Monroe Virtual High School announced the first semester Honor Roll for the 2020-2021 school year. Congratulations to all of the MVHS honor roll students!
MVHS Honor Roll 2020-21 First Semester
Monroe High School announced the first semester Honor Roll for the 2020-2021 school year. Congratulations to all of the honor roll students!
Check out the Winter 2021 issue of our newsletter -- We Are Monroe.
View the issue in flip format at: https://online.fliphtml5.com/lvhob/buiv/
OR as a downloadable PDF at:
https://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/files/page/5370/We_Are_Monroe_Winter_2021.pdf
The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education approved bids for the district’s first bond-funded construction projects at their February 9th meeting. Combined, the projects total nearly $11 million in capital improvements for MPS schools and facilities.
Jerry Oley, Executive Director of Operations, said the project list approved in February was the largest building package work he has been involved with during his two decades in the district.
Monroe voters passed a $59 million school bond in May, 2020. Over the next 5 years, the bond will upgrade the safety and security at every school in the district and fund critically-needed capital projects including HVAC.
The first projects funded by the bond revenues are expected to begin this summer, with preliminary work starting even sooner.
New secure entries, restrooms, and fire alarms are scheduled for Custer and Riverside elementary schools, and extensive work will take place at Monroe High School including a mechanical system/chiller, generator, restrooms, ceilings, lighting, flooring, and paint. Cafeteria air conditioning and new PA systems with security tie-ins will be installed at every elementary school in the district.
“It’s an aggressive approach,” Oley stated. “We will have a lot of projects taking place this summer. We have a lengthy list of improvements throughout the district that are going to take four or five years. Every building at some point will be getting some upgrades.”
“This marks a milestone in our bond journey together,” Superintendent Dr. Julie Everly stated.
“I would love to take this opportunity to thank our community for supporting our students and our school district. The bond was widely supported, and it was born out of needs identified in facility assessments. Monroe Public Schools has been looking at these projects for years. The community who lives here today made this happen.”
Dr. Everly thanked the team from Monroe Public, Kohler Architects, DECA Engineers, and Clark Construction who came together to work on the bond.
The $11 million project list includes $5,981,000 with Monroe Plumbing and Heating, which means work for local residents after a hard pandemic year.
“I’d like to celebrate that we have close to $6 million of the projects going to a local vendor,” Dr. Everly said. “That is something that I know always means a great deal to our Board, Administration, and community. I can’t think of a better package to launch this important work with.”
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The full list of approved bid contracts is below:
$216,200 from Spieker Company for Bid Category 01 - Concrete
$339,200 from Spieker Company for Bid Category 02 - General Trades
$372,600 from Spieker Company for Bid Category 03 - Selective Demo
$5,981,000 from Monroe Plumbing & Heating for Bid Category 04 – Plumbing and HVAC
$2,054,325 from Brint Electric for Bid Category 05 - Electrical
$175,980 from Ideal Contracting for Bid Category 06 – Structural Steel
$160,348 from WM Molnar for Bid Category 08 - Roofing
$495,000 from Commercial Flooring of Toledo for Bid Category 09 – Carpet, Tile, and Resilient Flooring
$205,845 from GV Painting for Bid Category 10 – Painting and Wall Coverings
$432,980 from Pontiac Ceiling & Partition for Bid Category 12 – Metal Studs, Drywall, and Ceilings
* Spieker Company provided a Combined Bid Discount of $19,900.
$208,272 Construction Related General Conditions fund
$728,950 Construction Contingency fund
The total Bid Package approval is not to exceed $11,350,800.
The Home Builders Association of Monroe has appointed Tom Bell to its Board of Directors. Bell teaches the construction trades program at Monroe High School and launched the innovative Trojan Build projects which involve MHS students building entire homes from the ground up.
The HBA promotes the housing industry through education, advocacy, and professional development. The local chapter is committed to growing the skilled trades workforce and supports efforts to bring young people into the building trades.
“The HBA has been very involved in Monroe High School’s construction trades program,” President David Swartout stated. “Inviting Tom to be part of the Board was a natural next step.”
“Tom is the only construction trades teacher to be appointed to an HBA Board in the state of Michigan,” Swartout noted.
Bob Polk, an HBA past president who recently passed in November, played an important role in connecting the two organizations. “Bob met with me in the planning stages for the first Trojan Build and served on our advisory committee,” Bell shared. “He also worked with students over the years to bring their work to the Expo.”
For the past three years, Monroe High School has showcased the Trojan Build at the HBA Show. The booth also featured drawings from the HBA Student Design Competition and a silent auction of student work. In 2019, the Association co-sponsored a fall fundraiser with Monroe Public Schools to benefit a new HBA student chapter.
The appointment is expected to be mutually beneficial, leading to increased collaboration and opportunities. “Tom will be an integral part of HBA going forward,” Swartout said. “We want to help young people move forward in the industry and get involved in community organizations, not just HBA but also the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.”
The HBA wants young people to understand both the opportunities available to them and the pitfalls to avoid, such as accumulating huge student loans. “You can’t obtain a license if you have issues with credit,” Swartout said. He stressed the importance of letting students know they have options. “There are alternate routes to a successful career,” he asserted. “You can make a good income in the trades without college. Or you can choose to attend community college. You don’t have to take on huge debts.”
Bell enjoys teaching and appreciates the opportunity to pass on his skill and expertise. He began framing houses in high school and had 20 years of trades experience when he was hired at Monroe Public Schools five years ago. Bell spent 12 years in home construction before moving to commercial carpentry where he worked on high-profile construction projects including Tiffin Hospital, Wood County Hospital, Bowling Green State University dormitories, and shops at Fallen Timbers and Franklin Park.
Understandably, Bell is proud of the full-house Trojan Build program he researched, developed, and leads. MHS students frame, add roofing and siding, set windows and doors, trim, do drywall, lay flooring, and build cabinets. Bell coaches his students on life skills as well as technical skills to help them gain and keep employment. “I try to tell them what they need to know and share my life experiences,” Bell summarized.
Bell shares the HBA’s commitment to guide and mentor and is eager to work with the Board. “I look forward to working with HBA leaders to strengthen the skilled trades in southeast Michigan and expand local opportunities that will benefit area builders, our students, and the Monroe community,” Bell said.
“We are proud of the work Mr. Bell is doing in our schools and our community,” Superintendent
Dr. Julie Everly said. “We value our partnership with the Home Builders Association and appreciate
their support which has contributed to our construction program’s success. We welcome the opportunity for additional collaboration.
Two Monroe High School seniors have received National Merit honors through the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Emma Scznsny and Jackson Taft are being recognized for their performance on the 2019 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The test was administered to over 1.5 million juniors around the nation. Emma scored in the top 2% and has been named a National Merit Commended Student. Jackson scored in the top 1% and has been named a National Merit Semi-Finalist.
National Merit students are honored for demonstrating exceptional academic promise. Emma will receive a Letter of Commendation, and Jackson has the opportunity to advance in the scholarship competition. Finalists will be announced in March.
The scholastically-talented seniors are actively involved at Monroe High School and in the community. Jackson is a Monroe Trojan varsity swimmer and three-time state finalist. He has been an A-relay member for MHS and the Southeast Michigan Aquatic Center and has also participated in SST and GTAC swimming. Jackson is Secretary of the C.A.L.C. club, a past Trojan Mentor, and a member of Saint Michael Church. Jackson’s academic aptitude has also earned him a High Achieving Talented Student award. His volunteer work includes the Orchard Center High School food drive, Half Marathon check-in, St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, and food distribution at Forest Elementary. Jackson plans to study business at the University of Michigan. He is the son of John and Christina Taft.
A two-sport athlete, Emma is a varsity soccer and basketball player whose leadership activities include Drama Club President and Quiz Bowl Team Captain. Emma is a 2018 AP Scholar with Honor, a 2019 AP Scholar with Distinction, and a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, she has competed with Monroe United Travel Soccer and danced at the Peg Harris Studio. Emma has served as a volunteer coach for CYO soccer and sports camps at Monroe High School, Monroe County Community College, and Holy Ghost Lutheran School. As an active member of the Holy Ghost Lutheran Youth Fellowship, she has participated in many service projects. Emma plans to attend a 4-year university. She is the daughter of Teri and Mike Scznsny.
The MPS music teachers collaborated to create musical holiday greetings via Zoom. You can listen to their rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” at: https://tinyurl.com/ycu2p7ko
See the attached information and instructions for the December 2, 2020 Vehicle Sale.
The Construction Program at Monroe High School is building more than homes; it’s also building strong futures for its students and alumni.
Four recent construction graduates who are on the road to success are Carson Clark, 2017; Alex Iocoangeli, 2018; Jazlyn Clark, 2018; and Jace Clark, 2019. Although their post-high school paths are each a little different, they share serious work ethics, a commitment to their career goals, and strong roots in MHS construction classes.
Carson and Alex are both students at Ferris State University studying construction management. Carson is beginning his fourth year in the bachelor degree program, however, and Alex has two classes remaining for his associate’s.
In August, Alex was sworn in as a pre-apprentice to UA Local 671 – Monroe Plumbers and Pipefitters. He is working out in the field for Core Mechanical, where he previously worked as a shop hand when he was home on breaks.
“An apprenticeship is a great opportunity because you get paid to learn,” Alex stated, “but it’s also a big commitment. It’s five years, potentially six, including class training and work.”
He would eventually like to work up to a general foreman or supervisor position in management.
“The combination of a two-year degree and a journeyman’s card are strong credentials,” Alex stated.
Although he always had an appreciation for hands-on projects, Alex said the construction class he took with Tom Bell as a senior at Monroe High School helped him decide what he wanted to do in life.
“Mr. Bell spoke to our class about the void that is anticipated in the trades and the opportunities available,” Alex said. He also has observed this himself. “If you look at job sites, there are a lot of younger guys and a lot of older guys ready to retire soon. There is a gap in the middle.”
Alex offers this advice to high school students considering a career in the trades: “Find a trade you think you can find yourself doing. If you don’t know what you want to do, apply to local unions. Keep your options open. It doesn’t hurt to apply to more unions; it can lead to more opportunities”
“Reading blueprints and running pipes is something I thought was rewarding,” Alex said. “As a journeyman in the union, you top off at $41/hour.”
“The top three paying trades are currently plumbers/pipefitters, electricians, and ironworkers,” Alex recommended. “Carpentry is also good because it gives you a big scope of work.”
“I would encourage Monroe High School students to complete a trades program, get your associate’s degree, and obtain your journeyman’s card,” Alex said. “They can’t take a diploma away from you, and together, they are more valuable. Get it done before you’re 30, and with all of the knowledge you have gained, you will be in a good position.”
Both Alex and Carson were part of the Habitat Builds as MHS construction students and appreciated the experience. “It was beneficial having the opportunity to frame a home for Habitat and figuring out how everything works,” Carson said.
While working on his four-year construction management degree, Carson is also gaining professional experience. He worked for the Monroe County Drain Commission, he interned at Cunningham Limp, and next summer he will complete an internship at Colansti that was delayed because of COVID-19.
“I was able to shadow a superintendent on a $50 million project in Detroit. That was an amazing experience,” Carson said. He eventually wants to oversee jobs as a general contractor.
Carson completed the two-year MHS construction program and credits his instructor, Tom Bell, for being a mentor and guiding him. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I took my first construction class,” Carson stated. “Mr. Bell took me under his wing and exposed me to opportunities.”
Carson’s advice to future students is simple: “Finish the program at Monroe High School; it’s really good. Listen to Mr. Bell; he knows what he’s talking about.”
Jazlyn is also majoring in construction management and plans to earn a bachelor’s degree. Although she shares the same last name, Jazlyn is not related to Carson and Jace, who are brothers. She has a transfer agreement established with Eastern Michigan that will allow her to complete three years at Monroe County Community College. Jazlyn is currently starting her third year at MCCC and has worked for two years at the Monroe County Road Commission.
Like Carson and Alex, Jazlyn said she worked on the Habitat Build during her junior and senior years in the MHS construction program. She also tried welding her senior year.
“I actually took Welding, Automotive, and Machining classes in addition to construction,” Jazlyn said.
Her advice for entering high school students would be to explore their options and take advantage of the many quality programs Monroe High School offers.
“Don’t limit yourself to one class,” Jazlyn emphasized. “Broaden your horizon. Try out everything. You never know what you might like, and those skills will always stay with you.”
The youngest of these four alumni, Jace is already an apprentice in Ironworkers Local 25 with one year under his belt. He graduated in June, 2019, entered the trade on July 27th, and officially became an apprentice on August 21st.
Jace echoed the words of Alex about the commitment level for apprentices. “It takes a minimum of 4 years to become a journeyman – 800 hours of class time and 8,000 hours on the job, which works out to 2,000 per year,” Jace said. If you work a 40-hour week, that is the whole year. I would tell freshmen to explore classes and options, and find out what they really like.”
Jace said that his brother Carson’s positive experience led him to sign up for Mr. Bell’s construction program. Like Jazlyn, however, he chose to be part of multiple trades classes – Welding with Glenn Zorn (a favorite), Automotive with Bryan Zamorski, and a machine shop class. When he graduated from Monroe High School, he had gained knowledge and experience in multiple trades areas.
“My CTE instructors helped me find out who I want to be,” Jace stressed. “If I hadn’t taken these classes, I wouldn’t know what they were, and I might be doing something different.”
Schools are in session in Monroe Public Schools, and MPS students are happy to be in class. Due to COVID-19, it’s not traditional school, but students are enjoying their interactions with their teachers and classmates – some in-person in learning labs and others online virtually.
MPS students shared their first-week photos and their observations with two full weeks behind them.
The Fahrbach sisters are doing remote learning from home with teachers and classmates at Manor Elementary. Addy, 6th grade, and Brielle, 4th grade, said it is interesting having class and seeing their classmates on Zoom calls. Emmy, a kindergarten student who was part of Manor’s Young Fives program last year, finds it interesting to do her work on a computer and is enjoying seeing her teacher and friends again. Brielle enjoys being able to wear her pajamas for school (at home). Addy is happy to be back in class and “have something to do again.” Mother Kelly said, “We love our Manor/Monroe family!"
The Layne brothers – Jameson and Sullivan – are part of a Learning Lab at Waterloo Elementary. “The most interesting thing for all of the students, I’m sure, is adjusting to going to school during COVID-19,” mother Renee Layne said, “but my boys are so happy to be at school with their friends.”
Sullivan, who is in kindergarten, said the most interesting part of school so far was meeting his teacher, Mrs. Perkins. The “meeting” took place online via Google Meet video conferencing. He is really enjoying “having time with my new friends.”
Jameson, 4th grade, agreed with his mom that school is a little different right now. “We have to wear a mask and social distance,” he observed. “We also stay with our brothers and sisters all day.” But he doesn’t mind spending time with his younger brother, Sullivan. In fact, he said what he is enjoying most is being able to play with his brother and their friends outside.
Josephine Webb is a kindergarten student at Raisinville Elementary and is learning remotely at home. She said the most interesting thing about school is “reading books every morning with my class.” Her favorite story so far is The Bad Seed. She said her most enjoyable time is “recess.” Her mother, Jenna, explained that Josephine goes outside with her younger sister, who is not yet in school.
MPS Students Are Happy to Be in School