Important Dates

September 19 - Fall Festival @

Utica Elem.

September 23 - District Parent

Advisory Meeting @ Admin.

Building

September 23 - District Elem.

Cross Country Meet @ Utica

Elem.

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Parent Connect | September 18, 2015 | Volume 8, Issue 7

Two GCCS Schools Receive IDOE School Improvement Grants

Congratulations to Bridgepoint Elementary and Parkview Middle School for being two of eight schools in the state of

Indiana to receive School Improvement Grants from the Indiana Department of Education. Grants are awarded to

schools that demonstrate a need for additional funds, as well as a commitment to use the funds to raise achievement

levels in low performing schools.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz stated, “Grantees have shown a commitment to improving

student performance. As a classroom teacher, I understand the importance of providing additional resources to students

in our lowest performing schools; that is why I created the Division of Outreach for School Improvement which provides

high quality support to all schools in Indiana. I am committed to ensuring that all Hoosier students have access to

resources and supports that they need in order to be successful both in and outside the classroom.”

Bridgepoint Elementary was awarded $650,765 and Parkview Middle School received $1,210,769. Funds will be

used in a variety of ways, from giving teachers more opportunities for professional development and conferences to

potentially hiring new staff members.

Parkview Middle School Gives Back to Bridgepoint Elem

Parkview Middle School National Junior Honor Society partnered with Tri Kappa

philanthropic sorority to help supply food for the Blessings in a Backpack program at

Bridgepoint Elementary for the 2015-16 school year. During the month of August,

NJHS members brought in 348 packages of ramen noodles and 242 packages of

peanut butter crackers. Members will be collecting different food items each month to

support this program.

Jeffersonville High School 2015 Homecoming Event

Each year, the Jeffersonville High School

Student Council helps students and staff focus

on a philanthropy project. Red Devils at the

Big 4 Bridge was held yesterday and raised

funds to help fellow Jeffersonville High School

student Alijah. Alijah is a brain tumor survivor

and an extraordinary example of PRIDE. Jeff

High Walks for Alijah was a great success,

with Alijah leading everyone across the Big 4

walking bridge and back. Click here to read

more about Alijah’s story.

Blessings in a Backpack provides elementary schoolchildren who are on the

federal free and reduced price meal program with a backpack of food to take home for

38 weekends during the school year. Backpack food includes easy-to-prepare, ready-

to-eat foods, like granola bars, juice boxes, macaroni and cheese, and oatmeal.

Students who participate in the Blessings in a Backpack program show marked

improvement in school attendance, test scores, behavior and health. Food is an essential building block, and in this case

truly a blessing, especially to a hungry child.

Parent Connect | September 18, 2015 Page 2

Our Vision: Greater Clark County Schools’ vision is to become nationally recognized as a premier provider of education by

serving as the bridge connecting stakeholders to ensure all students are college and career ready.

Our Mission: Greater Clark County Schools’ mission is for stakeholders to give 100 percent effort in meeting the academic and

behavioral needs of each student ensuring acceptance to a post-secondary opportunity.

JHS Tennis Center Named After

Teacher Mark Reilly

Utica Elementary Fall Festival

There is something fun for everyone to enjoy at the

Utica Elementary’s Fall Festival on

Saturday, September 19 from 3:30

p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A silent and live

auction, games, karaoke, cake walk

and concessions are only some of

the activities you can enjoy at the

event! All money earned goes

directly to help fund school projects that expand access

to technology and learning resources in the classroom.

Connect with GCCS on Social Media

Communication is vital to the school district, parent,

and patron relationship! Connect with GCCS on social me-

dia to have all of the latest news updates, pictures, and

events as they happen! Connect with GCCS on Facebook,

Twitter, and YouTube today!

Congratulations to Jeffersonville High School teacher

Mark Reilly for having the JHS Tennis Complex officially

named in his honor. Mr. Reilly has been an outstanding

classroom science teacher and tennis coach at JHS for 30

years. He has fostered thousands of young tennis players

and nurtured the community's interest and support for the

sport. Congratulations Mark Reilly!

New Washington Elem Celebrates

Grandparent’s Day

On September 17, students and staff at New Wash-

ington Elementary welcomed grandparents to their

annual Grandparent’s Day Celebration. This is a long-

standing tradition at New Washington Elementary.

Grandparents had the opportunity to watch students

perform a song then were released to spend time in their

classrooms.

School Messenger Text Alerts

Greater Clark County Schools utilizes School Messen-

ger, a quick alert messaging service, to communicate

weather related closures/delays, emergencies, attendance,

and general communications such as important school

announcements or events. One feature of School Messen-

ger is the ability to send text message alerts. In order to

participate in the text message service, you must indicate

your willingness to receive text messages to your phone by

texting “yes” to the number 68453. Your wireless phone

number must be listed in Power School, the district’s

student information database. Please contact your child’s

school to update your information, if needed.