This is a map showing density of population in Monroe County. A full size map is available for review at Monroe County Schools Central Office.

Reasons for re-zoning the elementary attendance zones

• To increase the student population at KBSES and SEHES better utilizing all elementary schools.
• To maintain or enhance student diversification at each school mirroring system demographics.
• To maximize county-wide current and anticipated growth patterns.
• To create more efficient elementary zones for transportation.
• To develop a plan which extends the time before re-zoning would need to be revisited.

Items discussed at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2013:

Plan A 

• Plan A is the least invasive of the three plans proposed.  This plan looks similar to the current elementary zones with modest modifications.
• Plan A may need to be revisited for re-zoning purposes in as few as 3 years but may last up to 5 years.  Growth trends will determine the length of time between re-zoning elementary schools.
• Plan A keeps current areas and anticipated growth areas in the TGSES attendance zone.

Plan D 

• Plan D enhances student populations to mirror system demographics.
• Plan D divides the main growth area of MC and the anticipated growth area between TGSES and SEHES while increasing student enrollment at KBSES.
• Plan D has the potential to remain in place for as many as 7 years considering the division of current and anticipated growth areas and based on current student growth figures.
• Plan D assists in transportation.
• Plan D is a compromise between Plan A and the eliminated Plan B.
• Plan D does require significant changes to the current attendance zones.

From Lea Anne Walters, MCMS Chorus Director

Santa's On His Way!

He will be here any day,

But before he can come here,

we should spread some holiday cheer.

Our concert is just the thing,

to make everyone want to sing.

It will be at beautiful Tift College.

On December 16th we will show off our knowledge.

6th grade sings at 6:30 and

7th and 8th grade will be next at 7:30.

Just to make everything sweet,

stop into Dairy Queen for a nice treat!

We will get 10% of the profit,

So help out the chorus and turn in your receipt

Mrs. Kay Strickland Heath, author and former teacher, came to Hubbard Elementary School on Friday, December 6. Students listened to stories written by the author and learned about the process of writing a book. Mrs. Heath brought along one of the stars of her stories W.E. Readit, a frog.  Pictured is HES student Elizabeth Mullis with Mrs. Kay Heath. 

Creativity shined in Mrs. Yvonne Stroud's fifth grade classes as students wrapped up their study on the Civil War and Reconstruction earlier this quarter.  Some students presented their understanding in the form of a song.  Others created collages, newspapers, and journals written from the perspective of a Southerner or Northerner. Pictured above are:  Baxter Berlin, Breighton Flores, and Ethan Payne. 

Data from the Georgia Parent Survey will be used to calculate the School Climate Star Rating within the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) to determine a correlation between the student responses on the Georgia Student Health Survey II and school personnel responses on the Georgia School Personnel Survey.  

The Georgia Parent Survey will remain open through Friday, January 31, 2014.    The Georgia Parent Survey has 20 questions and it should take no more than 5 - 10 minutes to complete it.  Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.

The cost of college education is making headlines these days, and there's a lot of talk about how to get scholarships for earning a traditional degree. But students in two-year vocational and trade school programs should realize they also have ample opportunities for financial support. Both need-based and merit-based scholarship and grant programs, as well as scholarships geared toward specific majors, exist for students in all sorts of vocational programs.

Opting for a trade school instead of a traditional college or university doesn't mean you're not eligible for federal financial aid. Trade school students can receive Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants - free money that doesn't need to be repaid.

To apply for these programs, all you have to do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In fact, students should fill out the FAFSA before doing anything else.

Are you or is one of your parents a member of a trade union? Union Plus, an organization that provides products and services to union families, offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to union members and their families for traditional four-year colleges, as well as trade and technical schools.

The 2014 scholarship application deadline is Jan. 31, 2014, so you still have some time to apply. Don't forget to also dig into potential scholarship opportunities offered by your own union.

If you're headed to a technical or trade school, you've probably made up your mind about what trade you will be going into. This means you can take advantage of scholarships that are offered for a specific course of study.

Students going into agriculture may be eligible for grants and scholarships from the National FFA Organization, which distributes approximately $2 million in grants and scholarships each year.

Are you more interested in becoming a mechanic? Universal Technical Institute, a nationwide provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as entry-level automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, offers scholarships and funding resources on the school's website.

Find scholarships at the local level by visiting your school's financial aid office. If you live in Maine, for example, you can take advantage of the scholarships offered by the Maine Metal Products Association. These scholarships are available only for students who will be attending a Maine college and plan to pursue careers in the metalworking industry.

If you're still undecided about your career interests, or if your major fits into a different category, there are many scholarships for students pursuing general trade programs.

You may have noticed many of these programs are sponsored by community-based or regional organizations. Find out what businesses and organizations in your area might be interested in supporting students in vocational and trade programs. Don't hesitate to contact them and ask about funding, as two-year programs can be incredibly valuable, but potentially costly.

Finally, don't limit your search for scholarships specifically geared toward vocational or trade school students. Many organizations that offer traditional, four-year scholarships also recognize the value of two-year degrees. Take advantage of those opportunities, too.

BOE Recognizes KBSutton Staff and Students

Roxy Perez, Kindergartener at KBSutton, is the school's Bus Safety Art Contest Winner.  Her entry went on to the state level for consideration.  Roxy is pictured with KBSutton Principal Mrs. Alicia Elder.  

The Board of Education also recognized Mrs. Jacki Skeleton, KBSutton Art Teacher, and Mrs. Sandy Watson, KBSutton Chorus Teacher, for their efforts to promote arts for elementary students. 

One of T. G. Scott's Kindergarten students shared a very special book with  classes entitled "The Sparkle Box" by Jill Hardie. This book embodies the holiday spirit of sharing and giving with those who do not have as much as others. The kindergarten team decided to share this spirit of giving with their students. Each of the kindergarten classrooms has created a SPARKLE BOX of their own and are collecting warm winter items (mittens, scarves, hats, socks, etc)to distribute to needy families in our school. What a fantastic way to instill the spirit of giving in our children!

K.B. Sutton held a fourth and fifth grade spelling bee on Friday, December 6, 2013. The top ten finalists were chosen from each grade level and will compete against each in the school spelling bee on Thursday, January 16, 2013 at 6:30pm.  Top 10 fourth grade students: Back from left to right: Harris Chambers, Madison Whitehead, Jakayla Stinson, Matthew Henderson, and Camren Chaney. Front from left to right: Olivia Caulder, Shawn Johnson, Jeremy Clay, Mackenzie Pye, and Myeasha Howard.  The winner for fourth grade was Madison Whitehead and runner-up was Mackenzie Pye.

KB's top ten fifth grade spelling bee students were :Sydney Davenport, Jordan Mayers, Lily Keck, Shylar Pressley, Gabe Hogan, Hannah Watson, Alauna Robinson, Andrew Marlowe, Logan Landers, and Sarah Tallman. Our winner for fifth grade was Shylar Pressley, and  runner up was Logan Landers.