December

In This Issue4 Volunteering: Good for Your Health 1 GCS Giving Teams Pay it Forward 1 Great News for Teachers 3 Beat Holiday Stress 3 the INSIDER Giving GCS Employees the INside Scoop Every Month DECEMBER 2008 - GIVING BACK ISSUE Helping Others Leads to Helping Yourself The holiday season is one of giving and lending a helping hand, but it doesn’t have to end January 1 Four Seasons Town Centre and GCS Pay it Forward The new partnership allows groups across the district to give back to the community in creative ways Volunteerism is at a 30-year high. In 2007, 61 million Americans volunteered in their communities. This equals 8.1 billion service hours and $158 billion worth of labor. But there are still 70 percent of Americans who talk about volunteering instead of doing it. The benefit of volunteering is obvious - to give back to others and support communities in your neighborhood or around the world. “Our students who have tutors or mentors in the classroom have more confidence, more focus and feel special,” said Francine Scott, volunteer coordinator at Dudley High. But many studies show that the act of volunteering can help the volunteer just as much, if not more, than the person receiving the act of kindness. Volunteering can help with interpersonal and communication skills such as understanding people better, motivating others, dealing with difficult situations, problem-solving and leadership skills. It can also improve job-related skills and improve job opportunities. As you gain applicable skills in the workplace, volunteering can also have positive health benefits as well. According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality Did You Know? rates, greater functional ability and lower rates of depression later in life than those Benjamin Franklin began the first volunteer who do not volunteer. firefighting company in 1736. Why might we see a connection between volunteer activities and longer and healthier The American Red Cross was established in lives? Evidence shows that volunteering 1881 by Clara Barton. has a positive effect on social psychological Volunteers, on average, are about as busy factors, such as one’s sense of purpose. as others, yet they make the time to serve In turn, positive social psychological others. The largest difference in how time factors are correlated with lower risks of poor is spent between volunteers and lifelong physical health. Volunteering may enhance a non-volunteers is in how much television person’s social networks to buffer stress and they each watch. Good thing there is Tivo and DVR. reduce risk of disease, the research states. “I know our volunteers take it seriously,” Teens, Baby Boomers and older adults said Erica Vasile, social worker and volunteer volunteer the most. coordinator at Brightwood Elementary. “They really enjoy it and keep coming back In 1961, John F. Kennedy created the Peace year after year, and want to be set up with Corps. another student if the student they helped In 2007, approximately 3.7 million volunteers moves out of the district or simply goes provided service at least 120 miles outside on to middle school. It’s a very meaningful of their home community. thing to do in their lives, and it gives them a sense of purpose because they can tell they Volunteers logged more than 342,800 hours are making a difference.” with GCS. First, it was a book-turned-movie about a young boy trying to make the world a better place. Then Oprah took it to the next level with her own reality show, “Oprah’s Big Give.” Now, 21 “giving teams” in GCS will have their turn to give back to the community and pay it forward. In November, the istrict announced d a new partnership with Four Seasons Town Centre, which will specifically support GCS’ Character Education Initiative. What is the Character Education Initiative? In 2006, the United States Department of Education/Partnerships in Character Education Programs (PCEP) awarded more than $1.5 million to GCS and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools as part of a four-year grant to study the impact of character education in middle schools. Four Seasons Town Centre and its general manager David Huesser have filled the role of community champion Vernice Thomas, supervisor of the Safe and Drug Free Schools program, addresses the crowd Monday night. Giving Teams Call The Volunteer Center of Greensboro at 373-1633 or visit volunteergso.org to find out how you can give back! continued on page 2 www.gcsnc.com Giving Teams continued from page 1 and will lead a partnership team that consists of area businesses and leaders committed to reinforcing the life lessons taught in the classroom. To highlight the principles of giving, kindness and compassion, Four Seasons Town Centre is using its character education partnership to aid GCS in the project by donating more than $4,000 to help in the formation of giving teams in schools throughout the district. Each team submitted an application to Four Seasons Town Centre and was selected based on the creativity, community impact, spirit of giving and timing of the proposed project. The 21 teams selected each received $200 in seed money during a presentation on December 1. The teams represent 15 schools in the district, and will immediately begin implementing their ideas. Here are some examples of the giving teams’ projects: - Brown Summit Middle’s eighth grade will make friendship bracelets to sell during lunchtime at school to build their seed money fund, which will go toward adopting a family-in-need for the holidays; - The Academy at Smith’s 10th- through 12th-grade team will donate toys for children from Pathway’s of Greensboro. They will also provide teddy bears for children in the pediatric ward in Moses Cone Health System; - Ferndale Middle’s sixth- through eighth-grade team will donate time to make arts and crafts, baked goods and coordinate bingo games for two local rest homes. In addition, the team plans to collect toys for underprivileged children in the community; and - Hairston Middle’s sixth- through eighth-grade team will distribute stockings to the local community that include student-designed babysitting, tutoring and mentoring coupons. Johncarlos Miller, principal at Northeast Middle, with his team after they received their $200 in seed money. Great News for All Teachers! Getting low on classroom supplies? Beginning Tuesday, December 11, the Teacher Supply Warehouse will be open temporarily to all GCS teachers, counselors and social workers! All teachers may shop the Teacher Supply Warehouse for free supplies, four times until the end of the 200809 school year. The only thing we ask is for you or your students to write a thank-you note to one or more of the companies that make donations. There is a limit of 75 shoppers per day. Click here for more information and to register to shop! Donate to the Teacher Supply Warehouse! Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to get organized? If so, donate supplies or gently used items to the Teacher Supply Warehouse. Help spread the word! Contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355. Recognize GCS Volunteers ry a n ua J What’s the most interesting item you received from the Teacher Supply Warehouse? Ideas Wa nte d What project or goal do you have for 2009 in your classroom or department? Send your ideas, comments and suggestions to landesj@gcsnc.com. Volunteers are a large part of the success of Guilford County Schools (GCS). To recognize those who selflessly donate their own time to the district’s students, nominate them for Volunteer of the Month (VOM). Persons who volunteer at GCS full- or part-time may be nominated. All nominations must be received by the 10th day of each month and are good for 30 days. Those selected as the district’s VOM will receive a certificate of recognition from the Guilford County Board of Education and a $25 gift card from American Express. Additionally, the VOM will have his/her picture on display at the district’s main offices during the month that they were selected. For more information, click here. ! 2 December 2008 December Employee of the Month Supports GCS Outside the Classroom Pamela Rudd, office support personnel for curriculum and instruction, is this month’s winner Educators are not John Holt’s Cornerstone Beat Holiday Stress With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to talk about holiday stress. This time of year is full of activity and excitement, and often, the expectation that everything must be perfect. For some, the holidays can be emotional with feelings of loss, sadness and stress after a tough year. But with some planning, thinking and help from others, the holidays can be about making good memories. Here are some effective tips for coping with holiday stress: aMake realistic expectations for the holiday season. aPace yourself. Do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle. aMake a list and prioritize the activities. This can help make holiday tasks more manageable. aGet involved, socialize or volunteer. If you’re feeling lonely, find a faith-based organization or community center where you can be with other people. aTry something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way. aKeep track of your holiday spending. Overspending can lead to depression when the bills arrive after the holidays are over. aExercise and get enough sleep. John Holt Cornerstone Psychological Services 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. www.CornerstoneHelps.com the only ones who play an important role in the delicate journey of educating students in Guilford County. Office support personnel handle all of the “behind the scenes” work that is so important to the efficient running of any department. According to her curriculum and instruction colleagues, Pamela Rudd is not only a key member of their department’s support system, but also to Guilford County Schools (GCS) as a whole. Gracious, kind and helpful are just a few words that her co-workers used to describe her character. Rudd is recognized for always extending a helping hand to new and veteran employees. Her colleagues have witnessed her “jumping directly into support mode” to help two recently hired employees. She answers questions, fulfills all requests and is still able to help veteran employees needing assistance. “She models how best to treat people,” said colleague Maureen Robinson. “Her ever-so-positive attitude serves to provide a style and tone that enriches not only our work place, but also impacts each of us as we relate beyond the work environment.” To Rudd, no task is too small or menial. She helps out in document design, word software instruction, technology and many more areas around the office. As Employee of the Month, Rudd received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has generously partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program. Her photo will hang at the district’s central offices, as well as at the Wendover Avenue Sam’s Club. In addition, the Guilford County Board of Education recognized her at its December 2 meeting. Know any GCS employees who go 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. GCS Lends Hands, Rings Bells Throughout County Students collect coats, organize canned food drives and spread holiday cheer Students around the district hours toward their occupational are involved in numerous volunteer diplomas. projects during the holiday season. Kim Furlough, a transition Want to let people know what your school is doing? facilitator with GCS, helps teachers Send the information to Good News at goodnews@ place students in volunteer projects. gcsnc.com. Students within the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) diploma track are ringing in the holiday season. Students from Southeast, Northern, Southwest, High Point Andrews and Dudley have volunteered with the Salvation Army at various locations throughout Greensboro and High Point. “While ringing the Salvation Army bell and manning the kettles, students will be greeting the public with holiday cheer,” Furlough reported. Southeast High’s OCS class ringing the bell These students will be earning for Salvation Army at their local Walmart. required community-based training 3 www.gcsnc.com december SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 World AIDS Day International Volunteer Day 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 First Day of Winter 22 23 Winter Break 24 25 26 27 Hanukkah Begins at Sundown Christmas Kwanzaa Begins 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 New Year’s Day New Year’s Holiday Benefits Blurb On December 31, the short plan year for the following products will end: cancer, dental, hospital indemnity, short-term disability, spending accounts (medical and dependent care), Texas life insurance and vision. The new plan begins January 1, 2009 and will end on December 31, 2009. The enrollment for the new plan year was completed on October 31. All products will continue into the new plan year. There is an important fact to remember with the medical/dependent care spending accounts. Employees enrolled in the medical/ dependent care spending accounts for the short plan year, must spend all of their money by December 31, 2008. If not, the money will be lost. It is important that employees check the status of these accounts to ensure that all of the money is used. The accounts are managed by Gilsbar. The customer service number is 1-800-445-7227, extension 883. December 2008 4 Resources for December Insider: www.good.is.com/; Corporation for National and Community Service; www.energizeinc.com.