MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

✅ON THE BALLOT✅ The voter-approved 2018 millage rate referendum provided the Martin County School District with the resources needed to sustain the following: 🍎Safety & Security: The District has added three Martin County Sheriff's Office School Resource Officers (SROs) at the high schools and allocated funds to enhance charter school safety and security. 🍎Mental Health Programs: The District has invested in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) framework in our schools, added three high school counselors and added student programming, including Safe Schools Ambassadors training to address bullying. 🍎Recruiting and Retaining Teachers: The District provided wage stipends for teachers and support staff, and also held recruitment fairs to attract and retain more highly-qualified personnel. 🍎Professional Development: The District has invested in a grant writer to open up additional funding opportunities, increased employee training in key areas, and provided certified nursing assistant training for employees serving our school clinics. 🍎Academic Initiatives: The District was able to implement a full, K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) adoption of instructional materials aligned to the Florida Department of Education's new B.E.S.T. standards. Get answers to frequently asked questions about the millage renewal here: https://www.martinschools.org/page/referendum ✅Election Day is August 23. #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

📚 #BACKTOSCHOOL COUNTDOWN📚 Due to the expiration of a federal waiver, the District will no longer be able to offer free meals to all students this school year. Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits on our website or via a paper form available from their child's school. Students attending the following schools will continue to receive free breakfasts and lunches with no income restrictions: J. D. Parker School Of Technology, The Pinewood Elementary, Port Salerno Elementary School, Warfield Elementary School, Indiantown Middle School, Willoughby Learning Center and Spectrum Academy. For the schools not listed above, MCSD will cover the costs of meals for all students for the first three days of school (August 10-12). After August 12, the regular price for breakfast for K-5 and 6-12 students is $1.50. Lunch for K-5 is $1.85, and 6-12 is $2.10. The District will cover the cost of meals for students who apply and qualify for reduced-price meals. Complete a school meal application here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

✅ON THE BALLOT✅ If the millage reauthorization is approved by voters, the School Board would determine on an annual basis what the additional millage rate would be - based on needs and other funding sources for the upcoming school year- up to a maximum of one half-mill. The School Board determined in July to designate one half-mill for the 2022-2023 school year. Homeowners with a homestead exemption on last year's property tax bill (and continued for this year's bill) will see a DECREASE in school property taxes this year, even though property values have increased. This fact remains true even when factoring in the renewal of the "up to" one half-mill on August 23! Get answers to frequently asked questions about the millage renewal here: https://www.martinschools.org/page/referendum #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

📚 #BACKTOSCHOOL COUNTDOWN📚 Don't miss any updates from the Martin County School District or your favorite MCSD schools this year! Download our app in your phone's app store to view calendars, upcoming events, menus and more! 🍎Download for Apple Devices: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/martin-county-schools-fl/id1582223225 🤖Download for Android Devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apptegy.martincountyfl&hl=en_US&gl=US #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

✅ON THE BALLOT✅ In July, the MCSD School Board finalized how the District would use millage funds if voters approve the half-mill property tax referendum on August 23, 2022. For the 2022-23 school year, the Board will allocate millage funding to the five categories established under the original referendum item that was approved by voters in 2018: 🍎School safety and security ($533,613 allocated) 🍎Mental health programs ($1,221,000 allocated) 🍎Recruiting and retaining teachers and support staff ($12,000,200 allocated) 🍎Professional development ($10,000 allocated) 🍎Academic initiatives ($10,000 allocated) The School Board’s decision is based on input provided through a recent survey and the feedback of teachers, staff and members of the Martin County community. Get answers to frequently asked questions about the millage renewal here: https://www.martinschools.org/page/referendum #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎 #BACKTOSCHOOL COUNTDOWN🍎 Families will be able to view their child's classroom teacher assignment/course schedule in the FOCUS Parent Portal this evening. Don't forget to complete your child's emergency contact and parental consent forms while you're logged in! Access FOCUS here: https://martin.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/ If you do not currently have access to FOCUS, view instructions for claiming your account here: https://martin.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/auth/ #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎 CULTURE OF COLLABORATION🍎 The Martin County School District and leaders from the AFSCME-Florida Local #597 and Martin County Education Association (MCEA) bargaining units have successfully completed negotiations for the 2021-2022 school year. The tentative agreements will be presented to members of each bargaining unit for ratification this month. "I am pleased with the commitment to collaboration displayed by our School Board, District team and the leaders serving on each bargaining unit team throughout the negotiations process," said Dr. John D. Millay, Superintendent of Schools. "We look forward to beginning negotiations for the 2022-2023 school year with a focus on student achievement and employee success." #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🎉 CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE🎉 Deputy Superintendent Michael Maine congratulated School Bus Operator Alfreda Newton for her 43 years of dedicated service to the Martin County School District this morning! Ms. Newton has impacted thousands of young lives as she's safely transported students to and from school. "She's a ray of sunshine to all who know her!" Mr. Maine exclaimed. We are so grateful for all of our outstanding Transportation employees! Drivers and assistants are participating in #BacktoSchool professional development sessions today. 🍎🚍🍎🚍 📲Interested in learning more about becoming a school bus operator or assistant? Click here to chat with a recruiter: https://bit.ly/ChatWithMCSDHR #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎 #BACKTOSCHOOL COUNTDOWN🍎 Families - please be sure to review our Code of Student Conduct. The Code of Student Conduct outlines behavior expectations while promoting a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. https://bit.ly/MCSD2223CodeofConduct #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎COUNTDOWN TO #BACKTOSCHOOL🍎 It is a fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children. Review comprehensive information on parental rights in Florida here: https://www.fldoe.org/ParentalRights/ #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🏆HOMETOWN PRIDE🏆 We can always count on Martin County High School alum and Denver Broncos Safety Justin Simmons to go #ALLINMartin👊 for our Martin County students. His latest demonstration of commitment to his hometown ? Purchasing rings for the Tigers' State Champion Basketball team! 🏀🦁 Read more: https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/ring-them-boys-why-justin-simmons-paid-for-his-high-school-alma-materr-basketbal

✅ ON THE BALLOT ✅ The Martin County Education Association (teachers' bargaining unit) and AFSCME-Florida #597 (support employees' bargaining unit) have endorsed the renewal of the millage referendum. Read more: https://conta.cc/3zLmYSD 📲Get answers to frequently asked questions about the ballot item: https://www.martinschools.org/page/referendum Election Day is August 23. #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎COUNTDOWN TO #BACKTOSCHOOL🍎 Martin County families - our Back to School countdown is on! Have you visited our website to read up on what you need to know prior to the first day of classes? 👕👖Please click the link below to view dress code information. Please note that your child's school may have additional dress code considerations - please be on the lookout for specific information coming from their school to learn more about any additional requirements that may exist. https://www.martinschools.org/page/reopening#dress #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

Families - please click the link below to view instructions for accessing your child's detailed score report(s) for the statewide assessments that were administered in the spring. If you have requested a paper score report, this will go home with your child during the first few weeks of the new school year. Please contact your child's school with any questions. English: https://bit.ly/3BABkaY Español: https://bit.ly/3BCe24j #ALLINMartin👊

🍎COUNTDOWN TO #BACKTOSCHOOL🍎 🚍If your child will ride the bus to and from school, be sure to review their route information here: https://bit.ly/MCSDBusRoutes2223 Before the first day, practice walking to and from the bus stop with your child at the exact times of day they will travel to and from their bus stop during the school year. Encourage your child to practice safe habits - looking and listening for cars, and waiting for their bus as far back from the roadway as possible. #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

✅ ON THE BALLOT ✅ Neighboring counties have passed millage referendums that allow them to compete with the Martin County School District for the most highly qualified educators and support personnel. The Martin County School Board aims to maintain the high level of excellence our community expects of MCSD. If the millage is renewed by voters next month, the School Board has committed to allocating more than $12M of the estimated $13.7M in funding generated in year one to stipends for teachers and support staff. Learn more about the ballot item: https://www.martinschools.org/page/referendum. Election Day is August 23. #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎 MONDAY MORNINGS WITH MILLAY🍎 Tune in to the WSTU 1450 AM Morning Show tomorrow at 8! Superintendent John D. Millay will chat live about all things #BacktoSchool in the Martin County School District. #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎COUNTDOWN TO #BACKTOSCHOOL🍎 Martin County families - our Back to School countdown is on! Have you visited our website to read up on what you need to know prior to the first day of classes? Be sure to review the bell schedule for your child's school here: https://www.martinschools.org/page/reopening#bell. Ensuring your child attends school on time and remains on campus for the duration of the school day will help position them for success! #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

✅ ON THE BALLOT ✅ Many residents are surprised to learn that due to our higher property values, Martin County does not receive as much state funding as other school districts. Click to listen as School Board Chair Christia Li Roberts (District 1) explains Florida's educational funding system and why a renewal of the millage referendum is needed for MCSD: https://youtu.be/zjakwjKiV8o Election Day is August 23. #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🎨CELEBRATING ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTS🎨 Congratulations to Ms. Ashley Monks, Indiantown Middle School's art teacher, for being named the 2022 Florida Art Education Association (FAEA) Middle School Art Educator of the Year! Ms. Monks has been teaching for 15 years, 8 of those years with the Martin County School District at IMS. She is loved by her students and her coworkers, who would say she is a great teammate and team leader. Throughout her career with MCSD, Ms. Monks has achieved many accomplishments, including being named the 2021 mARTies Art Educator of the Year and the IMS 2018 Teacher of the Year. On top of being an amazing art teacher, Ms. Monks also leads the Green Club at IMS! Thank you for all you do Ms. Monks, and congratulations on receiving this very deserved achievement! #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud