MC Logo 
MONROE MESSAGES
Board of Education to Meet for its Fall Work Session in November
   
The Monroe County Board of Education will meet for its Fall Work Session on Tuesday, November 13 at 4:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Meeting Room.  For that meeting's agenda, check the Monroe County Board of Education eBoard website. 
 Monroe County Schools uses GAPSS process in schools this year
HES Faculty presented to the visit GAPSS evaluation team.
 

The Monroe County School System follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act model to ensure school improvement.  Recently, the "check" stage of this model was begun for all of the school sites with a two-day visit at Samuel Hubbard Elementary School.  This Performance Review uses the Georgia Assessment of Performance on School Standards (GAPSS Analysis) to analyze the success of the plans put in place by the Administration and Staff to improve and ensure student success. 

 

The GAPSS Analysis Team is comprised of school system personnel at all levels (central office and school level administrators, certified staff in all fields (teachers, counselors, instructional coaches, etc.), as well as educational leaders from RESA and surrounding counties.  The first day includes an overview of the school's areas of focus and accomplishments from the prior year's GAPSS results, as well as classroom observations by team members. 

 

The second day consists of the team members working collaboratively to review and analyze the school data.  A summary meeting is held with the Principal to report the GAPSS results and to provide commendations and recommendations based on the results of the visit.  This process provides a powerful tool for our schools to use as we continue to focus on student success.

 
Do you know about Learnzillion.com?
 
Learnzillion is a new site that has brought together teachers from across the nation to create five to six minute "screencasts" of high quality lessons on math, reading, and writing skills. You can use these screencasts to support common core standards.
Important Dates to Know 
 
Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 4.
General Election Day is
Tuesday, November 6.
Veterans Day is
Saturday, November 11.
Progress Reports go home on Thursday, November 15.
Thanksgiving Holidays Week of November 19-23.
Open Enrollment for 
 Benefits Continues Through November 9
     
Employees are reminded that Open Enrollment for Benefits continues through November 9. For more information, see the system website.  

A Message Highlighting Monroe

County Middle School

Southern Rivers Energy Bright Ideas Grant Awarded for $900

 
Mrs. Carrie Soderman, Media Specialist for the MCMS Hubbard Campus, recently submitted and was awarded a $900 grant for video production for sixth grade students.  She is pictured above holding the check along with Mr. Jay Johnston, Principal,  and Southern Rivers Energy representatives.
 
A Message Highlighting Mary Persons High School
Southern Rivers Energy Bright Ideas Grant Awarded for $1000
Mrs. Elizabeth Holloway, teacher at Mary Persons High School, was awarded a Southern Rivers Energy Bright Ideas Grant in the amount of $1000.  This Bright Ideas grant is to buy new supplies and groceries for the Access Class kitchen and to compile weekly recipes into a published cookbook called Accessible Edibles.
New Georgia law requires volunteer training
  Because the safety of our children is of utmost importance, an information form must be received by the School Principal (or designee) and processed prior to volunteering in any school or department. This form and all materials submitted then become the property of Monroe County Schools. In addition, school volunteers are mandated reporters of child abuse in Georgia and therefore must complete a Child Abuse Reporting Protocol training prior to beginning any volunteer work. We're offering that training online through a special video accessible here.
You'll want to work with your school's parent coordinator or the principal's designee to make certain that you have completed all of the volunteer training requirements.  This applies to all volunteer -- those who volunteer with us for athletics, for extracurricular activities, for those who chaperone field trips, or for those who work with us in our classrooms.  If you have questions about volunteering, please contact your school's parent coordinator or Mary Persons High School graduation coach. We look forwarding to helping you get this training so that our students can receive benefits from your volunteer service to our system.
A Message from Monroe County Schools' Nurses

On the Path to Healthy Holidays

Why wait until the New Year to confirm your commitment to take care of your health? You will enjoy this season of celebration more if you temper the spirit of overindulgence with that of moderation.  Why not use the holiday season as a time to reinforce your commitment to a healthful lifestyle?    

 Make Wise Choices

We know what to do, right?

·         Enjoy those special holiday treats, but in moderation.

·         Try not to think in terms of "on the diet/off the diet" or you may find yourself off the path of moderation.

·         Plan your meals and parties.  If you know you are attending a party be sure to make healthy food choices throughout the day.

·         Eat breakfast and pack a healthy lunch. 

·         When choosing foods at parties and family gatherings be sure to take a look at all the foods being offered.  Once you know what is available you may go back and select larger portions of your favorite leafy green salads and vegetables and choose smaller portions of your favorite high fat, high calorie foods. 

·         Also, offer to bring a healthy dish to gatherings. 

·         Ask a person to join you as you strive to limit your desire to overeat.  You can eat smart while still having a jolly good time.

·         If you do "fall off the wagon" forgive yourself and jump right back on.  Don't give up; one mistake does not indicate that you are not capable of having a healthful holiday.   

·         Physical activity is the best stress-management technique around, and performs double duty by keeping you healthy in other ways as well.  

·         Schedule exercise just as you schedule your lunch break.   Add bits and pieces of exercise into your daily routine by choosing to park your car in a safe spot that is farther away from the entrance.  Take a walk at lunch time with co-workers. 

·         Have your children join you.  Kids love dancing and a family game of tennis on the Wii is time spent wisely. Encouraging kids to get into the habit of exercise is a very worthy effort.   

·         Start a new family tradition by taking a walk after your Holiday Dinner. 

Enjoy! Enjoyment and balance are keys to successful merry making. Enjoy a few treats, but don't forget your vegetables. Get enough rest and plenty of exercise. Remember that perfectionism is stressful and bad for your health. Holidays do allow for some indulgence, so enjoy, but please, do so in moderation.  And don't forget to exercise regularly.