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A Foundation For The Future Discover Our Schools Building Today for Tomorrow The Monroe City School District is committed to excellence in teaching and learning. We hold high expectations for all students, parents, and staff. We share, with our community, the responsibility for providing a safe, caring environment designed to help students become productive citizens. We pledge all available resources to help prepare students to live and work in a rapidly changing, technological society. Schools I'm Looking For Log Me Into Testing Season is Upon Us! As Monroe City Schools move closer to summer, the season for standardized testing is upon us. As the district moves through this time, please make sure you do everything possible to make sure your child is ready to do their best. For helpful hints, view the Testing Tips page. ​ Scheduled Tests: ​ April 15 - May 13 LEAP 2025 Testing Window Something New is Coming to the Website! Every month, Superintendent Sam Moore, will release an informative newsletter entitled Monthly Matters with Mr. Moore. It will be published here and an archive page will be created to store all of the previous editions. ​ To view the April 2024, (Edition 1), click on the link below... ​ Monthly Matters with Mr. Moore (April 2024) School Choice 2024-2025 The information regarding Monroe City Schools Choice Program has been released. Please visit the School Choice Page for more information. Mark Your Calendars! The following important events are coming up soon! Make your plans now for these dates! ​ ​ LEAP Testing April 15 - May 13 (Schedule will vary according to school!) ​ May 1, 2024 Curriculum Committee Meeting 5:15 PM in the Henrietta George Board Meeting Room ​ May 7, 2024 Board Meeting 6:00 PM in the Henrietta George Board Meeting Room ​ May 14-16, 2024 High School Graduations MCS Online Academy Information Please visit the Office of Instructional Support Page to view the latest information regarding the MCS Online Academy for the 2023-2024 academic year. PLEASE NOTE: The academy will only serve students in grades 6 - 11 this year! MCS Parent Compacts As the school year gets ready to begin, Monroe City Schools has a new Parent Compact that we would like all parents to view and go over with your children. It focuses on four key areas: School Responsibilities, Teacher Responsibilities, Parent Responsibilities, and Student Responsibilities. This compact helps ensure that we are all working towards the same goals of maximizing the educational experiences of all MCS students. 2022-2023 Ready to Achieve School Operational Guidelines As per the December 30, 2021, Louisiana Department of Education release, MCS plans to provide continuous learning for the 2022-2023 school year. Students will be offered two distinct learning modes: face-to-face, as allowed by medical and government officials, or 100% virtual. This plan addresses the latest recommendations. ​ Please view the latest release from the Louisiana Department of Education (Released July 20, 2022) 2022-2023 Ready to Achieve! School Operational Guidelines HERE ! ​ To view 2021-2022 Frequently Asked Questions, click HERE ! This document will be updated as it is released. ​ All additional, localized questions or comments, may be sent to questions@mcschools.net . Calendar Summaries The 2023-2024 MCS Calendar Summary can be found HERE ! ​ ​ The 2024-2025 MCS School Calendar was adopted at the recent school board. You can view the adopted calendar summary HERE ! Chromebook Responsible User Agreement Every Monroe City School student has access to an assigned Chromebook. Please take a moment to review the Chromebook Responsible Use Agreement policy here. This also has the opportunity to provide insurance coverage on this agreement. Once again, please review the policy and make a selection to opt in or opt out of the coverage and return the form to the assigning school ASAP. Achieve (ESSER II, ESSER III) Allocations On March 27, 2020, Congress set aside approximately $13.2 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Fund. The Department awarded these grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are LEAs, with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the Nation. These funds address such things tutoring to reduce loss-of-learning, safe and healthy environment, and any additional issues. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, 2021, was signed into law on December 27, 2020, and provided an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund. ESSER II Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2020. On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. It was an unprecedented $1.9 trillion package of assistance measures, including $122 billion for the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. Funds are provided to SEAs and LEAs to help safely reopen and sustain the same operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Nation’s students. ARP ESSER Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2020. ​ Monroe City School System received monies and you can view the budget by clicking the link below. ​ Achieve (ESSER II, ESSER III) Allocations ​ Louisiana Comeback is a cooperative effort to be the catalyst for school systems across the state of Louisiana. By focusing time, energy and money on key investments, individual school systems are joining together to reignite recovery and help students hit the ground running as they head into the next school year. ​ Louisiana Comeback Click on the above image to go directly to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Reporting Page! MCS Pupil Progression Plan The approved version of the 2023-2024 Pupil Progression Plan is now available online for viewing. Please address questions to Dr. Cassie Owens . Click on her name to email a question. The 2023-2024 PPP has been updated for this school year. To view the plan, click the link above. ​ ​ MCS Charter Application The 2023-2024 Charter School Application Process for Schools Opening in the 2024-2025 School Year or Beyond is now available online. Please visit the MCS Charter Application Page for information regarding the Charter School Application process for Monroe City Schools. ​ MCS Registration Handbooks and G/T Course Offerings To find out more about the registration process or the Gifted/Talented Course Offerings in the district, please visit the appropriate link below. There is a quick link on each school page for your convenience, as well. ​ MCS Registration and Course Offerings Handbook 2024-2025 ​ Student Handbook 2024 Junior High Registration Form 2024 High School Scheduling Form - 9th Grade 2024 High School Scheduling Form - 10-12 Grade MCS School Wellness Policy The Monroe City School Board is committed to the optimal development of every student. The School Board believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental and social success, the School Board shall strive to ensure positive, safe and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year. To see more, please visit the School Wellness Policy page.

Welcome to Monroe City Schools ​ A Foundation for the Future Building Today for Tomorrow The Monroe City School District is committed to excellence in teaching and learning. We hold high expectations for all students, parents, and staff. We share, with our community, the responsibility for providing a safe, caring environment designed to help students become productive citizens. We pledge all available resources to help prepare students to live and work in a rapidly changing, technological society. Schools I'm Looking For Log Me Into Monroe City Schools Educator Job Fair The Monroe City School System will hold its annual Educator Job Fair on TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023 from 4 - 6 PM with registration beginning at 3:30 PM. It will be held in the Neville Junior High Van Leigh Gym. 1600 North 19th Street, Monroe, LA, 71201. You can apply online at mcschools.net. Watch this space for more information in the future. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Summer Enrichment Programs are Registering Now! ​ If you are interested in signing your child up for the Summer Enrichment Program at the school of attendance, please visit the school site by clicking on the name on the "Schools" page. You can also contact each school for further details! ​ ​ ​ Summer Employment Information and Application ​ If you are interested in summer employment within the Monroe City School System, please view the materials and follow the instructions. Deadline for application is Monday, May 1, 2023. School Choic e 2 023 -2024 ​ The information regarding Monroe City Schools Choice Program has been released. Please visit the School Choice Page for more information. ​ ​ ​ Kody Chase Selected as 2024 Teacher of the Year Semifinalist The Louisiana Department of Education is proud to announce the 2024 Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists. These educators are making exceptional gains with students, guiding them to achieve at the highest levels in the state. Their commitment to student success exemplifies Louisiana’s teaching profession. Mr. Chase is one of 24 semifinalists for the state of Louisiana. All Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists will be honored at the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala which will be held at the World War II Museum on the evening of July 22, 2023. This exciting event is co-sponsored by Dream Teachers . Congratulations to these outstanding educators! ​ ​ ​ ​ 2022-2023 Ready to Achieve School Operational Guidelines As per the December 30, 2021, Louisiana Department of Education release, MCS plans to provide continuous learning for the 2022-2023 school year. Students will be offered two distinct learning modes: face-to-face, as allowed by medical and government officials, or 100% virtual. This plan addresses the latest recommendations. ​ Please view the latest release from the Louisiana Department of Education (Released July 20, 2022) 2022-2023 Ready to Achieve! School Operational Guidelines HERE ! ​ To view 2021-2022 Frequently Asked Questions, click HERE ! This document will be updated as it is released. ​ All additional, localized questions or comments, may be sent to questions@mcschools.net . ​ 2023 -2024 Calendar Summary ​ The 2023-2024 MCS School Calendar was adopted at the recent school board. You can view the adopted calendar summary HERE ! Chromebook Responsible User Agreeme nt Every Monroe City School student has access to an assigned Chromebook. Please take a moment to review the Chromebook Responsible Use Agreement policy here. This also has the opportunity to provide insurance coverage on this agreement. Once again, please review the policy and make a selection to opt in or opt out of the coverage and return the form to the assigning school ASAP. ​ ​ Achieve (ESSER II, ESSER III) Allocations ​ On March 27, 2020, Congress set aside approximately $13.2 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Fund. The Department awarded these grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are LEAs, with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the Nation. These funds address such things tutoring to reduce loss-of-learning, safe and healthy environment, and any additional issues. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, 2021, was signed into law on December 27, 2020, and provided an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund. ESSER II Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2020. On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. It was an unprecedented $1.9 trillion package of assistance measures, including $122 billion for the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. Funds are provided to SEAs and LEAs to help safely reopen and sustain the same operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Nation’s students. ARP ESSER Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2020. ​ Monroe City School System received monies and you can view the budget by clicking the link below. ​ Achieve (ESSER II, ESSER III) Allocations ​ Louisiana Comeback is a cooperative effort to be the catalyst for school systems across the state of Louisiana. By focusing time, energy and money on key investments, individual school systems are joining together to reignite recovery and help students hit the ground running as they head into the next school year. ​ Louisiana Comeback ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Click on the above image to go directly to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Reporting Page! ​ ​ MCS Pupil Progression Plan The approved version of the 2022-2023 Pupil Progression Plan is now available online for viewing. Please address questions to Dr. Cassie Owens . Click on their names to email a question. The 2022-2023 PPP has been updated for this school year. To view the plan, click the link above. An addendum to the Pupil Progression Plan was approved at the December 6, 2022, Board Meeting. You may view the addendum here . MCS Charter Application The 2022-2023 Charter School Application Process for Schools Opening in the 2024-2025 School Year or Beyond is now available online. Please visit the MCS Charter Application Page for information regarding the Charter School Application process for Monroe City Schools. MCS Registration Handbooks and G/T Course Offerings To find out more about the registration process or the Gifted/Talented Course Offerings in the district, please visit the appropriate link below. There is a quick link on each school page for your convenience, as well. ​ MCS Registration and Course Offerings Handbook 2023-2024 ​ Student Handbook 2022 High School Scheduling Form - 9th Grade 2022 High School Scheduling Form - 10-12 Grade MCS School Wellness Policy The Monroe City School Board is committed to the optimal development of every student. The School Board believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental and social success, the School Board shall strive to ensure positive, safe and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year. To see more, please visit the School Wellness Policy page.

Mission Statement ​ The Monroe City School District is committed to excellence in teaching and learning. We hold high expectations for all students, parents, and staff. We share, with our community, the responsibility for providing a safe, caring environment designed to help students become productive citizens. We pledge all available resources to help prepare students to live and work in a rapidly changing technological society. Core Beliefs Children are our most precious resource. All children can learn and must be provided equitable opportunities to learn. All students must be provided the opportunity to achieve their highest potential. The learning experiences of students should help them become productive and responsible citizens. Our curriculum must be comprehensive and responsive to the needs of all students. Partnerships with students, parents, community, and schools are vital for the development of all children. All students and employees have the right to work and learn in a safe and orderly setting. A supportive environment encourages creative problem-solvers and effective decision makers. Continuous professional improvement and growth opportunities for all staff members are crucial to our success. Our school district provides the best opportunity for students to practice real life skills necessary for success in a culturally diverse society. Contact Us Superintendent's Message System Directory - Important Numbers School Board

Carmel Hill Education Program Role ​ The Carmel Hill Fund Education Program supports reading and math initiatives throughout the Monroe City School District. The mission of the Carmel Hill Fund is to foster the love of reading in children by providing educators with the means to improve their students' reading ability. Carmel Hill believes that reading is not only an educational skill, but also a tool that children can use to enhance their lives beyond their circumstances. ​ Services ​ Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math, English in a Flash, Math Facts in a Flash Provides instructional support so that each of these programs are implemented effectively in the classroom Supplies each school with hardware, software and books so that the students can improve their reading comprehension and math Summer Institute for the Gifted Sponsors gifted students with the opportunity to participate in an all expense paid three week intensive study program at various universities throughout the United States. Partnership with the University of Louisiana at Monroe Provides tutoring for Monroe City School students in Math Provides hands-on experience for education majors to work with elementary students in the Monroe City School District to assist with reading The Write Path Facilitates this global writing initiative among students in Beijing, Bangkok, Jakarta, Saigon, New York City, London, and Monroe A llison Painich Director 318-582-5395 ​

Child Welfare and Attendance ​ What We Do ​ The child Welfare and Attendance office serves as an advocate for children to ensure the success of students in school. Our office works with students, parents/guardians, and the school to facilitate enrollment and consistent attendance in the proper school setting. ​ School Safety Student Handbook Zoning/Student assignment Address Verification Administrative Placements Secondary Complains.COMPASS Evaluator Discipline/Expulsion Hearings Transportation/Field Trips Approval Waiver Forms Outside Counseling Agency Approvals Truancy.SRO Officers Records on Former Students Home school Drug Screen Homeless/vouchers, uniforms, etc... Bullying Investigations Sex Offenders OCR Complaints Student Dr. Ed Form Youth Challenge ​ Michelle Brown Ass. to Child EWelfare & Attendance Phone: (318) 325-0601, x5005 ​ Sam Moore II Director of Child Welfare & Attendance Phone: (318) 325-0601, x5017 ​ Our Success Stories ​ The Office of Child Welfare & Attendance with the Monroe City School System serves as an advocate for children to ensure the success of students in school. To accomplish this, the office of Child Welfare & Attendance will work closely with students, their parents/guardians, and the school to facilitate enrollment and consistent attendance in the proper school setting. ​ The Office of Child Welfare & Attendance will conduct home visits to verify the addresses of students so that they are enrolled in the proper school attendance zone. Parental contact will also be made when children have difficulty in school and students fail to meet attendance requirements. Community agencies will be contacted as needed to provide families with the necessary resources to overcome obstacles that prevent proper school attendance and adjustment. ​ The Office of Child Welfare & Attendance is also committed to working closely with the Truancy Assessment and Service Center as well as Juvenile Services to take parents to Truancy Court if needed to encourage regular school attendance. Regular school attendance ensures the child will have the greatest opportunity for success. ​ ​ ​

Schools Please excuse us while the school pages are being populated. We will get them back online as soon as possible.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ Barkdull Faulk Elementary Berg Jones Elementary Carroll High School Carroll Junior High School Carver Elementary Clara Hall Elementary Cypress Point Elementary JS Clark Magnet Elementary Jefferson Upper Elementary Lexington Elementary Madison James Foster Elementary Martin Luther King, Jr., Junior High School Minnie Ruffin Elementary Neville High School Neville Junior High School Roy Neal Shelling Elementary Sallie Humble Elementary Sherrouse School Wossman High School

Special Education ​ Role ​ Special Education is committed to providing young children and eligible students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education consistent with federal and state laws. Individual special education programs are cooperatively developed by an individual education planning (IEP) team which includes parents, teachers, administrators, and, when appropriate, other specialists. These teams make every effort to provide the appropriate special education program to children in a setting as close to the regular classroom as possible. ​ Director Rochelle William s Phone: (318) 388-3747, x4676 Fax: (318) 387-2090 ​ ​ Services ​ Adaptive Physical Education Services - Delivers an effective, well rounded program based on the individual needs of the student. The program combines the most practical and successful methods that the Louisiana education system as a whole has to offer, while at the same time, keeping these services within the framework of the least restrictive environment. The instructional activities can be taught in the adapted physical education class, regular or inclusive physical education class or community based setting. ​ Early Childhood Special Education Services - Provides services to over 100 children with special needs between the ages of three and five years old. If your child has difficulty doing what other children his/her age do, such as talking, moving about, following simple directions and/or playing with and responding to others, you might be interested in an evaluation for your child. The evaluation will reveal whether or not your child is eligible to receive special services such as special instruction, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy or adapted physical education. If you would like to speak with our evaluation coordinator, please call Robin Cohenour at 318-388-3747 , ext. 5210. ​ Gifted and Talented - Provides gifted and talented students with an array of opportunities to meet a variety of needs. Gifted and talented education is an opportunity for students to discover themselves and the world around them. These classes offer exciting and challenging experiences that enhance creativity and complex thinking abilities. Teachers expose students to accelerated and enriching topics, intrinsically motivating children to grow in their academic and artistic knowledge. Although many students are screened and tested through teacher recommendations and scores on standardized tests, any parent wishing to have his or her child screened for one or both of these programs may contact the Office of Student Support Services. ​ Hearing Impaired Services - Provides services for students with hearing impairments at all grade levels. The program is based at Madison James Foster Elementary, Neville Junior High, and Neville High School. Certified teachers, with the assistance of interpreters, offer academic assistance to students who have been diagnosed deaf or hard of hearing, enhancing the students’ classroom experiences and educational progress. ​ Pupil Appraisal Services - Assists students who have academic, behavioral, and/or communication challenges, adjustment difficulties, or other special needs which are adversely impacting the student’s education. ​ Supplemental Services - Provides speech therapy for students with communication disorders. These disorders include: articulation (sound production), language (sentence structure, understanding and responding to questions, etc.), fluency (repetition of sounds, words or phrases) and voice (i.e. chronic hoarseness). A speech language evaluation is provided through the Office of Student Support Services in accordance with state and federal guidelines. Students with motor deficits have the benefit of Occupational and Physical Therapies. Screening and evaluation are provided through the Office of Student Support Services in accordance with state and federal guidelines. For more information contact Anne Marie Johnson, Program Facilitator at 318-388-3747 ext. 5233. ​ Transition Services - Provided for IDEA students age fifteen and older. It is a coordinated set of activities involving students, schools, parents, outside agencies, and the community. The purpose of transition is to encourage students and parents to think about the future. Individual Education Plans (IEP) include a Transition page that addresses instruction, related services, community experiences, employment, post-school adult living objectives, and when appropriate, daily living skills and functional vocation evaluation provided by the school and local agencies. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) requires that students sixteen and older complete the Transition Post School Data Collection Form when exiting the school system with teacher assistance. The LDE also requires that students be surveyed one year after exiting the school system and again three years after exiting. The Region Eight Transition Core Team meets monthly with local school districts and agencies. Secondary students are provided with a directory of public agencies. A service provider seminar is conducted annually for students, parents, and guardians in which each agency reviews the services that are available locally. ​ Visually Impaired Services - Participating students are provided support services with parental permission. Our program provides materials, direct teaching, and consultative services to visually impaired students and their teachers. The goal is to assist in developing a realistic program that will serve the totally blind, legally blind, and partially sighted students so that they may actively participate in the general curriculum with non-disabled students. If a student has a disability which meets the definition of one of the Visually Impaired enumerated in the statute, and as a result needs special education and related services, that student is eligible to have those services provided at no cost to the parents. ​ ​ IEP Facilitators ​ Kim Foster, x2127 Sharon Frith, x5217 Carolyn Long, x5224 Cindy Pucheu, x4849 Jamekia Dial-Hunter, x5212 ​ Occupational Therapist ​ Amanda Tull, x5228 ​ Speech Language Pathologists ​ Kimberly Barr, Pupil Appraisal, x4312 Christy Garrett, Speech Therapy/Assistive Technology Coordinator, x5241 Anne Marie Johnson, x5233 ​ Transition Coordinator ​ Jamekia Dial-Hunter, x5212 Debra Wesley, Pupil Appraisal Coordinator, x5236 ​ Educational Diagnosticians ​ Stacy Spires, x5213 Jan Bower, x5219 Judy Bell, x5240 Julie Fontana, x5211 Jayme Smith, x5225 Celeste Drost, x5223 ​ School Psychologists ​ Rayne Adams, x5207 Robin Cohenour, x5210 Pamela Smith, x5230 Laura Maciaszek, x5216 Carey Day, x5214 ​ School Social Workers ​ Brenda Williams, x5232 Clarence Williams, x5235 ​ ​

Student Handbooks Each Monroe City Schools student is provided a copy of an age-appropriate Student Handbook. Parents, please take the time to read through this handbook with your children and discuss what is expected of them at school, on the bus, and at extracurricular activities. Please note there is a Student/Parent Contract which must be signed and returned to school if not done already. ​ ALSO PLEASE NOTE!!! ​ Please understand that your child may be photographed and/or recorded on video in connection with Monroe City School System activities. From time to time, students’ pictures/videos will be taken at school or at school activities. These pictures may be broadcast or used in print/TV media or on the website for public viewing. If any parent/guardian does not agree to the use of their child’s pictures in this manner, please express any objections, in writing, in a separate letter to the principal as well as signing this form. Not signing and returning this form indicates approval for the student’s name (full first name and first initial of last name), picture, art, written work, voice, verbal statements, or portraits (video or still) to appear in the school or district’s publications, videos, website, or news articles about the district. These pictures and articles may or may not personally identify the student. You also understand that all photos and videos will become the property of Monroe City School System. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ MCS Registration and Course Offerings Handbook Student Handbook

Madison James Foster Elementary School Location... 1310 Richwood Road No. 1 Monroe, LA 71202 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Contact Us​ ​ (318) 325-7979 ​ ​ ​ Administration ​ Principal - Jennifer Harris ​ Assistant Principal - Kalvin Bowman ​ ​ ​ MISSION STATEMENT We will build a community of learners who SOAR through the use of high quality instruction, educating the whole child and building capacity one child at a time. Welcome to Madison James Foster Elementary School! ​ We encourage every student to SOAR at Madison James Foster! Succeed Overcome Achieve Respect Parents play a major role in the upbringing and the educating of our students. This includes volunteering in the classrooms, the lunchroom or the hallways. At Madison James Foster Elementary School, you are always welcome. This website is under construction and the process of being updated where possible. Please check back for more information. ​ ​ You can contact the school about their social media presence through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Remind! ​ ​ ​

Monroe City School Board 2023-2024 District Charter School Application Process for Schools Opening in the 2024-2025 School Year or Beyond Forms and Information Needed for Submission of a Type 1 or Type 3 Charter School Proposal I Charter School Application ​ Applicants should complete the 2023-2024 Common Charter School Application found here . ​ Applicants should complete the appropriate application based on whether or not they are a New Charter Operator, an Experienced Charter Operator, or an applicant proposing to open a Virtual Charter School. II. Charter School Process Schedule ​ September 5, 2023: Deadline for which local school boards must post application materials to their websites. October 27, 2023: Charter Applicants are due to districts. Applicants should email all application components to brent.vidrine@mcschools.net . January 19, 2024: Deadline for districts to consider charter applications. If a district has not made a decision about a charter application by this point, that applicant group is eligible to appeal to BESE. February 1, 2024: Report any charter entered into; the number of schools chartered; the status of those schools, and any recommendations relating to the charter RFA process to charters@la.gov . III. Charter Application Review Process ​ All charter applications will be reviewed by an independent evaluator with educational, organizational, legal, and financial expertise. Applicants will have the opportunity to provide the evaluator with a written response to the independent evaluation of their charter application before the evaluator provides a final recommendation to Monroe City School Board. ​ IV. Charter School Contact Information ​ Individuals or organizations with questions about the district's charter application process should contact: Dr. Brent Vidrine, Superintendent brent.vidrine@mcschools.net (318) 325-0601 ​ ​ Posted August 28, 2023

MCS School Wellness Policy The Monroe City School Board is committed to the optimal development of every student. The School Board believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental and social success, the School Board shall strive to ensure positive, safe and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year. ​ It is the School Board’s desire to ensure environments and opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. Specifically, the School Board shall establish goals and procedures to ensure that: ​ Students in the Monroe City public schools have access to healthy foods throughout the school day ? both through reimbursable school meals and other foods available throughout the school campus ? in accordance with Federal and state nutrition standards: Students receive quality nutrition education that helps them develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors; Students have opportunities to be physically active before, during and after school; Schools engage in nutrition and physical activity promotion and other activities that promote student wellness; School staff are encouraged and supported to practice healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors in and out of school; The community is engaged in supporting the work of the School Board in creating continuity between school and other settings for students and staff to practice lifelong healthy habits; and The School Board establishes and maintains an infrastructure for management, oversight, implementation, communication about and monitoring of the policy and its established goals and objectives. ​ School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) The School Board shall establish a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) to advise the School Board on physical activity for students, physical and health education, nutrition, and overall student health. The council members shall be appointed by the School Board and shall include parents of students and individuals representing the community, as well as school health and food service professionals. The School Health Advisory Council shall assist in implementation, periodic review, and updating of the School Wellness policy. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for assuring compliance with established district-wide nutrition and physical activity wellness policies. In each school, the principal or designee shall oversee compliance with those policies in his/her school and shall report on the school’s compliance to the Superintendent or his/her designee. School food service staff, at the school or district level, shall assess compliance with nutrition policies within school food service areas and report on this matter to the Superintendent (or if done at the school level, to the school principal). Implementation The School Board shall develop and maintain a plan for implementation to manage and coordinate the execution of the School Wellness policy. The plan shall delineate roles, responsibilities, actions and timelines specific to each school; and include information about persons responsible for making changes; as well as specific goals and objectives for nutrition standards for all foods and beverages available on the school campus, food and beverage marketing, nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, physical education and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. This School Wellness policy and any progress reports shall be maintained on the School Board’s website. Triennial Progress Assessments At least once every three (3) years, the School Board shall evaluate compliance with the School Wellness policy to assess the implementation of the policy and document the assessment for each school under its jurisdiction. The School Wellness policy shall be assessed and updated as indicated at least every three (3) years, following the triennial assessment. ​ ​ Recordkeeping The School Board shall retain records to document compliance with the requirements of the School Wellness policy at the Monroe City School Board central office. Documentation maintained in this location shall include, but not be limited to: The written School Wellness policy; Documentation demonstrating that the policy has been made available to the public; Documentation of efforts to review and update the School Wellness policy; including an indication of who is involved in the update and methods the School Board uses to make stakeholders aware of their ability to participate on the School Health Advisory Council; Documentation to demonstrate compliance with the annual public notification requirements; The most recent assessment on the implementation of the School Wellness policy; Documentation demonstrating the most recent assessment on the implementation of the School Wellness policy has been made available to the public. Community Involvement, Outreach, and Communications The School Board is committed to being responsive to community input, which begins with awareness of the School Wellness policy. The School Board shall inform parents of the improvements that have been made to school meals and compliance with school meal standards, availability of child nutrition programs and application procedures, and a description of and compliance with nutrition standards. The School Board shall use electronic mechanisms, such as e-mail or displaying notices on the School Board’s website, as well as non-electronic mechanisms, such as newsletters, presentations to parents, or sending information home to parents, to ensure that all families are actively notified of the content of, implementation of, and updates to the School Wellness policy, as well as how to get involved and support the School Wellness policy and activities/initiatives. The School Board shall ensure that communications are culturally and linguistically appropriate to the community, and accomplished through means similar to other ways that the School Board and individual schools are communicating important school information with parents. ​ Annual Notification of Policy The School Board shall actively inform families and the public each year of basic information about the School Wellness policy, including its content, any updates to the policy, a nd implementation status. The School Board shall make this information available via the School Board’s website and/or district-wide communications. ​ ​ Nutrition School Meals The Monroe City School Board is committed to serving healthy meals to children, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat milk; that are moderate in sodium, low in saturated fat, and have zero grams trans-fat per serving (nutrition label or manufacturer’s specification); and to meeting the nutrition needs of school children within their calorie requirements. All public schools within Monroe City participate in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP). All public schools within Monroe City shall be committed to offering school meals through the NSLP and SBP programs, and other applicable Federal child nutrition programs, that: Are accessible to all students; Are appealing and attractive to children; Are served in clean and pleasant settings; Meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations. Water To promote hydration, free, safe, unflavored drinking water shall be available to all students throughout the school day and throughout every school campus. The School mealtimes. ​ Competitive Foods and Beverages The School Board is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students on the school campus during the school day support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (e.g., “competitive” foods and beverages) shall meet the nutrition standards as outlined in 7 CFR 210.11. These standards aim to improve student health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. ​ To support healthy food choices and improve student health and well-being, all foods and beverages outside the reimbursable school meal programs that are sold to students on the school campus during the school day shall meet or exceed the USDA nutrition standards. These standards shall apply in all locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold, which may include, but are not limited to, à la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines, school stores and snack or food carts. Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools It is the intent of the School Board to protect and promote student health by restricting advertising and marketing in the schools to only those foods and beverages that are permitted to be sold on campus, consistent with this School Wellness policy and its implementation plan. Other Food and Beverages Provided, but not Sold, on School Campuses The School Board has developed the following guidelines for foods and beverages which are provided, but not sold, during the school day: Celebrations and parties. The School Board will provide a list of healthy party ideas to parents and teachers, including non-food celebration ideas. Classroom snacks brought by parents. The School Board will provide to parents a list of foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards. Rewards and incentives. The School Board will provide teachers and other relevant school staff a list of alternative ways to reward children. Foods and beverages will not be used as a reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior. Nutrition Promotion Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs. Students and staff shall receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. Nutrition promotion shall also include marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students as well as encouraging participation in school meal programs. ​ Nutrition Education The School Board shall teach, model, encourage and support healthy eating by all students. Schools shall provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that: Is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health; Is part of not only health education classes but also integrated into other classroom instruction through subjects such as math, science, language arts, social sciences, and elective subjects; Includes enjoyable, developmentally-appropriate, culturally-relevant and participatory activities, such as cooking demonstrations or lessons, promotions, taste-testing, farm visits, and school gardens; Promotes fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, and healthy food preparation methods; Emphasizes caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure (promotes physical activity/exercise); Links with school meal programs, cafeteria nutrition promotion activities, school gardens, and other school foods and nutrition-related comm unity services; P hysical Activities ​ Physical Education The School Board shall provide students with physical education, using an age-appropriate, seq uential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education. The physical education curriculum shall promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and will help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits. All School Board elementary (K-8) students shall receive physical education for at least 30 minutes per day throughout the school year. High school students are required to have a minimum of 1.5 Carnegie units in physical education to graduate. The School Board physical education program shall promote student physical fitness through individualized fitness and activity assessments and shall use criterion-based K-8 are required by state law to receive at least thirty (30) minutes of physical activity per day. High school students shall be encouraged to incorporate physical activity into their day. A substantial percentage of students’ physical activity can be provided through a comprehensive school physical activity program. Such programs reflect strong coordination and synergy across all of the components: quality physical education as the foundation; physical activity before, during and after school; staff involvement and family and community engagement. Schools shall ensure that varied physical activity opportunities are in addition to, and not as a substitute for, physical education. To the extent practicable, the School Board shall ensure that its grounds and facilities are safe and that equipment is available to students to be active. ​ Classroom Physical A ctivity Breaks (Elementary and Secondary) The School Board recognizes that students are more attentive and ready to learn if provided with periodic breaks when they can be physically active or stretch. Thus, students shall be offered periodic opportunities to be active or to stretch throughout the day on all or most days during a typical school week. Teachers shall be encouraged to provide short (3-5-minute) physical activity breaks to students during and between classroom time at least three (3) days per week. Such physical activity breaks shall complement, not substitute, for physical education class, recess, and class transition periods. The School Board shall provide resources and links to resources, tools, and technology with ideas for classroom physical activity breaks. Resources and ideas are also available through USDA and other organizations which promote health and wellness. ​ Active Academics Teachers shall be encouraged to incorporate movement and kinesthetic learning approaches into “core” subject instruction when possible (e.g., science, math, language arts, social studies and others) and do their part to limit sedentary behavior during the school day. The School Board shall support classroom teachers incorporating physical activity and employing kinesthetic learning approaches into core subjects by providing annual professional development opportunities and resources, including information on leading activities, activity options, as well as making available background material on the connections between learning and movement. Teachers shall serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever feasible. ​ Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness The School Board shall integrate wellness activities across the entire school setting, not just in the cafeteria, other food and beverage venues and physical activity facilities. The School Board shall coordinate and integrate other initiatives related to physical activity, physical education, nutrition and other wellness components so all efforts are complementary, not duplicative, and work towards the same set of goals and objectives promoting student well-being, optimal development and strong educational outcomes. ​ Public schools in Monroe City shall be encouraged to coordinate content across curricular areas that promote student health, such as teaching nutrition concepts in mathematics, with consultation provided by either the school or the School Board’s curriculum experts. All efforts related to obtaining federal, state or other organizational recognition for efforts, or grants/funding opportunities for healthy school environments shall be coordinated with and complementary of the School Wellness policy, including but not limited to ensuring the involvement of the School Health Advisory Council. ​ All school-sponsored events shall adhere to the School Wellness policy guidelines. All school-sponsored wellness events shall include physical activity and healthy eating opportunities when appropriate. Remember, always use Common Sense when preparing for cold/flu season, as well as other illnesses. Definitions In accordance with 7 CFR 210.11, for purposes of this policy: School day shall be defined as beginning at midnight until thirty (30) minutes after the official school day ends. School campus shall be defined as all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day. Revised: December, 2009 Revised: June, 2010 Revised: June, 2014 Revised: July 11, 2017 Ref: PL 108-265 (Section 204, Child Nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004); 42 USC 1751 et seq. (Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act); 42 USC 1771 et seq. (Child Nutrition Act of 1966); 7 CFR 210 (National School Lunch Program); 7 CFR 220 (School Breakfast Program); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:17.1, 17:197.1; Board minutes, 8-5-14, 7-11-17. Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) One of three school districts in Louisiana to be awarded Project AWARE through Louisiana Department of Education's 5-year grant from U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Monroe City Schools works to create a trauma-sensitive environment by increasing access to mental health services, providing professional development and instruction in trauma-informed care for school staffs, and raising awareness around the mental health issues confronting school-aged children. We take seriously the task of addressing the needs of the whole child in order to improve mental, social, and behavioral welfare, in addition to nurturing each student's academic achievement. If your student experiences issues affecting his or her learning, ability to cope, and/or general well-being, please email us at wellness@mcschools.net . A member of our wellness team will contact you as soon as possible. ​ View the PDF version of the MCS Wellne ss Policy

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