Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
MCBOE Recognizes MP Students and Staff
Mary Persons High School's Brycen Young was recognized at Tuesday night's Board of Education Meeting. He is pictured with MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, and MP Principal Dr. Jim Finch. Brycen Young, Class of 2019, recently placed 6th at the state wrestling tournament. The significance of this honor is he is the first wrestler in MPHS history to place at the state tournament. This is MP 4th year having a wrestling program.  Pictured below are MP Wrestling Coaches Barron Hamlin and Douglas Fletcher along with Dr. Finch, Mr. Howard, and Dr. Hickman.
Zachary Potts and Rilyn McKallip (not pictured) were recognized for earning All State Band honors for all four years of high school.  Zach is pictured with MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, and MP Principal Dr. Jim Finch.
Mary Persons High School staff members were recognized for their years of service.   Five years:  Dan Burdette, Susan Little, Llonisha McElhaney, Ashley McIntosh, Reye McLuen, Eric Thompson.  Ten years:  Lori Greenway, Robert Lindsey, Dr. Sarah Williams.  Fifteen years:  Tasha Burston, Kristy Calhoun, Marcy Sanders, Bill Waldrep.  25 years:  Charles Chambliss.  30 years:  Leonard Battle.  
 
MCBOE Board Member Appreciation Week
All Board of Education Members were recognized for their support and guidance to the school system for the boys and girls of Monroe County.  J. P. Evans, Jr. - 40 years (1979); Nolen Howard - 27 years (1992); Eva Bilderback - 12 years (2006); Judy Pettigrew - 10 years (2008); Stuart Pippin - 2 years (2016); Priscilla Grant Doster - 1 year (2017); Greg Head - (2019). 
Central Office Staff Members Recognized
Patrick Hamilton, in his role as System Fine Arts Events Coordinator, has made an impact both on the school system and on the community.  A community patron who attends most events in the Fine Arts Center has praised him for the work he does representing the school system.  We appreciate all Patrick contributes to our Fine Arts Programs.  He is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, and Assistant Superintendent Jackson Daniel.  

Central Office staff members were recognized for their years of service.  Five years:  Lakeisha Calloway, Nate Caslin.  Fifteen years:  Pandy Horton, Janet Howard, Ronnie Shipman.  Twenty years:  Cindy Seymour, Wanda Skinner.  They are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, Assistant Superintendent Jackson Daniel, and MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard. 
Meet Daphene Coleman,
Monroe County Middle Teacher of the Year
Meet Daphene Coleman, Monroe County Middle School's Teacher of the Year!  She is an eighth grade math teacher.  She grew up in Macon, and she graduated from Central High School in Macon.  She holds a Bachelors of Science in Middle Grades Education from Middle Georgia State University; a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Accomplished Teaching from Georgia Southern University; and she holds an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College.
 
What is a funny memory or story you can share from your teaching experience?
One year, my students created their own lesson plan from no more than two standards taught in the school year. One group of four created a lesson on statistical and non-statistical questions. At the start of their lesson, the leading student reviewed the rules and procedures and stated the essential question in my teacher voice which was hilarious! It just comes to show how much your students pay attention to everything you do! It was such a joy to give them complete control and see how they handle a full lesson...and also funny!
 
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 7 years. I taught 6th grade mathematics (2 years), 7th grade mathematics (2 years), 8th grade mathematics (3 years), 6th grade Social Science (1 year), and 8th Grade Georgia Studies (1 year). I have been a part of Monroe County Schools for four years now. I taught for three years in Bibb County Schools.
 
If you could provide one piece of advice to new teachers, what would you tell them?
My advice would be to always remember your "why."  It is so imperative to discover and know your reason for educating. Our future generation needs strong effective educators to lead students to success and your role is key in their lives. Start out as you mean to continue. Don't allow today what you will not allow tomorrow. Implement C.A.R.E. daily: be competent, accountable, reflective, and engaging.
 
What does it mean to you to be chosen as teacher of the year for your school?
Earning the title of teacher of the year for Monroe County Middle School is more than just a title, but an honor. I am blessed to work alongside some of the most dedicated, hardworking staff I know! I am pleased to know my colleagues see me as an educator who goes above and beyond the call of duty and makes an impact in the school and community. It still seems unreal because I consider myself to be a lifelong learner, still aspiring to be like other educators.
 
What's your favorite memory involving your teaching?
I love my annual egg hunt! Starting three years ago, I orchestrated an annual egg hunt in preparation for the Georgia Milestones assessment. Since testing is towards Easter time, it was perfect! I would fill plastic eggs with jelly beans and test prep questions and place them on the soccer field. The students will work to build teams and determine strategies for answering questions. The students are paired within their groups. One student is blind folded and both students are tied together by the knee. The key is for the student who is not blindfolded to guide their teammate to finding as many eggs as they can before time is up! The activity teaches them team building skills while also having fun and expressing their knowledge of content in a different way! These memories are indeed my favorite because I shake up classroom routine and discover new and exciting ways to teach and learn.
 
What's the most challenging thing about teaching?
The most challenging thing about teaching would be time. Teachers in Monroe County and dedicated and willing to go above and beyond the call of duty for their students. Providing the absolute best for our students is imperative to all of us and effective lessons take extended time. Although time may seem limited at times, we always make it work!
 
What's the most rewarding thing about teaching?
The most rewarding aspect of teaching is being able to influence the future in a positive light. Every teacher is responsible for shaping the future generation. Teachers provide such a massive influence on those they teach, enabling them to become well-rounded citizens. I love to create innovative exciting lessons that not only review the curriculum, but teaches the students about resilience and good habits.
 
Why have you chosen to be a teacher?
I chose to be a teacher from the inspiration of my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Doss and my mother, Lisa Solomon. Both women were truly effective teachers who cared about their students and their outcomes. I consider my middle school years to be the most awkward of my grade school time. I wanted to teach middle school to change the perception and show students how fun learning can still be once they leave the elementary level.
 
Was there a teacher or administrator who influenced your occupation choice?
Mrs. Jennifer Doss had a lasting impact on my career choice. Not only was she an excellent educator, but she was an overall great person who cared for the well being of her students. She ensured that all of her students were in good standing in all aspects of their lives and made learning interesting. There was never a dull moment in her class!
 
Share about your family and your life outside of school. Hobbies? Interests?
My immediate family consists of my beautiful mother Lisa Solomon, my hardworking father Desmond Coleman, my wonderful sister DeLisha Coleman, and my great stepfather John Solomon. I also have a child named Mocha who is a Porkie (Pekingese-Yorkie mix). I love shopping, reading, and being involved in service projects with my church. I also enjoy DIY projects, cooking, and watching movies.
 
What does the future hold for you in education?
God is in complete control of my future. With the Lord's blessing, I hope to continue in the classroom and eventually grow into a curriculum/math coach position or specialize in math improvement. I love being a product of change and indulging into professional development to strengthen my involvement in the education profession.
 
Ms. Coleman is pictured below with Monroe County Middle School Principal Dr. Efrem Yarber.  
Congratulations Winners of Regional Young Georgia Author Competition
Congratulations to all of our Young Georgia Authors district winners who competed at the Middle Georgia RESA regional competition.  We had four students who placed at the RESA competition.  We also have one student, Salena Sallywhite, who will advance to state competition.  This is quite an accomplishment and a testament to the strong focus and emphasis our schools have on literacy and writing.  All students listed below will be recognized at our May 14th Board of Education Meeting.   

MCBOE Amends 19-20 School Year Calendar
At Tuesday's meeting, the Board of Education approved the recommendation to revise the Fall Break dates in the 2019-2020 calendar. Fall Break will now be observed on Friday, October 18, 2019 and Monday, October 21, 2019. The original dates for Fall Break were Friday, October 11, 2019 and Monday, October 14, 2019. This amended 2019-2020 calendar has been shared on the system and school websites.   
MP Trio and Dramatic Interpretation are State Literary Meet Silver Medalists
Congratulations MP's State Literary Team!  They competed at the GHSA AAAA State Literary Competition on Saturday. Congratulations to Abby Hodges, Emily Joseph, and Stephanie Nix for winning the State 1 st runner up title in State Girl's Trio.  Congratulations to Chase Hester for winning the State 1 st runner up title in Dramatic Interpretation.  Congratulations to Abby Hodges for placing 3 rd in State Humorous Interpretation.  See Wednesday's MP Bulldog Beat for more details! Students are pictured with MP literary team coaches Charles Hernandez and Holly Spires.


Message from Monroe County Schools Transportation Team:  Weekly Safety Reminder
The danger zone is the 12-foot area (6 giant steps) around the bus that is most dangerous for students. Students should always stay out of the danger zone and in the direct view of their school bus driver.  

 

MP Spring Sports:  Tennis Team Update
The MP Tennis team traveled to Gray on Thursday afternoon to take on Jones County. The boys emerged with a 3-2 victory, but the girls fell 2-3. Winners for the boys included Micah and Preston Wilson at singles, and the team of Brandon Carter/Carter Justice for doubles. Winners for the girls included Jackie Gore at singles and the team of Karsin Bass/Lauren DeFore for doubles. Both girls and boys now have a record of 7-2, 3-0 in the region. Our next match will be on Tuesday at West Laurens. Go DOGS!


Public Notice: 
Destruction of Old Special Education Records
The Monroe County Public School will be destroying old Special Education records in July 2019. The records scheduled to be destroyed are for persons who were served in special education and born in 1997. If you desire to have your records, please contact the Department of Instructional Student Support 478-994-2031 x1604 or x1605.  Records not picked up by August 1, 2019 will be destroyed.


March is Read Aloud Month:
Take Time to Read Together

Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses: Caring For Your Child's Ears
What Are Ears and What Do They Do?
The ear is made up of three different sections working together to collect sounds and send them to the brain: outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.
The Outer Ear
Outer ear is made up of pinna - also called auricle (OR-ih-kul) - and ear canal. Pinna is the part of ear you see on the side of your head and is made of tough cartilage covered by skin. Its main job is to gather sounds and funnel them to the ear canal, which is the pathway leading to middle ear. Glands in skin lining the ear canal produce earwax, which protects the canal by cleaning out dirt and helping to prevent infections.
The Middle Ear
Middle ear is an air-filled cavity turning sound waves into vibrations and delivering to inner ear. Middle ear is separated from outer ear by eardrum, or tympanic membrane, a thin piece of tissue stretched tight across the ear canal. Sounds hit the eardrum, causing it to move.
This movement leads to vibrations of three very small bones in the middle ear known as ossicles (AH-sih-kuls) . Ossicles are:
  • the malleus (MAH-lee-us) ("hammer"), which is attached to the eardrum
  • the incus (IN-kus) ("anvil"), which is attached to the malleus
  • the stapes (STAY-peez) ("stirrup"), which is attached to the incus and is the smallest bone in the body
To hear properly, pressure on both sides of eardrum must be equal. When you go up or down in elevation, air pressure changes, and you may feel a popping sensation as ears adjust. Ears adjust due to the narrow Eustachian (yoo-STAY-she-en) tube that connects middle ear to back of the nose and acts as a sort of pressure valve, so pressure stays balanced on both eardrum sides.
 Inner Ear
Vibrations from the middle ear change into nerve signals in inner ear. Inner ear includes cochlea (KOH-klee-uh) and semicircular canals.The snail-shaped cochlea changes vibrations from middle ear into nerve signals. These signals travel to the brain along the cochlear nerve, also known as the auditory nerve.
The semicircular canals look like three tiny, connected tubes. It's their job to help you balance. Canals are filled with fluid and lined with tiny hairs. When your head moves,  fluid in canals sloshes around, moving hairs. Hairs send this position information as signals through vestibular nerve to your brain. The brain interprets these signals and sends messages to muscles to help keep balanced.
When you spin around and stop, the reason you feel dizzy is because fluid in your semicircular canals continues to slosh around for awhile, giving your brain the idea you're still spinning even when you aren't. When fluid stops moving, dizziness goes away.
How Can I Keep My Child's Ears Healthy?
Teach kids not to stick things like cotton swabs and fingernails into ears. Doing so can scratch the ear canal, push earwax deeper into the ear, and even rupture the eardrum. If your child is bothered by earwax, talk to your doctor.
Teach kids to protect hearing by paying attention to the noise levels they're exposed to. Have them turn down the volume on video games, TVs, and, phones. Make sure they take hearing protection (like earplugs or protective earmuffs/headphones) when they'll be around  loud noises (at a concert, car race, etc.).
If you can hear sounds when your child has on earbuds or headphones, then the sound is too loud! 
If your child has any trouble hearing, reach out to your doctor. Treating hearing loss early can limit the damage.
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD Date reviewed: February 2019
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ears.html?WT.ac=ctg#catears 


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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.