Mission: Educate All Students for Success
Vision: A Dynamic Educational System of Excellence
WPTV: Martin County School Board Lays Out Plan for Next Semester
WPTV - Students are just weeks away from wrapping up an unprecedented first semester of school.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Martin County School Board started laying out the plan for what the second semester of school will look like as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Following the Florida Department of Educations's emergency order requiring schools to remain open and increase oversight into students' success at home with remote learning, the School Board discussed how to move forward.

The Martin County School District will follow the order and continue to give families the option to choose whether to send students to school in-person or remotely. Next semester, however, schools will be doing more to make sure the achievement gap does not grow between students who are learning at home compared to those at school. Read more...


Chief Academic Officer Dr. Tracey Miller presented current data related to students' participation in learning options during Tuesday's School Board Workshop:

  • More students are choosing to attend school in person now compared to the beginning of the school year.

  • August 2020 - 38% of students were attending school remotely and 62% were attending in person.

  • November 2020 - 26.5% of students are attending school remotely and 73.5% are attending in person.

  • Students who are attending school in person are performing an average of one letter grade higher than their peers who are attending school remotely.

  • Students who are enrolled in traditional (in-person) learning are attending school more frequently than their peers who are enrolled in remote learning.


***Please click here to view our public data dashboards for traditional and remote learning. ***
TCPalm: 'It's a Team Here.' New Martin County Superintendent Talks Student Success, Unity as Tenure Begins
Superintendent John D. Millay (center) greets students in Ms. Kaidy's class at Port Salerno Elementary School on Thursday, November 19, 2020. "I'm excited to be part of the Martin County family and lead their schools," Dr. Millay said. "I plan to bring a lot of energy and unity to help us all work together in achieving the goals that will move the District forward."
TCPalm - For Dr. John D. Millay, great leadership begins with a simple conversation. 

It requires being visible and present. Leadership means "carving out pieces of time" for people. It means listening to the community and those around you. 

As superintendent, Millay could take an individualist approach to leading, making changes he sees fit. But it's clear the Martin County School District's new leader sees his role differently.  

"It's a team here. We exist to help serve our schools," he said. "We will help serve that principal in their role to help teachers to then help the students." 

When talking to younger students, he says, "I'm the principal's principal." They understand his role better that way. He's approachable and his door is always open.  

The former superintendent of Meade County School District in Brandenburg, Kentucky — about 50 miles outside of Louisville — took over as the District's first appointed superintendent on November 17, 2020. He succeeds Laurie J. Gaylord, who was in the position for eight years and retired at the conclusion of her second elected term. 

Working to educate all students, especially the most vulnerable, has been a constant focus throughout his career, even when he moved into leadership roles. That focus, in part, is what led him to Martin County. The District's mission is to "educate all students for success."

"I want us all to work together," he said. "There's something for all kids to be successful." Read more...

Make Your Voice Heard!
Hundreds of students, parents/guardians, employees and members of their community have shared their feedback, ideas and suggestions with Superintendent Millay - have you?!

Tell Dr. Millay what you believe is going very well, what you believe should be evaluated or improved, or share simple advice as he begins his tenure as the District's first appointed Superintendent of Schools. Complete a short survey...
TCPalm: Uptick in School-Related COVID-19 Cases Attributed to Community Spread Being Introduced to Campuses
TCPalm - COVID-19 cases are up in Treasure Coast schools since the start of the second quarter of the year compared to the first, records show.
 
Indian River County schools saw the largest increase, with 63 cases reported as of Tuesday, November 24, compared to 37 cases in the first quarter. In the Martin County School District, 64 cases have been reported so far in the second quarter, up from 50, and in St. Lucie County schools, officials reported 76 cases, an increase of four. 

The reported cases so far in the second quarter also represent more than 50% of the districts' total positive cases across the three-county area, records show. 


Thousands of students began the year enrolled in remote learning because of the pandemic, but many returned for the start of the second grading period.

In Martin County, nearly 74% of students are now attending classes in person, up from about 62% at the start of the year. In St. Lucie, about 56% are in schools, compared to just under 50% in August, and about 75% of students in Indian River are attending classes at school, up from about 60%. 

Still, "even with kids coming back, the spread that's affecting (our schools) is still predominantly coming from the community," Martin County district spokesperson Jennifer DeShazo said.

That's why school districts are encouraging families to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and urging parents to keep children home from school any time they are exhibiting symptoms of illness. 

"We are happy that many families are comfortable sending their children to school. It shows they feel a level of comfort with our safety measures," DeShazo said. "But at the same time, it requires everyone to do their part, not only at school, but at home, too." 




Need to Know Info

If your child or anyone in the household is symptomatic, awaiting test results or has tested positive for COVID-19, your child must stay home from school and refrain from participating in activities (sports, clubs, gatherings, etc.) outside of your home. Please continue to monitor your child's symptoms each day using one of the screening tools shown below.
Students are eligible to participate in remote learning only in the following scenarios:
 
·  A parent/guardian has registered them for the remote learning option with their school and they are successfully making adequate progress
 
· They are currently following quarantine or isolation protocols at the direction of DOH Martin or a healthcare professional
 
·  They are sick and staying home due to symptoms, but are well enough to participate in remote learning from home temporarily. Students must provide a note from their parent or physician if they will be temporarily participating in remote learning due to illness.
 
·    They or a member of the household is awaiting testing results or has tested positive for COVID-19. 
Anderson Middle School Eighth-Grader Selected to Represent District in 2020-2021 Art in the Capitol Competition
State Representative John Snyder (left) and Anderson Middle School Principal Tim Aitken (right) congratulate eighth-grader Sofia Fowler on representing Martin County in this year's Art in the Capitol competition.
Sofia Fowler, an eighth-grader at Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School, has been selected as the Martin County School District's overall winner for the 2020-2021 Art in the Capitol competition.

The annual Art in the Capitol competition is a statewide visual arts program for Florida students in grades 6 through 8. Each school district is required to hold an annual art competition with artwork judged by a selection committee consisting of art teachers. The winning art from each school district is then displayed in the Capitol.

Sofia presented her piece to newly-elected State Representative John Snyder (Florida House District 82) on Tuesday, December 1. Rep. Snyder will take Sofia’s artwork with him to Tallahassee, where it will hang in the Florida Capitol throughout the legislative session. Sofia’s teacher is the talented Ms. Molly Foy and her very proud principal is Mr. Tim Aitken. View additional photos...
Port Salerno Elementary School Selected to Represent Florida, Decorate Ornaments for National Christmas Tree Display

Earlier this year, Port Salerno Elementary School was selected by the Florida Department of Education to represent the state in decorating ornaments for the 2020 America Celebrates tree display at President's Park in Washington, D.C. 

Port Salerno students joined their peers from 55 schools across the country in designing one-of-a-kind ornaments for the 2020 National Christmas Tree display on the Ellipse in President’s Park. These unique ornaments will adorn 56 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree. The trees represent each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia as part of the America Celebrates ornament display. This year, several ornaments from each school will also be displayed inside the White House.

In bringing their designs to life, Port Salerno students depicted what makes Florida beautiful, showing the people, places and things that capture the spirit of the Sunshine State. 

"We are thrilled to have been presented with the opportunity to represent Port Salerno Elementary, Martin County and the state of Florida," Principal Allysa Eberst said. "Our students and teachers are excited about the opportunity to have their talents and creativity showcased in our nation's capitol."  

Access the virtual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony December 3, 2020 - January 1, 2021 at thenationaltree.org.
Little Learners Invited to Join MCSD for Virtual Preschool Story Time
The Environmental Studies Center (ESC) hosted the District's first-ever Preschool Story Time on Friday, November 20. After listening to Science Coordinator Valerie Gaynor read Eric Carle's A House for Hermit Crab, students enjoyed being introduced to many of the reptiles and fish who call the ESC home. Watch the video...
As Dr. Seuss famously shared, "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child." Guest readers throughout the Martin County School District plan to do just that as part of a new early childhood story time initiative.

Families of toddlers and preschool aged children are invited to join us on Facebook Live each Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. for story time. Principals and other District staff will read an engaging story to your child while also sharing an activity for the two of you to complete together. It's a great way for toddlers, preschoolers and their families to get to know the administration at their home-zoned school before they start VPK or kindergarten!

For families zoned to attend school in Palm City, this morning's guest reader is Principal Schmit of Bessey Creek Elementary School. Click here to tune in live at 9:30!
Parent University Workshops Encourage Families to Become Full Partners in Education
The Martin County School District is pleased to present a series of informational workshops via Zoom for parents/guardians to learn more about various aspects of the school system. A different topic will be presented in English and Spanish each month - November's session covered digital learning tools and District-issued technology, while this month's session (held December 3) focused on the District's response to COVID-19 and plans for next semester.

Click here to watch November's Parent University Workshop. December's recorded session will be shared in an upcoming edition of Martin Moments.
Around the District Photo Gallery
Jensen Beach Elementary School's amazing Behavior Technician, Ms. DiDi, brings FUN wherever she goes! She's pictured leading the way on a "roller coaster" with first grade students in the Art Room. Rock on, Ms. DiDi - we appreciate you!
C'est magnifique! Student artists in grades K-2 put their creativity on full display during "Painting with the Principals" at Palm City Elementary School.
"Not a T-bird was stirring, not even a mouse.....”
Actually, an abundance of mice were stirring on Tuesday! Mr. David Mancini of Reich & Mancini, P.A. , donated a clicker for every young Indiantown Middle School Thunderbird to use with their District-issued learning device!
Thank you for your generosity and support of our students, Mr. Mancini.
Students in Ms. Behringer's class at Warfield Elementary School made butter as part of their "How to..." writing activity the week prior to Thanksgiving break.
Did you know? Crystal Lake Elementary School is home to a VEX Robotics Club! Mrs. Miller and her students have been working diligently to build their very first robot, the Clawbot!
Students in Mrs. Stengel's class at SeaWind Elementary School chose to cash in their own reward tickets to donate food to Elev8Hope for Thanksgiving. The students donated enough food for two families!
South Fork High School Drama students participated in the Southeastern Regional Thespian Festival November 19 - 21, 2020. Overall, students earned 3 Superior, 10 Excellent and 2 Good ratings.
Their original play, The COVID Chronicles, earned 2 Excellent and a Superior rating from the judges! Congratulations to the talented members of Troupe 4437!
Fall means FUN for students at Perkins Early Childhood Center! Students enjoyed having their pictures taken with festive backgrounds and looking at pictures in their new books.
Start your Monday Mornings with Dr. Millay! Listen to the WSTU 1450 AM Morning Show every Monday at 8 as Superintendent John D. Millay shares the latest District news and information with hosts Evan and Bonnie. If you ever miss an episode, you can listen at your leisure on WSTU's Facebook page.

Connect with us! Follow @MCSDFlorida on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information about the Martin County School District.