MONROE TROJANS MARCHING IN DETROIT’S THANKSGIVING PARADE

The Monroe community has something extra to be thankful for this year – the opportunity to view local students performing on national TV!  The Monroe Trojan Band has been selected to march in Detroit’s 2019 Thanksgiving Parade.   

VIEWING INFORMATION

The parade will kick off from the corner of Kirby and Woodward on Thursday, November 28 at 8:45 a.m.  Those watching from home can tune in to the broadcast at 10 a.m. on WDIV-Local 4 or online at www.clickondetroit.com.  Pre-parade coverage will begin at 6 a.m.  

“America’s Thanksgiving Parade” is broadcast in 185 cities across the U.S.  Family and friends who live out-of-town can view online (see above) or click below to view the syndicated TV parade schedule.  
Syndicated TV parade schedule

BATTLE of the BANDS - Please VOTE
Please vote in the parade-sponsored Battle of the Bands for the Monroe High School Trojan Marching Band. Voting begins Thanksgiving morning (November 28) at 6:00 a.m. and runs through Sunday night (December 1) at 11:00 p.m.  Use the link below to connect to the site where you can vote:
https://www.clickondetroit.com/features/2019/11/19/battle-of-the-bands-vote-for-your-favorite-marching-band-in-americas-thanksgiving-parade/

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“Lights!  Camera!  Action!”  Digital video production is coming to Orchard Center High School. 

Social studies teacher Christopher Kunder was the instructor of an analog video class several years ago and is excited to launch Orchard Center’s new program which will cover all facets of video production from writing and shooting to editing and post-production.

“Video is a powerful medium for expression and communication,” Kunder stated. “Our students are consuming videos on social media and YouTube, and we are providing an opportunity for them to learn to create content to share with their peers.”

The new class is scheduled to roll out in December, with the start of the second trimester.  Kunder will begin by familiarizing students with equipment, software, camera angles, lighting, using a teleprompter, and all technical aspects of production.   Students will also learn how to put news stories together.   The school hopes to develop both a bi-weekly recorded show and a bi-weekly newspaper.

A website will be designed to host the shows.  Tech savvy students may serve as video editors or website designers, Kunder said, while others may want to be in front of the camera.  “This is an opportunity for students to discover who they are and what kind of learners they are,” Kunder explained.

During this pilot year, the class will meet during the sixth hour “Knights United” homeroom period.  Digital video production will be offered as an elective course, with the option for credit recovery, and will be open to students assigned to the team-taught language arts and social studies section.   

Two tracks will be offered, enabling all OCHS students to gain hands-on digital video experience.  Students who aren’t part of the class will use video equipment in their core classes for alternative assessment, as another medium for demonstrating mastery.

“Integrating digital video into the curriculum will help all students develop an understanding of technology that is increasingly becoming part of our communications world,” Kunder asserted.

A green screen is on order and will soon be installed in the corner of his classroom.  Monroe Public Schools has purchased WeVideo online video editor subscriptions for individual students to use on Chromebooks in the content area classes.  The video production class will be using Adobe Premiere Pro, which is a more robust, complex software program for non-linear editing.   

During the research, planning, and preparation stages for the new program, OCHS met with video instructors from Monroe County ISD, Monroe High School, and Summerfield High School.  Chris Slat at MCISD provided advice on the software and equipment needs, Principal Kevin Pilgrim said. 

 “Adobe Premiere was selected because the software is used by professionals,” Pilgrim stated.  “In addition to video production and broadcast news, the skills acquired in this class can also be applied in other careers and industries including marketing and advertising.”

Working in a simulated newsroom environment, the students will develop skills in research, writing, public speaking, and time management Kunder said.  “The experience of collaboration on team projects and the discipline of deadlines will benefit students in all areas of life,” he said.

Over time, videos may become a support piece for the school’s entrepreneurship curriculum, with students developing videos to advertise their products, and quality commercials airing on the show.  Another idea is to have Orchard Center students develop videos for mentoring.  Kunder has a vision for his students to create curriculum-based videos to help younger students learn concepts.

“Ultimately,” Kunder concluded, “I am enthused about creating a program for our students which is exciting, meaningful, and authentic.”

Orchard Center Introduces Digital Video Production

Enrollment at Raisinville Elementary is up more than 5.5% over last year, and district officials in Monroe Public Schools believe the increase is linked to the school’s new International Baccalaureate designation.  Raisinville is the only school in Monroe County which offers the IB Primary Years Programme.  

 “We experienced increases in both our older and younger grade levels,” Principal Scott Hoppert observed.  “The International Baccalaureate has generated interest in Raisinville and our programs.  As our students express excitement about the activities they are engaged in, our parents and community are taking notice.”

Raisinville was authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization in May, following an extensive four-year process that included professional development training for all staff, an IB consultant, and authorization team visits.  PYP encompasses a transdisciplinary framework which focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, and teaches children to inquire about the world around them, actively engaging them in the learning process.

“We are proud to provide the International Baccalaureate program as an educational option for Monroe Public elementary students,” Superintendent Dr. Julie Everly said.  “I am incredibly pleased that families in our community recognize the value of this learning approach and are making the choice for their children to be part of this innovative program.”

The IB model utilizes inquiry-based learning centered on student questions and exploration.  Students are challenged not only to learn information, but also to be able to ask why and understand the context.  IB connects learning experiences and encourages students to take action and to impact the world.

Raisinville began implementing the IB program during its candidate phase.  As part of a habitat unit last spring, second grade students planted cattails and built bluebird houses, which now adorn the school’s campus.  Sixth graders held a “Dog-Walk Backyard Carnival” to support Project Second Chance Monroe, an organization that pairs at-risk youth with abandoned pets.  As they planned activities and created items to sell at the fundraiser, they experienced inquiry-based, cross-discipline learning and also made a positive impact in the Monroe community.

Foreign language study is also a component in all IB schools.  Raisinville chose to teach Spanish, which connects to the curriculum at the district’s high school and middle school levels.

“Our students will arrive at the middle school with seven years of Spanish and experience with integrated curriculum,” Hoppert said.  “We are providing them with a strong foundation for future academic success.”

The Monroe Public Schools Board is excited to see the program fully implemented.

“We appreciate the time, effort, and collaboration of the Raisinville staff that has made this program possible,” Board Vice President Matthew Bunkelman said.  “I know it will benefit our students, and we look forward to hearing more about their educational experiences.”

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.  IB learners strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.  

Raisinville IB Program Linked to Increase in Enrollment PDF

Closing was held five weeks ago on the first Trojan Build house constructed by Monroe High School students, and work is already well underway on the second home.

Trojan Build #2 is approximately 1,650 square feet and will feature 2.5 baths, 3 bedrooms, a full basement, a spacious front porch, and a rear deck when it is completed. 

The innovative construction projects involve MHS students building the entire home from the ground up.  Students frame, add roofing and siding, set windows and doors, trim, do drywall, lay flooring, and build cabinets.  Professionals install plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and installation, but the students are responsible for everything else.

Construction Trades instructor Tom Bell joined Monroe four years ago, and has worked to expand the program.  He spent approximately one-and-a-half years researching other schools that do full-building construction, while developing the proposal for Monroe’s Trojan Builds.

The success of the first project has generated excitement in the community and increased enrollment in the program.  Trojan Build #2 has a team of 45 students, up from 34 last year.  The students  include juniors and seniors who have already completed the fundamentals class – two classes of 2A & 2B, who are working on their first build, and one class of 3A & 3 B, who were part of the project last year.  3A/3B, the accelerated class in which students fine-tune their skills, has been involved with the layout of the walls.

The blueprint is also student-created.  The winning design from the Monroe County CAD and Architecture Design competition is selected for the builds.  Monroe High School anticipates having 12 students compete in 2020.

The land on Charles Street where the builds are taking place is owned by Monroe Public Schools.  The site is the former South Monroe Townsite Elementary School, which closed in 2009.   The Trojan Builds are a unique opportunity – providing valuable hands-on experience for Monroe students and creating beautiful homes for community residents. 

“Monroe is investing in themselves,” Bell said, “and I think this sends a message to everyone that we believe in ourselves.”

Board Parliamentarian Cheryl Sweeney said the Trojan Build has brought well-deserved attention to the career-technical education programs at Monroe High School.  “This is just one of many career training programs our students can enroll in.  I encourage students and families to explore the vast possibilities.”

Bell expressed gratitude for the generous support the builds have received from the community.  Kerri and Chip Williams (Meemic Insurance) are providing smoke detectors for the second home, and Stoneco in Monroe (Denniston Quarry) has donated all of the stone products for the foundation. “That’s over 200 tons of donated materials,” Bell said.  

“The Trojan Build project has exceeded our expectations,” MPS Superintendent Dr. Julie Everly said.  “The craftsmanship is beautiful to behold, and the enthusiasm of Monroe students, residents, and businesses is absolutely contagious.  Our partnerships with the Home Builders Association (HBA) and local businesses have been instrumental in the success.  We’re not just building homes, we’re building community.”

Monroe Public Schools held a wall-raising ceremony for Trojan Build #1, and the district is planning a window-setting ceremony for the second home, when the full exterior is complete. 

Work Is Underway on Trojan Build 2

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Student safety has always been the top priority in Monroe Public Schools, and now the district’s schools are safer than ever, following the installation of new security and technology equipment made possible through a competitive state grant from the Michigan State Police. 

Monroe Public Schools was awarded $168,583 through the Competitive School Safety Grant Program to enhance access control and increase door security with new equipment and technology upgrades.  The sizable grant enabled MPS to purchase new audio-video intercom systems and to nearly double the number of doors in the district that utilize electronic locks.    

“As a district, we have been proactive utilizing technology to secure entrance to our schools and buildings,” Superintendent Dr. Julie Everly asserted. “We had already implemented single access buzzer systems and cameras.  The grant allowed us to accelerate our security plans.”

Through the bid process, MPS selected Red Letter Productions as the source for the new equipment and installation, which was completed in August.  The district’s previous equipment used black-and-white monitors.  The new system features larger, color displays that can provide a greater field of view when used with additional cameras.

The grant funded electronic locks for 70 doors at the schools, and the district paid for 10, bringing the total number of electronic-access doors in Monroe Public Schools to 156.  The increased control over building access provided the option for MPS to move away from building keys, David Payne, Executive Director of Technology said.

Staff now use badges instead of signing out keys.  The Technology Department can disable the badges during the summer, and a card can be deactivated if it is lost.  The doors to the industrial wing of Monroe High School can remain locked throughout the day now.  I-wing students are issued cards which enable them to enter the career center. 

 “All doors can now be secured during school hours,” Payne emphasized.  “There is no need for any doors to be propped open at recess or any other time, because teachers and staff can access them with the badges.  Students feel safer, and staff feel safer, before and after school.”

The new enhancements are just part of the school district’s security measures.  In addition to keeping exterior doors locked and utilizing a centralized building entrance location with camera-feed system, MPS safety protocols include background checks for all visitors, video surveillance, and training in safety initiatives such as ALICE – Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate.  The School Messenger alert system is used to send emergency communications to parents via phone and text.

Two Police Liaisons are stationed in the district on weekdays – Officer Brian Winsjansen, a member of the City of Monroe Police Department, and Deputy Joe Hammond, a member of the Monroe County Sheriff Department.  MPS has strong relationships with both departments.  In the event of a crisis, the new technology at Monroe Public Schools enables the district to grant law enforcement remote access to their system.

“The safety of our students and staff is at the heart of everything we do at Monroe Public Schools,” Dr. Everly stressed. “In order for students to learn,” she said, “they have to feel safe.”

In the spring of 2018, the superintendent sought input from students, staff, parents, and community members, utilizing a Monroe Minute Survey focused on school safety.  Roundtables provided additional opportunities for feedback.

“The conversations we engaged in with parents and stakeholders affirmed their support for protocols to ensure student safety,” Dr. Everly said.

Social-emotional issues are also part of many national school safety discussions.  MPS students benefit from the district’s commitment to have a social worker and a positive climate liaison in every building, who offer support, engage students, and help them to develop connections.  District officials also urge parents to encourage students to continue having conversations at home, and to have dialogues at school about any safety concerns that arise.  

“It is critical for staff and parents to communicate to students that if they hear of a potential threat to safety or security that they should report it,” Dr. Everly stressed.  ”Let us know, so we can investigate it and take the appropriate measures to keep our students and staff safe.”

The Board and Administration pride themselves on being proactive to implement steps to protect the school community.   “We are taking steps to ensure that all MPS staff are trained in school safety practices and initiatives,” Board President Robert Nichols said, “and we will continue to monitor new emerging technologies to strengthen security preparedness and protocols.”

“School safety is a topic we think about every single day,” Dr. Julie Everly concluded. “We are committed to making every effort to ensure our students a learning environment in which they feel safe.”

Monroe Public Schools Enhances Security with $168K Grant

We asked and you answered! The Monroe Minute Survey results have been posted! See what your thoughts were about Curriculum Offerings and Student Use of Cell Phones in Schools by visiting https://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/District/5722-MonroeMinute.html 

Raisinville Elementary School Authorized to Offer International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program

MONROE, MI – Monroe Public Schools announces the designation of Raisinville Elementary School as fully authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.

The Primary Years Program (PYP) is offered to students aged 3-12 in 1,653 schools in 109 different countries worldwide. It encompasses a transdisciplinary framework focusing on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both at school and beyond. Informed by research into how students learn, how educators teach, and the principles and practice of effective assessment, the program places a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning. Additionally, the PYP incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, asking students to look at six related, transdisciplinary themes and to consider the links between them. The themes include: who we are; where we are in place and time; how we express ourselves; how the world works; how we organize ourselves; and sharing the planet. It provides schools with a curriculum framework of essential elements — the knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action that young students need to equip them for successful lives, both now and in the future.

“This honor is the culmination of five years of hard work, determination and study by our talented and dedicated staff,” said Raisinville Principal, Scott Hoppert. “Through implementation of the PYP, Raisinville School will continue to develop students’ academic, social and emotional wellbeing, focusing on international-mindedness and strong personal values, while nurturing independent learning skills, and encouraging every student to take responsibility for their learning.”

“I am so very proud of Raisinville Elementary School’s students, staff and leadership,” said Monroe Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Julie Everly. “They all worked very hard to achieve this prestigious distinction – which will provide all of Monroe Public Schools’ elementary-aged students yet another exciting and innovative program that prepares them for whatever future they want to achieve.”

The PYP is a transformative experience for students, teachers and whole school communities. PYP students learn how to take control of their learning, teachers collaborate to deepen student- learning and increase their confidence and self-motivation. The whole school community, including parents, are viewed as partners in learning, and actively contribute to a holistic educational experience.

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The Monroe Youth Advisory Council presents Pop-Up-Palooza. A gathering of small businesses to market their business and sell their products on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in St. Mary's Park on Elm St. in Monroe. If you are a small business and would like to participate, sign up at https://forms.gle/NWshzRppMkqbwSBd6.

Registration for this event has ended, however, we invite you to join us for some great shopping!

Questions? Call (734) 265-3185.

The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education has designated May 6-10, 2019 as School Family Appreciation Week.

Each day this week, we will honor our staff as scheduled below (also see attached Board Resolution):

Monday, May 6 - Administrators and Exempt Employees

Tuesday, May 7 - Teachers

Wednesday, May 8 - Custodial/Maintenance and Bus Drivers

Thursday, May 9 - Assistants and Kids Club/Preschool Employees

Friday, May 10 - Secretaries and all other Support Personnel

Watch for videos to be posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/MonroePublicSchools 

For students to utilize the Tele-health Technology at our elementary school campuses, please download and complete the attached form. Thank you.