Skip To Main Content
Portrait of a GCS Graduate: Wisdom for the New Year

January is a time of renewal. It is a time to start fresh, dream big and for students to finish the remainder of the year strong.  

At Guilford County Schools (GCS), January marks a renewed commitment to preparing students to tackle the challenges of an ever-changing world, and GCS students are evidence of that commitment. They graduate as responsible citizens and step confidently into the future as leaders, innovators and community members equipped with all the tools they need to succeed.  

Throughout 2025, GCS will illustrate the vibrancy, complexity and exceptional abilities of GCS graduates. Students and alumni will share their Guilford Experience to inspire the next generation of learners to dream boldly and achieve greatly while reminding parents, teachers, and staff of the critical role they play in shaping these outcomes. 

  • District Homepage News
  • Prepare Students for the World
Read More about Portrait of a GCS Graduate: Wisdom for the New Year

Library Media Services

Our Mission

To ensure that all students will graduate as responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. In support of this mission, school library media programs strive to ensure that students, teachers and staff are effective users of ideas and information.

GCS school library media centers are instructional spaces that promote critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Each school library media center is staffed by a licensed school library media coordinator who delivers instruction aligned to the NC Digital Learning Standards for Students.

Print and digital collections in GCS school library media centers are developed to meet the needs and interests of each school's unique population of students.

 

Decorative Rule 2

Guilford County Schools

Digital Citizenship

 

Digital Citizenship instructional topics include:

Communicating with respect
Protecting personal information
Respecting other’s privacy
Following copyright laws and practicing safe and ethical behavior
Determining the validity of websites and other online sources

As students are exposed to more and more online content and have access to information from a variety of sources, it is also important that they be able to understand multiple perspectives, add helpful information/context to online discussions, and support others by offering useful and encouraging feedback.

The digital citizenship lessons students engage in are aligned to the North Carolina Digital Learning Standards. The GCS LIbrary Media Services Department uses the Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship Curriculum to teach digital citizenship skills in all grades.

Helping children navigate the digital world can be difficult and confusing. Common Sense Media resources offer tips and tools for families who have questions about safe and ethical online practices. Click the "Parents Need to Know Tab" on the Common Sense Media website for resources grouped by age and by topic. 

For more information about digital citizenship lessons and online safety resources, contact your school library media coordinator

Decorative Rule 2

Guilford County Schools

GCS Reads 30

To help our students continue to grow their literacy skills, GCS encourages students to read at home each day. Students can read any materials that interest them, including our free district eBooks available through each school's Destiny Discover library catalog, as long as they’re reading! 

Reading challenges over winter, spring and summer breaks offer students incentives to continue their reading when they are not in school. Contact your school library media coordinator for more information.

2024 Winter Break Reading Challenge

GCS wants students to keep reading over Winter Break! 

PreK-8th grade students can record the minutes they read over the break in Beanstack for an opportunity to earn a ticket to three UNCG basketball games.

9th-12th grade students can record the minutes they read over the break in Beanstack for an opportunity to be entered into a drawing to win a gift card.

Students must read at least 300 minutes between December 21 and January 5 to earn the opportunity to win a prize!

Reading minutes must be logged in Beanstack to be eligible for a prize. Students who cannot record their minutes over Winter Break can enter them in Beanstack when they return to school. To count toward the challenge, minutes will need to be dated during Winter Break when they are logged. See your school library media coordinator for assistance logging minutes correctly!

Go to the GCS Beanstack Landing Page and find your school. Enter your student ID number and 8 digit birthday.     OR                      Login to clever.com/in/GCS then click on the Beanstack icon to get started!

Prize Details

Prek-8th grade students who record 300 minutes of reading in Beanstack will earn tickets to three UNCG basketball games.

9th-12th grade students who record 300 minutes of reading in Beanstack will be entered into a drawing for a Barnes and Noble gift card.

  • Men's Basketball vs. Wofford, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 6:00 pm at the First Horizon Coliseum

  • Women's Basketball vs. Western Carolina, Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2:00 pm in Fleming Gymnasium

  • Men's Basketball vs. Samford, Saturday, Mar. 1 at 4:00 pm in Fleming Gymnasium

First page of the PDF file: 2024NEWGCSReads30Flyerwinter1

Decorative Rule 2

Guilford County Schools

GOALS

Guilford Open Access to (Public) Libraries for Students

 

The Greensboro Public Library and the High Point Public Library have partnered with Guilford County Schools (GCS) in an effort to provide students with the resources and services necessary to help support their achievement year-round. 

The partnership, GOALS (Guilford’s Open Access to Libraries for Students), is rooted in the shared belief that through improved and equal access to information, reading, technology and a stronger community, students will be better positioned for lifelong learning and sustained success – our number one goal. 

Through the GOALS partnership, students enrolled in GCS will be able to access library research databases and borrow digital materials such as e-books, e-audiobooks, magazines, music, and videos using their GCS student ID number.

  • No library card needed 
  • Automatic enrollment*
  • 24/7 access
  • 10 item borrow limit (maximum of 5 electronic items)
  • No overdue fines with GOALS accounts** 

All GCS students are automatically enrolled in the GOALS program and able to use their school ID number to access library services. There is an opt-out form available for parents who do not want their child to participate in the initiative. 

**Students and their parents/guardians will be responsible for the cost of lost materials.

How to Use Your GOALS Account:

 

Library card number =
GCS + student ID number

Library card number example:
GCS1234567 (case sensitive)

 

Links to GOALS Resources