Message from Stu

Taking time to give thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to step back and reflect upon how blessed we are. And in a place like Fayette County that isn’t hard to do; for example, just take a look at this month’s Board meeting agenda and check out the list of recognitions we have planned for outstanding work by our kids and staff. Reviewing the agenda to prepare for tonight’s board meeting sure made me stop and think how thankful I am to be working in a district with such a high caliber of staff and students.

We will also have the opportunity to award high school diplomas to two former students who interrupted their high school educations to serve our country in a time of war. Just as we honor these brave men, I hope each of us will stop and give thanks for our courageous men and women in uniform who are serving our nation overseas.

At our board meeting we will also introduce the first-quarter winner of the Fred Award, which is being sponsored by the Lexington Postmaster. Since the original Fred was a postal carrier, postmaster Clyde Barton offered to honor one of our employees who has been nominated for outstanding customer service. Since we introduced Fred Sightings in Stu’s News, we’ve heard some really heartwarming stories of employees going above and beyond the call of duty and making a difference.

Before I close, I just want to say that I am also very thankful to this community for the way you have opened your arms to Kathy and me and allowed us to become a part of this great place. We have a lot of work to do, but also have a whole lot to be thankful for! I hope you and your families enjoy the time together this week.

First quarterly Fred chosen

We are thrilled to announce our first-ever winner of the Quarterly Fred Award, sponsored by Lexington Postmaster Clyde Barton. As our regular readers know, Fayette County school employees are placing a renewed emphasis on excellent customer service this year. We have encouraged everyone in our district to go the extra mile and show the people we serve every day that we care about our kids and constituents.

We call folks who provide excellent customer service “Freds,” inspired by the book, “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn about a very service-minded postman named Fred. And Mr. Barton offered to spotlight one Fred each quarter whose story rose above the others.

Our first winner is Breckinridge Elementary School’s Teresa Rushing, who last school year went out of her way to smooth the transition to school for a kindergartener. This year, when that little girl transferred to another school, Ms. Rushing got approval from the child’s parents and drove to Cassidy to spend lunch with her and to let her know that her old school misses her and to make sure she is having a good year at her new school.

The judging panel, made up of postal service employees, and Fayette County school representatives “selected Teresa Rushing because they could all relate to how frightened this kindergartner must have been and were impressed that Ms. Rushing took the time to look out for this child and take her under her wing. The panel also mentioned how special it was for a non-parent to be so patient and understanding with this little girl. This was the definition of ‘excellent customer service’ for the panel.”

Congratulations to Ms. Rushing... and keep those Fred sightings rolling in!

Doctor squid captivates local students

On November 15, world-renowned oceanographer Dr. Clyde Roper spoke to about 800 budding scientists from the Fayette County Public Schools at Heritage Hall. This wonderful learning opportunity was sponsored by the Navy League of the United States, Central Kentucky Council and the Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition.

The following is a column about Roper’s speech written by Edythe J. Hayes Middle School seventh-grader Scout Schmitz.

“I had the opportunity to go on a field trip to see Dr. Clyde Roper AKA Dr. Squid at Heritage Hall this week. There were over 2,000 students in attendance from Fayette and surrounding counties. The mayor and the superintendent were also in attendance.

I thought the presentation by Dr. Squid was pretty cool. I’m from California so I’ve always been interested in the ocean. Dr. Squid made me aware of things I never knew were in the ocean. How exciting is it that you can find creatures that are undiscovered?

One thing I found interesting was he received a degree from Transylvania University right here in Lexington. He’s like a local hero. He started off as a marine biologist and dove into the ocean looking for the giant squid. I also thought that the real life pictures of the squids were cool. It was very interesting to see how big squids could grow -- I was amazed!

The main predator of the squid is a whale. During the presentation, Dr. Squid showed pictures of him dissecting a giant whale while he was looking for a squid. The pictures were very graphic and made me turn away a couple of times -- all the blood was gross! I did find it interesting that the whale had three stomachs and Dr. Squid had to cut into each one just to locate the squid.

Dr. Squid has been on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. If I could, I would go back and see him again. It is more exciting to watch things live. This was a great field trip and very interesting to see how math and science are used in different careers!

Food drive totals are in!

This year’s Kids Helping Kids God’s Pantry Food Drive brought in 79,048 pounds of food, which will feed families in Fayette County for roughly a month and a half. Congratulations to our 47 participating schools and to the It’s About Kids support staff for making the drive a success. The top schools in each category are:

• Elementary: Cassidy, Clays Mill, Millcreek, and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
• Middle: Beaumont, Lexington Traditional Magnet School, Morton, and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts
• High: Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, and Tates Creek

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the God’s Pantry Food Bank on Jaggie Fox Way on Friday, December 2, at 10 a.m. Thanks to all who participated and donated!

Fred Sightings

Fayette County school employees are placing a renewed emphasis on excellent customer service. We have encouraged everyone in our district to put those little personal touches on their work by going the extra mile and showing the people we serve every day that we care about our kids and constituents.

We call folks who provide excellent customer service “Freds,” inspired by the book, “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn about a very service-minded postman named Fred. Anyone can be a “Fred,” just by holding themselves to a level of excellence in their work and going above the call of duty in serving the public.

If you spot a Fred, please call, write or send me an email.

Fred took care of the “problem” before it happened

This morning we avoided a potential problem because of some “Freds” in Transportation! The driver of bus 577 told us that bus 571 had a problem of some type and would be late. A little while later (and well before the start of school) the driver of bus 573 pulled in and informed me that he had the students from 571! Beaumont Middle started school without delay because of some drivers (and maybe others) who went above the call of duty! Many thanks!

Submitted by: John Kutzlo, Associate Principal
Beaumont Middle School

Associate Director of Transportation, John Kiser replied: Thanks for the kind words. The Super Dispatcher, Mary Calia, was at the controls. This lady is very important to this organization.

Si, hablo Espanol

While attending the LEP (limited Englilsh proficiency) Academy with some Cardinal Valley staff and Ivonne Beegle, the subject of Spanish classes for teachers came up. The district classes fill up so fast. Over the years, Cardinal Valley Elementary has asked for classes to be taught just for our faculty, but that has apparently not been possible. Ivonne listened and heard. The day after the LEP Academy was over, Ivonne had already made arrangements to teach a class for Cardinal Valley teachers at our school! Our classes start Monday and we are CHARGED up! There are not enough “thank you’s” to cover what this means to our staff!

Submitted by: Bebe Bond, music teacher
Cardinal Valley Elementary

Freds deliver with a smile!

Substitute callers Diana Kay Morris and Karin Pabian go above and beyond the call of duty every day. They get into their offices most mornings at 6 a.m. and many days don’t leave until close to 4 p.m. We work across the hall from these fine ladies and hear their phones ringing non-stop. Yesterday, for example, they were trying to place subs for 75 teachers doing professional development in addition to the regular absentees (usually around 350 on any given Friday). We’ve never heard them be anything but nice to the people they talk to. Their job is stressful and demanding and they are two of the hardest working people in our district, yet they do their job with a smile every day.

Submitted by: Kim Overstreet and Lucinda Sanders
It’s About Kids Support Services

Music to mom’s ears

Carol Graham has been a paraeducator at Beaumont Middle School for many years. She truly cares about all of the students but she goes the extra mile to assist her assigned student, who is autistic. This student’s Mom was a little worried about her daughter’s first band concert. The 6th grade student is a percussionist who must switch instruments and move her music with each song. Carol Graham took the time away from her family to attend the band concert to be with her student. This was above and beyond the call of duty. The concert went off without a hitch and the 6th grade student performed superbly. This is a true example of a “Fred” going the extra mile.

Submitted by: Germaine Johnson, secretary
Beaumont Middle School

Go Big Blue!

We were blessed to receive a new special education teacher this year, Ms. Angela Nunn! This AWESOME lady went way beyond her teaching responsibilities yesterday! One of our students that struggles on a daily basis to maintain self control was a STAR last night with a lower arena University of Kentucky basketball seat! Ms. Nunn got permission from this student’s mother, picked him up and took him to his FIRST University of Kentucky basketball game! He came to school this morning beaming with his NEW basketball Ms. Nunn bought him at the game!

Ms. Nunn is a FRED in every aspect and a SUPERSTAR! This is one night this young boy will never forget!

This student is in our Highly Structured Classroom and scored Proficient in science on his first learning check! He and Ms. Nunn also scored a “3” last night at the game!

Submitted by: Karen Smith, Principal
Breckinridge Elementary

Special Fred helps special kids

I just wanted you all to know of a special person in the district, Becky Farmer, who has gone the second mile for the students at Julius Marks. She has spent many hours in teaching and mentoring the staff on alternate portfolios. I was fortunate to observe a class she taught last week for our fourth graders. I even had parent stop me to express how much their child enjoyed her lesson. Just last Thursday, she was in the building after five o’clock making sure the staff knew the process on the portfolios. She does all of this mentoring and teaching with a smile on her face! Thank you Becky for your extra time and positive FRED attitude!

Submitted by: Jane Gettler, Professional Staff Assistant
Julius Marks Elementary

Becky responded: Thank you so much for the FRED sighting! Not only was I touched by your kind words, I was thrilled to know that the students enjoyed the lesson! They are certainly an exceptional group of students, which speaks to the skills and talents of their teachers who deserve a FRED sighting as well! Thanks again Jane!

Ex-“cell”-ent service

The other day I substituted for Rebecca Williams at Bryan Station High School. Ms. Williams was so concerned about her students that she directed her student teacher to provide anyone who had an urgent issue and needed her help, to call her cell phone or email her. She let her students know that she would be back in town at 5 pm and to please call her or email her if they needed her assistance. Her classes were some of the best freshmen groups I have seen.
 
I thought that she deserved recognition for her dedication, loyalty and love of her students. Not many teachers provide students with their cell phone number. The wonderful thing about substitute teaching is that I get to see many innovative classrooms and I know that if I am awarded a full time position, I hope I can do as well as Ms. Williams.

Submitted by: Dan Schwartz
Fayette County substitute teacher

Fred shows kids that she cares

I would like to commend one of our staff members who has helped many, many students make a positive change in their lives. I have witnessed this on many occasions in my 12 years here. Her most recent accomplishment is the difference she has made in a young lady’s life this year. I know this because this student showed me an essay she wrote. Here is an excerpt from her writing: “When I got in the 7th grade I was always fighting, I got sent home. ... When I got to the 8th grade, Ms. Simpson just started showing that she really cares for me. She helps with anything I need help with. I talk to her when something is wrong with me. It is like I got the attention I wanted every since I was in the 6th grade … I really thank Ms. Simpson for caring for me.”

I think Ms. Rebecca Simpson deserves the Teacher of the Year Award for her lifelong gift of love to these kids.

Submitted by: Cindy Zeller, art teacher
Tates Creek Middle School

This week's Kudos go to...

The Tates Creek High School Lady Commodores volleyball team for making it to the Final Four in the state tournament. The team was the only public school represented in the tournament.

Edythe J. Hayes Middle School principal Sherri Heise for being named Region 5 Director for the Kentucky Middle School Association.

The director of Law Enforcement Jim Searle for recently being honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Police. Mr. Searle was given the award in part for his collaboration with the Lexington Police to develop a tactical response, detailed curriculum and lesson plans after the tragedy at Columbine High School.

The Lafayette High School Marching Band for being named Class AAA Champion at the Bands of America Super Regional Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, recently. In addition, the “Pride of the Bluegrass” won the categories of “Outstanding Visual Performance” and “Outstanding General Effect.”

The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Girls Cross Country Team for winning the Class 3A, State Cross Country Meet. Dunbar’s Laura Steinmetz captured the state individual crown and teammate Colleen Davis came in second. The team is coached by Phil Wilder.

Millcreek Elementary School Principal Lorraine Williams for her Gubernatorial appointment to the Educational Professional Standards Board.

Mark your calendars

Here is a round-up of some fun and educational events coming in the weeks ahead:

• Parents are invited to a workshop on “Helping Students Write for Success” at Bryan Station High School on Dec. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner will be provided. Bryan Station High School is located at 1866 Edgeworth Drive.
• The Living Arts & Science Center will present a program on Winter Animal Adaptations from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 1. This is the next program in the “Science Nights” series of fun family events, and will feature Esther Moberly from the Fayette County Conservation District to present a hands-on demonstration of urban animals and their ability to adapt to the cold. The Planetarium Show, which begin every half hour, will show star gazers of all ages how to “star-hop” across the sky. The Living Arts & Science Center is located at 362 North Martin Luther King Boulevard. As a not-for-profit organization, the center requests a Science Night donation of $1 for children ages 5 through 11 and $2 for 12 years and up.
• The Tates Creek High School drama department will be performing A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley at the Tates Creek High School Fuller Theater on Dec. 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Children 3 and under will be admitted free of charge. Tates Creek High School is located at 1111 Centre Parkway.

  Linlee Elementary School won the “Hit the Books” contest sponsored by the Lexington Legends last year by turning in more bookmarks than any other school. To celebrate, students were treated to lunch from Chic-Fil-A and were visited by Alan Stein, the President and CEO of the Legends, Legends mascot, Big L, and the Chic-Fil-A Cow.

• Beloved literary character Madeline will come to life next month on stage in Lexington, when the Lexington Children’s Theatre presents “The Adventures of Madeline,” based on the books by Ludwig Bemelmans. Public performances on the main stage at the Children’s Theatre will be Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8.25 for children and are on sale at the LCT box office, 254-4546, ext. 247 or 1-800-928-4545 or online at www.lctonstage.org. Lexington Children’s Theatre is located at 418 West Short Street.

Coats for a cause

The Wilderness Road Girl Scout Troop 890 will be collecting new or gently used winter coats at Turfland Mall on Saturday, November 19, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The jackets will be distributed by Fayette County Public Schools Family Resource Centers and Youth Services Centers for children who need a coat this winter.

Swimming Toward the Olympics

Jonathan Bobbitt was born to swim. His mother was a swimmer in college and encouraged her son to get into the water at an early age. “I’ve been swimming since I was 8,” said the Bryan Station High School ninth-grader. “The butterfly is my favorite stroke.”

Two weeks ago, Jonathan attended the four-day USA Swimming Camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado, along with 15 other Kentuckians. To qualify for the camp, swimmers had to log a particular speed in state competition. While there, he competed for the opportunity to swim on the USA Olympic Swim Team in four different styles; free style, back stroke, breast stroke and the butterfly. Making the Olympic team is his ultimate goal. “I just want to be the best and the fastest in the water,” Jonathan said. “At camp I learned that I need to practice a lot more than I do. I need to be in the water more too. Right now I’m only in the water 12-14 hours a week. I only log around 20,000 to 30,000 meters a week.”

That’s 12 to 18 miles a week! But Jonathan is up to the challenge of meeting his Olympic goal. “It’s just going to take some patience,” he said. And that patience will surely pay off in the pool!

Leadership Lessons from Sam

Knowing when to bark

I often hear some of my friends howling, barking, and crying. Sometimes it makes me want to do the same thing. Dad doesn’t like it when I do these things so I had to ask him why.

Dad said that there are times that it is OK to allow our emotions flow freely and there are other times that we must control them. For example, Dad cried happy tears this weekend as the last of his three daughters got married. At the same time, during intense times at work, Dad said he has to control his emotions and keep his cool. He said that we must stay calm in order to make the best decisions possible. Dad explained that, for example, it is OK to bark and get emotional when someone comes to the door or comes in the yard where I believe it is a danger. (Whew, I am glad about that because there is no way I could stop doing that!) But actually, there is no way I would cry when my relatives get married because it only means more food for me! … Bow Wow and Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias! (Happy Thanksgiving in Español.)