1. A Publication of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS)
School-to-Community Education News, Etc.
October 2011
Questions? Call GCPS Department of Communication & Media Relations at (678) 301-6020.
GCPS SCENE
More Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) students are taking the SAT and
preparing for college, with a 29.2% increase in SAT participation in just two years.
While GCPS average scores topped the state and national average on all sections of the test,
Gwinnett did experience a decrease in the system average compared to 2010. Typically,
average scores drop as more students participate in the college-admissions test. The SAT
assesses critical-thinking skills that the College Board ties to success in college.
Gwinnett students continue to outperform their peers in the state and across the
nation on the ACT Assessment. In Gwinnett, last year’s test-takers posted an average
composite score of 22 out of a possible 36, compared to 20.6 for the state and 21.1 for
the nation. More GCPS students took the ACT than ever before. The ACT assesses high
school students’ general educational development and their ability to successfully complete
college-level work.
GCPS Strategic Priorities for 2010–2020 call for technology to permeate the
education of Gwinnett’s learners. e CLASS is a major school system initiative designed
to make this vision a reality. e CLASS is a digital Curriculum, Learning, Assessment, and
Support System initiative that will provide the district with an integrated solution to enhance
student engagement and the learning process. The first component of e CLASS will focus
on curriculum and instruction. Teachers at 33 schools in five clusters— Archer, Berkmar,
Duluth, North Gwinnett, and Shiloh— will pilot the instructional software in the core
academic subjects for all levels, with components of visual arts piloted with elementary
students and components of modern and classical languages with older students. Learn more
about this initiative online with videos and a Q&A.
Putting accurate, timely, and relevant information in the hands of GCPS students,
parents, staff, and community members helps keep everyone well informed about
instructional and operational successes as well as the challenges faced by the district.
That’s where the new Communiqué Essentials comes in. Essentials includes must-have
information about district initiatives, curriculum and instruction news, assessment results,
key calendar dates, and the like— the essential information you need to be well-informed.
We also recognize that many families are “going digital” to find news and information. So,
Communiqué is headed to the web. Shared as an interactive PDF, the new Communiqué
magazine format provides more features from GCPS classrooms, reader-friendly info “bites,”
short video clips, colorful photo essays, and links to related resources (including smartphone
applications that support learning). Check out the Communiqué digital magazine and
Communiqué Essentials online.
To date, 111 of 117 eligible schools in Gwinnett have earned ENERGY STAR
certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for superior energy
performance. To achieve this recognition, each of the schools had to perform in the top
25% among K–12 schools nationwide for energy efficiency and meet strict energy efficiency
performance levels set by the EPA. To be rated “top performing,” the facilities had to have an
energy performance score of 75 or higher— Gwinnett’s average score was an impressive 86.
ENERGY STAR-certified schools cost less to operate than the average performers. GCPS leads
the nation for K–12 certified building space, saving $8.4 million annually systemwide.
Gwinnett students
outperform state
and national
average on SAT
and ACT
Gwinnett County Public Schools Fall 2011
Communiqué is
changing
Plans set for
e CLASS pilot in
2012–13
Gwinnett
schools
earn EPA’s
ENERGY
STAR
certification

2. GCPS SCENE (Page 2, October 2011)
Gwinnett County Public Schools… From First-Class to World-Class
Visit the GCPS Website— www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us— to sign up for E–News, GCPS’ e-Newsletter.
If approved by Gwinnett County voters on Nov. 8, the one‐cent Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) currently in place for schools would be continued for another
five‐year period. Facility improvements, technology enhancements, and system infrastructure
upgrades are planned for all clusters and all schools. Posted on the GCPS website are
informational documents that outline building needs and other projects identified in SPLOST
IV, including:
• Five new schools;
• Additions to eight existing schools;
• Renovations to an existing facility, Monarch
School, to house a second middle school in
the Duluth Cluster;
• Significant technology improvements
in every cluster to support teaching and
learning;
• Air conditioning for all middle and high
school gyms, all elementary activity
buildings, and all school kitchens that
currently do not have A/C;
• Preventive maintenance of existing
facilities; and
• School buses.
As a result of almost a decade of severe budget cuts, the district has had to postpone much
of the preventative maintenance that is needed at all schools and facilities. Specific needs vary
by school, but systemwide needs include roof maintenance, heating and air conditioning
equipment replacement, electrical and data improvements, lighting and energy management
improvements, replacement of floor coverings, and interior and exterior painting.
• 46 GCPS students have been named 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program
Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and 32 seniors have been
named 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Program Semifinalists.
• Collins Hill High students had two 1st place winners and six second place winners in
their categories at National History Day Competition.
• A Mill Creek High student was selected for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.
• Peachtree Ridge High special education students were honored with the 2011 National
Junior Master Gardener Group Service and Achievement Award.
• Parsons Elementary’s media center received the 2011 Exemplary Library Media Award
from the Georgia Department of Education.
• Trickum Middle students earned an individual 1st place and team 2nd place in the
Georgia Mathematics League competition.
• Shiloh High Air Force Junior ROTC Unit GA-871 was awarded the title of 2010–11
Outstanding Organization from the Department of the Airforce.
• A Britt Elementary fourth grade art student won 2nd place in the “Plains, Peanuts and a
President” mini-poster contest.
• Peachtree Ridge High Boys Track team won the 2011 state championship.
• Rockbridge Elementary and SCANA Energy have formed a partnership with 21st
Century Leaders to offer students learning opportunities.
• Office Max and Adopt-A-Classroom A Day Made Better program honored eight GCPS
teachers with $1,000 worth of classroom supplies.
October 16 Moore Middle Dedication, 2 p.m.
October 17 Georgia School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
October 20 School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Instructional Support Center (ISC)
November 8 Election Day
November 17 School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., ISC
Tommy Welch Principal, Meadowcreek High
Michael DiFilippo Principal, Dyer Elementary
Good news
from GCPS
Projects
identified for
SPLOST IV
Key GCPS dates
BeThere@GCPS
e-newsletter
BeThere@GCPS
provides subscribing
families with links to
websites, videos, and
other online resources
tied to a parent
involvement theme.
Learn more onlline.
GCPS Planning
Department
projections almost
perfect
A post-Labor day
count of 162,589 was
just 130 students
over the projected
enrollment of 162,459.
That’s a difference of
just a fraction of 1%
(.08 to be exact).
Leadership
appointments

3. Judith Tarver, Alcova ES
Stephanie Engwall, Alford ES
Cecilia M. Anderson, Anderson-Livsey ES
Deirdre Gambrell, Annistown ES
Dr. Vickie Nash, Arcado ES
Pam S. Autrey, Archer HS
Carter R. Still, Bay Creek MS
Nancy Luker, Beaver Ridge ES
Urike Y. Brown, Benefield ES
Debbie Richardson, Berkeley Lake ES
Daniel Greer, Berkmar HS
Stephanie N. Bridges, Berkmar MS
*Mike Stanton, Bethesda ES
Michelle Martinez, Britt ES
Sarah C. Mallow, Brookwood ES
Cindy Bazzell, Brookwood HS
Karen Willingham, Buice School
Lisa Reneé Moore, Burnette ES
Carol Frihart, Camp Creek ES
Crystal Willis, Cedar Hill ES
Emily Nelson, Centerville ES
Lori Wood, Central Gwinnett HS
Stefani Wood, Chattahoochee ES
Kristen L. Easterling, Chesney ES
*Tara Termes, Collins Hill HS
Kelly Fisher, Cooper ES
Karyn Graham, Corley ES
Cyndi Cioffi, Couch MS
Lisa Hiers, Craig ES
*Dr. Jennifer Jankauskas, Creekland MS
Charlie Hollingshead, Crews MS
Lisa Moore, Dacula ES
Christy Cates Belbey, Dacula HS
**Keri Beth Tidmore Jones, Dacula MS
Victoria Dodd, Duluth HS
Nelldra Allen, Duluth MS
Debra P. Caton, Duncan Creek ES
Lori J. Rowberry, Dyer ES
Sandra Varajic, Ferguson ES
Justin Gorun, Five Forks MS
Betty Roepe, Fort Daniel ES
Lois Sebastian, Freeman’s Mill ES
Cindy Long, GIVE Center East
April L. Greene, GIVE Center West
Andrew Cox, Grace Snell MS
Lisa Frost, Grayson ES
Melissa P. Thomas, MEd., Grayson HS
Linda Steele Layson, Gwin Oaks ES
Christy Gray, Gwinnett County
Online Campus
*Jeff Burmester, Gwinnett School,
Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Michele Devlin, Harbins ES
Derrick Hutchins, Harmony ES
Carrie Rice, Harris ES
Liz Greene, Head ES
Jessie Kelly, Hopkins ES
Dora McKissock, Hull MS
Kimberly Hardy, Ivy Creek ES
Amy Norris, Jackson ES
*Nicole Kidwell, Jenkins ES
Susan Oates, Jones MS
Roslyn Acosta, Kanoheda ES
Altonise Knighton Henfield, Knight ES
Tamaiko Chappell, Lanier HS
*Janelle Wilson, Lanier MS
*Brenda Jones, Lawrenceville ES
*Theresa Wiist, Level Creek ES
Tifferney Dodd, Lilburn ES
Drew Schoen, Lilburn MS
Nancy Streicher, Lovin ES
Judy Peerless, Magill ES
Jeanne Conboy Kosmala, Mason ES
Scott Wilson, Maxwell HS, Technology
*Lou Reynolds, McConnell MS
Jason L. Garner, McKendree ES
Julie Elliott, Meadowcreek ES
Dr. Karen Dickens, Meadowcreek HS
**Aundrea Muth, Mill Creek HS
Shawna Voigt, Minor ES
*Logan Flint, Monarch School
*KristenGaddWilliams,MountainParkES
Deborah White, Mountain View HS
**Brittany Palazzo, Mulberry ES
Lauren Evans, Nesbit ES
Venice Hinds, Norcross ES
Robin Watson, Norcross HS
*Jim Stewart, North Gwinnett HS
2011–12 Gwinnett County Local School Teachers of the Year (TOTY)
(Semifinalists* and finalists** denoted below in list of local school TOTYs)
Congratulations to six teachers selected as finalists for Gwinnett’s Teacher of the Year.
The county TOTY will be named Nov. 3.
**Sarah Black, North Gwinnett MS
Kathy Gosman, Norton ES
Sharon Vargo, Oakland Meadow
School
Peggy Engelman, Osborne MS
Carl Zimmerman, Parkview HS
Dr. Meaghan Wagar, Parsons ES
Lisa Noel, Partee ES
*Allison Askew, Patrick ES
*Cathy Clements Kreimer, Peachtree ES
**Lindsey Cafarella, Peachtree Ridge HS
**Jennifer Dunn, Pharr ES
Pasha Souvorin, Phoenix HS
Robin Faulk, Pinckneyville MS
*Angie Hoffman, Puckett’s Mill ES
Andrew Whatley, Radloff MS
Paula Richards-Bell, Richards MS
*Julie Hipple, Riverside ES
Sue Shumeyko, Roberts ES
*ChristaUlbrandtWebb,RockSpringsES
*Mary Butler, Rockbridge ES
Dr. Ashlei B. Haskell, Rosebud ES
*Candace Swords, Shiloh ES
Kate Hoppenrath, Shiloh HS
Traci L. Head, Shiloh MS
Humphrey Fraser, Simonton ES
Kathy Russo, Simpson ES
Michael A. Kelly, Snellville MS
Erica Poole, South Gwinnett HS
Tisha Williamson, Starling ES
Kim Renfroe, Stripling ES
Tammy Smith, Sugar Hill ES
Rebecca Searles, Summerour MS
Melissa Dienhart, Suwanee ES
Patrick Shannon, Sweetwater MS
Jill Moore, Sycamore ES
Suzanne Boyd, Taylor ES
Aimee Darwazeh, Trickum MS
Debbie Partrick, Trip ES
Peg Alton, Twin Rivers MS
Jaime Lamb, Walnut Grove ES
Nick Boyers, White Oak ES
Tracey Rivers, Winn Holt ES
Jeriann Garris, Woodward Mill ES