January 2022
Staff eNews
General Assembly Honors School Personnel for Selfless Acts after Tornado
The selfless acts of kindness displayed by school personnel after the historic 265.7-mile tornado on Dec. 10 and 11 were recognized Jan. 27 by the Kentucky General Assembly.

Senate Resolution 76 (SR 76), which passed on the floor of the Kentucky State Senate, and House Citation 29, which was passed on the floor of the House of Representatives, praised the efforts of school personnel in the impacted districts for their immediate actions to assist and ensure the safety of students and families. Superintendents, who have acknowledged the many acts by school personnel acting of their own volition, were recognized for their leadership and on behalf of their staff.

Senator Max Wise, who is from Taylor County and the primary sponsor of SR 76, said that school personnel “went above and beyond” after the tornado and praised the “collaboration and teamwork” – even among school rivals.

“It was a time when everything was put aside and we were one,” he said. “We were one western Kentucky and we continue to be.”

Rep. Myron Dossett, the citation sponsor who represents parts of Christian and Hopkins counties, expressed his pride in the heroic actions of the school personnel and superintendents and all they did to “lift the spirits” of those in the communities.

“God bless you,” he said, expressing gratitude for all they “have done for each and every one of us who has endured this storm.”

For more information, see the full News Release.
#TeamHopkins Responds
after Devastating Tornado
#TeamHopkins has joined together to meet community needs in the aftermath of the devastating Dec. 10 tornado. Concern for students and co-workers led staff members to immediately reach out to help in any way possible.
 
After the storm ended Dec. 10. Earlington Elementary Principal Julie Vaughn asked her teachers to reach out to students to see if they were OK. The tornado had cut a destructive path through nearby Barnsley. The next day, school staff made contacts with families and made a list of students who had suffered a total loss.
 
Donations started coming in on Sunday. By early the following week, Earlington school had been named a donation hub for Hopkins County. Trailers loaded with bottled water, food items coats, and more became arriving. Soon, the classrooms, in addition to the gym and cafeteria, were filled with items for tornado victims. The district used an internal Google form for staff from throughout the district to sign up to volunteer at the site
 
Family Resource Center coordinator Detra Stafford said it was overwhelming to see all the donations. “To see so many people being together has been a phenomenal experience for me,” she said. “Especially in times of crisis, this is such a small community, and to see that there are so many people that are willing to say that they can give up [their] free time.”
The schools that were closest to the damage also served as sites for tornado victims to pick up needed supplies and hot meals, while individuals and organizations throughout the district volunteered their assistance. West Hopkins School, for example, served as a food pantry, clothing bank, and a place to get a warm meal, all through the help of school staff.
 
Principal Eric Stone referred to Hopkins County Schools Superintendent Amy Smith’s emphasis on “Remember Your Why.”
 
“This is the why for us,” he said “For six years, we have had the word ‘family’ on the school shirts. This community is a family. Where I grew up is right across the street from this school. We were giving back to this community. Whatever need they had, we were going to try to provide for it. Just last night, I had a lady who came in after hours. Her mother, aunt, and grandmother all lost homes in the Dawson area. This lady provided for our student Christmas last year. She has a need this year. She came in for some toothpaste and a hairbrush, and she left with a truckload.”
 
We are so thankful for the efforts throughout #TeamHopkins to help our community during this difficult time! It has been evident that we truly are One Team, One Mission, One Community.
LivingWell Promise
Complete your 2022 LivingWell Promise!
 
There is no better time than the present to login at https://www.kehplivingwell.com/ and complete your 2022 LivingWell Promise. All primary plan holders are REQUIRED to complete their LivingWell promise by either taking the WebMd One health assessment or completing a biometric screening annually prior to June 30th to avoid an additional $40/monthly charge for health insurance premiums. Once you complete your online health assessment, you will earn a $25 reward and you can begin earning additional engagement rewards with WebMd One up to $200 per year.  New for 2022 – Covered dependent spouses can participate in the wellness program and earn up to $100 in engagement rewards. Members who waive health insurance are no longer eligible to participate in the wellness program.
 
Please contact Janice Moore at Ext. 22409 if you have any questions. 
FRYSC Day - Feb. 9th
Family Resource Youth Services Centers have been significant in the lives of students and families in Kentucky for more than 30 years. This year, FRYSC Day in Kentucky will be Wednesday, Feb. 9. To celebrate, businesses and organizations are asked to display the Better Together sign in their windows. With social media posts, please use the hashtags #FRYSCStrong and #BetterTogether to share photos of the great work being done by FRYSCs.
#LivePurple
Lots of purple could be seen in Hopkins County Schools on Thursday! #TeamHopkins supports our Dawson Springs neighbors! Remember to wear purple on the 7th, 17th, and 27th of the month. #LivePurple
School Board Recognition Month
As Kentucky observes School Board Recognition Month in January, Hopkins County Schools is joining in the celebration. Dr. J.W. Durst, Shannon Embry, Steve Faulk, Bobby Fox, and John Osborne are among the more than 850 school board members in the state’s 171 local school districts being recognized this month for their service.
 
This is the perfect time to thank school board members for serving in a role that has become increasingly complex, said Davonna Page, president of the Kentucky School Boards Association and member of the Russellville Independent school board. “Members of the Hopkins County Board of Education are responsible for making decisions aimed at ensuring that every child in their district has a chance to be successful both in school and in life,” Page said.
'Remember Your Why' Award
Christy Gast
Christy Gast, attendance secretary at James Madison Middle School, received the Remember Your Why Award at the December Board of Education meeting. During the pandemic, she has found new ways to organize systems used in the front office. While this is difficult to do during a normal year, Mrs. Gast has found ways to make things more efficient during the pandemic. This includes using a Google form to check students in and out for the nurse and a better system to organize student medicine in the front office. She always looks for ways to make tasks easier on others. She also has a special way of talking with parents about their concerns. Mrs. Gast was recently selected to receive one of the Kentucky Region 2 Attendance Clerk Excellence Awards. James Madison is blessed to have Mrs. Gast because of her passion for her job and the students.

When asked her why, Gast said, “So that every student, parent, and staff member feels heard, understood, supported, and respected. To help build a community with a common goal – providing our students with the best education possible.”
Megan Rice
Hopkins County Schools bus driver Megan Rice received the Remember Your Why Award during the Jan. 10 Board of Education meeting.
 
She started working as a bus monitor while also holding another full-time job. She soon went from saying, “I’d never drive a bus!” to “What do I need to do to drive a bus?” We’re all glad she took the step to become a driver! There are kids from all walks of life on her bus, but when they are together, they are a bus family. She wants every child she comes in contact with to know they are important to her. She loves them like they are her own and said she refers to them as “my kids.” Above all, she wants each of them to have a successful day at school every day.
 
When asked her Why, she responded: “The kids are my Why. Each one is special and unique & capable of doing so much. I pray every day that my 5-45 minutes with them every morning and afternoon has a positive lasting impact. That each one of them knows that they matter. That they are all my favorites, all 90 of them.”
Who Would You Like to Nominate?
2022-2023 School Calendar Set
Hopkins County Board of Education has set the calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. We plan to operate under the Traditional Calendar, which is shared below. The first day for students will be Wednesday, Aug. 10. We want to inform parents the board also approved a variable calendar in case modifications are needed due to extenuating circumstances. Both calendars can be viewed on the district website (Please scroll down below the current calendar).
 
Keith Cartwright Honored
Board attorney Keith Cartwright was recognized during the December Board of Education meeting. He was honored by the Kentucky Bar Foundation with the Judge Edward H. Johnstone Award. He is the 5th recipient of this award, which is given to members of the legal community serving the First Supreme Court District of Western Kentucky. The Kentucky Bar Foundation selected Mr. Cartwright for this award “because of his embodiment of the mission of the Bar Foundation with his spirit of service to the community and his dedication to the legal profession.”
Israel Consulate Provides Backpacks
Hopkins County Schools welcomed Consul General of Israel to the Southeast Anat Sultan-Dadon and members of the Israel in Atlanta Consulate staff on Dec. 17 to Earlington Elementary School.
 
They delivered 400 personally prepared backpacks to Hopkins County Schools. The backpacks, intended for young children affected by the recent tornadoes, include water bottles, snacks, hygiene products, toys, games and writing/drawing materials, and more.
 
Guests included U.S. Rep. James Comer, state Rep. Melinda Gibbons Prunty, state Rep. Walker Thomas, Hopkins County Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield, Hopkins County Sheriff Matt Sanderson, Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton, and Hopkins County Board of Education members Shannon Embry and Steve Faulk.
Quilts for Kentucky
Families that lost everything in the tornado will receive a handmade quilt thanks to a project led by Kellie Cotton, the librarian at Pride Elementary.
 
Cotton, who is a quilter herself, sent out a request to quilter via social media using the hashtag #quiltsforkentucky. “My thought was that I could collect handmade quilts that could be given as a gesture of compassion and comfort to those affected from the quilting community.”
 
About 55 quilts were initially donated, which have been distributed to hard-hit communities. About 25 will be distributed to Hopkins County Schools families through our Family Resource Youth Service Centers.
 
“Quilts have come in from as close as Hopkins County and as far away as Washington state,” Cotton said.
Devine Presents
at KWEL Conference
Dr. April Devine, Hopkins County Schools director of pupil personnel, was a breakout presenter at the KASA Kentucky Women in Educational Leadership annual forum. Devine’s presentation was entitled “Bloom Where You’re Planted: Serve Where You Are.” The theme for the 5th annual forum was “Together We Rise.” 
2A Sectional Champions
Hopkins County Central High School girls basketball team won the 2A Sectional Championship. They then competed in the 2A State Tournament at the Owensboro Sportscenter. Congratulations to the Lady Storm!
State Rep Serves as 'Principal for a Day'
State Rep. Melinda Gibbons Prunty greeted students arriving at school, read to kindergartners, worked with a small group of students on their letters, talked to children about her role as a legislator, and much more last month at Grapevine Elementary School.

She was participating in the Principal for a Day Program organized through the Kentucky Association of School Administrators to give legislators a first-hand look at the great things going on in Kentucky Schools. As a bonus, that day was Christmas Pajama day at Grapevine!

“We’re just happy to welcome her to Grapevine and we’re excited that she’s here to spend the day with us,” said Grapevine Principal Kelcey Postlewait.
'Trusted Adults Give Us Wings'
A project at South Hopkins Middle School will give students a daily reminder that “Trusted Adults Give Us Wings.”

Each student thought of an adult they trust and wrote the person’s name on a paper feather. The feathers were put together to form wings that now hang in the school gym. The idea – and the feathers – came from Amber Hackney of Pennyroyal Center. The project got started during World Kindness Week with help from school counselor Ginger Blakeley, according to Family Resource Youth Service Center coordinator Kristin Mackey.

“It means showing kindness,” said 8th grader Kenadee Greer, “showing that everybody has somebody that they can trust.” Classmate Kira Scarbrough echoed the thought. “It shows that you always have somebody there for you that cares about you and that you can confide in and talk to,” she said. “Someone that will just be there for you, no matter what.”