Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
We have had a memorable first semester this year. Let's reflect for just a minute...
With our continued student performance improvement as shown through our system CCRPI score and in so many areas of academics, fine arts, and athletics...
With the opening of the Fine Arts Center and the wonderful sounds and artwork from our talented students filling the new venue...
With such a dedicated and talented group of educational leaders, teachers, and staff...
With supportive parents, a community that cares, and  involvement from school stakeholders here in our county and all around the state...
And finally, with wonderful students who mean so much to us all...
Yes! It has been a great first semester! We are truly blessed. I am proud of our work and so thankful for the opportunity to work in a great school system with such amazing people. Have a safe and restful holiday break. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!         
Dr. Mike Hickman, Superintendent
Monroe County Schools
Look for the next Monroe Messages on Sunday, January 1, 2017.
MCBOE Recognizes Hubbard Elementary School and Monroe County Achievement Center 
The Monroe County Board of Education recognized Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School and Monroe County Achievement Center staff and students.  Mrs. Tammy DiRocco was also recognized for her sixteen years of service to the Board of Education.



















The members of the Hubbard Elementary School Tiger TV crew were recognized on Tuesday evening.  These students are:  Madison Grier, Oneisha Walker, Luke Cantrell, Cole Carr, Steven Gibbs, Cory Jenkins, Braxston Mays, J.J. McDonald, Trenton Whitten, and Makayla Zellner.  

Hubbard Elementary School computer lab students recognized are Carter Collins, T'Vaja Grier, Aniya Taylor, Lucas Horne, Elijah Jones, JaTijah Wilkerson, Allie Smith, and Conor Conley.

Hubbard Elementary's third grade staff members were recognized for their recent winning $1000 grant award.  The group comprises the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Conservation Teacher of the Year with their bog garden STEM project.  Pictured with HES Principal Jay Johnston and Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman are Katie Whitley, Jennifer Hampton, Tiffany Smith, Amy Carter, Marnai Boose, and Lynn Grizzard.

Hubbard Elementary staff members were recognized for years of service.  They are:  Amy Carter, 5 years; Jennifer Hampton, 10 years; Lisa Harmon, 15 years; Vicky Sykes, 15 years; Dawn Speir, 25 years; Betty King, 30 years; Debra Strowder, 30 years.

Monroe County Achievement Center Junior ROTC Cadets recognized for their leadership are Nick Epps, Terrell Smith, and Isaiah Hill.  They are pictured with MCAC Principal Grady Caldwell and Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman.

Mrs. Adrienne Love-Tucker, MCAC teacher, was recognized for five years of service.  She is pictured with MCAC Principal Grady Caldwell, Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, and her daughter, Harper.

Mrs. Tammy DiRocco, outgoing member, was recognized for sixteen years of service on the Board of Education.  She is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, Nolen Howard, Judy Pettigrew, Eva Bilderback, Mrs. DiRocco, James P. Evans, Phil Walker, and Nevaeh Bilderback.
New Era in Fine Arts in Monroe County Schools
Monroe County Schools welcomed in a new era in fine arts performance with the opening of the Fine Arts Center this week.  All levels were represented with high, middle, and elementary chorus and band students performing.  The week ended with a community performance.  Look for more information soon on the Fine Arts Center dedication and open house slated for January.



The Monroe County Board of Education adopted the 2017-2018 calendar at the December meeting.  This calendar is similar to the 2016-2017 calendar with a week long fall break. A more detailed calendar with parent conference, open house, and grading events is forthcoming.  To see the calendar in PDF form, click here.
Robotics Teams Compete Well 
at Area Lego League Tournament
All four Monroe County Robotics Teams competed Saturday, December 10 in the Georgia Regional First Lego League Tournament. Congratulations go to the Monroe County Elementary team, led by Ashley Phillips (HES) and Leanna Linnenkohl (KBS), for winning a robot design award! The Monroe County 7/8 grade team, led by Heather Wheeler, is congratulated for achieving the fourth highest score on the robot table at the middle school regional tournament. The highest score in the state as of the morning of December 10th was 80 points, and our 7th/8th grade team scored a very highly respectable 65 points. The Hubbard Elementary team, led by Kera Davis and Donna Ayers, tied for 3rd on the robot table portion of the competition with a score of 67. The Monroe County 6th grade team, led by Susan Adams-Curtis, scored 39 out of 40 possible points in the project presentation portion of the event.  All teams would like to thank all parents for their support.  

Congratulations to the Monroe County elementary robotics team for making it to the super regionals! Congratulations to the Monroe County Middle School 7/8 robotics team, coached by Heather Wheeler, for advancing to the super regionals to be held in January at Warner Robins!
Congratulations Coach Brian Nelson and MP Football:  4AAAA All-Region Team
With a trip to the state semi-finals, the MP Bulldogs cemented an outstanding season filled with outstanding players and staff.  Others from around the state agree that MP Bulldogs are some of the best of the best across Georgia.  See the recent 4AAAA GHSA coaching poll results here. Congratulations to the MP players and Coach Brian Nelson who was named 4AAAA Coach of the Year.  
Congratulations MP Softball Standouts!
Mary Persons FFA Wins Area Floriculture Contest
The Mary Persons FFA Floriculture team recently won the Area III FFA Floriculture Career Development Event.  The event was held at Fort Valley State University on December 9th.  Twenty-five high schools from the area competed in the contest. 
Team members were Audrey Barr, Kayley Dale, Anna Hightower, Macy Morris, and Allison White.  Students had to identify flowering bedding plants, cut flowers, and house plants.  They also had to identify diseases, weeds, and insects causing problems with flowers and house plants.  In addition, each student was given a test over plant science and the floriculture industry and had to work out five problems associated with floriculture.  By winning the area contest, the team qualified for the state contest to be in February.   Out of the 97 students who competed in this contest,  Mary Persons FFA is very proud that Allison was tied for high individual, Anna was third, Audrey and Kayley tied for fifth, and Macy was twelfth.
Monroe County Schools Science Fair Winners
Congratulations to Monroe County Schools Science Fair Winners!  Third Place:  Jacob Ruff (KBS); Ms. Greene's Class (KBS); Connor Scott (KBS); Max Nickel (KBS); Jessica Goodwin (KBS); Gavin Mercer (KBS); Mrs. Linnenkohl's Class (KBS); and Raj Patel (KBS). 

The 4th grade group of: Zaira Impay, Karmon Rozier, Sarah Langston (KBS); Heidi Sikes (HES); Amelia Jones (TGS); Boss McCaskill (TGS); Angel Martinez Garrido (TGS); Leilani Hichkad (TGS).
 
Second Place: Jesse Chitman (KBS); Jordan Ogletree (KBS); Donovan Williams (KBS); Lucas Wells (KBS); Luke Cantrell (HES); Baylor Emami (HES); Maya Blanche (TGS); Elizabeth James (TGS); Ike Dunwoody (TGS); Maela Makallip (TGS); William Little (TGS); Hunt McAteer (TGS); The 4th Grade Group of: Bryce Shelton, Devin McClendon, Jordan Dancy, Cooper Horton, Emma Johnson, Kenijah Lyons (TGS); Cole Battles (TGS)

First Place:  Braden Sumner (KBS); Emma Robbins (KBS); Ally Smith (HES); Evan Barnett (HES); Ella Magda (TGS).
 
Best of Show: Eason Farmer (TGS)
All first and second place winners will advance to the regional science fair.


A Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Important Message about WELLCARE Insurance
Wellcare has a $10.00 per month benefit for families that are insured with WELLCARE.  
With this benefit, you can choose from over 150 health and wellness items. Things like:
  • Medicines to help with allergies, fever and heartburn
  • Cough and Cold medicine
  • Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss
  • First aid items
  • Sunblock
  • Vitamins
There's a long list of items and they make it easy for you to get them.  
WELLCARE has 2 ways for you to place your order.
  1. Call toll-free:  1-866-231-1821
They are open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Option 1: You can use the automated phone service to place your order.  Just follow the prompts.  Be sure to have your item number(s) ready.
Option 2:  You can talk with someone on their team.  Again, follow the prompts.  

     2.  If you have a computer or smart phone, log on the the website.   http://www.wellcare.com/Georgia.  (If you already have a username and password, use them to log in.  If you don't, it's easy to sign up.  Just follow the instructions.)
After you've logged in, click on the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Items link to get started.  You'll be able to order items up to $10.00 per month.  Once your order is placed, WELLCARE will ship it right to your home.  It's that easy!

To get the most out of your benefit:
  • Make sure to order your items each month.  If you don't you'll lose your $10.00 allowance for that month.  It will not carry over to the next month.
  • Use your monthly order to stock up on different items.

Important reminders:
  • Your OTC allowance is for your whole family, not each family member on the plan.
For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
Attention Parents: Meetings Announced for 2017 5th Grade Washington DC Trip
Attention upcoming 5th graders (current 4th graders) and parent/guardians:  The 2017 5th grade Washington D.C. trip will take place in October 2017 during our fall break.  Please plan to attend one of the following meetings:

    T.G. Scott                              January 9th, 6:00
     Hubbard                              January 24th 6:00 
    K.B. Sutton                           January 26th  6:00

If you have any questions, please email cathy.brooks@mcschools.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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