Incentives are doubled from $250 to $500 to reward all students who excel in AP Computer Science (AP CS) or attain the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. <Monroe /> COMPUTE$ is making extra funding available to reward the students who earn the MOS industry certificate or pass the AP CS exam with a three or above during the 2020-2021 school year.
Upcoming Facebook Live Events
Coming Soon to our District Facebook Page
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
MCSD & UTM Bargaining Team
The Monroe County School District (MCSD) and the United Teachers of Monroe (UTM) convenes annually to bargain conditions pertinent to the UTM, Teachers and SRP Contracts. The team will bargain Summer School and tutoring compensation on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and on Thursday, March 11, 2021, from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The meetings will be conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams. For access to observe or any inquiries, please contact Harry Russell by email at: Harry.Russell@keysschools.com no later than Noon, the day before a scheduled session. The public is welcomed and can observe at the following location:
MCSD Administrative Building, 241 Trumbo Road Key West - Inquire at front office - 305.293.1400 (Contact: Harry Russell)
Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.
The MCSD/UTM Bargaining Team
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
MCSD & UTM Bargaining Team
The Monroe County School District (MCSD) and the United Teachers of Monroe (UTM) convenes annually to bargain conditions pertinent to the UTM, Teachers and SRP Contracts. A subcommittee has been formed to work on Exceptional Student Education caseloads and will meet on Thursday, February 18, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m and Wednesday, March 17, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The meetings will be conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams. For access to observe or any inquiries, please contact Harry Russell by email at: Harry.Russell@keysschools.com no later than Noon, the day before a scheduled session. The public is welcomed and can observe at the following location:
MCSD Administrative Building, 241 Trumbo Road Key West - Inquire at front office - 305.293.1400 (Contact: Harry Russell)
Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.
The MCSD/UTM Bargaining Team
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
MCSD & UTM Bargaining Team
The Monroe County School District (MCSD) and the United Teachers of Monroe (UTM) convenes annually to bargain conditions pertinent to the UTM, Teachers and SRP Contracts. A subcommittee has been formed to work on supplements and will meet on Thursday, March 4, 2021, from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursday, April 1, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, May 6, 2021, from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The meetings will be conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams. For access to observe or any inquiries, please contact Harry Russell by email at: Harry.Russell@keysschools.com no later than Noon, the day before a scheduled session. The public is welcomed and can observe at the following location:
MCSD Administrative Building, 241 Trumbo Road Key West - Inquire at front office - 305.293.1400 (Contact: Harry Russell)
Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.
The MCSD/UTM Bargaining Team
Parents/Guardians: We are required to notify you of Reading Scholarship Accounts - available for students in grades 3 through 5. Click here for detaills in english, spanish and creole.
Key West High School to Offer
AP Capstone Diploma Program
Key West High School is one of approximately 2,000 schools worldwide to implement the AP Capstone™ Diploma program―an innovative program that allows students to develop the skills that matter most for college success, such as research, collaboration, and communication. The program consists of two yearlong courses taken in sequence: AP® Seminar and AP Research.
Students who score a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing earn the AP Capstone Diploma™. This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Students who score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research (and not on four additional AP Exams) earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
Key West High School has a vibrant Advanced Placement program in place, currently offering 24 courses. Being selected for the distinguished AP Capstone program will allow students to build in-depth skills in research and development that will further prepare them for college success. Key West High School will start offering AP Seminar in the fall of 2021.
“The Key West High School faculty is excited to partner with the College Board to provide our students with this outstanding and challenging program which will allow them to be competitive nationally,” said Principal Christina McPherson. “We look forward to promoting this new opportunity in the upcoming Spring registration.”
In AP Seminar, typically taken in 10th or 11th grade, students choose and evaluate complex topics through multiple lenses; identify credibility and bias in sources; and develop arguments in support of a recommendation. AP Seminar is a project-based learning course. Each student’s AP Seminar score is based on a set of assessments including research reports, written arguments, timed essays and group and individual presentations completed throughout the academic year.
”As a former writing teacher, I know how important research, collaboration and communication are to academic success in the post-secondary world,” commented Superintendent Theresa Axford. “AP Capstone will allow our students to engage in developing skills that promote all three of these at a very high level. I am excited that Key West High School will implement this program in the fall and look forward to hearing and seeing how our students progress in this area.”
In the subsequent AP Research course, students design, execute, present, and defend a yearlong research-based investigation on a topic of individual interest. They build on skills developed in AP Seminar by learning how to understand research methodology; employ ethical research practices; and collect, analyze, and synthesize information to contribute to academic research. Like AP Seminar, AP Research is a project-based course. Each student’s AP Research score is based on their academic paper, presentation, and oral defense.
OVERALL SCHOOL RELATED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Carlos Polanco, Upper Keys Maintenance
Monroe County School District's 2020 2021 Teacher of the Year:
Ms. Monica Horsley
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will soon receive delivery a new 36-foot Newton Research vessel. This boat will be used to maintain the network of more than 800 buoys that protect natural resources within the sanctuary. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, requires the boat be named after a marine species. NOAA reached out to the students in Monroe County to help them name the vessel. NOAA sent out a survey that listed three possible marine species to choose from; Leatherback, Stingray and Yellowtail. There were 571 votes from 11 of the schools in Monroe County. Leatherback received 42.73% of the vote, Stingray received 31.87% and Yellowtail received 25.39%. Leatherback was the winning choice. As you can see from the results image, Leatherback was the top choice for the vessel’s new name. Thank you to the National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA for involving our district’s students in this unique opportunity.
The MCSD is very grateful to Mr. Bob Eadie and his team, including the leadership of Nurse Dana Portillo, and Dr. Mark Whiteside for their in-depth support as active participants on our Back to School Task Force and throughout the pandemic. Our partnership with the Monroe County Department of Health has been of critical importance as we navigated our return to school during COVID-19. Their willingness to dialogue with us regularly has helped with decision making on a daily basis. They are supportive of our students, teachers and staff throughout the district and have prioritized us in their work. We appreciate them for always making the time for us not just this year but every year. They truly are our partners in education and we are honored to recognize them as a Community GEM!
Coral Shores High School, Gage Cooper, has been selected as Monroe County School District’s Sunshine State Scholar for the 2020-2021 school year. Cooper was chosen from a group of exemplary student finalists, including Lainey Cabanas from Key West High School and Leonard Volcheck from Marathon High School. Cooper was selected for his outstanding achievements in STEM courses, as well as extracurricular activities and work beyond the classroom. His teachers describe him as a creative, insightful and forward thinking individual who asks thought-provoking questions and is always willing to help another student.
The Monroe County School District (MCSD) would like to recognize the Finance Department for six consecutive years of excellence in financial reporting. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is the financial report audited by the State Auditor General’s Office. The Association of School Business Officials International then reviews the audited financial report and determines whether or not it is eligible for the certificate of excellence. MCSD has had zero findings for the 2014-2019 audits and expects to receive their seventh certificate of excellence when the official report comes out next month as they had no audit findings for the 2020 year. Superintendent Theresa Axford considers this team, “one of the finest in the School District’s history.” Pictured, with the perpetual plaque denoting the accomplishment, are members of the Finance Department including Mabel Balmaceda, Elena Paez, Executive Director Beverly Anders and Austin Tran. Not pictured are Andrea Boggs, Julie Davis, Arelys Farley, Nancy Oleinik.
On Facebook: @mymcsd
On Instagram: #mymcsd
Twitter: @Keysschools
Blog: mymcsd-fl.blogspot.com
Monroe Computes Opportunities for the 2020-2021 School Year
Incentives are doubled from $250 to $500 to reward all students who excel in AP Computer Science (AP CS) or attain the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. <Monroe /> COMPUTE$ is making extra funding available to reward the students who earn the MOS industry certificate or pass the AP CS exam with a three or above during the 2020-2021 school year.
MCSD Teen Crisis Help Line Don't hesitate to reach out now if you need help! We are here for you!
Keys AHEC Health Centers-School Medical Centers
School District blog will have school related Covid-19 information all in one place. Check it out!
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications are AVAILABLE NOW. A new application is needed each year.
Starting Tuesday, September 8th through Friday, May 28th, all children in Monroe County 18 and under will be eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Visit the MCSD Food Services Department Facebook page for periodic updates and addtional information More information is available here....
