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The Monroe County Board of Education will meet for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 9.  The meeting is to begin with an executive session at 6:30 p.m. followed by recognition of retirees in the central office auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.
Monroe Messages
A Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
Summer Proof of Residency Dates

The Monroe County Board of Education will begin the process for presenting Proof of Residency for the 2015-2016 School Year on June 15, 2015.  Below you will find a timeline that is accommodating for all parents/guardians.  All Monroe County Schools students are required to have current proof of residency documentation on file prior to the first day of school.

 

June 15, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'A' through 'D' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education.

 

July 6, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

June 16, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'E' through 'K' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

July 7, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

June 17, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'L' through 'R' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

July 8, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

June 18, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'S' through 'Z' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

July 9, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

Please keep in mind that your child(ren) will not be provided a schedule until Proof of Residency is accepted and approved.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Cindy Seymour, System Registrar at 478-994-2031 ext. 1037.
12 Month Employees Luncheon
Twelve month employees came together last week to celebrate summer with a barbeque luncheon and door prizes.  Thank you to the employees who spend their summers getting our schools prepared for the start of the school year.  Thank you to Serbrena Williams for coordinating the event.
Looking Ahead to August:  Important Dates
The 2015-2016 school year will be here soon.  Here are some important dates for your calendar.  Our schools will welcome our students and their families in August.

Mary Persons High School 

August 11, 2015 - 9th Grade Orientation A-M 4:00- 6:00 pm
August 12, 2015 - 9th Grade Orientation N-Z 4:00- 6:00 pm
August 13, 2015 - JR/SR Schedule Pick-Up 9:00- 11:30 am
Senior Parking Lottery 10:00 am
New Student Orientation- 3:00 pm
 Sophomore Orientation- 4:00- 6:00 pm

 

Monroe County Achievement Center

August 12, 2015 - 5:00-6:30 pm  

   

Monroe County Middle School

August 11, 2015 - 1:00- 5:00 pm (BSC/WHC)

 

All Elementary Schools 

August 12, 2015 - 12:30-6:00 pm   
Georgia Power Sponsors Another Successful
MCMS Getting Into Energy Camp
Under the direction of Monroe County Middle School teachers, Racine Dorsey, Bob Meacham, and Mark McCoy, the Getting Into Energy Camp experience was a success for Monroe County Middle School students.  With Georgia Power employees sponsoring and guiding students through the week, these students learned all about electricity. Their week consisted of experiments, projects, and camp fun with a culminating trip to Plant Scherer.  Thank you to our friends at Georgia Power for sponsoring this free learning opportunity for our students.  In addition to meals and snacks, each student received tshirts, supplies, and an Amazon Kindle as part of their camp experience.
Successful Leading Learner Summit and Curriculum Revisions Close Out the Year
Staff members had a variety of professional learning opportunities last week. 
Leading Learner Summit culminated the school year as teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators shared in professional learning experiences.
Monroe County Schools 2015-2016 Calendar
The Monroe County Board of Education has adjusted the 2015-2016 calendar.  The student calendar consists of 180 days, and the staff calendar now is set for 190 days.

Addition of 2 days to teachers/staff for 15-16 (190 day calendar)

1. Day 1 added back on Monday, August 10, 2015 (Pre-Planning Day)

2. Day 2 added back on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 (additional Teacher In-Service Day).

Last day of school for students is Friday, June 3, 2016 (pushed forward one day).

For a PDF that you can print,
Summer Reading Opportunities for Your Student
When students don't read during the summer months, they lose educational ground, a phenomenon that lowers achievement potential and widens the achievement gap. Research shows that students can lose up to three months of reading ability over the summer.

Fortunately, this summer reading loss is preventable. Research shows that children who read during the summer do not have to suffer reading loss, and may even show some growth in their reading ability. To ensure that Georgia's students don't fall behind while school is out of session, the Georgia Department of Education is working alongside the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, and other partners to encourage summer reading.

All students are challenged to read every day this summer, for a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes, and the GaDOE and partners are offering a variety of free resources to make that easier: 

Suggested summer reading goals for students based on grade levels are:

  • K-2 students: 10 books
  • 6-12 students: 5 fiction books and 5 non-fiction books

Research shows that reading loss occurs for most children when they are not in a formal learning environment or engaged in any form of educational activities. But that loss is preventable. Harvard University Professor Dr. James S. Kim, for example, has demonstrated that when students read a minimum of eight high-interest, ability-appropriate books over the summer, their reading skills grow as much as students who attend summer school.  
Governor Signs HB 91:  Students who did not pass GHSGT now Eligible for Diploma
Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 91 to create O.C.G.A. § 20-2-281.1.  This bill provides opportunity for students to receive their high school diploma without the successful completion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test.  This test series is no longer a graduation requirement.  Therefore, any individuals, that enrolled in 9th grade on or after July 1, 1981, no longer enrolled in a public school who were denied a high school diploma solely for not achieving a passing score on any of the graduation tests and met all other local and state requirements may submit a petition to the Monroe County Board of Education to determine eligibility to receive a high school diploma under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-281.1.

The Monroe County Schools Board of Education is accepting petitions for high school diplomas.  Petitions must be submitted at the Central Office of the Monroe County Board of Education on the Friday prior to the monthly scheduled board meeting each month to be included on the meeting agenda.  Petitions received after the deadline will be placed on the board meeting agenda for the following month.  For more information, please contact Cindy Seymour at 478-994-2031 x. 1037 or at cindy.seymour@mcschools.org.  
Preparations for Advanc-ED Visit in 2016
Ms. Penny Smith, of Middle Georgia RESA, met with teachers and administrators this week to continue the preparations for the Monroe County Schools Advanc-ED accreditation study in 2016. 
A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Summer Water Fun and Water Safety
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What do surfing, fishing, water skiing, and swimming have in common? They are all lots of water fun. Take along these tips - and your common sense - to get wet, make waves, and have a blast!

  • DO learn to swim. If you like to have a good time doing water activities, being a strong swimmer is a must.
  • DO take a friend along. Even though you may be a good swimmer, you never know when you may need help. Having friends around is safer and just more fun!
  • DO know your limits. Watch out for the "too's" - too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much hard activity.
  • DO swim in supervised (watched) areas only, and follow all signs and warnings.
  • DO wear a life jacket when boating, jet skiing, water skiing, rafting, or fishing.
  • DO stay alert to currents. They can change quickly! If you get caught in a strong current, don't fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you have passed through it. Near piers, jetties (lines of big rocks), small dams, and docks, the current gets unpredictable and could knock you around. If you find it hard to move around, head to shore. Learn to recognize and watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents - water that is a weird color, really choppy, foamy, or filled with pieces of stuff.
  • DO keep an eye on the weather.
    If you spot bad weather (dark clouds, lighting), pack up and take the fun inside.  Guard against the sun.  Always use sunscreen.
  • DON'T mess around in the water. Pushing or dunking your friends can get easily out of hand.
  • DON'T dive into shallow water. If you don't know how deep the water is, don't dive.
  • DON'T float where you can't swim. Keep checking to see if the water is too deep, or if you are too far away from the shore or the poolside.
Class of 2015 Graduation DVDs Available
The graduation exercises for the Class of 2015 streamed live on the Monroe County Schools and Mary Persons High School websites last Friday night.  You can view the commencement exercises at http://www.monroe.k12.ga.us for a limited time.  If you missed the ceremony, you can order a DVD of the ceremonies for $25.00 by completing the order form on our website. 

Orders will be filled upon receipt of payment.  Checks should be made out to Monroe County Schools.  Mailed payments should be sent to:  Monroe County Schools Attn:  Technology Department  25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029.  
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.