Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
MCS Superintendent Shares Message with You
Monroe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman shared an email with all school staff on Friday, March 16.  Here is the text of that message.
During the past several weeks, you have most likely read and/or heard news stories, questions, speculation, criticism and innuendo about the situation surrounding the use of a substitute teacher with a concerning criminal background.  Hopefully, this message will deliver information to answer many of the things that have been said.
First and foremost - regardless of what you read this week in our local newspaper - there are NO efforts underway by our District Attorney to call for a grand jury investigation or an outside probe in this matter.  This news comes directly from the District Attorney Jonathan Adams who said, in an email to me, that the newspaper contained "A lot of information in the article that is out of context, and I apologize if it reflects poorly on the school." 
Mr. Adams further states that he has looked into the legal matters related to this substitute and understands that, based on the information the school system had at the time of hire, how this substitute was eligible for this position.  A court order, signed by a Superior Court Judge and filed in the Bibb County Clerk of Court's office, contained the following language:
·         The defendant be discharged without court adjudication of guilt;
·         That this discharge shall completely exonerate the defendant of any criminal purpose;
·         That this discharge shall not affect any of said defendant's civil rights or liberties;
·         The defendant shall not be considered to have a criminal conviction; and
·         This discharge may not be used to disqualify a person in any application for employment or appointment to office in either the public or private sector.
According to Mr. Adams, who has looked into this matter along with Monroe County Sheriff John Cary Bittick, this court order did not contain the required language from Official Code of Georgia 42-8-63.1 (the First Offender Act) and therefore was not a proper order.  However, when it was signed by a judge and filed in court, it did become a binding order.  Mr. Adams and Sheriff Bittick are currently working with state officials to determine how and why this improper order was made and to ensure that protocols are made to prevent this from happening again.
Please know that during this entire process, I and my administrative team have closely followed the advice of our legal counsel, and we have cooperated with local law enforcement officials and with our District Attorney.  Never was there intent by anyone in the school system administration to knowingly put someone in a classroom who could potentially endanger any of our children. Hindsight is valuable, and knowing then what we know now about the improper court order, this person would not have been placed in Monroe County's substitute pool.  Our focus now is to move ahead; to work with officials in correcting what was a serious legal mistake so neither our nor any other school system falls victim to a similar situation; and to review and change as necessary our own protocols and policies. 
Over the past few weeks, your central office administrative team has been subjected to criticisms, allegations, and even harassment from members of the community who believed they knew the whole story.  While personally hurtful to us as individuals, sadly this is an expected aspect of our jobs.  We are fine.  But this has also proven harmful to the school system's culture of cooperation and unity.  This has been felt by the members of the Board of Education and likely by you as our dedicated and valued staff.  For this we apologize.
The majority of our Board of Education remains confident and supportive of its administration.  I as Superintendent have confidence in the leadership of our Central Office administrative team.  Our focus is and always will be the safety and well-being of our children and of our dedicated employees.
I welcome your questions, your comments, and your concerns. Please see attachment (pictured below) from the District Attorney regarding the substitute teacher matter. Thanks for all you do, and have a great weekend! You deserve it!
Dr. Mike Hickman, Superintendent  Monroe County Schools 25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, Ga. 31029 Phone-  478-994-2031   Fax-  478-994-7064  

MCBOE Recognizes MP Students and Staff

At Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting, Mary Persons High School All State Band and All State Chorus members were recognized for their outstanding performance.  All State Band members are Zachary Potts, Rilyn McKallip, and Grant Pixley.     All State Chorus members are Sunny DeVane, Jeffrey Dunbar, Abby Hodges, Emily Joseph, Stephanie Nix, Naomi Sanders, Cayton Sink, Richard Smith, Emmy Tane, Beau Watson, and Leia Williams.   Students are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, Mary Persons High School Principal Dr. Jim Finch, and MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard.  
 
Mary Persons High School staff members were recognized for their years of service.  Five years:  Holly Hamlin, Charles Hernandez, Elizabeth Holloway, LaShasta Johnson, Lamon McElhaney, Greg Nix.  Ten years:  Dr. Jim Finch, Amanda Hightower, Jana Peacock, Charles Simmons, Stacey Weems.  Fifteen years:  Steve Speir.  They are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman and MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard.
MCBOE Recognizes Central Office Staff

Edgar Chambliss and Hank Grier were recognized for their service to Monroe County Schools. "There is no shortage of dedicated employees working for our school system.  Perhaps those who work behind the scenes are the most dedicated, because they often do their jobs unnoticed.  Edward Chambliss and Hank Grier are two of those "behind the scenes" people.  Edward has worked with us 12 years and Hank is in his fifth year.  Together they share the leadership duties on the system maintenance & grounds crew. Long before the athletes, coaches and spectators arrive, and long after they are gone, these two gentlemen, along with their crew, make sure our venues are clean and safe for all events.  When equipment has to be relocated from one campus to another, they become movers. When tiles need to be stripped and waxed, they become floor specialists. With nearly 450 acres of campuses, they are landscape specialists. When winter weather visits, they become early morning ice removal technicians.
Edward and Hank are valuable members of our school system family, not just for the work they perform, but for the way in which they do it.  We thank them for their quiet manner and dependable attention to details as we take tonight to offer a small amount of recognition for all they do."  They are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, Maintenance and Operations Coordinator Roger Onstott, MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, and Assistant Superintendent for Operations Jackson Daniel. 
Central Office employees were recognized for their years of service.  Five years:  Susan Curtis, Sarah Lynch, Lisa Singley, Hank Grier.  Ten years: Diane Czarnowsky, Jenny Rooks.  Twenty years:  Dr. Marcy Hunt-Harris, Samantha Mimbs, Serbrena Williams.
MCBOE Members Recognized for their Years of Service to Monroe County Schools
As part of School Board Member Appreciation month, Monroe County Board of Education members were recognized.  In addition to a certificate, a seat in the Monroe County Fine Arts Center was engraved to recognize each board member.  They are:  Stuart Pippin, one year; Eva Bilderback, eleven years; Phil Walker, 20 years; Nolen Howard, 26 years; Judy Pettigrew, nine years; J. P. Evans, 39 years; Dr. Priscilla Doster, elected November 2017. 


2018 Teacher of the Year Feature: 
Monroe County Middle School's Lakeisha Walker
We're featuring a different school's Teacher of the Year leading up to the April Board of Education meeting when this year's System Teacher of the Year is announced.  This week's feature is  Monroe County Middle School's Lakeisha Walker.  She is an eighth grade math teacher. 

Please share your personal education history. Where did you grow up? Where did you graduate from high school? Where did you go to college? What degree(s) earned?
I grew up in Culloden, Georgia and graduated from Mary Persons in 2008. I have the pleasure of working alongside teachers who taught me as a student. I attended Valdosta State University where I received my Bachelor's Degree in Middle Grades Education. I received my Master's from Walden University in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and I recently finished my specialist degree in Mathematics Education from Nova Southeastern University.

What is a funny memory or story you can share from your teaching experience?
During my first year of teaching, I was big on students not chewing gum in my classroom. One day, I noticed a student just chewing and chewing. I went over and asked him to spit out his gum. He continued chewing as if I was not talking to him. I asked him again. This time he replied, "Ms. Wyche (I wasn't married at the time), you said we couldn't chew gum, but you didn't say chicken." He proceeds to pull an entire chicken wing out of his mouth. I could not do anything by laugh! Who knows, it could have been his only meal for that day, so I let him finish his chicken.

How long have you been teaching and what have your teaching assignments been? (Grades and/or subjects taught.) How long have you been a part of Monroe County Schools? Have you taught anywhere else as well?
I have been teaching for 6 years. I have taught both 7th and 8th grade Math. This is my fifth year in Monroe County Schools. I spent my first year of teaching at Newbern Middle School in Valdosta, Georgia.

If you could provide one piece of advice to new teachers, what would you tell them?
My advice to new teachers would be to establish rules and procedures on day one and communicate them consistently throughout the school year. Without rules and procedures in place, there is no way successful learning can occur. I would also explain the importance of creating a relationship of respect and rapport with students. Students are more likely to cooperate and be motivated to learn when they know the teacher cares about them not only as a student, but as an individual as well.

What does it mean to you to be chosen as teacher of the year for your school?
It means so much to be chosen as Teacher of the Year for my school. It shows that my hard work and dedication to my students has not gone unnoticed. This has been the most rewarding, yet humbling, part of my career to date.

What's the most rewarding thing about teaching?
The most rewarding thing about teaching is changing a student's attitude from, "I've never been good at math," to "This has been my best year yet in math!" Getting students to see their full potential and ability to succeed in math is the most rewarding aspect of my job.

Why have you chosen to be a teacher?
My decision to become a teacher was inspired by a failing senior at Lowndes High School. I had the pleasure of being her mentor during her senior year. She was unmotivated due to watching all of her friends coast through their senior year, while she was making up missing credits. We set goals during our weekly meetings and developed action steps to help her achieve those goals. As the year progressed, I saw her attitude completely change towards graduating. As I sat at her graduation in May, tears rolled down my face uncontrollably, I knew then that teaching was definitely the route I needed to take. This was just confirmation.

Was there a teacher or administrator who influenced your occupation choice?
Graquetta Harris. In high school, she was not only my Chemistry teacher, but also became a second mom. She not only ensured that we were equipped with all of the skills and knowledge to pass Chemistry, but life in general as well. The relationships she developed with me and other students made her a role model to many.

Share about your family and your life outside of school. Hobbies? Interests?
I am married to my husband, Terry Walker, for four years. We have a two year old daughter named Laiyah. My hobbies outside of school include spending time with my family and friends and crafting.

What does the future hold for you in education?
In the future, I plan to add on another degree in educational leadership and advance into positions outside of the classroom.



MP Band Auxiliary Tryouts Are Next Week
March 26-30, 2018 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. Mary Persons High School Gym  
There will be a transfer bus available.


MP and MCMS Cheer Tryouts Upcoming

Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses: 
Spring Time is Snake Time
Warmer weather is the beginning of snakebite season, usually sooner than people expect. Copperhead snakes are related to rattlesnakes and cottonmouth or water moccasins. Their bites can be painful and may require treatment with antivenin. Victims are expected to recover, though full recovery can take weeks. Coral snake bites generally don't cause severe symptoms right away; victims are expected to recover, but it might take a while.
Many snake bites occur around people's homes, when snakes are defending themselves from perceived threat. You don't have to be a hiker, camper, climber, or swimmer to encounter snakes. A girl was bitten on her foot when she went outside at dusk to put her bicycle away. A man was bitten on his toe when he went onto his deck to cover the hot tub. A woman was bitten in her garage, another in her basement.
How can you prevent bites like this?
  • Remember, snakes would rather leave you alone! Give them a chance! Look where you walk and look before you reach or grab something hidden. Turn on lights if it's dark.
  • Wear shoes when you go outdoors. In several of these bites, people went outdoors in bare feet or sandals, often in darkness.
If someone is bitten by a snake:
  • DON'T panic. Snakebites can be treated, and bites generally are less dangerous than many people assume.
  • DON'T risk another bite by trying to capture or kill the snake. If you can take a picture or describe the snake, that's good but not essential.
  • DON'T use old first aid remedies: no tourniquet, no ice, no electric shocks, no cutting the wound and sucking out venom. None of these "treatments" help and most of them make things worse.
  • DO keep the person quiet and still.
  • DO keep the arm or leg (usual sites for snakebite) at the level of the heart.
  • DO remove any jewelry, watches, and tight clothing from the bite area.
  • DO wash the area gently with soap and water.
Call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222. Local experts in treating snakebites are there. They will help you figure out if the bite is from a poisonous or non-poisonous snake. They will tell you what to do next based on symptoms. If you have to go to an emergency room, they will connect you to 911 dispatch. They will call the emergency room and work with doctors so you'll get the right treatment. If you need antivenin, they will work with other hospital staff to be sure you get the right amount. They will stay in touch with you at home until the bite is healed, and you feel better.
Poisonous snakes don't always inject venom when they bite, and many snakebites are from non-poisonous snakes. Be sure to call Poison Control promptly if someone is bitten. You may be able to avoid a trip to the emergency room altogether.
https://www.poison.org/articles/2010-mar/snakebites-in-march


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.