At the Board Meeting and Training Session on January 24, 2015 consultants with Georgia Leadership Associates, Mr. Bill Loudermilk and Dr. Bill Truby, led the Board of Education in discussions related to facilities planning and the potential of a College and Career Academy.  These were initial learning sessions which will pave the way for community forums to seek input from business and industry professionals on workforce development in Monroe County.  The Board wants to ensure they are preparing students for the jobs of the future beginning in Pre-Kindergarten so they may graduate ready to enter the workforce, military, technical college, or 4 year college/universities.  As a part of Board Members' Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles for the students of Monroe County Schools, they desire that students will graduate high school prepared to be citizens who are lifelong learners and lifelong wage earners.

At the end of the meeting, the Monroe County Board of Education approved the extension of Superintendent Anthony Pack's contract through the 2016-2017 school year.

Academic Achievement/Professional Learning

• The high school graduation rate has exceeded the state average with the last three consecutive years being above 80%.

• Academic achievement continues with students at all grade levels scoring higher than the state averages.

• Under the Georgia Department of Education's Accountability System, the Monroe County School System ranks top amongst Central Georgia School Districts and in the top 20% statewide.

• Beginning in 2009, the system began Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports districtwide, a full four years ahead of the majority of the rollouts across Georgia.  Beginning in 2012, the system began offering PBIS tours to other systems and schools with over 50 Georgia schools represented at quarterly tours of our schools to showcase PBIS activities. In 2014-2015 school year, the system is conducting two tours accommodating over 200 attendees.

• Beginning in 2013, all students grades K-12 have the opportunity to participate in a musical or play.  

• In 2013-2014 school year, students were offered the opportunity to take instrumental band courses adding to chorus and general music which were already available.  MCS students now have the ability to take performing and visual arts from elementary through high school.

• In 2010-2011, Monroe County Schools implemented "bring your own device (BYOD)" at all campuses for students in grades three through twelve.  In 2013,the system installed wireless access points throughout every building.  In addition, the system had a 2012-2013 English/Language Arts resource adoption which purchased over 900 chromebook computers for students to use in the classrooms.  

• Monroe County Schools serves as a model for other systems with its K-5 implementation of standards-based report cards at grades K-5 and implementation forthcoming at grade six.

• CTAE teachers and students have received accolades for industry certification for business education and healthcare science program.  In addition to highly successful established CTAE programs in agriculture, automotive care, business education, construction, and technology education, the energy pathway was established in 2013.The system has a state recognized Work-Based Learning Program.

Stakeholder Engagement/System Improvement

• In 2012-2013, Monroe County Board of Education adopted a new Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles with input from community stakeholders, students, parents, and staff.

• In 2011, Monroe County Schools was awarded AdvancED District Accreditation with Quality Achievement.

• In 2009-2010, Monroe County Board of Education was able to purchase property formerly owned by a private school.  The property has been utilized to grow a Central Georgia Technical College presence in the area so that Mary Persons High School students and Monroe County residents have access to post-secondary options within this community.

• In 2013, the Monroe County Board of Education was recognized as a Quality School Board.  In 2014, the Monroe County Board of Education was recognized as a Board of Distinction for its effectiveness in governance.

• Monroe County Schools is financially solvent with audit status reported yearly as quality or better.

• The system passed its fourth consecutive ESPLOST in 2013.

Professional Learning

• The system established the MCS Leading Learner Summit in 2012, and this yearly activity is a professional learning symposium conducted by MCS faculty and staff for MCS faculty and staff.  With over 100 participants annually, the Leading Learner Summit serves as a model for other school systems throughout Georgia.

• Succession planning is established and sustaining.  Working in cooperation with Middle Georgia RESA, the Teacher Leader Collaborative grows leaders and provides training for teachers yearly.

Looking ahead to the 2015-2016 school year, Mr. Pack will lead the system as its strives to achieve goals to continue enhancing student achievement for all students.

• Student Achievement/System Improvement -- Nurture a growing culture of Commitment to Excellence in Academics, Arts, and Athletics.

• Student Achievement -- Continue increasing the graduation rate.

• Student Achievement -- Increase participation in Dual Enrollment for high school students.

• Student Achievement -- Increase SAT and ACT scores to above state and national averages.

• Student Achievement -- Develop and implement local benchmark assessments containing brief and extended constructed responses to increase the rigor and relevance of assessments of the Georgia Milestones.

• Student Achievement/Technology -- Continue transitioning to one-to-one for student and teacher use of technology to be phased in through the textbook adoption process annually.

• System Improvement/Organizational Effectiveness -- Participate in the Georgia Oglethorpe Award process completing each level and moving to the National Malcolm Baldrige Award.

• Student Achievement -- Develop a virtual academy to enhance the Monroe County Achievement Center and increase online learning opportunities for students in grades K- 12.

• Fine Arts -- Build and sustain a 1200 seat Fine Arts Center (Anticipate starting construction Winter/Spring of 2015).

• Fine Arts -- Establish and sustain a Strings Program for grades 3 through 12. (Anticipate starting program Fall of 2016).

• Student Achievement/Professional Learning -- Continue training staff in assisting students in goal setting to increase levels of self-efficacy.

• Organizational Effectiveness/Financial Processes -- Through contracted services for financial procedures, MCS will continue to have quality audits in 2015-2016 and beyond.

• Student Achievement -- Seek community input on the construction of a College and Career Academy and courses offerings that may include Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Media Productions, Teaching as a Profession, and Welding Programs.

• System Improvement and Organizational Effectiveness -- Attain Industry Certification Re-certification in the Energy Pathway and Engineering and Technology Program Areas respectively.

• Student Achievement -- Continue to increase the percentage of students who pass the high school End of Pathway Assessments.

• System Improvement and Organizational Effectiveness -- Provide the opportunity for Monroe County Schools staff to earn MOUS (Microsoft Office User) Certification.

• System Improvement and Organizational Effectiveness -- Successfully renew AdvancED accreditation  in January-February 2016.

Mr. Pack attributes his success to the dedication of the community which supports the Monroe County School System's teachers and students.  He believes the real work takes place in the classrooms where teachers and students interact each and every day.  He states, "educating boys and girls is all about rigor, relevance, and relationships."

MCBOE Board Chairman Dr. J. Ray Grant, Jr.  stated, "The Boards extension of Mr. Pack's contract is an action taken to show their confidence and trust in his leadership of Monroe County Schools.  He further stated, "the numbers (the Monroe County School System's and individual schools' rankings) speak for themselves and to his dedication working with his team to enhance MCS."

What documentation do I need to register my child for PreK?

 Information concerning enrollment and residence requirements can be found on the Enrollment Process and Requirements webpage.

What if there are no remaining seats for PreK at the school for which my child is zoned?

 Your child will be placed on a waiting list for your zoned school.   

My child's immunizations expire before school starts.  What do I need to do?

If your child's immunizations will expire after the registration period and before the first day of school, simply obtain an updated immunization form,  Form 3231, from your child's doctor or the Department of Health and return it to the school's Registrar.

I do not have an Eye, Ear, and Dental form for my child.  What do I need to do?

Children enrolling in a Georgia Pre-K Program are required to have a hearing, vision, and dental certificate on file with the school.  Form 3300 can be obtained by your child's doctor or the Department of Health.

Can I make my appointment for registration when I pick up my packet?

The change in the Pre-K registration process was made to become more accommodating to the needs of parents.  In other words, we wanted to prevent parents from feeling the pressure of having to wait in a long line in uncertain weather conditions to register their child.  If appointments were made during packet pick-up, longer lines for packet pick-up will be eminent, dissolving the goals of restructuring the process.  Continued improvement is always being considered.  This includes the appointment scheduling process.

Does the System Registrar call me to make my appointment?

No.  Registration packets are picked up randomly.  Parents will need to call to make a registration appointment during the specified dates and times.

Should I call or visit the board office to make by appointment?

Parents should call to make their Pre-K registration appointment.  Visiting the board office to make an appointment slows the scheduling process drastically.  Due to walk-ins, parents are required to remain on hold for lengthy periods of time while the visiting parent's questions are being answered.  Please call to make your appointment.  Your questions will be addressed during the scheduled appointment or during school visitation.

What if I forget about my appointment or lose my confirmation notice?

We will use our automated call-out system to remind parents of their appointment.  However, we must have a valid phone number on file to ensure the call is sent correctly.  Please provide the System Registrar with your contact information.

Will my child be tested for PreK?

No.  PreK students are not assessed before entering PreK.  Assessments are made continually throughout the year on the instructional standards.  The results are shared with parents at the end of each semester.

What supplies will my child need?

No supplies are needed for PreK students.  Teachers may request that parents bring a change of clothes to remain at school, and perhaps a sheet to cover the mat used at nap time.  The teachers will communicate with parents which items to bring when school begins.

Is the PreK Program a full day?

Yes.  School begins at 8:30.  The school day ends at 3:30.

Is after-school care available? 

Please contact your child's school of enrollment concerning questions regarding after-school care.

Can my PreK child ride the bus?

Yes, transportation services to and from school are available.

What about breakfast and lunch?

Breakfast and lunch are available each day.  Your child may also bring their lunch, if desired.

What are the age requirements for Pre-K?

Students registering for Pre-Kindergarten must be 4 years old on or before September 1st.  If your child is 5 and you want the child to attend the Pre-K Program, the following criteria is required.

• the child has never attended the Pre-K Program before

• the child has a late birthday or

• developmental delays affect the child's readiness for school

When: March 28, 2015

Time: 7:00AM Check-In, 5K begins at 8:00AM, 1Mile Fun Run begins at 8:30AM

Where: Monroe County Achievement Center

 Entry Fee: $20

T-Shirts are guaranteed to runners registered by March 24th  

Awards: Top 3 male and female in the following age groups

6-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64

3 Ways to Register

Register online at https://www.racerpal.com/races/FitToAchieve.html    

Register by mail: Print Registration Form from https://www.racerpal.com/races/FitToAchieve.html    

Register in person: Visit us at the Monroe County Achievement Center to register

All proceeds benefit the students of the Monroe County Achievement Center by assisting in purchasing technological needs. For more information, please contact  Dr. Margie Campbell.