Gwinnett County Public Schools

On Thursday, August 22, Gwinnett County Parent Mentors, in collaboration with GCPS' Special Education Department, will host a presentation, “Starting the School Year on a Positive Note.”

An in-person session will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Rd., NW, in Suwanee, in the Central Gwinnett Room (2.111), in Building 200. A second session will be hosted on Zoom from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Learn more and find links to register for either session here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/news-details/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-parent-mentors-present-starting-the-school-year-on-a-positive-note

Wow! GCPS' Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science team recently received a Training Excellence Award from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)!

Wow! The first week of school was a success, ! It was so exciting to see your smiling faces on the first day of school. Did you catch all these great back-to-school moments?

Calling all GCPS Juniors and Seniors! The United States Senate Youth Program is accepting applications for delegates to attend Washington Week in Washington, D.C.

Delegates receive a $10,000 college scholarship to an accredited United States college or university undergraduate program of their choice. The 2024 Georgia's United States Senate Youth Program application will open on Monday, August 12.

Learn more and find the link to apply here: https://gcpsk12org.finalsite.com/programs-and-services/community-schools/scholarship-opportunity-united-states-senate-youth-program

ICYMI... Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund partnered with non-profit Cobb Global Outreach Inc. to provide more than 500 backpacks to GCPS Students in the Norcross Cluster.

GCPS Foundation Senior Executive Director Aaron Lupuloff says, “I feel so blessed to have so many great Partners leading the way, so all of our students have the tools needed to succeed.”

Tackle and flag football practices will be safer this year thanks to “Concussion Caps”! Guardian Caps, which cover helmets, and Guardian/Xenith Loops, worn around the head, are designed to reduce head injuries and concussions during collisions. GCPS is the only district in the state that provides this safety gear for every high school.

The Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund has been awarded a $3,333 Arts Education Program Grant by the Georgia Council for the Arts!

This grant will benefit GCPS schools by funding innovative arts initiatives and supporting workshops, performances, and hands-on activities that engage students in creative expression.

Learn more about this grant here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-foundation-awarded-arts-education-program-grant

ICYMI... Carmen Smith, an advanced content math teacher for 3rd through 5th grades at Sugar Hill Elementary School, is one of two Georgia math finalists for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Stephanie Aseltine, a science teacher at Simonton Elementary School, is one of three finalists for the science award.

Established by Congress in 1983, the PAEMST awards are the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government specifically for K-12 STEM teachers, covering science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

Learn more about this honor here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-teachers-named-finalists-for-presidential-math-and-science-awards

Reminder... GCPS invites parents and guardians, community members, and school district employees to apply for the GEMS Oversight Committee, a group of community and school system representatives charged with the annual review of the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum standards.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 29, 2024. Those interested in serving should complete the online application by this Friday, August 9.

Learn more and find the link for the online application here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-accepting-applications-for-2024-gems-oversight-committee

GCPS is one of the best employers for women, according to Forbes. GCPS made Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Employers for Women” for 2024.

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to survey more than 150,000 women at companies with a minimum of 1,000 employees. GCPS ranked 40th among educational institutions and ranked 207th overall.

Learn more here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gwinnett-county-public-schools-makes-forbes-best-employers-for-women-list

ICYMI... The Lanier High School Bass Fishing Team placed second nationally and third in the 2024 15th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship, held earlier this summer at Lake Hartwell on the Georgia-South Carolina border.

The competition featured 435 teams from 48 states and three countries, challenging participants to demonstrate their fishing prowess over three days. Learn more about the competition here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/lanier-high-school-bass-fishing-team-earns-top-national-and-world-rankingsv

GCPS is asking families to complete an application for students to receive free and reduced lunch.

GCPS is participating in a federal program called the Special Assistance Alternative Provision 2. Through Provision 2, a school district or a single school may offer meals at no charge to all students.

The Provision 2 option is only being offered in Title 1 schools for breakfast. Provision 2 will not be implemented at lunch. Meal prices for all students will be determined by student eligibility.

Learn more here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-to-offer-students-meals-at-no-charge

Welcome back to school, ! We’re so excited to see your smiling faces as we prepare for a fun, safe, healthy, and successful new school year! Don’t forget to share your “first day” photos with us using the hashtag .

ICYMI... The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) awarded 12 GCPS seniors 2024 National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities.

Learn about Gwinnett’s College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship winners here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/twelve-gwinnett-seniors-among-national-college-sponsored-merit-scholarship-winners

GCPS looks forward to welcoming students, families, and staff back to school on Monday, August 5!

Get ready for a great school year with the Virtual Back-to-School Backpack! Today, we spotlight resources that will launch students and families into a successful school year: https://www.gcpsk12.org/families/back-to-school/get-ready-for-a-great-school-year

As we prepare for the start of the new school year on Monday, August 5, GCPS is committed to ensuring students are college and career-ready. We do this by providing a world-class education featuring innovative approaches to classroom instruction, using cutting-edge technology in state-of-the-art facilities.

At the district level and in our schools and clusters, teachers and school leaders are exploring new ways to engage students in their learning.

Learn more about our College and Career Academies, Computer Science for All (CS4All) initiative, World Languages and Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program, STEM and STEAM educational experiences, and Junior Achievement (JA) Discovery Center partnership here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/back-to-school-2024-new-networking-and-cloud-computing-program-among-new-instructional-highlights-in-gwinnett-this-year

The GCPS Community-Based Mentoring Program is looking for 150 community volunteers to mentor students for the 2024-25 school year!

Now in its 15th year, the program pairs mentors with boys and girls in grades 4-12. The program believes in the Power of One: one caring adult can impact a child’s life. The initiative builds community connections and a sense of belonging, one relationship at a time.

Learn more about how you can get involved here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/back-to-school-2024-gwinnett-county-public-schools-seeks-volunteers-for-mentoring-program

GCPS is excited to begin the school year on Monday, August 5, with renovations and improvements to several existing schools!

The additional classrooms and other improvement projects are part of the district’s comprehensive capital program—funded by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax (E-SPLOST) and General Obligation (G.O.) bonds approved by voters—that provides learning environments focused on the needs of today’s learners.

Learn more about these additions and renovations here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/back-to-school-2024-gcps-schools-feature-new-additions-and-improvements-at-the-start-of-the-school-year

Get ready for the start of the new school year on Monday, August 5! To help students and families prepare, GCPS has created a helpful toolkit– the Virtual Back-to-School Backpack.

This toolkit includes links to important information and district resources for families as we partner to support student success.

Today, the GCPS Virtual Backpack features resources for students and families to learn more about staying safe and healthy in our schools and learning communities! Help us support safe and healthy students: https://www.gcpsk12.org/families/back-to-school/support-for-safe-and-healthy-students

Did you know? The International Newcomer Center (INC) is the first point of contact in GCPS for newly arriving international families with middle and high school students, and the source for language services for the school district.

At the INC, International Student Advisors (ISAs) meet with students and families to better understand their academic background and future interests. They screen students for proficiency levels in English, language arts, and mathematics. Appropriate course placement and transcript analysis help ensure these students get and stay on track for graduation.

Learn more about the INC and important steps for families who are transferring a student to GCPS from another country here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/back-to-school-2024-international-newcomer-center-ready-to-welcome-new-families-to-gwinnett-county-public-schools

ICYMI... Sirish Subash, a former Crews Middle School student and rising 9th grader at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST), has been named one of 10 finalists in the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge!

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition, invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” This annual competition encourages students to identify everyday problems and propose innovative solutions.

Learn more about this honor here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-student-named-finalist-in-2024-3m-young-scientist-challenge

Wow! Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) and Lilburn Elementary School have been awarded Moon Trees through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service grant!

In November 2022, 2,000 seeds from five different tree varieties were sent into space aboard the Artemis 1, the uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS). The “Moon Tree seeds,” as they are known, spent 25 days in space before returning to Earth for germination and cultivation. NASA officials hope the Artemis Moon Tree Seedlings create new ways for communities on Earth to connect with humanity’s space exploration.

Learn more about this exciting opportunity here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-schools-awarded-nasa-moon-trees

As we get closer to the first day of school, we’re highlighting helpful resources with our Virtual Back-to-School Backpack! Power up for success with technology tools and digital learning resources here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/families/back-to-school/power-up-for-success

GCPS is once again taking the lead in establishing ethical guidance for the use of artificial intelligence. New for the 2024-25 school year, GCPS has updated policies and new guidance for using artificial intelligence (AI) within the district.

This K-12 program integrates components of our AI-Ready Framework into all subjects and grade levels and is designed to prepare students to be responsible and ethical AI users, decision-makers, and developers. The program emphasizes critical and ethical thinking alongside technical skills like programming, data science, and AI tools.

Learn more about the program here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/get-connected/district-news-and-communication/all-news/gcps-full-news-article/~board/news-releases/post/gcps-implementing-comprehensive-guidance-for-the-ethical-use-of-ai

GCPS proudly welcomes our newest educators to Gwinnett and ! We were excited to see your smiling faces at New Teacher Orientation and the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund’s inaugural Welcome Expo. We know you will have a tremendous impact on student, and we look forward to a fun, safe, healthy, and successful new school year together!