Message from Stu
Brains and Bands
It has been an exciting week as the National Merit semi-finalists across the country were announced. Fayette County Public Schools had 37 of these high-achieving scholars. Selected on the basis of performance on a national test, less than 1 percent of students nationally ever achieve this level of recognition. I was really proud to see that although Fayette County’s student population equates to just 5 percent of the public school students in Kentucky, we had 17 percent of the state’s National Merit semi-finalists from our FCPS high schools. This kind of success is something that we all share in – the achievements of our high schools students are built over years of hard work in our elementary, middle and high schools. Having 37 of our students reach these heights is an outstanding tribute to all of schools, teachers, and parents!
Know an FCPS employee who has gone above and beyond to provide great customer service? Nominate them for a "Fred".
I also wanted you to know that we had an outstanding meeting with our principals and administrators last week as we reviewed some of the successes on our state assessment scores and set goals for the coming year. We plan to be among the top 10 school districts next year – but getting there will require great achievement at every single school in Fayette County. Each of our principals committed themselves to the specific goals they set for their individual schools and district-level staff reaffirmed our commitment to supporting the work in every classroom on every campus in Fayette County.
Be on the lookout for the release of the state Commonwealth Accountability and Testing System – known as CATS – scores later this week. While the scores and achievements at individual schools is highlighted in the media, now is an important time for parents to check at their schools to see how their children did on the tests last spring. Those score reports are available at your child’s school. Please ask for them and sit down with teachers to determine together what the scores mean for your child.
My wife Kathy and I had the opportunity to attend the Bryan Station High School Pageant of Bands on Saturday night. This was a wonderful and well-organized event to watch. There was outstanding talent out there on the field from across our state and it was a great feeling to watch our kids perform! Thanks to Bryan Station High School for hosting this competition!
I would like to thank each of your for your continued support as we move forward for the kids!
TopFayette students rate among the best in nation
Thirty-seven Fayette County High School seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists and are now eligible for a share in roughly $33 million worth of college scholarships later this spring.
Students at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary School raised a flag on September 11 to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was the first time a flag had flown at the new school, which opened in August. The flag, donated to the school by Kentucky Army National Guard Captain Walter J. Leaumont, flew over the U.S. Firebase in Kandahar, Afghanistan on May 23, 2006 – the last day of school for students at the old Athens Elementary School.
This is an honor awarded to less than 1 percent of students nationally – those who earn the top scores on the 2005 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Across the state of Kentucky, 213 semi-finalists were named – 37 of those were Fayette County Public Schools students. And that means that 17 percent of the state’s merit scholars came from our local schools, although the district accounts for just 5 percent of the total student population in Kentucky!
The winning Fayette County students are, from Henry Clay High School: Kristen M. Geil, Jervis C. Hui, Nazeeha S. Jawahir, Mengting Li, Kathleen M. McCarte, Mike R. McNary, Elizabeth A. Page, Edward S. Peters, John D. Pohl, David P. Sarkisian, Rachel E. Simon, Erika A. Slaymaker, James M. Staben, Claire P. Strom, and Elizabeth K. Thompson; from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School: Solomon S. Alkhasov, Leslie R. Applegate, John D. Bridges, Jason C. Grant, Stefan T. Kendall, Kyle R. Laaker, Calvin Lee, Hersh N. Patel, Rohit K. Ray, Lauren E. Smith, John Paul E. Stilz, Yuan Wen, Magdalena M. Wilson, and Colin Zhou; from Lafayette High School: Rebecca J. Hertog, Kevin S. McReynolds, James E. Pendergrast, Jennifer A. Ross and Abigail J. Simpson; and from Tates Creek High School: Kimberly J. Ammons, Jonathan W. Martin and Sian A. Mason.
Across the country, there were roughly 16,000 Semifinalists named in the 51st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. More than 1.3 million juniors in nearly 21,000 U.S. high schools entered the 2006 National Merit Program last fall.
In 2005, Fayette County had 32 semi-finalists.
TopTeachers – did you receive your educator’s guide?
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More news available online: Did you know that FCPS makes available on the Web all press releases issued by the Office of Communications? The latest press release is:
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.
The Lexington Learning Cooperative is a partnership of organizations dedicated to encouraging lifelong learning and the exploration of Central Kentucky’s unique educational resources. Member organizations include government agencies, museums and many other non-profits that offer educational activities for children and their families. Cooperative members work together to support and promote each others’ programs throughout the year.
This year the group published an educator’s guide called “Experience the Bluegrass,” with information on field trips, outreach programs and more. We want teachers to have good resource information at their fingertips! The guides have gone out to every school in Fayette County and should be in each teacher’s mailbox.
If you did not get a guide please contact Peggy McAllister at the Lexington Library. 231-5559, or pmcallister@lexpublib.org. To learn more, visit www.funinthebluegrass.com
TopA parade with purpose
Fifth graders at Tates Creek and Garden Springs elementary schools are creating fire hydrant costumes to wear in the upcoming Fire Prevention parade.
The project is a joint venture between the Division of Fire and Emergency Services and Kentucky American Water to teach students about fire safety and how the fire department and water company work together to ensure the safety of citizens across Fayette County.
Art teachers Anne Allen from Tates Creek Elementary and Lanora Long from Garden Springs Elementary say the students are excited about this project and being a part of the upcoming parade. The teachers say they can’t wait to see what their students create. You can check out the creative costumes in the parade on October 2 in downtown Lexington.
TopBike or walk to school
Lace up your tennis shoes or grab your helmet! The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department’s International Walk or Bike to School Week will be held October 2nd through 6th. During the week, students in grades kindergarten through five are encouraged to walk or bike to school with an adult. Walking improves attitude and the capacity to learn and helps develop life long good habits.
Last year, students walked or biked to school more than 15,000 times during the course of the celebration week. This year, the top three schools with the highest percentage of walkers will receive cash awards to help support the health and wellness initiatives of the PTA.
For more information on how to get your school involved contact Camille Watson-Powell at 288-2332 or camillea.powell@ky.gov.
TopSpecial education services are available
Every child learns differently, but every child can succeed. Our district offers special education services for youngsters between the ages of 3 and 21 who have disabilities. Some students need help with physical challenges, while others struggle to read or pay attention in class.
Start with your child’s teacher and ask for a meeting to see how we can address any concerns you have about how your youngster is doing. Please talk with your child’s principal or the special education facilitator at your child’s school or contact the district Department of Special Education at 381-4171 if you have any questions. There is no additional cost to get your child the extra help or services they deserve. The earlier students begin getting help, the better they will do in school.
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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.
Due to space requirements, we will post Fred Sightings as they are received. We will hold those that don’t appear this time and publish them in future editions of Stu’s News.
Tech help during hectic time
Rookie teacher appreciates veteran’s advice
Deborah Besser, with the University of Kentucky’s College of Engineering, looked on as Bryan Station Middle School students tested the strength of bridges they built out of spaghetti noodles and gummi bears. Dr. Besser visited the school as part of the Fayette Education Foundation’s “Back-to-School” fundraiser. To read more about the day click here.
SAM is “Fred”
Devotion to kids is appreciated
A note of thanks
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You can help Lexington win while keeping our environment clean by recycling your aluminum cans. The partner organizations of the Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community are coming together to compete in the 2006 US Conference of Mayors City Recycling Challenge. The contest challenges cities across the country to collect and recycle aluminum beverage cans and we will be competing against other cities of similar size. To take part just place your empty cans into the blue Rosie containers located in schools, businesses and residences throughout the city from September 15th to 30th.Go green!
Here are some fun and educational events coming up in the weeks ahead:
- The Living Arts and Science Center is hosting Zoe Speaks – featuring award-winning contemporary and new genre Appalachian musicians, songwriters, and recording artists – for a workshop and performance on Saturday, September 23. Appalachian clogging and flatfooting workshops begin at 3:30 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for students and includes a free dinner. Pre-registration is required and can be made by calling 252-5222. A free performance is open to the public and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair as seating for the performance will be limited. The workshop and performance will take place at the The Living Arts & Science Center, 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington, KY 40508. For more information, contact the Living Arts & Science Center at 252-5222 or email: info@LASCLEX.org.
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College will host the Bluegrass Cup Soccer Tournament on September 29 at 10 a.m. on the lawn at the college’s Cooper Campus on 470 Cooper Drive. The tournament is free to the public and is part of a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Several other events are taking place throughout the month. For more information call 264-6583.
National Board Certification mentor training
National Board Certified (NBC) teachers wishing to become a mentor to those who are pursuing national board certification are invited to attend a training session on Friday, September 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will be held at the FCEA office, which is located on 1050 Monarch Drive, just off Beaumont Circle. To register, contact Mike Kennedy at 381-4244 or mike.kennedy@fayette.kyschools.us.
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To Bryan Station High School Key Club members Brittany Beston and Anna Tussey for placing second worldwide at the International Key Club Convention in July. The pair was recognized for their coordination of a project that provided 60 blankets for children in Shriner’s Hospital.
To the Henry Clay High School Jazz Ensemble for being selected to perform at the 2007 Kentucky Music Educators Association’s Conference in Louisville in February.
To former Southside Technical Center student and 2006 Paul Laurence Dunbar High School graduate David O’Nan for placing tenth in the nation in the SkillsUSA Industrial Motor Controls competition. David is currently enrolled at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and is employed by Walker Electric and UPS.
To Linlee Elementary School fourth-grader Maranda Gaines. Maranda wrote a poem that was selected to be published in Making One Good World: Kids Write About Diversity by the Boys & Girls Club of America and The Allstate Foundation. The book will be distributed to Clubs around the country.
School Board Candidate Forums Scheduled
With six candidates seeking the two seats on the Fayette County Board of Education up for re-election this fall, voters are facing some choices. The 16th District PTA has partnered with the Women’s League of Voters to sponsor two public forums to help voters get to know the candidates and hear their views on important issues.
A forum for the candidates in District 2 will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26. Candidates in District 4 will face off at 8 p.m. on Sept. 26. Both forums will be in Conference Room C of the district’s “It’s About Kids” Support Services building, located at 701 East Main Street. Questions for the candidates will come from the audience, so it’s important that we get a good crowd in attendance.
District 2 candidates are: current school board Chairman Larry C. Conner and challenger Thomas H. Duncan Jr.
District 4 candidates are: Ewling Brown, Richard Day, Amanda Main Ferguson, and Jonathan William Rodgers.
Current board member Steve Hyndman is not seeking re-election.The forums will be taped and replayed on Channel 13. Click here for show times.
Not sure what school board district you live in? Click here for a map of District 2. Click here for a map of District 4.
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“If Only”
Dad has been talking about a shortage of bus drivers across the country. He said that Fayette County was no exception to this problem. If only my legs were longer … I would sign up to drive one of those buses and help with that shortage. Dad said that he was happy that I wanted to help, but that my legs were definitely too short for me to get a CDL license. Dad gave me a big hug for trying to help though!!
You know Dad, he had to get into a serious discussion about the whole thing. He said that people have to be careful with the “If Only” syndrome. He said we have to take what we have and make it work without saying, “If only ...” Dad said some people never look at what they have and make it work – instead, they say, “If only we had this, that, and the other ... then we could make it work.” He said in my case, rather than saying, “If only my legs were longer,” I could write my column about it and maybe some people would come forward to help us! Well, that is what I did … I hope someone will read this column and help us find more bus drivers. Forget that “if only” stuff. Now, if only Dad would give me a treat for being such a good boy!!!
Bow wow…
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