Message from Stu
I hope everyone is settling in as our new year begins – Welcome Back! I am as excited today, as I enter my 34th year in education, as I was the first day I started. I spent the first two days of classes out in our schools and I was very happy with what I observed.
Know an FCPS employee who has gone above and beyond to provide great customer service? Nominate them for a "Fred".
Our teachers and students hit the ground running with teaching and learning! We had some transportation issues on our first day, but those were corrected that same night and by our second day we were rolling in good fashion. We are looking for some exciting things to happen this year as 2020 Vision launches and our schools continue their strong focus on academics. We are looking forward to getting our CATS assessment results back in September and to utilize that data for continuous improvement.
Parents, it is so important that our kids get connected to their schools in ways that go beyond the regular classroom. The research is very clear that those students who are connected through extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, etc. are more likely to do well in school – so please encourage them to get involved this year.
I would also like to invite each of you to get involved too. We need your help as we move forward. The PTA or school based decision making council at your local school is a great avenue to get involved. The message a child receives when a family member is involved in his or her education is very powerful. If you cannot volunteer at the school, please be sure you stay connected at home. All of our teachers have email addresses listed on our website if you need to reach them or you can call directly to the school. One of the most important things you can do to influence your child’s success in school is to show him or her that you are interested in their academics. When we monitor what a student is doing in school, they know it is important to us. Please contact your school or your PTA president to find out how you can get involved.
Through One Community, One Voice we will be conducting academic challenges again this year. This is an exciting time as our kids compete in academic contests, which are open to all of our elementary schools. This past summer the winners of the primary and intermediate teams won full scholarships to college!!!! Check with you schools for more details about how your kids can get involved.
Speaking of college, we encourage all of you with juniors and seniors in high school to check out the dual credit opportunities available. Jim Kerley from Bluegrass Community and Technical College has offered our kids a major discount on coursework at $80 per class! Students can get a head start on college and you can save some money at the same time. Check with the guidance counselors at your child’s school for more information.
Again, I am excited to be back as we start another new year. Please know that I am here to serve you and that it is and always will be about the kids!
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Check out our complete up-to-the-minute list of FCPS job openings online at www.fcps.net/jobs. There you will also find helpful information on applying for work, along with links to our Human Resources folks and to WinOcular, our online employment application system.
Graduates of Fayette County Public Schools continue to excel. Congratulations to the following for their accomplishments:
Sarah Tiggelaar, a 2002 graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High, received a 2006-2007 Fulbright scholarship. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership in their potential fields. The Fulbright Program’s purpose is to build mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and the rest of the world. Sarah, who attends Vanderbilt University, will be conducting research in biophysics in Grenoble, France for the year.
David O’Nan, a 2006 Southside Technical Center grad, received a $500 President’s Technical Scholarship from Bluegrass Community & Technical College. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student nominated for academic performance and technical proficiency.
Aaron Wedlund, a 2006 Henry Clay High School graduate, is the first recipient of the Kentucky: Spanning the Globe scholarship sponsored by Kentucky American Water and coordinated by the Kentucky Trade Center and Commerce Lexington. The $1,000 award recognizes a Central Kentucky high school senior from Kentucky American Water’s service area for his or her academic achievement and unique interest in global commerce. Wedlund also received one of three $500 Ripple Effect scholarships. Adam Dailey, a 2006 graduate of Lafayette High also received a Ripple Effect scholarship.
Jenny Sagan, a 2006 Tates Creek High School graduate, recently placed second in the Kentucky Association of School Administrators Statewide Student Writing Contest for grades 9-12.
The Rotary Club of Lexington awarded nearly $20,000 in scholarships to high school students and staff during their annual luncheon last spring. Jeremy Bruck, a recent graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, was named the 2006 Lexington Rotary Scholar and earned a $5,000 scholarship. Barbara Christiansen, a teacher at Henry Clay High School, won the $1,000 John R. Bryden Great Teacher Award. Rosanna Kim Smith, a teacher at Henry Clay High, was named runner-up for the Great Teacher Award and received a $100 award. To view a complete list of winners click here.
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The SCAPA Speech Team traveled to Knoxville over the summer to compete in the National Junior Forensic League East Coast National Speech Tournament. To view results of the competition click here.
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Congratulations to the FCPS students and staff who took home honors during the 2006 Kentucky World Language Association’s Language Festival held in May at the University of Kentucky. “The festival gives Kentucky language students an outlet to use the languages they work so hard to learn,” said Jeff Rogers, executive director of the festival. “It is great to see so many Kentuckians promoting language learning and intercultural understanding in our primary and secondary schools.” To view a list of FCPS winners click here.
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Eastside Technical Center’s Automotive Technology Department has been rated the best in the country among registered secondary automotive programs, winning the Automotive Industry Planning Council’s Award of Excellence.
“I am not surprised,” said Principal Joe Norman. “We have an excellent transportation department at Eastside.” Eastside’s automotive program rated fourth in the nation last year and sixth the year before that.
Eastside automotive instructors said they strive to offer students the best educational opportunities possible and give them the opportunity to be successful. “This ranking shows we are doing just that,” said Bobby Riddle, the most senior automotive instructor.
Currently, there are 135 students enrolled in Eastside Technical Center’s automotive program. Eastside’s other automotive technology instructors are Greg Jones and Tom Martin.
Discretion vs. Simplemindedness - The inward strength to withstand stress and do my best.
If eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, eternal persistence is the price of excellence, and is the duty of every lover of his country.
James Terry White
The Automotive Industry Planning Council (AIPC) is a national advisory group of industry leaders, vocational/technical educators, and educational policy makers whose mission is to promote communication, cooperation, and excellence in automotive service training programs.
The AIPC evaluates secondary and post-secondary automotive departments on enrollment, number of program completers, job placement, advisory committee membership, instructional resources, faculty and staff credentials, equipment and facility, accomplishments and community support.
The Eastside staff will be recognized by the Automotive Industry Planning Council at the Annual Conference of the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) to be held in Atlanta, Georgia in late November.
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Kentucky American Water has awarded $10,000 in grants to the Fayette County Conservation District for watershed protection and education projects as part of a larger Environmental Grant Program coordinated by its parent company, American Water.
Russell Cave Elementary School principal Betsy Rutherford gets acquainted with a future student during orientation night at the school. This year the school celebrates its 80th anniversary.
“We believe that every person and community can also play a role in positively impacting the environment – and, in particular, their source water and watersheds,” said Kentucky American Water President Nick Rowe during a presentation held at McConnell Springs in Lexington on July 25. “The Environmental Grant Program is one way that we can recognize outstanding programs and organizations that are doing just that.”
The Fayette County Conservation District’s project, “We Live in a Watershed,” involves a comprehensive education program for approximately 250 middle school students in the Fayette County Public School system. The program will increase these young people’s knowledge of watersheds and how humans affect them.
Students will learn about concepts such as non-point source pollution, macro invertebrates, and best management practices. They will learn in the classroom as well as outdoors, conducting assessments of stream waters. Once they complete 10 sessions, they will visit wastewater and water treatment plants and share the knowledge they’ve acquired with others throughout their schools and in public libraries in Fayette County. Their work will also contribute to public awareness programs during the month of May – Drinking Water Month. Partners include Lexington Public Library, Fayette County Public Schools, Bluegrass PRIDE and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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Fayette County school employees are continuing our commitment to customer service. We call our employees 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 going above the call of duty in serving the public
Last school year, we spotlighted more than 100 “Freds” in Stu’s News. If you spot a Fred, please call, write, send me an email, or fill out one of our on-line submission forms.
Teacher’s work goes beyond the classroom
SCAPA Bluegrass students Lauren Gardiner, Chloe McIntosh, Aaron Reynolds and Joseph Wrightson, participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery over the summer.
Compassion during crisis
The buck stops here
Sharing ideas to make two schools successful
Fred Starts the First Day Right
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Last school year, Spanish students at Henry Clay High School competed in the National Spanish Exam, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Nine students received recognition at the state level. They are: Emily Prats, (first place) Carson Van Sanford (second place), Samuel Hunter (second place), Stu Hampson (third place), Tracey Hayse (third place), Austin Wilson (fourth place), Daniel Arnold (seventh place), Jake Griffie (eighth place), and Kelsey Minarik (ninth place).
Here are some fun and educational events coming up in the weeks ahead:
- Parents of Preschoolers will meet on Thursday, September 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Glendover Family Resource Center at 710 Glendover Road. The meeting is free and will include lunch and a speaker. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive free books for their children. For more information call 381-4030.
- Grandparents and guardians who are raising their grandchildren, foster children, and/or relative’s children are invited to attend a Grandparent/Guardian Luncheon at Gattitown on 2524 Nicholasville Road on Wednesday, September 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The program is sponsored by the Southside Family Resource and Youth Services Centers. For more information call 381-3532.
- Learn about all kinds of creepy crawlies during I Spy Insects at The Living Arts and Science Center’s monthly Science Night on Thursday, September 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rick Bessin of the Universtiy of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology will lead an exciting “bug hunt.” The Living Arts and Science Center is a not-for-profit organization and requests a Science Night donation of $1 for children ages 5-11 and $2 for children 12 years and up. Groups of six or more are asked to register by calling the center. The center is located at 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. For more information call 252-5222 or 255-2284 or visit www.lasclex.org.
- Lexington Children’s Theatre presents Aesop’s Fables on Stage. School performances will be September 18-22, at 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Public performances will be September 24 and October 1, at 2 p.m. and September 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets will be $5.25 each for school groups, with every 10th one free. Tickets to public performances will be $12 for adults and $10 for children. Purchase tickets at the LCT Box Office 859.254.4546 Ext. 247 or 1.800.928.4545 or buy them on-line at www.lctonstage.org.
The Ride for Kids fundraiser for the Fayette Education Foundation was a success!
Just before the close of school last May several district employees, along with Superintendent Stu Silberman, rode their bikes to all 54 Fayette County Public Schools and collected donations from staff and students for the Fayette Education Foundation. All that pedal power paid off, with money raised to date totaling more than $28,000, including $10,000 from title sponsor Aquafina, $8,517 raised by individual schools, and $10,000 pledged through employee payroll deductions.
The money raised during the ride will help support innovative, research-based educational opportunities in Fayette County classrooms. Thanks to all who helped with this worthy cause!
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To Bryan Station Traditional Magnet Middle School students for raising $1,847 during the Hoops for Heart fundraiser for the American Heart Association.
To Russell Cave Elementary School student Anna Winkler, Bryan Station High School student Lucy Arthur-Paratley, and Henry Clay High School student Annie Hill for submitting winning essays to the Our Little World: The First Annual Lexington Peace Fair writing contest. Victor Wang, a student from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School received an honorable mention in the contest.
To the Air Force JROTC at Bryan Station High for being selected to receive the 2005-2006 Distinguished Unit Award. The award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community.
Joanne Parrish, a Bryan Station High School food service employee starting her 45th year with the district, is surprised to learn she will be receiving a set of all new kitchen appliances, courtesy of Appliances Distributors Inc., during the employee Back-To-School Celebration last week. Ms. Parrish had considered retiring this past year, but decided against it in light of the new building opening in January – she said she wanted the chance to work in a brand new kitchen. Appliances Distributors Inc. decided she should have a new kitchen at home too and donated the appliances to thank her for her years of service and dedication to kids.
To Henry Clay High School ninth-grader Rebecca Saylor and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School freshman Nicole Schladt for receiving a certificate of recognition in the Promising Young Writers Program. Students submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by teams of teachers at the state level and judged on content, purpose audience, tone, word choice, organization, development and style. 656 students nationwide were nominated for the award. Of those, only 221 received a certificate of recognition.
To Lafayette High School Speech Team members David Jackson and Mat Leonard for placing in the top 48 in the nation in the duo interpretation category at the CFL Speech Grand Nationals in Chicago in May. Recent Lafayette graduate Lauren Fibel finished in the top 12 after advancing to the semi-finals in original oratory.
To SCAPA Bluegrass sixth-grader Chloe McIntosh for being named a 2006 Young Achiever by the International Leadership Network. The Young Achievers program helps develop and implement programs that empower young people to succeed. Chloe is on of only 135 students nationwide chosen for this honor.
To Paul Laurence Dunbar High School junior Katherine Taulbee. Katherine recently returned from Costa Rica after participating in the Rainforest Outward Bound School 10-day Rainforest, River and Reef Studio 2B destination along with other Girl Scouts from around the U.S.
To Safe Kids of Fayette County for their continued support of Fayette County Public Schools. The coalition recently provided our parents with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide kits, and many other resources to help keep our kids safe. They also recognized our Early Start department for its hard work and dedication to students.
Fayette County hosted the third annual Technology Enhanced Classroom (TEC) Conference at Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School on May 31 and June 1. Altogether, nearly 400 educators attended the conference, representing public and private schools in Fayette County as well as 45 other school districts all across the state. The TEC Conference is free of charge and it provides a way for classroom teachers, technology resource teachers, and other educators to learn about research-based practices of integrating technology into classroom instruction.
This year’s conference took on an international twist when a contingent of officials from Mexico’s Department of Public Education visited to gather ideas on how to use technology more effectively in their own schools. Mexico is undertaking a major initiative to equip all of its 5th and 6th grade classrooms with the latest technology next year and then continue with high schools the following year. Naturally, education officials from Mexico want to ensure that this ambitious investment in technology is used in ways that increase students’ interest in school and boost student achievement. We were honored that they chose Fayette County as a source of ideas for their technology initiative. The contingent also visited Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.
The TEC Conference will be offered again this spring, so be watching for an announcement!
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Wow, what happened to the summer? It seems like yesterday that it just started. I guess I am getting old or something because the years seem to be flying by so much faster. I turn seven this year (that’s 49 in dog years) and soon I will be older than my Dad! Dad says that the years go faster because when you are 5 years old a year is one-fifth of your life and when you are 50, it is one-fiftienth of your life.
Hmmm, that is pretty hard to believe, but there must be something to it because I remember when I was just a little puppy, the summers seemed to last a lifetime. Dad wouldn’t let me talk about this past summer much though; he said we need to concentrate on goals for this coming year. Dad says that “goal focus” is one of the most critical factors in improving our lives. Dad said I had to choose three goals and write them down. I had to do it so I decided that my goals are, 1. To get more exercise on a daily basis, 2. To be less grouchy when Mom wakes me up, and 3. To continue with my Spanish lessons. Dad said I needed to put those written goals where I could see them every day to remind me of what I wanted to accomplish this year. Wow, the beginning of summer sure is more fun than the end of it! Have a great year!!!
Bow wow…
Stu's News is an electronic publication of the
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