MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

🍎CELEBRATING LEADERSHIP🍎 Earlier this evening, Ms. April Griffin of the Florida School Boards Association presented Superintendent John D. Millay and the Martin County School Board with a plaque in recognition of their designation as a Master Board. The Master Board Program, which is a skills-based team curriculum for Florida school boards and superintendents, is designed to strengthen the leadership team’s ability to work effectively, efficiently, and collectively while maintaining a focus on student achievement and factors contributing to the success of schools. "Data demonstrates the direct correlation between the effectiveness of the governance team - the Superintendent and School Board - and student achievement," Ms. Griffin shared when presenting the award to Dr. Millay and School Board Members. The Martin County School District is one of just 20 Florida school districts that currently hold Master Board designation. #ALLINMartin👊

⚖ CONSTITUTION WEEK ⚖ Superintendent John D. Millay participated in #ConstitutionWeek activities at Palm City Elementary School today. Judges Darren Steele and Jennifer Alcorta Waters of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida spoke with students about the U.S. Constitution and the freedoms and protections we enjoy as Americans. Dr. Millay also snapped a photo of the construction progress on campus - the new JBE and PCE schools are moving right along! #ALLINMartin👊

🍎EDUCATING ALL STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS🍎 While the expiration of the Florida Department of Education's Emergency Order 2020-EO-07 discontinued the ability of school districts to continue offering full-time remote learning this school year, many Martin County School District teachers are going #ALLINMartin👊 and offering students the opportunity continue receiving instruction while they are quarantined. WPTV's Stephanie Susskind WPTV spoke with Ms. Gorton and Dr. Shewmaker of South Fork High School about the decision they made early on in the school year to broadcast their lessons via Zoom. "The direct window into the classroom, for me, was best for my students to not fall behind and to be able to maintain the same rigor that their classmates are undergoing," Ms. Gorton said. Watch: https://www.wptv.com/rebound/state-of-education/treasure-coast-teachers-use-classroom-cameras-to-reach-quarantined-students

📳CONNECTION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS📳 Did you receive the latest edition of Martin Moments, our e-newsletter, in your inbox this week? Catch up here: https://conta.cc/3Ckjwhp Subscribe to ensure you never miss an issue: https://bit.ly/MCSDNewsletter #ALLINMartin👊

📜CELEBRATING #CONSTITUTIONDAY📜 Judge Kathleen H. Roberts of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida served as an expert guest speaker for students at Port Salerno Elementary School this morning. Students enjoyed asking Judge Roberts questions about the Constitution, the laws we follow and freedoms we enjoy as Americans. #ALLINMartin👊

📜 CONSTITUTION DAY📜 The Martin County School District is proud to celebrate the 234th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution! Please click the link below to see how we're enhancing students' appreciation for our nation's founding document. #ALLINMartin👊

🍎CELEBRATING LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT🍎 Superintendent John D. Millay joined District and school leaders for instructional walks at Pinewood Elementary School and Warfield Elementary School this week. These learning walks allow faculty and administrators to collaborate as they identify best practices and opportunities for improvement that will lead to the best possible outcomes for all students. Dr. Millay continues to enjoy witnessing students and teachers engage in learning related to the new Benchmark curriculum, which is the English Language Arts (ELA) program that was recently adopted by the School Board for all students enrolled in District-operated schools. The curriculum is fully aligned to the Florida Department of Education's new B.E.S.T. standards for student learning. "One of the many things I love about the new ELA series is that it incorporates different subject areas, including science content, throughout the curriculum," Dr. Millay shared. "It's so important for our students to continue making connections across all areas while building their literacy and writing skills. I am appreciative of our School Board for making this great academic investment in all Martin County students. Our students and teachers are truly enjoying diving into these lessons. The engagement has been fantastic to see." #ALLINMartin👊

🩺VOLUNTARY VACCINATION EVENTS🩺 The Florida Department of Health in Martin County (DOH Martin) is currently hosting its second round of voluntary community vaccination clinics. 1st and 2nd doses of the #Pfizervaccine are being offered to interested individuals aged 12+. More: https://bit.ly/3Ab5sWL. #ALLINMartin👊

🍎SCHOOLS CLOSED🍎 Reminder, families - all District-operated schools will be closed Thursday, September 16, in observance of #YomKippur. #ALLINMartin👊

The Jensen Beach High School Falcons are excited to announce our Homecoming week will begin on October 25th with themed dress up days, float building, our traditional parade on Thursday , October 28th , a pep rally , a football game on Friday October 29th and ending with our Homecoming Dance on October 30th. More details will be coming shortly.

🍎ON THE AGENDA🍎 Today's School Board Workshop about the Five-Year Capital Plan will begin at 5:00 p.m. View the agenda -https://bit.ly/3hxWOtZ Watch live - https://youtu.be/guuHaDpa6qo #ALLINMartin👊

A little rain can’t stop our shine! A 🌈was spotted over Martin County High School this morning. It's going to be a great day in the Martin County School District! #ALLINMartin👊

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Ms. Dawne Hutchinson of Hidden Oaks Middle School helps students achieve their #MCSDPotential🌟 through her caring demeanor. "She always makes students feel so cared about and important!" parent Kim Harse shared. "We are on round two with her and she is just as amazing with my second child!" Thank you for going #ALLINMartin👊 for your students, Ms. Hutchinson! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential.

🍎INTERIM REPORTS ISSUED🍎 Interim reports for students enrolled in grades 6-12 will be issued today. Check your child's grades in the FOCUS Parent Portal: https://martin.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/ If you do not have access to the FOCUS Parent Portal, please click here for instructions on how to claim your account: https://www.martinschools.org/page/focus-parent-portal-student-grades-and-attendance #ALLINMartin👊

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Ms. Catherine Stringer of Crystal Lake Elementary School helps students achieve their #MCSDPotential🌟 by spreading positivity. "Ms. Stringer is an amazingly kind and talented teacher!" parent Christy Calas shares. Thank you for going #ALLINMartin👊 for your kindergartners, Ms. Stringer! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Assistant Principal Patty Morris of The Pinewood Elementary helps students achieve their #MCSDPotential🌟 by being a cheerleader for every child, every day. "Ms. Morris is the most warm, welcoming and selfless educator I have ever encountered," said Jessie, a parent. "She greets every single child with a big smile, encouraging them to have an amazing day and sending them home with the same wishes. I can truly attest that she genuinely cares for her students because 30 years ago, she taught me! I have the greatest memories of her and feel beyond blessed that my daughter has the same positive experience. Ms. Morris is rooting on every single child and I hope she knows the magnitude of the impact her encouragement and love have on her students. Not a day goes by that I don't think to myself how lucky I feel to have her in our lives." Thank you for going #ALLINMartin👊 for all of your students, Ms. Morris! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential.

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Principal Ebony Jarrett of Stuart Middle School helps students achieve their #MCSDPotential🌟 by prioritizing transparency and communication with families. "Ms. Jarrett's attention to detail and rapid fire communication are impeccable!" parent Brandi Murray shares. "Any time I have a question, I reach out through the Stuart Middle School Facebook messenger and literally within minutes, she responds. The fourth day of school my child had a small issue in the lunch room. I sent her a message and she actually called me on the phone to discuss and solve the problem. She was on the way home from dropping her own child off at college. I will forever be thankful for her dedication and concern for her students. Ms. Jarrett is amazing and an incredible asset to parents, students and the District!" 💓Forever thankful for her dedication and concern for her students. Thank you for going #ALLINMartin👊 for all of your families, Ms. Jarrett! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential.

🦅WE WILL NEVER FORGET🦅 Students in Ms. Urbay's third-grade class at Felix A. Williams Elementary School wrote notes of gratitude to first responders and servicemembers in remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy this week. "September 11 was a turning point for me personally, as my dad left almost immediately after to serve with the military for many years to follow," Ms. Urbay shared. "I'm thankful to honor his post 9/11 service, share with the kids each year and reflect on others who lost their lives or stepped up to assist those in need." #ALLINMartin👊

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Ms. Laurie Everett of Martin County Head Start Program's Port Salerno Learning Center helps students achieve their #MCSDPotential🌟 by ensuring families are active partners in education. "Ms. Laurie is a shining example of everything a parent and child wish for in a teacher," parent Desere Howard shares. "It is not just her job, but her calling. She was born to teach and educate others. It doesn't end with the child but is seamlessly integrated with the families of children. She teaches everyone how to learn, grow and help students be their personal best. When she sees someone struggling - child or parent - she is the first one to offer assistance and solutions. She builds trust that lasts a lifetime and love that is never forgotten. There are many teachers that are worthy of recognition, but Ms. Laurie is someone who often works in the background happily building others up into the spotlight. She is both humble and thankful for what she does. I believe that teachers like her only come around once in a lifetime for some children, and being lucky enough to have her in early childhood is a blessing. If there was an award to nominate her for, we would. If we could leave her an endowment, we would do that, too. I hope that she gets the recognition that she so justly deserves. She has made the lives of so many so much better by having had her be a part of it." 💓Trust that lasts a lifetime and love that is never forgotten. We're speechless, Ms. Everett. Thank you for going #ALLINMartin👊 for every child, every day! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential.

Mr. Frank Frangella, Director of Safety and Security, served 20 years with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) before joining the Martin County School District in 2018. He was a first responder to the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. "I Was There" is his story. I was there during the horrendous attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. At that time, I was a police officer in the Brooklyn South Auto Larceny Unit within the New York City Police Department (NYPD), assigned to the midnight shift. It was a regular day off (RDO) and I was sleeping peacefully. At some point, my wife abruptly woke me up to inform me that a commercial airplane had flown into one of the twin towers at the World Trade Center. She nervously stated, “Rome is burning and you’re sleeping.” I already knew what was happening - a terrorist attack. I dressed with the news on in the background and quickly readied myself, knowing exactly where I needed to be. I asked my wife to go get our daughter out of school and bring her home just in case. She noticed that I was dressed, and with a puzzled look asked me “where are you going?” “I’m a cop. I need to go in,” I responded. The look on her face told me she did not realize or expect that I would have to go. I walked out the door not knowing if I would ever return. By this time, the NYPD had a full recall of personnel with staging areas throughout the city. I was closest to the 122nd Precinct in Staten Island. On the short ride to the precinct, fear, horror and anger were going through my mind. I did not know what was in store for me. As I arrived, with my other brothers and sisters in tow, I noticed my unit lieutenant standing by the inside door, holding a detail roster (a form the NYPD uses to keep track of assigned personnel at major events.) As he greeted me, I felt a sense of relief seeing the familiar face of my boss whom I looked up to. He put me on his roster and told me our orders were to respond to the Staten Island Ferry terminal and escort the injured coming from the scene. A temporary trauma center was set up at the base of the terminal to triage the injured coming off the ferry. There were expectations of large numbers of casualties coming across the waters from lower Manhattan. As the ferries began pulling to the docks one after another, it quickly became apparent that no one- not a single injured person or anyone else - was on board. We realized that no one would be coming. We then decided to take the next ferry heading to the City and go to the scene. It was late afternoon/early evening when we arrived. Although it has been many years since, I can still vividly remember the horror I witnessed upon arriving. It was a true war zone. For the next 20 hours or possibly more, we took turns on the bucket brigade, taking away debris in hopes of finding someone alive beneath the rubble. There was no structure or direction attached to the rescue efforts – we were told to just dig. As I stood on this massive pile of rubble and debris which was once home to two of the largest buildings in NYC, I remember thinking to myself that not a desk, phone, or anything resembling an office was visible. Everything - including the souls lost - was reduced to dust. Every so often, the brigade lines paused, and everyone stood at attention as another person was tragically found deceased. After approximately two weeks of working 12 hour+ days, I finally had a day off. Every emotion bottled inside of me finally surfaced and I just remember breaking down, crying. Mostly for the lives lost and for the horrors I witnessed, but also for myself. For the first time in my life, something had frightened me very deeply. I ultimately ended up spending the next three months at Ground Zero (as it came to be known) assigned to various duties as the rescue attempts turned into a recovery mission. I was eventually assigned to securing the perimeter of a crime scene. It is said that time heals all and memories fade, but I still wait. On this day that that marks the twentieth year, all I ask is to never forget! We will never forget. #ALLINMartin