Brothers Bob and Matt Servis will be retiring from the classroom come the end of the school year -- Bob from Monroe High School and Matt from Arborwood North.  It will be the first time there is not a Servis on the MPS teaching roster in quite some time.  Read the story published about them in the Toledo Blade by pasting the following URL into your browser

http://www.toledoblade.com/Education/2016/05/16/Brothers-retire-from-classrooms-but-leave-behind-family-to-carry-on.html.

This is a reminder that Wednesday, May 18, is an early release day for many of our students but NOT for Monroe High School.  The MHS all-day attendance is due to the state-mandated testing schedule and the need for students to receive the required number of instructional hours.  On Wednesday, all students in all of our elementary schools, Monroe Middle School and Orchard Center High School – will have an early release after a half-day of classes.  However, Monroe High School students will attend school the regular times – from 7:23 a.m. until 2:12 p.m.  

By building, here is the early-release schedule for May 18.  

Orchard Center High School – 10:14 a.m.

Monroe Middle School – 11:09 a.m.

Arborwood North – 11:43 a.m.

Arborwood South – 11:48 a.m.

Custer 1 – 12:14 p.m.

Custer 2 – 12:11 p.m.

Manor – 12:01 p.m.

Raisinville – 12:01 p.m.

Waterloo – 11:46 a.m.

Four persons who are associated with Monroe Public Schools were recognized Thursday night by the Monroe County Intermediate School District and were presented Whole Apple Awards for their work with Exceptional Children. 

Lisa Bagley of Monroe Middle School, was the Special Education Paraprofessional of the Year.  Krystina Seibert was the Special Education Parent of the Year.  Renee Peterson was the School or Program Administrator of the Year.  Monroe High School Senior Madyson Farris, who has been involved with and in charge of a number of worthy causes in her four years at MHS, was named the General Education Peer Mentor of the Year.

Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your work with and on behalf of these exceptional children who attend Monroe Public Schools.

Congratulations to the five Monroe Public Schools’ elementary schools for being certified as Monroe County Healthy Schools by the Monroe County Building Healthy Communities Coalition.  They were recognized at the recent Monroe County Earth Day Expo.

               Schools could achieve either Golden, Silver or Bronze Apple Awards based on the number of activities implemented.  Earning Golden Apple Awards, the highest possible, were Custer, Manor and Waterloo elementaries.  Arborwood North won a Silver Apple Award and Raisinville earned a Bronze Apple Award. 

               The program aims to increase health knowledge, attitudes and skills, positive health behaviors and outcomes.  The three key focus areas are activity, nutrition and substance abuse. 

               The City of Monroe recently released its summer performance schedule for Thursday night entertainment in St. Mary’s Park and once again, they have saved the best for first.

               That’s right – the award-winning Monroe High School Jazz Band kicks off the entire summer music program with a concert 7 p.m., Thursday, May 26.  Admission is always free and make sure you bring your lawn chair and enjoy the great music.

               Here is what the Recreation Department said about the Monroe High School Jazz Band:  “We kick off our concert series with this great jazz opportunity.  The MHS Jazz Band under the direction of Mr. Jim Nuechterlein earned a Division 1 rating – the best achievable – at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra State Jazz Festival.  This is the fifth Division One rating the band has earned in the last six years.  Help us celebrate our youth.”   

               Throughout the summer you will get to see tribute bands for Bob Seger, the Beatles and Tim McGraw but on May 26 you get to see the REAL MHS jazz band.  Come and enjoy.

The Monroe High School Class of 2016 will proudly tell the world today what plans they have after they graduate from Monroe High School.  It is Decision Day 2016.  The festivities begin at noon today in the Monroe High School Auditorium and you can watch them live.  Just use the link below to watch the actual ceremonies. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBOOsuqQkyU

Remember to vote Tuesday, May 3, in the Educational Technology Millage Renewal Election.  Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  If you are not sure where your polling place is, please call the clerk in your governmental unit.  Here are their phone numbers:

City of Monroe – 384-9136

Monroe Charter Township – 241-6574

Frenchtown Charter Township – 242-5800

LaSalle Township – 241-4344

Raisinville Township – 269-2506

Exeter Township -- 587-2100

Students at Monroe High School will participate in the third annual Career and College Readiness Fair and Decision Day program on Tuesday, May 3. Decision Day is an opportunity for the MHS Class of 2016 to proudly declare their post-secondary plans to their classmates, teachers, family members, and younger students within Monroe Public Schools.

To generate excitement among all students in Monroe Public Schools, including elementary students, staff members and a handful of graduating seniors will visit the district’s elementary schools on April 28 and 29. They will get the students excited and will question them about their hopes for their future, instilling in them desire and eagerness for college and career readiness.

The big day for Monroe High School students will begin in the gym at 8am on May 3rd, where the annual Career and College Readiness Fair will take place; this event will include participation of some 50 institutions and/or organizations. Those represented will include colleges and universities, technical and trade associations, military representatives, local employers, and community resources.  Parents who are available and interested are invited to attend the College and Career Readiness Fair.

During the afternoon, Decision Day, a high-spirited event, will begin at noon in the MHS auditorium. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube so all Monroe Public Schools students – from the youngest up to juniors in high school who will take the stage next year -- can share in the excitement and celebration, as can parents who may not be able to attend the event.

At the Decision Day ceremony, all Monroe High School seniors will take turns declaring their post-secondary plans. Students will walk across the stage, proudly flaunting their Decision Day posters, and will sign a letter of intent as well as place their mark on a map. Representatives from many institutions and/or organizations will be on hand to welcome their newest members. 

Mrs. Sandra Kreps, MHS principal, will welcome several Monroe Public School alumni that will share their career pathway from elementary school to where they are today!  The speakers will inspire and encourage the students that Career and College Decision day is a beginning and continuation of their life’s journey!

Additionally, two special videos will be aired. One will feature graduating seniors sharing their thoughts about their years in Monroe Public Schools and the plans they have for their lives.  The other video will highlight faculty and staff wishing their students the best. 

     Registration for the Monroe Public Schools (MPS) incoming class of kindergarten and Young 5s students will be held at the Riverside Early Learning Center, 77 N. Roessler St., on April 25, 26 and 27.

     To make it as convenient as possible, no appointments are necessary.  Parents may choose from three different time periods to register the incoming students.

     The registration schedule is:

Monday, April 25, noon to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 26, noon to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

     Any child who will be five years old on or before June 15, 2016, is eligible to enter kindergarten.  Any child turning five between June 16 and December 1 is eligible to enroll in the Young 5s program. 

     For registration, parents must bring:

Certified copy of the child’s birth certificate

The child’s hearing and vision results from a doctor or the health department

Immunization record

Proof of residence, such as a utility bill or mortgage/rental document.

Picture ID for the parent or guardian.

     All immunizations should be updated before your children enter kindergarten.  Specifically,  –

--DTP, four or five doses with the last dose given on or after the child’s fourth birthday;

--Polio, three or four doses with the last dose given on or after the child’s fourth birthday;

--MMR, two doses;

--Hepatitis B, three doses;

--Varicella (chicken pox,) two doses.

     The Monroe County Health Department will perform hearing and vision testing from noon to 7 p.m., on Monday and Tuesday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Wednesday.  In addition, immunizations will be offered on the first day of registration.

     Persons with questions can call the Monroe Public Schools Administration Office at 734-265-3000.  Parents coming to sign up their child should plan on about one hour, depending on the number of people registering at that time.

     People with a child already attending a Young 5s class in Monroe Public Schools, do not need to attend registration.