening allergies. And as our enrollment increases, so does the need for nurses.


Many nurses travel to several schools in a week checking up on students and educating teachers and counselors on health issues and how and when to distribute medicine and proper emergency tactics. Teresa Johnson, RN, a school nurse since 1992, is an example of this trend. Johnson is responsible for the students at Hairston Middle, Jones Elementary, Weaver Academy and Brooks Global Studies.


“We do so much more than the band aids,” says Johnson. “We handle a lot of chronic illnesses along with first aid, immunizations and care plans.  Vision screenings are really important. We have students who think that what they are seeing every day is normal, and then we do a vision screening and then they really know what they’ve been missing.”


Never the Same Day Twice


Nurses work not only with students, but also with staff, parents and the community as well. “I really enjoy working in the public health sector and working with the students, teachers and the community – our job is so broad,” says Johnson.


As the school nurses at Gateway and with almost 50 years of school nurse experience between them, Connie Jones, RN and Rebecca ‘Deane’ Van der  Sommen , RN, know firsthand how their job can vary.  “It’s different every day,” says Jones. “The students here really keep us on our toes, and you never know what you’re going to get.”


Why School Nurses are Important


School nurses play vital roles in the schools today and are often a link between teachers and students and parents and teachers. “It’s important for people to really know the significance of school nurses. We make a big difference in student’s social and educational development,” says Johnson. “Nurses detect red flags; we listen, we’re there.“


Suzanne King, the school nurse at McIver Education Center agrees. “I think having nurses in every school would have an impact on student attendance.”


 “It’s a hard job, but it takes people who are very special because they want to be in the schools with the children,” says Robin Bergeron, director of health services.


 

GCS Insider - Making a Difference


Maintenance – Not Just Hammers and Nails


Every group in GCS has its own way of making a difference in our students’ learning environment. But one that might not come to mind is the Maintenance Department, or as Gerald Greeson, director of maintenance, likes to refer to it – Building Services.


“Many people think of the Maintenance Department as just hammers and nails, but we are so technically advanced now. I can look at the temperature of all the schools using computers,” he says.


The department’s highly skilled employees provide a quality environment on many levels. In addition to ensuring classroom temperatures conducive to learning, about 70 degrees, the department does everything from repairing and replacing air conditioning and heating units to providing curb appeal for schools to cleaning bathrooms, classrooms and hallways.


Healthy Learning


The department also has an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) group that deals with mold and mildew. Evidence provided by the U.S. government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that poor IAQ can cause illnesses effecting school attendance and can cause acute health symptoms that decrease performance in the classroom. In addition, the EPA’s recent data suggests that poor IAQ may directly reduce a person’s ability to perform specific mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation or memory.


“It’s an awesome responsibility we have, and we don’t take it lightly,” says Greeson.


Teachers, administrators and staff can also play a part in keeping a clean classroom, office or kitchen:

  • Turn lights off when the room is not in use
  • Close windows during times of rain to keep moisture out
  • Keep the thermostat at a constant temperature
  • Don’t let things pile up, which encourages dust, mold and mildew

In Rain or Shine


When the area was struck by severe weather on May 8, Greeson and many others from Maintenance were up all night and morning visiting schools to check power and make sure no trees or power lines were down on morning travel routes.


“Our goal is to have schools open every morning,” says Allen Bailey, assistant director of maintenance.
With over 10 relief custodians in the department to provide a helping hand in an urgent situation or substitute for a normal custodian, school are sure to open on time and be safe.


Working Hard in the Summer


Every summer, Maintenance hires about 150 part-time employees who help paint 16 schools. The summertime paint project works on a seven-year rotation in which that year’s 16 schools, including facilities and any landmarks on the property, receive a fresh coat of paint.
“This is a really great thing we have because we give a lot of people some part-time work over the summer like college students and single parents who have lost their jobs,” says Greeson.  

 
Work Orders – Easy as 1, 2, 3


Wondering what to do if you have a leaky faucet or a dead light bulb? It’s actually a very easy process. Visit the maintenance page and click on “Work Orders” on the left-hand side. Log in with your username and password and fill it out! The order in which work orders are fulfilled is based on an urgency/priority system. There are more than 45,000 work orders filled every year – that’s almost three work orders per employee!

 

 

GCS Insider - Employee of the Month

 

Jackson Social Worker Leads by Example

 

Thanks to the efforts of Keith G. Pemberton, impressionable young students at Jackson Middle have the tools they need to strive, achieve and excel. This social worker dedicates his time to mentoring at-risk students with the “Gentlemen of Jackson” and overseeing the Students Against Violence Everywhere club. He obtained funds from local organizations in order to help his students visit colleges and universities during their spring break. Pemberton does whatever it takes to make sure that his students understand the opportunities ahead of them in their lives. 

 

“Mr. Pemberton is a true advocate for students,” said Jackson Principal Rodney Wilds. “His dedication and compassion are evident every day, and Jackson Middle School is a better place because of him.”

Richard Tuck, Guilford County Schools (GCS) director of social services, agreed: “I would add that he shows commitment to the highest standards and principles that adults must demonstrate to young people. He also shows the fulfillment of the promise that we make to parents who, often without words, entrust their children in our care.”

 

As Employee of the Month, Pemberton received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program. In addition, the Guilford County Board of Education will recognize him at its May 8 meeting. Pemberton’s photo will hang at the district’s central offices and his school, as well as at Sam’s Club.

 

Also receiving nominations for Employee of the Month were:

  • Susan Boggs, Southern Middle
  • Michael Mode, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts
  • Johnita Readus, Cone Elementary
  • Patricia Scales, Jackson Middle
  • Windy Forshee, Joyner Elementary
  • Darrell Timmons, Sedalia Elementary
  • Cindy Goode, Brooks Global Studies
  • Sherry Wilson, High Point Central High
  • Shaquila Moss, Morehead Elementary
  • Sharon McCants, Kiser Middle
  • Cindy Miller, Florence Elementary
  • Bland Guthrie, Erwin Montessori
  • Pam Early, Alamance Elementary
  • Linda Hayes, Jackson Middle
  • Janice Person, Brightwood Elementary
  • Kevin Saxton, Southeast High
  • Jamiss Bostic, Eastern High
  • Katherine Seawell, Peeler Open Elementary

Know any GCS employees who who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for Employee of the Month! Nomination forms are available at the GCS central office locations and at the district’s schools. Nominations may also be submitted online here.

 

Full-time or part-time Guilford County Schools' employees may be nominated. All nominations must be received by the 10th day of each month. Each nomination will be considered once, so please feel free to resubmit each month.

 

For more information, contact Lillian M. Govus, Program Administrator – Communications, 370-8997.

 

Look for the June Employee of the Month on GCSTV 2!

 

 

GCS Insider - Department in Depth


Imagine teaching or sitting at your desk with your back turned to your students or your work. It’s not easy, is it? For our bus drivers, that is exactly what they do every morning and afternoon, and sometimes, even as late as 9 p.m.

The Department

Joining our tireless bus drivers is a group of people who complete the Transportation Department and make it possible for GCS drivers to deliver our students safely and on time:

  • Mechanics, who work in three shifts, provide up-keep and preventative repairs on GCS’ 634 buses.
  • Zone routing supervisors and specialists are responsible for creating and implementing bus routes.
  • Program administrators and data managers work with TIMS, or Transportation Information Management System.
  • Night dispatchers, shop and parts foremen, office support and senior administration are vital to the department’s communication.

Overseeing it all is Director of Transportation Jeff Harris, who keeps his staff energized and laughing throughout the school year.

 “We have a great department here at GCS. We work hard, but we know how to have fun," said Harris.

 

Safety First


Children are taught about bus safety when they first enter kindergarten by the famous Gus the Bus, a yellow school bus that was converted into a teaching tool. Sherman Hawks, a bus driver for the past several years, leads the lesson during the first several months each school year. Hawks teaches the four main principles of bus safety: remain seated, talk quietly, keep your hands to yourself and follow directions of the bus driver. He also talks about the proper way to get on and get off the bus and how to cross the street when being picked up or dropped off.

“My main goal every day is to get the children to school safely and get them  home safely,” says Hawks.

 

Where You Can Help


Unfortunately, there is one situation out of our hands, and that is when students wait for the bus in the morning.
“Our bus drivers must be pro-active while on the bus with children, but the one safety issue we can’t control is when students are waiting for their pick-up in the morning,” said Harris.


“It would be great to have parents or responsible adults to wait with the kids and ensure they get on the bus safely.”


For the Love of the Children


“Everything I do is for their safety,” says Linda Byers, a bus driver with GCS for the past 21 years.


Byers, who says her bus drives better than her car, reiterates the safety issues to her students every day and reminds them to hold on to the rail when going up and down the stairs.


Summer Time


As the school year winds down and summer begins to kick in, students may be a bit more rambunctious. Teachers should remind their students that the rules in the classroom are the same as on a school bus. While Byers loves seeing her students’ excited faces at the end of the year; her favorite time of year?


Transportation Professionals Appreciation Week


On May 9, the GCS Transportation Department recognized the best of the best at its annual Professional of the Year ceremony and culminated Transportation Professionals Appreciation Week May 4-9. The professionals recognized exemplify the goals of the department with each performance of their assigned duties. The winners were:

  • Safety Assistants: Lois Vernon (Special Needs East) and Cynthia Auzine (Special Needs West)
  • School Bus Drivers: Patricia Wilson (Special Needs East), Shelby Moore (Special Needs West), Ellis Mebane (Magnet East), Cynthia Junious (Magnet West), Gary Evans (Western), Sylvia Carter (Eastern), Robin Wilson (Northeast), Frances (Jackie) Lasher (Northern), James Brame (Page), Jaime Richardson (Grimsley), Ronald Ridge (Ragsdale), Felicia Gillespie (HP Central), Antonia Cooper (Southern), Deloris York (Southeast), Drexel Thompson (Smith), Shereen Collins (Dudley), LaTrenda Logan (Andrews), Deborah DeBord (Southwest).
  • Also receiving awards: Gayle Mayo-Graves (Supervisor), Tennie Shepherd (Technician), Mark King (Route Mechanic), Dean Clodfelter (Shop Mechanic), Larry Lassiter (Safety First Award), Darren Shaw (Rookie Award),  Judy Patterson and Sandra Woodard (Director’s Award) and Dale Pilcher (Superintendent’s Award).

Transportation Department: By the Numbers


634 Buses
40,013 Students Transported
52,334 Miles Traveled Daily
829 Permanent Employees & 170 Substitute Employees
3rd Largest Bus Fleet in North Carolina
26th Largest Bus Fleet of National Top 100 Districts
5:51 a.m. Earliest Pick-up Time

9:00 p.m. Latest Delivery Time


 

GCS Insider - Quick Notes

 

Quick Notes – May/June 2008

 

May
The Months

  • Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

  • National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

  • National Bike Month

  • Better Hearing and Speech Month

June

The Months

  • National Student Safety Month

  • Children’s Awareness Month

  • Sports America Kid’s Month

The Weeks

  • 8-14       National Flag Week                        

  • 9-15       National Men’s Health Week

The Days

  • 14           Flag Day

  • 15           Father’s Day

  • 21           National ASK Day

  • 21           First Day of Summer

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (May)


Get up and Get Moving!
May is the month to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by challenging yourself and your students to become more active. Adults need 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week to be healthy, while children and teens need 60 minutes of activity a day for their health. If this sounds daunting, you’re in for some good news. Studies now show that activities broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day have the same health benefits as one longer workout. Today, exercise takes on many faces, and there hundreds of ways to get fit. Try any of these suggestions to get started, and don’t be afraid to try something new every few months:

    • 30 minutes of brisk walking at lunch

    • Joining in a volleyball or basketball game

    • Tending to the garden on the weekends

    • Taking the stairs instead of the elevator

    • Jumping rope or doing jumping jacks

    • Joining an aerobics class


    Walk to a Better You


    Another simple way to get moving is to purchase a pedometer (usually no more than $20) and start walking. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that people who wear a pedometer walk about 2,000 more steps every day — or about one more mile — than those who don’t. The average person in the U.S. walks about 5,300 steps in one day, which is only half of the 10,000 steps recommended.


    The JAMA study also found that pedometer users:

    • Increased their steps if they set daily step goals for themselves,

    • Made other improvements in their lifestyles, including decreasing calories and increasing other physical activities and

    • Lost weight and reduced their blood pressure.

    Economic Impact Analysis (EIA)


    Did you know that you work for the largest employer in Guilford County? Do you realize that GCS’ economic impact on the local economy is more than $1 billion? As our area grows, so does the influence GCS has on jobs, wages and our overall economic health. To learn more information about the EIA and how GCS has had an impact on the community, click here.


    Children’s Awareness Month


    June is Children's Awareness Month which was created by the U.S. Government's Center for Mental Health Services. The annual campaign is designed to increase public awareness about the importance of protecting and nurturing the mental health of young people.

     

    Flag Day


    We usually know when Flag Day is celebrated, but do we know why? On June 14, the United States celebrates Flag Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During this week, the president will issue a proclamation urging the country to fly the American flag for the duration of that week.


    Interesting Facts About Flag Day

    • In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. It was not until 1949 that National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

    • Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, though on June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first (and only) U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday.

    • The largest Flag Day parade is held annually in Troy, New York.

    National ASK Day


    Did you know that 40 percent of homes with children have a gun? PAX, a nonprofit organization that brings real solutions to gun violence, in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, created the ASK (Asking Saves Kids) campaign. The ASK campaign encourages parents to ask if there are guns in the homes where their children play. ASK Day is observed to focus on the lifesaving message. This year, ASK Day will occur on Saturday, June 21, the first day of summer. To learn more about National ASK Day, visit http://www.paxusa.org/ask/index.html).

    From the Professional Development Office


    It’s almost summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop learning! For summer professional development opportunities, visit the Professional Development link from the employee page. You can also view summer professional development initiatives. Questions? Contact the Professional Development office at 335-3290 for more information.

     

    From the Benefits Office - Removing Children from Insurance Coverage


    Employees who have chosen to insure their children (health, life and dental) may do so until the child turns nineteen. If the child is a full-time student at a college or university, insurance coverage can be extended until age 26 or at the time of graduation, whichever comes first.  One semester break per calendar year is allowed for a student to maintain a full-time student status.  Summer school is optional and is not considered a semester.  Children graduating from college must be removed before the first day of the month following the graduation so the employee will not be charged an additional month with no coverage.  Married children of any age cannot be insured by a parent.  Ineligible children must be removed from all insurance coverage.  For more information contact the Benefits Office at 370-8092.  


    Get Healthy Guilford


    Eighty-two employees completed the 10-week “Get Healthy Guilford” Challenge.  The challenge promoted “Eat Smart & Move More” by requiring the eating of 5-9 fruits and vegetables daily, and moving at least four days a week for 30 minutes. The challenge was organized by the Get Healthy Guilford Coalition and was sponsored by the Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation.  The activity was coordinated by the YMCA of Greensboro.  The grand prize drawing, a weekend for two at the Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, was won by Lisa Barefoot of Weaver Academy.  The district held a drawing for other prizes, and the following employees were winners:  Brooke Aukes, Sandy Clark, Pamela Hodgin, Gina Garrett, Lori Jones, Nancy Miller and Irvan Rankin.


    Several employees participated in the optional weight loss challenge.  Over 404 pounds were lost and La Gail Williams of Falkener Elementary won the weight loss challenge and was awarded a gift certificate to the Fresh Market.

     

    Congratulations to 2007-08 Rookie Teacher of the Year


    The 2007-08 Rookie Teacher of the Year was announced during a May 14 breakfast, sponsored by Guilford Education Alliance.  Nicholas Bush of Wiley Elementary was named the overall and Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year. Bush will receive a scholarship to earn a master’s degree at UNC-Greensboro. 

     

    The field began with 52 teachers who were nominated for the honor. Each teacher submitted portfolios for consideration and a committee of administrators, career teachers, and community representatives reviewed and scored portfolios.  The five finalists were Bush, Clark Erskine of Alamance Elementary, Lorin Hooker of Southwest High, Jennifer Omran of Oak Hill Elementary and Matthew Rickard of Page High, who was named the secondary winner.  For more information, please contact Martha Snavely, Executive Director for Induction and Professional Development, at 335-3290.

     

    Want to go fishing? 


    Gary Melton at Western High School is organizing a bass fishing tournament for Guilford County School employees, June 8 at 7 a.m. on Lake Brandt.  For prize information and to enter, contact Gary Melton at meltong@gcsnc.com.

      • 5 fish limit with total wt. per person

      • Entry fee is  $20.00 per boat

      • Maximum: 25 Boats

      • Open to all school employees

      Top 10 Summer Songs

      1. Katrina and the Waves - "Walking on Sunshine”
      2. Kenny Chesney - “Summertime”
      3. Don Henley - “Boys of Summer”
      4. Bryan Adams – “Summer of ‘69”
      5. Beach Boys – “California Girls”
      6. Len – “Steal my Sunshine”
      7. Sheryl Crow – “Soak up the Sun”
      8. Alice Cooper – “School’s Out”
      9. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince – “Summertime”
      10. The Surfaris – “Wipeout”

       

      GCS Insider - Cornerstone


      Slow Down

      By John Holt, Cornerstone Psychological Services

        

      I was listening to National Public Radio the other day, and the host was interviewing a successful executive who was stressed out and unfulfilled. He sought the advice of a “life coach”, and they ended up falling in love and getting married. Together, they started a movement to get people to, essentially, slow down.

       

      On the surface it seems a bit silly; they sponsor races where the last person wins and give out fake speeding tickets to people who are walking too fast.

       

      But I think they have a good point. We are busy, often overscheduled and stressed because of it. We take pride in our ability to multitask. However, for most, multitasking is inefficient and causes us to take more time to complete tasks due to shifting our attention, reorienting and correcting our mistakes. Thus, can lead to feeling even more harried. So slow down, but take comfort in knowing that slowing down does not mean slacking off.

       

      We have trouble living in the moment, enjoying what is happening now because we are usually thinking of what we have to do next. So tomorrow, try to take one task at a time, and begin to take at least a few minutes a day to pamper yourself with some “slow time.” Pretend you’re walking on sand and move slower. Notice your surroundings, and use all five senses as you do.

       

      Just. Slow. Down. Be leisurely and reap the rewards of slowing down.

       

      John Holt
      Cornerstone Psychological Services
      www.CornerstoneHelps.com

       

       

      John Holt, Cornerstone Psychological Services (CPS). CPS is the district’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers five free counseling sessions per year to eligible employees and/or immediate family members. Call CPS at 540-9400 for information.