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.
Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools

MCBOE Recognizes MCMS Students and Staff
At the January meeting, the Monroe County Middle School Robotics Team, Star Warriors,  were Grand Champions at the Middle Georgia State University Regional Competition in December.  With the win, the team has a bid to the Starbase Robin's Super Regional Competition in Warner Robins on January 26.  Go StarWarriors!
Congratulations MCMS student Anna Woodgeard!  She won first place at the county level, first place at the district level, and first place at the state level for the Lion's Club Peace Poster Competition.
Congratulations to MCMS student Gabriella Miller!  She is representing Monroe County Schools by serving on the State Superintendent's Advisory Board.
Congratulations to MCMS student Samantha Fussell!  She recently won third place at the State Junior Beta Convention in Savannah.  

Thank you Monroe County Middle School staff members for your years of service to Monroe County Schools.  Five years:  Annie Dyke, Hannah Grossman, Laura Nelson, LaKeisha Walker, Greta Beach, Cornell Walker.  Ten years:  Terri Jones, Christina Rogers.  Fifteen years:  Sherondah Strode, Mattie Hammond.  Twenty years:  Mary Cunningham. 
MCBOE Recognizes Transportation Staff
Monroe County Schools Transportation Team members were recognized by the Board of Education Tuesday evening.  Jessica Knight was recognized for earning her third party CDL Examiner's Certification through the Georgia Department of Drivers Services. 
Wes Brock, Special Education Bus Driver, was recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty for comforting and aiding a special needs student in the fall. 

Transportation Team members were recognized for their years of service.  Five years:  James Cobb, Meagan Delucia, Sandra Howard, Melvin Jones, Lynn Melton, Emma Mullis, and Roger Williams.  Ten years:  Connie White.  Fifteen years:  Lori Hampshire, Tina Ivey.  Twenty-five years:  Lesli Hart, Katherine Hughley.  Vernelle Carter was recognized for 45 years of continuous service to Monroe County Schools.  Thank you, Transportation Team members, for your years of service to Monroe County Schools.
MCBOE Welcomes New Member, Greg Head
 The Monroe County Board of Education conducted its first meeting of the 2019 year with a new member.  Greg Head, a longtime Monroe County resident, was elected to District Three.  Mr. Head and his wife, Michelle, have five children.  The Heads own Head Heating and Air. 

The Monroe County Board of Education consists of (l-r) J. P. Evans, Jr. Vice Chairman, District One; Stuart Pippin, District Six; Dr. Priscilla Doster, District Two; Judy Pettigrew, District Four; Greg Head, District Three; Eva Bilderback, District Seven; Nolen Howard, Chairman, District Five.



MOPS of Macon/Forsyth Provides Funds
to Back Pack Buddies Program

Thank you MOPS of Macon/Forsyth for providing a $500 check to support the Monroe County Schools Back Pack Buddies Program.  Ms. Gwen Byrd, Monroe County Schools Family Services Coordinator, is pictured receiving the check from Annabeth Shepard, MOPS representative, and Holly Hamlin, MP Counselor. 
 
The Back Pack Buddies Program provides nonperishable food, toiletries, books, and educational supplies to needy Monroe County Schools' students. If you organization would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please contact gwen.byrd@mcschools.org.





Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses: 
Is It a Cold or the Flu?
Your child has a sore throat,  cough , and high fever. Could it be  the flu ? Or just a  cold ?
The flu usually makes kids feel worse than if they have a cold. But it's not always easy to tell the difference between the two. Here are tips on what to look for - and what to do.
Answer these questions to see if your child has the flu or a cold:
Flu vs. Colds: A Guide to Symptoms
Questions Flu Cold
Did the illness come on suddenly? Yes No
Does your child have a high fever? Yes No 
 
(or fever is mild)
Is your child's energy level very low? Yes No
Is your child's head achy? Yes No
Is your child's appetite less than normal? Yes No
Are your child's muscles achy? Yes No
Does your child have chills? Yes No
If most of your answers are "yes," chances are your child has the flu. If your answers are mostly "no," it's probably a cold.
If you have any doubts, it's best to call the doctor. An illness that seems like a cold can turn out to be the flu. And other illnesses, like  strep throat  or  pneumonia , can seem like the flu. Even doctors sometimes need to do a test to know for sure if a child has the flu or a cold.   It's important to get medical care right away if your child:
  • seems to be getting worse
  • has trouble breathing
  • has a high fever 
  • has a bad headache 
  • has a sore throat 
  • seems confused
Most of the time, you can care for your child at home with plenty of liquids, rest, and comfort. Even healthy children can struggle with the flu. But some kids - like those younger than 5 or kids with  asthma  - are more likely to have problems if they get the flu. In some cases, a doctor might prescribe an antiviral medicine to lessen flu symptoms.   What Can Parents Do?
  • Prevention is the best medicine. Make sure that everyone in your family gets a flu vaccine every year.
  • Teach your kids good hand washing habits to help stop the spread of flu.
  • If your child has asthma or another illness, call your doctor right away if your child shows signs of the flu. The doctor might need to give your child antiviral medicines, which only work when children start taking them within 48 hours of when flu symptoms start.

Through Overdrive, Monroe County Schools provides access to 1000s of ebooks and audiobooks for free.  Students can download the FREE Overdrive/Sora app or they can read/listen to books for FREE through their internet browser of choice. For assistance, students can reach out to the school's media specialist.  Happy Reading! 




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.