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Becoming Lion Chasers
"A 'Lion Chaser' is someone who dares to be different, creates their future with determination, doesn't let challenges defeat
them
, and lives each day with a purpose to make a difference. I have the privilege of working with many 'lion chasers' on a daily basis. Each are making a difference by building meaningful relationships, loving each child unconditionally, and encouraging one another to try again when they don't succeed at first. West Broadway also has many students who are 'lion chasers.' Regardless of circumstances, many Bobcats come to school each day with a smile and determination to make a positive change in the world.
- Amy Smith
West Broadway Elementary Principal
 "If I had to describe my role as a staff member here at the central office, I would say that I am similar to a mountain climber.
One safety feature that mountain climbers have is that a line is always connected to a person below called a belayer. If the climber loses his balance or falls, the belayer holds him securely until he can regain gain his footing and is able to continue.
The word belay means to anchor, to hold securely, to keep safe. As a friend and colleague, I am committed to giving others help and support in their daily lives. I feel we all have a responsibility to encourage one another and uphold one another in prayer. Believe it or not, simple words of encouragement can make the difference between giving up and going on. In essence, we are just like the mountain climbers; we are to hold the ropes for each other. The question is, whose rope is God encouraging you to hold?"
- Charles Gant
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
How are YOU being a Lion Chaser? |
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Click on the image for a photo gallery of the first day of school.
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Click on the image to see a photo gallery from #TeamHopkins Day. |
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Successful Start to School Year
Congratulations to Employees of the Year!
We have had a successful start to the school year. Thanks to everyone for your efforts! The top photo at right links to a photo gallery of images from the first day of school.
During #TeamHopkins Day on Aug. 1, the Employees of the Year for 2016-2017 were recognized: Transportation Employee of the Year - Michael Powers; Food Service Employee of the Year - Stacie Stanley, Earlington Elementary School; Facilities Management Employee of the Year - Dana Johnson, Browning Springs Middle School; Classified Support Service Employee of the Year - Julie Faulk, West Broadway Elementary School; Central Office Employee of the Year - Vicki Dickerson; Secretary of the Year - Jenny Harris, Grapevine Elementary School; Community Partner Award - School Resource Officer Leslie Gregory, Madisonville North Hopkins High School (not pictured); #TeamHopkins Award - Marty Cline, April Devine, Jennifer Luttrell, Tonia Griffey, Central Office; Element ary Teacher of the Year - Kelly Gates, Pride Elementary; Middle School Teacher of the Year - Joshua Ipock, James Madison Middle School; High School Teacher of the Year - Amy Clark, Madisonville North Hopkins High School; Administrator of the Year - Kristy Saint, Pride Elementary School.
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Community Generosity
 Several community partners collected donations of school supplies and food items for the Backpack Blessings program. Thanks to everyone who gave. The supplies were divided among the Family Resource Youth Services Centers to benefit students. Pictured, clockwise from top left, are Carhartt; Lisa Baker of the DPP office with items donated by Owensboro Health Group; and Maurice K. Gordon American Legion Auxiliary Unit 6.
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Salary Policy Change
District Policy 03.121 now calls for changes in rank and experience to be determined on Sept. 15 of each year. For ranking purposes, credits must be earned by Sept. 15 in order to receive the full salary for that Rank. Information on this was included in the Employee Handbook, which staff members signed off on as part of Safe Schools Training.
In the past, the policy allowed for mid-year rank changes. The policy was changed after talking to neighboring districts. Just one of the seven districts contacted was still doing this. We changed our policy to match the others.
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Introducing the Green Dot Program
By Yasamin S. Ausenbaugh
Education Coordinator
Sanctuary, Inc.
As educators, you have made it your life work to shape future generations not only in Hopkins County but future generations in our country. I have worked with enough educators in my role as Education Coordinator at Sanctuary, Inc, the Domestic Violence Shelter and Rape Crisis Center for the Pennyrile Area Development District, to know how passionate educators are not only about the academic health of our communities' children but also about the overall well being of those placed in your charge. This is evident in the Hopkins County School System in multiple ways but especially in the way that the Green Dot program has been embraced.
Green Dot is a bystander intervention program that was implemented at Hopkins County Central High School in 2016-2017 and will start this year at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. This program works to keep our kids safe from dating violence, sexual violence and bullying. Topics we hope none of our kids have to deal with but topics we know too many of them do encounter. We know that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience sexual violence before the age of 18. We know that 1 in 3 teens experience abuse from a dating partner every year. We know that 1 in 4 high school students experience bullying. But, we also know that when a peer intervenes violence stops 57% of the time!
Green Dot is about empowering our teens to intervene in safe and subtle ways to stop acts of violence before they even start. A Green Dot is any behavior, word, or action that promotes safety for everyone and communicates that violence is not acceptable. This program works to change the culture of our schools and the culture of our communities. It is a program that understands that most people do not inflict violence on others but many times do nothing to stop that violence from happening because they are not sure what they can do to stop it. It emphasizes small and effective acts we can take to make our communities safer.
The best thing about Green Dot is that is has been proven effective. The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs worked with all the Rape Crisis Centers in the state and the University of Kentucky to conduct a 5 year study on the effectiveness of Green Dot implementation at the high school level. This study was just published and it was found that this program significantly decreased violence in the schools in which it was implemented. We know that it works! As educators you also know that when students experience violence it negatively affects their grades and their development. Green Dot is the way, we as a community, can keep our kids safe, by empowering them to stand up for each other. The Hopkins County community has taken the steps to help make the community a safer place by implementing a program that has been proven effective.
For More Information:
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Tobacco Free Reminder
As a reminder, Hopkins County Schools is now tobacco free. No one is allowed  to use tobacco on school property - or at a school-sponsored event - at any time. Details are provided on the district website. Tobacco-free policies have been shown to improve student health, support health lessons taught in schools, and reduce the number of teens who smoke outside of school, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
The Hopkins County Health Department and Kentucky Cancer Program offer free stop-smoking classes. For more information, contact Lisa Hopper at the Health Department, 270-821-5242.
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Red Kettle Collection
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| South Hopkins Middle School collected funds in August to help the Salvation Army reach its goals. The "Red Shield Jail" at Friday Night Live Aug. 18 raised money for the agency. |
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Stellar Students
Governor's Scholars
The Board of Education honored #TeamHopkins students Aug. 22 who
participated in the 2017 Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program. Students who were recognized include Rebecca Brooks, Drewanne Herring, Victoria Hight, Addison Lander and McKenzie Rodgers, all of Hopkins County Central High School; and
Kourtney Ashby (not pictured), Emily Fischels, Katherine Howerton, Kirsten Moore, Abby Waide (not pictured) and Garrett Woodall, all of Madisonville North Hopkins High School. Congratulations to these outstanding students!
Lady Maroons Softball Team 
The Madisonville North Hopkins Lady Maroons softball team was presented with a #TeamHopkins Game Changer Award during the Monday, July 17, Board of Education meeting. The Lady Maroons won the 2017 KHSAA Softball State Tournament Championship last month. The coach is Shannon Peyton and assistant coaches are Scott Miller, Tim Davis and Casey Castile. Congratulations to everyone for this awesome accomplishment of winning the school's first softball State Championship!
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Event Calendar
Monday, Sept. 4 - No School / Labor Day / Central Office Closed
Tuesday, Sept. 5 - Tax Hearing, 5 p.m. and Board of Education Meeting, 5:30 p.m.,
both at Central Office
Monday, Sept. 18 - Board of Education Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Central Office
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High School Sports Schedules
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STAY CONNECTED
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