Vaccinations Under Way for District Staff |
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The Hopkins County Health Department and school nurses have provided the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers and staff. The second round of vaccinations is scheduled for the week of Feb. 8.
We are one of the first school districts in Kentucky to receive the vaccine. The second group of staff members to sign up will start the vaccination process next week.
Hopkins County Schools Superintendent Dr. Deanna Ashby volunteered to receive the first vaccination in the district, which was administered by Health Department Director Denise Beach. Staff are not required to take the shot. Dr. Ashby said she considers the vaccinations a protective shield that will help schools be open with in-person instruction.
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Rapid COVID Testing Available in Schools |
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Rapid COVID testing is available for all students enrolled in Hopkins County Schools as well as staff members. These tests are done by the school nurse. A student must have a general clinic consent as well as a separate COVID consent on file. Consents are available on the HCBOE website and can be sent home with students.
Remote learning students will be tested from their car. Please call your school clinic for an appointment.
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District to Receive ESSER II Funds |
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The state of Kentucky will receive $928 million in a second round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Federal Funding.
Hopkins County Schools has been allocated $6,986,035. This will give our district the foundation it needs to close the learning loss gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also believe these funds will help us preserve the educational programs we have worked hard to establish for our kids in Hopkins County and for future generations.
As soon as the funding amounts were released, we began brainstorming ways to meet the needs of students. We share the concern that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some students to fall behind and we want to use these funds to bridge that gap.
We are still in the early planning stages to budget these monies. These funds are restricted federal dollars that must be used to support the continuity of education.
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Standards of Practice Spotlight
Student Centered
Our Commitment: Make decisions based on what is best for students.
Our Actions:
- Build positive relationships with students to support their personal and academic needs
- Communicate with students and families in a consistent, positive, honest, and timely way
- Inspire students to achieve greatness
- Recognize students’ success
- Put the needs of students above the wants of adults
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Teacher Changes Coming in Campus.2104 |
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The Feb. 10 Campus 2104 release to KY production contains important updates that will impact all teachers including a new look for Control Center and Assignments, plus new capabilities for teachers like previews, resources, folders and questions.
If you missed the free webinars hosted by Infinite Campus last month that reviewed the changes, sign in to your Campus Community account and then click here to enroll and view the recording.
Infinite Campus also created an additional training resource about the upcoming enhancements, made specifically for your teachers! This 20-minute overview video will give teachers the training they need to utilize new functionality. Simply log in to your Campus Community account and click this link. Campus will also present this information during mid-year training, with an opportunity to ask questions. Please help to encourage school-level participation.
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New LivingWell Program for 2021 |
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The new wellness program with the Kentucky Employees Health Plan is operating. All full-time employees who have a health insurance plan or waiver are eligible to participate. This year, the wellness program is with WebMD. You may set up your new account for 2021 at the link below.
Once you set up your account, please go ahead and take the online health assessment. By taking the online health assessment, you will have fulfilled your LivingWell promise requirement for 2021. Also, you will not begin earning rewards until you have taken the health assessment. We do plan to offer Biometric Screenings at each location again this year. Details will be available later. Please click on the link below and select “SIGN UP”. Follow the instructions to create your new account.
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Returning Division 1 Board of Education member John Osborne and newly elected Division 3 member Shannon Embry took the oath of office at the Jan. 4 meeting. Osborne was elected chairman and Steve Faulk was chosen as vice chairman.
An opening was created in the Division 5 seat when newly elected Doug Center resigned last month because of a planned relocation. After going through the process outlined in state law, the board appointed Dr. J.W. Durst to the seat. Durst had served as the Division 5 representative for the previous four years, with his term ending in December. The seat will be on the ballot in November 2022.
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As Kentucky observes School Board Recognition Month in January, Hopkins County Schools is joining in the celebration.
John Osborne, Steve Faulk, Bobby Fox, Shannon Embry, and Dr. J.W. Durst are among the more than 850 school board members in the state’s 171 local school districts being recognized this month.
We thank them for their service!
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Resources for Remote Learning |
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The Future of Privacy Forum recently released new resources to help educators navigate student privacy challenges raised by COVID-19 and the shift to virtual learning.
FPF also updated the 2020 Student Privacy Pledge to include two new substantive provisions, an updated definition of the data covered by the Pledge, and a series of guidelines to help readers understand Pledge provisions. You can see the updated text of Pledge 2020 here, and the guidelines here.
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#TellingOurStoryKY Campaign |
We are excited to take part in the #TellingOurStoryKy campaign. Together, the Kentucky Association of Educational Cooperatives, Kentucky Association of School Administrators, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents and Kentucky School Boards Association are launching a collaborative effort to highlight the incalculable impact of Kentucky’s 171 public school districts on their local communities.
This campaign will showcase and celebrate public education stories throughout 2021 to remind communities of the significant role of local public schools. Bottom line: public schools have long been considered essential to Kentucky's future.
We invite our staff and other stakeholders to take part in two ways:
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Download the Selfie page, print it, and add your ideas. Take your photo with your page and then upload it to social media with the hashtags #TeamHopkins and #TellingOurStoryKY.
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Hopkins County Schools alumni are invited to be featured in a district spotlight post. If you are interested, please complete the TellingOurStory Form, and we will be in touch.
We hope to hear from several Hopkins County Schools alumni!
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#LionChaser / #GiantSlayer |
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Pride Elementary School was presented with the #LionChaser / #GiantSlayer Award at the Jan. 11 Board of Education meeting. Pride Elementary has been named an Educational Bright Spot in Kentucky Education by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and the Center for Business and Economic Research. Pride was specifically honored for third-grade math. It is among just 47 schools selected out of 1,466 schools in Kentucky. Congratulations!
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Pride Honored for Family Engagement |
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Pride Elementary School is among 96 schools nationwide honored with the new Family Engagement Distinction by Kohl’s and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Pride is honored for “going above and beyond to engage families in creating healthy environments at home and at school.”
In addition to their status as one of “America’s Healthiest Schools,” the Family Engagement Distinction awardees demonstrated their commitment to building strong relationships with caregivers and families to support student health needs. Though the submission data for this new distinction was gathered prior to COVID-19, these actions helped set a solid foundation to help weather the pandemic as schools toggled between in-person and remote learning. For example, schools:
- Provided educational resources for caregivers and families that address strategies for creating a healthier home
- Invited families to participate in school decision-making for health and safety policies and programs
- Collaborated with caregivers and families on ways to improve school meals and meal programs
“Improving the health and well-being of our families requires bold leadership and action from many,” said Kathy Higgins, chief executive officer at Healthier Generation. “Healthier Generation is proud to partner with Kohl’s to support families in their quest to live well and be well. Together, we applaud these schools for joining with us to meet the vital health needs of their students and communities.”
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Parents and guardians will be able to register students for the 2021-2022 school year through online registration sometime this spring. More information will be coming soon. Information on creating a Parent Portal Account is posted on the following website: https://www.hopkins.kyschools.us/domain/72.
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Family Resource Youth Services Centers have been significant in the lives of students and families in Kentucky for more than 30 years. Following a declaration by the Kentucky Supreme Court that Kentucky’s education system was inefficient and inequitable, the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) was formed in 1990.
In 1991 just over 100 Family Resource and Youth Services Centers were opened in Kentucky. In 2021 centers now have grown to 857 serving 1200 schools.
This year, Family Resource Youth Services Centers across the state are being recognized the week of February 8-12. Legislators are working on legislation to make the 2nd Wednesday of every February the annual FRYSC Day in Kentucky. It will be February 10th, this year. To celebrate, businesses and organizations are asked to display the “We Love Our FRYSC” logo that week in their window and also post pictures to Facebook using the hashtag #FRYSCStrong to recognize the dedication that these centers provide for our students and families every day.
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Transportation Staff Video |
Click on the graphic at right to view a video showing appreciation for our district Transportation staff! |
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South Hopkins Middle School gives a shout out to these district maintenance employees! They worked tirelessly outside for two days this week repairing plumbing pipes. |
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In honor of Goodwill Wednesday during our District-Wide Spirit Week, school kitchen managers received a little gift from district food service staff to show appreciation! The Spirit Week was planned to celebrate our return to the in-person hybrid learning plan. |
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Nominations Accepted
for Ky Teacher Awards
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Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Kentucky Teacher Awards, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline Inc. Any full-time public school teacher in the state with at least three years of experience is eligible. Nominations may be submitted via this Google Form.
Teachers may be nominated by students, parents, teaching peers, principals, superintendents or anyone from the community who has an interest in honoring an outstanding educator.
“The Kentucky Teacher Awards are an excellent opportunity to highlight the people who work every day to prepare our children for a bright and meaningful future,” said Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass. “We encourage everyone to think of teachers who are making a positive impact on young people’s lives and nominate them for this recognition.”
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State Asks Residents to Test Broadband Speed |
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The state is urging residents to take the Kentucky Broadband Speed Test, a crowd-sourcing project to gather data needed to expand internet home access for distance learning, telework and telehealth. You can take the free test until Feb. 18.
Families without internet access at home are urged to connect via a business, library or friend’s house and enter their address to register that their home does not have internet access.
Kentuckians who participate in the speed test will help detect slow spots around the state and where Wi-Fi access and affordability are lacking.
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