Entrepreneurship Challenge
Lt. Gov. Hampton visits district
Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton visited Hopkins County Schools on Oct. 24 to share information on the Lieutenant Governor's Entrepreneurship Challenge. During her time in the district, she spoke to students in the Entrepreneurship class at the Career & Technology Center. She was also the guest speaker for a luncheon at CTC. That afternoon, she met with students from Hopkins County Schools Academy and Madisonville North Hopkins.
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'West Side Story' brings #TeamHopkins together
The production of "West Side Story" earlier this month at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts marked the first full collaboration between Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins.
The show was jointly directed by Tracy Bean of HCCHS and Debbie Iverson of MNHHS. The cast of about 50 included students from both high schools as well as our middle schools. There was one School Days performance for students, and three public presentations.
The show received rave reviews.
"These kids have been awesome," Bean told The Messenger newspaper after the first performance. "We had a great run and I don't think I could have asked for anything more from them. I think I cried three or four times."
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Just the Facts: Utility Tax
- Six county school districts in Kentucky do not have a utility tax. Hopkins is among them.
- A utility tax would be paid by all households. Currently, only property owners pay local taxes to support the schools.
- Hopkins County has adopted the rate providing a 4% increase in property tax revenue for the past four years. Without the utility tax, property owners are likely to see their taxes continue to go up.
- Future funding for schools is uncertain because of unfunded state mandates and pension reform. We want to ensure we can provide our kids the best education possible. A public hearing on the utility tax is set for 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in the Central Office boardroom.
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Mullins named KMEA District Music Teacher of Year
Hanson Elementary teacher Amy Mullins has been named KMEA District 2 Elementary Music  Teacher of the Year.
"I'm very honored and surprised," Mullins said. "There are a lot of great teachers in our area."
Alan Emerson, music teacher at James Madison Middle School and Madisonville North Hopkins, nominated her for this honor.
"Mrs. Mullins excels at engaging her students and enriching their lives through her content, music and art," he said. "The Hanson students are benefiting from a great arts education and a great arts teacher. Bravo Mrs. Mullins, well deserved!"
This is Mullins' 5th year as a teacher - and her 5th year at Hanson. She teaches music and art to Hanson students, but her background is in music.
"I, of course, try to teach them music literacy - to read music, etc.," she said. "The most important thing is to teach them to be good citizens and try to do community outreach." She takes each grade to the West Kentucky Veterans Center each year, making cards for the residents and visiting with them. The residents love it, she said, calling it "a bright spot in their day."
The District 2 award will formally be presented during KMEA's February conference. State Teacher of the Year will also be presented at the conference to one of the district winners.
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Pension Updates
Discussion on possible changes to the state retirement plans continues at the state level. In an effort to keep you informed, the Retirement page on Hopkins County Schools' website has been updated to provide access to information on proposed changes to the pension plans. For more information, go to
https://www.hopkins.kyschools.us/Page/79
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Payday
The December payroll dates will be Dec. 15 and Dec. 20.
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Patio Seating
Lowes donated 15 round tables (4 chairs for each table), 6 picnic tables, and 2 outdoors garbage cans so that we could create an outside dining/classroom space under our awning on the north end of the building.
Lowes employees ordered, assembled, painted, delivered, and set up everything. Everything was free of charge. All of this was facilitated by Christine Ostrander, our FRYSC coordinator, who also works at Lowes on nights and weekends.
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#ChasetheLion
"Lions have symbolized courage and strength throughout history; therefore, successful lion chasers must be more courageous and possess greater strength than their quarry.
Lion chasers must effectively communicate and coordinate with others, they must be willing to adapt as necessary, and they must remain steadfast in their pursuit of their goal. At Browning Springs, we strive to instill these traits in our students so that they are prepared to 'chase the lions' in their paths, and so that they have the skills to become future leaders."
- Jason Clark
Browning Springs Middle School Principal
"When I think of a Lion Chaser, I first think of Daniel in the lion's den in the Old  Testament story.
Though he knew he was facing a challenge, he jumped in anyway. Though others thought he was crazy, he persevered. Though the worst could have happened, he clung to his beliefs and stood firm. Being a Lion Chaser starts with being like Daniel - jumping in no matter the risk, persevering no matter the challenge, and standing firm no matter the adversity. I see Earlington teachers and staff go after the hearts, minds, and well-being of students and families of Earlington every day with the boldness and tenacity of a #LionChaser. They work tirelessly - despite challenges, adversity, and risk - to meet the needs of every child and go the extra mile to love them like their own. I also watch the little Yellowjackets of EES model #LionChaser behavior by 'buzzing' to new heights of achievement through perseverance and determination and new heights of character through 'beeing' positive and respectful to all. The Yellowjackets are proud #TeamHopkins #LionChasers!"
- Wendy Mitchell
Earlington Elementary School Principal
How are YOU being a Lion Chaser?
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Healthiest School Award
HCCHS honored at Lexington conference
Hopkins County Central High School was recognized during the Kentucky Healthiest School
Award Celebration on Nov. 12 in Lexington. This was done as part of the Kentucky Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recognition event. These schools are recognized as not only being Kentucky's healthiest schools, but the country's, as well.
Each award-winning school received $500 from the Kentucky Department of Education to cover conference expenses.
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'Keeping the Dream Alive'
Essay, art contest honor MLK
Hopkins County students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to participate in an Essay Contest and Visual Arts Contest organized through the Community Improvement Foundation as part of Hopkins County's 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
The theme is "Keeping the Dream Alive: How is the Work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Relevant to Your Generation?" Students are asked to creatively express how the works of this great American leader are relevant to today's youth. Students should reflect on Dr. King's legacy of service to explore innovative approaches to positive social change.
Entries are due to their school principal or curriculum coordinator by Dec. 1. The top three entries in each division will receive prizes. Contest divisions are K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade, 6th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade. Prizes will be presented at the Jan. 13 celebration. For more information, see contest guidelines.
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Honoring Veterans
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| Veterans Day celebrations from Browning Springs (2 photos on right) and James Madison (2 photos on left) are shown above. |
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Tools for Schools
Browning Springs wins $1,000 in online voting 
Browning Springs Middle School won $1,000 in Old National Bank's annual Tools for Schools campaign. BSMS finished in 1st place in the Western Kentucky region with 8,210 votes. There are 109 schools in this region. Online voting ran from Sept. 5-30. Pictured, from left, are Old National Retail Center Manager Michelle Johnson, Hopkins County Schools Superintendent Deanna Ashby, Old National Market President Denise Young, Browning Springs Youth Services Center Coordinator Patti Snodgrass, and BSMS Principal Jason Clark.
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Game Changers: Southside Kids in Action Team
Southside Elementary School's Gifted and Talented Leadership Group was honored with the
 #TeamHopkins Game Changer Award on Nov. 20. The group, comprised of six 5th-grade students, is known as the "Southside Kids in Action Team." They are responsible for several activities, including broadcasting the morning announcements, representing Southside as the school's mascot, Tommy Tomcat, and serving as ambassadors to welcome guests to the school. These students are among the GT students throughout Hopkins County participating in the Kentucky Poppy Project this year Leadership group members are Elissa Adams, Mason Brown, Kendee Creekmur, Hayden Crick, Brody Duncan and Cohl Hoard.
Game Changers: Earlington Girl Scouts
Girl Scout Troop 1515, based at Earlington Elementary School, was honored with the  #TeamHopkins Game Changer Award by the Board of Education on Monday, Oct. 16. This is the largest Girl Scout troop in Hopkins County with 25 members in Kindergarten - Fifth Grade. The EES Girl Scouts are #LionChasers because they actively seek community service projects to make #TeamHopkins and the surrounding area a better place. The troop also gives a portion of their cookie earnings to a different organization each year, including the Humane Society in Spring 2017. Recent service projects by the troop include:
- Painting rocks for the school flower bed;
- Cleaning up the school playground;
- Leading a food drive for the school backpack blessing program;
- Filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child;
- Collecting supplies for the Humane Society;
- Adopting a soldier and sending a blessings box;
- Donating cookies to the Veterans' Center, nursing home, and Christian Food Bank;
- Participating in a glove and hat drive during the winter months.
Earlington Elementary is represented by an amazing group of young ladies who embrace the schoolwide expectations - "Bee-ing" positive, respectful, responsible and willing to learn. Troop leaders are Wendy Mitchell and Jamie Moss, and parent volunteers are Misty Cotton and Cashara Civils.
Law School
A group of Browning Springs Middle School students presented a
bill at the KYA Conference concerning a universal helmet law for motorcycles. The students debated, asked questions and spoke up. Their bill was signed into law by the conference governor. Their sponsors were school counselor Kacey Evans and teacher Misty Weldon.
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Career Day
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Jesse Stuart Elementary students learned about possible future jobs during the school's
recent Career Day. |
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Community Effort
The community organizations that #TeamHopkins have been highlighting in November are Christian Food Bank of Hopkins County and Rotary Build-a-Bed.
For the third consecutive year, the Rotary Club, along with the Hopkins County Home Builders Association, has conducted the Build-a-Bed program. Association members prepared the lumber and assembled the beds with the help of Rotarians. Local businesses supported the effort with donations. Twenty-nine beds were built for local children.
Christian Food Bank, which has been serving the county since 1983, recently moved to a new home at 241 W. Center St. The agency serves more than 1,000 households per month. Several schools have been holding food drives to collect items that will be distributed to needy families.
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Food Bank Donation
The Central Office collected food items and monetary donations for Christian Food Bank during October. Assistant Superintendent Charles Gant and Angie Lester, Department of Pupil Personnel administrative assistant, delivered those to the agency on Nov. 2.
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Homelessness Awareness
JMMS project helps food bank
James Madison Middle School's boys basketball team presented a check for $1,625 to the Christian Food Bank of Hopkins County. This money was raised through the team's "Patriot Sleepover" fundraiser, which brought awareness to homelessness. Eighth-grader Jackson Hill presented the check to Philip McCoy of CFB. This was the 2nd year for the Patriot Sleepover.
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Teeing Off
LPGA golfer gives motivational talk
Professional golfer Emma Talley spoke to Pride Elementary students about life, her successesand believing in yourself on Oct. 16. Several members of Madisonville North Hopkins' golf team also attended. Last month, Talley received her LPGA Tour Card.
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This is Halloween
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| Employees at several of our schools got festive for Halloween, dressing in costume. Shown above, clockwise from top right, are images from South Hopkins Middle, Southside Elementary, Earlington Elementary and Hanson Elementary. |
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Event Calendar
Dec. 11
- Board of Education Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Central Office
Dec. 18-Jan. 1 - Winter Break
Dec. 22 & 25, Jan. 1 - Central Office Closed (CO closes at 2 p.m. on Dec. 21
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High School Sports Schedules
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STAY CONNECTED
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