#TeamHopkins
Community Connections
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Attendance Crucial to Student Success
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What is Chronic Absenteeism?
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Chronic absence is when a student misses 10 percent of more of school days for any reason. In our district, that means being absent for 18 days or more throughout the school year. These do not have to be unexcused absences. Absenteeism of any kind is linked to lower academic achievement, underdeveloped social skills, and higher risk for dropping out of school.
“While students learn something new each day inside and outside of the school setting, there is no substitution for being in the classroom, where they can develop social skills, improve academic achievement, and set goals for their future,” said Director of Pupil Personnel April Devine. “Attendance is the first step to creating a successful future; it’s at the heart of everything we do and we value the time we spend with our kids in helping prepare them for their future.”
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A group of students from Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins met after school one day at WTTL to record some public service announcements promoting the importance of attendance. Thanks to Abi Burgett, Olivia Campbell, Javen Jones and Hayden Smith of HCCHS and Rachel Carver, Hannah Petitt (not pictured) and Zach Tow of MNHHS for helping spread the word! Listen for the PSAs on FM106.9, FM103.5, and AM1310.
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Chronic Absenteeism vs. Truancy
According to KRS 195.150, a student is defined as truant if he or she has been absent from school or tardy without a valid excuse for three or more days. Any student who has been reported as truant two or more times is considered habitually truant.
Truancy rates include only unexcused absences, while chronic absenteeism rates include both excused and unexcused absences.
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School Policies & State Laws
All students are expected to be in attendance daily. Kentucky State Law (KRS 159.010) and district policies set the requirements for excused and unexcused absences. For details, go to pages 20-22 in the Student Code of Conduct link below:
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Did you know that the state funding received by school districts is driven by adjusted average daily attendance? That means that when average attendance is lower, the district receives less money from the state. However, the cost of education does not decline. Buses still have to run; utilities still have to be paid; and employees still get salaries and benefits. This can have a long-term effect on community members and property owners because when state funding declines, the primary way to maintain operating funds is to raise taxes. High attendance improves student success while also offering budgetary benefits.
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Governor's Scholars
Seniors who participated in the 2019 Kentucky Governor’s Scholars program last summer were honored by the Board of Education on Sept. 3. Students recognized include Abigail Dixon, Nova Gilkey, Rachel Carver, Jared Gobin, Julia Howerton, Nathan Kelley, MaKayla Koon, Cole Lawrence, Chelsea Mason, Devin Richardson, and Cameron Walker. (Gilkey and Lawrence not pictured.) Congratulations to all of these outstanding students!
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Amazing Shake Finalists
Hopkins County Board of Education honored the finalists in James Madison Middle School’s Amazing Shake competition during the Aug. 19 board meeting. Students honored were Jordan Owens, Josie Morris, Adelyn Boswell, Katelyn Rodgers, and overall champion Aiden Lutz. (Boswell and Lutz were not able to attend.) The program focuses on soft skills, such as shaking hands, making eye contact and thinking on their feet. These students told district staff about the program during #TeamHopkins Day. The Amazing Shake is co-sponsored by Kia Zieba and Sara Lutz. The activity will go school-wide at JMMS this year, and organizers are challenging other middle schools to participate.
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Board Sets Lower Property Tax Rate
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Hopkins County Board of Education has set the property tax rate at the compensating rate, which will result in a tax rate decrease for property owners.
The property tax levied by the school district in fiscal year 2019 was 69 cents on real property and 69 cents on personal property. The compensating tax rate of 68.2 cents on real estate and personal property is estimated to result in tax revenue of $17,385,747. The lower rate is expected to generate $203,938 less in revenue than the current rate.
“In consideration of the current status of our economy, there seems to be a general consensus among individual board members to take the lower compensating rate,” said board Chairman J.W. Durst. “This will be the second year in a row to take the compensating rate. As a school district, we are committed to put kids first.”
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The Navy JROTC unit at Madisonville North Hopkins High School (left) and the Air Force JROTC unit at Hopkins County Central High School (right) held special ceremonies on Sept. 11 to commemorate the 18
th anniversary of the deadly 9-11 terrorist attacks.
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Giving Back to our Community
Hopkins County Schools loves giving back to our community! Several representatives of the school district helped out at Christian Food Bank on Aug. 30. This will be a monthly service project for the district, involving school and Central Office staff.
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Let's Get Loud!
Hopkins County Central students and staff enthusiastically participated in Eyewitness News Home Team Friday Pep Rally on Aug. 30 with games, special performances, and interviews. The school collected hundreds of pairs of socks that were donated to the Santa Clothes Closet. Students got so loud that they set a new noise record on Ron Rhodes’ decibel meter.
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Schools Welcome First Responders
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Heroes Walks, Fundraising Efforts Precede Annual Community Event
Students and staff honored veterans, active members of the military, and all First Responders during Heroes Walks at many of our schools. This is always a great opportunity to say “Thank You” for all they have done!
This annual event preceded the Heroes Run in Madisonville on Sept. 7.
Several district groups volunteered to help with the Heroes Run, including West Hopkins Beta Club and HOSA, which set out name cards for 9/11 victims, and West Broadway Elementary School, which helped with the First Responder signs. We also had numerous runners and volunteers the night of the event.
Hopkins County Central raised the most for the 9/11 Heroes Run and the Patrick Rudd Project, with a total of $1,816.36. The other two schools recognized for their fundraising efforts were James Madison Middle School and Jesse Stuart Elementary School. Hopkins County Schools raised a total of $5,741.36.
In a related program, C
haracter Does Matter mentors gave presentations in seven of our schools. The presentations are offered in partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation.
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Hopkins County Schools
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