Monroe Messages
A Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
  Important Dates for Monroe County Schools
October 1  Last Day of First Nine Weeks
October 2  Teacher Inservice Day
October 3  Fall Holiday
October 6  Fall Holiday
October 7  First Day of Second Nine Weeks
October 9  First Nine Weeks Report Cards Go Home
October 23 Parent/Teacher Conference Day 4-7 p.m.
BOE Monthly Meeting Slated for October 14
MC Logo

The Monroe County Board of Education will convene its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room.  To review the agenda, see the eBoard website.

Fall Extravaganza for Special Needs Students and Families

This special event is for Monroe County special needs students and their families.  The event will be held at the Monroe County Schools Education Center 433 Highway 41 South.  Special needs students and their families should RSVP to Leslie Gavin, Special Needs Parent Mentor at [email protected].
System Teacher of the Year Presented with Jostens Ring

Susan Adams-Curtis, the 2014 Monroe County Schools Teacher of the Year was recently presented with her Teacher of the Year ring, one of the awards made to her for this honor.  She is pictured (center) with (l-r) Assistant Superintendent Angie Dillon, HES Principal Jay Johnston, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman.

Fundraiser for MPHS Students in Need

GLISI Team Climbs the Professional Learning Mountain

The Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) hosts teams of Georgia educators at professional learning retreats at Stone Mountain. This year's team attending the first half of the experience this week.  Led by Superintendent Anthony Pack, Assistant Superintendent Angie Dillon, and TGScott Assistant Principal Sandy Metts, the team consists of: 
Darryl Baker, HES; Raymond Cameron, HES; Racine Dorsey, MCMS: Kraig Howell, Coordinator of Instructional Student Supports; Bob Meacham, MCMS/MPHS; Reye McLuen, MPHS; Daphne Perkins, MCMS: Sandy Watson, KBS; and Kelli Williamson, TGS.
A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Flu Shots

Flu vaccine myths can confuse people trying to decide whether to get a shot. Here are five common myths and, based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the truth.

1. The shot can give you flu.

Not so, says the CDC.  The viruses in flu shots are killed during the production of the vaccine, which means they cannot cause infection.  Still, some people feel bad after a flu shot. Soreness at the injection site is one reason, but it usually dissipates within two days. It's caused by the immune system making antibodies to the killed viruses in the vaccine that help a person fight off the flu.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says symptoms, in rare instances, include fever, muscle pain, and discomfort or weakness, which also typically go away after a day or two.  And, though a flu shot won't give you the flu, its protection doesn't kick in for two weeks from the time of injection. During that time, you are vulnerable.

2. It is better to get the vaccine later in the season to limit the risk that its efficacy will wane.

No. The shot lasts an entire flu season, except for some children who may need two doses. The CDC recommends that all people older than 6 months get a flu vaccine.

3. The flu shot might adversely affect pregnancy.

No. The flu vaccine is "an essential element of prenatal care," and it is recommended for all pregnant women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Pregnant women are among the groups at increased risk for flu complications like pneumonia, infections and dehydration.  Though babies cannot be vaccinated until they have reached six months of age, antibodies they received in utero from their mothers may help protect them. Note that the group recommends against the nasal spray -- the live, attenuated version -- for pregnant women.

The CDC says seasonal flu vaccine shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies.

4. I've had the flu before and it was no big deal, so bring it on.

No. Seasonal flu exacts a bigger toll in some years than in others: Between 1976 and 2007, the flu was linked to a low of 3,000 to as many as 49,000 fatalities in the United States, with more than 200,000 hospitalizations.  There are two main reasons: The viruses that circulate in one year may differ from those that circulate in another. And, of course, people change from year to year, meaning that your response to a viral infection one year may not be the same as your response in another.

5. The flu shot doesn't work.

It doesn't work all the time, but it does confer some level of protection. The CDC says preliminary data for the 2010-2011 season show that it was about 60% effective for all age groups combined, and studies for earlier years found protection rates of up to 90%.

Source: Flu Shot Myths Addressed http://www.cnn.com/health
MPHS Work-Based Learning Newsletter

KBS Students Use Technology to Research Mythology
Mrs. Leanna Linnenkohl's third graders at KBSutton Elementary School used ipads and computers this week to research Greek mythology.
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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 Jackson Daniel 25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029  478-994-2031 Student 504  Jenny Rooks  433 Highway 41 South, Forsyth, GA 31029
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