Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
MCBOE Recognizes Volume Chevrolet
as Friend of Education for Outstanding Support

The Monroe County Schools "Friends of Education" Program recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations making impact and positive support of our schools in a special way.  At Thursday night's Board of Education meeting, Volume Chevrolet and the Connell Family were recognized for outstanding support of our schools.  Jason and Holly Connell along with their children, Jason and Kristen, were recognized by the Board of Education for their time and support.  Contributions have included, but are not limited to:  volunteering, providing a car for System Teacher of the Year, MP Touchdown Club, Rising Star Awards for middle schoolers making All As, MP Lady Dogs Softball Team, MP Football Team, Weight Room Remodel Support at MP, Meals for Hubbard Elementary and MCMS staff, and TG Scott Elementary DQ Blizzards for Staff. The Connell Family is pictured with Assistant Superintendent Alicia Elder, Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman, MCBOE Chairman Nolen Howard, Director of Student Services Dr. Marcy Hunt-Harris, and Assistant Superintendent Jackson Daniel.  
Congratulations Competition Cheer Dogs!
In Region 4A cheer competition, the MP CheerDogs scored first!  Congratulations to the coaching staff including Coach Kyle Ward pictured above and the team.
Friday Night Sounds and Smiles of The
Mary Persons High Bulldog Brigade

Highlights of Week of September 11-15
It was a short week due to Hurricane Irma's arrival.  Our students and staff managed to have two full days of instruction on Thursday and Friday.  Click on the video above. You might see a student, parent, teacher, grandparent, staff member, or a volunteer you know. 

September is School Attendance Awareness Month:  Every Day Counts for Learning
Attendance is essential to school success, and students, parents and schools do not often realize how quickly absences, excused and unexcused, can add up to academic trouble. Chronic absence,  missing 10 percent of a school year, or just 2-3 days every month, can translate into third-graders unable to master reading, sixth-graders failing courses, and ninth-graders dropping out of high school.  Some low-income students, who must depend on school for opportunities to learn, are especially harmed when they miss too much instruction.
Chronic absence is an alarming problem preventing children from opportunity to learn and succeed. It affects 5 million to 7.5 million students, more than one in 10, nationwide. This is not just a problem in middle and high school: It starts in kindergarten and preschool.
 
WHAT YOU CAN DO
  • Talk about the importance of attendance.  Make the expectation and show your child good attendance at your work and your life activities.
  • Know Monroe County Schools' attendance policies and procedures.  You can find each school's student handbook on the school's website.  Ask questions if you need clarification.
  • Stay on top of your child's academic progress.  Check progress reports.  Use the Infinite Campus app to get attendance and progress information.  Signup for Remind messages.  Our schools and many individual teachers offer this free texting service.
  • Set a regular bed time.  Establish and stick to routines.
  • Organize clothing and items to go to school the night before.
  • Don't let your child stay home unless he or she is truly sick.  Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache may be anxiety versus a reason to stay home.
  • If your child is sick, take measures to help him or her get well so return to school is as swift as possible.
  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, reach out to teachers and counselors so we can help you and your family.
  • Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up.  Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent if you need assistance.
  • Avoid medical appointments if at all possible when school is in session.
  • Avoid vacations and extended trips during the school year.  Check our website for our school year calendar so you and your family can plan accordingly.
  • If your child is absent from school, we will be calling your contact numbers to make sure you are aware of this.  Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in Infinite Campus.  You can contact your child's school registrar, and she can update your information.
  • Looking for ideas to encourage your child to attend school?  Contact our parent coordinators who can help and direct you to community resources as well.
Source:   Adapted from  http://www.attendanceworks.org.

Family Connections Seeks Community Input
Monroe County Family Connections is conducting a Community Needs Assessment for strategic planning to address needs in our county. 
Please take a few moments to complete this survey.
Your participation is greatly appreciated!  Please feel free to share this survey with others in our community.


Forsyth-Monroe County Boys and Girls Club
The Forsyth-Monroe County Boys and Girls Club is off to a great start!  The program began Thursday of last week when it welcomed students to the afterschool program housed at the Monroe County Middle School Hubbard Campus.  In addition to afterschool games and activities, the program focuses on assisting students with homework, STEM activities, and character development.  For more information to join or volunteer, please call  ( 478) 992-5605 or email the Unit Director, Joel Tolliver, at jtolliver@bgccg.org.    

Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Pinworms - Common Children's Health Issue
Pinworms infect over 40 million people in the United States annually.  Anyone can get pinworm.  In fact, it is three times more common than head lice.  It spreads easily from person to person.  The infection begins by swallowing highly contagious and nearly invisible pinworm eggs. Pinworms are spread when a person scratches his/her bottom.  The pinworm egg sticks to fingernails.  The person touches an object and leaves the egg there.  Another person picks up the egg when they touch the object.  If the person touches his/her mouth, then he/she may swallow pinworm eggs and become infected, too.  Pinworm infections are spread when sticky eggs are left on household objects such as clothing, bed sheets, bathtubs, toilet seats, kitchen counters, school desks, toys, and other shared items and surfaces.  People with pinworm infections may not show any signs at all.  When signs do occur, any itchy backside is common.  Other common symptoms are disturbed sleep, restlessness, and irritability. 
 
To avoid an infection, you should do the following: elbow-children-line.jpg
*  Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water.
*  Cut fingernails short and avoid nail biting.
*  Change and wash underwear, pajamas, towels, and bed sheets daily.
*  Clean and vacuum all living and sleeping areas.
*  Disinfect doorknobs, toilet seats, furniture, and countertops.
*  Don't shake towels or bed sheets.  The tiny eggs can become airborne and then swallowed, which can spread the infection.