#TeamHopkins
Community Connections
November 2019
Parent Satisfaction Survey Now Open

Our district is committed to engaging our parents and families in every child’s education. To continue our journey to excellence in this area, we gather data from stakeholders to determine where we are as a district and to set and act on realistic, measurable goals for continuous improvement.
 
Please take a few minutes to complete our Parent Satisfaction Survey! It can be accessed at the button at the right. The survey will be open only until Dec. 15.

Thanks for participating!
CTC Receives $10,000 Grant
Pre-engineering students at Hopkins County Career & Technology Center will soon learn a new skill that’s in demand in the job market thanks to a $10,000 grant.

The project, “Students Engaged in Engineering through CNC Machining,” was made possible by local farmers and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Bayer Fund. The grant was formally presented Thursday morning at the CTC.

CNC machining involves a computer numerical controlled machine, said pre-engineering teacher Jamie Scott. “There are a lot of jobs out there students aren’t being allowed to take part in because they just don’t have the skills for CNC machining,” he said. “Now, we have the funding to be able to buy these computer numerical controlled machines so students can gain these skills and go out there and get those jobs.”
“We actually have those on order now, so we’ll be able to get going pretty soon,” Scott said.

CTC Principal Pam Todd said they were notified of the selection around the time school started.

“Without the farmers thinking of us and nominating us, you would not be able to do some of the cool things you will get to do as a result of this grant,” Todd said to a group of students assembled for the presentation. School representatives thanked local farmers as well as the Bayer Fund.

The project was nominated by six farmers: Josh Lancaster, Kyle Lancaster, George Martin, Jarrett Brown, Cary Baldwin, and Mark Metcalfe.
National Motto Art Contest Opens

Students are invited to participate in a district-wide National Motto Art Contest. Board Chairman J.W. Durst announced the contest at the Nov. 18 school board meeting.
 
This is the district’s creative effort to comply with the state law requiring the national motto, “In God We Trust,” be displayed. The deadline for entries is Dec. 9, and winners will be announced on Dec. 16. Each school winner will have their image on display at the entrance of their respective school. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000, and their work will be displayed at the Central Office and their school.


Dear Parents,
 
Are you planning a family trip for the holidays? As you think about your arrangements, we want to stress the importance of sending your child to school every day possible. Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after the winter holiday as families squeeze in a few more vacation days. It’s time to break that cycle. We know that just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school. Put simply, too many absences at any age can affect a student’s chances for academic success and eventually for graduation.
 
We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away. The costs of plane tickets often influence when you want to travel. But keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school— and the message you will be sending about the importance of attendance. Even if you’ve got a homework packet from the teacher, it doesn’t make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning, right up until vacation starts and the first day back. You can help us convey that message. This holiday season, give your children the gift of an education and the habit of good attendance.
 
Sincerely,
Hopkins County Schools
#LionChaser / #GiantSlayer Awards
West Hopkins PTO was presented with the #LionChaser / #LionChaser Award at the Nov. 4 Board of Education meeting. The West Hopkins PTO officers strive daily to ensure all students of WHS are provided with basic supplies needed to be successful. This year, the PTO provided each K-8 student with ALL school supplies so families did not feel a financial strain at the start of school. This allowed families to focus more on school clothing so students felt confident while attending school. After a recent fire at a student’s home, the PTO quickly offered to help to ease the hardship on the family and child. The efforts of West Hopkins PTO to support family and students is second to none! Officers who were honored are Kirsten Terry, Brooke McCord, Lauren Oldham, Trista Peyton, and Jenny Ramage.
Hopkins County Central High School counselor Lauren Wood was presented the #LionChaser / #GiantSlayer Award at the Nov. 18 Board of Education meeting. Mrs. Wood regularly spearheads positive initiatives for staff and students. She is an incredible fundraiser for HCCHS, and is the reason Central routinely raises large sums of money for the Travis Manion Foundation/Patrick Rudd Project. She is student-centered and a tireless crusader for HCCHS students! Whatever the lion is at Central, she chases it with all of her energy and might.
High Schools Recognized for Excellence in Global Education
Madisonville North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central High Schools have received national recognition for excellence in global education from EF High School Exchange Year, the leader in high school exchange. 

The EF High School Exchange Year Global Education Excellence Award is presented annually to high schools that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to international understanding and global awareness. Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins are among a select group of high schools and districts recognized across the United States for the 2018-2019 school year. 

2020 Census
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Shape Your Future
Campaign Video
Cell Phone Lockers
The “cell phone locker” project spearheaded by Hopkins County Schools will return at the end of November. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to put their phones away during their restaurant meal and enjoy the time with family and friends!
 
These “lockers” are small cardboard boxes that have been distributed to restaurants throughout the district. They are intended to be temporary homes for cell phones during meals. The project is sponsored in partnership with Hopkins County Health Department.
 
The outside of the box includes ideas for conversation topics, including a funny story, three good things that happened at school that day, or a time someone went out of their way to be nice. The project is based on a similar one at a Chick-Fil-A franchise. Thanks to our community partners who have made this project possible!
Time Travelers
Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Greg Waltermire, recently visited Grapevine Elementary School and five other schools in Hopkins County. The presentation was through the Kentucky Humanity Council Chautauqua program. Each of our elementary and middle schools is hosting a Chautauqua speaker this year thanks to the generosity of Dr. Judy Rhoads, retired Madisonville Community College president and Kentucky Humanities board member. Other Chautauqua visitors to the district include Daniel Boone, Jemima Boone, William Wells Brown, Madeline McDowell Breckinridge, and Johnny Greene.
Salute to Veterans
Special programs honoring military veterans were held at many of our schools for Veterans Day. These photos show the Browning Springs and James Madison Middle School programs. Thanks to all of our veterans for their service!
Rave Reviews
Hopkins County Central High School’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical” opened to rave reviews on Oct. 25. The musical featured student performers from Central as well as other schools in #TeamHopkins.
Marching Maroons Winning Season
Madisonville North Hopkins High School Marching Maroons won the Class 4A West Regional Championship. The band finished 5 th  in State Semifinals on Oct. 26. The video above is from the Regional Competition.
MNHHS Girls Golf - Region Champs

Madisonville North Hopkins girls golf team won the Region 2 championship. At the KHSAA State Golf Championship, they finished in 8 th place as a team.
MNHHS Boys Soccer - Region Champs

Madisonville North Hopkins boys soccer team won the 2 nd Region Championship and advanced to the State Championship. The team also received the 2 nd Region Sportsmanship Award from the region Soccer Officials Association.
SHMS Football 2nd in State

South Hopkins Middle School football team finished its season as state runners-up! The team won the Region 1 Championship to qualify for the Division 3 State Tournament.
Kidapalooza!

District representatives enjoyed giving books to kids attending Kidapalooza in downtown Madisonville in October.
Cross Country Advances to State

Madisonville North Hopkins student Joy Alexander won the individual title in the KHSAA 3A Region 1 Cross Country competition. The MNHHS girls team placed 3rd in the region. The boys team was 5th, with Jackson Watts in 4th and Josh Craig in 12th. Four Hopkins County Central cross country runners qualified individually in 2A. At state, t he MNHHS girls team finished 20 th with Alexander in 17 th . The boys team finished 23 rd , with Watts placing 4 th .