Certified nurse assistant (CNA) classes will be offered to seniors from Monroe County high schools starting this fall at Monroe High School, in a program administered by MHS. 

               After completing the after-school class, students will be prepared to take their state-written CNA examinations which can lead to being a state-licensed CNA.

               Monroe High School has been the only school in Monroe County to offer CNA classes during the school day and has done it for the last three years.  However, the new class to be offered over the length of the coming school year will be open to students from other districts, too.  Classes will meet one night a week from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

               The program will be explained in a one-hour parent information and orientation session which is scheduled for 5 p.m., Tuesday night (August 25) at Monroe High School.  Although this is a tuition-based program, the tuition is paid for by the student’s home district at no cost to the student, for non-Monroe Public Schools students.

               William Ferrara, director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Monroe Public Schools, said the class is nearly full but he encouraged parents of interested students to come out and learn about in case there are future opening.  Persons needing more information can call the CTE office at 734-265-3450.

Waterloo Elementary School, the only school in Monroe County offering a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) curriculum for students, is one of only 10 finalists nationwide being considered to win a 3D printer and supplies.

          Waterloo, the only school in Michigan in the top 10, will know soon if it is one of five schools across the country to win one of the new 3D printers. 

          The description of the Waterloo program on the Thingiversity STEAM challenge website says:  “A new STEAM-based elementary school with a budding robotics program in Monroe, Michigan, is looking to inspire a new generation of young engineers and designers to restore innovation and investment in their small town.“

          “We are very excited to be chosen as one of only 10 schools to be considered, especially since we are relatively new to STEAM, having offered it only one year now,” said Waterloo teacher and robotics advisor Kyle Reed who had submitted the application to be considered.  “We have a 50-50- chance to win this $2,800 3D printer, which is really great in itself, but to be one of only a handful of schools to be considered nationally is quite an honor.”

          “Our goal is to help all of our students to succeed and winning this printer would give us another tool to help make that happen,” Mr. Reed said.

When the Trojans play football on Friday, September 18, it will be Military Tribute Night at Bunkelman Field and the Monroe Football Mother's Club has some great spirit wear available for those heading to the game that night.  The "moms" are selling black tee shirts with "Monroe Football" in camouflage lettering on the front and an American flag on the sleeve.  These spirit tee shirts will coordinate with the varsity football jerseys that will be worn for the special game.

The tee shirts are $10 or $15, depending on size.  They are available in mens and youth sizes and women's cut.  Deadline to place your order and submit your payment for it is this Monday, August 24, so do not delay. 

An order form is attached to this posting.

         In an editorial entitled “It’s nice Coach Rossi can enjoy Rossi Field,” the Monroe News praised the Monroe Public Schools’ Board of Education for renaming the Monroe High School softball field while Vince Rossi is alive to enjoy the accolade.  Here is the text of the editorial:

         Legendary Coach Vince Rossi can sit in the stadium seats at the softball field he helped develop and know that it was named in his honor.

         That doesn’t happen often.

         Traditionally, organizations such as schools and incorporated communities like to honor people who have made significant contributions, but it’s often after they are gone.  Perhaps it always seems as if it is done that way, but it’s refreshing for boards or councils to act quickly enough when the recipient is still around to appreciate it.

         Monroe Township Supervisor Alan Barron and former Miss America Kaye Lani Wilson both have streets named in their honor.  And in late 2003, the Monroe City Council named Capucilli Park on E. Elm Ave. after the city’s longtime mayor, C.D. (Al) Capucilli.  All were able to appreciate the gesture.

         Honoring extraordinary residents when they’re gone certainly is appropriate.  But being able to do so when they’re still with us is even better.  And Mr. Rossi certainly deserves having the field named after him.  During 32 seasons as the varsity coach at Monroe High School, he compiled an impressive record of 807-246-3 with 22 league championships.  He also led his teams to three appearances in the state Final Four before retiring in 2012.

         During that time, Mr. Rossi was instrumental in creating a new stadium. A goal he believed was important because student athletes deserved a quality field.  He insisted that the stadium seats be installed instead of benches because he wanted it to be a premiere, first-class facility.  So he led a group of parents, who sought donations. In 2000, the first game was played at the field of dreams.

         It would be nice if others followed the example of the Monroe Board of Education,

         Naming a park or field after someone is special.  Naming it while they’re still around to appreciate it is even better.Editorial praises Rossi Field naming

Time is running out for area soccer players to register to participate in the eight-week Monroe Adult Fall Soccer League.  Deadline to register with payment is this Friday, August 21. 

     The league is sponsored by the Community Education Department of Monroe Public Schools and as a co-ed league is open to any adult who is no longer in high school.  The eight-game season starts Sunday, September 13, and will be played on Sunday afternoons and evenings at Munson Park.  No games will be played Sunday, October 24. 

     Two leagues are being offered – a recreational league and a competitive league. Player registration fee is $65 and can be paid using cash, check or credit card.  Checks should be made payable to Monroe Public Schools.  Registrations can be mailed in but because of the nearness of the deadline, players can either call 734-265-3170 or stop in the Community Education office in the Monroe Public Schools’ Administration Building, 1275 N. Macomb St.

     For a copy of the registration form, and for more information, please click on this link  http://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/view/2175.pdf

The thermometer may not show it but the back-to-school and fall seasons are approaching and that means football, and it also means flag football for second- and third-grade players.

     The Community Education Program of Monroe Public Schools is offering flag football for second- and third-graders this year, to share with them the fundamentals of flag football and the chance to play in scrimmages.  The six weeks of sessions will start Sunday, Sept. 13, at Navarre Field.

     Registration is open now.  Cost to register is $25 and that includes a tee shirt for participants. Cash, checks or credit cards are accepted for payment.  Persons can fill out the attached flyer and mail it in or stop by the Community Education office in the Monroe Public Schools Administration office, 1275 N. Macomb St.

     Deadline to register is September 11.

Click on this link for a registration blank and more information --  http://monroepublic.cyberschool.com/view/2027.pdf.

     Fourth- to sixth-grade girls who have always wanted to be a cheerleader can do just that in the Monroe Junior Cheer Program, sponsored by the Community Education Department of Monroe Public Schools.

Practices start the week of August 24.  After practicing once a week for several weeks, the cheerleaders will cheer at the Monroe First Downers Junior Football games at Navarre Field on Saturdays in September and October.  

     Registrations are being accepted through August 28.  The cost is $30 and includes a tee shirt.  Payment can be made at the Administration office of Monroe Public Schools, 1275 N. Macomb St. Cash, checks or credit cards can be used for payment.

     For a registration blank or for more information, please click on this link  http://monroepublic.cyberschool.com/view/2174.pdf

     The highly successful Allies in Monroe (AIM) mentoring program at Monroe High School will be back for the 2015-2016 school year and plans are to expand it to include even more “matches” of students and adult mentors, which are called “allies.”

     In its first year, the AIM program – the only one of its kind in Monroe County – grew from 58 students and their “allies” in the first trimester to 131 “matches” by the time the third trimester rolled around in the spring. 

     In addition, the program will be led this year by Monroe High School teacher David Henry, who last year – in the first year of the program – was a mentor to an MHS senior who achieved his AIM goals all three trimesters, one of only four students in the school to do so. 

     AIM is an academic incentive and mentoring program open to all MHS students.  It is designed to enhance student achievement, increase the number of students furthering their education after high school and improve student-staff-community relationships.  It also is designed to enhance the overall MHS college-going culture.  During the 2014-2015 school year, more than 100 MHS students achieved their AIM goals at least once, qualifying them to earn a $200 scholarship.

     “Our first year was successful beyond all goals that we had when we started the program,” Mr. Henry said.  “We were able to use a large number of staff people as ‘allies’ in the first year and our goal is to repeat that.  However, we also want to build on that staff participation and add to it by expanding our appeal to more community members and groups to come in and be an ally for one of our students.

     “We want our students to know that someone believes in them,” Mr. Henry said.  “The students who were involved last year found that they had to be persistent to be successful but that when they were, that hard work paid off.”

     Because the program is not funded by Monroe Public Schools but by an independent board, community financial support is critical to the program’s success.  “Angels” are people, Foundations, businesses and organizations that can provide the financial support that is the monetary incentive for the students.  Those interested in supporting this program, should contact Mr. Henry at 734-265-3400

     AIM is one of the many programs at Monroe High School which focus on helping your child succeed. 

Monroe High School registration for students is set for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.  Letters were sent recently to the residences of all registered students.  Registration day is important since a number of time-consuming activities are taken care of to eliminate as many in-school interruptions as possible.  At registration, these materials will be collected before students will receive their schedules.

• Updated student registration form
• Free and reduced lunch applications
• Outstanding books, materials and fines (students may not get schedules if they still have outstanding books)
• Physical forms for athletics (if applicable)
• Student insurance information
• Dress code/hall sweep pass letter signed by parent.

          After handing in these materials, students will be able to pick up their schedules, have their pictures taken and receive their MHS photo ID cards, receive their handbooks and locker assignments and buy their parking permits (for juniors and seniors only.)

The girls’ softball field on which former Monroe High School girls’ softball coach Vince Rossi spent countless hours during his 32-year tenure as head coach now bears his name.

     The Board of Education of Monroe Public Schools voted Tuesday night (August 11) to rename the MHS girls’ softball field, Vince Rossi Field.  While a number of facilities in the district are named after individuals with exemplary contributions to Monroe Public Schools, the renaming in honor of someone still living is rare at Monroe High School.  A dedication ceremony is being planned for next spring.

     “A committee of softball parents thought it was important to rename the field during Coach Rossi’s lifetime so he could enjoy this well-deserved honor,” said Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Martin.  Per district procedure, the question of renaming the field was reviewed three times by the board before the final vote.  “Coach Rossi was that rare individual who not only could coach his teams to winning records but he also, as a Monroe High teacher, urged them to excel academically as well.”

     Although his school-record of 807 wins likely never will be matched and his coaching legacy of 22 league titles, 11 district titles, six regional crowns and three final-four appearances in the state tournament were enough to have him elected to the Monroe High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Michigan High School Athletic Association, there was something that made him even prouder as a leader of student-athletes.

     “Vince was a stickler for good performance in the classroom, too, and 22 of his teams achieved academic all-state honors,” said Monroe High School Athletic Director John Ray.  In fact, a number of his former players became school teachers and entered other advanced professions.

     The field which has been renamed Vince Rossi Field also was developed during Coach Rossi’s tenure and under his leadership.  One of the finest fields in the region was built with a considerable number of individual and corporate donations as well as countless volunteer hours of “sweat equity.”

     But even more work is being done now, because the field is undergoing major improvements to the dugouts, field entry points for participants and the actual infield surface making it much easier to drain after rainfall.  Plans also are moving forward for a new scoreboard.