Message from Stu

Looking for crowding solutions

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and has started the week off refreshed and ready to go! As we look forward to a new year, we still have a lot of work ahead of us in order to lay the groundwork for upcoming school years. It promises to be a busy time and we need to remain steadfast in our efforts to continue doing things in the best interest of our kids.

The Local Planning Committee (LPC), made up of staff and community members, held a public forum to obtain input on options to alleviate crowding in some of our schools. Additionally, there was a section on our Web site that allowed for input from those who could attend this meeting. Thanks to all who have contributed to this effort.

Please know that this is a very difficult issue that does not have good solutions no matter what options are chosen. Our staff will continue to work with the LPC to minimize changes while at the same time solve the crowding problems. The LPC is meeting tonight and I plan to attend to ask them for their consideration of the following:

1. Before any moves are made, first ask for volunteers and then use the remaining numbers as a starting point.
2. Consider forming a community task force to review our projections and potential options.
3. Consider performing a full outside audit of our crowding situations
4. Put a moratorium on redistricting for at least three years from the time that decisions are made to alleviate the current issue.

Again, this is a difficult issue and we appreciate your patience as we work through this.

Unity Day November 22, 2004

Students at Deep Springs Elementary talked about what makes them unique in celebration of Unity Day.

Unity Day, which was observed district-wide on November 22nd, was born out of a tragic incident that occurred in our community ten years ago. A police officer shot and killed a teenage suspect while attempting to serve a warrant for the teen's arrest. The police officer was white and the suspect, Tony Sullivan, was an African-American. The incident divided the community along racial lines. Out of the tragedy, Unity Day was born in the belief we could heal our community through understanding and education.

This year, our schools celebrated Unity Day with lesson plans designed to help our kids appreciate the differences in cultures opposite of their own. Students at Deep Springs Elementary wrote essays on how they are unique. Younger children at the school drew their faces in celebration of their differences from one another. The work is on display on the hallway walls of the school.

Staff members at the It's About Kids Support Services building celebrated as well with a Unity Day program. Speakers included Judi Conrad, Unity Day founder, and Lexington Police Chief Anthany Beatty. Chief Beatty spoke about the Tony Sullivan incident and the lessons that have been learned since then. Henry Clay High School's Color Guard presented the colors and music was provided by Bryan Station High School's Harambee Choir.

FCPS teachers recognized for making a difference

We all remember that special teacher who touched our life and turned the light of learning on. Some of those educators were recognized recently at the 2004 Teachers Who Made a Difference program sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Education. The program pays tribute to the work and influence teachers have over young lives by allowing people whose lives they've touched honor them.

This year, 84 current and retired teachers from across the state were recognized for the distinction. Of those, 16 were from Fayette County Public Schools. They are: Ellen Allen, Beth Barnott, Anne Combs, Gloria Compton, Carmen Donato, Janet Geissler, Uala Gorman, Margaret Heaton, Brenda Holmes, Mary Elizabeth Lowe, Wilda McKenzie, Linda Meighan, Alesia Miller, Rebecca Puckett, Beth Randolph, and Kathy Roberts.

Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child!

Dell TechKnow program graduates 55 students!

A Dell TechKnow graduate shows off her computer skills

It was graduation day a little early for the 55 FCPS students that participated in the first regular session of the Dell TechKnow program. The after-school enrichment program teaches middle school students the ins and outs of computer technology. Students learned how to take apart a computer, learned what each part was for and then learned how to put the computer together again. Students who successfully completed the program got to take the computer home for good! In addition to the free refurbished computer, the graduates received a Lexmark printer, free Internet access from QX.net, a computer accessory kit from Kentucky Trade Computers and additional computer supplies from Meijer. Teachers from Fayette County Public Schools serve as instructors for the program.

The graduation ceremony, which took place recently at the Carver Community Center, featured presentations about technology education, on-site computer demonstrations from the students and praise from community leaders.

"This program is a shining example of what good can happen for the citizens of Lexington when government, the school system and local businesses get together and work to provide extra educational opportunities for students who may not otherwise have them," said Mayor Teresa Ann Isaac. "This model of partnership has unlimited potential."

The selection process is already underway for the winter program. Applications are available at all Tubby's Clubhouse locations and through Fayette County Middle Schools. For more information call Eric Howard at 258-3905 or the district communications office at 381-4108.

John Bobel, Information Officer, Lexington-Fayette Division of Parks and Recreation contributed to this article.

Operation Crayon at Glendover

Glendover students proudly display their Operation Crayon collections. The students are from left to right: Taylor Shepherd, Zachery Short, Seika Short, and Emanuel Camarillo.

For the last few weeks, school supplies have been piling up at Glendover Elementary School thanks to some caring kids. The students have been collecting the supplies to send overseas to their Iraqi counterparts as part of Operation Crayon. In early December, items like crayons, pencils and other basic school supplies will be sent to Kirkuk Regional Air Base where U.S. soldiers and airmen will distribute the supplies to the families who are moving back into the war-torn area.

Students became interested in the project thanks to pictures sent by Lt. Elizabeth Craft showing Iraqi children. Lt. Craft is the daughter of Glendover secretary Nancy Craft and is currently stationed at Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq.

So far, the kids have collected more than six large boxes of supplies. In addition, many students have contributed money to purchase balls and jump ropes to be sent to Iraq.

This week's Kudos go to...

The Crawford Middle School Dance Team, for bringing home the first place trophy in the Middle School Funk Division during the Cheers for the Holidays competition held at Transylvania University recently. The 16 member team is coached by Cheri Buchignani.

MLK Academy, for being named the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention national program of the year. The school was recognized for "cutting edge leadership, out of the box efforts and significant professional development" and is "considered a school of high expectations for staff and students".

Tates Creek High School Cheerleaders, for winning 1st place in their divisions at the Universal Cheerleading Association Regional Competition in Richmond on November 14th. The wins allow the small and large varsity teams to compete at the national competition.

Tates Creek Middle Web site is honored

The Web site at Tates Creek Middle School has been selected as a "Cool School" site by our district Web team. Cool School sites must attain a level of excellence set forth to ensure that the site is easy to use, up to date, and comprehensive in content. The district Web Team publishes a list of criteria by which sites are evaluated. Other recent Cool School recipients include Lansdowne Elementary and SCAPA Bluegrass. Congratulations!

All-State Chorus has FCPS tone

Students around the district performed at the Kentucky American Choral Directors Association Fall Convocation/All-State Chorus in Somerset recently. The students worked with a guest conductor and performed with the best vocal talent in the state. Students were selected to perform based on an audition tape. The students representing Fayette County were:

Leadership lessons from Sam

Giving thanks

Wow! This Thanksgiving stuff is great! The food, the company, the games, the naps — it just doesn’t get any better than this! Dad says that it is a great time to stop and think about the things for which we are thankful. So, I decided to make up a list.

I am thankful for having a warm house to live in with people who love me, always having food and water, having a yard where I can play, having next door neighbors — oh, I could go on and on but I am really thankful for everything.

Dad says that it is important to reflect upon our blessings. He gave me some examples to think about. He said that when we can’t find a close parking place at the store, that rather than complaining about it we should be thankful we have legs that work which allow us to walk that far. When things get hard at your job, be thankful you have a job. When it rains and you can’t go to the park, be thankful you have a house where you can stay dry. He kept giving me examples but I got the point pretty early on.

I am really thankful! Bow Wow!