Families Encouraged to Explore Their Child's Future Elementary School During Kindergarten Orientation Events
The Martin County School District is ready to welcome future students and provide families with all of the information needed to prepare for kindergarten during its upcoming Kindergarten Blast Off orientation events.

Parents/caregivers of children who will be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2022, are invited to visit their home-zoned school at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22. Families will have the opportunity to tour their child's future school, meet the leadership team, visit a kindergarten classroom and learn more about how they can prepare their child for success in elementary school.  Staff will provide families with information on our school meal program, Extended Day (afterschool care) opportunities and how to enroll their child in our A-rated, academically high-performing school district! 

Families are encouraged to view our attendance boundary maps to determine which elementary school their child will be zoned to attend based on their address. A list of documents that are needed for enrollment is available here - families that bring the required documents will be able to register their child for kindergarten during their school's event. 

Families should reach out to their child's future elementary school with any questions about Kindergarten Blast Off events. 
District Celebrates Black History Month, Florida First Lady Announces Themes for Student and Educator Contests
The Martin County School District is proud to celebrate Black History Month. Throughout February, the District will highlight the many contributions Black leaders and historical figures have made to our society and world. Follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter!


Earlier this month, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the theme for this year’s statewide Black History Month contests is "Celebrating African-American Contributions to Florida’s History."  

First Lady DeSantis invites students to participate in academic and creative contests throughout the month. Students in grades K-3 can participate in an art contest and students in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest. In addition, students, parents, teachers and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.

About the Student Art Contest
First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Art Contest is open to all K-3 students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Two winners will be selected.

First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all grade 4-12 students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school student (grades 4-5), one middle school student (grades 6-8) and one high school student (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school teacher (grades K-5), one middle school teacher (grades 6-8) and one high school teacher (grades 9-12). Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/caregiver or student.

Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines 
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.

  • Volunteer Florida 
Black History Month Committee 
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250 
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday, February 18, 2022.
On-Demand Virtual Tutoring Service Now Available to Middle & High School Students
The Martin County School District has partnered with Paper Education Company, Inc. to bring an on-demand virtual tutoring platform to students enrolled in grades 6-12. Paper's online tutors will be available 24/7 to assist students with learning and assignments across more than 200 subject areas. These virtual tutoring services will be offered in English, Spanish, French and Mandarin.  

Thanks to support provided by federal ESSER II Grant funds, the service is being offered at no cost to students. Teachers will also have access to the platform, allowing them to pinpoint learning gaps by reviewing subjects and concepts covered during tutoring sessions. Students will sign in to ClassLink using their District credentials and select the "Paper" app to access the platform.

"We recognize that it is more important than ever for students and families to have access to flexible solutions that help to fill learning gaps and make instruction more accessible outside of the classroom," Superintendent John D. Millay said. "We believe Paper's academic support services will prove to be extremely beneficial to our students, teachers and families." 

In addition to on-demand, 24/7 access to knowledgeable tutors, Paper also provides students with access to Essay Review, which serves as an extra set of eyes when students need it. From assignments and college application essays to lab reports and scholarship applications, students can upload any piece of written work along with their teacher’s instructions (if applicable). The tutors then provide detailed annotations and thorough feedback on grammar, structure, and content.

Each online educator is a Paper Education Company, Inc. employee who is trained in the Socratic teaching method and undergoes a criminal background check prior to employment. All student activity on the platform is recorded, tracked, and made readily available to teachers and administrators. 

To learn more about Paper or to access resources for parents/guardians, please click here. Parents and caregivers may register for a free 45-minute information session by clicking here. 
Head Start and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Enrollment Period Now Underway
The Martin County School District's Head Start and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs are now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year.


  • Head Start helps prepare three and four-year-olds for kindergarten.

  • The program offers encouragement and support to parents as their child’s first and most important teacher.

  • Head Start helps with education, health, nutrition, social skills, and other services.

  • Breakfast and lunch are provided.

  • Registration began on February 7, 2022.

  • The school year will begin on August 10, 2022.

To apply for the Head Start program, parents must bring the following documents to their registration appointment:

  • Child’s Birth Certificate –  child must be three years of age on or before September 1, 2022

  • Proof of Residency - FPL Bill or Cable/Satellite Bill or MCSD proof of residency letter (form can be obtained at any of the four centers)

  • Proof of ALL Household Income for 2021- Examples include: W-2, 1040, TANF, SSI, Wages, Alimony, Child Support

  • Proof of Documented Disability (if applicable) - children with disabilities are encouraged to apply

To learn more about the Head Start enrollment process, please click the appropriate link below:


 
The District's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK) began accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year on February 7, 2022. The program is available at select schools with limited enrollment. 

VPK is an early learning program that provides developmentally appropriate instruction and activities to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond by building a solid foundation for school success. To be eligible, students must be four years of age on or before September 1 of the school year in which they attend VPK and must reside within an eligible attendance zone. 

The three-hour VPK program is provided at no cost to parents and the full school day program is available for a monthly fee of $270.00* (*subject to change).

Parents/caregivers may apply for one of the seats in the District’s 2022-2023 VPK Program during Open Enrollment. The Open Enrollment will take place in two phases:

For Bessey Creek, Citrus Grove, Crystal Lake, Felix A. Williams, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach and Palm City elementary schools, the link below is open for responses as of Monday, February 7, 2022, at 8:00 a.m.:

For J.D. Parker Elementary School, Salerno Learning Center and Warfield Elementary School, the link below will be open for responses on Monday, February 14, 2022, at 8:00 a.m.:

To learn more about the VPK enrollment process, please click the appropriate link below:
District Celebrates Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month
In honor of Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month, the Martin County School District is proudly shining the spotlight on the many opportunities students have to be educated and prepared for success after graduation. The District is home to more than 25 CTE academies, which allow students to gain hands-on, real-world experience in disciplines such as civil & structural drafting, engineering, medical sciences (including nursing assistant and emergency medical responder), criminal justice, culinary arts, auto maintenance and collision, HVAC, building construction, landscape & turfgrass management, veterinary assisting, marketing and more! 

Learn more about our program offerings by clicking here, or follow along on Facebook and YouTube as our Career & Technical Education Department highlights what makes each academy unique!
Youngest Student-Athletes Put Skills on Display During Russell Holloway Elementary Track Meet
The 36th Annual Russell Holloway Elementary Track Meet was held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Martin County High School.
 
Student-athletes from each of the District's twelve elementary schools competed before a packed house of parents and community spectators in four individual events - 50- and 200-meter dashes, the long jump and softball throw- as well as 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays.

A huge round of applause goes out to all of our elementary trackletes, coaches and supporters on a fantastic event. Congratulations to this year's winners:

Girls
3rd Place- Felix A. Williams Elementary School
2nd Place- Citrus Grove Elementary School
1st Place- Jensen Beach Elementary School

Boys
3rd Place- Felix A. Williams Elementary School
2nd Place- Pinewood Elementary School
1st Place- Citrus Grove Elementary School

Overall Winners
3rd Place- Felix A. Williams Elementary School
2nd Place- Jensen Beach Elementary School
1st Place- Citrus Grove Elementary School

Sportsmanship Award
Indiantown Middle School/Warfield Elementary School

**Please click here to view photos of the event.**
Your Calling is Calling: Join Team MCSD Today!
Are you looking for a great teaching job or support staff position? The Martin County School District (MCSD) is hiring! Join our recruitment team for a virtual coffee chat at 5:00 p.m. on February 24, or stop by our booth at the Martin County Fair!

MCSD offers competitive wages, full health benefits and pension plans through the Florida Retirement System. In addition, employees have the advantage of being eligible to enroll their children in our outstanding schools!

Learn more about current employment opportunities and subscribe to our jobs e-newsletter here. Interested in discussing your career goals and qualifications with a recruiter? Email Shannon Armstrong, Director of Recruitment & Retention, at armstrs1@martinschools.org.
Health & Wellness Resources
Bookmark our symptom screening tools (English and Español). Monitoring your child's health daily is key to preventing the spread of illness. To help protect their health and the health of those around them, keep your child home from school and other activities when they are ill.


Our screening tools will help you quickly assess your child for a wide variety of symptoms, advising what action is recommended and providing listings for local healthcare providers.


Team MCSD - please click here to access our employee symptom screener. You will be able to find local care providers who participate in our Florida Blue network and seek care as necessary.



Many local physicians and pharmacies are offering COVID-19 immunizations to interested, eligible individuals. Please click here to locate a provider near you. The CDC and DOH Martin advise that the COVID-19 vaccine is the best, long-term way to fight the virus.


COVID-19 testing is available throughout our community. Click here to view upcoming opportunities for free PCR testing through the Florida Department of Health in Martin County (DOH Martin). Click here to view testing opportunities offered by local pharmacies and physicians.
Reminders for Families
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Consistently named one of the area’s Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society, ArtsFest will continue its 35-year history and showcase a diverse selection of arts to be enjoyed by Martin County residents and visitors alike! This year's event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 12 and 13 at Gazebo Park in downtown Stuart. Students will be admitted at no charge and parents may purchase tickets for just $5 each. Learn more here...






The Martin County School Board will hold its monthly Regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15. Please click here to view the agenda for the meeting. Please click here to access the livestream.










There will be no school for students on Friday, February 18 (staff professional development day) or Monday, February 21 (Presidents' Day). Classes will resume Tuesday, February 22. Please click here to view our complete instructional calendar.


The countdown to kindergarten is on! Parents/caregivers of children who will be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2022, are encouraged to attend kindergarten orientation at their child's future elementary school on February 22. Learn more...
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