James and Dark Rain Thom Visit MHS

The English 11 Honors class invited Indiana authors James and Dark Rain Thom to Monrovia High School. The program was hosted by Mrs. Phillips. The Thoms met with students Monday and talked about a variety of topics before answering questions.
Mr. Thom spoke first, explaining a creation story where man "passed through a curtain of foliage" and could no longer be a simple animal once he began to think. He went on to talk about leaving the Indianapolis Star in 1967 to start writing novels. Mr. Thom lived on a boat in Florida for a time. He spoke at length of the importance of keeping a balance in life. Mr. Thom encouraged our students to be educated to live rather than to be educated to make a living.
Mrs. Thom began by explaining the early differences between "Indian life" and "American life." As a Shawnee, Dark Rain grew up in Indian culture. She presented the creation story where "He Who Creates by Thinking" made humans guardians of the land. Mrs. Thom talked about surviving in the natural world and learning to get along with only the things we need.
The Thoms closed their presentation to our students by urging them to find chances to inspire others. Mr. Thom said that the greatest gift an author can receive is a reader's confirmation that a book has changed his or her life. Find out more about the Thoms at jamesalexanderthom.com

Are Our Graduates Ready?

Staff Reporter Rowan Gast-Bray
The question above was posed by local business leaders at the Morgan County Economic Development Committee. These business leaders have issues with graduates of Morgan County schools as employees. Local graduates allegedly have poor punctuality and interpersonal skills. Morgan County school districts (Eminence, Martinsville, Monrovia and Mooresville) collaborated to deliver a presentation on what they are doing to prepare their graduates. What did Monrovia High School have to say? For starters, we have expanded our opportunities with the Ben Davis Area 31 program. Students can study a broad range of courses that Monrovia does not have the facilities to operate.We also have included a bio-medical course to prepare students for the medical field. In the future there may be a push for more classes like this to be offered. As far as punctuality, Monrovia High School assistant principal Mr. Smith is on the case. He wants to make sure that we learn to be timely in order to be better prepared for the workforce. To do this he is keeping better track of first period tardies. In short, our school has been pushing us to succeed.

Lady Bulldogs Soccer

Staff Reporter Ethan Rupert

Monrovia’s girls soccer team played against Edgewood on our home turf. After an offensive start, Monrovia’s Leighann York was injured and pulled out for the rest of the game limiting substitute options. After both teams pushed back and forth, halftime came around with Edgewood on top 0-1. During the second half Kyrsa Galyan assisted Victoria Allen in scoring the final goal for the game (1-1). The team coordinated very well together and played a good game.

Monroe-Gregg School Board Meeting Agenda

The Bulldog Fetch will post a copy of the Monroe-Gregg School Board's meeting agenda each month. The Board meets on the second Monday of each month. Look for stories to follow that explain the role of our school board, the role of our superintendent and how their decisions shape our school corporation.

                                            

                                                         AGENDA

MONROE-GREGG

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

ADMINISTRATION CENTER

September 8, 2014

      Executive Session at 5:45 p.m.

Public Budget Hearing and Regular Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

             

                Executive Session:  IC 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(3)

                                (3) For discussion of the assessment, design, and implementation of school safety and security                                                    measures, plans and systems.

Pledge

1.             Call to Order

               

                2.             Budget Public Hearing

a.       Budget Public Hearing for Proposed 2015 Budget,  2015-2026 Bus Replacement Plan, and

2015-2017 Capital Projects Plan

b.       Additional Appropriation Hearing for Rainy Day Fund

c.       Public Comments on 2015 Budget

3.             Consideration of Minutes

                                Regular Meeting                 August 11, 20113                                

4.             Consideration of Claims

5.             Consideration of Personnel Recommendations         

6.             Public Comments on Agenda Items

7.             School Safety Presentation

8.             Consideration 2014-2015 Master Teacher Agreement

9.             Consideration of Donation from Co-Alliance

10.          Adjournment        

               

This meeting is a meeting of the School Board in public for the purpose of conducting the School Corporation’s business and is not to be considered a public community meeting.   There will be time for public participation as indicated by agenda item.

Next Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Monroe-Gregg Administration Center. 

Fetch Readers Love Batman

Batman wins our Fetch superhero poll. Our Bulldog reporters will be at the festival this weekend. We plan to sample as much of the culinary fare as we can. Vote this week for your favorite Monrovia Festival food.

Healthier Cafeteria Choices

Staff Reporter Deana Fishel

One thing students look forward to when coming back to school is the school lunch. On the first day, everyone noticed something odd in the cafeteria. “They changed things!” Everyone blamed the changes on the school, the government and Taher, our food service provider. The real reason for the changes is the enactment of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. Every year since the act was passed, there has been a slow phasing-in of new rules and regulations. Over the last four years, there have been many small changes turning into bigger ones.  One thing the students have noticed the most is the salt regulations set forth by the federal government. The cafeteria understands that having less salt is going to be difficult. The cafeteria has a “flavor station.” Students may choose to season their food with a 17-herb blend, tomato basil, southwest chipotle, lemon pepper, or a California garlic pepper. Look for the “flavor station” by the bulldog table beside the cashier stands. The cafeteria staff appreciate the purpose of the changes. “We truly understand what the Federal Government is trying to do. Teaching good nutrition by example is what a school should do. The industry and suppliers bring more whole grain and lower salt items to order from. We can introduce more products.” The cafeteria staff believe that it is good to have whole grain foods. It provides good examples of healthy meals.