The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education Tuesday night (May 24) voted to demolish the former South Monroe Townsite Elementary School by approving a bid of $111,000 by D&R Demolition of Archbold, Ohio.
The vote was 5-1 in favor of demolition with board member Larry VanWasshenova voting no. Trustee Ryan Philbeck was excused.
Demolition is set to begin in mid-June and be completed in August.
The successful bid was one of six received for the project. Although Monroe Public Schools has not worked with the company before, D&R Demolition does have experience in demolishing former schools.
The building has not been used as an elementary school since it was closed in the spring of 2009. In recent years it has been used for the Monroe County Head Start program which over the summer will move into Arborwood North Elementary. The building also has housed Monroe Virtual High School which over the summer will move to the Riverside Early Learning Center.
No decision has been made yet on what to do with the property once the building is down, the debris is removed and the site restoration is complete.Townsite school
Parents – do you know what kind of cyber safety risks there are for your children with their cell phones, iPads, computerized games and other types of “electronic toys?” Those risks to safety might not be apparent but they are real. Fortunately, knowing about them is the first step towards ensuring they do not happen to your child or to you.
Monroe Middle School at 503 Washington St. will host a one-hour informational meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 1, where Michigan State Police Trooper Tressa Duffin from the Monroe post will explain what kinds of safety risks there are in various types of electronic devices, how parents can spot them and how they can help to avoid them.
“Trooper Duffin will help parents to understand how they best can protect their children from cyber-threats. Since practically every child has access to and plays or works with electronic devices this is really a must-see event for all parents,” said Monroe Middle Schools’ Parent Liaison Renae Hoskins.
She added that the timing for the presentation is good, too, coming just before the end of the school year because children likely will spend more time on computers and other electronic devices during the summer when school is out.
The presentation is free and open to the public, regardless of where you children attend school.
And the People’s Choice Award goes to….
Of the 58 projects that were presented by students ranging from fifth grade to college at the recent 2016 OhioView Satellites Geospatial Technologies Conference in Perrysburg, Ohio, whoever could have imagined that it would be presenters from a combination Young 5s-kindergarten class from Waterloo Elementary who would be chosen by their peers for the People’s Choice Award.
The award is given to the presenter(s) who the participants at the conference enjoyed most. The conference was hosted by the University of Toledo.
All year long, the Young 5s-kindergarten classes of Mrs. Ellen Perkins and Mrs. Natalie LaBeau has been collecting data on ground surface temperature and the number of worms found.
At the conference—kindergarten students Coryssa McCray and Lily Waltbillig presented their findings in “Where Did the Worms Go?” Their presentation demonstrated how surface temperature does affect the number of worms that were found. The younger students were aided in their research by fourth graders Viktoria Bloniarz and Mallory Standifer who have – during their lunch times – recorded the data and logged it into the GLOBE data base.
The project and presenters were judged on their knowledge of the topic, use of scientific method, clarity and expression during the presentation.
“Our entire school is very proud of these young scientists. Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. LaBeau have worked hard to create authentic research experiences in alignment with Waterloo’s STEAM curriculum,” said Waterloo Principal Mrs. Meghan Gibson. “Coryssa and Lily each did a fantastic job in representing the amazing learning that is happening at Waterloo.”
So what is next for this young scientific team? Next year, Mrs. Perkins said, when Viktoria and Mallory are in the fifth grade, they plan to further this initial study by comparing surface temperatures in Poland where some of Vickoria’s family lives.
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out of the Monroe Public Schools Art Show on display now at the Mall of Monroe. Hundreds of pieces of art developed in our classrooms by our students under the careful direction of their teachers can be viewed now through Memorial Day weekend. The artwork is displayed in the hallway between Olga’s and Pat Catan’s on the south end of the mall. Stop out any time the mall is open, and enjoy the great artwork made by our students, your sons and daughters.
All schools in the Monroe Public Schools district will have a state-of-the art visitor management system in place when school resumes in the fall, thanks to action Wednesday night by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education.
“We had been planning on implementing this in the future but we moved our time-table up after recent events in one of our schools,” said Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Martin.
The board approved spending $33,556.04 to purchase the hardware, software and the required licenses for the new system. The purchase is being made through two cooperatives which lowers the price the district pays. Included in the purchase are the visitor management software, badge printers, badges, bar code readers, computers for the entry kiosks and scanners for 11 school buildings.
By scanning a person’s driver’s license or state identification card, the system can tell immediately if it is okay to allow the person to enter the building. If it identifies the person as safe to enter, it automatically prints out a valid visitor identification card in the office. That ID is then worn in the school by the visitor.
In the last several years, Monroe Public Schools has improved security at all of its school buildings, adding such elements as inside and outside security cameras which can be monitored from off-campus. Outdoor lighting has been improved in many district parking lots, too.
“The visitor management system will significantly change how people enter our school buildings during the day. However, a number of parents we have talked to said they are willing to work with us on this because it provides an added layer of security and safety for their children when they are in school with us,” Dr. Martin said. “Two of our top priorities are ensuring the safety and security of our students. This visitor management system helps us to improve our efforts toward that end.”
Written by Bobb Vergiels
Three Monroe High School students who have been active in the school’s successful co-op program were honored Wednesday (May 18) as Co-Ops of the Year in their respective areas of work and study, and one received a scholarship as the top co-op student.
Recognized Wednesday were Erin Nichols, Health Co-Op Student of the Year, who works at Yinger Pharmacy; Jordan Wolfenbarger, Office Co-Op of the Year, who works at Baker’s Ace Hardware; and Kylee Heringhausen, Marketing Co-Op Student of the Year, who works at America Eagle. In addition, Jordan Wolfenbarger was awarded the Irene Betz $500 Co-Op Scholarship, as the most outstanding co-op student this school year.
“We have 26 students in our program and we are very thankful for the support of a number of fine businesses in Monroe. Some of these businesses have been with us for many years,” said Jeff Brown, MHS marketing teacher and the school’s co-op coordinator.
Businesses recognized for their strong support of the Monroe High Co-Op Program were: Amaya’s Fresh Mex Grill, American Eagle, Applebee’s, Baker’s Ace Hardware, Cakes by Stephanie, Carrington Golf Club, Creative Counseling Choices, Dunham’s Sports, Electrik Images, Gerdau Steel, Ida Tavern, IHOP, Little House of Hugs, McDonald’s, Michigan College of Beauty, Monroe County Prosecutor’s office, Pet Supplies Plus, Pete’s Garage, St. Pierre Ace Hardware, TJ Maxx, Wendy’s, Yinger Pharmacy, and YMCA of Monroe.
Co-op is a learning approach used at Monroe High School in its educational programs. When used in occupational programs, co-op has as its central purpose the development of occupational competence, using employment in real jobs as a source of learning. The MHS mission for co-op is to help students gain competitive occupational skills at business and industry standards by tightly linking program/classroom basic and skill training with carefully supervised on-the-job training and performance.
Written by Bobb Vergiels
A record 59 Monroe High School students successfully reached their second trimester academic goals in the MHS’ Allies in Monroe (AIM) program, earning $200 scholarships each for their successful efforts.
This now means that in the five semesters the program has been in place at Monroe High School, more than 200 students have achieved their goals earning more than $40,000. While a number of the 59 students were honored for the first time, one of them – Jaleene Frayer – has made her AIM goals all five trimesters, earning $1,000, the only MHS student to have done so.
The second-year AIM program is an academic incentive and mentoring program for all MHS students. The program is designed to enhance student achievement, increase the number of students furthering their education after high school and improve student-staff community relationships. Mentors are called “allies” and they encourage the students to reach at least a 15-percent increase in their grade point average. More than 80 percent of the MHS staff members mentor a student in the AIM program.
The biggest community support for mentors has come from Promedica Monroe Regional Hospital where 19 employees were involved as “allies” with MHS students. At the most recent recognition banquet, hospital representative Mark Cochran received a large thank you poster signed by every one of the students who achieved their AIM goals in the second trimester of this school year. Three other businesses which have been strong supporters from the start – Monroe Bank & Trust, DTE Energy and La-Z-Boy – also were recognized.
AIM, which aims to enhance the overall Monroe High School career-and-college ready culture, is the only program of its kind in Monroe County.
Although a Monroe High School program, AIM cannot be supported with district money. MHS teacher David Henry is the AIM program coordinator. Persons, businesses or groups interested in supporting the program can contact Mr. Henry at 734-265-3612.
Here are the MHS students who have achieved their AIM goals in the second trimester:
Aja Alamo, Caden Bates, Austin Berry, Dane Bezeau, Chad Bijarro, Aidan Blevins, Kevin Brewster, Nick Bunch, William Conley, Christopher Cooper, Elise Cote, Orlando Matos-Cruz, Hope Cunningham, Zakarra (Precious) Daffney-Burciaga, Tatum Dozier, Zachary Fields, Adrian Finney, Haley Frank, Jaleene Frayer, Alisia Freelon, Barek Goins, Tyson Grant, Rachael Guimond, Jolee Harper, Avery Haynes, Kyle Henderson, Kylee Heringhausen, Dant’ Holliday, Jacob LaBeau, Kyle Lange, Jennifer Marcelino-Guido, Juan Marquez, Dajon Mayes, Sekura McCarter, Johnathan McNamee, Edward Miazga, Trevor Michaelis, Amber Miller, Gustavo Miranda, Anthony Mora, Allyson Myers, Emily New, Harlan Pfefferle, Brendan Russeau, Desiree Russell, Fred Shipp Jr., Julia Siech, Skylar Sortor, Nate Stevens, Alecea Taylor, Anna Traver, Lauren VanKlingeren, Trinity Vu, Allie Walter, Cinnamin Warren, Kaylee Watters, Jalen Wilkerson, Khamrii Wilson, and Garland Wright.
Information compiled and written by Bobb Vergiels
The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education has approved a lunch-price increase of 10 cents for next school year, but prices in MPS cafeterias still will be lower than most of the other Monroe County districts are this school year.
Even with the adjustment, elementary lunch prices will be the lowest in Monroe County in the public school districts.
For the 2015-16 school year, lunch prices were $2.05 per lunch for elementary and $2.80 for secondary grades 7-12. Those prices will be adjusted to $2.15 and $2.90, respectively, next school year. The 10-cent per lunch adjustment equates to $16.80 annually if a child were to purchase hot lunch at the school cafeteria every day of the nine-month school year.
For next school year, school breakfast prices will remain at this year’s level. At Monroe Public Schools, breakfast is $1 per meal for elementary, middle school and high school. Those prices are the lowest in the county, matched only by one other district.
Katherine Eighmey, director of Finance, Monroe Public Schools said that the Federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires school food providers to adjust lunch prices annually based on an averaging formula provided in the act.
Information by Bobb Vergiels
Ninety-nine students from Monroe Middle School have been inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) in recent ceremonies at the school. Included in that number are two pairs of seventh grade twins – the Oetjens and the McQuaides.
In fact, special music was provided by another set of twins who are NJHS members, Morgan and Chloe Spooneybarger, who played their violins.
The MMS NJHS is one of the district’s most active community service groups. Among its recent inductees are nine eighth graders and 90 seventh graders. Faculty advisor for the group is Mr. Scott Hoppert.
Here are the students recently inducted into the NJHS.
Eighth graders
Amara Campbell, Kaylee Faulk, Alec Fowler, Gabe Johnson, Zoey Lynn, Jacob Mick, Calvin Nicholai, Mason Petree, and Troy Vajcner.
Seventh graders
Leela Abrams, Elizabeth Asher, Alexander Assenmacher, Tanner Assenmacher, Abigail Atherton, Claire Bacarella, Isaac Bagnall, Schyler Baker, Adam Baltrip, Emma Baltrip, Lucas Beck, Brooke Benitez, Jacob Blosser, Chancey Boyce, Bryona Branche, Kaitlynn Brancheau-Nash, Morgan Brossia, Sheridan Capser, Brady Copp, Lauren Cox, Rachel Crumley, Aubrianne Cupp, Gillian Doederlein, Mallory Everly, Evelyn Favreau, Emily Folger, Jessica Foulkrod, Taylor Gallottia, Elizabeth Gibson, Jaclyn Gilbert, Miles Gunn, Jenna Hammond, Faith Harris, Hannah Hedges, Camille Hudkins, Madison Johnson, Parker Johnson, Jaden Jorris, Maya Kasprzak, Sanai Kyles, Jonah LaRoy, Garrett Lewis, Katelyn Matthews, Novalee McClain, Caeden McQuaide, Conner McQuaide, Mitchell Meier, Eric Michels, Enzo Mignano, Celena Milligan, Olivia Moore, Charlize Myerchalk, Lynn Myers, Cameron Newman, Abigail Oetjens, Ella Oetjens, Kaitlyn Parks, Maycee Pawlicki, Kai Polley, James Porter, Brynn Post, Ashley Rathbun, Ariel Renkiewicz, Calla Riling, Sydney Roberts, Riley Rolland, Ethan Russeau, Reed Sandefur, Hailey Schink, Ellie Sieler, Delaney Setzler, Aaron Smith, Adrianna Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Anna Sneider, Ariana Soden, Tyler Sparks, Sydney Spicer, Morgan Stefko, Sydnie Stewart, Makenna Swinkey, Wade Trout, Brynn Trouten, Trevor Vitale, Lauren Wagner, Connor Waldron, Kaelen Wallace, Joseph Williams, Bryce Younglove, John Zureki.
The NJHS officers are Trevor Malik, president; Jenna Leach, vice president; Jaylynn Struth, secretary, and Isabella Petrangelo and Kennedy Hatfield, co-treasurers.
A baccalaureate service open to all Monroe High School seniors and other local high school seniors, too, will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 2, in the Monroe High School Auditorium, 901 Herr Rd.
The service is a long-time tradition at Monroe High School and is being planned by several local churches to honor and to inspire this year’s graduates.
All Monroe County graduates are invited and encouraged to attend. Graduates are asked to wear their school’s cap and gown. All participating seniors should line up in the foyer outside the auditorium at 6:45 p.m. that night to proceed into the ceremony.
The inspirational service will include student, teacher and local pastor participation as a way to honor all 2016 graduates. The Rev. Kevin Eccles, pastor of Monroe Free Methodist Church, will be the keynote speaker.
For more information, please contact Tammy Massingill at 734-625-0669.
Information compiled by Bobb Vergiels