Full court press
Small steps produce big results
Henry Clay Debate Team advances to Final Four
Students work to make Internet safer place to surf
Students win local MathCounts competition
FCPS chess teams win state titles
Fayette students shine in academic meet
Fancy footwork leads to national title
Local students shine at UK Engineering Challenge
FCPS student-athletes pin the competition at
state wrestling championships
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Message from Stu
Full court press
Wow, March Madness is here! And for educators, that means not only basketball but also preparation for the upcoming state assessments in April. This is a very intense time for us as everyone wants to do well so we can all shine! Just like those basketball teams are trying to win a championship, we are also striving to meet our goals.
Know an FCPS employee who has gone above and beyond to provide great customer service? Nominate them for a "Fred".
Most of you know that we have increased the rigor for our kids this year. Some folks have asked us why we are doing this. The answer is simple – we want our kids to be able to compete when they leave us. The competition out there has gotten fierce and we want to be sure that our kids are successful when they transition into adult life. In today’s workplace the competition is not only in Lexington, or Kentucky, or even the United States – the competition is worldwide and we need to be ready. The only way to do that is to make sure that the rigor and quality is present in each and every one of our classrooms.
Our community has set a clear standard for us – they have charged us with providing a world class education for our kids. World class demands that our instruction challenges students to solve problems and think at levels we may not have considered before. Change can be difficult, but a good friend once told me that if it weren’t for change there would not be butterflies … so let’s all soar together!!!
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Small steps produce big results
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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.
ARTS CALENDAR: View our Arts Calendar that lists all current and future art events.
Since August, Clays Mill kindergartners and first-graders in Melissa McDaniel’s class have walked to Kansas – 10 minutes at a time.
Every morning, weather permitting, McDaniel’s students take 10 minutes to refocus and reenergize by taking a walk or run – a routine that has had a lasting impact on the students and the staff.
“I like to walk because it’s healthy for you and makes you strong,” said kindergartner Matt Polard. “It gets my mind working.”
The class doesn’t waste precious instructional time during their physical activity. Students learn while they move – reciting the alphabet or reviewing their sounds.
“Their focus during academic time has increased in a phenomenal way,” said Clays Mill principal Edwina Smith. “They’ve had a large increase in time on-task since their activity breaks.”
Once a week, the class charts its progress on a map by counting the miles they walk. The goal is to cover enough ground to reach California before the end of the school year.
“As teachers, we’ve come to think that it’s the parents’ responsibility to get their kids moving and that’s not always the case,” said McDaniel. “It’s up to us to help give our kids a start on a healthy life.”
The primary assistant in McDaniel’s class was skeptical when the group first started walking. Now 36 pounds lighter since September, Deb Miller is a confirmed believer.
“I’ve been a changed person over this,” said Miller. “I don’t think people realize the importance of physical activity. I know I didn’t.”
Last year, her son was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Unless his eating habits were altered and his physical activity was increased, he would need to go on medication. She got him moving.
Now, every evening, Miller and her family participate in some form of physical activity.
Family Circle magazine invited Miller to participate in a family fitness challenge along with two other families from across the country. You can follow their progress in this month’s edition.
“My goal is to incorporate another mile each day after work,” she said.
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Henry Clay Debate Team advances to Final Four
The Henry Clay Debate team has emerged from a field of 100 high schools from across the nation to advance to the Final Four of the National Public Policy Forum in New York. The forum is the only national contest that gives high school students the opportunity to participate in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
In addition to an all-expense paid trip to the Final Four, the team was also awarded $1,000 in prize money.
Team members Roman Terentiev, Mallory Morehead, Owen Wirth, Cal Staben, and Matt Zarth researched and wrote on the topic of “Resolved: The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially increasing the number of persons serving in one of the following national service programs: Peace Corps or Armed Forces.” The team is coached by Laura Donovan.
They will argue their case in front of a distinguished panel of experts in the fields of debate, business, law, and politics. The winning team receives $5,000 and the Bickel and Brewer Cup. Runners-up receive $2,500.
TopStudents work to make Internet safer place to surf
Kids in the Student Technology Leadership Program at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary earned international accolades for their contribution to Safer Internet Day 2007. Dayna Lykins and Yvonne Hensley coordinated the outstanding group of students in a series of award winning activities.
Organized by European Schoolnet, more than 200 schools in 40 countries worked in a cross-border partnership to create awareness materials on Internet topics like privacy, netiquette and the power of images. Athens-Chilesburg and their partner school, Semley Primary in the United Kingdom, won the Award for Innovation. Students produced and designed teaching supplies like mouse pads and posters warning other kids about the images they could encounter over the Internet. They also wrote a script called “The Chat Room Play.”
“At this age, third- fourth- and fifth-graders don’t realize the bad things that could be out there,” said Dayna Lykins, the instructional technology leader at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary who helped the class with their project.
“I have learned how to be safer while using the Internet,” said fourth-grader Ross Boggess.
“The project was a good experience,” said third grade student Bradley Hensley. “I hope others learn as much as I did from our project.”
To check out the kids’ award-winning work visit http://xblock.isafe.org/insafe/skit.php.
TopStudents win local MathCounts competition
Fayette County students subtracted, added, divided and multiplied their way through a round of testing during a MATHCOUNTS competition. MATHCOUNTS encourages middle school students to build their math and science skills through fun and challenging problem solving activities.
A team of middle school “mathletes” from Lexington Traditional Magnet School won first place at the local MATHCOUNTS competition. The top-scoring individual at the Fayette County competition and the winner of a $500 Kentucky MATHCOUNTS scholarship was Jay Li from Lexington Traditional Magnet School.
LTMS and Winburn Middle placed first and second respectively and will both compete in the state competition on March 31. LTMS is coached by Betsy Rickenbacker and Keith Durham. Winburn is coached by Devin Onkst.
At the state competition, the top four individual scorers are offered full-tuition, four-year scholarships to the University of Kentucky or the University of Louisville. They will each advance to the National MATHCOUNTS Competition to be held in Dallas, Texas in May.
Students who place fifth through 10th at the state competition receive an annual tuition scholarship of $1,500 per year to either UK or U of L.
View a complete list of local winners.
TopFCPS chess teams win state titles
Chess teams from Meadowthorpe Elementary and Tates Creek High earned state chess titles in their divisions recently. Much like the sweet sixteen in basketball, teams earn the right to compete in the state tournament based on their performance in regional competitions.
The state tournament includes four rounds, where each member of the four person team goes head-to-head with a student from another team. Students on each team are ranked and compete with the similarly ranked students on their opposing teams. Winners earn a point a piece; a tie gives each student a half-point.
Meadowthorpe’s champion team members include fourth- and fifth-graders Kyle Clark, Alice Li, Nick Lingireddy, Brennen Sanders, Eric Xiong and Meghan Waters. The students are coached by Meadowthorpe curriculum coach Michael Price.
“What makes this group special is their hard work and dedication, their commitment outside of the classroom and the way they came together to work and support each other as a team,” Price said. “Even thought the competition is made up of individual games, it’s still a team concept.”
Tates Creek High School’s win marks the first state chess title in school history. The team also became the first Fayette County high school to win the competition since 1999. Team members include juniors and seniors Erik Patchell, Patrick Thompson, Andrew Patchell, David O’Bryant, Josh Lau, and Tess Davidson. The team is sponsored by Maureen Batts.
“Chess is a confidence builder and has helped them in school,” said Molly Patchell, whose sons play for Tates Creek.
Lexington Traditional Magnet School placed third in the competition – improving from last year’s sixth place finish. The team is coached by LTMS curriculum coach Patrice Thompson and community volunteer Larry Bell.
“It’s really exciting for Lexington to have three schools finish so well,” said Nancy Lau, a parent sponsor for LTMS.
“Chess allows our children to become analytic and reflective thinkers, which prepares them to be problem solvers in the many different situations they come across,” Meadowthorpe coach Michael Price said. “They get to utilize their competitive spirit in an academic setting that still requires teamwork and training and practice for success. Just as an athlete would train and lift weights, these kids train by studying drills and boards – it’s training your brain.”
Individual state championships will be take place later this month in Bowling Green.
TopSetting the record straight
One of our Freds from the last edition of Stu’s News included some incorrect information. Kendra Jones, Tara Isaacs and Sabrina Reed all work in the department of student achievement.
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
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.
Every few months, all published Freds are considered for an extra special honor. Excited by the contagious nature of our “Fred Sightings,” the United States Postal Service and Lexington Postmaster Clyde Barton have established a Quarterly Fred Award. Nominees are compiled from “Fred Sightings” and voted on by a panel of judges. Winners receive a specially designed plaque during a Board of Education meeting.
Freds Work Overtime to Help Open New School
Students at Northern Elementary School enjoyed a performance by the Bryan Station High School Step Team during a school wide assembly celebrating Black History Month.
A Science Fair Superstar
Perfect Pitch in a Pinch
Fred Keeps Traffic Flowing
Fred Puts Out the Welcome Mat
Her Irish Eyes are Smiling
Always Busy, Always Helpful
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Athens-Chilesburg Elementary students worked together to answer a question during the One Community, One Voice/FCPS Annual Academic Challenge Mayor’s Cup Competition.
Fayette students shine in academic meet
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is once again the reigning state champ after beating 167 schools to earn the top spot at the Kentucky Governor’s Cup academic competition.
Dunbar earned a total of 59.25 points besting the next closes school by almost 12 points. For all but one year in the last decade, Dunbar has either placed first or second in the state competition, which includes events in five subject areas and a quick recall round. Dunbar’s Connie Wu earned first place ratings in the mathematics competition.
In the middle school competition, Lexington Traditional Magnet School placed third overall out of 48 teams. In the last ten years, LTMS has won the finals four times.
In order to compete at the state level, teams must first win at regional competitions. View the results of the Fayette Regional contests at the high school, middle school and elementary school levels.
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Here are some fun and educational events coming up in the weeks ahead:
- The Lexington Ballet will present the children’s tale, “Wild Things,” at the historic Lexington Opera House. A school performance will be held on Thursday, March 29 at 10 a.m. Tickets for the school performance are $7, with one free seat per 10 tickets purchased. Public shows will be on March 30 at 8 p.m. and on March 31 at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets to the public performances are $20 for adults and $10 for students and children and may be purchased by calling the Rupp Arena Ticket Office at 859-233-3535 or by calling Ticketmaster at 859-281-6644. For more information call The Lexington Ballet at 859-233-3925 or visit www.lexingtonballet.org.
- Children in grades K-5 and their families can discover nature through hands-on activities, crafts and games during Spring Break at McConnell Springs from 10 a.m. to noon on April 2, April 4 and April 6. The program is free but pre-registration is required. For additional information or to register, call McConnell Springs at 225-4073.
- Raven Run is offering Fayette County students and their families the chance to enjoy the outdoors during Spring Break at Raven Run from 10 a.m. to noon on April 3 and April 5. The free program offers an arts & crafts activity as well as a short nature hike. The program is designed for children ages K-5. Register by calling Raven Run at 272-6015.
- Take an underwater journey and get up close and personal with fish, shrimp, hermit crabs, and other amazing water creatures at The Living Arts and Science Center’s monthly Science Night on Thursday, April 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Land lovers can discover the Greek legend of Jupiter and Juno during the Starlab Planetarium Show, which begins every half hour at 6:15 p.m. The Living Arts and Science Center is a not-for-profit organization and requests a Science Night donation of $1 for children ages 5-11 and $2 for children 12 years and up. Groups of six or more are asked to register by calling the center. The center is located at 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. For more information call 252-5222 or 255-2284 or visit www.lasclex.org.
- Families are invited to take a journey through Asia without leaving Lexington at the concert of world music and dance Sunday, April 1 at 3 p.m. at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will feature a Balinese orchestra called a “gamelan,” Chinese opera, Indian Dances, giant Taiwanese drums, and students from SCAPA on bamboo instruments from Java. UK visiting professor of ethnomusicology, Dr. Kuo-Huang Han, will give insightful explanations between pieces.
- The YMCA of Central Kentucky’s Healthy Kids Day will be held Thursday, April 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Beaumont Family YMCA, located at 3251 Beaumont Centre Circle. The event will include games, activities, prizes and snacks that promote healthy lifestyles to children and families. For more information, call Vicki Feola at 219-9622 or Wendi Keene at 258-9622
- Between April 2 and April 6, the YMCA of Central Kentucky will offer YMCA Splash, a free weeklong water safety awareness program open to non-swimmers ages 3 to 12 (children ages 3-5 must have a parent or guardian with them in the water). Register in person at one of the YMCA’s three main branches – Beaumont Centre (3251 Beaumont Centre Circle), North Lexington (381 West Loudon Avenue) or High Street (239 E. High Street), where the classes will be offered at seven different times. Register at the branch where you want to take the classes. Each class is 30 minutes long and meets Monday through Friday at the same time each day.
Fancy footwork leads to national title
Talk about the big dance – the Paul Laurence Dunbar Dance Team shimmied their way to a second national championship during competition in Orlando in February. The 25 member team was also awarded the Spirit Award for outstanding showmanship. To qualify for the national competition, the team won a superior trophy for individual performances and placed first at the Kings Island and State Fair competitions. The team is coached by Teresa Champe.
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To Ashland Elementary School students Jeremy Robison, Jared Shely, Connor Langley, Tanner McDaniel, and Blake Gilbert for winning first place in their division in the “Take Stock in Kentucky” competition. The students increased the value of their stock portfolio by $3,670.64 in a matter of six weeks. The students are taught by Jennifer Bailiff.
To SCAPA Bluegrass 7th grader Michael Roach for being selected to sing with the American Choral Directors Association’s National Treble Youth Honors Choir in Miami in March.
To Cyndee Hawkins, Band Director at Jessie Clark Middle School, who was named the 2007 Kentucky Bandmaster of the Year by the Phi Beta Mu international band fraternity.
To Ashley Burris, Assistant Band Director at Beaumont Middle School, who was recognized as the 2007 Young Band Director of the Year for Kentucky.
Henry Clay High School Liberal Arts Academy sophomore Stephen Fritz finished third on Teen Jeopardy!, taking home a check for $25,000. The show taped in January and aired in mid-February.
To fifth grade singers from SCAPA, Bluegrass for being invited to perform as representatives of the State of Kentucky during America’s 400th Anniversary Weekend, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. The students, who are taught by vocal music instructor Millie Fields, will be a part of the anniversary celebration’s signature event – a finale musical performance to take place on May 13. The SCAPA group will be the only participants from Kentucky.
To Henry Clay High School Art Students for winning top honors in this year’s Sister Cities Art Contest at the Central Bank Gallery, 300 West Vine Street. Winners are first place Lena Ruan, $250; second place, Jonathan Herrera, $150; and third place Asuka Mabuchi, $100.
To Dunbar High School juniors Papa Chakravarthy and Cynthia Lu, for being named distinguished finalists in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Papa developed a program to help middle school students from low-income families grasp difficult math and science concepts. Cynthia created a Chinese folk dance program to teach young people of varying ages the art of Chinese dance, and them arranged performances for her newly trained dance troupe.
To Henry Clay High School business teacher John Friend for being named the Region #4 Outstanding Future Business Leaders of America Advisor.
To members of the Lafayette High School Speech Team who will advance to the CFL Speech Nationals in Houston, Texas. The following team members advanced and will be part of the Kentucky delegation: Rob Strobel in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Molly Dunn in Original Oratory. Molly also placed first in the district in Oratory.
To Robbie Elliott, a senior at Lafayette High School, for being selected by Music for All to perform in one of the nation’s finest honor ensembles, the 2007 Honor Band of America.
To the Jessie Clark Middle School Speech Team for finishing first in the small class (20 or fewer members) winning the Greynold Sweepstakes award during the Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association State forum.
To Dixie Elementary School Early Start teacher Lisa Mudd, and assistant Bev Schiffarth, who recently earned near perfect ratings on the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale. The scoring range is from 1 to 7 and their classroom earned a 6.7. The district’s 32 classrooms earned an average of 5.17 (well above the national average of 3.8).
To the following school Parent-Teacher Associations and teachers for being recognized during Kentucky PTA’s “Celebration Saturday.” LTMS won an award for outstanding local unit newsletter. Millcreek Elementary was honored for outstanding programs and projects, and for outstanding membership campaign. And Northern Elementary School teachers Amber Fritz and Angela Gonzales won $200 teacher-member scholarships.
To Lafayette High School teacher Jay Fore for his recent induction into the Kentucky High School Speech League’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors those who have had a long term commitment to Kentucky forensics through their promotion of excellence in the study, preparation, and performance of speech and dramatic arts in the state.
To the Bryan Station Middle School boys’ basketball “A” and “B” teams for sweeping the City Middle School Championships. The teams also won the Fayette County Academic Excellence Award for having the highest GPA among the middle school basketball teams. The Bearcat boys have a collective GPA of 3.43.
Read Across America
In lunchrooms and classrooms, upstairs and down, the first week of March was a blast in this town. Yertle the Turtle, Thing 2 and Thing 1, came to life in our schools and brought plenty of fun. Students and teachers, parents and guests read books full of rhymes without any rest. At family nights, assemblies and dress up parades the Cat in the Hat was a star wearing shades. A big birthday romp for Seuss the good doc. Fans of all ages agree that he rocks.
Arlington Elementary School students donned Cat in the Hat head gear before an assembly and program sponsored by the National Education Association in conjunction with Read Across America Day.
Throughout Fayette County birthday celebrations for Dr. Seuss were a huge hit with kids of all ages.
Arlington Elementary, was one of two schools in Kentucky chosen to host a national visitors for a special event, which featured a visit from the famous feline (The Cat in the Hat) himself. Each student received a signature red and white striped hat and the book Green Eggs and Ham. The program was part of the National Education Association’s Cat-A-Van as a precursor to Read Across America Day, held annually on Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2. On the actual day of the event, Arlington hosted guest readers including the mayor.
Food Service Employees across the district got into the act, passing out books and bringing the joy of reading into the library … Curious George (aka Lucille Gibson, a long-time food service employee) was handing out bananas at the Glendover Jungle. At Clays Mill Elementary, Thing 1 & Thing 2 worked in the dish room while two Cats in their Hats were cashiering. Clays Mill also had a drawing for real live goldfish! The Cat in the Hat also visited with students at Cassidy Elementary. Athens-Chilesburg Elementary had a birthday celebration for Dr. Seuss. And students at Lansdowne helped make great decorations for the serving line and cafeteria.
At Yates Elementary, Dr. Seuss became a family affair during an evening reading extravaganza. When families arrived at Yates, they received a ticket for door prizes (Dr. Seuss books that were given away throughout the evening) and a Dr. Seuss certificate, which was their “passport” for the evening. They had the choice of visiting four out of the five stations, including History Fair projects, a book fair, information about reading at home, a Dr. Seuss math activity, bookmark making and a read aloud. Once they visited four stations and got their passports stamped, families were treated to green eggs, ham, and a biscuit.
TopLocal students shine at UK Engineering Challenge
Several teams from Fayette County Public Schools bested competitors from across the state recently during the University of Kentucky College of Engineering sponsored JETS-TEAMS event. The students worked in groups to solve engineering design challenges. Varsity winners were presented with $4,000 scholarships.
Winners were:
- Junior varsity division 4: Paul Laurence Dunbar High School: Michael Shen, Han Shi, Ilya Vinogradov, Cynthia Wong, Layne Boland, Pavitra Muraldhar, Yohanna Hanna and Bradley Johnson.
- Varsity division 4: Paul Laurence Dunbar: Yuan Wen, Nan Hu, David Parell, Colin Zhou, Rohit Ray and Connie Wu.
- Varsity division 7: Henry Clay High School: Zach Sternberger, Le Zhang, Claire Strom, Mike McNary, Tracey Hayse, Brian Burdine, Ben Luckey and Sean Fuller.
FCPS student-athletes pin the competition at state wrestling championships
Congratulations to Paul Laurence Dunbar High senior Tyler Voth and Henry Clay High sophomore Matt Zarth for winning state wrestling titles in their weight class divisions. Four other wrestlers from Fayette County also placed in the top five at the competition: Dunbar’s Jon Voth placed third at 112; Lafayette’s Matt Green finished third at 215; Dunbar’s Sheridan Likoy was fourth at 171; and Lafayette’s Shawn Johnson was fifth at 103.
Paul Laurence Dunbar’s team finished 8th overall at the tournament – its highest finish ever. Lafayette High placed 15th.
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Making sense of the madness
Well, I think I now understand this March Madness stuff … it has taken me a few years but I think I have it now. During March I went to the Vet, got a very short haircut, and watched my Dad dress up in bright green colors. 
I am pretty mad that it was warm out and I got all my hair cut off and then it got cold again. I am very mad that I had to go to the Vet. And I am especially mad that my eyes hurt from those bright green colors. That must be why they call it March Mad-ness – it just makes you mad. Dad overheard me talking about this stuff and he jumped in and said that I was wrong about what March Madness meant. Dad said that it is a happy and exciting time to watch basketball teams strive to reach their dreams and that I should not be mad! Oh, O.K. … just pass the corned beef and cabbage and give me some sunglasses … and oh, forget the Vet!
Bow wow…
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