Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
Parents:  We Appreciate Your Responses to the GADOE School Climate Survey
The Georgia Department of Education Parent Survey is now open for responses. 
The Georgia Parent Survey contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. Data from the survey will be used as part of calculations of School Climate Star Rating for your student's school. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey .
 
MP Bulldogs are 8-0! It's Homecoming Week!
The Bulldogs traveled to Dexter on Friday night to defeat West Laurens 52-14. The Dogs move to 8-0 on the season. Homecoming is this week against Perry.  

Competition Cheer Dogs Win Again!
Competition Cheer Dogs came out on top again at Saturday's event at Union Grove High School.  Congratulations to the teams, coaches, and their families.
Southern Rivers Energy Awards Four Bright Ideas Grants to Monroe County Schools Teachers
Thank you to our partners at Southern Rivers Energy.  The Southern Rivers Energy  Bright   Ideas  Brigade visited classrooms to provide funds, flowers, and a goodie bag to four teachers last week.  At Monroe County Middle School, Instructional Coach Christina Chapman was awarded a $1000 grant to support an upcoming parent-student STEM night. At KB Sutton Elementary School, Sallie Speir received a grant for $856 for summer enrichment for students.  TGS and System Teacher of the Year Tamarkis Taylor was awarded an $856 grant to support enrichment for students. Hubbard Elementary's Brittany Pate also received a grant in the amount of $856 to support student enrichment as well.  All of the grants were courtesy of the Southern Rivers Energy Operation Roundup Initiative which customers contribute to by rounding up their energy bills to the nearest dollar.

MCMS Bulldog Football:  Ready for Playoffs!

Monroe County Schools
2018-2019 Student Flu Vaccination Schedule

Monday, October 22, 2018
9:00-9:30- Monroe County Achievement Center (at MCSEC)
9:30-11:30- KB Sutton Elementary
11:45-12:30 - Lunch
12:45-3:00- Monroe County Middle School
 
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
9:00-10:30- Mary Persons High School (Freshman Campus)
10:45-11:30- Mary Persons High School (Main Campus)
11:45-12:45 - Lunch
1:00-3:00- TG Scott Elementary
 
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
9:00-11:00- Hubbard Elementary
11:15-12:15 - Lunch
12:30-1:30- Student Make-Ups MPHS (Main Campus/Freshman Campus)
1:45-2:45- Student Make-Ups Monroe County Middle    


Use Infinite Campus Portal to Check Grades and Attendance for Your Student
Monroe County Schools offers parents and guardians the opportunity to track grades and attendance through Infinite Campus.  You can learn more about the Infinite Campus Portal for Parents here. 
 
Students may also login to the portal using their own credentials to track their own progress.   
 
The Infinite Campus app is available for download through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.  Download the app to your smartphone, and make sure you turn on notifications within the app so you get push notifications immediately if your child is marked tardy or absent. Contact your student's school for assistance.
Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help them have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). jack-o-lantern.jpg  
 
ALL DRESSED UP:
  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Shoes should fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping or entanglement.
  • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for visibility.
  • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly so they don't slide over eyes. Makeup should be tested on a small patch of skin.
  • When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  • If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
  • Do not use decorative contact lenses. While packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as "one size fits all," or "no need to see an eye specialist," using decorative contact lenses without prescription is dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
CARVING A NICHE:
  • Small children should not carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents cut.
  • Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of candle to light a pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
  • Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and flammable objects, and not on a porch or path where visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.
HOME SAFE HOME:
  • To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations.
  • Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs. 
  • Restrain pets so they do not jump on or bite a trick-or-treater or run away.
THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL: 
  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on neighborhood rounds.
  • Have flashlights with fresh batteries for children and their escorts.
  • If older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  • Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:
     
    • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
    • Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
    • Remain on well-lit streets and always use sidewalks.
    • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
    • Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
    • Don't assume right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:
  • A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on treats.
  • Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books, pens, or pencils.
  • Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should examine treats and throw away spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items.
  • Try to ration treats for days and weeks following Halloween.
HALLOWEEN AND FOOD ALLERGIES:
  • Halloween can be tricky for children with food allergies. It's important parents closely examine Halloween candy to avoid potentially life-threatening reaction: 
     
    • Always read  ingredient labels on treats. Halloween candies may contain common allergens, such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy, or wheat.
    • If ingredients aren't listed, arrange for treat "exchange" with classmates or friends. Bag up goodies your child can't eat because of allergy and leave them with a note asking the "Treat Fairy" to swap for a prize.
    • Candy is at risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy triggers, because factories often produce different products. Also, "fun size" or miniature candies may have different ingredients or be made on different equipment than regular size candies, meaning brands your child previously ate without problems could cause reaction.
    • Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items such as cupcakes and brownies unless the baker is a trusted friend or family member, and never taste or share another child's food.
©2018 American Academy of Pediatrics
Save the Date! You've got time to train for the Monroe County Achievement Center Fit to Achieve 5K.  Proceeds from the run go to enhance educational experiences of MCAC students.  Contact Grady Caldwell at grady.caldwell@mcschools.org if you would like to be a race sponsor.



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.