WDIV-TV Channel 4 news reporter Priya Mann is surounded in a makeshift jail cell by students at Monroe High School today (May 7) as part of the school's Prom and Punishment program. The program was geared toward reminding students of the dangers of drinking and/or taking drugs while driving and was presented today, one day before the MHS Prom to be held at "The Big House" so the message would be fresh in everyone's minds tomorrow. The event was developed by Sue Sacks, the MHS substance abuse coordinator. The piece about MHS' Prom and Punishment is slated to air tonight at 4 p.m. on Channel 4
Monroe High School senior Brooklynn Lambert (right) is interviewed by WNWO-TV news reporter Hubert Wiggins today (May 7) at the Prom and Punishment event at Monroe High SChool. With the prom tomorrow night at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, students were warned of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and what can happen if they break the law. The event was orchestrated by Sue Sacks, Monroe High School's substance abuse coordinator. Channel 24 inToledo with air the piece in its 6 p.m. newscast tonight.
A Monroe High School junior was injured about 7:15 this morning (Thursday, May 7) when he was accidentally struck by a vehicle driven by another student in the parking lot of Monroe High School. The injured student was transported to the hospital by medical personnel. His parents were notified by school officials. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the accident.
Decision Day honors students’ next steps
An editorial from the Monroe News -- May 6
Hundreds of high school students walked across the stage at Monroe High School on Friday declaring their college or military branch of choice.
It was the second Decision Day at the school, which is celebrated nationwide.
To loud cheers and a few standing ovations from their peers, the Monroe students proudly declared and the signed “letters of intent” to the post-secondary option of their choice. The signing was similar to how athletes declare the college they will attend.
More than 100 high schools in Michigan participated in Decision Day, which truly was a celebration culminating students’ four years of hard work and dedication.
Two years ago, Monroe High School placed an emphasis on creating a college-going culture. During that time, the school atmosphere has changed.
Students are pursuing dreams of going to top universities. Jonathon Brown, a senior who was last to cross the stage, made it official he would be attending one of the nation’s top schools when he selected Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.
Next year, the school will have even more support for its students who want to pursue Ivy League schools.
Recently, Monroe High and Gibraltar Schools’ Carlson High School were selected for the AdviseMI program, which places more college advisers in school buildings. Sponsored by the Michigan College Access Network, the program places recent college graduates in the schools to assist students through the application and financial aid process.
Monroe Principal Valerie Orr said recently she plans to use the adviser to work specifically with Ivy League schools.
Good idea. Every community needs highly skilled and well-educated students not only to pursue such dreams but to return and continue to build and improve that culture.
Monroe County has struggled to improve its numbers when it comes to percentage of the population with degrees. Currently, only about 10 percent hold bachelor’s degrees.
Celebrating the choices these students have made about their futures is certainly one more way to put a spotlight on goals and achievement. More schools should consider joining the celebration.
The summer building improvement program at Monroe Public Schools will cover some $2.3 million worth of building improvements while school is out.
“These are major projects, each of them geared toward improving the material condition of our buildings,” said Jerry Oley, director, Operations, for Monroe Public Schools. “Because our buildings are generally older it takes much care and work to maintain them in the best condition possible for our students and staff.”
The biggest project from a dollar standpoint, and the work that likely would be most evident to people coming to the schools, is the redesign and replacement of the staff parking lot and the two north entrances to Monroe High School. This is the third and final installment of the parking lot replacement project. It also will add 99 more parking places to the lot, bringing to 264 the number of vehicle parking spots. Successful bid was $678,876 from Best Asphalt, Inc., of Romulus.
Significant work also is scheduled at Monroe Middle School where new energy-efficient insulated panels and double-hung windows will be installed on the south and east walls of the three-story science wing. The original 1958 unit ventilators on that portion of the building also will be replaced with new, energy-efficient ones. Successful bid was $569,000 by Envision Builders of Wixom.
All project work is to be done by August 21 and there are penalties to be assessed if it is not completed. Other big projects this summer are:
--Removing and replacing the 25-year-old roof on the three-story science wing of Monroe Middle School. Bid -- $293,000 from Royal West Roofing of Brighton.
--Repairing masonry at Monroe High School on the north, west and south walls of B Wing and the north, west and east walls of C Wing. Bid -- $207,750 from Grunwell-Cashero Co, of Toledo.
--Replacing the original non-thermal windows and wall panels on the district administration building with insulated fixed and double-hung windows and insulated panels. Bid -- $167,520 from Monroe Glass of Monroe.
--Replacing 3,000-square feet of the 28-year-old roof at Waterloo Elementary School over the gymnasium and replacing another 2,975- square feet of roofing over the hallway and classrooms, including improved drainage on the roof. Bid -- $163,370 from Advanced Roofing of Westland.
--Replacing 22,500-square feet of roof over A wing at Monroe High School. The roofing, only 14 years old, had been damaged by hail. Bid -- $132,510 from Advanced Roofing of Westland.
--Replacing 11,900-square feet of 26-year-old roofing over the north and west corridor roofs of Arborwood South Elementary School. Bid -- $97,000 from Nordmann Roofing of Toledo.
All of the projects were approved recently by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education.
Mr. Oley pointed out that all of the work was being paid for by the district’s site-sinking fund, a voter-approved millage which provides money for the district for capital work without having to tap the general fund used for educational purposes.
Noted Abraham Lincoln re-enactor Fred Priebe spoke as President Lincoln to Monroe Middle School students recently, sharing with them thoughts that Mr. Lincoln had about various topics. He also delivered the Gettysburg Address as Mr. Lincoln. His visit was part of the eighth-grade study of the American Civil War, which also included a visit from an expert in music from the Civil War era, a visit from noted General Custer re-enactor Steve Alexander who spoke about the Battle of Gettysburg, a visit to a reputed Underground Railroad stop in Monroe and a review of Civil War artifacts at the Monroe Historical Museum. Teachers who coordinated the activities – available only at Monroe Middle School – were Jackie Pecora, Beth Addis, Jennifer Barker, Mandi Bomia and Colleen Roecker. For many of the students, the last few weeks of school have been very history-oriented since nearly all of the 8th grade class also made the annual visit to Washington, D.C., and to New York City.
Eight Monroe Public Schools teachers with a combined 182 years of teaching experience will retire at the end of the school year. In addition, the district’s transportation director and a long-time custodian at Custer Elementary also will retire. Their retirements were accepted recently by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education.
“We will miss the experience and dedication to education from all of these people who are leaving us. Their contributions will be seen in our community for many years to come due to the young lives they have touched. We wish them all of the best as they retire,” said Dr. Barry Martin, superintendent, Monroe Public Schools.
Retiring will be Crystal Caldwell, secondary coach, 35 years; Joyce Pomerville, special education teacher, 29 years; Margaret Miller, custodian, Custer School, 25 years; Robert Nichols, secondary teacher, 25 years; Lynn Colturi, secondary student service coordinator, 24 years; Sandra Bonavero, elementary teacher, 20 years; Rebecca Gutierrez, elementary teacher, 20 years; Janelle Martin, elementary music teacher, 15 years; Donna Heck, elementary school teacher, 14 years; and Shelley Cormier, transportation supervisor, 3.5 years.
Over the last several weeks, Monroe Public Schools has been actively recruiting new teachers at teacher fairs at various universities and has begun interviews for new teachers for next school year.
Monroe High School Sophomore Sven Wollschlaeger’s essay on The impact of the Magna Carta earned third-place honors in the 2015 school essay contest in connection with Law Day Ceremonies, which were held in the court room of Monroe County Circuit Judge Michael Weipert on May 1.
Sven and his teacher, Mrs. Joni Weeks, also were treated to lunch at the St. George’s Cultural Center, where they were able to meet and talk with numerous community leaders as well as several former Liberty Bell winners.
Sven is active at MHS as an Ignition Mentor, a member of the MHS student Council, and National Honor Society, where he is secretary-elect for next school year, president of the Class of 2017, and was assistant producer of the district’s TV show “Get to Know Monroe.” He also earned membership in the Trojan Pride Club, and does the morning announcements at MHS.
In his essay, Sven wrote, “Today, Americans are among the freest, and hold the most rights of any nation in the world. In America, all are equal; all are free; all have equal rights and all can pursue justice. The very essence of the Magna Carta lives on today in the American Constitution and Bill of Rights.”
Monroe High School Junior Matthew Hurst has been recognized in the Michigan 7th District 2015 Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by Congressman Tim Walberg. Matthew’s graphite drawing entitled “Lending a Hand” is now being displayed in the Jackson office of Congressman Walberg.
“Last year we took third place in this contest and this year we took second. I am so proud of these students and the great works they produce,” said Matthew’s teacher, Amy McBroom.
“It is quite an honor for a student to produce a piece of art that is displayed on a Congressman’s wall,” Mrs. McBroom said.
Congratulations to four Monroe County Intermediate School District employees who work in Monroe Public Schools buildings for recently receiving Whole Apple Awards from the Council for Exceptional Children.
From Monroe Middle School, Shawn Polak earned the Whole Apple Award as the Special Education Teacher of the Year.
At Monroe High School, three women were chosen to receive the Whole Apple Award as Paraprofessionals of the Year. They are Jermaine Lehr, Tracy Setzler and Crystal Stotz. All work in the MoSCI classroom of Mrs. Lauren Rhoades.