Message from Stu

Entering testing season

I hope each of you had a good Spring Break and got some well deserved rest and relaxation. More importantly, I hope you all were able to spend some time with your families!

We are in the home stretch as we approach testing next week. This will be a great opportunity for our kids to show what they have learned this year. I am very excited and optimistic about this because I know how hard everyone has worked to get to this point. I sent our principals a note wishing them luck but before I hit the send button I remembered that luck is what happens when hard work meets preparation!

The efforts and instruction happening in our schools is some of the best I’ve ever seen. With our learning checks this year, schools have been focused on student work and results. Using open response questions in our classrooms helps students explain their thinking and provides more opportunities for complex thinking and problem solving. Our students know they can do distinguished work – I’ve seen it hanging in hallways and classrooms – and I expect we’ll see even more students knocking the top off the CATS test.

During the times our students are being tested we ask parents to make sure that students get an extra good night’s rest and eat a good breakfast. Please encourage your youngsters to do their very best, but to also relax because they are ready! Thanks for the hard work put in by all of our teachers, staff, PTA members, volunteers, students, and the list goes on ... We could not be where we are today without such an exceptional team effort!

Top seniors honored nationally

Two Fayette County seniors are among 800 students nationally awarded scholarships from the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Angela Jones of Lafayette High School and Casandra Woodall of Henry Clay High School were each awarded a $2,500 scholarship that may be used for undergraduate study at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

Two of the six winners in Kentucky were from Fayette County Public Schools.

The National Achievement Program, a privately financed, academic competition, was established in 1964 specifically to honor scholastically talented African-American youth and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding participants in each annual competition. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance.

More than 130,000 students entered the 2006 National Achievement Scholarship Program by requesting consideration when they took the 2004 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as high school juniors.

In September 2005, approximately 1,600 of the highest scorers were named Semifinalists. To compete for Achievement Scholarship awards, Semifinalists had to have a record of high academic performance, be endorsed and recommended by their high school principals, earn SAT scores that confirm the PSAT/NMSQT performance, and submit an essay about personal interests, attainments, and goals.

Looking for Stars

April 15th is the deadline to nominate an outstanding teacher for the national American Stars of Teaching awards, which recognize teachers who are improving student achievement – using innovative strategies – and making a difference in the lives of their students. Anyone can nominate a teacher for an American Star. After the U.S. Department of Education receives a nomination, a verification form will be sent to the teacher’s principal. For more information and nominations forms, visit http://www.teacherquality.us/TeacherToTeacher/AmericanStars.asp.

High School graduation dates announced

It’s time to hand out tassels and diplomas! Hundreds of FCPS seniors will celebrate thirteen years of hard work when they walk across the stage at Rupp Arena during their graduation ceremonies. The dates are as follows:

Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Paul Laurence Dunbar High – 4 p.m.
Henry Clay High – 7 p.m.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Tates Creek High – 1 p.m.
Lafayette High – 4 p.m.
Bryan Station High – 7 p.m.

All ceremonies will be held at Rupp Arena.

Informational meeting to be held

Parents of academically or artistically gifted children are invited to attend the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education’s informational meeting on April 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at SCAPA Bluegrass located at 400 Lafayette Parkway, next to Lafayette High School. The meeting will include breakout sessions, featured speakers and an opportunity to network and ask questions. For more information call 381-4741.

Volunteers needed!

Help clean up the community and environment by volunteering at the “Spring Clean” Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, April 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the former Old Frankfort Pike Landfill located at 1631 Old Frankfort Pike.

Students ages 16 to 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver in advance to volunteer and can receive community service credit for their time. Waiver forms can be obtained by calling 425-2255. Adults interested in lending a hand can call 425-2255 to register for the day.

Six weeks of art leaves school wanting more

Just before spring break, Dixie Elementary School wrapped up a very successful after school art enrichment program featuring six- week classes in keyboarding, folk dance, movie-making, needlepoint, paper-making, guitar, African dance/step dance, steel band, African drumming, basket-making, ballet/jazz/hip hop, handbells, and drama.

Dixie Elementary principal Loraye Jones said she could see the program’s success “due to the amount of enthusiasm that it generated in the student body.” Throughout the six weeks, 142 students were enrolled and chose to participate in one, two, or three classes taught by Dixie Elementary school teachers, parent volunteers, and volunteers from the community.

“Over the six hour-long sessions I’ve had with the kids, I have enjoyed seeing where the kids started and how they have improved from that point in their knowledge of music and the culture that it comes from,” Colin Campbell, one of the volunteers from the Music Academy. The Music Academy taught the African drumming and steel band classes and helped teach the handbells class with volunteers from Central Christian Church.

The program was sponsored jointly by the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership, Parent Partners in the Arts, Dixie Family Resource Center and the Dixie PTA.

Miah Confer, one of the directors of the program said that it was a “good way to expose students to art forms they wouldn’t necessarily experience in everyday life.”

And participants said they will carry the experience with them.

“This is my first time playing guitar,” said Cecilia Kendrick, a third grader who was took guitar class. “I want to be a singer when I grow up and guitar will help me make my music.”

Lessons learned helped more than just the students.

Fifth-grader Alex Carpenter explained, “My favorite part of the (movie-making) class is when I learn something new, I go home to my family and teach it to them.”

Anisha Beatty-Adams, a parent volunteer who taught the African dancing class, said “the program was a way for the kids to relate to the information that they learn in class about CATS testing content and a good way to get hands-on experience, something they don’t have time to do during the school day.”

Children in the program also had something to say about what their parents thought about the program.

“I like this class because you can make beautiful things out of old things, said fourth-grader Jordan Adams, who took a paper-making class. “My mom feels the same way that I do about it, it’s cool!”

Brianne Lee, a 4th grade student who was enrolled in the African dance class, said, “My mom thinks it’s really good. I told her that I wanted to be a dancer, and we made a list of what (classes) I wanted to choose. She said to chose African dance because it will be really helpful to you, (and now) I’m learning it.”

Jones said the Arts Enrichment Program “has given the students an opportunity to be part of a type of art not offered at Dixie during the school day, and opportunity they would not have been able to experience if the program were not offered.”

Organizers hope to continue the program.

“If we receive a grant again next year for the program, we will do it again,” said Confer. “We’d like to have it be a yearly thing.”

Fred sightings

Fayette County school employees are placing a renewed emphasis on excellent customer service. We have encouraged everyone in our district to put those little personal touches on their work by going the extra mile and showing the people we serve every day that we care about our kids and constituents.

We call folks 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. If you spot a Fred, please call, write or send me an email.

Act of kindness, extra elbow grease provides gift for student

Earlier this year we had a student enroll at Rosa Parks Elementary School after transferring from New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina.

When he arrived many people pitched in to help with his immediate needs and have helped out as needed. His mother has been doing a great job establishing a new life for them. However even the best efforts cannot take away all the pain.

He was able to visit with family members over winter break but not in Louisiana. When he returned he stated many times he missed them and was homesick. Recently he and his mother traveled to New Orleans to see what was left of their home (life) as he knew it. There was nothing. I can’t imagine how painful and disappointing that trip must have been.

I was hoping to do something for him but wasn’t sure what. Then one day while shopping at a local Goodwill I found my inspiration. There was a great bike, (Schwinn Predator BMX) in excellent shape with some surface rust and rusty chain. Because of the rust I was able to purchase the bike for $7.50.

Then I spoke with Mrs. Jones, his homeroom teacher about the possibility of giving him the bike. She thought it was a good idea and said she would speak to his mom. I put the bike behind my desk. He is not a student of mine but I didn’t want anyone to spoil the surprise.

After school that day, I mentioned to the custodian, Ted that I had a bike and was wondering if he had something I could use to oil the chain. He said he would take a look. I told him of my plans and he lit up. I was going to buy supplies to clean it but he said to wait and let he and Jimmy, the other custodian, see what they could do.

The following day when I entered my room the bike was parked in front of the door looking almost new. They had scrubbed, shined and oiled the bike. It shinned so much it sparkled. It was like one of those fairy tales where something is transformed to something else overnight.

I saw Jimmie first, and the first thing out of his mouth was, “how about that bike?” I could tell he was excited as well. Then Ted stopped by my room to see what I thought of the bike. He was just as excited as me.

The thing that is the most touching about what these guys did is that their contribution was totally voluntary and anonymous. They stood to gain nothing personally from this act of kindness except to know they did something great for someone else!!!!!! They didn’t even expect a thank you.

Our plan for the bike is to let Mrs. Jones give the student the bike (and helmet) as a reward for something he has accomplished so he can take ownership of it and not think of it as charity or some type of replacement of his old bike.

We have all bonded as we wait with anticipation for the day it becomes his.

Thank you for giving us an arena to express the thoughtfulness of others.

Submitted by An Anonymous teacher
Rosa Parks Elementary School

Quick thinking saves tour for student

The Seminole team at Winburn Middle School recently traveled by tour bus to visit The Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati and to tour Georgetown College. The bus company was unable to provide a bus with a wheelchair lift for one of our students. Ms. Annie L’Esperance, an 8th grade social studies teacher, contacted a neighbor that has a van with a lift, took responsibility for borrowing the van, furnished the gas for the van, and drove the student to Cincinnati and Georgetown. Ms. L’Esperance is a true Fred for her thoughtfulness, generosity, and courage to support a student that might possibly miss an educational enrichment.

Submitted by Jerri Jo Tackett
Winburn Middle School

Dance Team lends helping hand

The following Fred Sighting was sent to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School principal Anthony Orr.

I'm the Early Start Coordinator for the district and oftentimes will be seen lugging out heavy loads of registration materials to and from Elementary Schools as we try and get our little ones registered for next year. I was headed to Lansdowne Elementary on Monday night for a program with my arms fully loaded down. I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge a group of young ladies (wish I had gotten their names....) from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School who were here at IAKSS on Monday evening. I was struggling with my heavy load and also a large poster board. There were several members of the Dunbar Dance Team (around 5:30 p.m.) getting in a car in the IAKSS parking lot as I was making my way to my car. Although the young ladies were already in the car, one got out and asked if I needed help. I thought this was so kind of her since she was all ready to pull out of the parking lot. She was the driver of the vehicle, and it really touched me that she took the time to stop and see if I needed help. Please share my gratefulness with the Dance Team!

Submitted by Mona Baker, Preschool Coordinator
“It’s About Kids” Support Services

Bus Drivers drive the extra mile

I would like to acknowledge some Fred-like behavior recently exhibited at Julius Marks Elementary by two wonderful, caring bus drivers. James Coleman and Gordon Sayer went beyond the call of duty on March 23rd by taking our first-graders to see a play at the Thoroughbred Center. Unfortunately, when they arrived they found out the scheduled time had changed to later. Without missing a beat, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Sayer traveled back to Julius Marks with some anxious first-graders and teachers and waited for them to have lunch and then took them back to see the play, “Junie B. Jones.” Thank you for taking the time to care and ensuring that our students were able to experience drama. You have been spotted!

Submitted by Jane Gettler, Part-time PSA
Julius Marks Elementary

This week's Kudos go to...

To Tates Creek High School teacher Katrina Bell. Ms. Bell is one of 600 teachers nationwide chosen to receive the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund. She will travel to Japan in November to study the schools and teacher training colleges, as well as explore the culture of Japan.

To Picadome Elementary School kindergartener Hanmir Jeong for placing first in a Korean-English translation contest held in Chicago recently.

To Henry Clay High School senior Casandra Woodall for being named a 2006 Ron Brown Scholar. The scholarship was one of only twenty awarded nationally by the CAP Charitable Foundation (USA) to outstanding African-American high school students. As part of the award, Cassandra will receive $10,000 a year for four years.

To Paul Laurence Dunbar High School seniors Jillian Wang and David Tao for being selected to receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Siemens Foundation. Selection for the award was based on exceptional performance on AP exams in math and science.

To LTMS seventh-grader Joy Arosemena for placing third in the Rocks and Minerals category at this year’s Kentucky Science Olympiad. This is the first year of competition for the LTMS Science Team. Other members were: Xingshuo Ma, Diashamar Marshall and Caitlyn Brown.

To Rosa Parks Elementary School’s online team “Kentucky Antenna 8” and Maxwell Elementary School fourth-grader Nelson Ng for winning first place in the Lexington area McDonald’s First in Math Program league. The program helps students practice and master math skills and problem solving.

To the Henry Clay High School Blue Devil Debate Team for taking second place in the state at the Kentucky High School Speech League State Debate Tournament. During the tournament, five of Henry Clay’s six entrants advanced to the quarterfinal rounds.

To Henry Clay High School senior Ryan Kurz and junior Mallory Morehead for being named co-champions in the novice division at the Kentucky High School Speech League State Debate Tournament.

Southside students prove their “skills”!

The following Southside Technical Center students earned honors during the recent Regional SkillsUSA competition. All students who placed first or second will advance to the state competition in April.

Chapter Display

3rd place - Jamie Bihn, James Stevens and Laurie Stevens.

Commercial Banking

1st place - Rachel Chancellor
2nd place - Michelle Painter
3rd place - Mickey Kanavy.

CPR First Aid

2nd place - Whitney Stewart

Culinary Arts

1st place - Ben Lester
2nd place - Tim Gallaway
3rd place - Shiann Hilger

Electronic Technology

1st place - Daniel “Wes” Sanders
2nd place - Adrien Buenrostro
3rd place - Ronnie Thompson

Masonry

1st place - Christopher O’nan
2nd place - Erik Justus
3rd place - Brittaney J. Cassity

Industrial Motor Control

1st place - David O’nan

Job Interview Skills

1st place - Zachary Greer

Job Skills Demonstration A

2nd place - David Allen Cannon

Promotional Bulletin Board

2nd place - Corey Moberly and Matt Newton
3rd place - Ashley Lamirande.

Quiz Bowl

2nd place - Mickey Kanavy, Zach Greer, Shawn Simpson, Brittaney Seidel and Jamie Bihn

Related Technical Math

1st place - Matthew Hatch
2nd place - Alex Woodcock

Residential Wiring

3rd place - James Carmichael

Spelling Contest

3rd place - Roy Woods

Leadership lessons from Sam

Sharpening the saw

Wow, Spring Break was GREAT! I got to spend a whole bunch of time with Dad. We played a lot and he gave me lots of treats. I asked Dad what this Spring Break was all about and why did we have one? Well, needless to say, Dad was quick to start giving me a talk about something called, “Sharpening the Saw.” Dad said that if you try to cut down a tree with a dull saw it takes a whole lot more work than cutting it down with a sharp saw. Spring Break is a time to sharpen that saw so when you go back to work that you will be more effective. Hmmm, this was quite confusing to me. First, why would anyone want to cut down a tree? I use those trees for a lot of different things. Second, what in the world is a saw? I decided to stop asking questions and just enjoy my time to be with Dad.

Bow wow…