Foundation for the Future

 

Important Notice for School Closure:

The Governor of the State of Louisiana issued a proclamation (READ THE PROCLAMATION HERE!) which has closed all schools to students effective at the close of business Friday, March 13, 2020. 

 

Monroe City School Community,
 

As I’ve always believed, families are the child’s first teacher. This will be especially important over the next month. In response to the Governor’s emergency proclamation, all Monroe City Schools are closed beginning Monday, March 16 through at least April 14. All schools and buildings will be closed and all activities - including school day instruction, before and after-care, preschool, health services, parent teacher conferences, student registration, and enrichment - will be canceled until further notice.

I know this was not a decision the Governor made lightly. Outside of the benefit of our schools to our nearly 8500 student and 1400 employees, I understand the important role a public-school system plays in the greater community. We know closing our schools will impact our most vulnerable families, and we recognize that working families depend on the consistency and predictability of supports and services our schools offer. We also have families who rely on our schools for childcare and meals. 

In this evolving situation, while our classrooms are empty, our work on behalf of children continues.  Monroe City Schools is offering at-home learning options in two different formats: online and print. The district will not require online distance learning since we cannot ensure that all students will have equal access to learning.  With that said, we will provide online resources at each school website and the district website. These resources are meant to provide optional opportunities for student learning while students are absent from school. We encourage our students and families to utilize these resources. Our teachers will be responsive and available via email should families have questions. Please know this will not take the place of regular classroom instruction. It’s meant to supplement student learning at home. Print resources will be available beginning Wednesday at all school locations.  LOCATING YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER WEBSITE(S)

Grab-and-go lunches for our students will be available March 17, at select sites throughout the district. The meals will be distributed from 10:30-12:00 Monday-Friday at the following schools Jefferson, Baukdull Faulk, Carroll Jr, Sallie Humble, Burg Jones, Madison Foster, Shelling and Wossman. Additional information is available on our website.

One of our next steps is to ensure the safety of all our employees. All Monroe City Schools and Central Office buildings will institute the office hours of 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The families who need to retrieve their essential student medications, please do so during those hours.

I want to thank everyone for their understanding and ongoing commitment to prioritize the safety of our students, staff, and school communities. 

Thank you to our students, families and staff. Whether you’re supporting our students by leading our schools, providing high-quality instruction, serving on our school board, keeping our buildings clean, providing meals for students, completing payroll, or providing updates to our families, I appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication. Thank you to our community members, including our medical and emergency personnel, parish government officials, and other partners who continuously work to keep our communities healthy and safe.

We are working to get you up-to-date information and will continue to be in regular contact. For the latest official district updates, visit the Monroe City Schools webpage.

In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to follow CDC guidelines to prevent any further spread of this virus. If you are able, please offer help to friends and neighbors. Small moments of kindness, grace, and support will go a long way as we navigate our collective response to this situation.

 

Monroe City Schools Offering Grab & Go Meals, Optional At-Home Learning Resources, Call Center for Families During School Closures
 

Students are out of school until at least April 14, but Monroe City Schools will offer student meals and optional at-home learning resources to families. The at-home learning resources will be available two ways: online at www.mcschools.net and printed packets can be picked up beginning Tuesday, March 17. The same day the district will begin providing grab and go meals for children. Monroe City Schools educators will also operate a hotline for families who need academic support.

Meals will be provided weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., beginning March 17. Families can pick up the first round of printed learning packets in the grab and go meal line.

The grab and go locations are:

• Burg Jones Elementary 
• Jefferson Elementary
• Wossman High School
• Sallie Humble Elementary
• Shelling Elementary
• Madison Foster Elementary
• Carroll Jr. High
• Barkdull Faulk Elementary

Meals will be offered to any child age 18 and under regardless of whether they are a Monroe City Schools student. Printed learning packets will be available for students in grades pre-K to 8th. Children must be present with an adult to receive a meal and learning packet. Meals will include lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning. The printed learning packets are intended for families who do not have internet access to the resources available on the district website. High school students are encouraged to use the digital coursework linked to the school or university website. 

The grab and go service will include pick-up lines outside the school for families to drive through or walk up. In order to avoid creating a large crowd, it is important that families immediately leave campus after receiving their meal and packet. 

We encourage our families to reach out to their teachers with any academic questions. Teacher email addresses are available on individual school websites. For a school website directory, visit www.mcschools.net. Schools will be open weekdays Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning March 17.

 

Certain Internet Providers are offering free or reduced internet access during this time of emergency.  Please see the options on our special webpage.

 

Latest Updates:

Please see our Frequently Asked Question Document for parents.  This page covers many different questions concerning the educational environment that we find ourselves us in at this time.  Please consult the page for answers to some common questions.

If you are in need of childcare because you are an essential employee, please see this map of locations that are available in our area.

 

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.