Highway Projects Focus on School Safety |
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New turning lanes will be constructed in front of Pride Elementary School and James Madison Middle School as part of a $23 million Kentucky Transportation Cabinet project.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced the funding will be used to improve highway safety near public schools, protecting students, educators, and families. These projects use state funding allocated in the 2020 Highway Plan. Nearly 70 safety improvement projects in 44 Kentucky counties are included in the award.
There is $100,000 allocated this year for design work at each school. In fiscal year 2022, $1.2 million is allocated for construction in front of Pride and $800,000 for the turn lane construction in front of James Madison.
The state news release issued by Beshear highlighted the project at Pride Elementary. The new turn lanes will significantly improve afternoon traffic flow in and out of the school. Pedestrian safety improvements will also include the replacement of sidewalks within the turn lane project area, upgrading sidewalk ramps to be ADA compliant and restriping the crosswalks.
“For years we have battled a traffic congestion problem in our area and we are excited about a solution,” said Pride Elementary Principal Kristy Saint. (Click the above photo to view a video highlighting the Pride project.)
“Our Falcons are the largest number of walkers of any elementary in our county, and we have three crossing guards,” said Hopkins County Schools Superintendent Dr. Deanna Ashby. “To receive this generous gift, we are so excited. So, on behalf of Team Hopkins – Team Pride – we want to say thank you Team Kentucky!”
For more information:
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Superintendent Search Update |
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Hopkins County Board of Education heard a report from the consultant helping the Board conduct its search for a new superintendent at the April 19 Board meeting.
Owens Saylor from the Kentucky Association of School Administrators shared that the application window has now ended with 14 applications received. Saylor reported that four of the submitted applications come from superintendents currently serving in the role or having previous experience as a district superintendent. All other applicants presented to the screening committee are legally certified and eligible to serve in the position if selected.
"Although I was confident that this district would draw great interest from excellent candidates, I believe the roster of those who have stepped forward will create what might be considered a great problem to have,” Saylor said. “It's going to be a tough decision."
On May 6, the Board will meet to consider a list of recommended finalists coming from the screening committee.
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Standards of Practice Spotlight |
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Safe
Our Commitment: Support and promote the overall (mental and physical) health and safety of all individuals
Our Actions:
- Be aware of situations and surroundings and act as needed (if you see something, say something)
- Provide active supervision
- Wear school/district name badge in a visible location
- Model safe actions
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Online Registration / Annual Update |
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The Infinite Campus Online Registration/Annual Update for current students in Parent Portal is open for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. It will remain open until school starts on Aug. 11. This new online process allows you to verify and submit required information to your child’s school. It also eliminates the forms and paperwork that used to be required for annual registration. Your child’s school may have other site-specific forms that you will be asked to complete later.
Please remind your students’ parents about completing the Annual Update.
Online Registration for new students will start May 24.
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#LionChaser / #GiantSlayer |
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Teresa Campbell, Whitney Watts, and Officer Ron Faulk -
West Broadway Elementary
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West Broadway Elementary School teachers Teresa Campbell and Whitney Watts (not pictured) and School Resource Officer Ron Faulk received the #LionChaser / #GiantSlayer Award at the April 19 Board of Education meeting. They were honored for quick intervention when a man was seen running through the school parking lot. Officer Faulk was given a detailed description and was able to find the man and hold him until other officers arrived. These individuals helped keep West Broadway Elementary safe that day and the school is blessed to have them as Bobcats! |
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Kentucky Senate Bill 128 is a new law that allows students currently enrolled in grades K-12 to “request to use the 2021-2022 school year as a supplemental school year to retake or supplement the courses or grades the student has already taken.” More information on the details of this legislation is available at on the district website. The deadline to apply is May 1.
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Local Middle Schools Join AdvanceKentucky |
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Browning Springs, James Madison, South Hopkins and West Hopkins are among 10 public middle schools invited to participate in the newest cohort of AdvanceKentucky’s Access to Algebra Program. This supports math achievement in Kentucky middle Schools under a partnership between Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation.
AdvanceKentucky’s middle school Access to Algebra program seeks to increase the number of students on track to meet college readiness math benchmarks by the time they enter high school. Success in middle school math has proven critical for students to be able to successfully pursue STEM coursework in high school, thus increasing students’ post-secondary and career options. The program provides content-specific teacher training, instructional support, and incentives for students and teachers. Access to Algebra promotes and supports a school culture of high expectations for rigorous student learning by targeting greater access to Algebra by 8th grade. The “Elements of Success” model for this program can be found at advancekentucky.com.
Cohort One data from 2019 reveal that the 8th grade PSAT 8/9 mean score increased by 6% after two years in the program, reaching above the College Readiness Benchmark. Other performance highlights of Cohort One schools from Year 1 to Year 2 include a 30% increase in the percentage of 8th grade students at or above PSAT 8/9 college readiness benchmark and a 6% decrease in the percentage of students more than one grade level behind in math from their 7th to 8th grade years.
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Employee of the Year Nominations |
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Hopkins County Schools is seeking nominations for the 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards.
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: Administrator of the Year, eligible nominees would include principals, assistant principals, central office administrators, and guidance counselors; Classified Support Services, eligible nominees would 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 would include all custodians and district maintenance staff; Food Service, eligible nominees would include all cafeteria employees, cafeteria managers and district food service employees; Transportation, eligible nominees would include bus drivers, bus monitors, vehicle maintenance staff and district employees; Secretary of the Year, eligible employees would include all school secretaries; and Central Office Employee of the Year, eligible employees would include all central office staff.
Nominations will be accepted through the close of business, 4 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2021. Online nomination forms are available at the following links:
A printable form is available at the following link. It should be mailed to Employee of the Year, Hopkins County Schools, 320 S. Seminary Street, Madisonville, KY 42431. Attention: Crystal Carlton.
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Schools Planning Summer Sessions |
All of our schools will be holding summer sessions from June 2-18.
The middle and high schools will offer credit recovery from June 2-11, with an enhancement week June 14-18. The elementary session will run throughout the window. Breakfast and lunch will be served each day.
For More Information:
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Madisonville-North Hopkins High School cheer won the KHSAA Region 2 All Girls Small Division championship, qualifying for state. The 2021 KHSAA State Cheer Championships will be held on May 13-14 at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester.
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April is Autism Awareness month and Browning Springs Middle School is spreading awareness and understanding to Hopkins County as they celebrate and honor their students with autism. The goal is to spread awareness and promote acceptance. It's important for students and members of the community to know they are loved and supported. |
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Staff at several of our schools wore blue in honor of Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Photos below feature Grapevine Elementary School staff. #LightItUpBlue |
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Project Emphasizes Staying Drug-Free |
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South Hopkins Middle School students learned about alcohol and drug awareness by going through courses using goggles of different impairments. Beforehand, Coach Croft taught students how BAC works, stressing the importance of staying drug free and how daily routines can be impaired while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. FRYSC Coordinator Kristin Mackey planned the event with equipment loaned by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department. |
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