Mission: Educate All Students for Success
Vision: A Dynamic Educational System of Excellence
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District, Education Foundation of Martin County Honor 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year |
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The Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC) and the Martin County School District (MCSD) are proud to announce that Martin County High School’s Leigh Anne Pike has been named the District’s 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year. The winner was announced during the Education Foundation of Martin County’s Teacher of the Year announcement event on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Audi Stuart. This year’s presenting sponsors are Audi Stuart and Infiniti Stuart.
Ms. Pike, a Library Media Specialist, has spent the last 16 years as an educator in the Martin County School District, including the last three at Martin County High School (MCHS). Dedicated to ensuring the success of all students, she has worked as an elementary Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher at the elementary level and also as a Response to Intervention (RTI) Coach. She brings her passion for technology and digital citizenship to her current role as the Library Media Specialist at MCHS, where she fosters a thirst for knowledge in her students.
Superintendent John D. Millay was proud to see Ms. Pike take home this year’s award.
“Leigh Anne Pike is an outstanding educator who recognizes the importance of making learning come to life for students,” he shared. “In her role as a library media specialist, she continues to masterfully develop initiatives that support and reinforce the learning that is occurring in classrooms. She is an admired strategic thinker who always maintains her positivity and growth mindset. I am honored to have her represent the Martin County School District as the 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year.”
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WPBF: Martin County School District Unveils New Security System |
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WPBF - One button. The Martin County School District said it’s just that easy now for its staff to call for help.
Every District staff member wear a small card on a lanyard on their body.
If something happens at any school, any staff member can push the button and immediately lock the school down.
The button also sends an alert not just to the school district and school resource officer, but also to every police officer in the area.
The button can be thought of as a cry for help that everybody can hear.
“In our business, seconds matter,” said Frank Frangella, Director of Safety and Security for the District. “You want to get help there as quickly as possible.”
The system also includes a way for administrators and police to sound the alarm for lesser emergencies, perhaps a danger outside the school or a weather emergency.
The principal at J.D. Parker Elementary School said it’s also allowed teachers to have peace of mind knowing they have an easy way to call for help.
“This system has been able to give us that communication so we can do our jobs,” said Nicole Rathnaw. “Unless the kids are safe, they’re not going to learn.”
“It’s very simplistic to use,” Frangella said. “It’s very effective, and it gets the message out. And we get the help that we need.” Read more...
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Parent University Recap: Course Offerings for High School Students |
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If you are the parent of a rising freshman and still trying to make a decision about what school they will attend next year, please click play above to learn more!
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District Honors 2020-2021 School-Related Employees of the Year |
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The Martin County School District held its annual School-Related Employee of the Year recognition ceremony on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. The celebration was held in a virtual format as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-eight outstanding employees were nominated by their school and department sites for this prestigious awards program, which is part of a Florida Department of Education initiative designed to honor educational support personnel for the significant contributions they make to their schools and school districts.
“It is such an honor to be part of the School-Related Employee of the Year recognition program,” Superintendent John D. Millay shared. “We have hundreds of employees working behind the scenes to support our students, teachers and classrooms in numerous ways each day. I offer my congratulations and sincere appreciation to each of our outstanding nominees for their role in fostering positive, nurturing environments for all students.”
Rocio Yvonne Potsko of Food & Nutrition Services was named the overall winner of the 2020-2021 School-Related Employee of the Year Award. Ms. Potsko will move on to represent the Martin County School District in the Florida School-Related Employee of the Year competition.
The District also named the recipient of the annual Mary J. Brogan Scholarship Award last evening. Created in honor of the wife of former Florida Lt. Governor Frank Brogan, the award is presented by the District to an employee who possesses Mrs. Brogan's traits of excellence, dedication and the ability to instill a love of learning in children. Mrs. Brogan, who passed away in 1999, was a longtime teacher and administrator in the Martin County School District. This year's recipient is Paula Vasquez, a paraprofessional at J.D. Parker Elementary School. Ms. Vasquez hopes to become a Martin County educator in the very near future.
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District Continues to Encourage Families to Choose In-Person Learning |
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While Florida families continue to retain their choice of flexible learning options, the Martin County School District is encouraging students to resume attending school in person and on campus as they are able.
The Florida Department of Education is requiring all of this year's statewide assessments – including Florida Standards Assessments and End-of-Course Exams - to be taken in person. If your child is currently attending school remotely, we would appreciate the opportunity to welcome them back to campus. This will allow them to become reacquainted with the school-based learning environment and prepared to take state assessments.
"We know that the majority of students perform best when they are physically present in classrooms receiving instruction from highly-qualified teachers," Superintendent John D. Millay said. "Our schools remain safe, nurturing places for learning, and we encourage our students to begin returning to campuses as they feel comfortable doing so. The District will follow the requirements issued by the Florida Department of Education, offering targeted intervention and support to students who are struggling to make adequate progress. We remain committed to partnering with our families to ensure that every child is learning, demonstrating growth and achieving success."
Parents are encouraged to contact their child's school with questions or to request a change in learning options.
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Charting a Course for Success: Families Invited to Learn More About CTE Programs Offered in District-Operated Schools |
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Chart your child's course for the future! The Martin County School District's 2021 Career Academy Showcase is being held in a virtual format this year. Families are encouraged to view this series of on-demand videos depicting what students can expect to learn in Career & Technical Education (CTE) academies throughout the District.
Each of the three District-operated high schools - Jensen Beach, Martin County and South Fork - has an individual playlist. Explore each CTE Academy and find the perfect fit for your child!
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Reminder: Head Start, VPK Open Enrollment Underway |
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Aurora, a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) student at Palm City Elementary School, celebrated being a member of the "1,000 Books Read Before Kindergarten" Club last month. VPK is an early learning program that provides developmentally-appropriate instruction and activities to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten. Applications for the 2021-2022 school year are currently being accepted. Learn more...

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The Martin County School District is now accepting applications for its Head Start and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs. Learn more...
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Recently-Launched Public Data Dashboards Offer Community Detailed Look at Demographics Throughout the District |
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Interested in learning more about the demographics of the Martin County School District? Recently-launched public data dashboards provide detailed information on school grades, enrollment, attendance, diversity, graduation rates, COVID-19 quarantine data and more. Dashboards may be filtered by school site, year and a variety of subgroups. Click here to learn more...
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District Celebrates National School Counseling Week |
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The Martin County School District is proud to celebrate National School Counseling Week, a time to shine the spotlight on the unique contribution of school counselors within school systems.
"Our school counselors support students academically, socially and emotionally, helping them achieve success and plan for the future," Superintendent John D. Millay said. "They believe in each student's right to have an equitable, safe and nurturing learning environment. I am proud to celebrate each of these remarkable members of Team MCSD."
The Student Services Department visited campuses throughout the District this week to celebrate our school counselors. Please click here to view photos.
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Principal Eberst and Elementary Teacher of the Year Kate Logan of Port Salerno Elementary School hosted Preschool Story Time on January 29, 2021. Families of toddlers and preschoolers enjoyed listening to The Rainbow Fish in English and Spanish.
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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 are doing just that as part of an 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 Citrus Grove Elementary School, today's guest reader is Principal Morrow. Click here to tune in live at 9:30 and listen to the story!
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February ESE Parent Workshop: Fine Motor Fun for Preschoolers |
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This month's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Parent Workshop, scheduled for February 25 at 11:00 a.m., will offer tips for parents of preschool-aged children on the development of fine motor skills. The session will be presented by Viany Adache of the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resource System (FDLRS). To RSVP and gain access to the Zoom session, please email ESE Coordinator Jeffrey Bolbach.
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Martin Minutes With Millay |
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Interested in learning more about Superintendent Millay and his vision for the District? It has never been easier to get connected!
Dr. Millay's next appearance on WSTU will be Monday, February 8, 2021. If you missed his appearance on February 1, please click here to access the recording. His segment begins at the 2:00:42 mark.
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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.
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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
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Around the District Photo Gallery |
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Students in Ms. Ruiz and Ms. Beecher's classes at Hobe Sound Elementary School enjoyed using marshmallow launchers as they learned about force, motion and movement last week!
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Students in Ms. Pastor's kindergarten class at SeaWind Elementary School celebrated the 100th day of school by imagining what they might look like when they are 100 years old.
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After predicting whether or not Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow, students in Ms. Boudreau's class at Jensen Beach Elementary School made cute groundhog crowns to celebrate six more weeks of winter!
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A huge round of applause goes out to Martin County High School's HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Club members who recently completed their regional leadership competition!
Under the leadership of Medical Academy instructor Ms. French, MCHS had 45 students participating in the virtual regional competition on January 14, 2021.
Students competed in events such as Health Education, Job Seeking Skills, Health Career Display, Medical Administrative and Nursing Assisting.
Martin County High School had 32 students place in the top five for their events. Twenty-two students qualified to attend the virtual state competition in March.
MCHS earned the following awards:
9- First place medals
9- Second place medals
4- Third place medals
8- Fourth place medals
2- Fifth place medals
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J.D. Parker Elementary School students continued their early release day STEM lessons last week, creating a prototype to protect their egg - a.k.a. "Humpy Dumpty" - from breaking on his great fall.
"Humpy Dumpty learned the first time that something had to be redesigned so he didn't have to put himself together again," Principal Rathnaw shared. "Our engineers were hard at work designing 'baskets' to keep Humpy safe. We all learned a lot from this egg drop!"
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Principal Ebony Jarrett and a team of teachers from Stuart Middle School chatted with Superintendent John D. Millay at the conclusion of the Teacher of the Year ceremony on January 30, 2021. The team was present to show their support for Middle School Teacher of the Year Juanita Johnson.
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Indiantown Middle School students are showcasing numerous "elements" of success as they celebrate Black History Month! Kudos to Ms. Patterson and Ms. Farrar for leading with passion and following the school's mission of empowering, inspiring and educating ALL learners for success!
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Learning is fully energized at Palm City Elementary School! Check out the “Energy Rooms” that 4th-grade students in Mrs. Hallee’s classroom created.
“We had to create a room with at least one light bulb with a switch that would be able to open the circuit and make the light turn off, and be able to close the circuit and make the light turn on," one student shared. "We also had to make it look like a certain room in a house. I chose to create a bedroom. My room had a working light and also a working fan. I created mechanical energy, kinetic energy, light energy, and electrical energy. The battery sent electrical energy power to the light bulb and fan. I used a paperclip to transmit the energy in the switch.”
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Students in Ms. Frazier's class at Warfield Elementary School combined their math lessons with nature this week! They enjoyed finding acute and obtuse angles using starfruit that Ms. Frazier brought in from a tree at her house.
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Students enrolled in the District's Head Start and VPK programs had a blast celebrating Literacy Week! Each class participated in a simultaneous read-aloud of What I Like About Me and enjoyed making their own unique faces.
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Students in Ms. Hyland's class at Bessey Creek Elementary School assumed the roles of scientists this week! They tested hypotheses and used academic vocabulary to describe whether various items sink or float.
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The faculty at Jensen Beach High School made positive phone calls home to students' families to discuss their progress. "We are so proud of our students and their accomplishments," Principal Vogel shared. "We are soaring to success in the second semester!"
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When Superintendent John D. Millay gave the green light for employees to let loose and celebrate #NationalHaveFunAtWorkDay, members of Team MCSD responded by showing up and showing out! Click here to view additional photos - we hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoyed spreading love and laughter throughout our schools and departments. It takes a village, it takes a team, and we are #ALLINMartin!
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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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