MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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

🍎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👊

💡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🌟💡 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🌟💡 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

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

"No Day Shall Erase You From the Memory of Time." - Virgil We will never forget. #PatriotDay #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.

🦅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🌟💡 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.

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Sometimes a friendly face is all it takes to bring out the #MCSDPotential🌟 in others! "My daughter is a kindergartner at Jensen Beach Elementary School this year," parent Karen Boynton shares. "Tilloo Y. is a safety patrol in fifth-grade. She has been so unbelievably kind and welcoming to my daughter! She walked her to class every day the first week. She greets her with a smile each morning in car line and makes her feel special and welcome. I feel like my daughter's introduction to elementary school has been so smooth thanks in many parts to a very kind big girl who has taken her under her wing. Tilloo is most definitely helping MCSD reach its full potential and she deserves to be recognized for her amazing spirit!" Way to go, Tilloo! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential. #ALLINMartin👊

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Mrs. Holland and Principal Aitken of Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School help students achieve their #MCSDPotential🌟 by making sure they always have access to learning resources. "While my daughter was out on quarantine, she was not able to access the Google Classroom for one of her teachers," parent Barbara Plasse shared. "I emailed Mr. Aitken to ask how we could fix the situation so my daughter wouldn't have 10 days of work to make up. He promptly emailed me back and let me know she was being assigned to Ms. Holland so she wouldn't fall behind. Ms. Holland emailed me to let me know my daughter could access Google Classroom to get her work and that if she had any trouble, she should call her during her planning period. My daughter could not log on and called Ms. Holland for help. I received a call from Mr. Aitken letting me know that while it would take 24 hours for the problem with Google Classroom to be resolved, Ms. Holland was making a binder for my daughter with all of the missing work. He stated he would personally deliver the binder to my home as my whole household was on quarantine. I feel as though Ms. Holland went above and beyond by giving my daughter her personal phone number to call for help and then putting the binder together so she wouldn't fall behind. Also, for Mr. Aitken to hand deliver the work to us was more than I would ever expect a principal to do. I am so thankful for both of these educators and their willingness to go above and beyond." This is what it means to go #ALLINMartin👊! 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🌟💡 Mr. Beau Cromer, Extended Day Manager at Bessey Creek Elementary School, helps students achieve their #MCSDPotential by serving as a counselor and leader. "I have personally known him since 2001, and he has now had all three of my children in Extended Day," parent Adam Hamill shares. "He counsels and leads. He is innovative and fun. He is fair, honest, as flexible as he can be and stern when he needs to be. All three of my children have in part become who they are due to his positive influence. I feel fortunate to have had him as an extended part of my parenting through his interaction in the Extended Day program." Thank you for going #ALLINMartin👊 for our students, Mr. Cromer! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential. #ALLINMartin👊

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Martin County Sheriff's Office Deputy Camacho-Rubio and school crossing guards at Stuart Middle School help students achieve their #MCSDPotential🌟 by ensuring their safety. "The crossing guards at Stuart Middle do a phenomenal job every morning and afternoon to make sure all of our students get to school safe, whether it's by car or foot," parent AnneMarie Persaud shares. "They do this with a smile; all while drivers are often not obeying traffic laws. Parents are anxious to get their kids to school on time and students are crossing the streets. Also, the School Resource Officer at SMS is a kind soul. She always acknowledges the students and is very engaging." Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential. #ALLINMartin👊

MCSD Alert: Today's School Board Workshop will begin at 3 pm followed by the Special (TRIM) Meeting at 5:05 pm View the Workshop agenda: https://bit.ly/2WWJ7xo View the TRIM agenda: https://bit.ly/2WRQuXe Watch live: https://youtu.be/r8jOfjfQnSQ #ALLINMartin👊

💡SPOTLIGHT ON #MCSDPotential🌟💡 Our first employee in the spotlight is Ms. Kim Harse, a teacher at Palm City Elementary School. Parent Amy Freese says Ms. Harse helps students achieve their #MCSDPotential by going above and beyond and using Zoom to keep all members of her class informed. Thank you for leading by example, Ms. Harse! Know a student or employee who is achieving or helping others achieve their #MCSDPotential? Nominate them for recognition by clicking here: bit.ly/MCSDPotential. #ALLINMartin👊

💡📚SPOTLIGHT ON LITERACY💡📚 Reporter Jon Shainman recently spoke with students and faculty at Warfield Elementary School about all of the ways the school is going #ALLINMartin👊 to help children embrace their #MCSDPotential🌟 as readers! Tune in to WPTV this afternoon between 4-6:30 for the story!

Here are few important reminders as we prepare to resume classes tomorrow, September 8: 😷Please monitor your child's symptoms each day. Our screening tool will allow you to quickly assess any symptoms your child may be experiencing to determine when and where to seek care: https://bit.ly/MCSDStudentSymptomCheck Students must remain home from school when they are ill, or when they or anyone in the household is awaiting test results or has tested positive for COVID-19. 🧪To view local facilities that are offering PCR/Rapid tests, please click here: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/ 🩺To view voluntary vaccination opportunities for individuals aged 12+ in our community, please click here: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/ 📝Our COVID-19 dashboard provides current information about positive cases and quarantines within the District. The dashboard is updated twice daily and is available here: https://bit.ly/MCSDCOVIDDashboard We look forward to welcoming our students and employees back to school tomorrow! #ALLINMartin👊

🍽️NOURISHING ALL STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS🍽️ Our outstanding Food & Nutrition Services Department was recently featured in an issue of First Taste TV's Served Digizine! The article was about our unique "Take Three and it's Free" program, which allows students who choose to bring their lunches from home to select a healthy fruit, vegetable and carton of milk each day. Click here to read more: https://nxtgennetwork.serveddigizine.com/view/877083606/20-21/ To view menus, learn how to add money to your child's account, or explore other programs operated by our Food & Nutrition Services Department, please click here: https://www.martinschools.org/page/food-nutrition-services. #ALLINMartin👊