In This Issue…

Ed News Around GCPS… CCRPI, calendars,

new leaders, GEMS Committee recommendations, Paul Duke STEM HS, Phoenix HS at Sugarloaf Mills, Maxwell fire tower, holiday computer security, retirement counseling (pgs. 1–6)

EB Bulletin Board: Items on the side include Special Education Teacher Job Fair, info update for W2’s, call for JA volunteers, eSTEAM Academies in the Norcross Cluster, latest in Communiqué, and Spotlight reminder

VOLUME 38, NUMBER 4 NOVEMBER 2017

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W This symbol is used throughout Education Briefs to show that more information is

available online

GCPS posts strong results on GaDOE’s index of readinessThe state released W its 2017 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores W for Geor-

gia schools earlier this month. Gwinnett County’s public schools continue to score above state averages on the CCRPI Index. Gwinnett elementary schools scored 82.3 compared to the state score of 72.9. The Gwinnett middle school score is 80.9 compared to the state score of 73. And the Gwinnett high school score of 80.9 is above the state score for Georgia high schools of 77.

The overall high school single score for Gwinnett high schools of 80.9 for 2016–17 was an increase from the previous year, while the overall scores for elementary and middle schools in Gwinnett decreased slightly. Despite the decrease in the overall score for elementary schools, both the achieve-ment and progress points earned increased. The middle school score dropped to 80.9 from 81.4, but also showed increases in the achievement and progress components.

In looking at individual school results for Gwinnett, there were a number of highlights:• A total of 38 Gwinnett schools (more than a quarter of the schools in the district) earned CCRPI

scores of 90 or greater, with Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST); and Simpson, Level Creek and Riverside elementary schools scoring greater than 100.

• A group of 23 schools had gains of five points or more on their single scores. Gwinnett Online Cam-pus’ elementary score increased by 15 points, while its high school score increased by 11.6 points. Meadowcreek HS’ score improved by 12.1 points.

• The achievement score makes up 50 points of the CCRPI score and takes into consideration student achievement scores to assess college and career readiness through Content Mastery, Post Readiness, and Graduation Rate. Eight GCPS schools earned 45 or more points for Achievement— GSMST, North Gwinnett HS, North Gwinnett MS, Osborne MS, Level Creek ES, Riverside ES, Simpson ES, and Suwanee ES.

• Gains of 2 points or more were seen by 32 GCPS schools. Of these 32 schools, nine earned 3 to 4 points more than they did the previous year for the Achievement category.

School calendars set for 2018–19 and 2019–20 school years You can start planning your future vacations… At the Nov. 16 School Board meeting, district officials

presented calendars for the next two school years— 2018–19 W and 2019–20 W.The two calendars have similar features, including holidays at Labor Day in September and MLK

Day in January, a short fall break in October, a week-long break at Thanksgiving, up to two weeks for students at winter break, spring break, and two dates in the spring scheduled as inclement weather make-up days (or student/staff holidays if not needed).

The first day of school for the 2018–19 school year will be Monday, Aug. 6, with an ending date of Wednesday, May 22. Families have a five-day weekend in early October with a fall break starting Thursday, Oct. 4, and students returning to school on Tuesday, Oct. 9. (Teachers will have a professional development day on Monday, Oct. 8.)

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The district also has a student and staff holiday set for Tuesday, Nov. 6, on Election Day. Many schools are used as polling places and experience high traffic during presidential and gubernatorial election years, so calendars are adjusted to be closed on “even” years. Georgians will select a new governor in 2018.

Winter break for students will start on Friday, Dec. 21, and students will be back in the classroom on Thursday, Jan. 3. (Teachers return Jan. 2.) Make-up days are set for Feb. 15 and March 29, both Fridays. (They would be holidays if not needed.) In addition, a student holiday is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 18, a staff development day for teachers. Spring Break is April 1-5.

Staff development days for teachers are scheduled for July 30, July 31, Aug. 1–3, Oct. 8, Jan. 2, Feb. 18, and May 23–24. The district’s 12-month employees have the following holidays scheduled for the 2018–19 school year: July 4, Sept. 3, Nov. 22–23, Dec. 24–31, Jan. 1, Jan. 21, April 5, and May 27.

Board approves district, school leaders in October, NovemberThe following school and central office appointments were announced during October and November:

Name New Position Previous Position

Dr. Debbie Durrence Chief Data Officer, Data Governance Executive Director of Accountability and Assessment,

Curriculum and Instructional Support

Dr. Eric Davidson W Principal, Duluth HS Associate Principal, Duluth HS

Dr. Christopher Martin W

Principal, Lanier HS Associate Principal, Collins Hill HS

Leslie Aiken Executive Director of Accountability and Assessment,

Curriculum and Instructional Support

Director of Assessment, Curriculum and Instructional Support

Dr. Keena Ryals-Jenkins

Director of Accelerated Programs and Gifted Education,

Curriculum And Instructional Support

Director of Humanities, Fulton County (Ga.) Schools

Dr. Tinisha Parker Director of Advisement and Counseling, School Improvement and Operations

Coordinator of Advisement and Counseling, School Improvement and Operations

Jessica Holden Director of Science, Curriculum and Instructional Support

Assistant Principal, Moore MS

As Dr. Durrence transitioned to her new position, Ms. Aiken stepped into the leadership role in Accountability and Assessment. As former principals Anthony Smith and Dr. Reuben Gresham became assistant superintendents for high schools, their open spots were filled by Dr. Davidson and Dr. Martin respectively. Dr. Parker took on her new role with the departure of Dianne Thompson to another school district. Dr. Ryals-Jenkins joins the C&I team with the retirement of Julia Osborne. Ms. Holden takes on her new leadership role with Dr. Jonathon Wetherington’s selection as principal of the new Paul Duke STEM HS, opening in August.

Committee reviews AKS, makes annual recommendationsThe GEMS Oversight Committee convenes each year to review and provide feedback on the district’s

Academic Knowledge and Skills W (AKS) curriculum. This year’s meeting was held Nov. 2, with more than 50 educators and community members participating. The Committee made recommendations on course standards in the following curriculum areas: career and technical education, ESOL, fine arts,

Calendars (continued)

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Jessica HoldenLeslie Aiken Dr. Tinisha ParkerDr. Eric DavidsonDr. Debbie Durrence Dr. Christopher Martin

Dr. Keena Ryals-Jenkins

Special Education Teacher Job Fair set for Jan. 27Know a certified (or soon-to-be certified)

special education teacher interested in teaching in Gwinnett? Share this important

upcoming event. Gwinnett County Public

Schools will host a Special Education

Teacher Job Fair W on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The fair is by invitation only for those who

have a pre-scheduled interview. Registration to attend the fair will close on Jan. 22, or when all interview

times have been filled. Contact gcpsteach@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

with questions.

Update contact information before tax

information mailed

As the end of the year approaches, remember

to verify and update any needed changes to your mailing address. Employees can make

changes on the Employee Portal W on the “About Me” tab, under the “Name/Contact Changes”

section. All 2017 W2’s will be mailed on or

before Jan. 31.

3 Education Briefs (continued)

language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The group provided recommendations to CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks for adoption by the School Board. The Board approved the changes as recommended by the GEMS Oversight Committee.

“While the GEMS Oversight Committee was a great success, I would also like to recognize and thank the various teachers who served on AKS development committees, along with the educators and com-munity members who provided additional feedback through our GCPS website,” says Jadd Jarusinski, director of instructional resources and support. “Their participation in the AKS development process is not only necessary but truly invaluable.”

2018–19 registration begins for new Paul Duke STEM HS, first of theme schools to offer crowding relief

A small school with big ideas is coming to the Norcross Cluster! Paul Duke STEM HS W is a theme high school, opening in Norcross in August of 2018. The school’s focus will be on rigorous and relevant applications of tech-nology in science, engineering, and mathematics (together, known as STEM) in three main areas— Applied Engineering and Robotics; Communication, Art, and Design; and Digital and Innovative Technology.

Located at 5850 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, the school will give much-needed relief to Norcross HS W as students in the cluster will have the option of attending either school. (If space is available, students outside the cluster who provide their own transportation may have the option to attend.) Opening with fewer than 1,000 students, Paul Duke STEM HS will offer a unique “smaller school” experience.

A smaller school experience creates a learning community where teachers really get to know their students. The students are closely connected to each other due to common experiences, fostering a positive learning environment. When combined with a specific focus area, such as STEM, a small school also supports a focus on each individual student’s academic success as well as a commitment to connecting students with engaging, relevant learning.

Paul Duke’s technology-infused STEM curriculum was developed with students and their future in mind. “The school will feature collaborative and connected classes; active, hands-on learning; and learn-ing with and through technology,” says Dr. Jonathon Wetherington, Paul Duke’s principal. He says high expectations, high-tech skills, and high-reward options will help prepare graduates for college and career.

The new school will feature a non-traditional schedule with Fridays set aside as a digital learning day, allowing students to work from home or school. And the building itself is different, too. Three learning labs—one for each floor— are attached to computer labs with nearby collabora-tion rooms. Each of the three STEM programs has dedicated space for instruction and hands-on learning, with a makerspace, a design studio, and an advanced computing lab. Large science labs support research and investigation, while fine arts spaces and the theater are designed for col-laboration.

Other differences... Students in the same class may work on different assignments. And, students will have opportunities to apply their learn-ing through in-class projects, internships, and design challenges. All students will progress through a four-year research program that begins with seminar courses and culminates with capstone projects and in-ternships. Budding entrepreneurs will be able to pursue a start-up. Paul Duke students also will have extensive opportunities to take Advanced Placement courses and earn industry certifications, certificates from colleges, and even a two-year college degree while still in high school.

Community advisors— including representatives from large and small tech companies (many housed in the nearby Technology Park) as

GEMS Committee (continued)Your experience can be a great

teacher No matter your role

in the district, your life experiences qualify

you to be a successful volunteer at Gwinnett’s Junior Achievement (JA)

Discovery Center W! Through real-life simulations in

JA BizTown W and JA Finance Park W, GCPS 6th and 8th

grade students develop skills to better navigate

today’s complex economic environment.

As a volunteer, you will share your life

experiences to mentor and coach students

through their day and help to create a more authentic simulation.Share this volunteer

opportunity with friends and family or consider volunteering yourself. Online, find more information and

register as a volunteer! Questions about

volunteering at the JA center? Contact Kyle Redner by email at kredner@georgia.

ja.org. The JA Center is on the campus of Discovery HS,

located at 1333 Old Norcross Road in

Lawrenceville.

Applied Engineering

and Robotics

Communication, Art, and Design

Digital and Innovative

Technology

well as officials from the cities of Norcross and Peachtree Corners— have supported the development of the school and will continue to provide guidance, learning opportunities, content experts, and other support.

Starting in October, school and district leaders began conducting com-munity meetings at Norcross Cluster schools and at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Cen-ter. Prospective students also had the opportunity to participate in an initial interest survey that tells students more about the school while also giving school leaders feedback regarding student interest.

Because there has been a great deal of interest in Paul Duke, the number of students who can attend will be limited to 400 students per grade level in year one. Dec. 8 is the initial deadline for students in the cluster to submit commitment forms. That deadline may be extended if openings remain at one or more grade levels. If registration exceeds the projected 400 students per grade level in year one, GCPS will host a lottery that follows the current process in place for other schools and programs supported by a lottery.

Each registrant would be assigned a lottery number that would be used should a lottery be required.

For current Norcross students, course registration for Paul Duke will begin in January. Rising 9th graders from Pinckneyville MS and Summerour MS with plans to attend Paul Duke will complete the course selection pro-cess during articulation activities at the middle school.

GCPS-Simon partnership to provide school/work optionIn 1997, Phoenix HS W, a non-traditional high school in GCPS, moved to its new home… a former

shopping center in Lawrenceville. Keeping that history in mind, it seems fitting that a new extension of the school is opening in an area mall. That’s right, Phoenix HS at Sugarloaf Mills will open its doors in August of 2018.

Phoenix HS at Sugarloaf Mills is the result of an innovative partnership between GCPS and Simon Youth Foundation W (SYF), a non-profit founded by the Simon Property Group, Inc. SYF partners with public school districts across the nation W, providing the space and infrastructure (furniture, renova-tion of space, wiring, etc.) for a unique school setting within a Simon mall. The school district provides the curriculum and personnel for the program.

“Education is the true key to a student’s future,” says Donna Scott, Phoenix HS principal. “Here in Gwinnett, all of our students receive an education that is world-class, both in its rigor and in course offerings. The Phoenix HS and Simon Youth Foundation satellite will continue the incredible tradition of offering students a true world-class education.”

Consistent with the school’s motto— “We exist for students”—this unique program is designed to serve students who are committed to finishing their education but need ad-

ditional support and/or are interested in working while they go to school. It will be a great match for students who would benefit from having an option other than the traditional high

school setting. The flexible hours, individualized learning, and real-world experiences will engage students, encouraging them to finish high school. So, for high school students shopping around for a different educational experience… Phoenix HS at Sugarloaf Mills might be just the right fit!

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Paul Duke STEM HS (continued)eSTEAM prepares 8th graders for

Norcross Cluster options

This fall, Pinckneyville MS W and Summerour

MS W launched eSTEAM Academies to help prepare their

8th graders for learning opportunities they’ll

have in high school in the Norcross Cluster, including the Junior

Achievement Academy and International Bac-calaureate programs at Norcross HS W and

STEM Pathways at the new Paul Duke STEM

HS W. The school-within-a-school programs

focus on entrepreneur-ship (that’s the e) as

well as the now-familiar instructional focus of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math-

ematics, and the Arts. Through project-based learning, students in

the academies explore careers in areas like

digital art, marketing, music technology, cod-ing, film, and robotics.

PHOENIX HIGH SCHOOLat sugarloaf mills

A healthcare-themed high school will

open in 2019–20 to relieve crowding at Meadowcreek HS.

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GCPS-County partnership brings fire tower to MaxwellFrom the outside, it might look

like a four-story building with gray siding, but for the students in the Fire Services Program at Maxwell HS of Technology W, the newly opened fire training tower gives an inside view and hands-on experi-ence in a potential career, right on campus, and in the same training facility that will be used by county firefighters.

“The tower may not be a luxury skyscraper, but it is something we can all be proud of,” said GCPS’ CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks at the ribbon-cutting cer-emony for the tower W. “It’s some-thing that will benefit the students, the fire department, and, more im-portantly, the citizens of Gwinnett County. It represents what’s right about the county.”

The new tower is a joint project of Gwinnett County Public Schools and Gwinnett County Govern-ment. The $600,000 tower was funded with $530,000 in SPLOST revenue from the county and the balance was funded by GCPS.

Maxwell offers several career-centered programs that lead to public service jobs, including Fire and Emergency Services W, Law Enforcement Services W, and Therapeutic Services W (Healthcare). Crews from nearby Fire Station 20 W provide mentoring and instruction to Maxwell students in these allied programs.

“The addition of the fire tower on our campus broadens the entire learning experience for our stu-dents,” says Dr. Jeff Hall, Maxwell principal. “With the exception of live burns, our fire services students are able to receive training comparable to current Gwinnett County Fire Department W recruits.”

The tower will allow both students and firefighters to practice responding to and mitigating emer-gency situations in multi-story buildings. The facility will provide a host of training opportunities, including search and rescue operations, using a breathing apparatus, emergency medical care, hose advancement, fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, ground and aerial ladder placements, and hoisting techniques. The training tower is believed to be the only facility of its kind located at a high school.

Buyer beware… Cybercriminals prey on holiday shoppersCybercriminals don’t take a break during the holiday season. In fact, they may crank it up a notch over

the next several weeks as they prey on holiday shoppers who are more likely to make online purchases to take advantage of convenience, comparison shopping, and great deals.

United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), part of the Department of Homeland Security, reminds computer users to keep their guard up when browsing or shopping online W this holiday season. A recent bulletin warned, “Emails and ecards from unknown senders may contain malicious links. Fake advertisements or shipping notifications may deliver attachments infected with malware. Spoofed email messages and phony posts on social networking sites may request support for fraudulent causes.”

US-CERT offers a number of suggestions for protecting yourself when shopping online:• Do business with reputable vendors. Make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate and established ven-

dor before providing personal or financial information. Malicious sites may appear legitimate so take

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Photos provided by Gwinnett County Government—Communication Division

Maxwell has 30 students enrolled in Firefighting classes and 52 students enrolled in Emergency Medical Responder classes.

A fully equipped firefighter carries 85 pounds of gear.

What’s new in Communiqué?

The latest posts to the online Communiqué W

include American Education Week W

celebrations, calendar news W, TOTY honors W,

college application resources W, students

excited about literacy W and the law W, plus dates and deadlines

on the Bulletin Board, and the latest episode

of In5ive. Coming up? Award-winning

staff members, some “promising” writers, a glimpse at future

careers, some special community partners, and more! Check the

magazine frequently for the latest news!! Story ideas? Great photos?

Feedback? Let us know at communique@

gwinnett.k12.ga.us. W

Gwinnett County Public Schools

An online magazine with news and stories about your classrooms, your schools, and your community.

the time to do some research and check the website certificate W.• Make sure your transaction is secure. If your vendor does not use

encryption, your personal and financial information could be vulnerable to cyberattack as it is being transmitted. Look for URLs that begin with “https:” instead of “http:” and have a closed padlock icon. Make sure that the icon is in the appropriate loca-tion for your browser.

• Beware of unsolicited emails. Cybercriminals may try to gather information by sending emails W that request con-firmation of a purchase or account information. Reputable businesses do not solicit your information this way. If a company with which you do business with does send such an email, do not click on the provided links. Instead, log in to their authentic website and inquire about the request. (Learn more about recognizing and avoiding email scams W online.)

• Use a credit card. Laws limit your liability for fraudulent credit card charges, but you may not have the same protection for debit card purchases. In addition, because debit cards draw money out of your account, an unauthorized charge could leave you short for other purchases while you’re trying to get a fraudulent purchase reversed. US-CERT also recommends using a credit card when using a payment gateway such as PayPal, Google Wallet, or Apple Pay.

• Keep records and check statements. Keep track of your purchases, maintain copies of confirmations, and review them against your bank statement. If you do spot a discrepancy, report it immediately. (Find out how to prevent and respond to identity theft W.)

• Know your charities. Attackers also may misrepresent themselves as charities W during the holidays, creating a malicious site and using email messages to get your personal and financial information. Follow the same suggestions offered for online shoppers. Make sure the site is legit and the transac-tion is secure. And use a credit card or ask for billing.

If you fall victim to a holiday phishing scam on your personal accounts, you can fight back with these actions:• Contact your financial institution immediately and close any accounts that may have been compro-

mised. Watch for any suspicious charges to your account. • Immediately change any passwords you might have revealed and do not use that password in the fu-

ture. Avoid reusing passwords on multiple sites. (See tips for choosing and protecting passwords W.)

Considering retirement in 2018?

Schedule an appointment with a retirement counselorThe Gwinnett Retirement Services Department W is currently scheduling retirement counseling ap-

pointments for sessions in January, February, and March for those employees planning to retire at the end of this school year. In order to complete retirement applications and ensure prompt first payments from the Teachers Re-tirement System of Georgia W or Public School Employees Retirement System W, please contact Retirement Services at (678) 301-6267 or (678) 301-6267 6269. Appointments with retirement counselors— located in either Suwanee or Lawrenceville— are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Beware holiday cybercrime (continued)

Education Briefs is produced by the Department of Communication and

Media Relations.education_briefs@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

It is the policy of Gwinnett County Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of

race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or

disability in any employment practice, educational program,

or any other program, activity, or service.

Gwinnett County Public Schools

437 Old. Peachtree Road, NWSuwanee, GA 30024-2978

678-301-6000www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us

2017 GWINNETT COUNTYBOARD OF EDUCATION

Louise Radloff, chair; Carole C. Boyce, vice chair;

Dr. Robert McClure; Dr. Mary Kay Murphy; and

Daniel D. SeckingerCEO/SUPERINTENDENT

J. Alvin Wilbanks

The mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools is to

pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior

for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and

world-class standards.

Something to celebrate?Share your good news with your colleagues in Spotlight W. If you have earned a state or national award, earned a degree, made a presentation, or had work published, send the information to the Spotlight mailbox W via Lotus Notes, or to the Communication and Media Relations Department through the courier. Submissions for the next issue are due Jan. 23. Coming soon… the fall issue of Spotlight.

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