Superintendent Nancy Kline, who began her career in education as an art teacher, agrees.  "Mrs. Jekanowski is an outstanding educator who encourages and supports student learning through her love of music.  Her engaging lessons support the school's academic goals while inspiring students to develop their love of the arts."   

Since being named Teacher of the Year, Jekanowski said she's been awed by the outpouring of support.  "My whole community has been abuzz.  My students are so proud.  I tell them that it is because of them and their enthusiasm for music that I received this award.  They were very happy about that!"

Prior to being named the District's 2010 Teacher of the Year, Jekanowski was selected as the District's Elementary Teacher of the Year.  

Pictured (L-R):  JDP Principal Dodie Hale , JDP Principal Mary White, School Board Chair Sue Hershey, MCSD School-Related Employee of the Year Michelle Muniz, and MCSD Superintendent Nancy Kline.

The Martin County School District is proud to announce that Michelle Muniz, a Title I Home/School Liaison for J.D. Parker School of Science, Math and Technology (JDP), is the District's 2010-2011 School-Related Employee of the Year.  The award was presented during a ceremony March 21st, at the Pirate's-Cove Resort and Marina in Stuart.

Ms. Muniz has been an employee of the District for the past eight years, including five years at JDP and three years as an educational paraprofessional for the District's Family Learning Centers.  As a Title I Home/School Liaison, Ms. Muniz translates for Hispanic parents and works to create a connection for families between school and home.  This includes encouraging parents to be active in their child's education.  She is also a member of JDP's Response to Intervention Team, which works to identify students in academic need and get them the help they need to be successful learners.   In addition, Ms. Muniz attends all literacy trainings at the school and takes on special projects, such as organizing the school's Field Day with an emphasis on parent involvement.   

"Michelle Muniz is a true inspiration to the staff and students at J.D. Parker.  She completes her job of Home/School Liaison, but she goes above and beyond each day.  Her passion is helping the families at Parker.  She works tirelessly to see that families have the support they need," stated J.D. Parker Principal Mary White in her letter of recommendation for Ms. Muniz.

"Ms. Muniz is highly respected by her co-workers, both for her professionalism and her dedication to all aspects of her school's success.  She takes the initiative to find new ways for getting parents involved in their child's education and she is always willing to go the 'extra mile' to help students succeed.  She is a wonderful role model and I congratulate her for being named the District's School-Related Employee of the Year," said Superintendent Nancy Kline.

Ms. Muniz will now represent the Martin County School District in the competition to be named the 2011 Florida School-Related Employee of the Year.

• The child's original birth certificate or other lawful evidence of date of birth [F.S. 1003.21(4)].
• Proof of residency:  utility bill in its entirety showing a local service address, a signed rental/lease agreement, or construction permits.
• A current physical examination on Florida Department of Health Form #3040.  The physical must have been completed within one year of school entry date and signed by a licensed physician.
• A Florida Certificate of Immunization Record (Florida Department of Health Form #680) completed by a physician or the Martin County Health Department. Please see immunization requirements below.
• Students whose families have relocated to Martin County from another state may present proof of physical examination and immunizations on out-of-state forms signed by licensed physicians. The physical must have been completed within one year of school entry date and signed by a licensed physician.

Hidden Oaks Middle School Student Alexandra Nelson is the new Scripps Howard Treasure Coast Regional Spelling Bee Champion!  She took first place in the annual competition, which was held on Saturday, March 19th.  For taking the top honor, Alexandra now qualifies to compete in Washington for the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee on June 1st-2nd!  Congratulations and good luck! 

Coordinator of Student Services Bill Connolly with two of the District's Attendance Officers, Sara Matheny (Pictured left) and Darlene Collins (right)

 

The Martin County School District is committed to the important efforts of its Attendance Officers.  Attendance Officers spend their working hours on the road, visiting students and their parents at their homes and other locations, tracking and monitoring truants, as well as transporting students as required for various school-related issues.  "Attendance Officers spend the majority of their time driving and transporting students.  It is imperative that they have access to vehicles that are safe and dependable," said Superintendent Nancy Kline. 

Until now, the District's Attendance Officers have relied on vehicles that were each approximately 10 years old with well over 100,000 miles.  Those vehicles included two Crown Victorias which were surplused by the Martin County Sheriff's Office and donated to the District, as well as a 1999 Ford Windstar.  However, this week, they received the keys to three new Ford Escapes.  The vehicles were purchased with capital funding and did not impact the District's Operating Budget.

"For Attendance Officers, their offices are their cars.  These new vehicles provide them with more reliable and fuel-efficient means of transportation, which ultimately will allow them to be more effective at their jobs.  When their vehicles spend less time in the shop for mechanical problems, they can spend more time working to keep our students in school," said Superintendent Nancy Kline.

As part of the District's Bring It 180 attendance campaign, the District continues to promote the importance of regular school attendance and take a proactive approach to reducing truancy.  Since being launched in 2009, the District has seen increases in attendance across elementary, middle and high school levels.   To learn more about the District's Bring It 180 attendance campaign, visit www.martinschools.org.

experiences in Alaska and being one of the first women to ever compete in the Iditarod race.  She also spoke about the inspirations for her numerous children's books and techniques students can use to improve their writing!

This was Ms. Gill's second visit to the school. She first traveled to Indiantown to speak with students in 2000. In honor of her latest visit, Warfield students monitored the official Iditarod race, which began March 5th, and mapped the progress of each of the mushers.