Good evening! We want to wish all students, staff, and parents a fun and safe Spring Break. Everyone deserves some time to rest and recharge their batteries and to spend time with family and friends.     

Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman

Parents, please look for an email from Monroe County Schools if you have not established your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.  This email will provide information on activating your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.  If you would like to complete the Proof of Residency process online this summer, you will need to make sure your Parent Portal account is activated.  Look for more information after Spring Break on the new online option for Proof of Residency.  Didn't get the email? Check with your school's registrar to make sure your email address is up-to-date.

Congratulations MCMS students and staff on a great play!

 

Join us for the April Board of Education meeting.  The Board of Education Spring Work Session begins at 3:00 p.m.  on Tuesday, April 11 in the Central Office Board Room.  The recognition portion of the BOE meeting will be held in the central office auditorium beginning at 7:00 pm.  Stakeholders to be recognized include school level Teachers of the Year, System level Spelling Bee winners, and announcement of the FY18 System Teacher of the Year. 

Parents and guardians are among a school's best allies in bullying prevention:

· Talk with and Listen to Your Children Everyday
Ask questions about their school day, including experiences on the way to and from school, lunch, and/or recess. Ask about their peers. Small changes could be red flags.

· Spend time at School
Volunteer. Volunteer. Volunteer. Contact your child's school counselor or parent coordinator to serve as a volunteer in your child's school.

· Be a Good Example
Children are always watching. When you get angry with waiters, other drivers or others, model effective communication techniques. Modeling is a great way to be an example.

· Create Healthy Anti-Bullying Habits
Starting as young as possible, coach your children on both what not to do (push, tease, and be mean to others) as well as what to do (be kind, empathize, and take turns). Also coach your child on what to do if someone is mean to them or to another student (report it to an adult, tell the bully to stop, walk away and ignore the bully).

·  Make Sure Your Child Understands Bullying
Explicitly explain what it is and that it's not normal or tolerable for them to bully, be bullied, or stand by and watch other kids be bullied. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

Adapted from http://www.edutopia.org  and http://www.stopbullying.gov

The Georgia Milestones Tests are coming in April/May.  Students in grades 3-8 will take the End of Grade tests.  The practice site at http://www.gaexperienceonline.com/ gives students the experience of the test. There are practice questions do not represent grade specific level questions, but the site is designed to acclimate students and parents to the upcoming test.

Please mark your calendar to attend the Mary Persons High School Class of 2017 Graduation on Friday, May 26 at 8 p.m. 

Make this year's spring break memorable by having fun and keeping you and your family safe and healthy!
BE ACTIVE AND EAT HEALTHY.  You've probably been sitting most of the year, so take the opportunity in spring break to explore.  Do fun activities like walking, dancing, playing ball, swimming, and more.  Avoid injury by starting any new activity slowly.  Be sure to eat a variety of foods including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and grains.  Drink lots of water.
PLAN A SUCCESSFUL TRIP.  If you are going on a trip, be prepared.  Are vaccinations required?  Are there special food, destination, or other things you need to consider ahead of time?  If you are taking medications, do you have enough for the trip?
PROTECT YOURSELF.  The Zika virus, a blood-borne disease transmitted via a specific type of mosquito is spreading.  Be aware of this new health threat.  Take precautions with food safety and water safety. 
WATCH YOUR STEP.  Use safety gear.  Seat belts, life vests, and knee pads are just some of the items you should be using during Spring Break and any time of the year.  When swimming and boating, know what's expected and what you can do to prevent injury to yourself and others.  Complete a boating education course.  Young people should know the rules of the water on the lake.
PROTECT YOUR EYES AND YOUR SKIN.  Remove contacts before swimming.  Wear sunglasses, and don't sleep in your contacts. After a cold winter, it's tempting to stay outside in the sun all day.  Getting a little sun can have benefits, but excessive and unprotected sun exposure can result in premature aging, changes in skin, and skin cancer.  Always wear sunscreen at least 15 SPF. 
https://www.cdc.gov/family/springbreak/

Monroe County Achievement Center sponsored a successful 5K race last weekend. For a complete list of the winners, click here.
Proceeds from the race will benefit the school's initiatives.  MCAC wishes to thank the following sponsors:  Sam's Club, WalMart, Jeff Blizzard with Farm Bureau, Dairy Queen, Chick-Fil-A, Captain D's, Central Georgia Technical College, ERA Connie Ham Middle Georgia Realty, Culloden Volunteer Fire Department, Beulahland Mother's Ministry, 7500 Investor Group, Southern Smiles, United Bank, Georgia and Tracy Willis, Robins Financial Credit Union, Freeman Funeral Home, Volume Chevrolet, Broadway Graphics, RoadID, Burger King, BB&T.
MCAC thanks the following volunteers for their contributions to make the race a success:  Monroe County Sheriff's Department, Monroe County EMS, Monroe County Retired Educators Association, Bonnie Hopkins, MPA, Forsyth Police Department, City of Forsyth Emergency Services, Beaulahland Bible Church Deacons, Larry Carpenter of the Macon Tracks Running Club, Charles Collins Photography, 7500 Investor Group, Beaulahland Media Ministry, Majic 100 FM, Stuart Pippin -- MCBOE Member, Lifestyle Fitness -- Angela Boykin, and Georgia Medical Weight Loss Center. For more pictures, check out the Monroe County Achievement Center Twitter feed.