Parent Advisory Council

The Parent Advisory Council provides parents of GSSM students a way to be involved at the school.


History and Mission
GSSM parents established PAC as an instrument to support the school and its students’ lives and education.  PAC also seeks to create a supportive community for parents, connecting us with one another and with all who share our experiences.  Every parent and guardian in the school is automatically a member of the organization.
 
PAC attempts to bridge the miles in a variety of ways: with email, postal, and phone networks; newsletters and activity bulletins; and regional get-togethers of parents.  Though we have only one actual face-to-face organizational meeting on Parents Day in October, we devise ways for our constituent committees to support our children both from a distance and on campus. This year, Mrs. Sharon Musselwhite is the senior PAC chair and the junior PAC chair will be one of the incoming Junior Class parents. The chairs will organize the committee meetings in October.

Operation
PAC’s operational budget comes from $100 contributions requested from each member family at the beginning of each year.  We collect these monies between now and move-in day.  Ms. Beth Byerly, in the business office, collects and manages the funds throughout the year.  The money is used to support our children’s extracurricular activities in as many ways.  Each committee plans its annual activities and receives a proportionate budget. To provide continuity, PAC and its committees is headed by a senior-junior chair team.  The junior chair will continue to serve in the position of Senior chair the following year.  This allows for continuity from year to year.  The principle is simple: the more GSSM parents actively participate and contribute their time and talents through the PAC, the more exciting and productive our year we will be.

2008-09 PAC Committees

Student Activity
(Staff Liaison: Director of Student Services)

This committee helps coordinate and enhance our students' social lives by supporting these and other student activities:
Student Special Programs - Winter Formal and Prom
Year-End Events - Graduation Reception
TLC - Exam and holiday gift bags
Caring for Students' Environment - Sprucing up the residence hall lounges for 2008-09; acquiring additional equipment for residential life (pool tables, pool sticks, foosball table, etc.)


Academic Support
(Staff Liaison: VP for Academics)

This committee provides academic enrichment for the students and feedback on academic standards and policies to the school's administration by:
Organizing - Parents and friends seminar day; Recognition of teacher appreciation week; and the faculty and staff appreciation luncheon.


Athletic Boosters
(Staff Liaison: Director of Athletics)

This committee supports the athletic teams and encourages parents to be involved by:
Supporting an Individual Sport - Sport parent for each team; snacks and/or meals for athletes; awards and receptions at the end of each season.
Material Support - Providing supplies as requested by the Athletic Director.


External Affairs
(Staff Liaison: Executive Director of the GSSM Foundation & GSSM President)

This committee works with the school's marketing staff within the GSSM Foundation to enhance the school's public image, and to solicit public and government support for its mission in the following ways:
Publicity - Getting GSSM news into local media across SC
Legislative Support and Financing - Sending personal letters to legislators to encourage their support of the school; soliciting grants from local community organizations on behalf of GSSM; participating in hosting VIP visits.


Admission & Recruitment
(Staff Liaison: Director of Admissions)

This committee supports the school's effort to identify and recruit qualified SC students to GSSM by:
Attending and Assisting - Regional Discovery Sessions organized by the school's Admissions Office; Visits to high schools, middle schools, churches, youth groups, campus fairs, county or state fair information sessions and interested families; Contact those who strongly influence a student's educational choice.