Color of Our Worlds May 2021
Educating ALL Students for Success!
🍎DISTRICT SET TO RETURN TO TRADITIONAL, IN-PERSON LEARNING IN 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR🍎
The Martin County School Board approved Superintendent John D. Millay's recommendation that the Martin County School District return to full-time, in-person traditional learning in the 2021-2022 school year.
"After a successful year of teaching through the pandemic, we are pleased to recommend an on-time, full return to in-person traditional learning for all MCSD students," Dr. Millay shared with the School Board. "It is our intent to welcome all students to in-person, traditional learning at District-operated school sites on Wednesday, August 11, 2021."
The School Board did not make a decision about the District's mask policy for next school year during the meeting. The Board will continue to monitor local data and receive guidance from public health experts before making decisions about risk mitigation strategies closer to the start of the school year.
Please click the link below to read Superintendent Millay's letter to students, employees and families about the District's 2021-2022 reopening plan.
🍎PREPARING FOR SUCCESS🍎
Our next statewide testing window will begin May 3, 2021. Please refer to these handy calendars to determine when your child will test. Specific details about subjects and dates will be shared by your child's school.
The MCSD Coordinator of Assessment and Accountability has confirmed the College Board moved AP Stat test date from May 13 to May 17.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS
While Florida families continue to retain their choice of flexible learning options, the
Martin County School District is encouraging students to resume attending school in person and on campus as they are able.
The Florida Department of Education is requiring all of this year's statewide assessments – including Florida Standards Assessments and End-of-Course Exams - to be taken in person. If your child is currently attending school remotely, we would appreciate the opportunity to welcome them back to campus. This will allow them to become reacquainted with the school-based learning environment and prepared to take state assessments.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child's school with questions or to request a change in learning options.
Martin County School District's Statewide Assessment Calendar
Reducing Test Anxiety
Answer yes or no to the questions below:
___1. Do you help your child make and stick to a study plan to prepare for a test?
___2. Do you tell your child that you expect him to do his best, but that you will love him no matter what grade he earns?
___3. Do you encourage your child to tell the teacher if tests make him nervous?
___4. Do you share calming techniques with your child, such as deep breathing, picturing a happy place or pushing against a wall?
___5. Do you teach your child to reassure himself with self-talk, such as “I studied. I know this. The answer will come to me”?
How well are you doing?
More yes answers mean you are reducing causes of test anxiety.
For each no, try that idea.
TIME TO REGISTER for SUMMER of 2021 Extended Day Programs and 2021-2022 Kindergarten
Extended Day summer programs are open to all students who will be enrolled in grades K-5 at a District-operated school next year. Programs will be held Monday - Friday beginning June 1 and running through July 23. Learn more and register online: https://www.martinschools.org/Page/10159.
Kathryn Rogers Talks with Crew of the RV Falkor!
The Martin County School District has the pleasure of participating in a live event with the
Schmidt Ocean Institute, Guy Harvey Magazine and Marine Lab Environmental Education Center,
as well as other students around the globe to discuss Earth Day!Kathryn Rogers, an aspiring scientist and 7th grade student at AMS Stallions, had the opportunity to talk with the crew of the RV Falkor which is currently anchored in the Ashmore Reef Marine Park in Australia.
Inquisitive Young Scientists at Hobe Sound Elementary School!
Kindergarten is learning all about living things and their life cycles. Students are getting to watch the life cycle of the butterfly from the egg.
Mrs. Cagni's 4th grade class, students were able to explore the plant life cycle in H.S.E.'s very own vegetable garden
LEARNING THROUGH OBSERVATION at Warfield Elementary School
We Hear You Memorial Created by WLC Students!
ELEMENTARY ARTISTS HONORED FOR CREATIVE TAG ART
The Martin County School District proudly partnered with Martin County Tax Collector, Ruth Pietruszewski's Office to host the annual Kids Tag Art (KTA) competition earlier this school year. All fifth-grade art students participated in the competition, using their artistic talents to create vanity license plates and keyfobs for purchase by the community.
All proceeds from tag art and keyfob sales will be donated back to District elementary schools in support of arts-related programs. Through the sale of students' creations, the Martin County Tax Collector's Office has donated more than $8️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ to local elementary schools since the program's inception in 2018!
To purchase a vanity plate or keyfob, please click here: https://www.mckta.com/.
Participating Title I Schools:
Hobe Sound Elementary School
Indiantown Middle School
The School of Science, Math & Technology, JD Parker Elementary School
Pinewood Elementary School
Port Salerno Elementary School
SeaWind Elementary School
MCSD Elementary Students 'GEERed Up' for Learning!
From January 26 to April 1, 184 students from five elementary schools participated in our Spring Gear Up, which was funded by Governor Ron DeSantis’ Emergency Education Relief Grant (GEER). The students attended after-school sessions three times a week to brush up on their reading skills. After 10 weeks, 82% of the students showed growth in reading achievement!
Students who had 80% attendance during these sessions were rewarded with a personal set of books from Scholastic to allow them to continue to grow as readers.
Bus Operator, Mr. Farmer, Recognizes Good Character!
Title I Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards for 2020-2021
We are grateful to the United Way of Martin County for recognizing 14 students as part of this year's Joe Kordick Youth Character recognition program! United Way of Martin County
Character Counts! advisory board members continued the pandemic-friendly recognition they started last year by placing signs at students’ homes that read “A Joe Kordick Youth Character Award Winner Lives Here.” Seniors were also presented with a $1,000 cash award and middle school recipients were presented with a plaque.
The Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards are named in honor of the late Joe Kordick, founding chairman and the driving force of CHARACTER COUNTS! in Martin County. He believed that character development starts at home, but also felt strongly that by bringing parents, teachers, community leaders, and businesses together, everyone could share the task of teaching young people to be responsible and to live with integrity.
Congratulations to this year's award recipients:
Bianca Morales-Soto, Indiantown Middle School
Marissa Brodie, Murray Middle School
Lily Rice, Murray Middle School
Anderson Middle School Student Wins 4 Year College Scholarship!
We are so grateful for the support of the Copper Key Promise Program - a collaboration between The Community Foundation of Martin - St. Lucie, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, House of Hope and Nina Haven Scholarships Inc. The program provides mentorship, supplemental educational services and scholarships to students right here in our Martin County community.
We are so proud of D'Asia, a 7th-grader at AMS Stallions, for being named the recipient of a four-year college scholarship this year!
"I'm very excited. I always wanted to go to college, and I knew that we weren't in a good place with money, so I always tried to narrow down my options," D'Asia said. "But my mom told me to follow my dreams and be who I want to be, and now I feel like there's hope."
2021-2022 SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS ANNOUNCED
Jensen Beach High School (JBHS) will be open to ALL Martin County residents this school year. Students will not be required to enroll in a signature program to attend JBHS.
Hobe Sound Elementary School, SeaWind Elementary, Indiantown Middle School, Murray Middle School and Stuart Middle School will be open to out-of-county residents through the controlled open enrollment plan.
Section 1002.31, Florida Statutes, requires each district school board and charter school to adopt a controlled open enrollment plan that allows a parent from any school district in the state to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school that has not reached capacity. The controlled open enrollment plan is in addition to the existing choice programs such as magnet schools, alternative schools, special programs, advanced placement, and dual enrollment.
The application window for high school signature programs is currently open and will close April 2, 2021 (Martin County High School and South Fork High School) and April 5, 2021 (Jensen Beach High School). To learn more about our high school signature programs, please click here: https://www.martinschools.org/Page/9208.
The choice (in-county residents) application window will open March 1 and close July 31, 2021.
The controlled open enrollment (out-of-county residents) application window will open March 1 and close March 31, 2021.
The employee choice (for MCSD employees) application window will open March 1 and close July 31, 2021.
Parent University Workshop - 6:00 p.m. - Thursday, May 6, 2021
Topic: Safety & Security
WHO: Representatives of the Martin County School District's Instructional Services Department, parents/guardians of Martin County students.
WHAT: Virtual Parent University Workshop
WHEN: 6:00 p.m. - Thursday, May 6, 2021
WHERE: Parents/guardians must register for the session by visiting bit.ly/mcsdparentu. The Zoom meeting link will be sent to all registered participants prior to the workshop.
WHY: The Martin County School District is pleased to present informational workshops via Zoom for all parents/guardians to access. A different topic will be shared in English and Spanish each month, with this month's Workshop focused on required programming - courses, topics and content the District is mandated to present to students.
To learn more about our Parent University framework, please click here.
The majority of our playgrounds have been reopened for students effective immediately!
The District will continue to follow its established risk mitigation strategies and public health guidance when allowing students to resume using equipment for play and recess.
Thank You, Amy Holley for 27 Years of Service at Warfield Elementary School!
Superintendent John D. Millay and the Martin County School Board celebrated the retirement of Warfield Elementary School's Amy Holley.
Ms. Holley's commitment to Warfield and the Village of Indiantown community began in her childhood - she attended Warfield as a child, has served the school faithfully as an educator for 27 years, and now her grandchildren have followed in her footsteps as students!
"Ms. Holley is an outstanding teacher, colleague, mentor and friend," Principal Crissy Smith shared.
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Ms. Holley!
Port Salerno Elementary School Students Eat the Rainbow!
Students at Port Salerno Elementary School were served the rainbow for lunch thanks to the FNS staff. They were treated to red delicious apples, tangerines, baby carrots, cantaloupe, honey dew, broccoli, cucumber, rainbow carrot coins, golden delicious apples, yellow squash and Florida fresh zucchini grown in Plant City.
All students eat free during the 2020-2021 school year!
While all students will receive free breakfasts and lunches this year, we are still asking all families to complete a meal application to ensure funding continues to be available to support Martin County students.
Free Suppers and Snacks, Too!
It's More than a Meal Application!
¡Es más que una solicitud de comida!
Pick 3!
“I say Ooh You Say Ahh” / “Yo Digo Ooh Tu Dices Ahh”
Picture books are a wonderful way to talk about big topics with children (and adults). These books for children focus on themes related to immigration, including the many kinds of journeys people make when moving to a new land, as well as some of the experiences that children in immigrant families experience.
These titles can provide important 'mirrors' and 'windows' for children and families from a wide range of backgrounds, and may also prove to be important resources for immigrant families at home.
Note: Keep in mind that some of the topics in these books may elicit strong feelings from children, especially those who have experienced some kind of trauma. Use discretion when choosing which titles to share with children in private or group settings.
(Retrieved from https://www.colorincolorado.org/booklist/immigration-stories-books-young-children, April 26, 2021.)
Angelina's Island
By: Jeanette Winter
Age Level: 3-6
Language: English
Every day, Angelina tells her mother she wants to go home. Not to their new city home, cold and gray and unfamiliar — but their old island home, sunny and colorful and filled with rainbow-colored fruits and birds. Angelina believes she'll never feel at home in this new place, until her mother finds a wonderful surprise in the newspaper. A beautiful tribute to the traditions of the West Indies, Carnival, and the longing for home that young immigrants will recognize immediately.
Annushka's Voyage
By: Edith Tarbescu
Illustrated by: Lydia Dabcovich
Age Level: 6-9
"Narrated by elder sister Annushka, the story tells of two Russian girls who leave their native home and their beloved grandparents to begin a new life in New York with their father. Their parting from their relatives is wrenching, yet their future is full of possibility…An afterword includes an antique photograph of the real sisters, the author's mother and aunt, along with a historical note regarding the persecution of Jews in Russia during the late 1800s." — School Library Journal
Cora Cooks Pancit
By: Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
Illustrated by: Kristi Valiant
Age Level: 6-9
Language: English
Cora wants to learn how to cook, but she's too young to do the jobs her older siblings do. One day, however, after the older kids have all gone out together, Cora asks her mother what they can cook together. To her surprise, Cora's mother asks her what she would like to make, and Cora chooses her favorite Filipino noodle dish, pancit. This family story about the importance of sharing tradition is brought to life by Kristi Valiant's charming illustrations and includes a bilingual glossary of Tagalog words.
Dreamers
By: Yuyi Morales
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)
In 1994, Caldecott Honor artist and five-time Pura Belpré winner Yuyi Morales left her home in Xalapa, Mexico and came to the U.S. with her infant son. In this picture book which she wrote and illustrated, Yuyi tells the story of how she and her son made a home in a new place, finding refuge at the public library. A Spanish-language version is also available. Pura Belpré Author Award Winner.
Home at Last
By: Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrated by: Felipe Davalos
Age Level: 6-9
Language: English
When Ana's family comes to the U.S., she can tell that her mother misses their life and family in Mexico terribly. In addition, she doesn't want to learn English, and she relies on Ana and her husband to translate. Soon, however, Ana's mother realizes that English may be the key to finally feeling at home in her new country. A touching tribute to the children — and their parents — who have come to the U.S. for a better life.
I'm Here New
By: Anne Sibley O'Brien
Age Level: 6-9
Language: English
Maria, Jin, and Fatimah are new to their American elementary school. The words that they hear around them and see on the page are confusing. They each long for the language that they understand and the friends who understand them back home. They feel as though they don’t fit in—they are alone, confused, and sad in their new school. After observing those around them, each new student slowly gains the confidence to interact with their new surroundings. They realize that their peers and teachers are very supportive, welcoming, and excited to learn what these new classmates have to share.
Month of May Literary Events
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Celebrate Asian Pacific American heritage with these booklists from Colorín Colorado.
MAY 3-7 Teacher Appreciation Week
Try titles that celebrate teachers with this Read Across America booklist.
MAY 17 Brown v. Board of Education
Commemorate the anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision with our Read Across America booklist.
MAY 31 Memorial Day
Share books in this Read Across America booklist help young people understand the significance of Memorial Day.
Retrieved from https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/2020-2021-calendar/may-2021, April 26, 2021.
Auto-Biography
Some of my stories are set in North America, some in India. Some cross from one place into the other and back again, just like me.
I was born in New Delhi, India. My father worked for the government, so we moved quite often which meant that every four years or so, I was in a new school. I didn’t have any brothers or sisters, so books were my friends. The stories I read and the stories I made up in my head both felt very real to me.
The first story I ever wrote was in green crayon on a wall. Of course, it got painted over, so I have no idea what it was about but I do remember it had ducks in it.
Many writers of my generation have fond memories of pen and ink. I fell in love with typewriter keys! My father had a Remington Rand manual typewriter. I can still remember the clean sharp smell of inky ribbon. When I struck the keys, metal letters would fly up to hit the paper and leave their mark. I hammered away at those keys. I wrote stories and typed them up. At ten, I began sending my writing off to magazines. When I was thirteen, my first poem was published in “Children’s World,” an Indian children’s magazine.
I read all the time, even though no one at the time wrote anything about the world I lived in. I read everything I could lay my hands on–Hans Christian Andersen, A.A.Milne, Beatrix Potter, Noel Streatfield, a couple of books by E. Nesbit, and old copies of Life magazine and the Reader’s Digest Junior Treasury. Like so many kids in India then, I read Enid Blyton. There was a lot in Blyton’s books that mystified me. I didn’t know what scones were, or heather. Eventually I got disillusioned with her books, but I still have fond Blyton memories. She taught me to race through stories, breathless, heading into the drama, reading for context and clue. Maybe it was all just practice for the writer I’d end up becoming.
All the places in India where I lived left their imprint upon me. So did former homes in suburban Maryland and in the high mesas of northwest New Mexico.
Now I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Some of my stories are set in North America, some in India. Some cross from one place into the other and back again, just like me. I teach in the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, VT. That haunted hall on a green hill has also become a part of who I am.
(Retrieved from https://umakrishnaswami.org/, April 26, 2021)
What is Your Why?
Reflection Promotes Growth!
When people think of the 2020-2021 school year, many will remember its challenges. But don’t lose sight of your child’s successes!
Sit down together and talk about:
Things that went well.
Did he persist despite difficulties? What new skills did he build? Celebrate his accomplishments!
Learning goals for the summer.
Ask the teacher what your child should work on to start the next year strong.
What You Do Matters!
#LearnWithMe
COVID-19 has impacted the lives of millions. But despite school closures and other lockdown measures, the young people in this video series are finding new and interesting ways to stay engaged whilst coping with home-schooling and staying indoors. From dance to sport, from cooking to art, they are turning to their passions and interests to stay positive and learn new skills.
Each story is a window into the life of a young person who inspires with original tips for learning something new.
It’s time to reimagine a better world for every child. Check back for new episodes in our #LearnWithMe series.
Thank You to our outstanding school volunteers and community partners in education!
Congratulations to each of our outstanding school volunteers and community partners in education! 2,200 volunteers and community partners provided more than 80,000 hours of service in the 2019-2020 school year, resulting in an estimated financial impact of $2.2 million.
Please join us in extending heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for their contributions during the 2019-2020 school year:
Youth Volunteers of the Year
Juan Escandon, Pinewood Elementary School
Mia Gifford, Port Salerno Elementary School
Laura Currie, SeaWind Elementary School
Lily Duke, Warfield Elementary School
Lillian Ervin, Warfield Elementary School
Ashlee Farias, Indiantown Middle School
Adult Volunteers of the Year
Brenda Cicchini, Hobe Sound Elementary School
Emily Morello, Pinewood Elementary School
Leisa Bee, Port Salerno Elementary School
Holly Ridgway, SeaWind Elementary School
Marria Carrington, Warfield Elementary School
Deb Stillwell, Anderson Middle School
Angelina Perez, Indiantown Middle School
June Martin, Murray Middle School
Jan Horrell, The Hope Center for Autism
Senior Volunteers of the Year
Charles and Cynthia Warner, Hobe Sound Elementary School
Susan Torres, JD Parker School
Mary Schellhamer, Pinewood Elementary School
Clare Scornavacca, Port Salerno Elementary School
Marilyn Patterson, SeaWind Elementary School
Karlee Shostrom, Warfield Elementary School
Mr. and Mrs. Fichel, Indiantown Middle School
Jordan Bernstein, Riverbend Academy
Community Partners in Education
Symphony at Stuart, Pinewood Elementary School
Michelina's Restaurant and Catering, Port Salerno Elementary School
Subway#14878, Warfield Elementary School
Reich & Mancini, P.A., Indiantown Middle School
Lowe's Home Improvement, The Hope Center for Autism
Develop Passion & Perseverance
Books help students explore, inspire interests, and launch investigations. Share titles and start discussions that will encourage them to observe, wonder, predict, invent, and evaluate the world around them.
Elementary
Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando
by Andrea Wang
Following World War II, Momofuku Ando struggles to perfect his recipe for a noodle soup that is delicious, inexpensive, and a quick way to feed the hungry.
Middle Grade
When You Trap a Tiger
by Tae Keller
Lily takes on a quest from the tiger from her grandmother’s Korean folktales in the hopes it will heal her sick grandmother.
Young Adult
Frankly in Love
by David Yoon
Frank’s parents insist that he only date Koreans, so when he falls for Brit, who is white, he teams up with Joy so they can pretend to date each other in order to have the freedom to spend time to date who they like.
MCSD Adopts Schoology as its Learner Management SYstem (LMS) for School Year 2021-22!
ClassLink SingleSignOn
Google G-Suite
Focus School Software
Community Resources
Martin County School District Title I Schools and Program Staff
Elementary Schools:
Hobe Sound Elementary
JD Parker Elementary School
Pinewood Elementary School
Port Salerno Elementary School
Seawind Elementary School
Warfield Elementary School
Secondary Schools:
David Anderson Middle School
Indiantown Middle School
Murray Middle School
Spectrum Academy
Willoughby Learning Center
Title I Program Staff
Shela Khanal, Director of Title I Programs
Debra George, Coordinator of Title I Programs
Deb Stull, Coordinator District Title Programs: ELL, Immigrant, and FIT
Casey Vasko, Federal Programs/ Equitable Services Liaison
Yvonne Blanco, Title I Department Secretary
Website: https://fl02202359.schoolwires.net/Domain/360
Phone: 772-219-1200