Monroe Public Schools Board of Education President Robert Yeo was re-elected board president for 2016 at the board’s organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 12. It is the fourth consecutive year that Mr. Yeo has held that post.
Also re-elected were Larry VanWasshenova, vice president, and Ryan Philbeck, secretary. Monroe Public Schools Business and Finance Director Katherine Eighmey was re-appointed board treasurer.
The board voted Tuesday night to continue to hold its regular board meetings at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Workshops, which generally precede board meetings, will continue to start at 5:30 p.m.
Good morning Monroe Public Schools parents and staff. Due to the snowy roads and the weather forecast for the rest of the day, there will be no school today, Tuesday, January 12, for Monroe Public and Parochial Schools. In addition, kids club is cancelled at Custer and Riverside and all after-school district related activities, are cancelled for today, too. . Thanks, drive carefully and have a good day.
Successful swimmers and wrestling coaches who developed some of the greatest grapplers in Trojans history lead the Monroe High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2016 which will be recognized and inducted to the Hall on February 5.
This year’s class members are: Amanda Thompson, swimming, 2003-2007; Ashley McLaughlin, swimming, 2000-2004; Ben Notario, baseball, 2005-2009; Bob Butler, wrestling coach, 1971-1992; Dave Strini, wrestling coach, 1972-1978; Cole Sanseverino, track, 2003-2007; Neil Watts, swimming, 1958-1960; and William Stoner, track, 1927-1930.
Here are thumbnail bios of the Class of 2016.
Amanda Thompson – A four-year varsity swimmer at MHS, she set school and conference records in the 100-yard butterfly, winning the individual state championship in 2006. An All American and All-Conference selection, she swam four years at the University of Toledo, qualifying for the USA National Championship, breaking the 100-yard butterfly school record each year and helping U-T win its first Mid-American Conference title.
Ashley McLaughlin -- A three-time state champion at MHS, she still holds three school varsity swimming records and in 2003 won the USA Swimming Junior National Championship in the 50-meter breast stroke. Ashley swam at the University of Michigan on a full athletic scholarship and three times was Academic All-Big Ten. She placed ninth in the 100-meter breaststroke as a senior in the Big 10 championship.
Ben Notario --Twice each Ben was second-team All-State, Monroe County Player of the Year and unanimous All-League selection who went onto the play in the MHSAA All-Star game at Comerica Park. The MHS single season (8) and career (17) home run record holder, he hit .532 as a senior, with a .591 on-base percentage, collecting 59 hits, 15 doubles, 8 homers and 43 rbi.
Bob Butler -- Instrumental in establishing the MHS wrestling program, Coach Butler started as JV coach and varsity assistant. Named varsity coach for the 1978-79 season, his teams were league champs or co-champs 10 of his 13 seasons, compiling a 153-65 record. Coach Butler developed numerous regional champs and state place finishers, two state champs and several wrestlers who competed collegiately.
Dave Strini -- Launched the MHS wrestling program, building it into a state power in just five years. He led teams which won the Great Lakes Eight championship multiple times, earned a fourth-place finish in the state meet and produced several individual state champions. Coach Strini also started a Monroe city-wide wrestling program for youngsters 5 to 14 which still is open today.
Cole Sanseverino -- A two-time MHSAA state champion in the 1600 meter run in his junior and senior years, Cole also was a distinguished cross-country runner, finishing 7th and 3rd in the state cross country meet in his junior and senior years.
Neil Watts -- Undefeated in dual meets in his junior and senior years, Neil won a state championship in 1960 in the 200-yard freestyle. He went on to swim at Michigan State University, lettering in 1962-1964. After graduating from MSU, Neil served 20 years with the U. S. Navy, including time in Vietnam.
Bill Stoner -- He led MHS to its first state track championship in 1930, setting a pole vault record en route to becoming the Class B state champion. In his senior year, he played on the undefeated 1929 football team that gave MHS’ a 20-game winning streak.
Five Monroe High School students who are members of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter at Monroe High have advanced to the state BPA Leadership Conference in March in Grand Rapids after strong showings in the BPA Regional Leadership Conference this past Friday (Jan. 8) at Henry Ford Community College.
Here are the students advancing to the state conference:
Emily Abbe, 11th grade, first place, Fundamental Word Processing Skills.
Darian Reed, 12th grade, first place, Database Applications; and second place, Advanced Spreadsheet Applications.
Sam Kinsey, 11th grade, sixth place, Interview Skills.
Anthony Levesque, 9th grade, fifth place, Interview Skills.
Kaysi Morlan, 12th grade, fourth place, Integrated Office Applications.
The MHS BPA advisors are Mrs. Joni Weaks and Mrs. Anne Knabusch.
If the students place in the state competition, they will advance to the National Leadership Conference in Boston in May.
Here is a date to circle on your calendar -- Friday January 29. That’s this year’s 7th annual Pink Out basketball game to raise money for the Cancer Connection of Promedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Started by then-Monroe High School senior Emily Pilon, the game has raised thousands of dollars over the years for the local Cancer Connection. This year’s Pink Out features girls basketball as the Trojans host Tecumseh. Tip off for the girls varsity game is 7 p.m. Make plans to be out at the game and Think Pink.
The popular Monroe High School Cheer Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, January 23. Once again this year, the participants will get a chance to use what they learned and perform at the Monroe High School basketball game on Friday, January 29. Registration fee is $20. More information can be found on the flyer attached to the posting. This is open to all students, regardless of what school they attend.
The Monroe Public Schools District is seeking proposals for legal services for student discipline. The RFP is available at the MPS Administration Building, 1275 N. Macomb St., 734-265-3050 and on our website at www.monroe.k12.mi.us. Bids will be accepted until 3 p.m., Thursday, January 21, 2016. The School Board will not consider or accept any bids submitted after that due date and time. The School Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
To access the RFP, please click on the link below.
http://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/view/2929.pdf
In an editorial outlining its Editorial Platform for 2016, the Monroe News cited the work going on at Monroe High School as an example of the kinds of strides that need to continue in education.
The News wrote, “Educators at all levels have increased options for lifelong learning. High school-college enrollment is expanding, a “college-going” culture has taken root at Monroe High School, more work skills courses are available. Virtual academies and on-line courses help non-traditional students earn diplomas and early childhood learning continues to grow. Especially important in 2016 will be the renewal of the countywide technology millage that has been a model for other places around the state.”
The highly successful Career and Technical Education program at Monroe High School will be on full display this Thursday at the CTE Expo at the Monroe County Intermediate School facility at 1101 S. Raisinville Rd. The program runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is geared toward students in grades 8 through 11 and their parents. The 13 different CTE disciplines taught at Monroe High School all will have representatives and students available to chat with visiting parent and students. See the attached poster for more information.
Although there is no school for Monroe Public Schools' students until Monday, January 4, 2016, the Monroe Public Schools Administration Building, 1275 N. Macomb St., is open three days this week for persons who need to do business with the school district. The building will be open for business from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.