MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

🍎LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY🍎 Mr. Radford "Tom" Geralds was recognized for his 35 years of service to the Martin County School District during last evening's School Board meeting. Mr. Geralds is a school bus mechanic and inspector who has always been willing to go the extra mile to ensure students are transported to and from school safely. Kayleen Watts, Director of Transportation, shared her appreciation for Mr. Geralds before presenting him with a plaque. "I am grateful to Tom for all of the times he's helped in doing outside tasks that were asked of him, including covering routes for our schools." #ALLINMartin👊

🍎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👊

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.

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👊

🍎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

"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👊