May 31, 2018

Summer Food Program Gets Rolling
Partnership with YMCA brings program to more kids

Hopkins County Schools and Hopkins County Family YMCA are providing free meals to children KY Kids Eat logo this summer, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Anyone age 18 or younger may come and eat for free. We will update the list of sites regularly on the Food Services page of the district website.

To check locations and times, call 1-866-348-6479; visit  www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks ; or text "FOOD" to 877877.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.  www.hopkins.kyschools.us/USDANondiscriminationStatement


Employee of the Year Nominations Due June 1

We are accepting nominations for the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards until 4 p.m. on Friday, June 1. Mail or take them to the Central Office, or email to crystal.carlton@hopkins.kyschools.us.

Teacher of the Year nominees must have a minimum of three years teaching experience. The Teachers of the Year will be selected in the categories of Elementary (P-5), Middle (6-8) and Secondary (9-12).

Categories for Employee of the Year nominations are the following:
  • Administrator of the Year - eligible nominees include principals, assistant principals, central office administrators, and guidance counselors;
  • Classified Support Services - eligible nominees include instructional assistants who work in a classroom setting to enhance student achievement and Family Resource employees who provide student needs throughout the district;
  • Facilities Management - eligible employees include all custodians and district maintenance staff;
  • Food Service - eligible nominees include all cafeteria employees, cafeteria managers and district food service employees;
  • Transportation - eligible nominees include bus drivers, bus monitors, vehicle maintenance staff and district employees;
  • Secretary of the Year - eligible employees include all school secretaries; and
  • Central Office Employee of the Year - eligible employees include all central office staff.
Nomination Form

Group photo of Hopkins County retirees

Congratulations, Retirees!!

Congratulations to Hopkins County Schools' 2017-2018 retirees! They were honored May 18 during a Retirement Luncheon at Catering and Creations. Thanks go out to all of them for their years of dedication to #TeamHopkins!

Retirees include the following: Barry Nelson, Hopkins County Day Treatment and Hopkins County Schools Academy principal; Mary Jones, Browning Springs Middle school psychologist; Rodger Davis, Bus Garage mechanic; Rita Chadwick, Central Office secretary; Mike Dodridge, director of child nutrition; Karen Ladd, Central Office receptionist, Karen Mackey, director of human resources; Margaret Purdy, Central Office clerical assistant; Trena Johnson, Grapevine Elementary secretary; Dale White, GES custodian; Charles Chinn, Hopkins County Central teacher; Rise Karr, HCCHS counselor; Philip Taylor, HCCHS teacher; Janet Winstead, HCCHS teacher; Linda Moore, Hanson Elementary cook/baker; Mary Yancey, HES custodian; Cheri Ashby, James Madison instructional assistant; Margaret Davenport, JMMS teacher; Kevin Miller, JMMS teacher; Yvonne Cox, Jesse Stuart Family Resource Center coordinator; Charlotte Duncan, JSES instructional assistant; Faye Parker, JSES teacher; Phyllis Sugg, JSES principal; Karen Valentine, JSES instructional assistant; Clark Ashby, Madisonville North Hopkins teacher; Cheryl Hallyburton, MNHHS media specialist; Alexa Finley, Pride Elementary teacher; Stacey Darnall, South Hopkins teacher; Stuart Fitch, SHMS principal; JoNell Hunt, SHMS custodian; Connie Holmes, Southside curriculum coordinator; Sebrena Mitchell, Southside child development center supervisor; Donita Stanley, SES elementary secretary; Vickie Wilson, SES instructional assistant; Betty Ladd, Transportation Department bus monitor;  Kathy Matheny, Transportation Department bus driver; Mary Allard, West Broadway teacher; Melanie Bowles-Duff, WBES teacher; Wanda Nix, WBES instructional assistant; Myrtle Adams, West Hopkins custodian.


Summer Payroll Reminder
Summer payrolls are processed before June 30, and then direct deposited to your account over the summer months. You cannot change your direct deposit bank account after June 15. This may cause delays in receiving payroll.

Gauge Clark and Eric Clark
Pair of Young Writers 
Bring Home Big Awards

A pair of brothers received recognition at Hanson Elementary School this week for their writing abilities.

Kindergartner Eric Clark earned 3rd place in his grade division in KET's 2018 Young Writers Contest. His entry was entitled "The Three Trolls and the Bully Goat." There were more than 1,200 submissions in the KET contest this year, representing more than 280 schools in 17 states.

Eric was honored in the gym at the start of the school day on May 14. After the presentation, David Lawhorn, program manager for the Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust, made a presentation to another Clark brother.

Gauge Clark, a 3rd-grader, is among eight Kentucky students who won a $1,000 college savings account through the 2018 KESPT Dream Out Loud Challenge. Each student's school will also receive $500. The Dream Out Loud Challenge invited students to submit an original poem, drawing, video or essay answering the question, "How will I change the world after college?" Nearly 500 students participated.

Dependent Eligibility Audit

The Department of Employee Insurance is currently participating in a dependent eligibility audit. You will be receiving information from the Personnel Cabinet informing you of the documentation that will be required from you to verify dependents that are on your plan as well as verifying that you have other group coverage if you currently waive coverage and are enrolled in the general purpose HRA.

The audit will be conducted by Alight and this company will handle all aspects of the audit from communications and obtaining documentation to customer service.  If you receive something from Alight, please do not throw it away, this is very important. Please begin to gather marriage certificates, birth certificates and prior year tax returns to verify dependents and 1095's to verify other group coverage.  YOU MUST SUPPLY the documentation requested or dependents will be removed from your coverage.  Contact benefits specialist Janice Moore with any questions. 
Mock Accident Drill
Helicopter landing for mock accident drill
Career and Technology Center students had the opportunity to observe a mock accident on April 13. Several students also took part in the texting and driving / distracted driving event. The PHI Air Rescue Team took part, along with local First Responders. Afterwards, guest speakers addressed the issue with the students.

Elkins named Director of Human Resources

Ann Elkins has been named Director of Human Resources for Hopkins County Schools. Ann Elkins

Elkins, who has a 20-year career in education, has served as Grapevine Elementary School principal since 2013.

"I am honored to be selected as Director of Human Resources," she said. "My heart is for teachers and students, and I have been blessed to work with incredible people over the last 20 years in education. I am excited about this opportunity and I look forward to serving the district and the staff of Hopkins County Schools in this new capacity." 


Devine Selected as Director of Pupil Personnel

April Devine has been named Hopkins County Schools' Director of Pupil Personnel. April Devine

For the past four years, she has served as the district's director of assessment. She previously worked as assistant principal at West Hopkins School and curriculum coordinator at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. She started her education career as an English teacher at MNHHS.

"I am excited and blessed to serve our district, schools, parents, students, and community in this new capacity," Devine said. "I look forward to sharing my passion for helping others. Because so much has been given to me, I feel extremely honored to have the opportunity to give back."


Richey Named SHMS Principal

Jan Richey has been selected as South Hopkins Middle School principal. Jan Richey

For the past seven years, she has served as the school's assistant principal.

"I'm excited and thankful for this opportunity," Richey said. "My goal is to continue to ensure that meeting our students' needs and increasing their opportunities for success are the driving forces behind every decision made."

Richey's education career spans more than 20 years. She previously was a teacher at Grapevine Elementary and West Broadway Elementary. She has also been a Madisonville Community College instructor since 2003.


#ChasetheLion
Teachers receive _Lion Chaser Awards
 

Several of our teachers were recognized with  #LionChaser Awards by the Board of Education Monday, April 16. During Spring Break, each of these teachers traveled to Frankfort for the April 2 rally at the State Capitol. They gave of their own time to do this, showing their dedication to the future of public education. Teachers who were recognized include Emily Beeny, Julie Coursey, Brittni Tichenor, Beverly Cullen, Kelly Gates, Ronna Blackford, Crystal Skelton, Ember Patterson, Heather Alexander, Angela Gibson, Jason Jennings and Hillary Brown. 
How are YOU being a Lion Chaser?
MCC Project Helps FRYSCs
Lisa Baker_ Kaylie Adcock and Charles Gant
Murray State Ambassadors conducted a t-shirt sale with the goal to donate the money to the Hopkins County Family Resource Centers. The fundraiser collected $112 for the program. In the photo is one of Murray State's Student Ambassadors, Kaylie Adcock (center), Assistant Superintendent Charles Gant and Lisa Baker.

Summer School in Session

Summer school schedules have been set for middle school and high school students.
The high school sessions are as follows:
  • Hopkins County Central - May 29-June 1, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.;
  • Madisonville North Hopkins - June 4-7, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.;
  • HCSA (for HS) - June 11-June 14, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (This session will be held at the Hopkins County Career and Technology Center.)
  According to District Policy 08.1131, students may earn credit for up to a maximum of two subjects through summer school. The high schools typically restrict their students to one credit at their home school. However, please understand that students may earn additional credit at Hopkins County Schools Academy. 

Summer School will be completed using the Odysseyware program. High schools will charge $20 per course. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will not be charged.
There will be two session locations for middle school summer school:
  • Browning Springs - May 29-June 1, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.;
  • James Madison - May 29-June 1, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  No fees are charged for middle school students.


Carnegie Hall Performance

MNHHS Choir
Madisonville North Hopkins High School's Chamber Choir took a very special trip to New York City in April. Members had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. The choir is led by Deb Iverson.
Sanchez wins National Archery Title
T Sanchez and Dave Starks  
HCCHS student is 1st to shoot perfect 300 in the National Competition

T Sanchez of Hopkins County Central High School is the 2018 NASP/IBO 3D NationalChampion! During the weekend event in Louisville, he became the first individual to shoot a perfect 300 in the National Competition. He also became the first individual to have shot a perfect 300 in both the Bullseye and 3D competitions.
Winter Guard Wins Championship Medals
B Guard A Guard
Madisonville North Hopkins' A and B Winter Guards earned top awards in the Tri-State Circuit Championships at Ryle High School on April 7.

The A Guard, composed of MNHHS students, competed against 21 other guards from Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, and was named 2018 Scholastic Regional A Silver Medalists. The B Guard, which includes students from James Madison and Browning Springs Middle schools, competed with 10 other guards from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, and came away as the 2018 Junior Class Silver Medalists.

This is the first time since 2011 that the Winter Guards have won a championship medal, and the first time in school history that both guards have received championship medals in the same year! The guard is instructed by Sarah Emerson and Laura Marks, and drill was designed by Cory Mullins.

Bowl for Kids Sake
Central Office team at Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser
At least 12 teams from Hopkins County Schools took part in Bowl for Kids' Sake at Melody Lanes on April 21. The annual event helps fund mentoring programs through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Madisonville-Hopkins County.
Truth & Consequences

Hopkins County Central sophomores learned about the "Truth & Consequences" associated with Students wait at law enforcement booth using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as other risky behaviors during a special event in the school gym April 13. Each was given a scenario to follow about what would happen if this occurred in real life.

Truth & Consequences organizers hope the program has a long-lasting impact on participants.
R epresentatives from law enforcement, the court system, school administration, the school board, Health Department, hospital, coroner's office, jail, ministers, court-designated workers and more volunteered their time. T he U.K. Ag Extension Truth and Consequences program was sponsored by the Agency for Substance Abuse Policy, made up of representatives of Hopkins County agencies.



MNHHS Football Team 
Photos of football players at the schools
Performs Community 
Service at Elementaries


Madisonville North Hopkins football players performed community service projects for theirfeeder elementary schools in April. Football coach Jay Burgett said the project helps the players give back to the youth of Hopkins County.

Students worked at Jesse Stuart, Hanson, West Broadway, West Hopkins and Pride. Projects included painting playground equipment, cleaning up the playground, cleaning flower beds, planting and mulching, and painting basketball goals.



Community Partners

The community organization that #TeamHopkins has highlighted in May is Kiwanis (Madisonville North Hopkins).

Kiwanis is an international organization that works to serve the needs of children through local service projects and fundraising. Projects sponsored by Madisonville Noon Kiwanis include the Madisonville Christmas Parade and Take a Kid Fishing Day.

Student Publishes 
Article in Fly Fishing 
Sydney Abbott
Magazine

Hopkins County Central rising senior Sydney Abbott has had an article published in the fly fishing magazine, Dun. She was asked to write the article because of her involvement in the Trout Unlimited National Youth Leadership Council. The article is in the Spring and Summer issue. The magazine is available through subscriptions, fly fishing shops and Barnes and Noble. A list of stores is available at https://dunmagazine.com/stockists



HOSA Wins Honors at State

Haley Morgan was elected treasurer for Kentucky State HOSA. She is Hopkins County Schools' Haley Morgan first HOSA Executive Officer Board member. She will travel throughout Kentucky, as well as attend Nationals in July in Dallas and in the fall at Washington, D.C. Morgan graduated in May from Madisonville North Hopkins.

Students who won awards at the state competition include Savannah Scott, Hopkins County Central, in the Healthcare Issues exam; Layla Grimes, HCCHS, 5th place in Extemporaneous Writing; Kendall Basham, 2nd place in Home Health Aide. Brandon Cooper of HCCHS also placed in the competition.

Morgan also was recognized with the Barbara James Award for completing 100 or more community service hours for Barbara James Award. McKenzie Shoulders of MNHHS also received the award.

District Talent Show Winners
Elementary talent show winners
Alexander Crook of Southside Elementary won 1st place in the Elementary District Talent Showfor his drum solo, "Unstoppable." Paige Burns of Earlington Elementary, who performed a hula hoop dance to "RESPECT," received 2nd place. Katelyn Rodgers of Hanson Elementary placed 3rd for her piano solo "Fur Elise/The Tempest."

The event was held at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. Madisonville Community College Lions Club sponsored the district competition.

MIddle School Talent Show Winners  

In the middle school competition, Sophia Myers won 1st place for
her dance performance to the song "Moonlight." Makayla Cummins, who gave a vocal performance of "Much More," placed 2nd. Colton Browning and Carson Mackey received 3rd place for their drum performance as the Barrel Boys.


In the high school division of the District Talent Show, Mia Bruno HIgh School Talent Show Winners won 1st place for her original vocal/guitar performance of the song "In a World." Indra Matthijssen placed 2nd for her vocal performance "At Last." Markkeyce Vanlue received 3rd place for his dance to "I Built a Friend."

The Talent Show Series is offered through Hopkins County Schools' Gifted & Talented Services.

Air Force JROTC Earns Distinguished Unit Award

Hopkins County Central High School's Air Force JROTC Unit has been selected as one of 279 units to receive the 2017-2018 Distinguished Unit Award.

This award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the AF-JROTC citizen development mission for America.


Wrestling for a Cure

Two wrestlers in sumo costumes
#TeamHopkins had a great time supporting First United Bank's Wrestling for a Cure on May 25. Sumo Wrestler Tyler Moore, also known as the district accounting manager, raised more than $400 for Relay for Life. That's more than any other candidate! Tyler made it to the semifinal round before being eliminated.
Kent Akin
Akin Named Region 2 AD of the Year

Kent Akin, athletic director at Hopkins County Central High School,
was named Region 2 AthleticDirector of the Year. The award was
presented at the Kentucky High School
Athletic Directors Association Conference in April.

Miss Kentucky Visits
Miss Kentucky Molly Matney


Miss Kentucky 2017 Molly Matney spoke to students during a visit to Southside Elem entary on  April 18. 

Her visit was in conjunction with a three-day stop by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's high-tech Mobile Science Activity Center.

Event Calendar

June 4 - Board of Education Meeting, Central Office, 5:30 p.m.
June 18  - Board of Education Meeting, Central Office, 5:30 p.m.
July 4  - Independence Day / Central Office Closed
July 16 - Board of Education Meeting, Central Office, 5:30 p.m.

To submit information for upcoming issues, email Communications and Community Engagement Specialist Lori Harrison

Together, 
We are one team,
      one mission,
      one community