Monroe High School is proud to announce senior Starlyn Higgins has received a Michigan Department of Education 2017 Breaking Traditions Merit Award. The Breaking Traditions Merit Award is given every year to students who have overcome barriers in secondary and postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that are traditionally taken by the opposite gender.
For Starlyn, the daughter of Kenneth Loveland, however, working with her hands was just a part of growing up.
"I grew up with all guys in the family, so I was always in the garage, helping them build a racecar or work on the truck," she said proudly.
From her time in the garage growing up, Starlyn had an interest in working in automotive classes, but she quickly found a passion for construction, welding, and all things CTE.
"I’ve taken every class except robotics," she laughed. "I started in auto, but I fell in love with construction and welding."
Starlyn’s hard work and dedication to her studies is a reflection of Monroe High School’s thriving commitment to the ever-growing CTE program.
"Starlyn is a shining example and point of pride," said Julie Everly, Monroe Public Schools superintendent, "showcasing the high quality CTE programs and teachers available at Monroe High School."
Glenn Zorn, who currently advises Starlyn in three subjects, nominated her for the award that accepts at most 25 students state-wide.
"I nominated Starlyn because she has excelled in every technical and industrial course we offer," Zorn said. "Starlyn is an amazing student with a great work ethic."
Starlyn will accept the award on May 11 during a formal presentation ceremony at the Forum at the Library of Michigan in Lansing.
"I was so happy when he handed me the paper, I started crying," she said. "I worked so hard."
Starlyn currently has a 3.4 cumulative GPA which includes a 3.99 GPA in CTE courses. She is also a quick learner; after seeing her hard work and natural skill in other CTE courses, Zorn allowed her to skip welding fundamentals and grapple with the advanced work, a decision he is happy to have made.
"That was a great move because she has been a leader in the class ever since," Zorn said.
Zorn has been an instrumental part of Starlyn’s aspirations to continue her education in construction.
"We’ve gotten closer and closer," she said. "I’ve changed my eyes towards Zorn to be more of a father figure. He actually had my dad as a student in a course at the college. Seeing my dad’s skills as a welder, he has pushed me harder and harder, which has made me fall in love with welding over and over again."
Starlyn has plans to attend Monroe County Community College to take part in the welding program there, before possibly moving to a degree in construction management. Starlyn says the fact that Zorn teaches in the welding program at MCCC helped a lot with her decision.
As confident as she has been in the welding shop, Starlyn is more anxious about accepting the award itself.
"I’m going to trip, I just know it," she laughed. "I’m going to cry too. I’m so emotional."
Join the Education Foundation for Monroe Public Schools for a night of Beers, Bites, and Battlefields at the Annual Fundraiser event Wednesday, May 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Monroe Bank and Trust HQ Assembly Room! Local hors d'oeurves, craft beer, and wine have been generously donated by area businesses for attendees to sample at the event which benefits student scholarships and mini-grants for MPS. Tickets are available for individuals 21 and older for $25 and come with five tickets for beer and wine samples. These tickets are available at the Monroe Public Schools Administration Building, 1275 N. Macomb St., Monroe, MI 48162 or you may call 734.265.3000 for more details.
Sign Up Here for the 2017 MPS Summer Learning Academy!!!
For the first time ever, all MPS students in grades Y5-8 may apply to participate in the Summer Learning Academy!!! Just like an athlete needs to exercise regularly to stay at the top of his game, so do students! During summer months students need to continue to exercise their brains, to keep the new connections made during the school year!!! The MPS Summer Learning Academy is designed around your child’s interests and academic needs; stretching every child’s reading, writing and math levels. It will be an opportunity for students to get a jump start on the upcoming school year and continue connections with friends over summer months.
Important Information
- Summer Learning Academy meets from July 10-August 17
- Hours are from 8:15am-12:15pm, Monday—Thursday
- Free Breakfast and Lunch!
Registration Information
- Seats are limited, apply by May 1, 2017
- Click Here to Apply in English
- Click Here to Apply in Spanish
- Students who are accepted will be notified by June 1st with a letter and classroom placement
MPS has again been offered the opportunity to show a documentary by Sarah Moshman, the producer of the "The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things". Her latest documentary is called "Losing Sight of Shore" and it has a powerful message about grit, determination and believing in yourself. It follows the nine-month journey of four women, as they row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean. The showing will be at Monroe High School on April 30th at 2:00 p.m. The event will be free of charge, but we will be accepting donations to benefit The Promise Fund. ***Recommended for ages 10 and up***
According to Michigan School Law, any child who wil be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2017, is eligible to enter school this fall.
- Children who turn five (5) between December 2, 2016, and June 15, 2017, are eligible for kindergarten.
- Children who turn five (5) between June 16, 2017, and September 1, 2017, are eligible for the Young Fives Program
- In addition, children who turn five (5) between September 2, 2017, and December 1, 2017, are eligible to obtain a state waiver to enter our Young Fives Program
Kindergarten Registration will be held at Riverside Early Learning Center, 77 N. Roessler St., Monroe, MI 48162
Wednesday, April 26, through Friday, April 28
Wednesday, April 26 - 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday, April 27 - 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday, April 28 - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Hearing and Vision screening will be available during registration. This service is provided by the Monroe County Health Department.
Please bring the following:
- Original birth certificate with the raised seal (not a hospital record or a passport)
- Hearing and Vision results from a doctor or health department if they have already been tested
- Immunization record
- Proof of residency (a utility bill with your name and address or a rental/purchase agreement with your name and address)
- Picture ID for the parent or guardian (if you are a guardian, the guardianship paperwork must also be provided)
Congratulations to Raisinville student, Ella Kreyger, for placing 2nd in the Michigan Earth Day Poster Contest for second grade! There were 716 entries for 2nd grade, so this is quite an accomplishment and we are very proud of her! The poster she created will also be turned into greeting cards.
Art teacher Melanie Castellese encouraged her students to enter the contest, and then forwarded the entries to the state. Ella is a 2nd grade student in Mrs. Matthews class at Raisinville Elementary School and is the daughter of Aaron and Anthony Kreyger.
There will be a half-day of school for Monroe Public Schools students on Wednesday, March 22. Pre-school at Riverside, along with Kids Club at Riverside and Custer, will operate on a regular schedule.
There will be a half-day of school for Monroe Public Schools students on Wednesday, February 22. Pre-school at Riverside, along with Kids Club at Riverside and Custer, will operate on a regular schedule.
Lots of excitement in the choir room lately! Last weekend we had four events perform in the district solo and ensemble festival at Eastern Michigan University. Congratulations to soloists Corinne Cadle and Haley Langmeyer and ensembles Varsity Chorus, directed by Cate Windelborn, and Momentum, directed by Zach Everly, who all received high ratings and qualified to move on to the state festival in March.