Board Approves Salary Increase |
|
Hopkins County Board of Education unanimously approved a salary increase of at least 3% tonight for all district employees. This is one of the largest pay increases in the history of the school system. It will take effect July 1.
Recognizing the need to recruit and retain quality teachers, the board approved a 5% increase for teachers with 0-5 years of service, and 4% for those with 6-9 years of service. This decision was made after comparing Hopkins County salaries with regional districts and noting Hopkins was less competitive for beginning teachers and comparable for those with more years of service.
All classified staff will receive the 3% increase. With this increase, Hopkins County Schools is proud to announce that no full-time employee will make less than $10.50 per hour.
Substitute pay will also increase. After comparing certified substitute pay to surrounding districts, the board approved an increase depending on rank. Long-term subs will receive a higher rate of pay after the 21st day of serving concurrently. This pay will be retroactive to the start date in the same job without a break in service. Classified substitutes will see a major increase in the hourly rate from $8.50 to $10.
Please join us in showing appreciation to school board members for recognizing the hard work of our dedicated staff. Thank you for everything you do for our students in Hopkins County!
|
|
Scisney Appointed to Division 5 Seat on Board |
|
Hopkins County Board of Education has appointed Kerri L. Scisney to fill the vacancy in the Division 5 seat.
She is retired from Madisonville Fire Department, having served as a training officer and a firefighter. She earned an associate degree in applied science from Madisonville Community College and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University.
We welcome Ms. Scisney to the Board of Education!
|
|
Saying Farewell to the Credit Union |
Hopkins County Teachers Federal Credit Union will close for the last time at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 29. Members voted to approve the merger with Owensboro Federal Credit Union, which is located at 1412 Chelsa Drive, Madisonville. The Central Office held a goodbye reception for office staff on Tuesday. HCTFCU, a federal insured credit union, was founded in 1972. We’ll miss Sarah Johnson and Katherine Wallace! |
|
We had a great time during Hopkins County Schools’ Spirit Week! Our schools – and the Central Office –celebrated our staff and students in celebration of HCS being named Best Place to Work in Hopkins County in The Messenger Readers’ Choice Awards! |
|
HCEF Mini-Grant Applications Open |
|
Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Hopkins County Education Foundation Mini-Grant opportunity. The Board of Education has already given a blanket approval for teachers to apply for these grants. The grant applications are due Friday, May 27, by 4 pm. The application form is available at the following link: https://bit.ly/HCEFminigrants2022.
|
|
'Remember Your Why' Award |
|
Carlos White, head custodian at Browning Springs Middle School, received the Remember Your Why Award at the April 18 Board of Education meeting. He is described as “the most kind person you’ll ever meet.” He does an amazing job cleaning the school every day with a smile on his face. He makes sure to talk to the students and make their day turn out great, no matter how it started. He is motiving, empowering and an overall great guy. The student who nominated him said that he is the reason she wants to come to school. He takes pride in his work but also cares about the students!
Here’s how he explained his “why”: “I was taking my daughter to school one morning and needed a job, so I asked about getting a job with the school system. Shortly thereafter, I got a job as a custodian and worked my way up to be head custodian. I never thought that I would stay this long – 22 years after this year. I have been loved by people, staff, and especially students of all ages, size, and colors. It didn’t take me long to realize this had to be my mission field. I have so many sweet memories from these beautiful gifts from God that we call children. I have hundreds of cards and some nice gifts. But if I never step back into a Hopkins County School, I have been loved by people in a way I never could have ever imagined. Thank you so much Katie Beth for nominating me. Go Team Hopkins!”
|
|
|
Who Would You Like to Nominate? |
|
|
|
Hopkins County Schools wants to recognize employees and students for good deeds and kindness shown to others. Remember Your Why Award winners may be nominated by any district stakeholder, including staff, students, parents, and community members.
The district’s theme for this year is Remember Your Why. Faculty and staff are encouraged to focus on what’s most important – the reason they went into education or chose to work in the schools. This initiative is designed to motivate staff. We always want to be there for our students! Raising the motivation levels of staff will have positive impacts on students, parents, co-workers, and the community. Faculty and staff members may be nominated by anyone in the community through a form on the Hopkins County Schools’ website.
|
|
Silas Weldon of Earlington Elementary won 1st place in the Hopkins County Schools Elementary District Talent Competition on April 26 for a dance to “Dem Beats.” Myles Gee of West Broadway Elementary, who performed the vocal/guitar solo “Waymore Blues,” received 2nd place. Collin Phaup of Southside Elementary placed 3rd for his drum solo “Holy Ghost.”
Masters of ceremony were Jaela Bottoms and Neilan Bruce of Pride Elementary. Stage manager was Jaxson Haw of EES. Guest performer was Micah Brown of Hopkins County Central High School.
Madisonville Community College Lions Club sponsors the district competitions, which are organized through HCS Gifted & Talented Services.
|
|
|
Middle School Competition |
Jacob Payne of James Madison Middle School won 1st place in the Hopkins County Schools’ Middle School District Talent Show for the guitar solo “Rock Medley.” Erin Wilson of Browning Springs Middle School, who performed the original guitar/vocal solo “Life Down Low,” received 2nd place. Mashyla McAdoo and Kylie Laffoon of JMMS placed 3rd for their dance, “Level Up.” Madisonville Community College Lions Club sponsors the district competition, which was Thursday at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. The Talent Show Series is organized by the Hopkins County Schools District Services for District Services for Gifted and Talented. |
|
|
Alyssa Bruno of Madisonville North Hopkins High School won 1st place in the Hopkins County Schools’ High School District Talent Show for her piano/vocal performance, “Waiting Outside the Lines.” The district show was Thursday night at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. Jaxon Byers and Allisyn Sabo of Hopkins County Central High School, who performed the vocal duet “Shallow,” received 2nd place. Logan Steele placed 3rd for his guitar performance of “Isotope.” Madisonville Community College Lions Club sponsors the district competition. The Talent Show Series is organized by the Hopkins County Schools District Services for District Services for Gifted and Talented. |
|
|
|
|
Pride Elementary School 4th grade student Jackson Gilbert designed a shirt for Autism Awareness Month, which is in April. Several faculty, staff, and students purchased the shirt.
|
|
The Middle & High School Art Exhibit featured HCS student works throughout April in the Anne P. Baker Gallery at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. |
|
A select group of students with a strong drive to work in a technical/industrial field were invited to take part in a dinner and career fair that gave them the chance to connect with future employers on Tuesday evening at Hopkins County Career and Technology Center.
The event was sponsored by the Task Force for Promoting Technical Skills in Hopkins County, which was formed because of an increased demand for skilled workers in our area. Local industry, Madisonville/Hopkins County Economic Development, and Hopkins County Schools decided to work together to address the issue. After the first dinner in 2019, several students secured employment, but the event had been paused due to the Covid pandemic.
The 25-30 student participants were selected by their Hopkins County Career and Technology Center instructor. These students have a variety of goals, with some planning to go straight to the workforce while others want to first earn a technical degree. They brought resumes to distribute for future employment possibilities. It’s great to see these kind of connections being made!
|
|
|
|
Students in Madisonville North Hopkins High School’s African American Studies class traveled to Louisville on a recent field trip. They visited Roots 101: African-American Museum. |
|
Teens participating in the Young Women LEAD Spring Retreat on Friday heard messages to build their confidence and inspire them. They learned about fitness and yoga and did an Earth Day scavenger hunt at Mahr Park Arboretum. They also worked to develop a community service project.
The program is designed to change the way high school girls perceive themselves and challenge them to reach higher levels of personal growth and development. Girls from both of our high schools participate in the program, which started this year in Hopkins County Schools.
Speakers included Tanya Bowman, Hopkins County Circuit Court clerk; Stephanie Townsell of Joy Fitness Inc.; Dr. April Devine, HCS director of pupil personnel; and Kayte Dame and Ashley Galvan of Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville. Sponsors were Atmos Energy, Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville, Dr Pepper Bottling Co., and Independence Bank. Thanks to everyone who has supported Young Women LEAD!
|
|
The new “book vending machine” in the Jesse Stuart Elementary School library gives kids a special reward! Students whose Eagle Tickets were drawn from all entries during the month of March were the first to choose a free book from the new vending machine. This is a reward for following school-wide expectations to have a positive attitude, show respect for self and others, and give their best effort in everything they do. Media Specialist Megan Durbin said the vending machine was funded through a Dollar General Literacy Grant, as well as funds from PTA and the fall book fair. The kids were very excited to pick out a new book! |
|
High School Graduation Dates |
|
Hopkins County Schools Academy
Thursday, May 12, 2022, 6:00 p.m. at Hopkins County Central High School
Hopkins County Central High School
Baccalaureate, Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
Awards Night, Monday, May 16, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
Graduation, Friday, May 20, 2022, 7:00 p.m.
Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Awards Day, Monday, May 16, 2022, 1:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate, Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 7:00 p.m.
Graduation, Monday, May 23, 2022, 7:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Leadership Challenge Workshop |
Two Hopkins County Schools administrators were invited to attend The Leadership Challenge Workshop recently offered by KASA. Director of Pupil Personnel Dr. April Devine and Hopkins County Day Treatment/HCS Academy Principal Nathan Howton attended the training, which is described as follows: “This leadership resource is research-driven and is about how everyday leaders mobilize others to want to get extraordinary things done. It’s about the best practices leaders use to transform values into actions, visions into realities, obstacles into innovations, separateness into solidarity, and risks into rewards. It’s about creating a climate in which people turn challenging opportunities into remarkable successes.” |
|
|
|
David Moss, band director at South Hopkins and West Hopkins, has received the Golden Horseshoe Award from the Murray State University Alumni Association. Established in 1987, this award honors alumni whose dedication to Murray State has contributed to the continued growth and excellence of the University through university-held positions and/or exceptional volunteer support. The honoree’s name is added to the Golden Horseshoe plaque in the Easley Alumni Center at MSU. |
|
|
|
The annual Amazing Shake competition has come to a completion with three overall winners and many other students gaining “soft skills” such as greeting others with a firm handshake, making eye contact, and the ability to lead a conversation. This year’s overall winners are Olivia Kirkland, 1st place; Gauge Clark, 2nd place; and Molly Spencer, 3rd place.
The competition, based on the Ron Clark Academy, originated at James Madison Middle School. This year, students from Browning Springs participated for the first time. Organizers hope to continue to expand this opportunity.
|
|
We’re already making plans for the 2022-2023 school year!
Read below for essential details to share with your students.
|
|
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to register their children soon for the 2022-2023 school year. Online Registration/Annual Update through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal has opened for next year.
Parents may register new students, including incoming kindergarten students.
|
|
Kindergarten Registration |
Do you need to register an incoming kindergarten student? Click on the image at right for a detailed list of requirements.
Annual Update - Parents of current Hopkins County Schools students can add new students at this link.
Online Registration - Parents who do NOT currently have children enrolled in HCS should use this link.
|
|
|
Preschool students are invited to a night of kindergarten readiness activities as part of our TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN. The event will be Thursday, May 12, at Hopkins County Career and Technology Center from 5:30-7 p.m. A Carnival of Fun awaits! Students must be accompanied by an adult. The event will include food, games, information, and prizes. |
|
The EZ Receipts mobile app provides a convenient way to manage accounts for staff who have any of the following:
-
FSA (Flexible Spending Account - This is money that you contribute from your check)
-
HRA (Health Reimbursement Account)
- Health insurance plan with an embedded HRA (included with the CDHP health plans)
To use the app, create an online account with Health Equity/WageWorks at https://www.wageworks.com. Download the EZ Receipts mobile app and log in with your username and password from your online account. The mobile app will let you snap and submit photos of your receipt each time you use your card to make it easy to verify card transactions later; file claims, view transactions, and check account balances on the go; and sign up for alerts.
|
|
Employee of the Year Nominations |
|
Hopkins County Schools is seeking nominations for the 2021-2022 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, May 27, 2022. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
