Student safety has always been the top priority in Monroe Public Schools, and now the district’s schools are safer than ever, following the installation of new security and technology equipment made possible through a competitive state grant from the Michigan State Police.
Monroe Public Schools was awarded $168,583 through the Competitive School Safety Grant Program to enhance access control and increase door security with new equipment and technology upgrades. The sizable grant enabled MPS to purchase new audio-video intercom systems and to nearly double the number of doors in the district that utilize electronic locks.
“As a district, we have been proactive utilizing technology to secure entrance to our schools and buildings,” Superintendent Dr. Julie Everly asserted. “We had already implemented single access buzzer systems and cameras. The grant allowed us to accelerate our security plans.”
Through the bid process, MPS selected Red Letter Productions as the source for the new equipment and installation, which was completed in August. The district’s previous equipment used black-and-white monitors. The new system features larger, color displays that can provide a greater field of view when used with additional cameras.
The grant funded electronic locks for 70 doors at the schools, and the district paid for 10, bringing the total number of electronic-access doors in Monroe Public Schools to 156. The increased control over building access provided the option for MPS to move away from building keys, David Payne, Executive Director of Technology said.
Staff now use badges instead of signing out keys. The Technology Department can disable the badges during the summer, and a card can be deactivated if it is lost. The doors to the industrial wing of Monroe High School can remain locked throughout the day now. I-wing students are issued cards which enable them to enter the career center.
“All doors can now be secured during school hours,” Payne emphasized. “There is no need for any doors to be propped open at recess or any other time, because teachers and staff can access them with the badges. Students feel safer, and staff feel safer, before and after school.”
The new enhancements are just part of the school district’s security measures. In addition to keeping exterior doors locked and utilizing a centralized building entrance location with camera-feed system, MPS safety protocols include background checks for all visitors, video surveillance, and training in safety initiatives such as ALICE – Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. The School Messenger alert system is used to send emergency communications to parents via phone and text.
Two Police Liaisons are stationed in the district on weekdays – Officer Brian Winsjansen, a member of the City of Monroe Police Department, and Deputy Joe Hammond, a member of the Monroe County Sheriff Department. MPS has strong relationships with both departments. In the event of a crisis, the new technology at Monroe Public Schools enables the district to grant law enforcement remote access to their system.
“The safety of our students and staff is at the heart of everything we do at Monroe Public Schools,” Dr. Everly stressed. “In order for students to learn,” she said, “they have to feel safe.”
In the spring of 2018, the superintendent sought input from students, staff, parents, and community members, utilizing a Monroe Minute Survey focused on school safety. Roundtables provided additional opportunities for feedback.
“The conversations we engaged in with parents and stakeholders affirmed their support for protocols to ensure student safety,” Dr. Everly said.
Social-emotional issues are also part of many national school safety discussions. MPS students benefit from the district’s commitment to have a social worker and a positive climate liaison in every building, who offer support, engage students, and help them to develop connections. District officials also urge parents to encourage students to continue having conversations at home, and to have dialogues at school about any safety concerns that arise.
“It is critical for staff and parents to communicate to students that if they hear of a potential threat to safety or security that they should report it,” Dr. Everly stressed. ”Let us know, so we can investigate it and take the appropriate measures to keep our students and staff safe.”
The Board and Administration pride themselves on being proactive to implement steps to protect the school community. “We are taking steps to ensure that all MPS staff are trained in school safety practices and initiatives,” Board President Robert Nichols said, “and we will continue to monitor new emerging technologies to strengthen security preparedness and protocols.”
“School safety is a topic we think about every single day,” Dr. Julie Everly concluded. “We are committed to making every effort to ensure our students a learning environment in which they feel safe.”
Monroe Public Schools Enhances Security with $168K Grant
We asked and you answered! The Monroe Minute Survey results have been posted! See what your thoughts were about Curriculum Offerings and Student Use of Cell Phones in Schools by visiting https://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/District/5722-MonroeMinute.html
Raisinville Elementary School Authorized to Offer International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program
MONROE, MI – Monroe Public Schools announces the designation of Raisinville Elementary School as fully authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.
The Primary Years Program (PYP) is offered to students aged 3-12 in 1,653 schools in 109 different countries worldwide. It encompasses a transdisciplinary framework focusing on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both at school and beyond. Informed by research into how students learn, how educators teach, and the principles and practice of effective assessment, the program places a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning. Additionally, the PYP incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, asking students to look at six related, transdisciplinary themes and to consider the links between them. The themes include: who we are; where we are in place and time; how we express ourselves; how the world works; how we organize ourselves; and sharing the planet. It provides schools with a curriculum framework of essential elements — the knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action that young students need to equip them for successful lives, both now and in the future.
“This honor is the culmination of five years of hard work, determination and study by our talented and dedicated staff,” said Raisinville Principal, Scott Hoppert. “Through implementation of the PYP, Raisinville School will continue to develop students’ academic, social and emotional wellbeing, focusing on international-mindedness and strong personal values, while nurturing independent learning skills, and encouraging every student to take responsibility for their learning.”
“I am so very proud of Raisinville Elementary School’s students, staff and leadership,” said Monroe Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Julie Everly. “They all worked very hard to achieve this prestigious distinction – which will provide all of Monroe Public Schools’ elementary-aged students yet another exciting and innovative program that prepares them for whatever future they want to achieve.”
The PYP is a transformative experience for students, teachers and whole school communities. PYP students learn how to take control of their learning, teachers collaborate to deepen student- learning and increase their confidence and self-motivation. The whole school community, including parents, are viewed as partners in learning, and actively contribute to a holistic educational experience.
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The Monroe Youth Advisory Council presents Pop-Up-Palooza. A gathering of small businesses to market their business and sell their products on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in St. Mary's Park on Elm St. in Monroe. If you are a small business and would like to participate, sign up at https://forms.gle/NWshzRppMkqbwSBd6.
Registration for this event has ended, however, we invite you to join us for some great shopping!
Questions? Call (734) 265-3185.
The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education has designated May 6-10, 2019 as School Family Appreciation Week.
Each day this week, we will honor our staff as scheduled below (also see attached Board Resolution):
Monday, May 6 - Administrators and Exempt Employees
Tuesday, May 7 - Teachers
Wednesday, May 8 - Custodial/Maintenance and Bus Drivers
Thursday, May 9 - Assistants and Kids Club/Preschool Employees
Friday, May 10 - Secretaries and all other Support Personnel
Watch for videos to be posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/MonroePublicSchools
For students to utilize the Tele-health Technology at our elementary school campuses, please download and complete the attached form. Thank you.
Please see the attached letter from Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Julie Everly about the effect of school cancellations.
Monroe Public Schools Families, if you have not already done so, we need your help in completing the Household Information Survey by Thursday, January 31. This information helps Monroe Public Schools qualify to receive funding to provide programs like free and reduced lunch for all students, after school intervention programs, enrichment opportunities, expanded college and career planning and much more! Choose the form at the bottom under Resources, titled "Household Information Survey." Thank you!
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Choose the form title Household_Information_Survey, print it, complete it, and send it to your child's teacher.
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The MHS Trojan Marching Band received a "Straight Ones" division rating at MSBOA Marching Band Festival this past Monday. This means that all three judges gave us no lower than an A- rating in any given adjudication category. Our students impressed some tough critics and left it all on the field at Flat Rock HS, giving the best performance yet. They continue to impress new band director, Mr. Joseph Swinkey, daily with their social, emotional, and musical growth. Thank you to everyone at MPS who has taught, mentored, transported, and cleaned up after these kids, K-12, as they learn and grow. Your investment is their success: without it, this accomplishment would not be possible!
Our band and football team also received some positive press from local columnist Tom Treece in the Monroe News last week. Here is the link to the news article (http://www.monroenews.com/news/20181009/tom-treece-monroe-high-school-trojan-game-refreshing). Keep up with students in the Monroe Band Program, and see our performance schedule with the link to our band website, found in my signature, and by following the Monroe Instrumental Music Boosters on Facebook!