Monroe County Schools

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.

James Monroe Football Playoff shirts will be at the game Saturday, November 11 for sale. Hoodies-$40 Crewneck-$30 Long Sleeve T-$25 Short Sleeve T-$20 Please share this!

Barnhill Preserve from Delaware came to visit MVS. They taught students about animal habitats and diets and invited students to ask questions about each animal's habits.

Mrs. Long’s class at JMHS participated in a Math Scavenger Hunt involving the Angle Addition Postulate. Students worked in pairs to solve each problem, in which the answer led them to a new problem until they returned to the problem they started with!

Attention Peterstown Middle School Parents and Guardians.

Attention Parents of Students in Peterstown grades 5-8 and Mountain View grades 5-8, don’t forget to get registered for the Kid’s Heart Challenge! This Challenge ends on November 26, 2023. It is open to students and staff of the middle school students. There are fun prizes they can earn along the way from keychains to t-shirts and jump ropes. Also, the homeroom in each grade level that raises the most money gets an extra recess class period while their teacher gets an extra planning period so let’s challenge one another to make a difference! Register by Wednesday, November 8th for your chance to win additional prizes of reusable straws and cell phone card holders!

Don't forget to register your student in grades 5th-8th to get them earning cool prizes like these while learning to be heart healthy at the same time! Use the link below to register and be sure to link to your correct school. http://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=9739&pg=company&company_id=459628 http://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=9739&pg=company&company_id=456115

Monroe County Schools will be closed on Friday, November 10th in honor of Veteran's Day.

Monroe County Schools would like to invite you to county wide open houses at each school on Thursday, November 9th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Monroe County FFA members are having a great time at the 96th National Convention in Indianapolis Indiana. On day one they traveled to John Deere corporate headquarters and toured the pavilion and Rock Island in Moline Illinois. Day two consisted of jam-packed sessions and networking with thousands of FFA members from across the nation. This was followed by dinner with Monroe County Native and supporter Rob Larew, president of Farmers Union. On Friday, they returned to the convention. The ladies headed straight for the Women in Ag networking session while the gentlemen were tasked with finding trade schools and exploring their options beyond high school. On Saturday, they will wrap up their trip by attending the American Degree ceremony to witness fellow member and past Chapter President, Lauren Ballard receive her degree. The first to come to Monroe County in 20 years! Monroe County look at what this program is doing! They are showing the country what our little county can do! If you see them out give them a shout and tell them great job! Attending are Emma Ballard, Kinley Reese, Cole Martin, Kenzy Wade, Jairus Broyles, Shailyn Wickline, and Josh Meadows. Accompanied by Advisor Shawn Hill and parent volunteer Michelle Ballard. PART 2

Monroe County FFA members are having a great time at the 96th National Convention in Indianapolis Indiana. On day one they traveled to John Deere corporate headquarters and toured the pavilion and Rock Island in Moline Illinois. Day two consisted of jam-packed sessions and networking with thousands of FFA members from across the nation. This was followed by dinner with Monroe County Native and supporter Rob Larew, president of Farmers Union. On Friday, they returned to the convention. The ladies headed straight for the Women in Ag networking session while the gentlemen were tasked with finding trade schools and exploring their options beyond high school. On Saturday, they will wrap up their trip by attending the American Degree ceremony to witness fellow member and past Chapter President, Lauren Ballard receive her degree. The first to come to Monroe County in 20 years! Monroe County look at what this program is doing! They are showing the country what our little county can do! If you see them out give them a shout and tell them great job! Attending are Emma Ballard, Kinley Reese, Cole Martin, Kenzy Wade, Jairus Broyles, Shailyn Wickline, and Josh Meadows. Accompanied by Advisor Shawn Hill and parent volunteer Michelle Ballard. PART 1

Phlebotomy students taking part in their Friends and Family Stick Night. ACE Phlebotomy course offered in the evenings at the Vocational School.

TutorWV is NOW available for all students in WV. It provides online, on-demand, expert tutoring and homework help in over 200 subjects. https://governor.wv.gov/News/press-releases/2023/Pages/Gov.-Justice-announces-statewide-partnership-with-Tutor.com.aspx

Did you know November is National Diabetes Awareness Month? Knowing the warning signs can help save a life. High-five the diabetes hero in your life throughout the month of November and help spread the word. Knowledge is key.