January is #NationalMentoringMonth, and GSCS wants to spotlight some of our amazing mentors! Thank you, Joanne, for building special relationships with our students! Shaping one young person's story can transform countless others. #MentorshipMatters If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please get in touch with Kathy Rhodes at Kathy@spaldingcollaborative.com.
Jonathan McGavin Named GSCS Director of Student Services. On December 9, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Board of Education approved the interim superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Jonathan McGavin as the GSCS Director of Student Services.
McGavin has been with GSCS for 19 years. He served as the principal of Beaverbrook Elementary since June of 2022 and as assistant principal of Jordan Hill Elementary for the previous four years. Before his administrator roles, he served as an educator at Beaverbrook, Orrs and Futral Road Elementary Schools from 2006 to 2018. McGavin has served as an administrator on the tribunal panel for the last five years and is a member of the Georgia Department of Education Attendance Advisory Council. READ MORE: https://aptg.co/1NCRQC
McGavin has been with GSCS for 19 years. He served as the principal of Beaverbrook Elementary since June of 2022 and as assistant principal of Jordan Hill Elementary for the previous four years. Before his administrator roles, he served as an educator at Beaverbrook, Orrs and Futral Road Elementary Schools from 2006 to 2018. McGavin has served as an administrator on the tribunal panel for the last five years and is a member of the Georgia Department of Education Attendance Advisory Council. READ MORE: https://aptg.co/1NCRQC
January is #NationalMentoringMonth, GSCS wants to spotlight a few of our mentors to recognize them and express our heartfelt gratitude for the profound impact they have on our students. Thank you, Melinda O., for serving so many of our students and families. You are truly making a difference! If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Kathy Rhodes at Kathy@spaldingcollaborative.com.
On January 9, GSCS hosted the annual District Science & Engineering Fair. Students from across the district demonstrated remarkable curiosity, dedication, and ingenuity in their pursuit of scientific discovery. Congratulations to these first-place winners who will go on to represent GSCS at the Griffin RESA Regional Science & Engineering Fair in February. Kudos to all participants for their exceptional efforts and best wishes to those advancing to the regional competition.
Barnes Named GSCS Enrichment Center Site Coordinator. On January 13, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Board of Education approved the interim superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Jhondee Barnes as the site coordinator of the GSCS Enrichment Center.
Dr. Jhondee Barnes has been with GSCS for 26 years. For the past three years, she has served as the district’s Advanced Learning Coordinator, providing leadership and support for gifted education across all grade levels, from elementary to high school. In this role, she also served as the district AVID Coordinator, helping expand college and career readiness opportunities for students. READ MORE: https://aptg.co/mG3rC7
Tuesday, January 20, is an At-Home Learning Day for Students and a District Professional Learning Day for Staff.
Bell Named Beaverbrook Elementary Principal. On January 13, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Board of Education approved the superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Chandra Bell as the principal of Beaverbrook Elementary School.
Dr. Bell brings more than two decades of experience in education, leadership and instructional support to Beaverbrook Elementary. She most recently served as the GSCS Enrichment Center Director, where she provided instructional leadership focused on supporting teachers and student achievement. Prior to that role, Bell served as the assistant principal of Jordan Hill Elementary, assistant principal of instruction at Cowan Road Middle and math and science instructional coach at Kennedy Road Middle.
READ MORE: https://aptg.co/Dt-6K0
Dr. Bell brings more than two decades of experience in education, leadership and instructional support to Beaverbrook Elementary. She most recently served as the GSCS Enrichment Center Director, where she provided instructional leadership focused on supporting teachers and student achievement. Prior to that role, Bell served as the assistant principal of Jordan Hill Elementary, assistant principal of instruction at Cowan Road Middle and math and science instructional coach at Kennedy Road Middle.
READ MORE: https://aptg.co/Dt-6K0
School Board Names Warren as GSCS Superintendent
On Tuesday, January 13, the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education appointed Dr. Donald Warren as the superintendent of the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS).
Dr. Warren has 33 years of experience in education and has served GSCS for almost 10 years. He has served as the interim superintendent for the last eight months and also for four months in 2020. He has served as the GSCS Deputy Superintendent since 2021, overseeing district operations. Warren began with GSCS in 2017 as the GSCS Executive Director of Secondary Education, where he supervised all middle and high school principals along with career and technical education.
Dr. Warren came to GSCS after serving as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction & Director of Learning and Leadership for Henry County Schools for five years. He spent much of his career in the Houston County School District as a high school mathematics teacher, assistant principal (elementary and middle) and principal in Warner Robins.
READ MORE: https://5il.co/3tdgc
On Tuesday, January 13, the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education appointed Dr. Donald Warren as the superintendent of the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS).
Dr. Warren has 33 years of experience in education and has served GSCS for almost 10 years. He has served as the interim superintendent for the last eight months and also for four months in 2020. He has served as the GSCS Deputy Superintendent since 2021, overseeing district operations. Warren began with GSCS in 2017 as the GSCS Executive Director of Secondary Education, where he supervised all middle and high school principals along with career and technical education.
Dr. Warren came to GSCS after serving as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction & Director of Learning and Leadership for Henry County Schools for five years. He spent much of his career in the Houston County School District as a high school mathematics teacher, assistant principal (elementary and middle) and principal in Warner Robins.
READ MORE: https://5il.co/3tdgc
All GSCS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
FREE IS GOOD… and so is FREE COLLEGE TUITION! 🎓
Did you know high school students can earn up to 30 hours of FREE college tuition while still in high school? If you missed the Dual Enrollment events at Spalding or Griffin High, don’t worry - there are more chances! But space is limited in the programs, so please attend the earliest event possible to ensure your spot for the 2026-27 school year.
📅 When: January 8, 13, 20, or 26 at 5:30 PM
📍 Where: GRCCA, 221 Spalding Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
At this event, you’ll learn about:
✅ Career Programs
✅ High School Career Pathways
✅ Dual Enrollment opportunities
💡 Who’s Invited: Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders interested in Dual Enrollment for the 26/27 school year. Remember, students must attend with a parent or guardian.
➡️ RSVP today at https://forms.gle/mUGEVPov5FZvUuQW7
GSCS is happy to announce the opening of the District Parent Resource Room! The District Parent Resource, located at 234 East Taylor Street, Room 121, will be open January 8th through May 22, 2026.
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 4:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
GSCS families are welcome to come during hours of operation; no appointment is necessary. The Parent Resource Center offers the following:
· Educational resources for parents to check out and use at home
· Computers with internet access
· Support for accessing Infinite Campus and understanding your child's information
· Supporting your child with homework
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 4:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
GSCS families are welcome to come during hours of operation; no appointment is necessary. The Parent Resource Center offers the following:
· Educational resources for parents to check out and use at home
· Computers with internet access
· Support for accessing Infinite Campus and understanding your child's information
· Supporting your child with homework
In December, GSCS held its annual Literacy Days competition. Students across the district expressed their creativity in: K-2 Read Aloud, K-8 Poetry Recitation, K-8 Drama and grades 3-8 Ready Writing. There was a high level of participation from all elementary and middle schools, with almost 200 participants. First-place winners will represent GSCS at the Griffin RESA Regional Literacy Days competition in February 2026. Congratulations to these first-place winners!
GSCS Parent University is offering a free 30-minute workshop for families on Safe & Positive Social Media on Thursday, January 15. Scan the QR code to register.
A town hall meeting with the two GSCS Superintendent Finalists will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 6 p.m in the Griffin Auditorium. View the town hall meeting live at: https://youtube.com/live/HhEhl8g9kJA?feature=share.
Spalding High School is hosting a STEM Night on February 6 for students in grades 3-5. Register now by scanning the QR code!
Happy New Year from GSCS! Remember, staff and students return on Monday, January 5!
Free Meet and Greet and Photos with Santa tomorrow, Saturday, December 20, at Claxton-Hobbs Pharmacy! Donations are appreciated and all proceeds benefit Partners In Education.
GSCS families and community: Thomaston Milk Company would like to bless Spalding County families with free milk before the holidays. They will be in the Orrs Elementary parking lot, 1553 Flynn Street, on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 10 AM – 12 PM, while supplies last, distributing ½ pints of regular and chocolate milk. This distribution is a donation on behalf of Thomaston Milk Company. We appreciate their support of our community.
GSCS Interim Superintendent Dr. Donald Warren and Executive Director of Communications & Partnerships Adam Pugh represented GSCS at the Atlanta Falcons Community Honors Show event earlier this week. GSCS, along with five other Metro Atlanta school districts, received grant funding from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (AMBFF), in partnership with Atlanta United, the Atlanta Falcons and PGA TOUR Superstore, totaling $6.3 million over three years to increase access to sports at the middle and high school level. GSCS received $425,000 over a three-year period to expand middle school athletic programs, adding soccer for boys and girls and girls' flag football. GSCS Athletic Director Bill Stikes led the effort to apply for this grant.
“The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and AMB Sports and Entertainment recognize and prioritize the importance of providing kids the opportunity to participate in sports,” said AMB Sports and Entertainment CEO and AMBFF Associate Board Member Rich McKay. “We are proud to partner with these six school districts to remove barriers of entry to sports and enhance the sports experience for their students. We anticipate this funding will impact more than 7,500 athletes at the middle and high school level across Metro Atlanta.”
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is a philanthropy founded to help transform lives and communities by uniting people across differences to find common cause. Started in 1995 by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, the foundation has granted more than $1.5 billion to charitable causes. Collective giving areas include Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Youth Development. Across these areas, we take on tough challenges by uniting the courage and compassion of our communities so we can all thrive together. The foundation oversees a large portfolio of grants including support of essential Atlanta nonprofit institutions, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center, and enduring founder-led initiatives, such as veterans and the military and stuttering, among others. For more, visit www.blankfoundation.org.
“The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and AMB Sports and Entertainment recognize and prioritize the importance of providing kids the opportunity to participate in sports,” said AMB Sports and Entertainment CEO and AMBFF Associate Board Member Rich McKay. “We are proud to partner with these six school districts to remove barriers of entry to sports and enhance the sports experience for their students. We anticipate this funding will impact more than 7,500 athletes at the middle and high school level across Metro Atlanta.”
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is a philanthropy founded to help transform lives and communities by uniting people across differences to find common cause. Started in 1995 by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, the foundation has granted more than $1.5 billion to charitable causes. Collective giving areas include Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Youth Development. Across these areas, we take on tough challenges by uniting the courage and compassion of our communities so we can all thrive together. The foundation oversees a large portfolio of grants including support of essential Atlanta nonprofit institutions, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center, and enduring founder-led initiatives, such as veterans and the military and stuttering, among others. For more, visit www.blankfoundation.org.
On Monday, December 15, GSCS K-5 English Language Arts CoordinatorTanya Potter facilitated a Literacy Workshop for GSCS Parent University. Families were able to engage in meaningful conversations about building strong reading skills at home and explore practical strategies to help their children grow as confident readers. Parents left the workshop with new strategies, resources, and the confidence to support their children’s literacy at home. If you want additional information on upcoming workshops, please contact GSCS Family and Community Engagement Specialist Dr. LaJuana Love, District @ lajuana.love@gscs.org
