Congratulations to the 2017 MHS Trojan softball team for a remarkable season! A 29-9 season was capped off by a stellar performance in capturing a Regional Championship, on top of being named an MHSSCA Academic All-Star Team with a team grade-point average of 3.91! Congratulations girls!
Orchard Center High School graduated 32 seniors Friday in a beautiful ceremony h
eld in the Monroe High School auditorium. Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Julie Everly, Director of Student Services Terry Joseph, and Board of Education members Robert Nichols, Rosalie Pasko, and Floreine Mentel were on hand to help celebrate the OCHS grduates and help them off to the new adventures that lie ahead. Class president Da'Vohnta McQueen gave the student address.
Congratulations OCHS Class of 2017!
SUMMER DRAWINGS AND PRIZES!!
Would you like to win gift cards and prizes this summer???? Beginning Monday, June 12, you may enter the summer reading and the summer DreamBox challenge once a day! This means two chances to win EVERY DAY!!! Drawings will be held each Monday morning, between June 19 and August 25, with winners posted on our MPS Facebook site.
Fill out a ticket for the MPS Summer DreamBox Challenge here!
Fill out a ticket for the MPS Summer Reading Challenge here!
Summer Reading and DreamBox Outreach
Monroe Public Schools teachers will be out in our community this summer helping kids find just right books. Please join us at the Summer Outreach locations to listen to a read aloud, read with a friend, choose free books to take home, and play DreamBox! Summer Outreach programs will take place Monday- Thursday at the locations below.
The following locations will run each day Monday through Thursday, June 19 – July 27.
· Monroe Charter Township Tot Lot- Willow Green Park 10-11am
· Monroe Charter Township Tot Lot- Meadowbrook Park 11-12am
· Arborwood North Playground in Partnership with the YMCA- 1-2 pm
· Waterloo Elementary Playground in Partnership with the YMCA- 1-2 pm
· Monroe Charter Township Tot Lot- Oakridge Estates 1-2pm
· Samaritas Apartments in partnership with Speckled Frog Learning Center from 1-2 pm
· Monroe YMCA 1-2pm
· Oaks of Righteousness in partnership with the YMCA Noon-1pm
The following locations will run each day Monday through Thursday July 31- August 25.
· Waterloo Elementary Playground 10-11am
· Arborwood North Playground 11am-Noon
· Oaks of Righteousness Noon-1pm
· Monroe YMCA 1-2pm
Earlier in the school year, John Giarmo of Giarmo’s Carpet Cleaning came and presented to Custer teacher Kyle Reed’s sixth robotics and coding class
about the process of designing an invention and receiving a patent. His “Save-a-Trip” is a three-stock object that attached to a carpet cleaning wand, giving the user a convenient place to hold bottles of chemicals. He was able to give the students a lesson on the invention process, making prototypes, and following through with production.
“My initial prototype was three soup cans,” Giarmo laughed.
Before he left, he gave the class a challenge; following his design, he requested that the students design and manufacture a model of his invention on the school’s 3D printer.
“These guys really took it and ran,” Reed said. “There were about five students that really hit the nail on the head with it, but Kyle Pafford’s was the closest.”
Pafford, after working with TinkerCAD software, designed a prototype almost identical to Giarmo’s.
“It was fun to make,” Pafford said, explaining all the steps to his design. “We used calipers to measure everything. It wasn’t too hard.”
Giarmo returned to see the fruits of the Cougars’ labors and found a prototype that he would attach to his cleaning wand and use later that day on the job. Pafford’s model was a replica that could be utilized immediately, right from the classroom.
“This is great,” he said. “I was telling people, ‘I’m getting a new prototype made,’ but they were shocked when I said it was being made by a sixth grade class at Custer. People could pay a company to do this work, but he (Pafford) made it here in school. It looks perfect!”
“This was a great lesson,” Reed said. “They got to see the full process of creating something new. This just highlights what a great STEAM program we have here at Custer. Kids are getting started on learning CAD and design in fifth and sixth grade. They are starting this so young and are learning real applicable skills in elementary school.”
Raisinville School mixed s’mores and stories at the Cozy Reading Camp Thursday night. Students and staff came together outside the school for a night of tents and tales in an event aimed at getting the school community reading over the summer.
“We wanted to get them started on reading in the summer now,” Kelly Davis, Raisinville School Improvement Coach said. “We have all this beautiful land here and we thought it was a great way to bring the community in and get kids excited about reading over the summer.”
Roadrunners and their families had many great opportunities to interact with reading in different ways. In the field next to the school, families could borrow books to read together, after grabbing a hot dog expertly cooked by school staff. The International Baccalaureate Candidate school also set up reading tents based on the learner profile traits, so students could read with their families and friends. A photo booth with reading theme props was the next stop before making crafts and finishing off with a freshly-cooked s’more.
Community partners were also present to help kick off the summer reading mood. The Monroe County Library System had books to borrow and the YMCA offered more summer reading fun. The Monroe County Humane Society, along with a couple canine companions, signed students up to share their reading to furry friends throughout the summer. Major Muskrat also reported for duty, representing the River Raisin Battlefield, to encourage kids to continue reading over the summer.
“It’s been a great night,” Raisinville principal Scott Hoppert said. “It’s heartwarming to see so many families interacting with each other, reading with the kids. People are taking advantage of it and I love it. I am so lucky to have suck a talented group of people to work with who are dedicated to kids and families and that’s what is all about; kids and families.”
Monroe High School Senior Thomas takes second nationally in GIS story map competition
Monroe High School senior Zachery Thomas has certainly mapped out a course for his future. The Class of 2017 graduate took second place in the nation in the ArcGIS Online U.S. School Competition after he won the ESRI ArcGIS 2017 Map Michigan Competition. Thomas submitted the story-map project he completed while working on an internship with the Monroe County Planning Department through the GRACE (Geographic Information System Resources and Applications for Career Education) Project in conjunctions with Monroe Public Schools.
“Mr. (Russell) Columbus (Thomas’ teacher at Monroe High School) walked up behind me and put his phone in my face and it said, ‘Zach Thomas is the Michigan winner,” Thomas said. “It was pretty exciting.”
Thomas was first introduced to the world of mapping when Columbus held an informational meeting about a possible internship with County Planning. Columbus, who has been working towards building a partnership with ESRI, an international mapping technology company that is responsible for much of the Global Information System (GIS) technology used today, was excited at the prospect of getting this software in students’ hands.
“I had been building this partnership for years and years,” Columbus said. “These kids are given free access to the same professional training that pros are paying for. Our kids are getting it for free.”
The GRACE Project, sponsored by the National Science foundation, was developed by Eastern Michigan University and its partners as a strategy for expanding and disseminating technology-based education for STEM careers in K-12, and in the workplace by aligning the resources from multiple educational and community organizations.
After finishing the training, Thomas, along with sophomore Donoavan Vitale, as well as a few Middle College students, interviewed for two positions in the County Planning Department before the summer of 2016. The interview panel was so impressed by the students that all who interviewed were selected for internships. Two were selected to work with the River Raisin National Battlefield Park and Vitale and Thomas worked with the County Planning Department.
“Monroe Public Schools is so proud of Zach and Donovan and the other students,” Superintendent Julie Everly said. “These students took the initiative to invest their own time into this project and they ran with it and made the most of it. We are thankful for the partnerships with the County and for all of the work Russel Columbus put into this opportunity for our students.”
“They’ve been great,” said Jeff Boudrie,GIS Specialist for the County Planning Department. “They are two really good students. They have a good work ethic and positive can do attitude towards everything they do”
County Board Chairman J. Henry Lievens said, “This is a great partnership between our education systems at the high school and college level and the County. We are appreciative of the efforts these talented students have provided to the County and our friends at the National Battlefield Park. It is through collaborative efforts like these that we see the good things possible that enhance our community. We proudly support all of our student’s educational achievements.”
The students working with the County Planning Department focused their attention on geographic GIS parcel mapping in Exeter, London, and Ash Townships. Over the summer they were able to complete over 18 square miles of property mapping for the County. They learned about the Public Land Survey System and how to read and draw property descriptions using the property assessment records managed by the local assessors.
The students used a variety of technologies that included global positioning system (GPS) collection, web mapping and advanced desktop mapping software. To qualify and be eligible for the internship they had to complete and pass eight online classes and have strong math and computer skills.
After the students’ summer internships were up, the County Planning Department continued Thomas and Vitale’s internships due to the extraordinary work they completed.
“The County is pleased to provide a structured and beneficial work experience for these exemplary students. We, as a community organization are beneficiaries of the work Zach and Donovan have provided in building lasting contributions to our GIS mapping resources. We look forward to the continued partnerships for our local high school students to pursue STEM careers and in doing so, helping build advanced technology for County services,” said County Administrator Michael Bosanac.
Vitale and Thomas then submitted entries to the Map Michigan Contest. Vitale submitted some of his work plotting property mapping for Ash, Exeter, and London Townships, which outlines some of the problem-solving skills he learned as well as his advanced math skills. Vitale’s fourth-place finish won him $100.
Thomas’ entry focused on some of his work with the River Raisin Battlefield, taking users on an interactive tour of the park. After going into the field and collecting data, Thomas layered multiple maps to give users an easy-to-use experience of exploring the grounds. His entry was one place away from being recognized at a national convention in San Diego in July.
Before this internship, Thomas was unaware of this field. Now, the Monroe High School Top 100 Scholar plans to use the Emerald Scholarship he received to Eastern Michigan University to study mapping.
For Zach's story-map submission: http://arcg.is/2oXeDZT
For Donovan's story map submission: https://mhs-cad.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=38727cd8fc9b43908f3b38288e056c28
Nominate Monroe Public Schools in Monroe News’ Best of the Best Readers’ Choice Awards as the Best Public School in Monroe!
Once you’ve clicked the link, simply log in and type MONROE PUBLIC SCHOOLS into the entry for Best Public School! You can nominate MPS once a day every day until June 26. Also, make sure that you nominate MONROE PUBLIC SCHOOLS KIDS CLUB for Best Day Care and RIVERSIDE EARLY LEARNING CENTER for Best Preschool! (To the right is a cheat sheet! Use it to vote by clicking the link above!) There is also a chance for you to enter to win a $100 gift card!
The top five nominees will then be voted upon in July.
If you are on Facebook, share our Best of the Best post! Share! Share! Share!
Remember, nominate Monroe Public Schools EVERY DAY! Thank you for helping us show that MPS is the Best of the Best!
From the Monroe News, June 6, 2017. Written by Danielle Portteus, Photo by Tom Hawley
Original article: http://www.monroenews.com/news/20170606/monroe-first-graders-author-book-raise-400-for-ann-arbor-hospital
Three first-graders used their love of writing to help children in need. Braden Dean, Graden Dushane and Colton Alston, all 7, wrote the book “Triple Super Ninjas” to raise money for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor. The Waterloo Elementary School students raised more than $400 for children in the cancer ward.
“We picked Mott because there are a lot of kids with cancer there,” Graden said.
The boys were selected by student teacher Veronica Jennings to create the book, but the group of best friends chose their characters and the plot of the story.
Fascinated by ninjas and inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the book is about three friends who fall asleep and begin dreaming. In the dream, they become ninjas who help a little girl at school who is being bullied by two other students. The girl is being picked on because she is bald and has cancer.
The ninjas named Raph, Leo and KC, come to the girl’s rescue and use their respective superpowers to help her. The boys are pictured in the book as themselves and as the ninja characters. Raph, who is really Braden, has telekinesis, which the boy loves.
“I can move things with my mind,” Braden said of his character.
Graden, who is Leo, is indestructible.
Colton, or KC, has hyper speed for a superpower.
The book has a twist at the end where the boys learn they may or may not have dreamed the scenario.
Graden’s sister, Bristol, 4, is featured in the book as the little girl. Braden’s older brother, Brock, is in the book as one of the bullies.
“The moral of the story is to be nice and not bully people,” Braden said.
The friends all said they love to write and have come up with a sequel to their first book.
“I like it because writing takes my mind off stuff and I just really like to do it,” Colton said.
“I love to write because it’s fun,” Braden added.
The books sold for $5 around the school. The boys said they became “famous” for their writing but really just wanted to help others.
“We can make a difference and stop bullying and help kids who are sick,” Colton said.
Monroe High School's Class of 2017 graduated on the backdrop of a beautiful Friday evening. A packed house at Bunkelman Field watched as 352 seniors walked across the stage to recieve their diplomas and begin a new chapter in their promising careers! Below find Monroe High School principal Sandra Kreps' commencement address to the Class of 2017. 
It has been a pleasure being your principal and seeing you succeed academically and socially. You have proven intelligence is so much more than books. During your school years, you have demonstrated your ability to work in groups, build relationships with people different than you, empathize and support those less fortunate.
On Career and College Decision Day, our foreign exchange students shared stories of gratitude and appreciation for their MHS classmates for making them feel welcome and at home. In fact, two mentioned they wanted to stay in the United States! You helped them feel accepted, celebrated, and comfortable in a culture new to them. Your acceptance, support and encouragement embodies all of our MHS Guiding Forces. Just your cheers on that day for them were incredibly supportive and spoke of your big hearts. Parents and Grandparents, you can be proud. These are your children.
We are fortunate to live out the real world every day at MHS. Our size, diversity and Monroe community all add a richness to our school and afford us opportunities that many schools cannot offer to their students.
One thing I have learned about your class is your love and appreciation for music. To help you prepare for the next chapters in your life, I have short play list for you. Although you may forget my words today, hopefully you will not forget the songs. I also put this play list, with a few additions, in each one of your graduation packets that you will pick up after commencement. Since music is a universal language, I am sure your parents, grandparents, and friends can all relate to the messages of these songs and will help remind you of their significance in the days ahead.
Let’s start with your class song Lean on Me. When your class voted for this song, you showed your incredible maturity and desire to help others.
Bill Withers’ lyrics prove this point:
Sometime in our lives we all have pain; we all have sorrow. But if we are wise, we know that there is always tomorrow. Please swallow your pride if I have faith you need to borrow, lean on me when you are not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. You just call on me brother, when you need a hand, we all need somebody to lean on. Parents and grandparents: Of all the songs your children could have chosen, this was it. These are young adults who know how to help others. You can be proud.
Seniors: There will be days ahead when you think life is pretty lame and you will ask yourself, “Is this all there is?” This is when it is time to reflect on all the good in the world and realize how much there is to be thankful for. Louis Armstrong in “It’s a Wonderful World” reminds us to look at the sky of blue, and clouds of white, the bright blessed day and the dark sacred night and think to yourself, what a wonderful world. Seniors: Happiness and contentment are found in the simple things.
One of the most important things you can do in life is to build great relationships with your family and friends. The words of Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind inspire us to do this: He sings:
Visit grandpa every chance that we can, hold the door, say please thank you, don’t steal, don’t cheat and don’t lie. We have mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind. Don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why, bitterness keeps you from flying. When you get where you are going, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line. Always stay humble and kind.
Seniors: To know there are others you can lean on in this wonderful world while staying humble and kind, will bring you happiness and purpose. There are few things in life that will surpass the importance of Friendship, Respect, Appreciation, Kindness and Humility. Let these define you.
Please know that you always have a home here. We are and always will be Monroe!......Class of 2017…. you are ready to graduate. You will be missed.
Waterloo Elementary's STEAM Shoppe was recognized by EducationCloset, an national online collaborative publication dedicated to STEAM and arts programs, with an article on June 1 in the "School Spotlight" section.
"As most of us know, schools often need fundraisers throughout the year to support various programs and purchase much needed supplies for their classrooms," Susan Riley's article begins. "These typically involve parents selling various candles, bags and wrapping paper to help support the school goals. Waterloo Elementary in Monroe, Michigan has taken a different approach to their fundraising efforts."
The article continues to describe how Waterloo's winter STEAM fundraising initiative gives kids learning opportunities from start to finish, beginning with crafting gifts and items for sale, then money management skills, and on.
“There are so many life lessons that are part of this process – it’s really exciting to be a part of something like this,” Waterloo Principal Meghan Gibson said.
The article came after Riley, who wrote some of the material Waterloo has studied as part of maintaing its STEAM program, posted on EducationCloset that she was looking for videos of schools integrating STEAM and the arts. The video that Waterloo submitted in conunction with the ISD can be viewed here.
"What a tribute to everyone and their hard work!" Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Julie Everly said. "When I read the article, my mind travels back to the very beginning when we were discussing what STEAM would look like and sound like at Waterloo School. Since then, the growth and journey has been such an honor to be part of-- and a true treat to watch evolve."
Congratulations to Waterloo Elementary for being recognized nationally for its hard work!