The MCS District Update March

Dear MCS Families,

March has arrived, and Spring Break is less than a week away! As a reminder, Intervention Days are scheduled on March 7 and March 8. If your child is required to attend Intervention, your student's school will contact you. Spring Break officially begins on Monday, March 11 and ends on Friday, March 15. Maryville City Schools will also be closed on Election Day, Tuesday March 5. Spring term is always a busy time of year, and we encourage you stay tuned to social media, school communication, our website, and our new MCS App (launching at the end of March) to stay abreast of the many activities and events within our district. We hope our MCS families have a restful, fun, and safe spring break. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday, March 18, refreshed and ready to tackle the final 9 weeks of the 23-24 school year.

THIS MONTH'S UPDATE CONTAINS:

• 2022-2023 MCS Reward Schools
• Spring Break 2024
• One Book Blitz
• Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry
• Link to MCS Fine and Performing Arts Newsletter
• MCS Celebrates Spotlight 2024
• Ready Graduate Update
• MJHS Ready Graduate Gazette
• Rebel Card on Sale Now
• MCS Student Life
• Relatives Raising Children - Community Resource Event
• School Safety Update
• American Sign Language Course Fundraiser

- WE ARE MARYVILLE -

February has been a great month of celebrating reading with One Book Blitz! We have enjoyed visiting our schools to see the creative activities centered around Charlotte's Web. On Saturday, March 2, please join us for a production of Charlotte's Web presented by the Maryville High School Theatre Class (flyer below).

We extend our gratitude to the numerous sponsors who partnered with our schools to make this event possible.

The Mobile Food Pantry sponsored by Second Harvest Food Bank and Monte Vista Baptist Church will take place on March 2 between 9:00 am - 11:00 am.

FLYER IN ENGLISH

FLYER IN SPANISH

On February 19, MCS held our annual Spotlight Event. Hosted by the district office and school administrators, Spotlight celebrated our 850 staff members who pour into the lives of students each day. Dr. Winstead reinforced the event's theme of "No Place Like Maryville" by acknowledging our district's supportive parents, engaged students who are eager to learn, a supportive community, a knowledgeable student-first school board, and engaged staff, administrators and teachers who will do anything for students. Together, they create a special combination that embodies the spirit of Maryville City Schools - WE ARE MARYVILLE!

R.A. Dickey, retired MLB pitcher and the only knuckleball pitcher to receive the prestigious Cy Young Award, encouraged MCS employes to think each day about a student who "might need a little extra," sharing that he was that student growing up. Dickey said, "My life was moved and transformed because I had teachers and coaches in my life who could see that I needed a little extra." He added, "I promise you, you may not see it, you may not even know about it this side of eternity, but you’ll make a difference that you can’t possibly fathom. And I’m proof of it.”

A special thank you to the families who donated gift cards to use as door prizes for the event!

Another highlight of Spotlight was the longevity awards to honor teachers and staff who have been with our district for both 25 and 30 years. Please join us in celebrating:

30 Years:

Deana Bishop

25 years:

Alyson Colclough

Julie Drake-Roberts

Kathy Lambert

Joe Pinkerton

Jill Pope

Stephanie Rinck

Lisa Tuggle

Chase Vandervelde

Julie Willenborg

Whitney Tipton

Kim Lands

Click HERE to access the Daily Times coverage of the event.

Leading up to the last nine weeks, the Ready Graduate realm is busy! The Intermediate schools are full steam ahead with their Career Cafes and Maryville Express operations. Next week, the Masonry Institute of Tennessee will present on their craft and offer a hands-on demonstration at CGIS, and, on March 21st, MRIS and MHS students will help operate Maryville Express at FHE Exploration Night. Mr. Wise has been busy at MJHS planning events for students who have identified interest in specific career fields through SchooLinks. On March 22nd, several students will have the chance to visit the Aveda Hair Institute, and, on April 5th, we have twenty students visiting the Cirrus Aircraft Experience Center. In the high school world, students are either completing registration or gearing up for life after graduation! For the first time, the Blount Partnership invited local high schools to attend the Blount County Job Fair. This opportunity provided exposure and experience to our students who are looking to join the workforce after high school graduation. Behind the scenes, Mrs. Hilton and Mrs. Stowers have spent time working with our postsecondary partners to continue to develop and refine Local Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment opportunities to best serve students who are interested in earning college credit while in high school. We are so grateful for all of the partners who are so deeply invested in our kids. These last few weeks will be a whirlwind, and we're excited to finish strong!

Rebel Cards have arrived! Support the MHS Football Team AND take advantage of great discounts from businesses in our community. You can buy your $20 Rebel Card from any football player, and cards can also be purchased at our district office (cash or check).

ONE TIME DISCOUNTS OFFERED BY:

J. Dansforth

Art of Cakes

Walnut Kitchen

Cryo Stretch

Southern Grace at the Manor

Lambert Acres

Calhoun's

Dandy Lions

Neighborhood Barre

Neighborly Books

Crest Bowling

Chicken Salad Chick

Amici's

Zaxby's

MULTI-USE DISCOUNTS OFFERED BY:

Car Fix

Pokey's and Sports

Beard Brother's Coffee

Gondolier

Great American Cookie Company

Buddy's BBQ

Los Amigos

Hardees

Kenjo

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

ABC Monograms

Honey Baked Ham

MP Hibachi Gill

El Jimador

Ming Tree

Southern Twist

Subs n' Such

Soup Kitchen

Bella Roma

Maryville Corner Market

Washington Cleaners

Captain D's

Midland Cleaners

Panchos Mexican Restaurant

Las Margaritas 411

Chapuline's Street Tacos

Calloway's Kitchen

Flowers & Such

As we approach the last nine weeks of school, we are finalizing the integration of the Centegix CrisisAlert system with our intercoms, and we are beginning to conduct drills using the badges. We are excited to have this system fully operational. At the same time, we are planning for summer! In partnership with the Maryville Police Department, we are sending all of our SROs to the TNSRO conference this summer in Pigeon Forge. This professional development is an integral way to ensure that our frontline of defense is well prepared in the event of an emergency. We are grateful to MPD for their commitment to ensuring safe schools, and we are grateful to our SROs for all they do in our schools each day.

March 5: No School

March 7-8: Intervention & Enrichment - No School (unless your student is attending Intervention or Enrichment) Or, makeup snow day, if needed.

March 11-15: Spring Break - No School

March 29: Holiday - No School

May 10: Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony

May 17: Last Day for Students

May 21: Summer School Begins