MC Logo Monroe County Schools will be administering the Georgia Milestones tests this week.  Please help us help your child by making sure that your student is on time to school.  Your student should get a good night's sleep every night, and a nutritious, light breakfast should be provided.  Breakfast is available for purchase in our schools. Some students will be taking the test through traditional paper and pencil methods.  Other students will be taking the test online.  See below for a special message from Monroe County Schools Nurses regarding test preparations for your student.
Monroe Messages
A Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
HES's Becky Cawthon is the 2015-2016 Monroe County School System Teacher of the Year
Hubbard Elementary School's Becky Cawthon was selected as the 2015-2016 System Teacher of the Year.  She is a kindergarten teacher at Hubbard Elementary School.  Above she is pictured speaking to the audience.  Below she is pictured with her principal, Mr. Jay Johnston.

TGScott Elementary School's Teacher of the Year is Mandi King.  She is pictured below with her principal, Dr. Richard Bazemore.  Mrs. King teaches first grade at TGScott.

KBSutton Elementary School's Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Shirley Johnson.  She is pictured with her principal, Mrs. Alicia Elder.

Monroe County Middle School's Teacher of the Year is Ms. Racine Dorsey.  She is the business education teacher at both campuses of Monroe County Middle School. She is pictured with her principal, Dr. Efrem Yarber.

Monroe County Achievement Center's Teacher of the Year is Dr. Margie Campbell.  She is the special education teacher at the center.  She is pictured with MCAC Director, Mr. Grady Caldwell.

Mary Persons High School's Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Lori Greenway.  She is an English/Language Arts and Drama teacher.  She is pictured with her principal, Mr. Jim Finch.
MCBOE April Recognitions of Students, Board of Education, and Employees
Lawson Harris, a fourth grader at KBSutton Elementary School is pictured with Dr. Marcy Hunt-Harris, Student Services Director and MCBOE Chairman Dr. J. Ray Grant, Jr.  Lawson was runner-up in the system's spelling bee.  Not pictured with Luke McBride, the system winner of the spelling bee.  Luke is a student at TGScott Elementary School.

Board of Education members were recognized for their service.  They are (l-r) Phil Walker, Nolen Howard, Judy Pettigrew, Tammy Fletcher, Eva Bilderback, J. P. Evans, Sr., and Dr. J. Ray Grant, Jr.

Board of Education employees were recognized for their years of service.  Pictured are (l-r):  Roger Onstott, five years; Deidre Powers, five years; Sandy Colwell, 25 years; Angie Dillon, 25 years; Sandra Walker, 30 years; J. P. Evans, Sr., 35 years.  They were congratulated by MCBOE Chairman Dr. J. Ray Grant, Jr.
Mary Persons High to Add Wrestling Program
Mary Persons High School is proud to announce the addition of a wrestling program. The wrestling program will be housed in the J.P. Evans Gymnasium. The wrestling team's inaugural season will begin in the fall of 2015.

"We are very excited to start a wrestling program at Mary Persons. Adding wrestling at MP will continue to help our school grow and improve our athletic tradition," said Mary Persons Athletics Director Brian Nelson.

The Bulldog wrestling team will compete in Class AAAA of the Georgia High School Athletic Association. Mary Persons plans to have 20 to 25 wrestlers on the team.

Mary Persons has developed an interest in wrestling, and will continue to identify potential student wrestlers. Coach Matt Gordon has been tabbed as the head coach for the inaugural Mary Persons wrestling team. "It is our hope that this is the first step in developing more athletic programs for the
students of Mary Persons. We look forward to exploring more athletic offerings in the near future," added Nelson.
Celebrating the Military Child on Fri, April 24
We are going "Purple" on Friday in celebration of children of members of the armed forces.  Wear your favorite purple shirt or other purple items (that meet your school's dress code) to celebrate and honor military children who often make their own sacrifices when a father or mother serves in the military.

"I encourage every Georgia district to designate a time to honor our military students," Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods said. "We owe our freedom to the sacrifices of their families. As a former military child myself, I commend these students for their commitment to education in the face of many challenges and transitions, and I assure them we will always work hard to provide the support they need." 

Find resources and information on the celebration of children of members of the military here.
Congratulations to MCMS Baseball Team!
Monroe County Middle School's baseball team finished the season as region champs!  They are runners-up for the championship.
MCBOE To Hold Budget and Training Session
The Monroe County Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, April 21.  The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the central office board room.  This will be followed a training session for board of education members.
Big Thinkers Science Night at KBSutton
Big Thinkers Science Night was recently held at KBS. The children had a fantastic time learning about air from Madame Miraculous! They learned the science behind how cotton candy is made and then enjoyed this treat which made science even more fun! Slippery, gooey slime was interesting to mix and make, too! 13WMAZ featured the Big Thinkers Science Night.  You can see the news clip by clicking on this link:  http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/2015/04/16/hovercraft-thrills-students/25916411/.
A Message from Monroe County Schools Counselors:  Military Rules Regarding Tattoos

Will too many tattoos keep you out of military?

Students who are interested in pursuing a career in the military need to be aware of new rules set by the armed forces.   Each branch of the service has established rules about tattoos. In March 2015, the Army overhauled its appearance policy, which includes more than two pages of detailed rules about "tattoo, branding and body mutilation."  Due to much debate, the Army has since decided to revise their tattoo policy.  According to The Army Times, "There are no longer limits on the size or number of tattoos that soldiers can have on their arms and legs.  Face, neck and hand tattoos, however, remain against regulation, with the exception of one ring tattoo per hand. Racist, derogatory and sexist tattoos are also outlawed."

The Air Force policy has a seven-step measurement guide that contains math formulas in an attempt to prevent tattoos from covering more than 25 percent of an exposed body part while the Marines policy states that applicants with more than four tattoos must be administratively reviewed; and the Navy's policy is the least detailed -- only 277 words, which bans head tattoos.
TGScott Celebrates Library Appreciation Week
Students enjoyed special book treats, games, and bookmarks this week to celebrate Library Appreciation Week.
A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Tips for Test Takers

Tips for Boosting Standardized Test Scores

  • Get a Good Night's Sleep

Students who get a good night's sleep are better able to remember and recall what they have learned. Don't stay up late to cram; it is better to get your Zzzz's. (7-12 year olds need 10-11 hours/day and 12-18 year olds need 8-9 hours/day.)

  • Eat Right

Get your test day started with the right fuel. Serve at least three of the five food groups at breakfast. Include a variety of foods like whole grains (toast or cereal), proteins (eggs, lean meat or nuts), fruit and low fat dairy (milk, cheese or yogurt).

  • Keep Your Brain Wet

Don't forget about water. Our brains are more than 85% water, so they need plenty of the wet stuff to work well. Thirsty brains can experience short term memory loss, trouble focusing and difficulty with math problems. If the teacher allows, send your child with a water bottle to keep him energized, alert and focused.

  • Pack Your Child a Healthy Snack

If your child will be longer than 4 hours between meals, a nutritious snack mid-way will help regulate blood sugar, and keep energy levels and focus high. Snack suggestions: fruit, veggies, cheese and crackers, mini bagels and cream cheese.

  • Avoid Giving Children Simple Sugars

When sending snacks avoid sugary cereals, pop tarts, juice, cookies and candy. They provide an energy burst but are followed by a crash leaving your child feeling tired and sluggish---not good on a test day.

  • Play More

We know that physical activity is good for our muscles and body, but did you know it is also good for your brain? Physical activity is linked to increased concentration and ability to focus. Physical activity increases blood flow in your body which means more nutrients and oxygen are traveling to your brain.

Study hard + eat right + sleep tight = the right equation for testing success!

Source: http://www.strong4life.com  
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  Student 504 Jenny Rooks 25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029 Copyright 2015.  All Rights Reserved.