Fall 2023 Essentials

     Our Blueprint for the Future, the district’s strategic plan, defines our strategic priorities for the next five years in four priority areas: empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence. We believe that a collaborative effort between our schools, parents, and students is the key to achieving excellence, and this work is called out in our strategic plan. As we embark on a new academic year, I have prioritized school and classroom visits and intentionally connecting with students, teachers, staff, and leaders as we continue to implement our strategic plan. As we head into fall, I have been reflecting on the crucial elements that form the foundation of a successful educational experience for your child. To support the academic, behavioral, and operational excellence we want for every student in every school, I believe there are four key areas we can all collectively focus on:

     School Attendance: Regular school attendance is fundamental to each and every student’s academic success. Students who attend school consistently (missing two or fewer days per month) are more likely to succeed academically, develop good habits, and build strong relationships with their teachers and peers.

     Parent/Family Engagement: We believe that education is a partnership between schools and families. As families, your active involvement in your child’s education makes a significant difference. Attending parent-teacher conferences,
joining parent associations, and participating in school events are ways to engage in your child’s learning. Your support and engagement reinforce the importance of education and inspire your child to strive for success.

     Student Behavior: Creating a safe and secure learning environment is essential for every student’s growth. We have high expectations for student behavior and encourage positive values such as respect, responsibility, and empathy. By fostering good behavior and holding those accountable who do not follow school rules, we help students develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive in and outside the classroom.

     Two-Way Meaningful Communication: Communication is the key to understanding and collaboration. We are committed to maintaining open and meaningful communication with our families. We continue to invest in tools like ParentSquare to increase communication opportunities, and we are constantly working to improve communication within and throughout our district.

     I believe we can achieve our mission to provide an excellent educational experience for every student in our district by prioritizing school attendance, fostering parent engagement, promoting positive student behavior, and maintaining meaningful communication. This publication includes examples of our transformational work and intentional actions aligning with our strategic plan and supporting these commitments across our county.

     Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to working closely with you to support your child’s growth and development.

     In 2021, Gwinnett County Public Schools developed a new strategic plan, Our Blueprint for the Future. As we continue to shift our culture to one that is whole learner-focused, our efforts must be future-driven and prepare our children for an ever changing world.

     A community-wide effort to create our shared vision for student success- the Portrait of a Graduate- includes the skills, competencies, and attitudes our community believes are vital for students to possess when they graduate. The Portrait serves as the "North Star" of Our Blueprint for the Future.

     Our Blueprint is designed to ensure the Portrait of a Graduate becomes a reality by preparing each and every student for postsecondary and workforce readiness, ensuring that they will have multiple pathways to achievement. Our Blueprint in Action showcases tangible instances of Our Blueprint priorities and the Portrait of a Graduate's core competencies occurring consistently across our district. Each month we'll illustrate the actions and initiatives the schools in two of our clusters are taking to align with our strategic plan.

     Join us every month of the 2023-24 school year to experience how our schools have been diligently weaving the district's mission, vision, and strategic plan into every facet of our students' academic experiences. We encourage you to follow along on this journey throughout the school year in our school and district newsletters, web features, engaging videos, and social media as we spotlight the practical, thoughtful implementation of our strategic plan within our schools.

Effectiveness

GCPS has a legacy of results and recognition that has cemented its reputation as an effective school system. In this new era, the district's challenge is to sustain this legacy of performance while responding to the diverse needs of a growing community. In August, Mill Creek and North Gwinnett cluster schools showcased the work they're doing to deliver effective learning, meeting students where they are and guiding them to achieve.

Adaptability

Developing adaptability- the ability to adjust to different conditions or circumstances-is key to ensuring that GCPS students and staff can learn and work effectively in a climate of ambiguity and changing priorities. In September, schools in the Collins Hill and Grayson clusters highlighted their focus on flexibility and creativity when acclimating to a variety of situations, so they can respond productively to feedback, setbacks, and adjustments.  Students and staff members build confidence when working independently and within diverse groups, persevering to achieve success despite difficulty or opposition.

Empathy

Empathy, the ability to understand the feelings of another person, is the entry point towards creating an environment of belonging and safety, and to building the bridge to excellence for each and every student. In October, schools in the Duluth and Meadowcreek clusters shared their work building a culture of empathy for their communities, creating school communities where all students belong and can grow.

     School safety and communication with parents continue to be a priority in Gwinnett County Public Schools. "The district's commitment to ensuring our staff and students can teach and learn in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment is something we will never lose sight of," says Dr. Al Taylor, GCPS Chief of Schools. Here are a few critical safety updates in GCPS for the 2023-24 school year:

     Gwinnett County Public Schools is making the visitor management process stronger with the installation of security vestibules at schools. Security vestibules give administrators control over who has access to the school's interior. Vestibules provide an essential line of defense, helping administrators keep track of who is coming and going, and underscore the importance of a single point of entry and exit at the school. In addition, this school year marks the second year of fully implementing the Raptor system. Raptor enables each school to screen all adult visitors against the National Sex Offender Registry and establishes a consistent sign-in process across the district. 

     All GCPS schools are covered by the CrisisAlert system. This system allows users to call for help quickly, discreetly, and securely anywhere on school grounds. All teachers and staff in every GCPS school have been issued a Crisis Alert badge, allowing them to get help anywhere on campus immediately. The innovative technology identifies the location of the alert, down to the room and floor, so first responders know exactly where to go.

     GCPS continues to build a culture of "see-something-say-something" in all schools and district offices. If you believe someone may be considering self-harm,  if you think someone may be carrying a weapon, drugs, or alcohol on school property, or if you believe that you or someone you know have been the target of violence or threat of violence or have witnessed violent or threatening conduct by another person, please let us know using any of the available resources. 

You now have three ways to contact us without disclosing your identity:

1. Go to www.p3campus.com/5105 and complete the tip form.
2. Scan this QR Code and download the GCPS Tips app for your smartphone. 
3. The GCPS Tip Line is also available. Call 770-822-6513 to text GCPS to 738477 to help keep our schools safe!

Since the start of SPLOST VI collections in 2022, Gwinnett County Public Schools has continued to use the one-cent sales tax to meet the needs of the school system through the construction of new schools and additions, as well as the renovation of classroom spaces and facilities. Under the current SPLOST plan, we have made hefty investments in preventative maintenance with a particular emphasis on roof repairs, replacement of aging HVAC systems, interior and exterior painting, carpet and other flooring replacement, exterior paving, and improvements to ceiling, lighting, data, and energy management systems. 

     Embarking on our 2023-24 school year, we saw the opening of a new three-story classroom addition constructed and completed at North Gwinnett High School. Construction will progress on a new three-story classroom addition at Trickum Middle School, which will open in August 2024.

     Design work is underway for a new middle school in the Archer Cluster. Sitework for this project will start before the end of the calendar year, with construction of the building scheduled to begin mid-year 2024. With an estimated two-year construction schedule, the new Archer Cluster Middle School will open in August 2026.

     E-SPLOST continues to be essential in maintaining our facilities, procuring school buses, and implementing technology improvements that support teaching and learning across every cluster in the district.