What's the Buzz?

As we continue to work together to keep our staff and students safe, it is important that our families are aware of the most current quarantine guidelines. Based on the updated information released by the Ohio Department of Health and the guidance provided by the Butler County General Health District the following criteria are utilized for quarantine and exclusion from school.

• Students within 3 feet of a positive case on the bus or in a class setting with masks worn for a cumulative of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period would be quarantined and excluded from school.
• Students sitting within 6 feet of a positive case during lunch would be quarantined and excluded from school.
• Students within 6 feet of a positive case where masks were NOT worn properly in any setting for a cumulative of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period would be quarantined and excluded from school.
• Students within 6 feet of a positive case where masks were worn properly in the school setting or on the bus CAN attend the school day, however, they are excluded from all extracurricular activities for the full 14 days after the date of contact.

Below are the criteria for quarantine and exclusion from school based on the new guidance from the Butler County General Health District. Students are only permitted to use the shortened quarantine/exclusion to return to the school day. Students must wait the full 14 days to return to any extracurricular activities.

Monroe Local School District's kindergarten registration will open up on Friday, February 5, 2021. We are looking forward to a great group of kindergarteners for 2021-2022!

For those parents interested in our preschool program, registration will open in April. Once a date has been set, we will share it on our website, news, and social media.

Enrollment Process

1. Please go to monroelocalschools.com and click on the "Enrollment" link on the top of the home page to follow directions to the OneView Portal.
2. When you start Part 1 of the enrollment process, there is a section titled “Enrollment Is For.” Click on the drop-down box and choose next year, 2021-22.
3. Make sure to provide all requested documents. Your child cannot be placed in a class until all documents have been uploaded.
4. Please finish your registration by the end of May.

If your child is a current kindergartener moving into first grade, you do not need to enroll. You will receive an email reminder to fill out the beginning of year forms when the new school year starts.

If you have any questions, please call the Monroe Primary Office at 513-360-0700 or email either:

• Mrs. Griffis jgriffis@monroelocalschools.com
• Mrs. Stevens hstevens@monroelocalschools.com

In order for Monroe staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, the district had a remote learning day on Friday, February 5, and will have a second one on Friday, February 26.

Since Monroe staff must report off-site to receive the vaccine during the day, please be mindful that your child’s remote learning day will likely be more self-paced and self-directed. Teachers will be communicating with parents and students about what their remote learning will look like that day.

We are grateful that our staff has this opportunity to receive the vaccination so soon and appreciate your flexibility. The COVID-19 vaccination is one important tool in our fight against this pandemic. Please continue following guidelines to wear masks, social distance, wash hands, and limit large gatherings.

A Monroe teacher is inspiring other teachers with her creativity in the classroom. Janice Harris, K-1 art teacher at Monroe Primary School, had two of her class art projects featured on www.weareteachers.com. The site shares classroom ideas and inspiration for teachers.

One of Mrs. Harris' featured projects introduces the idea of texture by having students study tree bark with all its whorls and swirls. Students draw simple trees full of patterns with crayons and fill in the background with watercolors. Another featured project is having students create bowls inspired by Dale Chihuly’s glass art. Students use coffee filters and markers to make their own colorful creations!

It is awesome for other teachers to see and appreciate the wonderful teachers we have in Hornet Country!

At Monroe Junior High School, students can earn Hornet points for doing the right thing and meeting shared expectations. There are three categories that students can earn points in--Relentless, Better Together, and Stand Up and Own It. This incentive program is part of the school's PBIS initiatives to incentivize positive student behaviors.

"We are very proud of our students for rising to meet expectations and the “R-Factor” in Hornet Country," said MJHS Principal Logan Stanger.

Many junior high students choose to exchange their Hornet points for prizes at lunch, but some choose to enter them in a raffle. The following MJHS students were the Hornet Point raffle winners for the second quarter.

Samira Muhammad (8th Grade) - AirPods

Ava Heitmeyer (7th Grade), Dawson Watts (7th Grade), and MJ Mapp (8th Grade) - Wings and Rings Gift Cards.

Pictured (L-R) Samira, M.J., Dawson, and Ava

To keep our schools open, we need everyone's help in following our health and safety protocols. Please continue to conduct a daily wellness check, including a temperature check, before sending your child to school. Students with temperatures over 100°F should stay home.

If your child is feeling ill or exhibits any of the COVID-19 symptoms listed below, do not send your child to school. People with COVID-19 report a variety of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

Please do not assume a symptom is an allergy or cold and send your child to school. If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms below, they should not come to school.

People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Thrive in the Hive is a monthly mental health newsletter produced by Access Counseling Services. The goal of this newsletter is to provide Monroe families with education, interventions, and self-care tips for you and your children to take care of your mental health.

Thrive in the Hive - February 2021

Monroe Local School District is looking to fill a variety of positions from substitute teachers to bus drivers.

All job listings are posted here:

https://www.applitrack.com/bcc/onlineapp/default.aspx

If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher, please apply through the Bulter County Education Service Center at https://www.bcesc.org

February 5: Remote Learning Day (No In-Person Instruction)

February 12: No School - Teacher In-service Day

February 15: No School - Presidents Day

February 22: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - Monroe Elementary Cafeteria (Open to the public. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests must wear masks and space is limited)

February 26: Remote Learning Day (No In-Person Instruction)

Visitors to our What's the Buzz e-newsletter can now translate our newsletter into multiple languages. The translation feature is powered by Google Translate. Once you access the newsletter online, go to the top right side at the Accessibility Bar, and click on the "Translate Newsletter" link. A dropdown menu will be provided to allow you to select your chosen language.

Ahora la traducción está disponible para el boletín informativo

Email: info@monroelocalschools.com
Website: www.monroelocalschools.com
Location: 500 Yankee Road, Monroe, OH, USA
Phone: (513) 539-2536
Facebook: facebook.com/MLSDHomeoftheHornets
Twitter: @MonroeLSD