The Board of Education recognized Mary Persons High School students who were recently named to the All-State Band. All-State band members are Rilyn McKallip, not pictured, Zach Potts, and Laurel Sparks.  They are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, MP Principal Dr. Jim Finch, MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, and Bands Director Eric Thompson.

Mary Persons High School staff members were recognized for their years of service.  They are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, MP Principal Dr. Jim Finch, and MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard.  Staff members recognized were Brandi May, five years; Thomas Yawn, five years; Jennifer Bond, ten years; Natalie Estes, ten years; Christie Johnston, ten years; Brian Nelson, ten years; Mark A. Smith, ten years; Sarah Alford, 15 years; Ellen Clark, 15 years; Bob Meacham, 15 years; Donna Sellers, 15 years; Jennifer Hogan, 20 years; Felicia Richardson, 20 years; Lauri English, 25 years; Barbara Dennis, 30 years; Gary Walker, 30 years.

The Board of Education recognized Samantha Mimbs, Data Coordinator, at Tuesday night's meeting.  In her introduction, Dr. Valerie Mercer, Chief Technology Officer, cited Mrs. Mimbs' dedication to the rollout of the system's new student information system, Infinite Campus.  "In the last calendar year, she has been instrumental in the implementation of a new student information system, Infinite Campus. A school system's student information system is fundamental to daily processes such as attendance, grades, communication, behavior, health, and more in today's modern school setting. She accepted the challenge of converting a decade of student information data along with managing new processes in the new software. The testament to her professionalism, work ethic, and attention to detail are evident in state and federal reporting where we continue to see clean data properly reflecting the services rendered to our students and their families."

Central office staff members were recognized for their years of service at Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting.  They are pictured with BOE Chairman, Nolen Howard.  Alicia Elder, five years; Kelvin Hughley, five years; Dr. Valerie Mercer, five years; Dr. Mike Hickman, ten years; Edward Chambliss, ten years; Jeff Quinn, 15 years; Jackson Daniel, 20 years. 

TG Scott Elementary's instructional Coach, Misti Tonn, shared vocabulary enriching strategies being used throughout our schools at Tuesday night's Board of Education Meeting. 

Congratulations to the following Young Georgia Authors system winners who competed and placed at the regional/RESA competition. This is quite an accomplishment and a testament to the strong focus and emphasis our schools have on literacy and writing.  

Sam Nickel KBS "Chris" Kindergarten Regional Second Place
Olivia Crews HES "I love you so much" First Grade Regional First Place
Ella Magda TGS "The lost and found" Fifth Grade Regional Third Place
Heather Tillman MCMS "A whispering in the night" Seventh Grade Regional Third Place
Sarah Boyer MCMS "As the moon" Eighth Grade Regional First Place
LarRysha Simmons MCAC "Goldwine Ros" Twelfth Grade Regional Third Place

Thank you to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church for the ongoing contributions to the Back Pack Buddies Program of Monroe County Schools.  The Back Pack Buddies Program provides food and basic supplies to our needy students.  Lamarcus Davis, Chairman of the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church deacons, is pictured presenting a check to Gwen Byrd, Family Services Coordinator.  Also pictured are Assistant Superintendent Jackson Daniel and Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman.

The Monroe County Board of Education elected Nolen Howard to be its Chairman at Tuesday night's meeting.  He succeeds the late Dr. J. Ray Grant, Jr., who had served as chairman since 2007.  Mr. J. P. Evans will continue as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Education.  Ben Vaughn, the MCBOE attorney, explained at the meeting the Board of Education will soon begin the process of appointing an interim board member to represent District 2 prior to a new member being elected at the upcoming November general election.

At Tuesday night's meeting, Assistant Superintendent Alicia Elder honored each board member in recognition of School Board Member Appreciation Week.  Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman presented each member with a certificate and a Mary Persons High School logo jacket.  Caleb Speir and Jomari Jackson, both MP seniors, shared their experiences as Monroe County Schools students, and they expressed their gratitude for the quality education provided to Monroe County citizens.

Congratulations to Mary Persons senior, Jackson Harvey, who is Georgia's 2017 AAAA State Champion Men's Soloist.  He won the honor March 18, 2017 at the Georgia High School Association State Literary Competition held in Buford Georgia.  Harvey's renditions of Ernest Chausson's Le Charme and Arm, Arm Ye Brave! by George Frederick Handel earned perfect scores for musical knowledge, vocal technique and musicianship from both college vocal instructor judges.

Congratulations to Maiah Wiley, Mary Persons High School's STAR Student.  She chose David Meeks, Social Studies Teacher as her STAR Teacher.  Wiley and Meeks were recognized last week at the regional STAR Student/Teacher Banquet.
 

Mary Persons High School's track team is featured in the pictures above.  See Wednesday's Bulldog Beat for the latest MP spring sports news.

For the fifth time, Monroe County Schools was recognized as one of the digital school district in the nation because of its integration and proliferation of technology.  In addition to utilizing technology in the classroom, the district was heralded for its electronic communication protocols and the use of proactive electronic meetings through eBoard/Simbli.   School districts investing in tools for next generation digital learners, launching STEM programs, and encouraging the innovative use of drones, solar panels, and robotics clubs and camps earned top rankings in the annual Digital School Districts Survey.

Now in its 13th year, the Digital School Districts Survey Awards recognize exemplary use of technology by school boards and districts.

Monroe County Schools was named the seventh ranked digital school district in the nation for mid-sized school systems.  

In addition to mid-sized districts, Georgia school systems included Houston County School System, first place in the nation for large school systems, and Jasper County, ranked ninth in the nation for small school systems.  For the complete listing of awarding winning districts, see http://www.centerdigitaled.com/awards/digital-districts/Digital-School-Districts-Survey-2016-17-winners.html. 

The Georgia Milestones Tests are coming in April/May.  Students in grades 3-8 will take the End of Grade tests.  The practice site at http://www.gaexperienceonline.com/ gives students the experience of the test. There are practice questions do not represent grade specific level questions, but the site is designed to acclimate students and parents to the upcoming test.