What Are You Thankful For? |
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While 2020 has introduced more twists and turns than any of us could have ever imagined, we still have many reasons to be grateful. Whether you are a parent/guardian who is thankful for your child's patient teacher, an employee who is thankful for the leadership of a colleague/administrator, or a student who is looking forward to spending quality time with family over Thanksgiving Break - we want to hear from you! Tell us what you're thankful for, and be sure to follow @MCSDFlorida on Facebook and Twitter as we share responses!
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Device Cameras Required to be Turned on When Participating in Remote Learning |
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The Martin County School District has moved to an upgraded Zoom package to enhance security and engagement. Effective Monday, November 9, 2020, all students are expected to have their device cameras turned on while participating in classes each day. Our Educational Technology Department is offering tech support hours to students who need to have camera settings enabled on their District-issued devices:
- District Office - 1939 SE Federal Highway, Stuart, FL 34994
- Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Indiantown Middle School - 16303 SW Farm Rd., Indiantown, FL 34956
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Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. by appointment only**
The remote learning option was introduced as a temporary learning format as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. As is the expectation for their peers learning in traditional classrooms, students participating in remote learning are expected to actively participate in their lessons and be engaged in school.
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
· They are currently following quarantine or isolation protocol 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 symptomatic, awaiting testing results or has tested positive for COVID-19.
Families are encouraged to continue following these remote learning reminders as we transition to the new Zoom package and expectations for cameras:
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** Please email MCSDLaptops@martinschools.org with hardware or software questions related to your child's device, or to request a tech service appointment at Indiantown Middle School.
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Little Learners Invited to Join MCSD for Virtual Story Time |
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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 (beginning November 20) at 9:30 a.m. for story time. Our readers will read an engaging story to your child while also sharing an activity for the two of you to complete together. Click here to learn more and RSVP for the first event, which will be held at the Environmental Studies Center. You never know...a few friendly critters might make guest appearances!
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Interactive Dashboards Provide Public With Access to Informative Data Sets |
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As part of its commitment to education and transparency, the Martin County School District has launched a variety of interactive data dashboards. Students, parents, employees and members of the community are encouraged to bookmark this page and review the dashboards on a frequent basis for an inside look at trends throughout the District.
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Parents and Guardians Asked to Complete Meal Applications |
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While the U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended our flexibility to offer free meals to all children throughout the 20-21 school year, we still need parents/guardians to complete meal applications for their children.
Children who attend school on campus will receive meals in cafeterias. Remote learners and other children who do not attend a District-operated school site may pick up free meals every Tuesday between 3 - 5 p.m. at J.D. Parker Elementary School, Port Salerno Elementary School and Warfield Elementary School. Families are asked to complete a meal order form each week prior to participating in curbside meal service.
Picky eater? No problem! Students who bring their lunch from home may choose three (3) sides to count as their free lunch. Children may add milk, fruit, vegetables and/or a grain item to their lunch box to make a complete, nutritious meal. Questions about meal service or the meal application? please email AskFNS@martinschools.org or call (772) 223-2655 ext. 58100.
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ESE Parent Workshop Scheduled for November 12 |
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Maria Montessori famously said, "Play is the work of the child." Play is where a child hones their social skills and expands their language skills. Both are aspects of development that present as challenges for many children on the spectrum. This month's ESE Parent Workshop, offered by Florida Atlantic University's Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, will share targeted play strategies to support children's development. The virtual session will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 12.
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Students - Need Volunteer Hours? Look No Further! |
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Is your child in need of volunteer or community service hours? Our Volunteer Services Department has compiled a list of current opportunities for students. Learn more...
Questions? Email Volunteer Services Liaison Amber Warren.
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Monitoring Your Child's Health |
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Parents/guardians - please monitor your child's health each day. Students must stay home from school when they are ill, or if anyone in the household is symptomatic, awaiting test results or has tested positive for COVID-19.
***Symptom screening tools and criteria for sending a student home from school due to illness were developed in partnership with the Florida Department in Health in Martin County (DOH Martin) using established CDC guidelines.
Health-related questions, including questions about students who have been sent home from school/told to quarantine due to symptoms, may be directed to DOH Martin at (772) 221-4000 option 9. ***
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Connection at Your Fingertips
The FOCUS Parent Portal allows parents/guardians to view their child(ren)'s report cards, grades (middle and high school students), attendance records and score reports for statewide assessments. Parents/guardians may also use the FOCUS Parent Portal to electronically complete and submit important forms to the District and their child(ren)'s school(s).
If you have not already registered for FOCUS account access, there's no time like the present! Please click the appropriate link below to get started:
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Around the District Photo Gallery |
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All District-operated schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. We are grateful to all of the courageous men and women who have bravely served our country and defended our freedoms.
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AVID students at Jensen Beach High School soar! AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. The program helps schools close the opportunity gap so that all students are successfully prepared for college, careers and life.
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Students in Ms. Bost's class at Bessey Creek Elementary School presented their Florida Native American research projects last week. Students researched, created slideshow presentations and built dwellings for their assigned tribes.
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Hobe Sound Elementary School's therapy dog enjoyed visiting the school's Haunted Hallway last week. The festivities were made possible by the school's families and business partners, including Fields Public Insurance Adjusters, Sweeties, and First United Methodist Church of Hobe Sound. "Our students were so polite and appreciative," Principal Memmer-Novak shared. "Kudos to our parents for raising such amazing kids!"
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Crystal Lake Elementary School first graders learned about the voting process by hosting a mock election this week. The students were introduced to each of the three candidates - Clifford, Duck and Arthur- with a read-aloud! Students were then able to vote using a ballot. Each class tallied up their votes to declare the winner: CLIFFORD!
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Lunch is a time for nourishment and connection! Incoming superintendent Dr. John D. Millay enjoyed a meal with students at Warfield Elementary School last week. While Dr. Millay will officially be sworn into office on November 17, he is enjoying getting to know our students, employees and families as he settles in as a resident of Martin County!
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Students at Felix A. Williams Elementary School had a great time participating in their Fun Run Virtual Dance Fit activity this week. Principal Riley got in on the fun, showing off her bunny hop to Mrs. Pawlak's kindergarten class!
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Environmental Studies Center (ESC) teachers are bringing the ESC curriculum to students in classrooms throughout the District. Here is an example of what students are learning as part of these "in-class" field trips - a little imagination and ton of smiles go a long way! To learn more about the Environmental Studies Center - a one-of-a-kind facility that introduces our students to marine biology and environmental science in unique fashion - please click here.
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Principal Jones spotted several Hidden Oaks Middle School students checking election results during their lunch period on Wednesday. "They were engaging in informed discussion about the electoral college and the meaning of data they were reading," he shared. "That's an election win in my book!"
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Nothing can stop the power of virtual reality in Mrs. Monks' classroom at Indiantown Middle School. The VR exeprience is part of an Innovators Grant that she received from DonorsChoose.org and made possible through PwC Charities. Watch the video...
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Jensen Beach Elementary School third graders brought new life to some “ugly” library books by creating brand new book covers! Thank you to Mrs. Baumgartner for facilitating the process for these creative artists and super smart readers!
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Make no mistake about it - the Lions are proud to remain drug free! Principal Amy Laws joined her Murray Middle School students in wearing red and taking a stand against drug abuse for Red Ribbon Week.
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Connect with us! Follow @MCSDFlorida on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information about the Martin County School District.
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