Henderson County Schools
December CONNECT Newsletter
SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE
Reading is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Reading is so much more than a content area taught at school. We use this lifeskill everyday in our lives. We read signs, labels, e-mails, texts, letters, manuals, recipes, notes, etc. My favorite part of reading is stories. Growing up my two favorite books were, Make Way for Ducklings, and The Little House. I then grew into Little House on the Prairie and Nancy Drew. Reading has not always been easy for me, I have had to work and practice at fluency and vocabulary. The most significant people in my life who encouraged me to build grit and resilience to become a better reader were my mom and my teachers. Both were patient and relentless, and most importantly showed the pure joy in reading for fun. My favorite part about reading was learning a new story and meeting new people (characters) through reading . I encourage each of you to spend time with children, teens, and other adults talking about stories and giving the gift that lasts a life time.
HCS Students Enjoy Arts Outreach Program
Kindergartners Create Thankful Ornaments
North Middle School Take Pledge Against Bullying
Henderson County Schools will be closed for Winter Break
December 20th -January 2nd.
The Board of Education office will be open during Winter Break, but will be
closed on the following dates:
December 22nd
December 25th
January 1st
Tis the Season to Be Reading
Board of Education Staff gave away over 1,000 books to children this year at the Henderson Christmas Parade
HCS Reading Challenge
Henderson County Schools will host a reading challenge December 20th through April 6th.
The challenge involves taking a picture of your child reading, being read to, or a book selfie and posting the picture on Facebook or Twitter using #HCSreads.
Videos of students reading are also encouraged!
At the end of every month, a prize will be given away.
Any student Pre-K through 12th grade is eligible to win.
Reading for 20 minutes a day exposes a person to 1.8 million words a year. Early exposure to language is the greatest factor in language development and listening to other people read aloud is an important part of learning to read.
For more information, contact Megan Mortis, Public Information Officer, (270) 831-5000 or by email at megan.mortis@henderson.kyschools.us
Extraordinary HCS
HCS STAFF SPOTLIGHT
East Heights would like to spotlight Mrs. Karen Jones, first grade teacher and reading expert extraordinaire! Mrs. Jones has worked at East Heights for going on twenty years and has a huge impact on our students and the culture of the school as a whole. She is genuine, a consummate professional, a life-long learner, and a mentor to many. Mrs. Jones’ approach to her classroom centers around the whole-child, helping each to construct meaning as they learn to read, do math, and explore the world around them. She is often so engrossed in her craft and engaged with her students, that a visitor to her classroom might go unnoticed. Mrs. Jones differentiates within the task, meeting the needs of ALL her students. She challenges them, listens to them, laughs with them, and meets each where they are. Mrs. Jones is beloved at East Heights by all…if you don’t know her, you’ve missed a superb opportunity to be touched by someone great! We are blessed to call Mrs. Karen Jones our very own.
Submitted by East Heights Principal Erika Odom
HCS STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Colonels' Corner Bank (CCB) offers a hands-on course for students to learn about banking. The student bank program prepares students for the future enabling them to understand how the economy works while learning responsibility and integrity. This is a working bank available to staff and students throughout the year for checking and saving services. The sponsor is Jessica Grace.
The students organized a "Turkey of the Year" contest this year and raised close to $8,000. The students used the funds raised to adopt 50 children through the Volunteer & Information Center Adopt-a-Family for Christmas program. They students shop for the children and wrap the presents.
HCS VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Tammy Duke
Tammy Duke is the current President of the Archery Club and has been serving in that capacity for 3 years now. Prior to that time she served for 2 years as the Club Secretary. “There is no other volunteer that I can think of that stands out among all of the others. Tammy spends COUNTLESS hours every week for nearly 9 months a year serving in this capacity. She is the heartbeat of the Club - without her devotion to the Club,it would not be able to function properly. " states Betsy Kloke, current vice-president of the Henderson County Archery Club.
"Tammy works diligently to ensure that all Youth Leader Request (background checks) have been submitted from volunteers before they begin working with our students. This is a huge responsibility and the Henderson County School System thanks Tammy for her leadership and diligence." notes Cindy Williams, Public Relations Officer for Henderson County Schools.
Interested in volunteering with Henderson County Schools or do you have a community group with a project? Give Cindy Williams a call at 270-831-8729 or email cindy.williams@henderson.kyschools.us
DECEMBER JUDGES SCHOLAR - ANDI SLAYTON, EAST HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY PICTURED: JUDGE BRAD SCHNEIDER; GRANDMOTHER, DEBBIE WILLETT, STUDENT, ANDI SLAYTON; MOTHER, AMANDA WILLETT; PRINCIPAL, ERIKA ODOM (Background - Sue Baker/Charles Alexander)
Connect with HCS
Equal Educational and Employment Institution
Email: megan.mortis@henderson.kyschools.us
Website: www.henderson.kyschools.us
Location: 1805 2nd Street, Henderson, KY, United States
Phone: 270-831-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hendersoncountyschools/
Twitter: @HendersonSchool