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Monroe County Board of Education Achieves "Distinguished Board" Status Again
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Congratulations to the Monroe County Board of Education for achieving the honor of "Distinguished Board" at the annual Georgia School Boards Association Conference last week. This award recognizes strategic planning, transparent communication, accountability, and effective governance. Pictured are (l-r) Assistant Superintendent Jackson Daniel, Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, BOE member Tammy Fletcher, BOE Chairman Dr. J. Ray Grant, Jr., and BOE member Eva Bilderback. |
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Monroe County Schools in Christmas Parade
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MP's Malik Herring committed to the University of Georgia this week. To see the video, click here. We're proud of this outstanding gentleman athlete! |
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MP Junior Named to Allstate Reading Choir
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 Jeffrey Dunbar, a junior at Mary Persons High School, has been chosen for the Georgia Allstate Reading Choir. "Students selected for this choir must demonstrate both vocal talent and highly proficient music sight reading skills during their audition," said Charles Hernandez, in his fifth year as Director of Mary Persons' choral program. "Allstate Reading Choir is considered Georgia's most prestigious State choir. We are very proud of Jeffrey's accomplishment." Dunbar, a bass, has participated in the MPHS choral program for two years. He also has played in the Monroe County Schools bands for 5 years. The Allstate Reading Choir, boasting 100 voices, will perform at the Classic Center in Athens, GA on January 28, 2017. Dunbar is the son of Jeff Dunbar and Brandy Warren of Forsyth. |
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Empty Bowls Fundraiser: Art Students
Make Back Pack Buddies Contribution
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 The Mary Persons High Art Club recently held a fundraising event, Empty Bowls. This art project/dinner activity raised $1435 for Monroe County Schools Back Pack Buddies Program. Pictured are MP Principal Dr. Jim Finch, Assistant Superintendent Alicia Elder, Family Services Coordinator Gwen Byrd, Art Club member Matthew Cleveland, Art Club member Jacqueline Davis, and Art Club sponsor Mrs. Samantha Trevitt. |
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Central Georgia EMC Now Accepting Applications for 2017 Washington Youth Tour
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 Central Georgia EMC is offering a unique learning opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors. They are invited to apply for Youth Tour June 8-15, 2017. Applications packets are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 10, 2017. Washington Youth Tour is a top-notch tour of our nation's capital including meetings with state and national leaders and leadership training, as well as visiting major sights. On the tour, students will travel with students from other Georgia EMCs . After a start in Atlanta learning about electricity in Georgia, students are off to D.C. meeting hundreds of students representing EMCs from across the nation. Students will experience cruising the Potomac, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington Cemetery, visiting the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, National Cathedral, Ford's Theater, and National Archives. The group will also visit various memorials and museums. |
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TG Scott Elementary Recognizes Partners:
Thank You for Angel Tree Donations
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 There are angels among us here in Monroe County. Several local business have made donations to our elementary school projects this year. Pictured above presenting a check to TGS Principal Dr. Richard Bazemore are ALFA Insurance Representative Daniel Stickler and Megan Mays. FITCO presented a contribution to the Angel Tree. Pictured with TGS Principal Dr. Richard Bazemore are Daniel Stickler, Stacy Bryant, and Caleb Wilds. A big thank you goes out to ALFA Insurance, FITCO Healthclub, and Southern Commercial Tire & Pit Stop for opening your hearts to the Angel Trees Project. The Angel Trees Project provides gifts, clothes, and toiletries to needy students. |
 Thank you to our community for providing a great sendoff to the Bulldogs Friday afternoon! |
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MP's Jackson Harvey is Repeat National Finalist
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 Mary Persons High School senior Jackson Harvey places as a national finalist among high school singers from across the nation to finish among the top 8 in the prestigious national Schmidt Vocal Competition held at Georgia State University again this year. This year's Schimdt competition was judged by three opera professionals from Europe and the United States. Michael Pheger, one of the judges, said, "Of all the talented competitors participating in Schmidt this year, Jackson is the one I can see on the opera stage someday." The young Harvey similarly placed in Schmidt last year and at the national Classical Singer competition in Boston in May. The lyric baritone also won the Georgia National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) classical and musical theater categories for his age group this year - the first male artist ever to take both categories. NATS is a world-wide organization of professional teachers of singing, primarily college professors. Of all his accolades, Harvey stated, "God gave me a gift. I am so grateful. My part is to protect and develop my voice. Competing helps me grow as an artist and performer." He continued, "I'm so grateful to Charles Hernandez, Director of the Mary Persons Choral Program, for hearing my potential and encouraging me to study voice." Still unsure where he'll be beginning college in fall 2017, Jackson is the son of Scott and Shannon Gordon of Forsyth. |
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Social media is constantly running in the background of life. We can share, snap, tweet, like and reblog at all hours of the day. According to a British Psychological Society, approximately 90 percent of teenagers are on social media. Constantly seeing what their peers are doing on a day-to-day basis can be damaging to their mental health.
- Increased time, increased risk. The more time adolescents are engaged with social media outlets, the higher the risk there is for poor sleep, low self-esteem, and increases in depression or anxiety. The more emotionally invested they are in one site in particular, the more pressure and anxiety they may experience to be available and up-to-date at all times.
- Poorly advised. It's nothing new; teens have always been wary of asking parents or other adults for advice. With hundreds of friends on social media in the palm of their hands, teenagers often turn to social networks to seek advice that is often misguided.
- Instigated fights. Cyberbullying has become a concern for parents of adolescents. Strangers, even friends, are able to hide behind the screen and say things they often wouldn't be able to face-to-face. Teens often encounter fights on Facebook, subtweeting on Twitter and hurtful comments on Instagram - tactics often used just for the purpose of putting down others.
- Skewed perceptions and social comparison. It is common for teens, especially girls, to experience pressure to appear "perfect" online. The need to appear to have perfect hair, to look skinny or fit, to have the perfect group of friends or the need to get the right amount of likes can consume teens. Not meeting these invisible standards can cause self-loathing and self-doubt. Social comparison, loneliness and jealousy can result when friends on social media "appear" more popular and attractive or on a glamorous vacation, which can trigger depressive feelings.
With social media a simple click away, how can parents help their teens? Dr. Jakobsons suggests:
- Education. It is beneficial for parents to understand what social media is being used for by their teen and how. Being educated in how they use it will help parents understand the risks involved.
- Communication. Parents should have frequent conversations with their teens about the safety of social media, how much personal information should and shouldn't be shared and about cyberbullying. Studies show that teenagers who had their parents talk to them often, engaged in less risky behaviors.
- Monitor time. Enforce rules to limit excessive use of social media. Examples of limiting time may include no phones at the table, no phone in car rides during errands or turning off WiFi at bedtime.
- Healthy attitudes. To minimize social comparison and envy, parents and teens should talk about the distorted views of friends' lives that are presented on social media. Teens should feel confident, not more depressed, after viewing social media. Encourage using social media not only to post about our best moments but our quieter ones.
While social media can be harmful, there are benefits that can come from it. Social media offers a safe environment and support for teenagers, which they may lack in traditional friendships. Finding an online support group or friends who are experiencing the same thing can give them a safe channel to ask questions, express their feelings, etc. How often do you talk to your teens about social media? Do you keep an eye on your teen's online behavior?
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Education Happenings in Georgia:
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A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses: Worried your sore throat may be strep?
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Strep throat is a common type of sore throat in children, but it's not very common in adults. Many things can cause that unpleasant, scratchy, and sometimes painful condition known as a sore throat. Viruses, bacteria, allergens, environmental irritants (such as cigarette smoke), and chronic postnasal drip can all cause a sore throat. While many sore throats will get better without treatment, some throat infections-including strep throat-may need antibiotic treatment.
How You Get Strep Throat
Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus. This bacteria can also live in a person's nose and throat without causing illness. The bacteria are spread through contact with droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes after touching something that has these droplets on it, you may become ill. If you drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as a sick person, you could also become ill. It is also possible to get strep throat from touching sores on the skin caused by group A strep.
Common Symptoms of Strep Throat
The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
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Sore throat, usually starts quickly and can cause pain when swallowing
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A fever
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Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
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Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth
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Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Other symptoms may include headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. Someone with strep throat may also have a rash known as scarlet fever. Cough, runny nose, hoarseness, and conjunctivitis (also called pink eye) are not symptoms of strep throat and suggest that a virus is the cause of the illness.
A Simple Test Gives Fast Results
Healthcare professionals can test for strep by swabbing the throat to quickly see if group A strep bacteria are causing a sore throat. If the test is positive, your healthcare professional can prescribe antibiotics .
Antibiotics Get You Well Fast
The strep test results will help your healthcare professional decide if you need antibiotics, which can:
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Decrease the length of time you're sick
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Reduce your symptoms
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Help prevent the spread of infection to others
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Prevent more serious complications, such as tonsil and sinus infections, and rheumatic fever (a rare inflammatory disease that can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain)
You should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call your healthcare professional if you don't feel better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours. People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours so they don't spread the infection to others. Be sure to finish the entire prescription, even when you start feeling better, unless your healthcare professional tells you to stop taking the medicine.
More Prevention Tips: Wash Those Hands
The best way to keep from getting strep throat is to wash your hands often and avoid sharing eating utensils, like forks or cups. It is especially important for anyone with a sore throat to wash their hands often and cover their mouth when coughing and sneezing. There is no vaccine to prevent strep throat.
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