Monroe County Schools will be on Fall Break beginning Monday, October 9 through Friday, October 13.  Classes resume on Monday, October 16.  We wish our students, staff, and our families a safe and fun week!  
Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools


  With a 28-21 win over Upson-Lee, Bulldogs started a weekend of activities including cheer competition, middle school band night, and JROTC Raider competition.  For 13WMAZ's recap of Friday night's game, click the picture below.

Grades 8-11 Students and Parents Invited to AP/MOWR/Dual Enrollment Meeting
Parents and Students in Grades 8-11 who are interested in Dual Enrollment/Move On When Ready  are invited to attend an information session on Tuesday, October 24 at  6:30-7:30 pm at the Fine Arts Center.  The dual enrollment program is the opportunity to take college level courses while still enrolled at the high school setting.
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has kicked off the annual Peanut Straw Poll at  Georgia National Fair in Perry through October 15th.  In past years, voters have chosen Georgia's candidates for SEC Presidential Primary and President of the United States. Because municipal elections will be on the ballot this year, voters have opportunity to support hometown high school football teams in the Gridiron Showdown.
The Gridiron Showdown is a new, exciting competition for Georgia's high school football teams.  Participants can vote at the booth in the Georgia Grown Building at Georgia National Fair or by going online to  PeanutPoll.com.  Anyone outside of fairgrounds is able to vote once a day to support their favorite team. The Georgia high school team receiving the most votes will receive a grand prize. Secretary Kemp will enlist a special guest to read daily standings at 5 pm daily.  Georgians can keep track of results through Secretary Kemp's  Facebook,  Instagram, and  Twitter feeds, and he encourages voters to follow Peanut Poll's blog, which emails daily results updates. At the end of the fair, the overall winner will announced.  Vote for Mary Persons High School for this unique recognition! 
Fire Prevention Week is October
Monroe County Schools' nurses joined City of Forsyth Fire Chief David Herndon, "Sparky," and Fire Safety Educator Nancy Patten to bring awareness to the Georgia Fire Prevention Week.  Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored Fire Prevention Week. The 2017 Fire Prevention Week is October 8 - 14, and the theme is "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!"
Parents, Please Complete School Climate Survey
The Georgia Parent Survey contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. Parents are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey.  Data will be used as part of  calculation of the School Climate Star Rating.  Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey. 
Georgia Parent Survey:  http://gshs.gadoe.org/parents 
Check out highlights of Monroe County Schools for the week of October 2-6.  You could see a student, staff member, community leader, volunteer, parent, or guest reader you may know.  Follow our system on Twitter @monroe_schools.  Our hashtag this year is #mcscometogether. 
For more information, click here, or contact Christina Barfield at christina.barfield@mcschools.org.
Thank You to Our Partners in Education
The Mt. Zion  Methodist Church of Smarr recently collected non-perishable food items, toiletries, and school supplies for Monroe County Schools' students in need.  The church also made a monetary donation to help sustain the program throughout the school year.  Presenting a check on behalf of Mt. Zion Methodist is Kerri Swearingen. She is pictured with  Gwen Byrd, Family Services Coordinator.

Thank you to members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Forsyth Chapter.  The group recently donated school supplies to the Monroe County Achievement Center. 

Thank you to the members of the Brown's Chapel Baptist Church.  They recently donated school supplies to students of Hubbard Elementary School.  If your organization would like to contribute to Back Pack Buddies, there are several ways to help.  Contact Ms. Gwen Byrd, Family Services Coordinator at gwen.byrd@mcschools.org.
MP Access Department MixedBag Fundraiser
The Access Department at MP is doing a Mixed Bag Designs catalog fundraiser. Students will use the proceeds to buy groceries for cooking instruction, go see a play at the Rose Theatre, host a Holiday social for their families, and to go to Prom!
Available items include tote bags, purses, and home & garden items. Mixed Bag products are affordable, attractive, and durable!
Orders can be placed with any student or staff member for the MP Access Department or you can order online at MixedBag using the code 242287 at checkout. Orders are due October 27. Checks should be made payable to MPHS.
http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/
Caffeinate for a Good Cause:  MCMS Fundraiser
A morning without coffee is like...sleep!
Monroe County Middle School is excited to be selling Giving Bean Coffee and Artisan Teas . Giving Bean is a gourmet coffee roaster providing a variety of freshly roasted whole bean and ground coffees, fine tea, gourmet cocoa, chai, and biscotti. Checks can be made out to MCMS. Orders can be sent to Mrs. Dyke at Monroe Middle School by October 6th. For questions e-mail annie.dyke@mcschools.org.  For the order form, click here.
MP Bands are Selling Yankee Candles
The Monroe County Band Program will be selling  Yankee   Candle  products through October 18 .  Please see any band member for a catalog.  Funds will go toward basic band needs.  For more information, contact Misty Sparks at misty.sparks@mcschools.org.  
Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:
Handle Live Poultry with Care
Live poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, often carry germs. After you touch a bird, or anything in the area where birds live and roam, wash your hands so you don't get sick!
Owning backyard chickens and other poultry can be a great experience. Children and have a greater chance of illness from handling live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Even handling baby birds displayed at stores can cause a Salmonella infection.  
How do people get Salmonella infections from live poultry?
Live poultry might have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies (feathers, feet, and beaks), even when they appear healthy and clean. The germs can get on cages, coops, feed and water dishes, hay, plants, and soil where birds live and roam. Germs also can get on hands, shoes, and clothes of people who handle or care for birds.
People become infected with Salmonella germs when they put hands or equipment that has been in contact with live poultry in or around the mouth. Young children are more likely to get sick because their immune systems are still developing, and they are more likely to put fingers or pacifiers and other items into mouths. Some people who have contact with items, like coops or water dishes, in the area where poultry live can get sick without actually touching one of the birds. Germs on your hands can spread easily to other people or surfaces, which is why it's important to wash hands immediately with soap and water after touching poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
How do I reduce the chance of Salmonella infection?
  • Always wash your hands with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
    • Adults should supervise hand washing by young children.
    • Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
  • Don't let live poultry inside the house, especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored.
  • Set aside a pair of shoes to wear while taking care of poultry and keep those shoes outside of the house.
  • Don't let children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65, or people with weakened immune systems from conditions such as cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS or organ transplants, handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry.
  • Don't eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam.
  • Avoid kissing your birds or snuggling them, then touching your mouth.
  • Stay outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for live poultry, such as cages or feed or water containers.
  • Buy birds from hatcheries that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Poultry Improvement Plan (USDA-NPIP)
Monroe County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs and dealings with the public. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations. As a result, the following people have been appointed to oversee specific areas. Title II, Adult 504, Adult Title IX   Dr. Mike Hickman   25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029   478-994-2031  Student and Athletic Title IX Jackson Daniel  25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029  Student 504 Jenny Rooks 25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029 Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.