March 14 To Become School Day
The Board of Education voted at its January training session to make March 14 a student school day.  Previously, this day was designated as a teacher work day.  Based on the snow days of this week, the Board of Education will review the calendar again at its February meeting to address this week's missed days.
MCBOE to Meet Tuesday, February 11
The Monroe County Board of Education will meet for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. in the central office board room.  The Board of Education will recognize each school's Teacher of the Year at that meeting.
Mary Persons High School has its own weekly email newsletter.  You can subscribe to it via text message (see above) or sign up at the Mary Persons High School website.
You Can Watch MP Basketball Online
Mary Persons High School basketball home games are being broadcast via the http://www.nfhsnetwork.com. 
Subscribers can watch all of the action online.  Pictured above are: MP/MCMS Teacher Bob Meacham manning the camera and the equipment, Athletic Director Brian Nelson calling the game, and MP JV Basketball Player, Elijah Hawkins, in his broadcast debut.
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ABCD Award Logo ABCD Award Open for Nominations

There is always that person that goes the extra mile to help or provides extra special "customer" service.  

Monroe County Schools has an employee recognition program called ABCD  Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.  Anyone can nominate an employee for the annual  ABCD  award. Nominees will receive a special notification that they have been nominated. The Superintendent will also send them a letter acknowledging their nomination. Please note: teachers, administrators, counselors, and media specialists are NOT eligible for this honor.

 

To nominate an employee for ABCD, complete the nomination form found in brochures at each school location or central office, and submit it to the Board of Education office by mail, fax, or in person. The nominations for the current school year will end on April 1. Any nominations received after April 1 will carry over to the following year.
MONROE MESSAGES
NEWSLETTER OF MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS
MCBOE Seeks Input for Possible 2014-2015 Calendar Revision
This past week the Mary Persons High Bulldog Football Team's "Open" game night for the 2014-2015 season was established by the Georgia High School Association. For the past two years, MCS has been able to coordinate Fall Break with the MPHS Football Team "Open" night. Currently, the 2014-2015 Fall Break is scheduled for October 10-13, 2014 (Friday through Monday with Staff and Students returning on Tuesday, October 14, 2014). Next year's "Open" night has been set for October 3, 2014.

This survey is to seek your input as to whether you would prefer the Board of Education move the 2014 Fall Break to October 3-6, 2014. This would be one week earlier than currently scheduled. Staff and Students would return on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. If the break is moved, there will be 7 weeks before the Thanksgiving Holidays. As the calendar is currently set, there are 6 weeks from returning from Fall Break to the beginning of Thanksgiving Holidays.

Thank you for taking time to complete this extremely short survey.   This survey is open through Thursday, February 6. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SKQPQGY
To accommodate families and their schedules, Monroe County Schools announces a new registration process for PreK enrollment for the 2014-2015 school year.  For details, click here.
Mark Your Calendar for These Monroe County Schools Happenings
This schedule is subject to change.  Please check our website at http://www.monroe.k12.ga.us for updates.  For school specific events, follow us on Twitter or check your school's website.

Progress Reports
Thursday, February 6

Presidents' Day Holiday
Friday, February 14 and Monday, February 17

Last Day of the Third Nine Weeks
Thursday, March 13

Regular School Day (Formerly Teacher Work Day)
Friday, March 14

First Day of the Fourth Nine Weeks
Monday, March 17

Monroe County Schools Snow Scenes
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A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Staying healthy in school -- kid-friendly tips 

Do you know why school kids get sick so often?  Do you know the best ways to keep your child healthy in school? Does it seem as if your child is sick all the time? In the early school years, your child's immune system is put to the test. Young children in large groups are breeding grounds for the germs that cause illness. Here's why infectious illness is so common - and what your child can do to stay healthy in school.

Many childhood illnesses are caused by viruses. All it takes is a single child to bring a virus to school for the spread to begin. Consider this common scenario - a child who has a cold coughs or sneezes in the classroom. The children sitting nearby inhale the infected respiratory droplets and the cold spreads. Or perhaps a child who has diarrhea uses the toilet and returns to the classroom without washing his/her hands. Illness-causing germs might spread from anything the sick child touches to other children who touch the same object and then put their fingers in their mouths or on food that they eat.

Frequent hand-washing is one of the simplest - and most effective - ways to stay healthy in school. Remind your child to wash his/her hands before eating and after using the toilet, blowing his/her nose, or playing outside. Suggest soaping up for as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice.In addition to frequent hand-washing, teach your child other school health basics:

  • Use hand sanitizer. Give your child alcohol-based hand sanitizer to keep in his/her desk. Remind your child to use the sanitizer before eating snacks or lunch and after using a shared computer mouse, pencil sharpener, water fountain or other community objects. You might also donate disinfecting wipes and tissues to the classroom for general use.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Give your child a package of tissues to keep in his/her desk. Encourage your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue - then put the tissue in the trash, and wash his/her hands or use hand sanitizer. If it isn't possible to reach a tissue in time, remind your child to cough or sneeze into the crook of his/her elbow.
  • Keep your hands away from your eyes and out of your mouth. Remind your child that hands are often covered in germs.
  • Don't share water bottles, food or other personal items. Offer your child this simple rule - if you put the item in your mouth, keep it to yourself.

Also help your child avoid anyone who has an illness. Close contact with a friend who is ill - such as play dates or sleepovers - could lead to your child becoming sick. It is also important for your child to eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep, and stay current on his/her vaccinations - including a yearly flu vaccine. To prevent spreading illness at home, use the same tips for the entire family.

Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/schoolhealth.html  

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, G31029  478-994-2031  Student and Athletic Title IX Jackson Daniel 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 2014.  All Rights Reserved.