MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

🍎ON THE AGENDA🍎 Today's School Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. View the agenda: https://bit.ly/3DVZlMI Watch the livestream: https://bit.ly/4fT1CWk #ALLINMartin👊

🎶EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION🎶 This year, 18 of our dedicated music educators attended the FMEA - Florida Music Education Association Conference for a week of inspiring professional learning! We’re especially proud of Ms. Reva Rogers (South Fork High School) and Ms. Kerry Rocks (Hidden Oaks Middle School), who were selected to present a professional development session to music teachers from across the state. Their session focused on empowering creativity by helping educators select the perfect solo repertoire for their students. Congratulations as well to the several Martin County School District students who were chosen to perform at the conference! Thank you to our educators and students for representing Martin County with such excellence and passion! #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolPROUD #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, we honor Dr. King’s legacy of service, education, and community. Our students and staff are proud to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration in Stuart this afternoon, demonstrating their commitment to keeping his dream of service and unity alive. We can't wait to see them represent MCSD! #ALLINMartin👊 #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

⭐️MAKING A DIFFERENCE⭐️ Martin SAILS (Students Achieving Independent Living Skills) students and their teachers were recently celebrated for making a difference in our community! At The Farm Dog Rescue, students took part in community service, preparing items for fundraising events and gaining valuable job skills. They also lent a hand to our school psychologists by shredding old manuals—a task they completed with big smiles! Interested in your student joining Martin SAILS or Project SEARCH? Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 school year! Learn more about these unique and beneficial transition programs on January 23 from 4:30- 5:30 p.m. in the Martin SAILS classroom, located in The Stuart Learning Center–1050 SE 10th Street in Stuart. ➡️ Visit MCSD Transition Programs webpage: https://bit.ly/3Ebwfca #ALLINMartin👊 #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥 #PublicSchoolPROUD

🎉CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES🎉 We are thrilled to recognize the latest recipients of the Ignite Excellence Award, a special honor created to celebrate employees who go above and beyond in their dedication to students, colleagues, and our community. Nominated by their peers, these outstanding individuals embody what it means to "ignite excellence" every day through their passion and commitment to making a difference. December Award Recipients: ✨ Nancy Carroll, Riverbend Academy ✨ Herendida Hernandez, Crystal Lake Elementary School ✨ Kathleen Wonnell, South Fork High School ✨ Dr. Anita Caswell, Murray Middle School ✨ Mark Sechrist, Martin County School District Director of Facilities Know how amazing these team members are? Drop a shoutout in the comments below! 👏 We are incredibly grateful to our local businesses for helping celebrate our outstanding staff with special prizes. A heartfelt thank-you to Berry Fresh Cafe Stuart for partnering with us for this month's grand award! #ALLINMartin👊 #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥 #PublicSchoolPROUD

Reminder, families! All schools and District offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21. Join us in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy at the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration hosted by StuartLife - The City of Stuart, Florida. Watch for our incredible students and staff participating in the event! #ALLINMartin👊

🏁👟IT'S TRACK MEET TIME👟🏁 Get ready, get set, and mark your calendars! On February 1, Martin County School District elementary school students will showcase their athletic abilities in a variety of Track and Field events during the 41st Annual Russell Holloway Elementary Track Meet. Join us at South Fork High School to cheer on our students as they race toward the finish line. 👟🏁 All track meet information can be found here: https://bit.ly/40msM21 #ALLINMartin👊 #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

📚HONORING OUR HISTORY📚 Celebrate Black History Month with an exciting opportunity to win scholarships or gift cards! The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida invite students of all grade levels to showcase their creativity and knowledge by participating in this year’s Black History Month contests. Essay contest winners will receive a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship, and art contest winners will receive a $100 gift card! Don’t miss out– the contest ends February 3! For details and how to enter, visit: floridablackhistory.com #ALLINMartin👊

🐢🌊EXPLORING THE GEM OF MARTIN COUNTY🐢🌊 You know what's fun for the whole family? Grandparents' Day at the Environmental Studies Center! Mark your calendars for February 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and join us for a morning of hands-on learning and exploration! Tour the gem of Martin County, meet Saylor the Sea Turtle, and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. #ALLINMartin👊 #ESCIsThePlaceToBe

🎙️ALL IN MARTIN🎙️ Episode 2 is here! 🎉 Watch or listen to the latest episode of the Martin County School District's podcast, All In Martin, now available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts! In this second episode, Chief of Safety and Security Frank Frangella explains the key differences between lockdowns and lockouts on school campuses, and Bessey Creek Elementary School Principal Stacy Schmit highlights the upcoming Kindergarten Blast Off orientation event happening February 11 at 5:30 p.m. at all elementary schools! Tune in today to stay connected and informed about all things MCSD! 🎥 YouTube: https://bit.ly/40D4P8c 🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42h1oFo 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4alpwIN #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolPROUD #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

📚READ-A-THON COMPETITION📚 The competition is heating up in the Education Foundation of Martin County's A Winter's Tale: Read-A-Thon! Elementary students across the Martin County School District are diving into books, taking #MCSDReads AR tests, and racking up points for their teams: 🦉 Hoot Squad (J.D. Parker Elementary School, Warfield Elementary School, Port Salerno Elementary School, and The Pinewood Elementary) 🦊 Clever Crew (Bessey Creek Elementary School, Citrus Grove Elementary School, Jensen Beach Elementary School, and Palm City Elementary School) 🐻 Grizzly Group (Hobe Sound Elementary School, Felix A. Williams Elementary, SeaWind Elementary - Hobe Sound, FL, and Crystal Lake Elementary School) Prizes await the top teams and schools, and as of last Friday, the Clever Crew 🦊 is in the lead! Follow the Education Foundation of Martin County on Facebook for updates every Friday, and keep cheering on your team as the points climb! Let's get our reading on! #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolPROUD #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

🔬LEADERS IN SCIENCE🔬 SeaWind Elementary - Hobe Sound, FL, budding leaders and scientists put their knowledge of potential and kinetic energy into action in an exciting, hands-on science experiment! With the guidance of Mr. Fourquet, the school's science teacher, students explored real-world applications of these important concepts. As the Leadership Academy, SeaWind grows leaders and lifelong learners! This is one of the 12 featured schools accepting applications through Specialty Pathways. The application window closes soon–secure your seat today ➡️ https://bit.ly/3YUi6YV #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolPROUD #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

🍎ON THE AGENDA🍎 Today's School Board Workshop will begin at 4:00 p.m. View the agenda: https://bit.ly/4gKDx5j Watch the livestream: https://bit.ly/4h3LYbA #ALLINMartin👊

📖 IGNITING LITERACY LEADERSHIP 📖 Assistant Principal Nicole Bagley (Port Salerno Elementary School), Assistant Principal Crystal Grauer (Warfield Elementary School), and Principal Trisha Elliott (Hobe Sound Elementary School) recently represented the Martin County School District at the Literacy Leadership Conference, hosted by The Florida Center for Reading Research. This dynamic program equips school leaders with evidence-based tools and strategies to elevate literacy practices in classrooms, driving meaningful change and fostering student success. Professional development like this helps create brighter futures for every student in Martin County. We can’t wait to see the impact these leaders will make as they bring these innovative strategies back to our schools! #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolPROUD #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

🪴HANDS-ON LEARNING🪴 Felix A. Williams Elementary kids are getting their hands dirty and engaging in learning beyond classroom walls! 🌞 Thanks to the PTA and community partners, FAWE students are diving into hands-on lessons in their very own garden! From harvesting fresh veggies like broccoli, bok choy, and beans to enjoying the scents of lemon balm and basil, these experiences truly show that learning takes root everywhere! Amazing work, FAWE! 💚💙

🏆 HOLIDAY HUSTLE CHAMPIONS 🏆 Congratulations to Citrus Grove Elementary for claiming the top spot in the Holiday Hustle Challenge! 🎉 The IXL Prize Patrol stopped by to present the coveted Holiday Hustle Trophy, now proudly displayed in the school’s atrium. Thank you to all the students across the District who participated—keep hustling and crushing those proficiency goals this year! 💪 #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

🎉CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY🎉 The Martin County School District is thrilled to announce our first-ever district-wide Black History Month celebration! Join us as we celebrate Black culture, the creativity of our students, and the power of community. 📅 Saturday, February 22, 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. 📍 The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Stuart Club at 551 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Stuart Enjoy student performances from several different schools and get a taste of history through dish samples prepared by Martin County High School's Hospitality Management & Gastronomy students, inspired by chefs Bryant Terry and Jocelyn Jackson, two icons in culinary innovation and cultural storytelling. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County's Food Truck, Fork in the Road, will also have food for purchase. This is an event you don't want to miss! #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolPROUD #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

📣📚 ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN VPK! 📚📣 The Martin County School District's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs will begin accepting enrollment applications for the 2025-2026 school year on February 3, 2025, at 8 a.m.! VPK is an early learning program that provides developmentally appropriate instruction and activities to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond by building a solid foundation for school success. To be eligible, students must be four years of age on or before September 1, 2025, and reside within an eligible school attendance zone. Enrollment is limited! Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child a strong start for kindergarten and beyond. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3DQ2ihS #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥

🍎REPORT CARDS🍎 Second quarter report cards will be available in the FOCUS Parent Portal on Monday, January 13. View your child's grades and attendance records: https://martin.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/ If you do not currently have access to the FOCUS Parent Portal, please click here to view instructions for claiming your account: https://martin.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/auth/ #ALLINMartin👊

🎓 CELEBRATING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE 🎓 The Florida Department of Education recently released graduation rates, and the Martin County School District is proud to share that our overall rate has increased once again, surpassing the state average! For the Class of 2024, our graduation rate reached an impressive 92%, exceeding the state average of 89.7%. This achievement represents our highest graduation rate since 2020-2021 and reflects the incredible dedication of our students, educators, and families. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 from Jensen Beach High School, Martin County High School, and South Fork High School for their hard work and success! 🎉 Read more about each high school's graduation rate by clicking the link: https://bit.ly/3PtZIR5 #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud #IgniteTogetherMCSD🔥 #Classof2024