Volunteering: Good for
In This Issue4 1 GCS Giving Teams Pay it Forward 1 Great News for Teachers 3 Beat Holiday Stress 3
Your Health
the INSIDER
Giving GCS Employees the INside Scoop Every Month
DECEMBER 2008 - GIVING BACK ISSUE
Helping Others Leads to Helping Yourself Four Seasons Town Centre
The holiday season is one of giving and lending a helping hand, but it doesn’t have to end January 1 and GCS Pay it Forward
Volunteerism is at a 30-year high. In 2007, 61 million Americans volunteered in The new partnership allows groups across the dis-
their communities. This equals 8.1 billion service hours and $158 billion worth of trict to give back to the community in creative ways
labor. But there are still 70 percent of Americans who talk about volunteering instead First, it was a book-turned-movie
of doing it. about a young boy trying to make the
The benefit of volunteering is obvious - to give back to others and support world a better place. Then Oprah took
communities in your neighborhood or around the world.
it to the next level with her own reality
“Our students who have tutors or mentors in the classroom have more confidence,
show, “Oprah’s Big Give.” Now, 21
more focus and feel special,” said Francine Scott, volunteer coordinator at Dudley
“giving teams” in GCS will have their
High.
But many studies show that the act of volunteering can help the volunteer just as turn to give back to the community
much, if not more, than the person receiving the act of kindness. and pay it forward.
Volunteering can help with interpersonal and communication skills such as d
In November, the istrict announced
understanding people better, motivating others, dealing with difficult situations, a new partnership with Four Seasons
problem-solving and leadership skills. It can also improve job-related skills and Town Centre, which will specifically
improve job opportunities. support GCS’ Character Education
As you gain applicable skills in the workplace, volunteering can also have positive Initiative.
health benefits as well. What is the Character Education
According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Initiative? In 2006, the United States
research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: Department of Education/Partnerships
those who volunteer have lower mortality
Did You Know? in Character Education Programs
rates, greater functional ability and lower
(PCEP) awarded more than $1.5 million
rates of depression later in life than those
Benjamin Franklin began the first volunteer to GCS and Winston-Salem/Forsyth
who do not volunteer.
firefighting company in 1736. County Schools as part of a four-year
Why might we see a connection between
volunteer activities and longer and healthier grant to study the impact of character
The American Red Cross was established in
1881 by Clara Barton. lives? Evidence shows that volunteering education in middle schools.
has a positive effect on social psychological Four Seasons Town Centre and its
Volunteers, on average, are about as busy factors, such as one’s sense of purpose. general manager David Huesser have
as others, yet they make the time to serve In turn, positive social psychological filled the role of community champion
others. The largest difference in how time
factors are correlated with lower risks of poor
is spent between volunteers and lifelong
non-volunteers is in how much television physical health. Volunteering may enhance a
they each watch. Good thing there is Tivo person’s social networks to buffer stress and
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.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy created the Peace “They really enjoy it and keep coming back
Corps. year after year, and want to be set up with
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 Vernice Thomas, supervisor of the Safe and Drug
of their home community.
thing to do in their lives, and it gives them a Free Schools program, addresses the crowd
Volunteers logged more than 342,800 hours sense of purpose because they can tell they Monday night.
with GCS. are making a difference.”
Giving Teams
continued on page 2
Call The Volunteer Center of Greensboro at 373-1633 or visit
volunteergso.org to find out how you can give back! 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 Great News for All Teachers!
Getting low on classroom supplies?
Town Centre is using its character education partnership to aid GCS in the project
Beginning Tuesday, December 11, the
by donating more than $4,000 to help in the formation of giving teams in schools
Teacher Supply Warehouse will be
throughout the district. open temporarily to all GCS teachers,
Each team submitted an application to Four Seasons Town Centre and was counselors and social workers!
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 All teachers may shop the Teacher
money during a presentation on December 1. The teams represent 15 schools Supply Warehouse for free supplies,
in the district, and will immediately begin implementing their ideas. four times until the end of the 2008-
Here are some examples of the giving teams’ projects: 09 school year.
- 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 The only thing we ask is for you or
adopting a family-in-need for the holidays; your students to write a thank-you
note to one or more of the companies
- The Academy at Smith’s 10th- through 12th-grade team will donate toys for
that make donations. There is a limit
children from Pathway’s of Greensboro. They will also provide teddy bears for
of 75 shoppers per day. Click here
children in the pediatric ward in Moses Cone Health System;
for more information and to register
- Ferndale Middle’s sixth- through eighth-grade team will donate time to make to shop!
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 Donate to the Teacher Supply
the community; and Warehouse!
Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to
- Hairston Middle’s sixth- through eighth-grade team will distribute stockings
get organized? If so, donate supplies
to the local community that include student-designed babysitting, tutoring and
or gently used items to the Teacher
mentoring coupons.
Supply Warehouse. Help spread
the word! Contact Cecilia Adams,
Johncarlos Miller, princi- manager of community partnerships,
pal at Northeast Middle, at 370-8355.
with his team after they
received their $200 in Recognize GCS Volunteers
seed money. 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
ry Ideas Wa full- or part-time may be nominated.
Ja n ua nte
d
All nominations must be received by
the 10th day of each month and are
What’s the most interest-
!
good for 30 days.
ing item you received Those selected as the district’s
from the Teacher Supply VOM will receive a certificate
Warehouse?
of recognition from the Guilford
County Board of Education and
What project or goal do
you have for 2009 in your Send your ideas, a $25 gift card from American
classroom or department? comments and Express. Additionally, the VOM will
suggestions to have his/her picture on display at
landesj@gcsnc.com. the district’s main offices during the
month that they were selected.
For more information, click here.
December 2008 2
December Employee of the Month Supports GCS John Holt’s Cornerstone
Outside the Classroom
Pamela Rudd, office support personnel for curriculum and instruction, is this month’s winner Beat Holiday Stress
Educators are not “She models how best to treat
the only ones who With the holidays just around the corner, it’s
people,” said colleague Maureen
play an important time to talk about holiday stress. This time
Robinson. “Her ever-so-positive
role in the delicate of year is full of activity and excitement, and
attitude serves to provide a style
journey of educating often, the expectation that everything must
and tone that enriches not only our
students in Guilford be perfect.
work place, but also impacts each
County. of us as we relate beyond the work
Office support For some, the holidays can be emotional
environment.”
personnel handle all of the “behind with feelings of loss, sadness and stress
To Rudd, no task is too small or
the scenes” work that is so after a tough year.
menial. She helps out in document
important to the efficient running of design, word software instruction,
any department. According to her But with some planning, thinking and help
technology and many more areas
curriculum and instruction colleagues, from others, the holidays can be about
around the office.
Pamela Rudd is not only a key member making good memories.
As Employee of the Month, Rudd
of their department’s support system, received a $50 gift card from Sam’s
but also to Guilford County Schools Here are some effective tips for coping with
Club, which has generously partnered
(GCS) as a whole. holiday stress:
with GCS to support the employee
Gracious, kind and helpful are recognition program. Her photo will
just a few words that her co-workers aMake realistic expectations for the
hang at the district’s central offices,
used to describe her character. Rudd holiday season.
as well as at the Wendover Avenue
is recognized for always extending Sam’s Club. In addition, the Guilford
a helping hand to new and veteran aPace yourself. Do not take on more
County Board of Education recognized
employees. Her colleagues have responsibilities than you can handle.
her at its December 2 meeting.
witnessed her “jumping directly into
support mode” to help two recently aMake a list and prioritize the activities.
Know any GCS employees who go above and
hired employees. This can help make holiday tasks more
beyond? Nominate them for Employee of the
She answers questions, fulfills all manageable.
Month! Nomination forms are available at the GCS
requests and is still able to help veteran central office locations and at the district’s schools.
employees needing assistance. aGet involved, socialize or volunteer. If
Nominations may also be submitted online here.
you’re feeling lonely, find a faith-based
organization or community center where you
can be with other people.
GCS Lends Hands, Rings Bells Throughout County
Students collect coats, organize canned food drives and spread holiday cheer aTry something new. Celebrate the holidays
Students around the district hours toward their occupational in a new way.
are involved in numerous volunteer diplomas.
projects during the holiday season. aKeep track of your holiday spending. Over-
Kim Furlough, a transition Want to let people know what your school is doing? spending can lead to depression when the
facilitator with GCS, helps teachers Send the information to Good News at goodnews@ bills arrive after the holidays are over.
place students in volunteer projects. gcsnc.com.
Students within the Occupational aExercise and get enough sleep.
Course of Study (OCS) diploma track
are ringing in the holiday season. John Holt
Students from Southeast, Northern, Cornerstone Psychological Services
Southwest, High Point Andrews and
Dudley have volunteered with the CPS is the district’s Employee Assistance Program
Salvation Army at various locations (EAP) that offers five free counseling sessions
per year to eligible employees and/or immediate
throughout Greensboro and High family members.
Point.
“While ringing the Salvation Army www.CornerstoneHelps.com
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
International
World AIDS Day Volunteer Day
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
First Day of
Winter Winter Break
Hanukkah Begins Kwanzaa
at Sundown Christmas 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.
Resources for December Insider: www.good.is.com/; Corporation
December 2008 4 for National and Community Service; www.energizeinc.com.