One Glynn Magazine: October 2021 Issue

One Glynn T H E

O F F I C I A L

M A G A Z I N E

O F

G L Y N N

C O U N T Y

S C H O O L S

APART BUT NOT ALONE A Look Back on our Distance Learning Journey • Page 4

GCSS Happenings

Teachers of the Year

WINNERS ANNOUNCED

COVID-19 UPDATES

October Observances

DATES TO REMEMBER

ISSUE 01 • OCTOBER 2021

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O N E G L Y N N

Get to Know GCSS Glynn County Schools has a long and storied history of excellence in academics, arts and athletics with the very focal point of our mission remaining on students.

We are proud to serve the community as a premier school system empowering our students with the tools and resources to grow, lead and excel in their future pursuits.

In the excerpt below from our 2021 Annual Report,

we are reminded

that learning is not just about the destinations we reach; it's about the wisdom, education and growth that come from that learning, the paths we follow and the lessons learned along the way. Take a moment to read the publication at the link below and learn how we are becoming a #strongerglynn.

"Under some of the most difficult circumstances we have ever seen in our school system history, GCSS students, staff, administrators and families quickly found

Dr. Scott Spence

balance in a shifting digital learning environment, and were able to navigate the

Superintendent

uncertainties of traditional, face-to-face instruction. It was not an easy task – hectic and unpredictable at times – but everyone rose up to the challenge and offered the best of themselves and our school district.

..... While we have made significant progress in improving student achievement,

www.glynn.k12.ga.us/ 2021annualreport/

we must continue our diligent efforts to move Glynn County Schools forward.

Working together with a renewed commitment from students, staff, parents and community, I have no doubt that we will come back better than ever in 20212022. We will be a #strongerglynn."

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O N E G L Y N N

Around the District The month of September saw a lot of change.

We began the month in distance learning and finished it with our students back in our classrooms. While teaching through COVID isn't what anyone signed up for, our teachers, administrators and support staff continue to meet the demands of this profession to the absolute best of their ability.

We are truly grateful for these rockstars and inspired by their passion and determination to provide the best instruction possible to our students.

Here is a recap of some major moments of September:

Top photo:

The BHS Pirates earned a hard-

fought win against the GA Terrors in the City Championship game. The contest ended in overtime with a final score of 17-14.

Middle photo:

C.B. Greer, Golden Isles, Satilla

Marsh, St. Simons and Sterling elementary schools are among 241 public schools in Georgia to be named to the Distinguished Schools and Reward Schools lists. Learn more about these distinctions on www.glynn.k12.ga.us.

Bottom photo:

The Golden Isles FFA Chapter

recently delivered 50 uplifting, handwritten notes and tasty snacks to the Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation in support of its healthcare workers. The organization created baskets with the items and placed them in break rooms throughout the hospital.

We are so proud of our students, and know that the hospital appreciates their thoughtfulness.

O N E G L Y N N

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DISTANCE LEARNING @ A GLANCE How our schools quickly mobilized plans to keep students on track In July, we updated our COVID-19 Information page to reflect the new changes that would be implemented this school year. This included an overview of our COVID-19 Preventative Measures and Return to School Framework – both of which utilize corresponding strategies associated with the level of operations the schools and/or district are in on a weekly basis.

These tools address numerous areas that affect day-to-day school operations, and have helped our schools and families plan accordingly. Below are some snapshots of our teachers, support staff and students in action while they were distance learning on August 30 through September 10, 2021.

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O N E G L Y N N

2022-2023 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Nineteen educators in the Glynn County School System who were named Teacher of the Year at their respective schools will now be considered in the process that will select Glynn County’s 2022-23 Teacher of the Year. School-level Teachers of the Year are: Madelyn Carmical, FACES/Leaps and Bounds; Glandly Murray, Altama Elementary School; Stephanie Berry Dunson, Burroughs-Molette Elementary School; Angela Keithcart, Glyndale Elementary School; Brett Baxter, Golden Isles Elementary School; Samantha Hayes, Goodyear Elementary School; Mead Herndon, Greer Elementary School; Margaret Mimbs, Oglethorpe Point Elementary School; Aimee Stewart, St. Simons Elementary School; Christie Robbins, Satilla Marsh Elementary School; Gabriella Benton, Sterling Elementary School; Dana Carroll, Glynn Middle School; Melanie Weese, Jane Macon Middle School; Waukeshia Gant, Needwood Middle School; Danny Benton, Risley Middle School; Erica Grady, Brunswick High School; Paige Browning, Glynn Academy; Haley Meredith, Golden Isles Career Academy; and Joyce Hankerson McClendon, Glynn Learning Center (Alternative Program).

School-level Teachers of the Year were selected by their peers to represent their school in the county program. Finalists will be named from the school-level Teachers of the Year and a panel of retired educators will observe each finalist in his or her classroom before selecting the county Teacher of the Year. The formal announcement will be made at a reception in November co-sponsored by the Glynn County School System and the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce.

Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages throughout October to "meet" these exceptional teachers.

The Glynn County Teacher of the Year will represent the county in the Georgia Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year program. The educator selected acts as an ambassador for all Georgia public school teachers, systems and students, and typically takes a one-year sabbatical to work directly with the state Department of Education.

The 2022-23 Georgia Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet in Atlanta next spring.

NOTE: Photos are listed, from left to right, in the order of the names on the list above.

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UPDATES In our continuing efforts to be transparent about school-related coronavirus cases, we have created a COVID-19 Information page on our website. Every Friday, a chart will be added to the site indicating active cases of COVID-19 for staff and students in Glynn County Schools.

Please check back often for updates. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at healthconcerns@glynn.k12.ga.us.

Last Updated 10/1/2021 4:00 p.m.

UPDATE: GCSS to Request Verification of Positive COVID-19 Test Results This message is posted as an update to approved testing sites for confirming positive COVID-19 cases.

In accordance with our local health department and COVID-19 reporting requirements, all schools will be asking families for verification of positive test results for students who have a positive COVID-19 test.

The tests must be collected at a site that confirms results and provides reports to the DPH. The local hospital and health department have combined their efforts in a drive-through site at the hospital. This free testing is available every day from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM.

To confirm positive test results, use one of the following providers:

Georgia Department of Health (Public Health Department)/ Southeast Georgia Health System (currently outsourced to Mako labs) Urgent/ERgent Med locations; AppleCare locations; Coastal Community Healthcare; Knowles Exams; Golden Isles Family Healthcare Oceanhorse Health and Wellness CVS/Walgreens PCR testing*; or Private physician At-home antigen tests will not be accepted as proof of positive or negative test results.

As this pandemic continues to evolve, we will update our school

GCSS COVID Report for 10.1.2021 For previous detailed reports, visit www.glynn.k12.ga.us/covid19/

protocols accordingly and share that information with you through our One Call notification system, on our district website, on our social media pages, and through our media partners. Thank you for your patience and support.

* Results from these locations may not be used for negative results to return early from home-exposure quarantines.

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DATES TO REMEMBER Visit

www.glynn.k12.ga.us/schoolcalendar/

for the graphic and text versions of the 2021-2022 School Calendar.

NOTE: For other school-related events and announcements, please visit your school's website.

Brunswick High recently honored its former head football coach, John Willis, as the grand marshal of the Homecoming Parade. But before he made his way down Altama Avenue to greet the many students, fans and onlookers, he got to officially travel down the newly paved John Willis Way – the road extending from Habersham Street to the BHS football field house – with his wife, daughter and other family members in tow.

What a special moment for a special man! #strongerglynn 💙🧡

#strongerglynn Be a part of the Glynn County Schools conversation.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for quick access to the latest news around the schools and district and share all the great things going on in GCSS using #weteachglynn, #growleadexcel, #allinforglynn or the hashtag above.

Facebook: /GlynnCountyPublicSchools Twitter: @glynnschools Instagram: @glynncountyschools YouTube: Glynn County Schools

Glynn County Schools • 1313 Egmont Street, Brunswick, GA 31520 • 912-267-4100 • www.glynn.k12.ga.us/oneglynn