Five of Monroe Public Schools’ buildings will have enhanced computer equipment in their classrooms thanks to a $206,089 purchase approved Tuesday night by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education.  The purchase helps continue the proliferation of iPad technology throughout Monroe Public Schools, even down to the youngest students.

     “This purchase helps us to further integrate technology into the teaching of our curriculum for our students,” said David Payne, Technology director for Monroe Public Schools.

     Included in the purchase were two classroom sets of Dell Chromebooks and bags for Manor Elementary School; one classroom set of iPad Airs and bags for Raisinville Elementary School; six iPad mini-carts and 12 iPad Pros for Arborwood Elementary Campus; six iPad Airs carts and two Mac PowerBook pros for Monroe Middle School; and one set of iPad Airs Cases for Waterloo Elementary School.  The iPad products being purchased are lighter and have more functions than original iPads and some even have screens upon which a stylus can be used to write or draw, which can be saved.

     The purchases are made through a Federal Title I grant.  Mr. Payne explained that while the grant was used to purchase the hardware, the software and program licenses needed for the equipment are purchased through the countywide technology millage. 

     The Head Start preschool program operated by the Monroe County Intermediate School District (ISD) will be housed at the Monroe Public Schools’ Arborwood North School for the 2016-2017 school year.  The program has been located in South Monroe Townsite School for the last several years.  The move was approved by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education Tuesday night (February 9.)

     “We asked the ISD to make this move so we can provide additional support for preschool services at Arborwood.  The move also allows us to assist in the transition of pre-school students, many of whom will attend Arborwood, into kindergarten,” said Dr. Barry Martin, superintendent, Monroe Public Schools.

     Dr. Martin explained that Arborwood North, which once was known as Hollywood School, will have sufficient capacity to meet the needs of the current Head Start program and provide sufficient space to house many existing Arborwood North classrooms, too.  Also, having Head Start located in an active elementary school setting will be a benefit for that program as well as Arborwood Elementary School.

     “The ISD appreciates the partnership with Monroe Public Schools to provide early childhood programs to our youngest learners,” said Dr. Stephen McNew, superintendent, Monroe County ISD.  “There are two important factors to remember about these learners. Brain development is the most significant from birth to age three.  The brain’s capacity develops 90 percent before a child reaches five so it is crucial that we continue to work together to educate these students in a clean, safe environment so they are prepared to learn when they get to kindergarten.”

     Dr. Martin said that in coming weeks the board will discuss the future of South Monroe Townsite School.  Also to be determined in the near future is where the district will house its successful Monroe Virtual High School, the longest running virtual school in Monroe County. 

     Both schools on the Arborwood Elementary Campus are Title I schools.  Title I provides federal funding to schools to help students who are at risk of falling behind academically. The funding provides supplemental instruction for students who are economically disadvantaged or at risk of failing to meet state standards.

     “One of the ways a Title I school’s effectiveness is evaluated is by having a successful plan to transition preschool children from programs like Head Start to local elementary school kindergarten programs,” Dr. Martin said.  “With this move, we are aligned with the federal requirements and are confident this will help strengthen our overall instructional program at Arborwood, as the students move from preschool to kindergarten.”

Lincoln Elementary School may have been closed since 2009 but students who attended the school and are graduating from Monroe High School this spring have a chance to take a part of the old school to college with them this fall.  Applications now are being taken for the Lincoln Scholarship for former students.  Students can qualify for a $500 scholarship.  When Lincoln closed, its staff wanted to make sure that students who had attended the school had a chance to earn a scholarship like they did when the school was open.  Enough money was set aside so as long as there were children in the Monroe Public Schools system who attended Lincoln School they could be considered for a scholarship when they graduated.  Check below for a link to a scholarship application form.

The Monroe High School boys basketball game against Saline Thursday night will be broadcast live over MonroeCountyRadio.com, Monroe's local internet radio station,  Monroe County Judge Jared Calkins and local attorney, Jeff Yorkey, husband of one of the Monroe Public Schools teachers, will be mike side for the game.  The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., depending on the length of the JV game.

     The second “Count Day” of the 2015-2016 school year is Wednesday, February 10.  All public schools in Michigan tally the number of students attending their schools twice a year – once in early October and once in February.      

     The February 10 count represents the remaining 10 percent of state funding for a public school district.  The earlier count in the fall represented 90 percent.  It is always important to be in school for learning but on February 10, each student translates into state funding for the district they are attending.

     If school is cancelled for any reason on February 10, count day will be the first day students are scheduled to return to school after the cancelled day.   

     Parents are encouraged to make every effort to ensure their children are in school on Count Day.

     Nearly 20 Monroe High School musicians earned either Division 1 or Division 2 ratings in the District XII Solo and Ensemble Festival at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School on January 30.  Participants in the festival came from Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, minus the City of Detroit.

     Students performed as soloists or in small groups for experienced adjudicators from around Michigan and were rated on a scale of 1 to 5, against a standard of excellence.  “1” is the best score a musician can receive.  Students who earned First Division ratings are eligible to compete at the state solo and ensemble competition in March.

     All of the Monroe School representatives were students of either MHS Band Director James Nuechterlein or MHS Orchestra Director Ann Felder.

     Students receiving Division One ratings were: Nicholas Howerton, flute solo; Dallin Bowie, piano solo; Brooke Pridemore and Morgan Kline, violin duet; Morgan Kline, violin solo; Jacob Foulkrod, cello solo; Brianna Finley, trumpet solo; and Kyle Huisman, Jacob Foulkrod, Maggie Pasko and Eleni Wohl, cello quartet.

     Students receiving Division Two ratings were: Natalie Lake, alto saxophone solo; Adria Slowinski and Brooke Pridemore, violin duet; Brandon McClure and Jessica Skeens, violin duet; Jessica Skeens, violin solo; Keiara Dehner, violin solo; Maggie Pasko, cello solo; Abigail Snow, trumpet solo; Abigail and Nicholas Howerton, flute duet; and Grant Prater, trumpet solo.MHS

Ten Monroe Middle School singers turned in strong performances at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association District 12 Middle School Solo and Ensemble Competition which was held January 30 at Monroe Middle School.  The performances capped several months of after-school preparation by the soloists and those performing in duets.

     Earning an Excellent rating (Division One) was the duet of Faith Avritt and Rosario Mexicano.  Earning Good (Division Two) ratings were soloists Joleena Gurley and Malachia Hart. And the duets of Natasha Dempsey and Raini Owens, and Dayonna Evans and Shaelynn Stanfill.  Notable performances also were given by soloists Calista Byrd and Nova McClain.

     Because Monroe Middle School hosted the competition, some 60 choir students helped Friday and Saturday in setting up for and running the festival, leading the judges to comment on how well the students helped run the performance rooms.

Monroe High School will hold its annual open house and information night for eighth graders and their parents on Tuesday, February 16.  The event runs from 6 p.m. until about  8 p.m. at Monroe High School. 

     Eighth graders from Monroe Middle School and their parents as well as those attending private or charter schools or being home-schooled are invited to attend.

     The schedule for the night’s activities:

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Club Festival., Commons Area (optional) 

Parents and students who want to learn more about MHS’ clubs and campus activities are invited to the Clubs and Organizations Festival in the Commons.  In addition, building tours will run continuously from the Commons.  Refreshments will be served in the Learning Commons, formerly known as the Media Center.

6:30 p.m. – 6:55 p.m. – Overview of MHS and student life, Auditorium

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Informational sessions, throughout the school

Participants may choose to attend four different 12-minute sessions covering topics such as curriculum, extracurricular activities and career preparation.

     Persons with questions can contact the assistant principals’ office at 265-3460.

     To help out the people of Flint throughout their water crisis, the Monroe High School Student Council has kicked off its Flint Water Drive at MHS.  

     “The people of Flint will be without water for quite some time, so we are approaching the people of our community to donate water,” said MHS Student Council Member Harrison Carter who is heading the drive up with classmate Keegan Drager.  “We’re sure that the students and staff at Monroe High School will bring a good amount of water.  But we want to broaden the amount of people able to donate to the drive, rather than only sticking to our fellow students.  The more the merrier, right?”

     Water will be accepted at Monroe High School during the regular school day the rest of this week and through next week, and delivered to Flint the week of February 15.  Please note that Monroe High School will be closed on Friday, February 12, so no donations can be accepted that day.  Persons donating water can visit campus where they will be directed to Monroe High School’s administrative offices to drop the water off. 

     The Flint Water Drive at MHS will accept commercially packed water, but no loose bottles, please.  Commercially sealed containers of water one gallon or larger will be accepted, too, but all containers must have an expiration date of at least six months in advance. 

     Canned water, carbonated water, flavored water, containers with open or broken seals and water that is past or below six months from expiration will not be accepted.

Voters will go to the polls on May 3 to vote on the Monroe County Educational Technology Renewal.  The renewal request is for slightly less than 1 mill, and is not a new tax, since it is a renewal  For more information, please see the fact sheet which is attached to this posting.