All schools in the Monroe Public Schools district will have a state-of-the art visitor management system in place when school resumes in the fall, thanks to action Wednesday night by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education.

     “We had been planning on implementing this in the future but we moved our time-table up after recent events in one of our schools,” said Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Martin.

     The board approved spending $33,556.04 to purchase the hardware, software and the required licenses for the new system.  The purchase is being made through two cooperatives which lowers the price the district pays.  Included in the purchase are the visitor management software, badge printers, badges, bar code readers, computers for the entry kiosks and scanners for 11 school buildings.

     By scanning a person’s driver’s license or state identification card, the system can tell immediately if it is okay to allow the person to enter the building.  If it identifies the person as safe to enter, it automatically prints out a valid visitor identification card in the office.  That ID is then worn in the school by the visitor.

     In the last several years, Monroe Public Schools has improved security at all of its school buildings, adding such elements as inside and outside security cameras which can be monitored from off-campus.  Outdoor lighting has been improved in many district parking lots, too.

     “The visitor management system will significantly change how people enter our school buildings during the day.  However, a number of parents we have talked to said they are willing to work with us on this because it provides an added layer of security and safety for their children when they are in school with us,” Dr. Martin said.  “Two of our top priorities are ensuring the safety and security of our students.  This visitor management system helps us to improve our efforts toward that end.”

Written by Bobb Vergiels

Three Monroe High School students who have been active in the school’s successful co-op program were honored Wednesday (May 18) as Co-Ops of the Year in their respective areas of work and study, and one received a scholarship as the top co-op student.

     Recognized Wednesday were Erin Nichols, Health Co-Op Student of the Year, who works at Yinger Pharmacy; Jordan Wolfenbarger, Office Co-Op of the Year, who works at Baker’s Ace Hardware; and Kylee Heringhausen, Marketing Co-Op Student of the Year, who works at America Eagle.  In addition, Jordan Wolfenbarger was awarded the Irene Betz $500 Co-Op Scholarship, as the most outstanding co-op student this school year.

     “We have 26 students in our program and we are very thankful for the support of a number of fine businesses in Monroe.  Some of these businesses have been with us for many years,” said Jeff Brown, MHS marketing teacher and the school’s co-op coordinator.

     Businesses recognized for their strong support of the Monroe High Co-Op Program were:  Amaya’s Fresh Mex Grill, American Eagle, Applebee’s, Baker’s Ace Hardware, Cakes by Stephanie, Carrington Golf Club, Creative Counseling Choices, Dunham’s Sports, Electrik Images, Gerdau Steel, Ida Tavern, IHOP, Little House of Hugs, McDonald’s, Michigan College of Beauty, Monroe County Prosecutor’s office, Pet Supplies Plus, Pete’s Garage, St. Pierre Ace Hardware, TJ Maxx,  Wendy’s, Yinger Pharmacy, and YMCA of Monroe. 

     Co-op is a learning approach used at Monroe High School in its educational programs.  When used in occupational programs, co-op has as its central purpose the development of occupational competence, using employment in real jobs as a source of learning.  The MHS mission for co-op is to help students gain competitive occupational skills at business and industry standards by tightly linking program/classroom basic and skill training with carefully supervised on-the-job training and performance.

Written by Bobb Vergiels

A record 59 Monroe High School students successfully reached their second trimester academic goals in the MHS’ Allies in Monroe (AIM) program, earning $200 scholarships each for their successful efforts.

     This now means that in the five semesters the program has been in place at Monroe High School, more than 200 students have achieved their goals earning more than $40,000.  While a number of the 59 students were honored for the first time, one of them – Jaleene Frayer – has made her AIM goals all five trimesters, earning $1,000, the only MHS student to have done so.

     The second-year AIM program is an academic incentive and mentoring program for all MHS students.  The program is designed to enhance student achievement, increase the number of students furthering their education after high school and improve student-staff community relationships.  Mentors are called “allies” and they encourage the students to reach at least a 15-percent increase in their grade point average.  More than 80 percent of the MHS staff members mentor a student in the AIM program.

     The biggest community support for mentors has come from Promedica Monroe Regional Hospital where 19 employees were involved as “allies” with MHS students.  At the most recent recognition banquet, hospital representative Mark Cochran received a large thank you poster signed by every one of the students who achieved their AIM goals in the second trimester of this school year.  Three other businesses which have been strong supporters from the start – Monroe Bank & Trust, DTE Energy and La-Z-Boy – also were recognized. 

     AIM, which aims to enhance the overall Monroe High School career-and-college ready culture, is the only program of its kind in Monroe County. 

     Although a Monroe High School program, AIM cannot be supported with district money.  MHS teacher David Henry is the AIM program coordinator.  Persons, businesses or groups interested in supporting the program can contact Mr. Henry at 734-265-3612.

     Here are the MHS students who have achieved their AIM goals in the second trimester:

Aja Alamo, Caden Bates, Austin Berry, Dane Bezeau, Chad Bijarro, Aidan Blevins, Kevin Brewster, Nick Bunch, William Conley, Christopher Cooper, Elise Cote, Orlando Matos-Cruz, Hope Cunningham, Zakarra (Precious) Daffney-Burciaga, Tatum Dozier, Zachary Fields, Adrian Finney, Haley Frank, Jaleene Frayer, Alisia Freelon, Barek Goins, Tyson Grant, Rachael Guimond, Jolee Harper, Avery Haynes, Kyle Henderson, Kylee Heringhausen, Dant’ Holliday, Jacob LaBeau, Kyle Lange, Jennifer Marcelino-Guido, Juan Marquez, Dajon Mayes, Sekura McCarter, Johnathan McNamee, Edward Miazga, Trevor Michaelis, Amber Miller, Gustavo Miranda, Anthony Mora, Allyson Myers, Emily New, Harlan Pfefferle, Brendan Russeau, Desiree Russell, Fred Shipp Jr., Julia Siech, Skylar Sortor, Nate Stevens, Alecea Taylor, Anna Traver, Lauren VanKlingeren, Trinity Vu, Allie Walter, Cinnamin Warren, Kaylee Watters, Jalen Wilkerson, Khamrii Wilson, and Garland Wright.

Information compiled and written by Bobb Vergiels

          Ninety-nine students from Monroe Middle School have been inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) in recent ceremonies at the school.  Included in that number are two pairs of seventh grade twins – the Oetjens and the McQuaides. 

          In fact, special music was provided by another set of twins who are NJHS members, Morgan and Chloe Spooneybarger, who played their violins. 

          The MMS NJHS is one of the district’s most active community service groups.  Among its recent inductees are nine eighth graders and 90 seventh graders.  Faculty advisor for the group is Mr. Scott Hoppert. 

          Here are the students recently inducted into the NJHS.

Eighth graders

Amara Campbell, Kaylee Faulk, Alec Fowler, Gabe Johnson, Zoey Lynn, Jacob Mick, Calvin Nicholai, Mason Petree, and Troy Vajcner.

Seventh graders

Leela Abrams, Elizabeth Asher, Alexander Assenmacher, Tanner Assenmacher, Abigail Atherton, Claire Bacarella, Isaac Bagnall, Schyler Baker, Adam Baltrip, Emma Baltrip, Lucas Beck, Brooke Benitez, Jacob Blosser, Chancey Boyce, Bryona Branche, Kaitlynn Brancheau-Nash, Morgan Brossia, Sheridan Capser, Brady Copp, Lauren Cox, Rachel Crumley, Aubrianne Cupp, Gillian Doederlein, Mallory Everly, Evelyn Favreau, Emily Folger, Jessica Foulkrod, Taylor Gallottia, Elizabeth Gibson, Jaclyn Gilbert, Miles Gunn, Jenna Hammond, Faith Harris, Hannah Hedges, Camille Hudkins, Madison Johnson, Parker Johnson, Jaden Jorris, Maya Kasprzak, Sanai Kyles, Jonah LaRoy, Garrett Lewis, Katelyn Matthews, Novalee McClain, Caeden McQuaide, Conner McQuaide, Mitchell Meier, Eric Michels, Enzo Mignano, Celena Milligan, Olivia Moore, Charlize Myerchalk, Lynn Myers, Cameron Newman, Abigail Oetjens, Ella Oetjens, Kaitlyn Parks, Maycee Pawlicki, Kai Polley, James Porter, Brynn Post, Ashley Rathbun, Ariel Renkiewicz, Calla Riling, Sydney Roberts, Riley Rolland, Ethan Russeau, Reed Sandefur, Hailey Schink, Ellie Sieler, Delaney Setzler, Aaron Smith, Adrianna Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Anna Sneider, Ariana Soden, Tyler Sparks, Sydney Spicer, Morgan Stefko, Sydnie Stewart, Makenna Swinkey, Wade Trout, Brynn Trouten, Trevor Vitale, Lauren Wagner, Connor Waldron, Kaelen Wallace, Joseph Williams, Bryce Younglove, John Zureki.

          The NJHS officers are Trevor Malik, president; Jenna Leach, vice president; Jaylynn Struth, secretary, and Isabella Petrangelo and  Kennedy Hatfield, co-treasurers. 

A baccalaureate service open to all Monroe High School seniors and other local high school seniors, too, will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 2, in the Monroe High School Auditorium, 901 Herr Rd.

The service is a long-time tradition at Monroe High School and is being planned by several local churches to honor and to inspire this year’s graduates.

All Monroe County graduates are invited and encouraged to attend.  Graduates are asked to wear their school’s cap and gown.  All participating seniors should line up in the foyer outside the auditorium at 6:45 p.m. that night to proceed into the ceremony.

          The inspirational service will include student, teacher and local pastor participation as a way to honor all 2016 graduates.  The Rev. Kevin Eccles, pastor of Monroe Free Methodist Church, will be the keynote speaker.

          For more information, please contact Tammy Massingill at 734-625-0669. 

Information compiled by Bobb Vergiels

Brothers Bob and Matt Servis will be retiring from the classroom come the end of the school year -- Bob from Monroe High School and Matt from Arborwood North.  It will be the first time there is not a Servis on the MPS teaching roster in quite some time.  Read the story published about them in the Toledo Blade by pasting the following URL into your browser

http://www.toledoblade.com/Education/2016/05/16/Brothers-retire-from-classrooms-but-leave-behind-family-to-carry-on.html.

This is a reminder that Wednesday, May 18, is an early release day for many of our students but NOT for Monroe High School.  The MHS all-day attendance is due to the state-mandated testing schedule and the need for students to receive the required number of instructional hours.  On Wednesday, all students in all of our elementary schools, Monroe Middle School and Orchard Center High School – will have an early release after a half-day of classes.  However, Monroe High School students will attend school the regular times – from 7:23 a.m. until 2:12 p.m.  

By building, here is the early-release schedule for May 18.  

Orchard Center High School – 10:14 a.m.

Monroe Middle School – 11:09 a.m.

Arborwood North – 11:43 a.m.

Arborwood South – 11:48 a.m.

Custer 1 – 12:14 p.m.

Custer 2 – 12:11 p.m.

Manor – 12:01 p.m.

Raisinville – 12:01 p.m.

Waterloo – 11:46 a.m.

Four persons who are associated with Monroe Public Schools were recognized Thursday night by the Monroe County Intermediate School District and were presented Whole Apple Awards for their work with Exceptional Children. 

Lisa Bagley of Monroe Middle School, was the Special Education Paraprofessional of the Year.  Krystina Seibert was the Special Education Parent of the Year.  Renee Peterson was the School or Program Administrator of the Year.  Monroe High School Senior Madyson Farris, who has been involved with and in charge of a number of worthy causes in her four years at MHS, was named the General Education Peer Mentor of the Year.

Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your work with and on behalf of these exceptional children who attend Monroe Public Schools.

Congratulations to the five Monroe Public Schools’ elementary schools for being certified as Monroe County Healthy Schools by the Monroe County Building Healthy Communities Coalition.  They were recognized at the recent Monroe County Earth Day Expo.

               Schools could achieve either Golden, Silver or Bronze Apple Awards based on the number of activities implemented.  Earning Golden Apple Awards, the highest possible, were Custer, Manor and Waterloo elementaries.  Arborwood North won a Silver Apple Award and Raisinville earned a Bronze Apple Award. 

               The program aims to increase health knowledge, attitudes and skills, positive health behaviors and outcomes.  The three key focus areas are activity, nutrition and substance abuse. 

               The City of Monroe recently released its summer performance schedule for Thursday night entertainment in St. Mary’s Park and once again, they have saved the best for first.

               That’s right – the award-winning Monroe High School Jazz Band kicks off the entire summer music program with a concert 7 p.m., Thursday, May 26.  Admission is always free and make sure you bring your lawn chair and enjoy the great music.

               Here is what the Recreation Department said about the Monroe High School Jazz Band:  “We kick off our concert series with this great jazz opportunity.  The MHS Jazz Band under the direction of Mr. Jim Nuechterlein earned a Division 1 rating – the best achievable – at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra State Jazz Festival.  This is the fifth Division One rating the band has earned in the last six years.  Help us celebrate our youth.”   

               Throughout the summer you will get to see tribute bands for Bob Seger, the Beatles and Tim McGraw but on May 26 you get to see the REAL MHS jazz band.  Come and enjoy.