Mary Persons High School
The Bulldog Beat
Merry Christmas!!!
Holidays: December 21-January 1, 2016
Teacher Work Days: January 4 & 5, 2016
Students Return to School: January 6, 2016
Elves at Work

Several years ago a local family became aware of the number 
of homeless students in Monroe County, which prompted them to begin the Adopt-A-Kid for Christmas program.  Mrs. Angela Bullock, along with her son Brock and husband Clint, felt compelled to continue this assistance again this year.  The family solicited sponsors from all over the community and the schools.  A total of 123 students will receive Christmas gifts thanks to their organization and the community's generosity. This family is a blessing to our community.  
Christmas Program 2015: MP Students Give Generously
Christmas Tree Project
Clubs and organizations at our school donate and decorate  a Christmas tree to our Christmas Tree Project. Our system social worker, Ms. Byrd, works with us and determines which families will receive our Christmas Trees.  This year 10 trees were donated for this project. Thank you to all who participated in this worthy cause.

 
Need Your Gifts Wrapped?
Get your gifts wrapped without lifting a finger.  Have the Access department wrap your Christmas gifts. This fundraiser will help send Access student to prom.  See Mrs. Holloway, Mrs. Chafin, or Ms. Haynes to place your order. The last day for wrapping is December 17th.
Faculty & Staff Invited to Public Hanging
Last week Mr. Hurm and his students invited faculty and staff to learn the best way to hang items. Below is the email invitation that was sent out to teachers, detailing the event.

Teachers, 
You have been doing it wrong for long enough. It's time we taught you a lesson, and it seems a Public Hanging is the only solution.
 
Shame on you! Grabbing any old nail from that drawer by the phone to hang a picture, wreath, or stocking when there are all of these wonderful fasteners and anchors to choose from.
 
Just in time for the Holidays, the MP Construction students invite you to attend an instructional session to learn about appropriate fasteners and anchors for hanging all of your decorations. The students are anxious to show you how to identify the composition of your walls, ceilings, and doors, and select the best and easiest anchors. Be ready to roll up your sleeves and get involved in your education.
 
For those teachers who are unavailable after school, please feel free to drop by during your lunch period. Refreshments will be served between 3:00 and 4:00. What's a Public Hanging without hot apple cider and sugar cookies?

PUBLIC HANGING
Room 211
Thursday December 10th
5th Period and 3:00 to 4:00

~MP Construction
2016 Literary Vocal Team
Congratulations to the following students for being 
selected to represent our school in Literary.

Girl's Solo: Sharon Kinsella & alternate Janelle Schultz

Boy's Solo:  Jackson Harvey & alternate Michael Shannon

Girl's Trio:  Katie Gorman, Lindsey Kinsella, & Sharon Kinsella
alternates: Rebecca Clements, Lauren Flowers, & Stephanie Nix

Candidates for Boy's Quartet:
Tim Clements, Jeffrey Dunbar, Jackson Harvey, Michael Smallwood, Kyle Sullivan, Josh Swiney, Josh Ware, and Beau Watson
Central Georgia EMC Presents Grants
Mrs. Beth Chafin was awarded $2,585 by Central Georgia EMC
Foundation's Operation Round Up. These funds will be used to
purchase appliances for the Access program. Students in the Access
program will use these appliances to learn life skills relevant to
independent living: preparing meals and washing and drying clothes.
Best Buddies International was awarded $1,804 to fund their 
Respect Rally which is aimed at bringing awareness to the negative 
affects of using with the words retard and retarded. It also works to 
spread respect for all people, regardless of ability or disability. 
These funds will purchase spirit items for that event!
MP Students Judge Science Fair Projects at HES
Pictured above: Mackenzie Melton and Sharon Kinsella
Three MP students assisted with judging at the Science Fair 
at Hubbard Elementary School last week.  Those assisting were Lindsey Kinsella, Sharon Kinsella, and Mackenzie Melton.
Graduates Speak to Class of 2019 
On Monday, December 14th graduates of MPHS talked with the Class of 2019 about the importance of doing your best in high school.  They also shared their college experiences.
Peacock's Class Holds Auction
After paying their bills, students took the money they earned to
purchase goods from the auction to simulate personal finance management during the holidays. 
Calculator Balances Due
REMINDER: Calculator balances are due 12/18/15. Payments may be made to Dr. Williams on the Main Campus or Mr. Bernard on the Freshman Campus. Contact Dr. Williams at sarah.williams@mcschools.org, if you have any questions.
GaDOE Parent Survey
The Georgia Department of Education Parent Survey  contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphones or tablet.  For parents that do not have access to the Internet, please visit our schools to complete the Georgia Parent Survey.  We encourage all parents to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.  Individual data results from the Georgia Parent Survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online.  
Counselors News
Distinguished Young Women of Monroe-Bibb is now recruiting female students from the Class of 2017 to participate in their national scholarship program. They offer up to $820 million dollars nationally! DYW, formerly known as Junior Miss, has been around since 1958 and seeks to positively impact the lives of young women by providing free life skills workshops focusing on public speaking, interviewing skills, college admissions/scholarships, and our national platform of "Be Your Best Self". This fun and transformative experience promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership, and talent. Young women gain life skills and a boost in self-esteem that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Their accomplishments through this program are then presented in a celebratory showcase at the completion of the program and two representatives are selected to advance to the state competition. We also have a "Little Sister" program for sophomores as well. Bring your parents and join us for a informational meeting at Chick-fil-a on Zebulon Rd. in Macon on Thursday, December 17th, anytime from 5-7pm or Monday, December 21st,  5-7pm. Questions? Please email Jill Lumley, Program Chairman at monroebibb@distinguishedyw.org.  Deadline to sign up is January 8th, 2016! There is no fee to participate!
ACT/SAT News
Students can use a waiver if they have free/reduced lunch or are a member of TRIO.
AP Exam Payments
Students may start making payments for their AP exams.  The cost of each exam is $93.  

The fee schedule is:
                                  Nov. 6              Feb. 5
                                  Dec. 4              Mar. 4
                                  Jan. 8               
This will allow student to make 5 low payments (4 low payments of $20.00 + 5th payment of $13.00).  Parents may also pay for AP exams online via their MySchoolBucks account.  All major credit cards are accepted and there will be an additional $3 charge.  Please see Ms. Burston if you have any questions.  
Attention Seniors & Parents
Are you using CommonApp to apply for college?
If so Kahn Academy has an excellent tutorial with step-by-step instructions that can be found here at their website.  

IMPORTANT NOTICE  
Students should only have one GaCollege411 account.  If you have forgotten your username and/or password, please email me so that I can send this information to you.  Please do not create a new account.  Multiple accounts can lead to delayed HOPE eligibility status reports and can delay your transcript release to colleges.
Fine Arts News
Art News
Visual Arts students have been hard at work completing portraits of children from an orphanage in Madagascar, using photographs of the children as reference.  The completed works will be mailed to the children in January.  For more information, please visit memoryproject.org,
Pictured here is Ciara Bostick, a senior.
Chorus News
Members of the MP Chorus sang at the local Exchange Club Christmas Party Friday night at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Smarr. Santa even showed up!!
Club News
Best Buddies News
Best Buddies members enjoyed a night of bowling last Tuesday night.
TSA News
A special TSA announcement! 
At this time, you may join TSA for only $20! This will include your state and national dues. 

You have the option to order a polo and/or tshirt at an extra cost but these are not required. 

State conference will be held March 17-19 in Athens and we are fundraising and working on our competitive events NOW, so don't delay, join TODAY! 

Consider asking Santa Claus for your membership... A ton of fun, a way to put your knowledge and interests to use, AND a great resumé booster. What better present could you ask for!? 

Contact Mrs. Barfield for information and an application today: Christina.barfield@mcschools.org, or click here to view our TSA Google site.
Sports News
Baseball News
Basketball News
The girls basketball team lost to Howard on 12/8/15 with a score of 53 to 41. Kver Shannon lead all scorers with 22 points. 
The Lady Dogs are 0 and 5 for the season.
Football News

2015 Football Banquet:
The MP Touchdown Club will hold their annual banquet and players' meal on December 17th at 6:00 in the Freshman Campus cafeteria. The banquet honoring the players will be held in the Board of Education auditorium, and will begin at 7:00. The families of the players are invited to attend the banquet portion of the evening, but the meal is for players and coaches only. Make plans to attend and to celebrate our winning season, and honor our 2-AAAA Region Champions!

Congratulations to the following MP players who 
made  the 2-AAAA All-Region Team. 

A Scholar-athlete of the year: Brett Brewer

Coach of the year: Brian Nelson

First-team offense
WR - Will Bazemore,
OL - Caleb Ethridge,

First-team defense
DL - Malik Herring
DL - Trey Howard
DB - Dre Evans

First-team special teams
P - Drew Pack

Second-team offense
QB - Jake Johnston
RB - Zach Harvey
OL - Shawn Lewis
 
Second-team defense
LB - Vic Henderson

Second-team special teams
RET - Bruce McCall

Honorable mention
Jaquavious Sims
Roger Akins
Tay Jarrell
Dee Gaines
Elijah Hawkins
 Justin Stroud
Soccer News
The first-annual Taylor Dell Memorial Classic, a 3v3 soccer tournament (ages 6 and above) benefiting the Mary Persons High School Soccer program, will be held Saturday, January 9th, beginning at 10 a.m. at Billy Lancaster Field (66 Thornton Rd. in Forsyth). Registration fee is $25, which guarantees at least 3 games and a T-shirt. Prizes and awards will be given out to the winners in each age division, and concessions will be available for lunch, snacks, etc. Players can register online by clicking on the link below. Payment will be due at the gate. 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 3! 
JOIN US AT BILLY LANCASTER FIELD FOR A FUN-FILLED DAY 
WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING THE MP SOCCER PROGRAM! 
For more information, contact Coach Luton at
Taylor Dell Memorial Classic
Saturday, January 9th @ 10 A.M.

Boys Interested in Playing Soccer
All boys interested in playing soccer this year need to make sure that they turn in their paperwork and insurance payment to Coach Simmons on Main Campus (Rm. 204) or Coach Jones on Freshman Campus. Conditioning will take place the first two weeks of January. and tryouts will begin start January 18th.  See Coach Simmons if you have any questions.
Tennis News
Tryouts will be held the week of January 11. Remember that you must have a physical on file to be a part of the team. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Grossman, hannah.grossman@mcschools.org or Coach Bernard at trey.bernard@mcschools.org.
Wrestling News

Make plans to attend some of 
our upcoming matches. Please see below 
for a schedule of the remaining matches. 
Tickets are $5.00

Contact Coach Matt Gordon if you 
have any questions. 
The Varsity Wrestling team placed 3rd in the Hurricane Duals Tournament in Monticello this past weekend. The Mat Dawgs 
posted a 5-1-1 record. Individual finalist included: Hunter Bass, Brycen Young, Logan Turner, Stanley Lowe, David Johns, and Jaquavious Sims, who all finished in the top three in their 
respective weight classes.  

Schedule of Remaining Matches
Media Center Message
 
OverDrive eBooks
Borrow eBooks (fiction and nonfiction), and audio-books 
from your school library - ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. 
All you need is your username and password, 
the same credentials that are used to access computers at school. 
eBooks may be downloaded to your Kindle app, or in ePub format.
*Please see Mrs. English if you need assistance.

Link Your Ingles Card to MPHS
Ingles cards must be re-linked each year. Our school code is 10509.
*See Mrs. English for passwords to the 
resources that require a password.

@MaryPersonsHigh
@MP_Athletics
 @MPFastpitch
@MPHSFootball
@MPHSmediacenter
@MPHS_volleyball 
@MP_yearbook
@MonroeCoBands


Follow us on Instagram @marypersonshigh. 
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  Lisa Allred  433 Highway 41 South, Forsyth, GA 31029  478-994-2031  Any employee, student, applicant for employment, parent or other person who believes he or she has been discriminated against or harassed in violation of the above areas must make a complaint in accordance with the procedures outlined in Board Policy GAAA.  Copyright 2013.  All Rights Reserved.
This is a publication of Mary Persons High School 330 Montpelier Avenue Forsyth, Georgia 31029.  478-994-2812. 
http://mphs.monroe.k12.ga.us Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.