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Monroe County Schools uses Twitter to communicate with our stakeholders.  To get the latest information related to our school system, follow Superintendent Anthony Pack.
BOE to Honor Retirees
The Monroe County Board of Education will honor retirees at the June 11 meeting.  Recognitions will take place in the  Auditorium followed by the business meeting in the Board of Education Meeting Room.
The Board of Education will have a called meeting on Tuesday, May 28.  To review the agenda, click here.
Mary Persons Announces Two Day Final Exam Schedule

MPHS is moving from a 3-day to a 2-day exam schedule for underclassmen. No underclass exams will be given on Friday May 24, 2013. All exemption policies are still in effect. 

 

Tuesday May 28

  Main Campus Schedule:

  • FIRST PERIOD EXAM-8:00-9:45
  • THIRD PERIOD EXAM-9:50-11:35
  • Fifth Period EXAM part 1-11:40-1:10 (LUNCH)
  • SIXTH PERIOD EXAM-1:15-3:00

  Freshman Campus Schedule

  • FIRST PERIOD EXAM-8:04-9:48
  • THIRD PERIOD EXAM-9:52-11:36
  • Fifth Period EXAM part 1-11:40-1:04 (LUNCH)
  • SIXTH PERIOD EXAM-1:08-2:53

 

Wednesday May 29

  Main Campus Schedule:

  • SECOND PERIOD EXAM-8:00-9:45
  • FOURTH PERIOD EXAM-9:50-11:35
  • Fifth Period EXAM part 2-11:40-1:10 (LUNCH)
  • SEVENTH  PERIOD EXAM-1:15-3:00

  Freshman Campus Schedule:

  • SECOND PERIOD EXAM-8:04-9:48
  • FOURTH PERIOD EXAM-9:52-11:36
  • Fifth Period EXAM part 2-11:40-1:04  (LUNCH)
  • SEVENTH  PERIOD EXAM-1:08-2:53
MP Choirs Perform
The Mary Persons Choirs finished out the school year with a farewell concert last week.

All-Region, Standout golfer Dalton Johnson is a junior at Mary Persons High School.  He was featured on WMAZ13 this week as Athlete of the Week.  To see Dalton's feature, click here.

MP's Ivey Walters selected
Congratulations to Mary Persons High School Golf Team member  Ivey Walters for being selected to the GHSGCA Senior All-Star Team. 
Happenings
 
May 27
Memorial Day Holiday (No School)
 
May 29
Last Day of School
  
May 30-31
Teacher In-Service (Post-Planning)
  
May 31
MPHS Evening Graduation

June 7, 14, 21, 28
System and School Offices Closed (Four Day Ten Hour Work Weeks)

July 1-5
System and School Offices Closed

July 12, 19, 26
System and School Offices Closed (Four Day Ten Hour Work Weeks)

July 29-31, August 1-2
MCS Leading Learner Summit

August 1-2, 5
MCS New Teacher Induction Program

August 7-9, 12-13
Pre-Planning

August 9
Dedicated Preparation Time for Teachers and Staff (No Meetings)

August 12
Registration Day

August 14
First Day of School
  
Work-Based Learning Celebrates Successful Year
Work-Based Learning, under the leadership of Susan Childs, celebrated the end of a successful year of job placements for Mary Persons High School students.

State Health Benefits Plan Update for Monroe County Schools Employees

To all State Health members,

You can earn a $240 credit for 2014 by completing the 4 health education modules through the new SHBP Member Education Portal.  This can be earned by you and your spouse (if covered) but MUST BE COMPLETED BY MAY 31, 2013.  If you currently have one of the Standard Plans, you can earn the credit but you must also complete each of the requirements for the wellness plans listed below.

 

As a reminder to all the state health members who have the Wellness Plans: The member and spouse (if covered) must each complete their vendor's (Cigna or United Healthcare) online Health Assessment through http://www.mycigna.com or http://www.myuhc.com  by May 31st and print a copy of the Confirmation of Completion. The member and spouse (if covered) must complete one (1) of the health education module through the new SHBP portal at http://www.AHealthierSHBP.com  by May 31st to satisfy the requirement.  To maximize your spending credit, complete ALL FOUR of the modules by this date. 

 

IF THIS IS YOUR 1ST YEAR ON THE WELLNESS PLANS you and spouse (if covered) must each complete a biometric screening through a physician's office by May 31, with the completed and signed physician screening form showing the test results faxed to the number shown on the form by May 31, 2013.

MONROE MESSAGES
A Publication of Monroe County Schools
Katie Rowland, Valedictorian
Mary Persons High School Class of 2013 to Graduate on Friday, May 31
Kyle Wheeler, Salutatorian












Mary Persons High School Graduation exercises will be held at Dan Pitts Stadium at Mitchell Field, weather permitting, May 31, 2013, at 8:00 p.m.

A number of efforts will be made to make this year's exercises the best ever for the graduates and their guests. The school administration asks that all guests attending the graduation be aware of the following items and keep them in mind as they plan their attendance and arrival:

  1. Parents and guests are to park in the Monroe County Board of Education parking lot or on the north side of the stadium. Since traffic will likely be congested, guests are urged to arrive early to allow time to park and walk the distance to be seated on the home side of the stadium.
  2. All guests should honor our graduates and preserve the dignity and decorum of the occasion by wearing appropriate dress clothes and exhibiting formal behavior.
  3. In order that the name of each graduate be heard during the ceremony, we ask that you hold your applause and cheers until all the students on a given row have returned to their seats. When the entire row of students is back in place, we will pause and give the audience time to cheer and applaud for the graduates on that row.
  4. Guests should be seated by 7:50 p.m. Graduation begins promptly at 8:00 p.m.
  5. The graduation program will be formal. It will be lengthy, but we will make every effort to be respectful of your time. Infants and small children find this event tedious and you may wish to leave them with a sitter or other family member.
  6. Cameras are not allowed on the field during the ceremony. Superintendent Anthony Pack and Principal Jim Finch will be available for pictures with the graduates upon request after the ceremony. The school will have a photographer at the ceremony and pictures will be available for purchase. The photographers will not disrupt the ceremony in any way.
  7. Should threat of inclement weather interfere with graduation plans, a decision will be made to reschedule the graduation to Saturday morning at 10:00. If the weather continues to be a concern, the ceremonies will be moved to Sunday at 2:00 p.m. If the ceremony has to be canceled after these three attempts, then students will be able to pick up their diplomas at the school the following week. The gym will not accommodate the numbers that we will have; therefore it is not an option.
  8. Seniors will pick up his/her diploma from the concession stand on the visitors' side after the conclusion of the ceremonies.

Thank you for your assistance. We plan to make graduation for the Class of 2013 a beautiful and memorable event.

System Young Georgia Author winners were recognized at the Board of Education meeting.
Young Georgia Author winners were recognized at the Board of Education meeting.
BOE Recognizes Student Winners
at Their May Meeting
System Young Georgia Author winners were recognized at the Board of Education meeting. These are students who submitted writing samples that were judged as exemplary.  Their entries were entered into state competition for Young Georgia Authors.  For a complete listing of Young Georgia Author winners, click here. Additionally, the Board of Education recognized Georgia Media Festival winners.  These students created multimedia projects that were best in class at the system level, and they were judged as best in Georgia.  These projects now move on to international competition.  For a complete listing of media festival winners at the state level, click here.

State Media Festival winners were recognized at the BOE meeting.
Mary Persons Class of 2013, American Red Cross Hometown Hero Award Winners, Recognized at BOE Meeting
Pictured above are:  Mrs. Pat Busby, senior class sponsor; Class of 2013 members Katie Rowland, Breanna Walker, and Ashley Moore; Lisa West, Central Georgia Chapter Chairperson of the American Red Cross; and Tracy Willis-Kight, Executive Director of the Central Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Monroe County Schools Board of Education recognized the Mary Persons High School Class of 2013 at its May meeting.  The class recently was awarded the Kody Lucas Paving the Way Youth Hero Award by the Central Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross.  This special award is named after a Perry High School student who died of brain cancer last year.  Kody Lucas dedicated time and energy to helping others, and in the same spirit, this award recognizes outstanding young men and women who contribute to their community.  MPHS Class of 2013 has sponsored numerous activities and raised funds to benefit the Middle Georgia area. 
Mark H. Smith Recognized at May BOE Meeting
Mark H. Smith, Mary Persons History Teacher, was recently recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution for his exemplary teaching of social studies content.  He was also recognized for this honor at the recent BOE meeting.  He is pictured above Priscilla Grant Doster, Regent, Lt. James Monroe Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and Dr. J. Ray Grant, BOE Chair.
Monroe County Middle School Choirs

present their  

 Spring Concert

Directed by Lea Anne Walters

Accompanied by Susan Mincey and Claire Douthit

 

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013-7pm

State Offices South at Tift College-Roberts Chapel

  Free Admission  

Monroe County Schools Seeks Construction Management Proposals
Monroe County Schools seeks proposals for construction management services and legal services.  Construction management proposals are due by May 29. See the district specifications at http://www.monroe.k12.ga.us .
A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses

Tips to Avoid the Obesity Epidemic

As a parent, it is important that you help your child make wise choices when it comes to food and exercise. The percentage of overweight and obese children is increasing at an alarming rate. An overweight child is at risk of developing medical problems such as:

  • High blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes
  • Bone and joint problems
  • Shortness of breath and asthma
  • Restless or abnormal sleep
  • Early puberty
  • Liver and gall bladder disease
  • Depression

What is a parent to do? You should teach your child to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and exercise 30-60 minutes a day. Here are some basic rules to follow:

  • Parents are in charge of the food supply. You decide what to buy and bring into the house. Children will eat what is provided if hungry.
  • Let your child help you plan meals. 
  • Do not make them clean their plate. Encourage them to eat only when hungry and to stop when full.
  • Do not reward children with food.   
  • Drink calories do count! Avoid sodas and sweet tea. Water and milk are better. Only 100 percent juice in 4-6 ounce amounts.
  • Food is not love. Give your child hugs and your time and attention instead.
  • Be a good role model. Let your child see your make good choices. You might even lose weight!
  • Limit TV and computer time. Sitting around encourages mindless snacking. Turn off the TV during meals. Children should not have a TV in their bedroom.
ABOUT MONROE MESSAGES
Monroe Messages is a weekly electronic newsletter of the Monroe County Schools of Forsyth, Georgia. Over 3000 subscribers receive this weekly emailed newsletter. Our archive of Monroe Messages is here.
The Monroe County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs and dealings with the public. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations. As a result, the following people have been appointed to oversee specific areas.  Title II, Adult 504, Adult Title IX  Dr. Mike Hickman  25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029  478-994-2031 Student and Athletic Title IX  Tommie Walker  25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029  478-994-2031  Student 504  Lisa Allred  433 Highway 41 South, Forsyth, GA 31029  478-994-2031 Any employee, student, applicant for employment, parent or other person who believes he or she has been discriminated against or harassed in violation of the above areas must make a complaint in accordance with the procedures outlined in Board Policy GAAA.  Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.
Monroe County Schools | [email protected] | http://www.monroe.k12.ga.us
25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029 478-994-2031