Henderson County Schools
February CONNECT Newsletter
Superintendent Message
We recently celebrated 100 days of school this year. I had the opportunity and privilege to visit our schools and speak with students about the number 100. The responses from students varied from math problem solving to creatively thinking of 100 words. This was an exciting experience to celebrate 100 days of school. I was challenged to think of 100 words that represent our school district. Reflecting on this school year, this challenge became an easy task.
There are more than 100 words that describe our amazing school district. I am extremely proud of the Henderson County Schools students and staff who have made this school year an inspiring and extraordinary school year.
Marganna Stanley
Superintendent of Henderson County Schools
February is Love the Bus Month
Love the Bus is a national month-long celebration held every February. The event highlights the important role of the yellow school bus in education, with a particular focus on thanking school bus drivers for safely transporting children to and from school every day. Henderson County Schools appreciates and recognizes all of the extraordinary bus drivers, monitors, and transportation staff who are dedicated to safely transporting students every day.
Riding the school bus is a great way to get children to and from school. However, there are still risk factors associated with riding the bus that parents, children, and motorists need to be aware of:
Despite the fact that there are stop arm laws in all 50 states, it’s estimated that over 10 million drivers illegally pass school buses every year. This poses a serious risk to children who may not be aware of approaching traffic obscured by the big yellow bus. It’s not clear why so many drivers violate stop arm laws when children’s lives are at stake, but it remains a daily threat to children. There simply is no “safe” way legally to pass the school bus. If the bus is stopping, children are present.
To keep children safer, motorists need to follow the laws in their state. It’s illegal to pass a school bus within the roadway as it drops off or picks up passengers—regardless of the direction of approach. When sharing the road with a school bus, motorists should drive at a slower pace and keep a safe distance. This is the only way to be prepared to stop when those flashing red and yellow lights go on. States have different requirements on how close a vehicle can come to a school bus as it stops to pick up passengers, but that distance may be as much as 25 feet.
Under no circumstance should a motorist ever be within 10 feet of a school bus.
Parents, teachers and children are encouraged to visit the American School Bus Council's website this month to share stories about their favorite bus drivers and make interactive valentines to email or print and give to their bus driver.
Middle School Spelling Bee Winners
District Spelling Bee
Middle School Winner - Zayne Wolf, South Middle School Runner Up-Gracie Potts / North Middle School
Intermediate Spelling Bee Winners
District Spelling Bee
Intermediate Winner - Caden Haire, Cairo / Runner Up - Ella French, A.B. Chandler
Primary Spelling Bee Winners
District Spelling Bee
Primary Winner - Caleb Rauch, South Heights / Runner Up -Addison McKenzie, Bend Gate
Spottsville Elementary School Nominated as a National Blue Ribbon School
Spottsville Elementary School has been nominated by the Kentucky Department of Education to join the esteemed community of National Blue Ribbon Schools.
National Blue Ribbon Schools are public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools that are producing outstanding results for all students. They have demonstrated consistent excellence and made progress in closing gaps in student achievement. The National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about effective school leadership and promising instructional practices.
Since its inception in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized more than 8,000 great American Schools. Each year, representatives of newly recognized schools gather for a ceremony in Washington, D.C. where their achievement is officially honored by the U.S. Department of Education. This prestigious award galvanizes school communities and generates inspiring school success stories for the media. It also draws professional and public interest and offers recipients new opportunities to share their hard-won knowledge in districts, states and beyond.
As one of five outstanding public schools nominated from Kentucky for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award, Spottsville was nominated as an Exemplary High Performing School. Spottsville will complete the nomination process this spring and apply for the award.
For more information about award criteria and eligibility, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website: www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.
HCS Reading Initiative
Henderson County Schools is promoting the importance of reading in the schools and in the community.
We would love to have business and community members support this important initiative. Businesses can hang poster or put messages on their marquee or store-front about the importance of reading. If you would like a poster or brochure about our reading programs, including information about Babies Need Words , please contact HCS Reading Coordinator, Stephanie Smith at stephanie.smith@henderson.kyschools.us or 270-831-5000.
Volunteer Opportunity-Reading Extravaganza
When: Friday, March 2nd-National Read Across America Day
Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Where: Henderson County Elementary Schools and TBJ Early Learning Center
What to Bring: Bring your favorite book and read for 20 minutes to a classroom.
Also, make sure to bring your identification when visiting any Henderson County School.
This is a perfect volunteer opportunity for community members who have a love of reading. Simply, pick a school, pick a book, and then visit a classroom to read on March 2nd.
For more information please contact:
Cindy Williams at cindy.williams@henderson.kyschools.us or
Megan Mortis at megan.mortis@henderson.kyschools.us
HCS Volunteer Spotlight-A.B. Chandler Elementary
Rachel Trout is currently the PTA President at A.B. Chandler and has served on PTA for the past 5 years. Her dedication to the students and staff at A.B. Chandler is evident in everything she does. No task is too big and she’s always willing to do “whatever it takes” to get the job done. She spends countless hours organizing many fundraisers that always go off without a hitch.
Being PTA president is a huge responsibility and Rachel always seems to make it look easy with a smile on her face. We greatly appreciate all that she does for A.B. Chandler!
Submitted by Phyll Ann Cummins - Reading Intervention Specialist at A.B. Chandler
Sherry Manegold- Volunteer Extraordinaire
We are blessed to have a smiling, festive, conscientious volunteer to come help the 2nd graders at A.B. Chandler Elementary! She is regular, consistent and always eager to help. The children all love her and know how much she cares about them. They enjoy her holiday clothing, book choices and especially her encouragement. Mrs. Sherry helps them learn their sight words, gives them drill and practice to memorize their math facts, and helps them individually on the math skills that need reinforcement. She reads holiday, theme, and special occasion Accelerated Reader books with them and provides the test number so they may take it in class. Mrs. Mattingly, Mrs. Manlove and Mrs. Adams are grateful beyond measure for the positive impact Mrs. Sherry has on their students.
Volunteering three days a week,
Donating 2 hours of time each day,
Helping 60+ children become better students...
PRICELESS!
Submitted by Christy Mattingly - 2nd grade Teacher at A.B. Chandler
ACT Reminder
The ACT assessment is administered each spring to all Kentucky public school 11th grade students. This year’s test date is March 20, 2018.
The ACT (American College Testing) is a curriculum- and standards-based tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college.
Students who participate in state and district testing, and receive college-reportable scores on the ACT, may view their scores and score report on a free ACT student web account. Scores are available online three to eight weeks after the test date.
Students may create an ACT web account at www.act.org. If they have questions about creating an account, they may email ACT-WebAccount@act.org.
The links below provide additional information regarding the ACT as well as test preparation information.
Investing in Excellence-Your Nickel Revenue at Work
Application Open for School of Fine Arts (SoFA) at HCHS
8th and 9th grade students can now apply for SoFA online at hendersonsofa.org. Students can apply for one of four areas: Instrumental, Theater, Visual Art or Voice. Students may apply for more than one area, but ultimately they will be accepted into only ONE area if if admitted into SoFA.
The application process consists of the completion of an online application, two online recommendations completed by individuals that know the applicants attributes, and an audition/interview process.
Online APPLICATION and online RECOMMENDATIONS (2) are due by 5:00 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2018.
APPLICANTS who met all of the guidelines will be notified via email regarding their audition(s)/interview time(s). ALL audition(s)/interview(s) will take place on Monday and Tuesday, March 5 & 6 from 4 pm until 9 pm. Each candidate will be notified via email of their specific time.
HCS Dates to Remember
February 10th-District Governor's Cup @ Jefferson Elementary
February 19th-HCS Board of Education Meeting
February 20th-HCS Gifted & Talented Farm Follies
February 20th-South Middle School Literacy Night
February 21st-HCHS FFA Farmer Appreciation Breakfast
February 22nd-Spottsville Literacy Night
February 24th-HCS Arts Fest
March 2nd-Read Across America Day
March 6th- HCHS Literacy Night
March 6th-North Middle School Literacy Night
Henderson County Schools
The vision of Henderson County Schools is to excel as a national innovative leader in education.
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