Mary Persons High School
The Bulldog Beat
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Valedictorian & Salutatorian Announced 
Lindsey Kinsella
Valedictorian
Sharon Kinsella
Salutatorian
Graduation
Friday, June 3, 2016
8:00 p.m. 
Dan Pitts Stadium*

Baccalaureate Service
Thursday, June 2, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Forsyth United Methodist Church

Schedule for Final Exams

The drop/add process for schedule changes begins Wednesday, May 25 and will continue through Thursday, June 9. You will submit drop/add request by google form.  Submitting a drop/add request form does not guarantee a schedule change. Updates and confirmation will be communicated through the parent and student email addresses provided on the drop/add request form. 

There will not be a drop/add opportunity offered in August 2016.
All schedule changes must be made by June 9.
2015-2016 Spring Surveys
Your feedback in important to us!
Congratulations Dr. Bazemore
May Teacher of the Month
2016-2017 Yearbook Officers Announced
Congratulations to the new Empescope Officers!!!
Abigail Hightower - Editor
Kayla Mosley - Senior Page Editor/Co-editor
Jasmine Bowen - Business Manager
Lydia Crosby - Photo Editor
Attention RISING Seniors

If you would like to order a Class of 2017 First Day Senior Shirt, please give your $10 to Mrs. Little before June 3rd.  Shirt pickup will be at Senior Parking Lottery.
We Honor Our Retirees
Our Retirees:  Patti McGough, Susan Childs,
Mollie Sue Smith, Julie Bazemore, & Clint Ashmore
Clint Ashmore

Coach Ashmore has been in education for 29 years. Of those, 4 have been in Monroe County.  He was inspired to become a teacher by his college football coach, Jimmy Hightower.  His most memorable moment in education was "defeating Valdosta in the 1995 Quarter-Finals" when he was a coach at Forest Park. He said his most rewarding experience has been "being a part of Mary Persons High School.  When asked about his most embarrassing moment, he said "I was teaching a social studies class at Forest Park High School and I had my students' full attention during a dynamic lecture. I sat down on the back of a folding chair when, all of a sudden, the back of the chair broke and I fell flat on my back.  In addition, during the fall, I ripped the back of my pants from belt to knee as well as sustaining a cut of the same length.  Being the consumate professional, I finished the class with my back to the wall until I could go home to change and doctor my cut." When asked what he would miss most, he said "the day to day interactions with colleagues and students."  He said he will definitely NOT miss the educational jargon.  In retirement, he looks forward to the absence of routine. His advice to a new educator would be "maintain your sense of humor; don't take yourself or the job too seriously."
Julie Bazemore

Dr. Bazemore has been in education for 29 years. Of those, 27 have been in Monroe County.  When asked what inspired her to become a teacher, she said "I loved the content first --compelling stories, beautiful poetry, but the real inspiration came from my own great teachers."  About her most memorable moment, she stated, "seeing my son Will graduate from Mary Persons High School--the alma mater of his parents and grandparents--will definitely be a highlight!"  When asked about her most rewarding experience, she said "being able to spend my career in my alma mater is a unique, fortunate experience...and those who share this experience with me understand the special love we have for this school. I am proud to be a lifelong MP Bulldog!" When asked about her most embarrassing moment in education, she said "an email I sent to the principal thinking it was going to my husband." Asked what she would miss most, she said "I will miss the lively, energetic, positive spirit of MP students!"  She said that she would not miss "the day-to-day routine of living by a bell."  She looks forward to "doing what she wants to when she wants to!"  Her advice to a new educator would be "focus on everything that is good.  Remember why you wanted this career in the first place!"
Susan Childs

Mrs. Childs has been in education for 29 years. Of those, 15 have been in Monroe County.  When asked what inspired her to become a teacher, she said "I was inspired by my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Sally Mayton, she understood children"  Her most memorable moment in education was when she received the WBL Coordinator of the Year award from the GADOE.  When asked about her most rewarding experience, she said "watching those little lightbulbs go off is great.  If you aren't a teacher, you don't understand the significance of the lightbulb experience." When asked about her most embarrassing moment in education, she said "the day I walked into a faculty bathroom, after knocking, but no one answered was really embarrassing.  Sometimes you see things you shouldn't.  I wanted to apologize again to that person, but I don't think I should bring it up." Asked what she would miss most, she said "I'll miss going to worksites and watching students learn things hands-on.  I'll miss the relationships I've formed with my colleagues."  She said that she "will NOT miss hearing the bell ring!!"  She looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren, and being able to travel without waiting for a school holiday.  She said she "most looks forward to being on her own schedule."  Her advice to a new educator would be "bring your own lunch, and don't depend on teacher retirement alone.  Open a separate account, Valic, etc. to supplement your life after retirement.  Start it yesterday."
Patti McGough

Mrs. McGough has worked at Mary Persons for 23 years.  Her most memorable moment at MPHS was when her oldest son Jon was the first MP student who name both STAR Student and Valedictorian.  When asked about her most rewarding experience, she said "serving others, and seeing turn around students flourish."  Her most embarrassing moment was "when Dr. Lawyer, a former assistant principal, opened the bathroom door on me."  She said she will miss the laughter and the coaches most, but she will not miss tribunals.  In retirement she looks forward to "family trips, fishing, and UGA games."  Her advice to new teachers is "be yourself."
Mollie Sue Smith

Ms. Smith has worked for Monroe County Schools for 19 years and 9 months.  Her most rewarding experience has been meeting people who have also become friends.  She said that she would most miss the faculty, staff, and students.  When asked what she would NOT miss, she said "Buffing!"  In retirement she looks forward to spending more time with her mother, her daughter, her grandchildren, and just relaxing.
Rising 9th Graders Tour Freshman Campus
On Monday, May 23rd, rising 9th grade students visited the Freshman Campus.  They were given tours buy current 9th graders into different teachers' classrooms and got to ask questions about high school life.  They also got the opportunity to eat lunch in the Freshman Campus lunchroom (which they thoroughly enjoyed) and got to hear from Mrs. Alford, Dr. Finch, and Mrs. Hamlin.  
Rising 10th Graders Tour Main Campus
The rising 10th grade students took a tour of main campus Friday, May 27th.  Their tour guides were rising 11th grade students who pointed out important classrooms and answered their questions along the way.  
 
Other items needed are soccer balls & stainless steel pots & pans.
Items may also be turned in to Mrs. Calhoun (formerly Ms. Slaughter). The deadline to donate is June 1st.
2016 Summer Reading

12th Grade AP English
Literature & Composition
2016-2017 Schedule Pick Up & Orientation Timeline
Senior 
News
Guidelines & Suggestions for Graduation Attire
BOYS
  • Long-sleeve white dress shirt
  • Long dark tie (may be solid or a simple pattern)
  • Black dress pants
  • No jeans or work pants
  • Black socks
  • Black dress shoes. NO tennis shoes, work boots, or cowboy boots.
GIRLS
  • Black dress (no strapless/halter/spaghetti-strap/one-shoulder dresses); dress should not be longer than the gown.
  • Black dress shoes with low or flat heels. NO tennis shoes or flip-flops.
  • Small earrings. NO large hoops, etc. Also no bangles, large bracelets, or necklaces.
  • Do not bring purses or other items with you. You cannot march with them.
Any student inappropriately dressed will not be allowed to march. All clothing must meet dress code requirements. Wrinkled gowns are not attractive; hang your gown to allow the wrinkles to fall out. Ironing the gown is not recommended; if you do so, please be aware that you may damage it. 
DO NOT wash or dry clean your gown.

Be sure you wear your mortarboard (cap) correctly. The top of the cap must be FLAT, not tilted, and the front band should be well down on the forehead. At the beginning of the ceremony, you will wear your tassel on the right side; later, as directed by the class president, you will move it to the left. Boys need to practice removing and replacing their mortarboards because they will have to do so for the invocation, the Pledge, the respectful tribute to your classmate who died, and the benediction. When removing the mortarboard, the mortarboard and the tassel should be grasped together. We will use double-sided tape to keep the stoles from sliding. Teachers will be available to help you with this when we assemble in the school's commons area. Girls, you may need to anchor your caps with bobby pins to secure them. Simple hairstyles work better with the caps.
Summer School Information
Students who failed a required course for graduation need to plan to attend MPHS Summer School.  We will once again offer a face-to-face math opportunity as well as online credit recovery for all other academic courses.  Students must pay $50.00 for each ½ unit class.  Please return money and registration forms by June 7th to the Freshman Campus front office or the Graduation Coach, Mrs. McLuen, on main campus.  Contact Mrs. McLuen if you have any questions:  reye.mcluen@mcschools.org.
Counselors News
Visit the MP Counselors' Web Page!!!
*Do you need a transcript?
*Do you need an Attendance & ADAP Form?
*Seniors: do you need FAFSA, scholarships, and recommendation information?
You can find all of this and more on the Counselor's Web Page.
Club News
Best Buddies News
Best Buddies is selling $3 coupons redeemable for a Wendy's 1/4 Dave's Single Cheeseburger Combo meal. The normal price for the combo meal is $7.19. See any Access teacher or Best Buddies officers to purchase yours!
BETA News
The Beta Club raised $1085 this year for Jay's Hope by sponsoring Dress-Down Days for teachers.  
Pictured are Beta Club members (President Will Bazemore, Secretary Anna Helen McKelvey, Naomi Sanders and Zoe Potts) presenting a check to Cindy Gaskins, Founder of Jay's Hope.
Sports News

2016 Bulldog Soccer Camp
DATE:  June 13-16, 2016
TIME:  9 AM to 11:30 AM 
AGE GROUPS:  Under 8 year olds 
& 8-14 years old
WHERE:  Billy Lancaster Field 
(66 Thornton Rd., Forsyth, Ga. 31029)
COST:  Under 8: $80 ($65 if pre-registered by 6/1/16) 
Ages 8-14: $100 ($80 if pre-registered by 6/1/16)


Payment by check/cash is due during check-in 
(8:30-9 a.m. on June 13). 
Please be prepared to provide insurance 
information during check-in, as well. 

Any questions about the camp can be directed to 
Allen Luton at allen.luton@mcschools.org 
or Robby Jones at robby.jones@mcschools.org. 
Media Center Message
Get Georgia Reading
Beginning NOW, you can read anywhere, anytime, and virtually anything, because Get Georgia Reading partner myON is delivering more than 10,400 free books to your computer and mobile devices that you can access 24 hours a day-every day-through Aug. 31.


School Name:  Get Georgia Reading
Username:  read
Password:  read
OverDrive eBooks
Borrow eBooks (fiction and nonfiction), and audio-books from our 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 device.

*Please see Mrs. English if you need assistance.
OverDrive Summer Read
We are excited to announce the OverDrive Summer Read program, designed to encourage students to keep reading all year long. This program provides exciting titles for our students to read that are simultaneously available during the summer.

Titles will be added to our OverDrive eBook collection with unlimited access from June 1 midday EDT to June 30 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

Please email Mrs. English (lauri.english@mcschools.org) 
if you have trouble logging in, or if you have any questions.
*See Mrs. English for passwords to the resources that require a password.
Link Your Ingles Card to MPHS

Ingles cards must be 
re-linked each year. 
Our school code is 10509.
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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.