REIMAGINED

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS TO WELCOME 350 NEW EDUCATORS

Many changes are in store for the 2020-2021 school year as Henry County Schools prepares for students and teachers to return to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new normal begins with a “Reimagined” Educator Launch, formerly known as Teacher Induction Program or “TIP” in mid-July. This year, Educator Launch will be onboarding 350 new teachers joining Henry County Schools in the upcoming school term. The “Reimagined” Educator Launch transforms a mid-July, week-long orientation into remote settings with everyone logging in from different locations for their various sessions.

Distance is No Match for Determination

Typically, most of the training is held at one location giving new teachers an opportunity to meet and interact with various HCS district leadership, staff, and other instructors, helping to acclimate them with their new employer, fellow teachers and how things work. Affording new teachers these intangible benefits is a goal that HCS leadership is reimagining for Educator Launch. With a theme that “Distance is No Match for Determination,” the plan includes opportunities to welcome the newest staff members in a grand fashion, including support from the community, but in a virtual environment. “Of course, we would always like to have everyone together as we welcome this newest class of Henry County Schools employees,” commented JD Hardin, Executive Director of HCS Communications & Public Relations. “While they may work in separate buildings, schools, and departments, they are now a part of one big family. The chance to meet in person really builds that sense of family for them all, too. Now we will adjust our approach to ensuring they still get that sense albeit from a safe distance.”

In 2019 as in previous years, new HCS teachers enjoyed lunch and received gift bags sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce at the 2019 Educator Launch closing event. This year’s activities will be delivered in remote settings in compliance with social distancing.

Chamber Sponsorship of Annual Educator Launch

The Henry County Chamber of Commerce will support Henry County Schools in its pursuit of educational excellence by sponsoring the 2020 Educator Launch activities held on July 21, 2020. In previous years, the sponsorship has included a lunch celebration where large tote bags filled with classroom supplies were awarded to each of the teachers new to HCS in the upcoming school year.

This year, the Educator Launch luncheon will be transformed in compliance to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines which will involve teachers participating in the July 21 activities from remote locations. Participating Chamber sponsors will welcome the new teachers with a special lunch and gift bags as always with delivery adjustments to accommodate the various locations.

EDUCATOR LAUNCH (FORMERLY TIP) SPONSORSHIPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

(Photo: 2019 Educator Launch luncheon). Supporting the Educator Launch of new teachers new to HCS is looked forward to by participating Chamber members each year. This year’s Educator Launch activities will take place online with the teachers in remote locations. Plans are underway for creating a welcoming event that involves each of the 350 new 2020-2021 HCS teachers.

Chamber members are asked to sponsor the welcoming activities for this year’s Educator Launch by donating funds and/or providing 350 items for teacher gift bags. All items for the gift bags must be received by 4:00 PM on July 16, 2020.

Preferred Items for Teacher Gift Bags

The Chamber has compiled a list of preferred items, developed by teachers, for the gift bags. These items are often needed in the classroom each year. As a participating sponsor, Chamber members who donate 350 items for new teachers help reduce the out-of-pocket costs for teachers to stock their classrooms while introducing their business to a large segment of potential patrons.

To download Educator Launch sponsorship details and the list of preferred items, visit http://www.henrycounty.com/events/details/educator-launch-17250 or contact Phyllis Reeves, preeves@henrycounty.com, 770-957-5786.

THANK YOU! PLATINUM SPONSORS

A special thanks is extended to each of the Chamber members who contributed $500 to support the 2020 Educator Launch of 350 new teachers to Henry County Schools for the 2020- 2021 school year.