Vol 3, No 9 • Thursday, January 18, 2007

---

Vea esta página en español

Message from Stu

Keep on moving

First, I must say that it is great to be back at the office and out in our schools! It feels so good to be back in the mainstream of what is happening in our district. I continue to make progress in my physical therapy every day and I am so thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers!!!

It is hard to believe that we are already into mid-January! The year is going by quickly and we must maximize the time we have with our kids before it is gone. District leaders and specialists have been out visiting our schools on a regular basis providing feedback on ways to increase student achievement and to provide support. These visits started as targeted assistance but have grown significantly due to principal requests to have these walkthroughs take place in their buildings. As we continue to provide this kind of honest feedback and then make adjustments, our kids will benefit.

We have a long way to go before every student is being served at the highest levels and we welcome community partnerships with our schools to help us. We currently have service clubs, faith based groups, businesses and parent organizations helping us. Please let us know if your organization would be willing to partner with one of our schools to help our kids.

Coming back to school after winter break is always an exciting time because everyone has had a chance to recharge and reenergize. But this January is even more eventful because our students and staff were able to start the year in the new Bryan Station High School building. Our official dedication will be Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. – please join us to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

This time of year people are often consumed with making resolutions and turning over a new leaf. Amid goals to get healthy, organize your home or finish undone projects, I’d like to ask that you recommit yourself to our kids. During my healing process I’ve had a lot of time for reflection and I think back to our opening celebration when we were all gathered together in Heritage Hall in August. That day I talked about the power of 6,000 – the force we could be for change in our schools if we all set our minds to it. That kind of transformation is happening in some of our classrooms, some of our schools and some of our work locations. But if we are to help every single child, it has to happen everywhere.

My accident has reinforced for me the lessons that we too often forget. First, life is fragile and precious, and we don’t know how long we will have to accomplish our goals. When I spoke about getting older and realizing that we have a limited time left to leave a mark on the world, I had no idea that two months later I would face a life threatening trauma. Mahatma Gandhi once said we must be the change we wish to see in the world. As a school district we must find a way to help our kids reach excellence. And that takes every one of us. It is our moral imperative. We owe it to every child.

Another lesson that was reinforced during my recovery process was that each one of us can make a profound difference. The people who reached out to me while I was recovering will never know how much they touched me: How much each card helped keep me going. That their phone call may have been the one that brought me out of despair. That the encouragement from a child’s picture was the bright spot that carried me through intense pain. That a single email carried the message I needed to hear at that moment. Every single one of you has the power to be that one person in a child’s life. You will never know which interaction will be the one that changes the course of a child’s future. But we are called to try.

Together we will lift our kids to new heights. Thank you for your willingness to be a part of this work. Thank you for what you are already doing. And thank you for what you will do in the future.

Top

New Bryan Station High School opens doors to students and staff

The halls in Bryan Station High School on Eastin Road were filled with the normal chatter of students returning to class after winter break. With one major exception – amid the conversations about new clothes and iPods, students discussed another shiny new item – their recently completed $43.9 million building.

“Everyone’s excited because our old school is falling apart,” said sophomore Alicia Johnson. “There are a lot of memories there, though.”

“I’ve not been here long enough to miss it,” countered freshman James Gray.

“It’s going to be the best school in the county,” added sophomore Jackie Rowe.

Students, accompanied by volunteers and staff members, marched class by class into the new facility shortly after 8:30 a.m.

“I feel like I’m going to the movies,” ninth-grader Katie Dunn said as she entered the vestibule. “We just got used to the old building. I’m afraid I’ll get lost.”

Tenth-grader William Jacobs just transferred to Bryan Station. His first day is the new building’s first as well. “I’m not nervous at all,” he said. “I know one freshman, but that won’t help me a lot.”

William’s mother thought the day was a great time to change schools. “So far, I’m amazed. It’s a wonderful building,” she said.

‘This is nice,” said tenth-grader Muhammad Saifullah, who had only seen the new facility in pictures. “We’re going to take care of it. If I see anybody put gum on the floor I’m snitching on them.”

Amid all of the excitement, Principal Gladys Peoples beamed with pride.

“The kids are so awed by the building,” she said. “We couldn’t ask for a better move. This building was long awaited, not just by the students and staff but by the Bryan Station community. I’m overwhelmed. It’s a new chapter in Bryan Station’s history.”

***

The new Bryan Station High School is roughly 279,000 square-foot and cost $43.9 million. The facility features 54 classrooms, 12 science labs, several computer labs, an auditorium that seats 500 and lots of natural light with a window in almost every classroom. Construction began in March 2005.

Top

School based swearing-in provides a window to public service

Civics came to life for the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Cassidy Elementary School in early January when they witnessed Fayette County’s three most recently selected school board members take their oaths of office.

Board chair Larry Conner, newly elected Amanda Ferguson and recently appointed Melissa Bacon promised to faithfully execute the duties of a school board member and, as required by state law, pledged that they had never been in a duel with deadly weapons or helped challenge anyone to a duel.

Then the fun began when students had a chance to grill all five school board members with questions about how to raise test scores and shrink class sizes.

“We can only buy so many teachers with the dollars we have,” explained John Price, joking that he always gets the tough questions, like the class size query from fifth-grader Emma Calvert. “We have to do the best we can.”

Visiting schools, seeing students and handing out diplomas to high school graduates topped the list of things Bacon and Ferguson expect to enjoy most about their new roles.

Becky Sagan, who first joined the board in 2005, explained that the objectives of a school board member change the longer they serve.

“When I started out, my first goal was to get into every school building,” she said. “Now my goal is looking at our high schools to be sure our high schools are doing the job we want them to do.”

In answer to fifth-grader Claire Bradley’s question about raising test scores, Conner told the students how important their role is in the success of their school.

“We need you to study harder, pay attention in class more, get a good night sleep, and stay away from video games and TV sets,” he said to sounds of groans from the kids. “I’m sorry, but that’s all part of it.”

This is the second time Fayette County’s school board members have been sworn in at a school. Superintendent Stu Silberman started the practice when he joined the district in 2004.

“I enjoyed being with the kids and using this as a teachable moment for them so they can understand what we do as board members and understand that we’re working for them,” Bacon said.

The day was especially poignant for Ferguson, who has two children at Cassidy Elementary

“It was really moving to take the oath of office in the school where my own children attend and where I know so many children,” she said. “I hope they feel connected to the board and realize that school board members are not so distant.”

Students said they enjoyed the experience.

“It was neat to see, because maybe I would want to be a part of the board of education someday,” said Mackenzie Miller, a fifth grader at Cassidy. “I would probably make the schools better, with bigger classrooms and really good teachers who help you with things you’re having problems with.”

Fourth-grader Phillip Wilkerson said he’d also been interested in running for the school board.

“It would be fun because they get to visit every school in the whole wide world,” he said. “They provide the money and books for our school and food to help us get a better education.”

And Phillip said he thinks it’s a good idea to ask board members if they’ve ever been in a swordfight.

“That way we know they won’t do anything bad like sneak in and pull the fire alarm,” he said.

Top

Last minute holiday gifts show true meaning of season

Students and staff at two Fayette County schools recently witnessed touching examples of the giving and receiving of the holiday season.

Bryan Station Middle School Principal Jim Thomas shared this story about the generosity his school showed for a family that was facing a third Christmas without presents:

On the 20th of December – our final day before heading into winter break – our social worker Rebecca Jackson had a student come to her and share that she had heard a fellow student state – as those around her were talking of all they expected to get for Christmas – that this would be the third straight year of having “no Christmas at our house.”

Rebecca discreetly called the student in and discovered the first student had heard it right and that again this year, the student had been told by her mother not to expect anything for Christmas – not done as an act of meanness, just, no money, so no gifts, again this year.

To be extra sure this was “for real,” Rebecca took it upon herself to contact the parent and speak with her about what had been shared with her. The mother broke down during the conversation and admitted she simply had no money to spend on her kids for Christmas and that she found herself in the same situation the two previous Christmas seasons. After confirming everything, Rebecca came to me and asked if we could do an email to our staff – just sharing the “basics” of what she had discovered and hoping to get enough to go and at least get something for this young lady to have at Christmas.

Now it gets VERY interesting. The email went out around 10:15 a.m. or so, and believe it or not, our staff – without having any time to think ahead or prepare to make such a donation – managed to come up with just over $500!! We had to count the money more than once to be sure what we were seeing was actually happening!!

I then went on the TV network and announced to our kids what had happened and that in the spirit of the season, we would be placing a “donation box” in the cafeteria, and if they wanted to assist our efforts to help this family (no names were ever given), they could do so while they were in the cafeteria. At the conclusion of lunch, we had the pleasure of discovering that our kids alone had added nearly $200 to our fund.

Rebecca was able to make a BIG shopping run—getting not only items for the family to use as Christmas gifts, but also gift cards to use for groceries and other household needs!! The $700, given “from the hearts” of our staff and students, sure make it a great way for us to end the semester and begin our break!!

Johnson Elementary School recently received a surprise gift from Greg Survant, a Lexmark employee who visited the school during the Fayette Education Foundation’s Back-to-School fundraiser in September. The event allowed leaders to see the great work going on in the district and helped our students learn about different careers. Principal Frank LaBoone shared the story:

Our community “student” on the Fayette County Education Foundation Back-to-School Day on September 12th was Greg Survant, a Lexmark professional. He visited our school, told tall tales in Katie Cohen’s second grade, observed in the computer lab, worked with Tessie’s fifth grade class during social studies presentations about world and national locations, and ate lunch with the fifth grade. He shared many customs, coins and foods from his visits throughout the world. He left us in September with many fond memories and admiration for all of the hard work we do. Greg contacted me during the break and stated that he wanted to make a financial contribution to assist us since he was “touched” by the work of our staff and the efforts of our students. Last week, I received a check for $5,000 – yes, FIVE THOUSAND dollars!!! He has asked that it be placed in the school general fund so that all students and staff can access the money for projects and activities to help our students.

Students from Linlee Elementary School performed “It’s a Small World” during the 13th Annual Unity Breakfast celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The community breakfast is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Top

FCPS community participates in Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

More than 100 Fayette County staff, students, parents and district leaders – including all five board of education members – participated in the 13th Annual Unity Breakfast celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Several more members of the FCPS community joined the breakfast attendees braving rainy conditions to participate in the Unity March through downtown. The breakfast was sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Selected students from Linlee Elementary School’s chorus sang It’s a Small World and Maxwell Elementary School second-grader Shane Burks Jr. sang He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Shane is the son of Deep Springs Elementary School behavior specialist Anitrea Burks and the grandson of Lafayette High School front office secretary Jewell Owsley.

Top

Communications Office Honored

Fayette County Public School’s Office of Communications recently won several state awards for outstanding achievement in school information services. The 10th annual OASIS (Outstanding Achievement in School Information Services) competition is a joint effort of Kentucky School Boards Association and the Kentucky School Public Relations Association. There were more than 200 entries and winners represented 39 of the state’s 176 school districts.

The following Fayette County Public School personnel and programs were honored in the following programs:

First Place: Calendars: 2005-2006 District Calendar; Community Engagement Programs: 2020 Vision Project and Community Summit; Miscellaneous Public Awareness Materials: School Counts Campaign; Internal Publications – Full Color: The Collection; Electronic Newsletter: Stu’s News.

Second Place: Special Events: 2006 Retirement Celebration; One-time Publications: Parent “Travel Guide”; Special Events: 2006 Calendar Art Competition; Special Events: 2006 FAME Awards.

Third Place: Special Events: Ninth Grade Improvement Awards.

Nema Brewer-Candy, Community Relations Specialist, won two second place awards for photography. Lisa Deffendall, Director of Communications and Community Relations, earned first and second place awards for publication writing, and a second place award for feature/commentary writing. And Superintendent Stu Silberman earned a second place award for feature/commentary writing.

Top

New computer work spaces at Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Math, Science and Technology Center provide much needed elbow room

Last year, students and staff at the Math, Science and Technology Center at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School applied for and received a $35,000 grant to upgrade the magnet program’s antiquated computer lab. But that was just the first step.

‘The lab was outdated,” said Sasha Zbrozek, a Dunbar MSTC graduate who now attends Stanford University. “We’d outgrown it. It was time for a change.”

And what are computers without something to work on?

“When we were thinking about the grant, we thought about the space as well,” said Jack Moon, director of the magnet program. “We were always on top of each other and the workspaces were always cluttered. We needed elbow room.”

Over winter break, Zbrozek, with the help of his father and other Math, Science and Technology students, spent eight to 10 hours a day for eight days constructing new desks designed to improve the area.

“The lab didn’t look as nice as it could,” Zbrozek said. “I felt like I owed something to the program.”

Other students agreed.

“The program has helped me a lot to prepare for the future and I wanted to give back,” said Dunbar senior Rohit Ray, who spent 20 hours over five days working on the project.

$2,500 was spent on materials – compared to $9,000 had they ordered the tables pre-made. Zbrozek designed the desks.

“I built a prototype at home and I use it in my basement,” he said.

The result is a better, more open space that reduces clutter and provides an improved testing area.

“When the kids first came in they said, ‘Oh my gosh! Look at all this room,’” said Moon.

“It was magical,” said Zbrozek. “They were using the space exactly the way I envisioned it.”

Top Top

Principal chosen for basketball hall of fame

Lisa Goodin was a leader on the court long before she became the leader at Jessie Clark Middle School. The school’s principal will be inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in April.

“I’m very honored and humbled to be selected,” said Goodin, a former high school and college basketball guard. “It’s an honor to be a part of that elite group of individuals.”

Goodin, an Indiana native, played basketball for Austin High School (Indiana) from 1976 to 1980 and was named to the All-Star and All-State team her senior year.

he attended Eastern Kentucky University on a basketball scholarship and played for the lady Colonels from 1980 to 1984. Goodin led the nation in free throw percentage shooting her freshman and junior years and still holds the all-time leading scorer record for men and women at the university. She represented women’s basketball as the first inductee into the inaugural EKU Athletic Hall of Fame in November.

In a strange twist, Goodin played for the Lady Eagles in high school and now she’s principal of the Eagles at Jessie Clark Middle School.

Top Top

Two Fayette high schools take on the world

Teams at Paul Laurence Dunbar High and Henry Clay High recently tested their brains against tens of thousands of students in the United States and abroad in the Knowledge Master Open academic competition. Students competed on-line, answering 200 questions and earning points for the speed and accuracy of their answers. Designed to stimulate learning and recognition for academic achievement, the Knowledge Master Open runs on classroom computers to allow all students the opportunity to compete in a large academic event without the expense of traveling to a central site.

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School’s varsity team scored 1,598 out of a possible 2,000 points to place first in the state and 25th overall in a field of 783 high schools. Team members are: Papa Chakravarthy, Shima Dowla, Amit Chakraborty, Rohit Ray, Colin Zhou, Victor Yang, Greg Artiushin, Nate Hoch, Rahul Sharma, Alyssa Eliopoulos, Darshali Vyas, Anna Kiluba, Ailin Shen, Kayla Bryan, Jay Schrader, Nisha Mulay, Anuj Patwardhan, Ping Chen, Brian Fei, Ranajay Sen and Ramya Matan.

Henry Clay’s team scored 1,402, placing seventh statewide and 167th overall. Team members are: Stephen Fritz, Preston Goulson, Dan Richey, Naveed Bakh, Rohith Pauli, David Fraebel, Chris Jacovitch, Bo Hur and Jared Gibson.

The bi-annual event is sponsored by Academic Hallmarks, a Colorado-based software company.

Top Top

Vote to keep it real!

Time is running out to vote for your favorite student-produced video in the Keep-it-Real Campaign to Reduce Underage Drinking contest. Watch the videos and cast your ballot by visiting www.keep-it-real.us Voting ends Thursday, Jan. 18.

Top