Scott Burns, a graduate of Monroe High School who went onto a banking career in his home town, has been elected president of the Education Foundation of Monroe Public Schools.  He succeeds Deb Thornton who has headed the group for the last two years.

     Jennifer Tucker was elected vice president of the group.  The leadership positions for Burns of Fifth Third Bank and Tucker, who is associated with Monroe Bank & Trust, are for one year.  In addition, board members Thornton, Fran Rayce and Yvonne Gnaedinger, were re-elected to three-year board terms.

     The Foundation is seeking to expand its board and is welcoming persons who would be interested in joining it.  Persons who want to be considered for the board should write a letter of interest to the Foundation, providing a short background and an explanation of why they are interested joining.  Please send a letter with your contact information to the Education Foundation of Monroe Public Schools, 1275 N. Macomb St., 46162.  The deadline to apply is September 1, 2016.  

     The Education Foundation of Monroe Public Schools is the only organization of its kind in a Monroe County public schools district.  The organization supports two major Monroe Public Schools programs – one is the scholarship program where roughly a dozen graduating seniors annually receive up to $2,000 in scholarships, and the other is the mini-grant program providing $8,000 annually to support various classroom projects which otherwise might not be possible.  The scholarship program has been ongoing for more than 20 years and teachers have been receiving mini-grants for more than 10 years.

 Everyone knew that the Monroe High School girls’ softball team played really well on the field – the won-loss record, the state playoff appearance, the overall success of Coach Jim Davis’ team which led to him being named Region Coach of the Year.  But recently the team added another honor, a higher one – Academic All-State Award for their Division. 

               The Trojans, which boasted several players who were on their senior class Top 100 and others who were National Honor Society members, were honored during the girls’ softball all-star game at Central Michigan University for having the highest grade point average in the state in their division, which is Division 1.

               Not only were they recognized on the state level, but the team also was honored by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education at a recent meeting.

               “These young ladies are the definition of ‘scholar athlete’ and have proven to be wonderful representatives of Monroe High School, our community and their families,” said Monroe High School Athletic Director Dr. John Ray.  “They certainly are one of the ‘Points of Pride’ here at Monroe High School.”

     Registration for Monroe Virtual High School (MVHS) will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Tuesday, August 8 and 9, at the Monroe Public Schools Administration Building, 1275 N. Macomb St.

     Monroe Virtual High School – the longest running school of its type in Monroe County – serves students who range from the 9th grade to 19 years old not currently enrolled in high school but who want to earn their high school diplomas.  All MVHS classes are free for the students, just like attending a traditional school.  MVHS students do not have to live in the Monroe Public Schools district.

     For those attending registration, no appointment is required but persons who were not previously registered in Monroe Public Schools must bring their birth certificate, their immunization record, and a copy of their transcripts when they sign up.  Any Monroe High School or Orchard Center High School student who is interested in enrolling in MVHS must consult with his or her counselor first.  Persons with questions about enrollment should call 734-265-3072.

     When School starts in September, MVHS will be located in the Riverside Early Learning Center, 77 N. Roessler St.  It previously had been housed in the former South Monroe Townsite School.  The new location provides considerably more parking and easier access.

     Monroe Virtual High School, with its flexible schedule, is the perfect choice for students who – because of jobs, family considerations or other circumstances -- left school before earning their high school diplomas.  Most learning can be done at home but all students must come to class for a minimum of five hours per week.  All testing is done in the presence of a teacher.

     Because all courses are on-line, students must have laptop computers with internet access.  If a student does not have access at home, MVHS can provide a laptop for use during the time a student is registered.

     MVHS has been operated by Monroe Public Schools since 2010 and has helped some 50 people earn their high school diplomas, something they might not have been able to achieve otherwise.  

Todd Williams (right), believed to be the only Monroe High School graduate to ever compete in the Olympics, presents his 1992 U.S. Olympic team jersey to Monroe High School track coach Mark Scoles.  Scoles said the jersey will be displayed on the athletic wall of honor at Monroe High School.  “We want the kids to remember Todd and all his accomplishments to serve as an inspiration that Monroe High School graduates can go on to do great things in whatever field they choose,” Scoles said.  Behind the display holding Williams jersey is the MHS Track and Field Records Board bearing the name of Todd Williams and a record he still holds.  Among the names which can be seen on the board in the background is Carl Ford who went on to play in the National Football League. 

     When school starts in September, all 58 Monroe Public Schools buses will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art on-board safety and security system as a significant upgrade to the camera system which has been in use on MPS buses for the last eight years.

     The purchase was approved Tuesday night, July 26, by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education.  The lowest bidder was 247 Security Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga. with a bid of $102,991. 

     ”The camera system we have has been good but it is out of warranty and replacement parts are no longer available.  Plus, in the years since we bought the original system, technology has evolved significantly and greater functionality and picture clarity is now available,” said Jerry Oley, Director of Operations for Monroe Public Schools. 

     The new system will provide four cameras per bus – one camera aimed forward to view the front of the bus and oncoming traffic, cameras at the front, middle, and back inside the bus for a complete view of the passenger compartment.  The system also comes with GPS (global positioning system) so as the recorded video is viewed, it is possible to determine the bus location at any time.  The system also has a feature recording the vehicle speed to coincide with the image on the screen.

     Bus video is downloaded wirelessly from the new system. This is considerably easier than the existing system where a recording device had to be physically removed and plugged into a computer to be viewed.

     When it purchased its first bus safety and security system eight years ago, Monroe Public Schools was the first local district to have one.  Mr. Oley said that 247 Security provided the first system.  To appreciate how much the technology has evolved, when the first 44 camera system was purchased eight years ago, the cost was $40,000 more than the bid awarded Tuesday night and did not include installation.  The bid for the upgraded equipment included removal of the current system and  installation of the new. 

     Four companies from around the U.S. and Canada bid to provide the new system on the Monroe Public Schools buses.  Mr. Oley credited Transportation Director Frank Henry with doing a thorough search across North America to find qualified companies to bid. Buses

Monroe County Community College recently announced a variety of scholarship to attend that institution in the fall and seven of the recipients were Monroe High School graduates. 

               Congratulations to:

Alexa Stevens, MHS 2011, JoAnn Naida Nursing Scholarship

Jennifer Jacobs, MHS 2010, Namaste Day Scholarship

Lucas Nieto, MHS 2012, Helen M. and Eugene W. Beach Nursing/RT Scholarship

Nathaniel Pierce, MHS 2012, Sonya Kay Brett Business and Computer Information Systems Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Jamie Terrasi, MHS 2007, Sonya Kay Brett Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship

Ashley Klug, MHS 2014, David L. McIntyre Memorial Scholarship

Kari Cooley, MHS 2015, Gwendolyn M. Jacob Memorial Scholarship

Pictured is a soon-to-be-MCCC student and recent MHS graduate Halley Sellers as she declared her collegiate intentions at the MHS Decision Day last May.

When recently graduated MHS students Noah Dawn and Madyson Farris “run” off to college this fall, they will each do so with $3,000 2016 Todd Williams What it Takes Scholarships presented by Mark Jarrait Insurance of Monroe.  The scholarship is named after MHS runner Todd William who ran in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.  Mr. Jarrait and his agency established the scholarship to celebrate the legacy of Todd Williams and reward student athletes who share his commitment to excellence.  The scholarship was open to members of the MHS cross country team who were hard workers, leaders and had a positive influence on the team.  One boy and one girl are picked for the scholarship.  “This is our first year for this and we really got two good ones for this scholarship,” Mr. Williams said.  Noah will run for Oakland University starting this fall and Madyson, who was her class president, will attend Bowling Green State University this fall.

               The first day of kindergarten sometimes has been a frightful experience for some children, being away from people and places they have known all their lives.  But that does not have to be the case any more, thanks to a new program by Monroe Public Schools called Young Fives and Kindergarten Jump Start.

          In addition, individual assessment sessions are offered to all incoming first-year students so teachers can best prepare for a child’s individual plan of instruction.

          In the Jump Start program, the incoming first-year class of students in Monroe Public Schools will be able to spend four days with their classroom teacher before school starts.  For two hours a day, August 22-25, the students are invited to spend time with their teachers, building staff and classmates to form new friendships and become more familiar with school.

          “Our teachers will use this time to make connections with the children and get to know than as individuals, academically and socially,” said Monroe Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Julie Everly.  She added that busing would be available for students but families also could bring the children, if the child might feel more comfortable.

          The program will be offered at five of the district’s elementary schools – Arborwood, Custer, Manor, Raisinville and Waterloo.

          Pre-registration is required but the sessions are free for all of the students and their families.  Persons wishing to register their child must call Monroe Public Schools at 265-3100 and leave a message with the child’s name, school name, contact information and whether or not they want a school bus to transport their child.

          Also new for this school year is the Individual Assessment Session.  These sessions will provide important information for the teacher to prepare for a child’s individual instructions plan for the new school year. 

          Assessment sessions are offered at each elementary school at various times between August 22 and September 1.  The district is committed to working with families’ schedules for the assessments.  To schedule an appointment, please call your child’s schools between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on August 15 and 16.  School phone numbers are listed on the MPS website at www.monroe.k12.mi.us.  Refrigerator magnets with all school phone numbers also will be available at the Monroe Public Schools booth at the Monroe County Fair.  Stop by and ask for one.

          Children who are scheduled to begin school this year in Young 5’s or in kindergarten can be registered Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Monroe Public Schools Administration Building, 1275 N. Macomb St.  No appointments are necessary and the paperwork you will be required to fill out can be found on the MPS website.

Monroe County residents will have two opportunities Saturday, July 30, to help “stuff the bus” with school supplies as part of the “Supplying Our Future” Backpacks for Kids in Monroe County. 

The Back Pack program has a significant impact on Monroe Public Schools' students because some 60 percent of all back packs distributed go to MPS students. 

          School buses will be parked and set up to accept the school supplies donations at the Kroger store, 3462 Sterns Rd., Lambertville, and at the Kroger store at 850 S. Monroe St. in Monroe.  Collection times are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in each location on July 30.

          The Back Pack Coalition expects to distribute 1,200 back packs to children in Bedford, Monroe and Dundee prior to the start of school. 

Any school supplies donations will be accepted, including back packs, pencils, paper, rulers, crayons, and scissors. Think of it this way – the same kinds of materials you would purchase to prepare your own child to start school are the items which will be accepted. 

NashIcon 98.3 radio Monroe is a co-sponsor of the drives.  School buses were donated by Bedford and Monroe public schools.    

Scott Hoppert, who has taught in the Monroe Public Schools for 26 years and who for two years led Monroe Public Schools’ Summer Learning Academy (SLA) as its administrator, is the new principal at Raisinville Elementary School. 

     His appointment was affirmed Tuesday night (July 12) by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education.  At Raisinville, he will succeed Dr. Mary Ann Cyr who recently resigned to accept a position as an assistant superintendent in a Wayne County public school district.

     Mr. Hoppert began with Monroe Public Schools in September 1990 and for the first 22 years was a social studies teacher at Monroe High School, the old Cantrick Middle School and at Monroe Middle School.  Since November 2012 he has been the school improvement coach at Monroe Middle School, working with classroom teachers, the administration and curricular departments to assess and improve the efficiency and proficiency of education offered at MMS.

     Throughout his years at MMS, the National Junior Honor Society – for which he was an advisor – became one of the most active groups in Monroe Public Schools, sponsoring numerous community-centered events.  Under Mr. Hoppert’s tutelage, the NJHS and MMS annually found new ways to “Light it up Blue” in honor of Autism Awareness, including last year’s text-a-thon where MMS students set a world’s record for the most texts in a five-minute period, at attempt which was carried live on two television stations. 

     As the SLA administrator, he helped to identify students who would benefit from attending “summer school,” developed an inquiry-based curriculum, secured resources, and oversaw instruction to address students’ needs to help them to achieve more academically.

     Mr. Hoppert has a bachelor of education degree from the University of Toledo, a State of Michigan Professional Certificate and completed cognitive coaching seminars.

     At Raisinville, he will head a school and staff which is preparing to become an International Baccalaureate school, the only one in Monroe County.