Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School is Finalist for Prestigious TAG-ED STEM Award
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed) announced last week Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School has been named a finalist in the Elementary category winner for the 2016 Georgia STEM Education Awards.
Georgia STEM Education Awards recognize schools, programs, and companies for outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting and promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education in Georgia.
 
Here is an excerpt from their entry:  "Hubbard students are true engineers!  They look for ways to solve problems whenever they arise. If aphids take over the Hydroponics lab, Hubbard students to the rescue!  If Hubbard students want to eat healthy, tasty food, they grow their own. Students incorporate STEM into all subject areas: making hardtack and pinhole cameras while studying the Civil War, designing a bog garden during math to deal with the condensation from our air conditioning units, making solar ovens to explore alternate energy sources, using robots to explore science concepts and generate math data, and of course, keeping a science journal to record their thinking.  If at first Hubbard students don't succeed, they redesign and try again!"

"We are gratified that our efforts to promote the use of engaging technology are being recognized," says Susan Adams-Curtis, STEM Coordinator for Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School. As a result of Hubbard's STEM efforts, all elementary schools now have Science Olympiad teams and are being urged to explore incorporating STEM learning in their own schools.  Monroe County has expanded Hubbard's robotics team by adding a county elementary Lego robotics team as well as 2 middle school teams and also a high school VEX robotics program. The Hydroponics Lab at Hubbard Elementary works to involve students to build interest in gardening, while designing and engineering ways to encourage better plant growth. In addition Samuel E. Hubbard's Hydroponics Lab idea is now being copied at the middle school.
 
 "It was truly a challenge to choose from among the many applicants from around Georgia for these finalists," said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. "We applaud all of our applicants for their excellent work in STEM."   Winners are to be announced during a special awards gala on November 4th, held at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta.     
For more information about TAG and the Fifth Annual Georgia STEM Education Awards visit: http://www.tagonline.org/events/stem-education-awards/.
Congratulations Mary Persons Softball
Lady Dogs, Region Champions!
With a 2-1 win over West Laurens, the Mary Persons High School Softball Lady Dogs are 2-AAAA Region Champions!  They will play Salem High School in the region playoffs on Wednesday of this week.
Congratulations Mary Persons VolleyDogs! 
2-AAAA Region Runner-Ups
The 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year Casey Bethel Visits MCMS Hubbard Campus
Monroe County Middle School welcomed Mr. Casey Bethel, the 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year, last week. Mr. Bethel is a passionate educator, accomplished scientist, and a mentor to students of all ages.  Mr. Bethel is an AP Science Teacher at New Manchester High School in Douglas County.

Prior to teaching Mr. Bethel earned a Master's Degree in Plant Genetics and conducted experimental research at the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies at the University of Georgia.  In ten years of teaching, Mr. Bethel has taught six science courses, including Advanced Placement Biology and Physics. In addition to maintaining a track record of high student achievement, he aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, and he spent last Wednesday sharing life lessons and inspiring sixth graders at the MCMS Hubbard Campus. For the past five summers, he has sharpened his skills as a scientist, conducting experimental research in a Biochemistry lab at Georgia Tech, hoping to find cures for Alzheimer's Disease and Glaucoma.
Celebrating National School Lunch Week!
National School Lunch Week will be celebrated in Monroe County Schools the week of October 17-21.  Check out the Nutrition Services website which features menus and great information for you and your student.  We welcome our parents and guardians to eat lunch with students.


KBS PreK Visits Police and Fire Stations
In their quest to learn about community helpers, the KBSutton Elementary PreK students and staff visited the Forysth Police Department and the Forsyth Fire Station.
Monroe County Schools to Celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 24-28: We are Drug-Free!
Monroe County Schools will participate in Red Ribbon Week during October 24th-28th. Students of all ages can take a stand against drugs.  

The history behind Red Ribbon Campaign® was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign® is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a DRUG - FREE AMERICA.

Red ribbon week is a time to combat those that abuse drugs and encourage youth to stay away from them. According to http://www.redribbon.org,  Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.  Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.
MCMS Cheer Squad Placed First at Competition
On Saturday, October 1st, the MCMS cheerleading squad competed at McIntosh High School for their first competition where they earned 1st place.
Senator John F. Kennedy Celebrates Georgia PreK Week with TGScott Elementary Students



State Senator John F. Kennedy celebrated Georgia PreK Week with TG Scott Elementary School students.  He shared a story with the students in the media center.

A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Know the Prescription Drug Lingo
Tweens and Teens talk a language all their own these days especially when using social media. Phrases such as LOL-laugh out loud or lots of love or BFF-best friends forever or YOLO-you only live once have become commonplace. As a parent, it is a challenge to keep up with the latest terms. Many parents do not know that prescription drug abuse has its own lingo.
Here are a few catch words that parents might hear or see on social media without knowing the reference:
Ritalin: Rid, Jif, Vitamin R, West Coast, R-ball, Ritlys;  
Oxycontin/Opiniods:40, Cotton, 80, Hillbilly Heroin, Tuss, Big, Kicker, Watson-387, Vike, OCs, O, Percs, Morph
Adderall:  Beans, Christmas Trees, Pep Pills, Crosses, Dexies, Double Trouble, Black Beauties, Uppers, Smart Pills, Bennies
Valium:  Blues
Tranquilizers:Chill Pills, French Fries, Tranq
Xanax: Z-Bars, Bars, Footballs, Handlebars, Bricks, Benzo Candy, Totem Poles, White Boys
Your Tweens and Teens might talk about using prescription drugs right in front of you and you don't catch on. Listen for Pharming, Pharm Parties, Fishbowl Parties (teens drop an array of pills into a bowl and pass it around), Recipe (mixing drugs with alcohol or other beverages) and Trail Mix (mixing different kinds of prescription drugs at pharm parties).
Remember:
  • Prescription drugs are the most commonly abused drugs among 12 to 13 year olds.
  • Nearly 1 in 5 Teens abuse prescription drugs.
  • Nearly 30% of Teens believe there is "nothing wrong" with abusing prescription drugs now and then.
  • Five out of the top 6 drugs abused by High School Students are prescription drugs and cold /cough medicine.
http://www.prescriptiondrugabuse.org

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
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