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Our staff members are ready to welcome back our students for a great 2019!  Second semester begins Monday, January 7.  We look forward to seeing everyone!
Monroe Messages
Newsletter of Monroe County Schools


Young Gentlemen's Club Gives to Community
Thank you to our partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department and the sponsors of the Young Gentlemen's Club with chapters at Monroe County Middle School and our elementary schools.  Under the guidance of School Resource Officers Antwain Jones, Marilyn Fitts, Ken Blandenburg, Holly Martinage, Richard Coughenour and other Sheriff's Deputies, and sponsors like local insurance agent, Daniel Stickler, the young gentlemen visited local nursing homes providing socks and visiting with residents during the holidays.
We're Ready for Second Semester: Professional Learning, Collegiality, and Commitment
We're ready for you, students!  Staff members returned on Thursday and Friday to a variety of professional learning opportunities.  Mary Persons staff members pictured above had CPR training. 
Monroe County Middle staff peers (pictured above) trained each other and shared strategies in their annual school-based learning conference. TG Scott Elementary staff members dived into assessment and analysis with their instructional coach, Misti Tonn (pictured below).





Many of Monroe County Schools' students will receive a tablet or smartphone over the holidays. Through Overdrive, Monroe County Schools provides access to 1000s of ebooks and audiobooks for free.  Students can download the FREE Overdrive/Sora app or they can read/listen to books for FREE through their internet browser of choice. For assistance, students can reach out to the school's media specialist for assistance.  Happy Reading! 

Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:  Norovirus is More Pervasive in Winter

Clean Up After Someone with Norovirus Vomits or has Diarrhea
Clean Up After Someone with Norovirus Vomits or has Diarrhea
If you have norovirus, stay hydrated and take steps to keep it from spreading.
Norovirus is very contagious. When you are sick with norovirus, you can shed billions of virus particles in your vomit and poop. It only takes a few of these particles to make someone sick.  You are most contagious: 
  • when you have symptoms of norovirus illness, especially vomiting
  • during the first few days after you recover from norovirus illness.
If you are sick with norovirus, you can spread it to other people by having close contact, such as by caring for, preparing food, or sharing food or eating utensils with them. You can also spread norovirus to others by contaminating surfaces.
Take Steps to Keep Norovirus from Spreading
  • Wash your hands.  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and always before eating or preparing food.
  • Handle and prepare food safely. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating.
If you are sick with norovirus, do not prepare food for others while you have symptoms and for at least two days after symptoms go away.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces.
  • Wash laundry thoroughly.
Most people who get sick from norovirus will have these symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Some people may also have a fever, headache, or body aches. Norovirus can be more serious for young children, the elderly, and people with other health conditions. It can lead to severe dehydration, hospitalization, and even death.  You can get norovirus any time of the year, it is most common from November to April when outbreaks occur.
Source:  https://www.cdc.gov/Features/Norovirus/. 
Save the Date!  2019-2020 PK and K
Enrollment Dates in February
If you have a rising PK or K student entering Monroe County Schools for the first time or if you know a parent who has a rising PK or K student coming in 19-20, please note our enrollment dates are upcoming.  If you have questions about the process, you can connect with Cindy Seymour, System Registrar at cindy.seymour@mcschools.org.