Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
Committed to Excellence:  Students and Staff Recognized at January Board Meeting
Mrs. Heather Wheeler and the MCMS Varsity Robotics Team were recognized at the January meeting.  In addition, the team shared their project they will introduce at an upcoming competition. The MCMS Varsity Robotics Team won the Core Values Award at the First Lego League Regional Competition on  December 2nd.  They also received a bid to the Super Regional competition in Warner Robins on  January 20th.
Mrs. Wheeler is pictured with the team, MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, MCMS Principal Dr. Efrem Yarber, and Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman.  MCMS Varsity Robotics Team members are: Jeremiah Ochieng, Johonna Braswell, Chloe Myers, Sydney Stapleton, Ella Miller, Sam West, Harris Chambers, and Walker Turner.
The MPHS Competition Cheerleading completed an outstanding season in 2017. The cheerleading squad won the region championship in 2017 for the first time since 2005 and only the second time in school history. In state competition, our cheerleaders finished in 5th place to cap off a record setting year for the program. Our previous highest finish in state competition was 7th place back in 2013. Congratulations to Coach Kyle Ward, the coaching staff, and the entire team for a memorable season.  Seniors are pictured with MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, MP Principal Dr. Jim Finch, Competition Cheer Coach Kyle Ward, and Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman.
The MPHS football team completed an outstanding 2017 season with a record of 11-3 and making it to the GHSA 4A semifinals. This is the second consecutive year the Bulldogs have made it the Final Four. The Bulldogs also won their third straight region title in 2017 and have not lost a game in region competition during that span (16 games in a row and 34-3 in region contests under Coach Nelson- 62-15 overall). Our Bulldogs have actually lost in the semifinals to the eventual state champion in both 2016 and 2017. Congratulations to Coach Brian Nelson, the coaching staff, and the entire team on another outstanding season.  Seniors are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, MP Principal Dr. Jim Finch, Coach Brian Nelson, and MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard.
Monroe County Middle School staff members were recognized for their years of service.  Five years of service:   Sabrina Dorrity, Lindsay Kennett, Lynn Monk, Andrea Wilkes, Mammie Gray.  Ten years of service:  Tracy Mallory, Suzanne Smith.  15 years of service:  Suzanne Davis.  20 years of service:  Kecia McGouirk.
Jerry  Napier , Shop Foreman, on completing his  School Bus Inspection Program Manager Certification in June of 2017. Mr. Napier is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, Transportation Director Jake Davis, and MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard.
Transportation Team members were recognized for their years of service.  Five years of service:  Melissa Glaze, Chip Hester, Bobbie Opheim, Patricia Wilson.  Ten years of service:  Margie Hardin.  15 years of service:  Kristy Ellenburg.  20 years of service:  Ben Gilbert, Angeline Hardin.  25 years of service:  Juanita McDonald.  Transportation Team members are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, Transportation Director Jake Davis, MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, and Assistant Superintendent Alicia Elder.

Parents and Community Members:  We need your help to spread the word regarding PreK and Kindergarten registration.  Many families who have never had a child in school before are not aware the process begins as early as February 2018 in preparation for going to school in August 2018.  Please share the dates above with PreK and K families!
January is Gifted Education Month in Georgia
Monroe County Schools is proud to share Governor Deal has issued a proclamation recognizing January 2018 as Gifted Education Month in Georgia. "The proclamation emphasizes the importance of developing the potential of Georgia's children in the areas of academics, creativity, leadership, and fine arts. It recognizes that our teachers and educational leaders work together with our community to provide the key learning experiences that engage and inspire our students. Finally, it calls for us to recognize the unique learning needs of gifted and talented students and advocate for rigorous educational programming to meet these advanced learning needs" (Georgia Association for Gifted Children [GACA], n.d.). 
Please join us in recognizing and emphasizing the importance of challenging all students to reach their full potential.

For more information, contact Christina Barfield at christina.barfield@mcschools.org or see the fundraising site.
The Access program at MP is selling Chick Fil A Cow calendars. The cost is $10 and they can be purchased from Elizabeth Holloway or Beth Chafin. Questions may be directed to  Beth.Chafin@mcschools.org.
Monroe County Schools Highlights Reel Week of January 8-12, 2018
Monroe County Schools Highlights Reel Week of January 8-12, 2018
 

Central Georgia EMC Offers Washington DC
Trip and Scholarship Oppotunities
2018 Washington Youth Tour Details
  • All expenses paid, week-long trip to Washington D.C.
  • Open to sophomores and juniors. 
  • Students who live in one of the 14 counties we serve are eligible to enter.
  • The students are not required to live in residence served by CGEMC.
This week-long tour of Washington, D.C., will take place June 7-14, 2018.  The deadline for applications is February 8, 2018. 
Additional information and applications can be found at  https://www.cgemc.com/content/washington-youth-tour 
See a video of tour highlights by clicking below.
 
Central Georgia EMC Customers are invited to apply for the Walter Harrison Scholarship application which is available online for seniors at  https://www.cgemc.com/content/walter-g-harrison-scholarship. 
Did Your Student get a New Device Recently?
Did your student get a new digital device recently?  If your student is using the device at school, then the device needs to be registered with our school system. You can do that through this Google Form. This includes Apple Watches and other smart watches.  Individual teachers determine how technology is used in the classroom, and students are to respect when technology is appropriate for use.  As we approach testing season this spring, this is a reminder personal technology (including smartwatches) are not permitted during state testing events such as the End of Course or End of Grade assessments.


Please contact your student's school to set up an appointment and/or learn more about Parent Night on Thursday, February 15.


Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Six Ways to Fend Off the Flu This Season
Flu is no fun, especially for kids. Symptoms like high-grade fevers, chills, headaches, runny nose, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and sore throat can sideline children for days at a time. The flu also has potential to develop into pneumonia - an infection of lungs - without proper rest and care.
Thankfully, there's plenty parents can do to keep children from being one of millions who get sick with flu each year, starting with these six tips.
1. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot. Making sure your child and everyone who cares for him/her gets an annual flu shot is one of the best ways to help everyone stay flu-free. Influenza vaccine, which should be given every year to offer up-to-date protection, helps your child build up antibodies to flu virus, protecting him from getting sick. Some children younger than 8 years will need two flu shots, 1 month apart, if this is their first year to receive flu vaccine.
2. Make hand-hygiene a priority. Before and after eating, after playing on the playground, after using the restroom, after coming home from school, after touching your mouth or nose - hand-hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop spread of germs. Have your child use soap and warm water, and make sure he lathers up for about 20 seconds (or the time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice) You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to keep little hands clean.
3. Beef up your child's immune system. A strong immune system is a great defense against any type of illness, including flu. To give your child's immunity a boost, make sure he gets enough sleep at night (usually between 8-10 hours), eats a well-rounded diet full of fruits and veggies, and gets around an hour of physical activity each day.
4. Steer clear of other sick children as much as possible. When kids are in close quarters (on the bus, on the playground, in the classroom, in the locker room after practice) it's easy to spread germs. And if your child does get sick, keep him home until he's fever-free for at least 24 hours. Also, babies and the elderly are especially susceptible to flu virus, so avoid any close contact with those populations, too, if your child gets sick.
5. Keep non-toxic disinfectant handy.  Sometimes, as hard as we try, our kids still manage to become little magnets for germs. In addition to making sure hands stay clean, it's important make sure hard surfaces in your home or classroom stay germ-free as well. During cold and flu season, it's a good idea to regularly disinfect counter tops, doorknobs, hard and soft toys, bed sheets, backpacks, lunchboxes, desks and athletic equipment.
6. Follow respiratory etiquette. This means teaching your child to cough and sneeze into their elbow instead of hands, and to follow hand-hygiene tips mentioned above after disposing of used tissues. While it's important to keep the environment clean, respiratory etiquette is more important when it comes to preventing transmission of flu.
This content is general information and is not specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the health of a child. In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
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 2018. All Rights Reserved.