#TeamHopkins
Community Connections
October 2019
Accountability: District Shows Improvement
Did You Know?

For the 2018-2019 school year, 89 schools received one star; 251 received two stars; 643 received three stars; 233 received 4 stars; and 56 received 5 stars.
Four Hopkins County elementary schools received 4 stars in the state’s new 5-star accountability system for public schools. The district, as a whole, received 3 stars at elementary, middle, and high school levels. That is the same as the overall state rating, which was released Oct. 1 by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Earlington, Hanson, Pride, and West Broadway Elementary
Browning Springs Middle, Grapevine Elementary, ,James Madison Middle, Jesse Stuart Elementary , Madisonville North Hopkins High, South Hopkins Middle, Southside Elementary, and West Hopkins Middle
Hopkins County Central High and West Hopkins Elementary
Achievement Gaps Eliminated in Many Areas
The star ratings and federal classifications are based on 2018-2019 K-PREP assessment data and other indicators released by the Kentucky Department of Education. These indicators include reading and math proficiency; proficiency in social studies, science and writing; students’ academic growth over one academic year; transition readiness; and graduation rate.

“We’re mostly pleased by the results, especially at the elementary level,” said Hopkins County Schools Superintendent Deanna Ashby. “We’re excited about the results at Earlington, which went from a TSI school classified for Targeted Support and Improvement to a 4-star school. This is a great improvement that is directly related to the dedicated efforts put forth by faculty, administrators, students, and staff. 

Last year, the district had five TSI schools. However, we no longer have schools with the federal classification of needing improvement. That’s because the schools showed improvements in subgroups such as special education and minorities.

“I’m proud of our school district eliminating achievement gaps in so many areas,” said Andy Belcher, director of assessment. “That’s a big deal. It shows that school administrators and teachers really targeted students who needed extra attention and then delivered quality instruction to significantly improve their achievement. We value the success of each student in our district and these efforts prove exactly that.”
At a Glance: Parent Information on Accountability
Hanson Elementary Project Moves Forward
Board Selects Architectural Firm
Hopkins County Board of Education has unanimously selected Sherman Carter Barnhart as the architectural firm for the Hanson Elementary School project.

The new school will be built on the existing campus in Hanson.

The new elementary school has been the top priority on the district facilities plan for new construction since 2011. Part of the structure was built in 1928, making the facility the district’s oldest school in operation. The school is also at capacity, and located in a high-growth area of the community.

Board members expressed excitement at taking this first step on the construction of a new Hanson Elementary School. Timeline for the project is still being determined.
Scholarship Fund
to Honor Mr. Gant
The Community Improvement Foundation has announced that a scholarship fund is being created in memory of Charles Gant. Mr. Gant, who passed away earlier this year, was assistant superintendent of Hopkins County Schools.

Once the endowment is funded, scholarships will be awarded to two students from both Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central high schools. The awards will be granted to a student entering vocational/technical training and a minority student pursuing an education major with the hopes of “growing our own” future educators and workforce. Representatives of Madisonville-Hopkins County NAACP, Hopkins County Schools, Hopkins County government, and the community took part in the announcement. The Foundation will be working with a committee to raise funds to award scholarships to these students and to perpetuate Mr. Gant’s legacy. Donations may be sent to the Community Improvement Foundation, P.O. Box 413, Madisonville, KY 42431.
Bus Driver Recruitment Incentive Program Implemented
Hopkins County Board of Education has implemented a Bus Driver Recruitment Incentive Program to address the driver shortage.

Employees will receive a $500 referral bonus after referring a new bus driver or monitor who complete one year on the job. New drivers or monitors will receive a $1,000 new hire bonus after completing one year on the job. (Driver trainer time will count towards the year’s time for bus drivers.)

The board also voted to increase hourly wage for 1 st year bus drivers to $12.54 from $11.52.

Currently, the district needs about 15 additional drivers to fill open routes, reduce the number of second runs, and increase the number of sub drivers. The Recruitment Incentive Program will be reviewed when the 2020-2021 salary schedule is approved.
Parent Portal URL Changes
The district’s infinite Campus has migrated to Campus Cloud Choice, resulting in changes when logging in. Parents and students who use the mobile app need to log out, and then log back in to access the app. Also, the URL has changed, so any saved bookmarks need to be updated. The new URL for the parent/student portal is https://hopkinsky.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/hopkins.jsp.

Please contact Lisa Baker at the Central Office, 270-825-6000, if you need help accessing IC.
#LionChaser / #GiantSlayer Awards
Ka’Marion Turner, a 4 th -grade student at Pride Elementary, received the #LionChaser / #GiantSlayer Award during the Monday, Sept. 16, Board of Education meeting. Ka’Marion wrote an article that was published in The Stuttering Foundation’s magazine this summer. The issue featured kids’ letters. In the article, he told about strategies he uses to overcome stuttering. What an awesome accomplishment! 
West Broadway Elementary School students Ranger and Alexander Posey were honored with the #LionChaser / #GiantSlayer Award during the Oct. 14 Board of Education meeting. They were walking home from school on Sept. 9 when they saw a car accident on Seminary Street. They stopped to check on the driver, Cindy Orten Watts. Ranger tapped on her window and asked if she was OK, then he gave her a snack bag of Oreos he received at school. He said she needed them more than he did. Ms. Watts was so impressed with their caring hearts and the concern they showed her that she brought them a certificate and gift card to school to show her appreciation.
Emphasizing Attendance
If you have missed the radio ads recorded by students from Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins to promote the importance of attendance, they are now posted on the Hopkins County Schools website. Thanks to WTTL for the opportunity to share this important message through public service announcements!

Interactive Tool: Attendance Count Calendar
If you think one day out of school is just one day out of school, think again! The days add up quickly. Our friends at the Get Schooled website have developed an “Attendance Count Calendar,” which you can use to see the effect of missing school based on the number of days you are out. The results just might surprise you! Give it a try at https://getschooled.com/dashboard/tool/343-attendance-counts?type=tool . 
Census 101
The 2020 Census is important for our community and schools. Hopkins County Schools is partnering with the Census Bureau, and Director of Pupil Personnel April Devine is serving on the Hopkins County Complete Count Committee to help families understand the process. Each month we will provide new information about the 2020 Census so our families are prepared to complete census forms next spring.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 14-18 - National School Lunch Week
Oct. 21-25 - National School Bus Safety Week
Nov. 3, 2 a.m. - Daylight Savings Time Ends
Nov. 4 - No School / Board of Education Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 5 - No School / Professional Development / General Election
Hopkins County Central High School’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical” will take the stage at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts on Oct. 25-26 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12, with students admitted for half-price.
Best Practice Showcase
Hopkins County Schools was selected to showcase a Best Practice at the 2019 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit in Lexington. The presentation was “Increasing Student Achievement with Special Education Building Coaches.” Presenters included Director of Special Education Tonia Griffey, Director of Assessment Andy Belcher, and special education building coaches David Baker of Pride and Hanson Elementary and Kelly Grimes of Hopkins County Central High School. The district was awarded $500 for being among the Best Practice winners. The mission of the Best Practices’ recognition is to promote practices that motivate, engage, and provide measurable results in Kentucky's districts and schools. Great job!
SHMS Celebrates Project Fit America
South Hopkins Middle School celebrated the launch of Project Fit America on Monday with a ribbon-cutting of a new outdoor fitness equipment area! The project is funded through a grant awarded by Baptist Health Madisonville that is valued at more than $16,500. The program includes state-of-the-art fitness equipment designed to address areas where children fail fitness tests; indoor fitness equipment; a dynamic curriculum with games, activities and challenges for kids; and on-site training for the PE teacher. SHMS is the 13th school to receive this grant through Baptist Health Madisonville – and the first middle school to do so!

State Senator Gives Tips
on Bill-Making Process
James Madison Middle School students involved in KYA learned about the bill-making process in the Kentucky General Assembly recently from State Sen. C.B. Embry. They also discussed their ideas for new laws with Embry. KYA (Kentucky Youth Assembly) is a three-day educational opportunity in which students serve as part of a model state government. 
Nature Fest Brings Students
to Mahr Park Arboretum
Mahr Park Arboretum held its second Nature Fest on Thursday. Madisonville North Hopkins students who are involved in Key Club, AP Environmental Science, and AP Biology led a group of Jesse Stuart Elementary students through different nature-related stations. Students learned about trees, pollinators, native plants, bats, water quality, the food chain, wetlands, insects, and park history. The event, which brought together about 150 educators, students, community leaders, and volunteers, was organized by the Mahr Park Charitable Trust and MNHHS teachers Maria Bailey and Kim Shaw. 
MLK Visual Arts, Essay Contests

Hopkins County students in kindergarten through 12 th grade are invited to participate in an Essay Contest and Visual Arts Contest organized as part of Hopkins County’s 37 th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

The theme is “How Can You Use the Teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Promote Unity and Make a Difference in our Community?” Entries are due at the school level by Nov. 22. Forms are available at the following link:

Hometown Heroes Cookout

Madisonville North Hopkins FFA welcomed First Responders and school staff to the Hometown Heroes Cookout on Friday. Students also washed vehicles as part of the event. What a great way to show appreciation!
Junior Leadership Focuses on Team Building
Junior Leadership kicked off their programming with a team-building day at the 4-H Camp in Dawson Springs. Their day consisted of activities on the high and low rope courses that refined decision making, problem solving, and team building skills. 
Junior Leadership consists of ambassadors from each elementary and middle school and two from each high school in the district.
Junior Leadership Ambassadors are Macy Cotton, Earlington Elementary; McKinley Wilson, Grapevine Elementary; Emma Rogers, Hanson Elementary; Ryder Sandidge, Jesse Stuart Elementary; Ani Mier, Pride Elementary; Bentley Duncan, Southside Elementary; Olivia Bernal, West Broadway Elementary; Kaleigh Faulk, West Hopkins Elementary; Riley Butler, Browning Springs Middle; Ella Knight, James Madison Middle; Kylee Groves, South Hopkins Middle; Aleecia Brown, West Hopkins Middle; Hailey Stokes and Javen Jones, Hopkins County Central; Emma Peyton and Krey Cunningham, Madisonville North Hopkins; Zak Brown and Braedyn Tyson, Career and Technology Center.
Hopkins County Schools | [www.hopkins.kyschools.us]