Monticello Live

The Monticello School District is considering the use of Sub-Teach USA to help handle all business related to obtaining substitute teachers. Superintended Bobby Harper said that benefits to using the company would include the district no longer being required to handle or pay for benefits, workman’s compensation, background checks, central registry checks, and all of the other paperwork that substitute teachers require.

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At Monticello Middle School, Cindy Hudgens’ 8th grade World History class were the happy recipients of a free novel, courtesy of World Book Night. World Book Night U.S. is an ambitious campaign to personally give out thousands of free, specially printed books across America. Volunteer book lovers helped promote reading by going into our communities and handing out free copies of a book they loved to new or light readers

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The 2012 Family Fun Fest on April 28 at McCloy Park in Monticello was a huge success. Over 900 parents, children and volunteers attended the event. The event was hosted by Preschool and Headstart programs from Monticello, Drew Central, Hamburg, Crossett, Warren and McGehee. Also working with the event were UAM, UAM-McGehee campus, HIPPY, AR Dept. of Health and Ameri-Corp volunteers.

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Katherine Dickson, 6th grader, at Monticello Middle School placed 1st at the SE AR Regional Student Art Exhibit in her category. Her artwork has advanced to the state level and will be on display at the Butler Center in Little Rock. Her artwork is titled, “Aboriginal Dream”.

The students at Monticello Middle School kicked off their first week of raising canned goods in support of Stamp Out Hunger for the National Association of Letter Carriers. The students of Mr. Abbott’s homeroom class raised 29 cans this first week. MMS will continue to support this greatly needed cause for two more weeks.

The Food Drive will take place on May 12, 2012. If you are interested in participating, Monticello city residents can leave canned goods by the mailbox or in the mailbox before the usual mail deliver time on the 12th of May and the carrier will pick it up. If you have a child at Monticello Middle School, please send canned goods in support of your child helping this cause.

Monticello Middle School has been selected to participate in the “Communities Take Root” program—a collaboration between FTPF and Dreyer’s Fruit Bars which will award fruit tree orchards to facilities across the U.S. to help strengthen their communities. The Communities Take Root fruit tree grant would allow Monticello Middle School to have a fruit tree orchard of around 25 fruit trees on campus.

Grant winners are based on the number of votes from people like you! Please help us make this a reality by telling all of your friends, posting on Facebook, and voting yourself at this website http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index. You can vote every day until May 30- thanks!

This week’s nutrition winners were (pictured from left to right) are Shontiara Johnson, Jacob Watts, and Martinez Jordan. The question was which of these fruits is healthier for you? The answer was blueberries. The nutrition trivia is designed by MMS EAST’s nutrition project along with the help of Mrs. Jane Pelkki. MMS EAST’s nutrition project is used to promote healthy eating and fitness in the schools.

** This Friday will be arena scheduling day. We will start at 8:00 with the current juniors, 10:00 sophomores, and 1:00 freshmen. Be sure that you have a ride to get you home when you finish with your schedule.

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How many preschoolers can you fit in the back seat of a State Trooper car?

On April 11, 2012, Officer Larry Smith and Trooper Liz Hoffman demonstrated how they use their police cars to help with their jobs.

The students were given the opportunity to sit in the front and back seats of the cars and were informed of how some of the equipment is used on a daily basis. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and were giving safety information concerning calling 911 and how police officers are there to help them if they have a problem.

Monticello Pre-K would like to thank our law enforcement officers for giving them the opportunity to learn more about their jobs and their service to our community.

Monticello Middle School’s entry for a mural for Coca Cola. This mural is on display in Camden at the Coca Cola plant. The Students are as follows: Blythe Christensen, Delaney Davis, Colton Robinson, & Jacob Watts. The title of the mural is “Coke Float River.”

Front Row: Shelby White, Rebecca Stephenson, Daniel Wigley, Skye Austin Back Row: Maggie Barnett, Hannah James, Trenton Rogers, Kinsley Akin

Eight members of Monticello High School’s National Forensic League Chapter competed at Rogers Heritage High School in Rogers, Arkansas, on March 30-31to participate in Arkansas District Tournament.

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The Monticello Middle School would like to announce their 2012-2013 Monticello Junior Billie Cheerleaders.

Front left Maddie Busby-Captain Right Macie Blagg-Cocaptain
Middle Row- Left to right- Kameron Burchfield, Sidney Sizemore, Tylar Hendricks, Hannah Jones, Tail’r Jackson
Top Row-Left to right- Dailyn Johnston, Sarah Nichols, Madison Arrington, Cait Flemister, Mason Davis, Bliss Jaggers, Nora Catherine Saffold

The 2012-2013 Monticello High Dance Team members are….

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The Monticello School Board voted to approve the calendar for the 2012/2013 school year during their regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Superintendent Harper stated that they cannot start school until August 20 and that, “This is the best schedule for us right now with trying to implement Common Core.”

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The 2012-2013 Monticello High School Cheerleaders are…..

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The Monticello High School Band participated in the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Region 3 Concert Assessment March 15th, at Camden Fairview Middle School.

The band received all 1st division superior ratings for their stage performance and a 1st division superior rating for their sight-reading performance. These ratings combined with the band’s 1st division ratings at the Marching Assessment in the fall gives the Monticello High School Band the Sweepstakes Award for the 3rd consecutive year.

Congratulations to these outstanding, hardworking musicians.

Monticello entered two teams in the Arkansas Bar Association Mock Trial Competition this year. The regional competition was held February 25 at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Pine Bluff. There the two MHS teams faced teams from Hope High School and Little Rock Central. One MHS team advanced to the final round and earned 2nd place losing to the LR Central team. The top two teams will now compete at the state championship held in Little Rock on March 3. The advancing MHS team members are Hannah James, Dani West, Maggie Barnett, Daniel Wigley, Skye Austin, Erin Ashcraft, and Brittany Taylor as a timekeeper. The other MHS team members are Elizabeth Wilson, Mary Kate Jones, Jacob Chisom, Anna St. John, Shelby White, David deRueda, and Krystle Conyers. The mock trial team is a part of the MHS Forensic Program.

Back – Elizabeth Wilson, Krystal Conyers, Mary Kate Jones, and Jacob Chisom

Congratulations to the following students who were selected as Monticello High School Students of the Quarter. These students were nominated by teachers and voted on by the entire staff at MHS. The criteria for being selected is to exhibit Monticello High School’s nine guiding principles: Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Compassion, Perseverance, Optimism, Loyalty, Cooperation, and Courage. For exhibiting such outstanding character these students were treated to lunch in town by MHS Principal Kenny Pennington.

Freshmen: Will Gragg, Morrisa Hawkins, Anna Dickson

Sophomores: Jay Kent Gates, Mary Kate Jones, Salonica Hunter

Juniors: Jordan Shelton, Anna St. John

Seniors: Jake Curry, Rebekah Johnson

MHS Honor Roll 1st Semester 2012-Current Semester G.P.A. (more…)

Anna Groves and Morgan Davis, MMS FCCLA members, report that the Monticello Middle School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America(FCCLA) Chapter has been working to complete a wide variety of service projects. The local level projects, “Visions of Hope”, focus on FCCLA members making a difference in the Monticello Community to make an impact on the world. A hat day was held in December that allowed students to purchase a sticker for $1.00 in order to wear their favorite hat on a specific day. The chapter raised over $100 that was donated to the World Vision Organization to purchase a goat and two chickens for a family in a third world country. FCCLA members also collected over 25 canned food items for a local food pantry at Christmas. The major local project is called “One Life to Make a Difference” that enables students in the sixth grade, as well as, FCCLA members to collect donations that would fund the building of a water well in an African community. This project will end on March 14 with a celebration “Walk for the Well”. The goal of this project is over $5000.

The District Level Project benefited Arkansas Children’s Hospital/Children’s Miracle Network. FCCLA members sponsored a hat day in January and “Bracelets for Babies” in February. Over $150 was raised.

The State Level Project assisted the Arkansas Rice Depot and Diaper Depot. FCCLA members sponsored another hat day and raised over $150 by selling stickers.

The National Level Projects are divided into three levels. Level One featured a Share Our Strength Bake Sale where members raised $50. Level Two showcased posters that were made to increase awareness of premature births. The posters were displayed during FCCLA Week to educate students about the March of Dimes. The Third Level allowed students to collect gently used shoes for “Soles for Shoes”. During the Arkansas State Leadership Meeting, MMS will bring additional canned food items and diapers for the Arkansas Rice Depot and Diaper Depot, as well as, shoes for “Soles for Shoes”.

The Monticello Middle School FCCLA members made an impact in their community by implementing these community service projects. Each member realized that one person can make a difference in a person’s life!

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Front: Shelby White, Rebecca Stephenson, and Hannah James ,Back: Jacob Chisom and Maggie Barnett

The MHS Forensic Team earned 3 awards at the Searcy Invitational Tournament this past weekend: Only 5 MHS students competed, but they performed well enough in 11 events to earn a 3rd place sweepstakes award. Maggie Barnett earned 2nd place in Prose Interpretation, and Shelby White earned 2nd place in International Public Debate. (more…)

The MHS Forensic Team earned a 2nd place sweepstakes award at the Cabot Classic this past weekend. All members contributed to this team award, and students in 5 events advanced to semi-finals.

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Congratulations to the Monticello High School Band members who auditioned on Saturday, January 7th at Monticello Middle School and were selected to be in the Region 3 All Region Bands. Of the 24 MHS Band students that auditioned, all 24 students placed. They are as follows:

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Pictured: left to right Rex Henderson, Morrison Barron, Tucker Ward, Bentley Brodnax, Ashlee Johnson, Breanna Smith, MaryKate Jones, Hunter Hickam Standing: Nathan Pesaresi, Kameron Smith, and Jake Curry

Students from the MHS EAST participated in the Arkansas Drive Smart Challenge to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving. Students informed their peers of the consequences of cell phone usage while driving and the importance of wearing seatbelts. The EAST students observed morning school traffic and recorded data from drivers and passengers of their seatbelt use. They also recorded if someone arrived using their cell phone.

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Congratulations to the following Monticello band students who made the Region III All-Region Band.
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Front row: Savannah Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, Celeste Richard, Shelby White, Krystle Conyers Second row: David deRueda, Anna Kate St. John, Erin Ashcraft, Hannah James, Marquiona Ridgell, Michelle Montgomery, Salonica Hunter Back row: Kinsley Akin, Jacob Chisom, Daniel Wigley, John Bonfanti, Mary Kate Jones, Amy James, Maggie Barnett, LJ Leslie, and Jessica Craven. Not in picture: Coaches Debbie Ashcraft and Christy Armbrust.

Akin, Barnett, White earn NFL membership, and Wigley earns NFL Honor Status

The Monticello High School Forensics Team earned a 2nd place Sweepstakes Award at the Wildcat Classic Forensics Tournament held at North Little Rock High School. Some of the highlights of the competition were students who advanced to semi-finals in their events: Shelby White (poetry interpretation), Hannah James (original oratory), Salonica Hunter (poetry interp), and the duo team of Maggie Barnett and Kinsley Akin (improvised duet acting – superior rating). These students are now qualified to compete in the Tournament of Champions in April.

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Monticello High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America are committed to helping our community become healthy!

FCCLA members are educating the community on the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise. They are educating Monticello Elementary classes, adult groups, the afterschool programs, and they are also hosting a can food drive!

Everyone is encouraged to bring canned food items to the Monticello High School Family and Consumer Science classroom! All canned food items will go to DHS to help families in Drew County this holiday season! You can bring these items beginning Monday, December 5th from 8:30-3:00. For any more information please contact Amber Hairston, Family and Consumer Science Teacher and FCCLA adviser at (870) 367-4050

Hannah Jones from Monticello Middle school is participating in FCCLA STAR events. Her project this year is making the community aware of the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars.

In the US last year, 239 non-traffic fatalities have occurred. These fatalities could have resulted from hypothermia, heat stroke, power window strangulation, and vehicles set in motion. 37 non-traffic fatalities have occurred in Arkansas since 1990. Any child left unattended in car faces multiple hazards including kidnapping, abuse by a stranger, and accidental injuries. Legal guardians that leave children unattended face a variety of legal consequences. Child endangerment is a criminal charge.

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Pictured Left to Right: Karen Dabney – coordinator, Andrea Ratcliff- coordinator, Karla Booth - representing 2nd grade, Waynette Woodall – representing 1st grade, Susan Starks – representing Kindergarten

The Monticello Elementary School teachers and staff participated in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Christmas Wish List. Teachers, paraprofessionals, staff members and administrators donated to the ACH wish list.

Together the faculty collected $500 and a full carload of toys, art supplies, clothing and many other items to rally round the children and families in the care of ACH in Little Rock.

Way to go MES, proud of the love shown to these young people!