Elephant Tracks 8/24/12

ELEPHANT TRACKS – GCSS NEWSLETTER
Gainesville City Schools Celebrating 120 Years of Educating our Students
Established 1892 
8/24/2012

If you would like to subscribe to receive our Elephant Tales newsletter each week via email, please send an email to:
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You will then receive an email asking you to click a link to confirm that it was indeed you that requested to subscribe. You will then be subscribed and will automatically receive Elephant Tales in your email each time one is sent out. The sender will be listed as Beverly Nordholz. 
 
Information on our students, faculty/staff, or graduates and any information that would be beneficial to the GCSS family is always welcome.  Please e-mail to beverly.nordholz@gcssk12.net.
 
ALL SCHOOLS
8/20-9/28 Elementary School Pretest Window
8/26 Teacher Appreciation Day Frances Meadows Aquatic Center
8/27 English Learners School Coordinators Meeting @ Woods Mill 4:00 pm
        Students with Disabilities Teachers’ Meeting @ SBO Board Room 4:00 pm
        Gifted Teachers Meeting @ SBO Conference Room 4:00 pm
        Health, Safety, and Wellness Meeting @ SBO 4:00 pm
8/29 Baseball/Softball Planning Group SBO Board Room 8:30 am
8/30 Induction Team Meeting @ GMS 4:00 pm
8/31 Budget Workshop  CO Board Room 8:30-12:30 (Janet Allison to send out
           Agenda and List of Required Attendees on Monday, 8/27
9/3 Labor Day Holiday for Students/Faculty/Staff
 
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY
8/20-9/28 Elementary School Pretest Window
8/29 New Hire Benefits w/Sherry McElroy 8-10:30
       
ENOTA ELEMENTARY
8/20-9/28 Elementary School Pretest Window
8/27 Riverside Testing Grades 3-5
        No MI Smartville
        No Activity
        Grade Level/Team Planning Meetings 3:00 pm
8/28 Riverside Testing Grades 3-5
        No MI Smartsville
        No Activity
        Leadership Team Meeting 3:00 pm
        Curriculum Night/Back to School Dinner Meet in Gym 6:00        
8/29 Riverside Testing Grades 3-5
          No MI Smartville
          No Activity
8/30 Riverside Testing Grades 3-5
        No MI Smartville
        No Activity
        Action Team Meetings 3:00 pm
8/31 Riverside Testing Grades 3-5
        No MI Smartville
        No Activity

 FAIR STREET ELEMENTARY
8/20-9/28 Pretest Window
8/27 Picture Day-School Pictures
8/28 Convocation – Gym 7:25 am
        TKES –WMHS Lounge 2:50
8/29 New Hire Benefits Info w/Sherry McElroy Room 712 11:00 am
8/30 Convocation-Gym 7:25 am
 
GAINESVILLE ELEMENTARY
8/20-9/28 Elementary School Pretest Window
8/27 Leadership Meeting 7:15 am
8/29 GAN Meetings During Planning

NEW HOLLAND ELEMENTARY
8/20-9/28 Elementary School Pretest Window
8/24 PLC for Grades K, 1, and 2
8/27 Lincoln Financial Rep at NH 9:30-2:00
8/28 Leadership Team Meeting Media Center 2:30
        Benefits for New Hires Meeting Conference Room 2:30
8/29 Faculty Meeting Media Center 2:45
        Professional Learning Community Meeting for EIP during Planning
8/30 Professional Learning Community Meeting for Grades 2, 1, and K Planning
8/31 Professional Learning Community Meeting for Grades 3, 4, and 5 Planning
        Pep Rally Gym 1:00 pm

GMS
8/13-9/7 Pretest Window
8/24 Volleyball @ North Hall Middle 6:00 pm
        Softball @ North Hall Middle 6:00 pm
8/25 Volleyball All League Jamboree @ GMS  9:00, 11:00, 1:00, 3:00
8/27 Volleyball vs. Habersham Middle @ Home 4:30 (A Team) 5:30 (B Team)
        Softball @ White County 5:30 pm
8/28 Cross Country @ North Hall 5:00 pm
        Softball @ East Hall 5:30 pm
8/29 Softball vs. White County @ Home 5:00 pm
8/30 Volleyball vs. Heritage Academy @ Home 4:30 (A Team) 5:30 (B Team)
        Softball @ Habersham 5:30 pm
        GMS Annual Title 1 Parent Meeting 6:00 pm
 
GHS  
8/24 Freshmen Friday & the FreshStart Program 2:00 pm
        Softball South Forsyth JV Tournament @ Fowler Park
              North Gwinnett 5:45 pm  North Forsyth 7:30 pm
        Back to School Dance Frances Meadows Center 8:30 -11:00
8/25 NEGA Cross Country Championships @ Athens Christian 9:00 am
         South Forsyth JV Softball Tournament @ Fowler Park
         JV Volleyball Tournament @ East Hall
         Chattahoochee 10:15 am  Woodstock 12:00 Noon  Cambridge 3:30 pm
8/26 GHS Back to School Open House 2-4
8/27 JV Softball North Forsyth @ Lanier Point 5:30 pm
8/28 Faculty Meeting Media Center 3:40-4:15
        Volleyball @ Oconee County vs. Oconee 5:00 vs. Rockdale 6:00
        Varsity Softball Flowery Branch @ Lanier Point 5:55 pm
8/29 Make-Up Faculty Meeting Room 105 7:30-8:00 am
        Varsity Softball Duluth @ Lanier Point 5:30 pm
8/30 JV Softball @ Chestatee 4:30
        Elephant Walk Walkway Going to Bobby Gruhn Field 5:30
        Tailgate Catered by Varsity Green St. Pool 5-7 pm
        JV & Varsity Volleyball @ Flowery Branch Habersham 5:00 Fl. Br. 6:00
        Varsity Softball @ Chestatee 5:55 pm
        Dedication of P.K. Dixon Field House 6:00 pm
        Football vs. West Forsyth @ Bobby Gruhn Field 7:30 pm 
 
DIRECTIONS TO:

AthensChristian- Go 129 E. to Athens .  Take the Athens loop going north.  Merge onto US-29 N./ GA-8 N. vis Exit 10D toward GA 72/Danielsville Elberton.  School address is 1270 Highway 29 N.
 
Chestatee High School-Go Highway 60 N. over bridge.  Go to first light past Ingles.  Turn left on Ledan.  Go to intersection of Sardis Road and go left again.  School will be on right on Sardis Road .
 
East Hall High School - Go Jesse Jewel Parkway .  Go under I-985.  Road changes into Old Cornelia Highway .  School will be approximately 2 miles on your right.  Baseball & football fields are approximately on mile down Old Cornelia Highway on the opposite side of the road as the school.
 
East Hall Community Center-- Go Jesse Jewel Parkway.  Go under I-985.  Road changes into Old Cornelia Highway .  East Hall High School will be approximately 2 miles on your right.   Turn right.  Community Center will be on left before you get to Joe Chandler Road.
 
EastHall Middle School:  Go Jesse Jewel Parkway.  Go under I-985.  Road changes into Old Cornelia Highway.  Go through Rabbittown.  At the next traffic signal, turn right on Joe Chandler Road.  Go to first stop sign at East Hall Road.  Turn right.  School will be on your right.  4120 East Hall Road.
 
Flowery Branch High School-Take 985 South to Spout Springs Road exit.  Turn left at the end of the exit ramp.  Go 2.5 miles.  School is on left hand side of road.  6603 Spout Springs Road.
 
Fowler Park-Go Hwy 53 Dawsonville Highway 9.9 miles.  Turn left onto Keith Bridge Road.  Go 6.6 miles.  Turn right onto Hwy 369 Brown’s Bridge Road.  Turn left onto US 19.  Go 8.7 miles.Take exit to GA 141/N. Peachtree Parkway.  Turn right onto Peachtree Parkway.  Turn left onto GA 9 S./Atlanta Highway.  Go 2.5 miles and turn left onto Carolene Way.  4110 Carolene Way, Cumming, GA.
 
Habersham Central High School-Go north on I-985.  It will become Ga. 365.  Continue north until you come to the Clarkesville/Mt Airy exit (Hwy. 197) which is just past mile marker #49.  Exit there and at the end of the exit ramp, turn right.  Habersham Central is 0.3 miles on the right.  
 
Lanier Pointe Park Softball Fields– Go Highway 53 West past the mall and Publix. You will pass McDonald's on your left. There will be a BP Station on the right. Turn left onto Lanier Valley Road. Continue to the entrance to Lanier Pointe Park.  Go to the end of the road for the softball fields.
 
North Hall-Go Highway 60 North to Mt. Vernon Road (Hwy. 283).  Turn right.  Go approximately 2-3 miles.  School will be on left on Mt. Vernon Road.  4885 Mt. Vernon Road, Gainesville, GA
 
North Hall Middle-Go Highway60 North to Mt. Vernon Road (Hwy. 283).  Turn right.  Go approximately 2-3 miles.  Turn left on Rilla Road just before North Hall High School.  School will be on the right.
 
Oconee County High School-Go 985 S. to Exit 16.  Go left on Winder Highway (Hwy. 53). Go east on Hwy 53 through Winder.  Past Winder, take a right at the golf course.  Go approximately 20 miles from Winder. You will cross over Hwy. 316. The High School is on the right (this is still Hwy 53) about 12 miles after you cross Hwy. 316. Soccer field is at the Middle School.  From the High School, take a left at the first light (an Eckerds is on the corner).  The field is on the left.
 
White Co. High School-Go I-129 N. through Cleveland .  Keep straight on 129 N.  School will be approximately 3 miles North of the Square.
 
WhiteCo. High School (Alternative Route 1) – Go north on 129 toward Cleveland.  After you cross the White Co. line, you will see Friendship Baptist Church.  At the light, take a left on Westmoreland Road.  This deadends into 284.  Go right.  Go less than 1 mile to right on Hwy. 115.    Go approximately 5 miles and turn left onto Tesnatee Gap Valley Road.  This deadends on Hwy. 129 in front of White Co. Highway. 2600 Highway 129 N.    
 
WhiteCo. High School (Alternative Route 2) – Go north on 129 toward Cleveland for approximately 13 miles.  Go left on Hwy. 284 into Clermont.  When you come to the stop sign, go straight.  Go approximately ¼ mile and take a slight left onto GA. 115.  Go 5 miles, then turn left onto Tesnatee Gap Valley Road.  Go to the end of Tesnatee Gap Valley Road.  High School is right across the street. 2600 Highway 129

.                                                              
White Co. Middle School-Go I-129 N. through Cleveland . Take 129 North toward Blairsville.  At the traffic light turn left onto Wilford Ash Parkway .  Immediately turn right on to Old Blairsville Road.  White County Middle School  will be on the left. Keep straight on 129 N.  School will be approximately 3 miles North of the Square
 
SCHOOL START TIMES
Elementary Schools              7:30-2:30
GMS                                       8:20-3:30
GHS                                        8:30-3:30
 
DATES TUITION PAYMENTS DUE
August 10
November 10
February 10
May 10
 
All GHS parents are cordially invited to the GHS Open House on Sunday August 26th from the hours of 2 PM until 4PM. The entire staff looks forward to introducing themselves to you and your child. They will have information for parents of seniors concerning graduation. Also, the faculty would like to share with you information about the benefits of being a Title I school. They  look forward to personally saying hello to each of you on Sunday from 2-4.
 
The ASSET test will be administered to GHS students on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, from 8:30 until 11:00 a.m., in the Multipurpose Room. Any student interested in attending Lanier Tech or any technical college in Georgia must take the ASSET test. All 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are eligible to take the ASSET test.  For additional information: Michael Jackson (770) 536-4441, ext. 143 or michael.jackson@gcssk12.net.
 
The Gainesville Athletic Club will sponsor the Big Red Cup Golf Tournament benefiting Gainesville’s student athletes on September 28, 2012 at the Chattahoochee Golf Club.  To reserve your spot, contact Scott Collison at (770) 654-5520 or email scott.collison@charter.net.
 
The dedication of the P.K. Dixon Field House at Bobby Gruhn Field in City Park will be on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 6:00 pm.  The public is invited to attend.

Gainesville High School football season tickets will be available for purchase at the school’s main office from 11 am to 2 pm each weekday.  Tickets are $50.00 and cover admission to each of the Red Elephants’ five home games.
                                                                                
2012 GHS Varsity Football Schedule
 

Date	Opponent	Mascot	Colors
August 30 (Thurs)	West Forsyth	Wolverines	Navy/Gold
September 7	@Buford	Wolves	Green/Gold
September 14	*@Winder Barrow	Bulldogs	Black/Red
September 21	*Apalachee	Wildcats	Blue/Gold
September 28	*Heritage	Patriots	Red/Blue
October 5	*@Cedar Shoals	Jaguars	Blue/Orange
October 12	*@Salem	Seminoles	Crimson/Gold/Black
October 19	*Clark Central	Gladiators	Red/Gold
October 26	Bye
November 2	*Loganville	Red Devils	Black/Red
November 9	*@Flowery Branch	Falcons	Red/Black
November 16	State Play-off Game 1
November 23	State Play-off Game 2
November 30	State Play-off Quarterfinals
December 7	Semifinals
December 14-15	Championships @ Georgia Dome

 

• All games start at 7:30 p.m.
• Scrimmage at Creekview  August 17 at 7:30p.m.
• *Denotes Region Games

                                              JV Schedule                                  GMS Schedule

September 6	Flowery Branch	@Davis Middle
September 13	@Clarke Central	Clark Central
September 20	Cedar Shoals	@Cedar Shoals
September 27	@White County
October 4	@Habersham Central	Habersham Central
October 11	Stephens County(6:30)	Madison County (5:00)
October 18		@St. Pius (6:30)
October 25	@Cedar Shoals	Cedar Shoals

• All games start at 5:30 p.m unless otherwise noted.

The GHS Junior Class is sponsoring a tailgate on Thursday, August 30 from 5-7 at the Green Street Pool Parking Lot before the GHS/West Forsyth Football Game.  It will be catered by the Varsity.  A large meal (2 hotdogs, choice of fries or onion rings, and a soft drink) is $8.00 and a small meal (1 hotdog, choice of fries or onion rings, and a soft drink) is $6.50.  Fried apple and peach pies are available for $3.00 each.  You can get an order form at the Gainesville High School Office or for order form to be e-mailed to you, please e-mail beverly.nordholz@gcssk12.net.
 
Channel 2 and PlayOn! Sports Will Air the GHS/West Forsyth Football Game on their
Thursday Night Prime Time Football Coverage
 
The Gainesville High/West Forsyth Football game will air live on Thursday night, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 2.2 (Me-TV), WSB-TV’s second digital channel. Comcast customers can find this on channel 248, and Charter customers on channel 126. Fans can also watch the games streamed live on wsbtv.com and www.GHSA.tv. The games will also be rebroadcast on television each Friday night in high definition at 1:06 a.m. on Channel 2 WSB-TV.

The Gainesville Athletic Club and J. Geyer Advertising are pleased to announce the opening of THE STADIUM STORE in the new P.K. Dixon Field House at Bobby Gruhn Stadium.  The store will be open for all home football games and will offer Gainesville apparel, accessories and other items.  GO BIG RED!
 
Gainesville High School yearbooks are $60 until Labor Day when they will go up to $65. They will be increasing in price as the year progresses. Don't miss out on this opportunity to get yours at "the best price". $10 will hold your $60 commitment price for this once in a lifetime memory book of the school year.  For your convenience, Yearbook Staff members will be available during lunches to take your order and payment Wednesday/Thursday Aug. 30 & 31
 
GHSTHEATRE
SEASON PASSES ONLY ON SALE NOW
$30 FOR 6 SHOWS

PICK OUT YOUR DATES AND SEATING AREA NOW!!!!!!

2012/2013 SEASON

STEEL MAGNOLIAS – SEPT.  17 - 19  (MON. - WED.) - PLAY

NINE TO FIVE -   OCTOBER 2 - 4  (TUES. - THURS.) - MUSICAL

THE CURIOUS SAVAGE  -  NOV. 27 - 29   (TUES. - THURS.) - PLAY

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE - DECEMBER 11 - 13   (TUES. - THURS.) - MUSICAL

IN THE HEIGHTS - MARCH 5 - 7  (TUES. - THURS.) - MUSICAL

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - MAY 1 - 3  (WED. - FRI.) - MUSICAL
Email your request to ghstheatre@bellsouth.net, please include dates, days and seating area (front, middle or last section of the theatre). 
A representative will be at school on August 28 & 29 from 12 - 2pmin the front office lobby for pick up.  The only road open to the high school from 11 - 2pm is main entrance (GHS Arch) by Bruster's.
 
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County will expand after school programs to all five Gainesville City elementary schools this year with each site serving approximately 50 students.  For info:   www.boysgirlsclubs.com
 
SAVE THE NEW DATE:  The Athletic Club’s Third Annual Stomp and Chomp will be on Saturday, October 20^th at the event center of the new Scott’s on the Square (the old Pilgrim-Estes Building on Bradford.  The first two year’s contribution to the Gainesville City sports programs has been around $50,000.  Over 250 people attended the event both of the first two years.  If anyone is interested in buying a table or donating an item for the live or silent auction, please contact Kris Nordholz at knordholz@fullmedia.com.
 
Teacher Appreciation Days at the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center
Sundays, August 26
Receive 1 Free Admission with Teacher ID
11am-6pm
 
Beginning in August, the History Center is offering a new series of hands-on classes or workshops focusing on skills and practices from the past. We are pleased to announce that Dean Smith, folk naturalist, is the instructor.  Classes are scheduled for the 3^rd Saturday morning, beginning at 10 a.m., August through December, 2012.  Each class has a different topic.  Register in advance to assure your space in the class.  Walk-ins are accepted for classes if all spaces are not filled beforehand.   There is a fee for attending each class, which covers supplies and other expenses; the fee varies by subject matter.  History Center members receive preferential rates for each of the classes.  Though the classes are geared toward adults, children older than 10 years are permitted to attend.  The class size is limited to twelve.  First come, first reserved. We appreciate your prompt response.  If you have questions, please contact Julie Carson at 770-297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu. 
 
For all your runners out there or anyone that has been affected by cancer in any way, please consider participating in the Kickin' Cancer 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run to be held at Crow's Lake on October 13, 2012.  It will be inn honor of Norah Cornett (3) who was diagnosed with Type ALL B Leukemia, as well as, Mary Jo Lathrop and Kale Corbett. Norah’s uncle is Steven Cornett currently a teacher at GHS and her grandmother is Linda Cornett, former GCSS teacher. Her great-uncle Steve Wilson is a former GHS football coach. All proceeds will be going towards the fight against Leukemia and Ovarian Cancer. You can sign up on http://www.active.com/running/jefferson-ga/kickin-cancer-5k-2012 or you can also see information on www.facebook.com/KickinCancer5k.

Date
Start: Saturday, October 13, 2012 @ 9:30 AM
Additional Date Information

9:30am - Fun
10:15am - 5K
Address
Crows Lake
155 Crows Lake Drive Jefferson, GA
Fees
5K & Fun Run - $25 until 10/8, $35 therefater
No Shirt - $15
 
Did you know?  Kids who learn a lot about the risks of alcohol and drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use.  Talk to your kids, start early and talk often.  For more information visitcenterpointgainesville.com
 
RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
September 18th
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Flat Creek Reclamation Facility Training Room
2641 Old Flowery Branch Road (off of Memorial Park)
55 gallon Rain Barrels are $35 with workshop attendance
Barrels equipped with spigot, overflow adapter, and debris filter
Registration is REQUIRED-please call Jennifer Flowers at 770-532-7462 or email Jflowers@gainesville.org

The Gainesville High School Football Team is ranked #9 in Class AAAAA in the preseason poll.
 
Lindsey Thompson, GHS Class of 2003, recently spoke to the Gainesville Rotary Club about her Rotary trip to Brazil.  Lindsey is the newest member of GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group and serves as the legislative coordinator for the firm.  Her parents, Kendall and Jim, both work for GCSS.
 
GHS Grad A.J. Johnson, a Consensus Freshman All-American at Tennessee Last Year, Wants to Build on his Freshman Season.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2012/aug/21/tennessees-aj-johnson-wants-to-build-on-big-in/
 
GHS Volleyball Sweeps a Tri-Match
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/28/article/71791/
 
Smooth School Lockdowns Keep Students Safe
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/71691/
 
Gainesville Softball Beats Clarke Central 13-0
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/28/article/71675/
 
City School Board Votes for Millage Rate Roll-Up
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/71609/
 
City Schools May Set Millage Rate
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/71597/
 
This Week in Sports
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/173/article/71587/
 
High School Football Preview
http://issuu.com/thetimes/docs/tfb-0819-online?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222
 
High School Cross Country
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/28/article/71521/
 
Productive Night for GHS in Scrimmage
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/196/article/71505/