Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
If you have a rising PK or K student entering Monroe County Schools for the first time or if you know a parent who has a rising PK or K student coming in 19-20, please note our enrollment dates are upcoming.  PK spots fill quickly, so please help us spread the word that PK and first time in our system K registration process is in February.  If you have questions about the process, you can connect with Cindy Seymour, System Registrar at cindy.seymour@mcschools.org.
MCBOE Has Winter Work Session
The Monroe County Board of Education met for its annual winter work session on Saturday.  In addition to addressing their code of ethics and operational assurances, the group focused on school safety including bus safety.  You can read MCBOE agendas, minutes, policies, and regulations at our Simbli/eBoard Portal located at https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/index.aspx?s=4117.



Message from Monroe County Schools Transportation Team:  Weekly Safety Reminder
 
 
When waiting for the school bus to arrive, students should stand at least 12 feet away from traffic in a safe place.
 
Students should always be aware of their surroundings when getting on or off the school bus. Look for anything that seems out of place and let the bus driver or parent know.
 
 












Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  What You Need to Know About Measles
What Is Measles?
Measles is a very contagious respiratory infection causing total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. Measles is rare in the US thanks to widespread immunization, but 20 million cases happen worldwide every year.
Measles (also called rubeola) is caused by a  virus, so there is no specific medical treatment for it. The virus has to run its course. A child who is sick should drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest, and stay home from school or daycare to prevent spreading the infection.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Measles?
The first symptoms of a measles infection are usually hacking cough, runny nose, high  fever, and red eyes. Kids also may have Koplik's spots (small red spots with blue-white centers) inside the mouth before the rash starts.
The rash breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms start, sometimes along with a high fever up to 104°F (40°C). The red or reddish-brown rash usually begins as flat red spots on the forehead. It spreads to the rest of the face, then down the neck and torso to the arms, legs, and feet. The fever and rash slowly go away after a few days.
Is Measles Contagious?
Measles is very contagious. In fact, 9 out of 10 people who aren't vaccinated for measles will get it if they are near an infected person.
How Do People Get Measles?
Measles spreads when people breathe in or have direct contact with virus-infected fluid. It can pass through droplets sprayed into the air when someone with measles sneezes or coughs. Someone exposed to the virus usually shows symptoms 7-14 days later.
People with measles can spread the disease from 4 days before the rash starts until about 4 days after that. They're most contagious while they have a fever, runny nose, and cough. Those with weakened immune systems due to other conditions (like  HIV and AIDS) can spread the measles virus until they recover.
How Is Measles Treated?
There is no specific medical treatment for measles. To help manage symptoms:
  • give your child plenty of fluids
  • encourage extra rest
  • give a non-aspirin fever medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if a fever makes your child uncomfortable. Never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness, as such use is linked to Reye syndrome.
Kids with measles should be closely watched by a doctor. In some cases, measles can lead to other problems, such as:
Children with measles should be kept away from others for 4 days after their rash appears. For those with a weakened immune system, this should continue until they make a full recovery and all symptoms are gone.
How Long Does Measles Last?
A measles infection can last for several weeks. Symptoms usually start 7-14 days after someone is exposed to the virus.
Can Measles Be Prevented?
The best way to protect your kids is to make sure they're  immunized against measles.
For most kids, measles protection is part of the  measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR)or measles-mumps-rubella- varicella vaccine (MMRV) given when they're 12 to 15 months old and again when they're 4 to 6 years old.
It's important for all kids who can get the vaccine to get it on schedule. At-risk people (such as those with weakened immune systems) can't get the vaccine and depend on "herd immunity." This is when a lot of people are immunized against a disease, which prevents it from spreading and helps prevent outbreaks.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call the doctor right away if you think that your child has measles. Also call if your child was around someone who has measles, especially if your child:
  • is an infant
  • is taking medicines that suppress the immune system
  • has tuberculosis, cancer, or a disease that affects the immune system
Why Is Vaccination Important?
Before measles vaccination was available, every year in the U.S.:
  • more than 500,000 cases were reported
  • about 500 people died
  • around 4,000 people developed encephalitis
Widespread immunization has made measles rare in the U.S., but outbreaks do still happen:
  • In 2017, 118 people were reported to have measles.
  • During the first 4 months of 2018, 63 people were diagnosed with measles.
Most of the people who got measles were not vaccinated.
At highest risk during a measles outbreak are:
  • infants who aren't old enough to get the vaccine
  • pregnant women
  • people with poor nutrition or weakened immune systems
Doctors can give an injection of measles antibodies (called immune globulin) to at-risk people who are exposed to measles. It's most effective when given within 6 days of contact. These antibodies can either prevent measles or make symptoms less severe.
The measles vaccine may help protect women who are not pregnant and people not in an at-risk group if they get it within 72 hours of measles exposure.





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.