November 2022

Welcome to Connections, Hopkins County Schools' parent/community newsletter!

Season of Giving

The holiday season is a special time for students and staff to give back through special community service projects! School groups have already started ringing the bells for the Salvation Army and decorated trees at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. Upcoming weeks are sure to include many more opportunities to give back to the Hopkins County community!

Mackey Receives Statewide Honor

The South Hopkins Middle School Youth Service Center, under the leadership of coordinator Kristin Mackey, has received a statewide award! The Harry J. Cowherd Award was presented to Mackey by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services along with the Division of Family Resource and Youth Service Centers. Mackey was honored by the Board of Education earlier this month.

The Cowherd Award is the Divisions’ most prestigious award, honoring a center (or centers) which truly excelled in the crucial role of serving kids and families. This year, 33 nominations were received, setting a record! Five outstanding centers received the award.

SHMS Youth Service Center reaches out to students who struggle daily with needs not being met because of family circumstances, the pandemic, the December 2021 tornado, or other factors. Assistant Principal Jennifer Hibbs submitted the nomination.

“When nominating Mrs. Mackey for the Harry J. Cowherd Award for Center Excellence, several qualities that stood out to me were excellence, legacy, above and beyond normal center operations, and serving,” Hibbs said. “Mrs. Mackey demonstrates each of these qualities every single day. She comes to school early, leaves late, works on the weekends, speaks with community members to support our families, leads a girls and boys group within our building, and makes connections with students and families.”

She makes a difference for students, families, and staff!

Fox Honored for Years of Service

Hopkins County Board of Education member Bobby Fox was presented with an honorary gavel in recognition of his years of service. Mr. Fox did not seek re-election and will complete his term at the end of the year.

“Thank you for your service on the board but also for giving most of your career in education and to the service of your community,” board Chairman Steve Faulk said, when presenting the gavel. “You are a true model of what a good citizen should strive to be. You’re a dear friend to all of us, and we’re going to miss your charm and support. It’s been great having you here with us.”

We thank Mr. Fox for his years of service to Hopkins County Schools!

Scisney Takes

Oath of Office

Board member Kerri Scisney took the Oath of Office for the Division 5 seat on the Hopkins County Board of Education on Nov. 21. She was appointed to the board earlier this year and was elected in November.

Bailey Named Environmentalist of Year

Madisonville North Hopkins High School teacher Maria Bailey received the Environmentalist of the Year award during the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Farm-City breakfast!

She is a science and environmental educator at MNHHS and a volunteer at Mahr Park Arboretum. Ms. Bailey’s knowledge and willingness to ensure future generations appreciate their natural world do not go unnoticed. She is actively involved with the Mahr Park Arboretum Nature classroom, the Jr. Naturalist 4H Club, hikes, Nature Fest, Sunday Series presentations, and more.

Revised Attendance Zones

Hopkins County Board of Education has approved revised attendance zones that will take effect in the 2023-2024 school year.

The reasons for updating the zones include the following:

Ensure school enrollment is closer to building capacities across the district;
Provide a new school home for Earlington Elementary students;
Make the most efficient use of facilities;
Leave room for future enrollment growth in our schools.

High school students may remain enrolled at their current high school through graduation. New special permission request forms will need to be filed for all students whose attendance zone has changed or who are moving to another level and wish to apply to attend a school different than their assigned zone. Special permission request forms will be available from February 1 - April 1, 2023.

For more information:

New Attendance Zones

Remember Your Why

We welcome nominations from parents, students, and community members for the district's "Remember Your Why" Award. Hopkins County Schools gives this award to employees and students in recognition of outstanding service, good deeds, and kindness shown to others.

Submit your nomination at www.hopkins.kyschools.us/RememberYourWhy.

Scott Moore & Jennifer Curneal

Scott Moore and Jennifer Curneal were honored with the Remember Your Why Award during the Nov. 21 Board of Education meeting. They are described as life savers for their efforts to help a coworker last month. Curneal, a kindergarten assistant, was eating lunch with a co-worker who choked. She was able to get her up from the table and tried to dislodge the apple. Unable to get it out, she pulled her toward the door so others could hear her calls for help. Mr. Moore ran to help and used the Heimlich maneuver on their coworker. Their quick actions saved a life!

Songs & Scenes

Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins renewed their musical theatre partnership with the presentation of “Songs and Scenes” earlier this month. About 45 high school students were involved in the production. This all-new musical revue was organized by Hopkins County Schools’ staff and students and featured songs from some of the most famed musicals of all time.

HCCHS Wins State FFA

Homesite Evaluation Contest

Hopkins County Central High School earned several awards in the recent Kentucky FFA State Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation Contest. HCCHS received the title of State Winner in the Homesite Evaluation Contest! HCCHS also placed 5th in the Land Judging Contest. The team qualified for the national contest in Oklahoma City in both areas. Team members are Mason Brown, Colton Browning, Wesley Orange, and Mattie Reynolds. Colton Browning was also recognized as 1st place individual in Homesite Evaluation and 2nd place individual in Land Judging.

Focus on Learning

Dress for Success

Several of our schools participated in the “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” career education activity. This encourages kids to dress up for a job or person they admire. Elementary students also learned more about the career they chose.

Virtual Visit with an Author

Second-graders in Mrs. Potts’ class at Jesse Stuart Elementary recently experienced a virtual author’s visit through KET’s “On the Same Page.” Students learned how to develop a story and illustrate a character. They also won free books from the author, Kyri Demby! Students in the other 2nd-grade classes at JSES will participate in an author visit in January with Bruce Hale, author of “Clark the Shark.” These live, virtual visits are presented by KET Education and the KET Young Writers Contest. This was a wonderful experience for the students and they look forward to more visits in the future!

Careers in Focus

The Career Fair at West Broadway Elementary School on Friday offered a chance for kids to learn about a variety of future possibilities! Professionals offered information on careers in health care, engineering, city services, manufacturing, real estate sales, and more! Even meteorologist Wayne Hart paid a visit. Thanks to everyone who participated in this event!

Miss Kentucky Offers Special Message

Miss Kentucky made a special visit to South Hopkins Middle School. Hannah Edelen is a native of Springfield, Ky., and a public school teacher. She competes for Miss America in December. She encouraged students to BLOOM into the best version of themselves. Students and staff enjoyed welcoming her!

Family Fun with Math

Family Math Night at Browning Springs Middle School offered special activities, food, and prizes. Fun math-related activities for students and their families included learning how many jumping jacks they could do in a minute! This was sponsored by the Youth Services Center and Title 1. The school is already looking forward to their next Family Engagement Night.

Athletic Celebrations

Cheer Regional Champs

The cheer teams from both Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins high school won Regional Championships!

HCCHS is KHSAA Region 1 Champions in the Large Game Day division. MNHHS is KHSAA Region 1 Champions in the All-Girls Small Varsity Division.

Both teams will advance to the KHSAA State Championships on Dec. 9-10 at George Rogers Clark High School.

Dance Regional Champs

Hopkins County Central High School High Voltage Dance Team won the KHSAA Region 1 Hip Hop Championship . They will advance to the KHSAA State Championship on Dec. 11 at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester. Madisonville North Hopkins High School Maroon Magic, which placed 3rd in Pom, will also advance to the State Championship.

Visit our Website