The Pirate Press
The blocked sewage line at JMHS has been fixed. We would like to thank our dedicated Maintenance Department for their efforts today!
Healthy Students Newsletter
There is a partial sewage line blockage at JMHS. It affects 1 restroom and out of caution we are sending students to MCTC to use the restroom. There are many rumors circulating that are completely inaccurate. The issue does not affect MCTC, lunches have been served, and maintenance is working to unclog the line.
The Hawk Mascot was around Mountain View Friday morning greeting students as they came in and promoting “Hawk Pride”!
Thanksgiving activity at KLC
You all are doing wonderful, but I know we can do even better! We have extended the AHA Kid's Heart Challenge through the end of November. Help your child and their school win prizes; register and complete Finn's mission today! Please turn your packets into the nurse to submit donations after break.
This is a reminder that there will be no school during Thanksgiving week. Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving.
The Dispatcher
Parents and Guardians of JMHS Seniors,
Please use the link below to reserve a spot for our Financial Aid 101 Workshop hosted by the WV Higher Education Policy Commission! During this in-person event, a financial aid expert will provide you with tips, information, and resources, as well as answer questions you have regarding the FAFSA process. Once the presentation is complete, there will be an opportunity for students to create FSA IDs. The event is free of charge; students and their families will only need to bring themselves and a Chromebook. Other specific information can be found at the registration link below. The event will take place on December 1st from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
We hope to see you all there!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/james-monroe-high-school-financial-aid-101-fa-101fsa-id-workshop-tickets-757904561947?aff=oddtdtcreator
Volunteers Welcome at JMHS
Teachers at James Monroe High School recognize that textbooks and computers are not the only ways to learn and that there are untapped resources in our area that could provide much knowledge in other ways. History, careers, tips for life, information on a variety of subjects, and skills in many areas abound.
We are compiling a list of people in our community who would be willing to share their knowledge and expertise to high school students for an hour (or a day). They would be contacted in advance and would be assisted by the classroom teacher while presenting. There is no obligation, and it would likely be late January before the program becomes active. There is no pay, just in satisfaction!
If you are interested, please contact Becky Crabtree (text 304-910-3588 or email rebecca.crabtree@k12.wv.us) with your name and contact information and a sentence or two about the information you want to share. Teachers would then contact you in advance to make arrangements.
Here are examples:
-John Doe, text or call 304-753-XXXX, I enjoy making sauerkraut and would like to show students the process from start to finish and provide samples to taste.
-Jane Doe, email jadoe@gmail.com, My grandfather was in WWII and I have his uniform and letters, pictures, and a map to show all the places where he was stationed. I’d like to share his story with young people.
Thank you in advance for contributing to the education of our high school students.
[Becky Crabtree is the new Communities in School coordinator at James Monroe High School.]
If you are near the town of Union, you may see these stickers pop up on the windows of local businesses. Communities In Schools Site Coordinator Brandon Eggleston at Mountain View Elementary/Middle School has been partnering with local businesses to start a "Partners in Education" initiative. This allows businesses the opportunity to be involved in the school through career days, job training, and educational presentations. If you would like to be a Partner in Education with Mountain View School, feel free to reach out to Brandon Eggleston at Brandon.eggleston@k12.wv.us or call 304-772-4903
On Tuesday, November 14th, Monroe County FFA hosted and competed in the Southeastern Regional FFA Tractor Driving Contest. Members from Greenbrier East, Summers County, and Liberty, Raliegh (Surveyor FFA) joined Monroe County at the WillowBend Ag Innovation Center for the Contest. Students were involved in two different contests, Zero-Turn Lawnmower and Large Agriculture Tractor. They were required to not only test their driving ability with a variety of courses involving backing implements and four-wheel wagons but also their knowledge in regard to parts Identification, troubleshooting and use of service manuals, general knowledge on operation and use, and most importantly safety.
We would like to thank all of the members who worked tirelessly to make sure the contest went off without a hitch, helping with set-up food, running scorecards and assisting judges with courses. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Nathan Sears and the folks at Boone Tractor and James River Equipment, both of Lewisburg, for their assistance during the contest and for providing equipment for the students to use. We would also like to thank Jason Kleinfelter, farm manager at the Willowbend Farm for assisting and allowing us to use the facilities for the contest.
Monroe County Students faired very well in the contest with five contestants, Jairus Broyles, Eli Broyles, and Devan Matney competing in the large tractor event. Kenzy Wade and Aydin Kleinfleter competed in the Zero-Turn events. Three individuals took home top honors in both contests and will represent their Region in the State Contest at the State FFA Convention in July of 2024. Placing 1st in large tractor was Jairus Broyles, 2nd in large tractor was Eli Broyles, and Aydin Kleinfelter led the way in the Zero-Turn competition with a 1st place finish.
Congratulations to all contestants and winners!
On Saturday, November 4th, Monroe County FFA Member Lauren Ballard and past chapter president achieved the highest degree that can be earned by a member of the National Association. She, along with roughly 4000 of her peers from across the nation walked the stage to receive her American FFA Degree. Less than 1% of the 950,000+-, members achieve this degree. American Degree recipients must achieve their Greenhand, Chapter, and State Degrees before applying for their American. In order to receive this degree, they must maintain their SAE Record book and accumulate a minimum number of community service hours, participate in multiple above-chapter-level events, and earn and spend a minimum amount of money directly related to their Supervised Agriculture Experience. This degree is most often applied for and earned after a member graduates from high school because the minimum qualifications require so much detail and time. Lauren is no exception as she applied last January during her freshman year at South Dakota State University. Join us in congratulating Lauren for such an achievement as her last official act as a Monroe County FFA Chapter member. She is the first American degree awarded to a Monroe Count member in two decades!
Lauren is the daughter of Shawn and Michelle Ballard of Waiteville and is currently in her second year at South Dakota State University where she is majoring in animal science. She plans to become a large animal veterinarian. Her FFA Advisors are Shawn Hill and Mitchell Boone.
On Friday, November 10th, Monroe County FFA Members departed for Charleston to compete in the WV Farm Bureau Quiz Bowl Competition. Team members prepared with hours of practice to answer questions about the Farm Bureau on the local, state, and national levels. They also were well versed in Citizenship, civics, Constitutional and Parliamentary law, and general agriculture knowledge. This well-prepared team competed Saturday morning and respectfully finished 2nd place!
Team Members were: Emma Ballard, Laine Taylor, Eli Broyles, and Kinley Reese
Advisor: Mr. Shawn Hill
Coach/Parent: Michelle Ballard
I am sure many of you have heard by now about the American Heart Challenge that's running at Mountain View and Peterstown for grades 5-8.
If you have a child in those grades, please make sure to sign them up and complete Finn's Mission.
Remember this is for students in 5-8, but ANY staff member can sign up and complete the mission as well!
To register, donate, or help the kids and school win cool prizes feel free to take a look below!
Your donation, registration and/or sharing of support is appreciated.
Mountain View:
http://www2.heart.org/goto/MountainViewschoolwv
Peterstown:
http://www2.heart.org/goto/peterstownmiddle
After school tutoring at JMHS will begin November 28th and continue till May on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6:30. See Mrs Fraley for sign-ups.
The kids at EHS enjoyed getting to make signs for the football players and having cookies with them to wish them good luck in the playoffs.
School Bus 223 will be running around 15 minutes late this morning.