Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School today became Georgia's newest STEM Certified school, joining an elite list of just 37 elementary schools across Georgia with the achievement.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Certification, awarded by the Georgia Department of Education, recognizes schools that embrace the challenge of doing an exceptional job providing students with STEM learning opportunities.

"We are extremely proud of the dedication of the Hubbard Elementary School staff, students, and stakeholders," said Principal Jay Johnston. "Achieving STEM certification is truly a testament to our commitment to excellence.  More importantly, we are thrilled with the long-term positive impact of STEM teaching and learning on student achievement."

Mr. Johnston commended the work of his instructional staff, along with the support of Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, the Central Office Staff, and System STEM Coach Susan Curtis, in making the STEM Certification happen.  "The road to STEM Certification has been paved by the teachers at Hubbard Elementary. Their dedication and commitment has led the way for Hubbard to become the first STEM certified school in Monroe County and in the surrounding counties."

The Georgia DOE defines STEM as an integrated curriculum (as opposed to the four areas being taught in isolation) that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory project/problem-based learning, and student-centered development of ideas and solutions.  

To earn STEM certification, school must navigate a rigorous application process that includes site visits by state officials, evidence of teacher collaboration, business and industry partnerships, high levels of math and science instruction, and an integrated, project-based STEM curriculum.  Once certification is achieved, a school must re-certify every five years.   http://stemgeorgia.org/

On Thursday, the Monroe County Middle School baseball team concluded the season as region champs!  Congratulations to MCMS athletes, coaches, and families!

We are wearing purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices on Friday, April 27. Wearing purple is a visible way to show support and thank military youth for their strength and sacrifices. Purple indicates that all branches of the military are supported; Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue all thought to combine together as a single color, purple.
Read more: https://militarybenefits.info/month-of-the-military-child/#ixzz5Cq77n700

Testing time is approaching, and we look forward to partnering with our families during this time of the year.  Parents, you can help your child by making sure your student gets to school on time after having a healthy breakfast.  Remember, we also serve breakfast in all of our cafeterias as well.  It's important that your child be at school every day, and testing time is no different.  We need your student here and r eady to test each day.  Adequate rest does make a difference!  Make sure your child has a consistent bedtime routine with healthy sleep habits encouraged.  Reschedule appointments and make sure your student comes comfortably dressed each day in compliance with dress codes.    Have conversations about the test with your student.  Make sure to discuss the tests openly and in a positive way with your student. Encourage your child to give his or her best, but don't pressure.  Reassure by telling your child you are proud when they give their best effort.    If your child experiences test-taking anxiety, remind them these are normal feelings.  Help them to remember to take deep breaths and think positive thoughts about the process. Have realistic expectations about your child's performance.  Emphasize the test is only one measure of academic performance, and you love your child regardless of the results.     Go over some test-taking tips with your student.  Remind them to follow all written and verbal directions carefully.  They are to read each question carefully.  They should identify key words.  Georgia Milestones may have more than one correct answer on some questions, and this is new this year, so attention to detail will be important for your student.  It's important the student reads each question very carefully without getting stuck on a single question.  Cell phones are not allowed in the testing area during Georgia Milestones End of Grade and End of Course tests.

Proof of residency documentation will be collected via the Infinite Campus Online Registration (OLR) Application beginning May 1, 2018.  Parents are encouraged to upload their proof of residency documents as soon as the window opens to save a trip this summer.  With the upcoming renovation of central office, we will have very limited face-to-face proof of residency collection, and parents/guardians are encouraged to complete the process online. To complete this process you will need to:

 Monroe County Middle School classes of

Due to several close calls for the crossing guard at the intersection of Thornton Road and Charles Way, the traffic flow is changing. There will be more space between the crossing guard and passing vehicles. The county road department has made a temporary fix until a more permanent solution can be scheduled with a lane marking company. During peak traffic hours in the mornings and evenings, several traffic cones will be placed at a slight angle for traffic traveling south toward Hwy 41S.  Please use caution and pay special attention when driving on this road.

The Monroe County Public School will be destroying old Special Education records in July 2018. The records scheduled to be destroyed are for persons who were served in special education and born in 1996. 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, 2018 will be destroyed.

On Monday, April 30, 2018 Mary Persons High School will be offering physicals for all student-athletes interested in participating in athletics.  The cost of the physical is $10.  All student-athletes are required to have a physical in order to participate in athletics.  The physicals will be held at James P. Evans Gymnasium on the campus of Mary Persons High School.  In order for the process to run as smoothly as possible, please adhere to the following times:

About 1 out of 10 people may have a seizure in his or her lifetime. Get seizure smart and learn how to help! bit.ly/2ou80dI

There are many types of seizures. Most seizures last for a few minutes. Here are general steps to help someone who is having any type seizure:

• Stay with the person until the seizure ends and the person is fully awake. After it ends, help the person sit in a safe place. Once they are alert and able to communicate, tell them what happened in very plain terms.
• Comfort the person and speak calmly.
• Keep yourself and other people calm.
• Check to see if the person is wearing a medical bracelet or other emergency information.

When most people think of a seizure, they think of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, also called a grand mal seizure. In this type of seizure, the person may cry out, fall, shake or jerk, and become unaware of what's going on around them.

Here are things you can do to help someone who is having that type of seizure: