Brittany Bagwell is pictured with Kraig Howell, Coordinator of Instructional Student Support.

KBSutton Elementary School Special Education Teacher Brittany Bagwell was recognized last week with the Special Education Impact Award sponsored by Middle Georgia RESA. Ms. Bagwell received this award by demonstrating skills and commitment that go above and beyond expectations. Ms. Bagwell understands the needs and abilities of the students while fostering their self-esteem and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Ms. Bagwell is pictured with KBS student, Charleigh Elder.

The Monroe County Board of Education announces the process for Kindergarten Registration for the 2015-2016 School Year. Below you will find a timeline that will hopefully be more convenient and more accommodating for all parents/guardians.

Students currently enrolled in the Monroe County Schools Pre-K program are NOT required to complete the enrollment process.

March 9:  Kindergarten Registration Packets will be available for pick up at the Monroe County Board of Education from 7:30 am.- 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.

March 18:  Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may call the Monroe County Board Office to schedule an appointment to register their 2015-2016 kindergarten child.  Appointments will be scheduled with the System Registrar, Cindy Seymour. The contact number for Mrs. Seymour is 478-994-2031 ext 1037.  Appointments will be scheduled from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, appointments will be scheduled from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm.

March 23:  Kindergarten Registration Appointments begin. Parent(s)/Guardian will receive a letter confirming the school zone and Kindergarten enrollment for the upcoming school year when all necessary documentation has been received.

MPHS - 100% (3rd time in a row)

Freshman Campus - 100% (3rd time in a row)

BSMS - 100% (3rd time in a row)

WHMS - 100%

KBSE - 100%

SHES - 99%

TGSE - 99% 

"A perfect score or a 99 are very difficult to attain, so the fact that the schools accomplished this incredible feat speaks volumes of the kitchen leadership and the commitment to understanding and following the rules by the support staff," stated Lisa Singley, Nutrition Services Director.

KBSutton Elementary pre-kindergarten students recently received a copy of the book, "TJ's Discovery," to take home. Governor and Mrs. Deal have provided this book to every child in a Georgia Pre-K Program. We encourage our families of Pre-K students to read "TJ's Discovery" and other books to their children at home. Reading research shows that families play a critical role in a child's later reading success.

Test anxiety is the uneasiness or apprehension that a student feels before, during or after a test because of worry or fear of failure. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time; in fact, low levels of anxiety can motivate students to study and perform well. However, when anxiety interferes with test-taking and learning it can cause students to blank out or have trouble paying attention, limiting their ability to think clearly and do their best work. The good news is that parents can help their children manage test anxiety.

What does it feel like?

Some students report physical symptoms including butterflies, cold or clammy hands, headaches, nausea, being hot or cold, or feeling faint. Others report feeling like they want to cry or even leave the room and not take the test. Still others feel angry or helpless.

What Can I Do As A Parent?

The Practical First Steps

• Make sure your child has enough sleep, eats a healthy breakfast and gets to school on time.
• Make sure your child has the needed school supplies (notebooks, pencils, etc.).
• Doing well on a test is easier if a student has been consistently completing school assignments, including studying or reading. Encouraging your child to complete homework each day is important and helpful.

Specific suggestions

• Motivate your child to want to take a test. You can do this by reinforcing their efforts, including the studying and homework tasks, rather than focusing on having to make a certain grade.
• Help your child reduce fear and anxiety. This can be accomplished with enthusiasm, praise and, at times, small rewards for giving their best effort in spite of feeling worried.
• Anxious children tend to have many negative thoughts (I'm going to fail this test or I do badly on every test.) You can teach your child to challenge these ideas by looking at the evidence against each negative thought. (Do you really fail every test? What is likely to happen if you study?) Finally, help your child to find a more optimistic thought to use whenever the negative ones arise (When I study I do pass tests.)
• Teach your child ways to relax through simple techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. Relaxation is a skill that requires learning and practice, so keep the relaxation practices short and simple. Make it a family activity, where everyone takes the time to breathe deeply: you can teach by example. Use the techniques yourself, for example, when you become frustrated while driving. Encourage your child to practice in real life situations (e.g., before going to a stressful family event).

What Should I Avoid Doing?

• Avoid giving excessive reassurance, such as repeatedly saying, you'll do great! Too much reassurance causes anxious children to seek to discredit the parent's opinion.
• Avoid telling your child exactly what to do. It is more useful to ask your child to come up with a realistic plan for studying and taking the test. Successful completion of the plan enhances the child's feeling of control and accomplishment, and this will decrease anxiety. Build in some relaxation time to your child's plan.
• Do not ignore the problem by hoping it will go away by itself.
• Do not be impatient. (Just take the test and get over it!)
• Do not allow the child to avoid the situation. (You can stay home today.)

When should I seek professional help?

Students with severe test anxiety may decline in their academic performance, and are more likely to repeat a grade and perform worse on other activities that require new learning (Campbell, 1986). Test anxiety has also been related to poor self-esteem and school refusal (Ollendick & Meyer, 1984). Although it is normal to have some degree of test anxiety, if the problem persists or the symptoms are interfering with school performance, help is available. Reducing test anxiety alone will not be effective unless children know how to study and take tests. Teaching study skills and test-taking strategies are effective in helping students perform better in school (Beidel

&Taylor-Ferrerira, 1995).

Written and Developed by Lori Evans, Ph.D. and the staff of the NYU Child Study Center

Baseball Discount Cards are now on sale! Please see and Varsity, JV, C-Team player, coach, or Dugout Club member to get yours today! Great discounts for only $ 10! If you have any questions please contact Coach Gastley  or 760-851-0457.