Vol 3, No 5 • Tuesday, October 17, 2006

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Note to Readers: As most of you know, Fayette Superintendent Stu Silberman was in a serious bicycling accident a week ago and is in the hospital recovering. While he’s healing, we thought it would be fun to let one of his daughters fill in for him. True to form, Stu remembered this was a Stu’s News week and called last night from his hospital room to talk about his column. After hearing what his daughter had written, he agreed to let her stand in while he’s laid up.

Superintendent’s Message by Kristyn Disponette

Through a Daughter’s Eyes

As long as I can remember, my mom has called me “Stu Jr.” I’m a daddy’s girl and have been most of my life. Not only do I look like my dad, but I also have a lot of his personality traits. So, it seems appropriate that at a time when the real deal is unable to write his message that I should step in and fill his shoes. Therefore, this edition of “Stu’s News” comes from a daughter’s perspective.

My name is Kristyn and I’m Stu’s youngest daughter. I’ve lived in Lexington for more than a decade and have come to love this city and truly consider it home. I came here to attend college at the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!) and never left. When I heard that my dad decided to apply for the FCPS Superintendent’s job, I was thrilled! While I would never trade moving away and enjoying a newfound level of independence, the idea of having my parents back in the same city was really exciting. Now that they’ve been here for two years, I can say it has been as great as I expected.

I love sharing Sunday dinners, watching football and basketball games, attending plays together, and knowing I can stop by for a chat when I need it. It was amazing having them here in Lexington to help plan my wedding last summer. And, I can finally go out of town knowing I have the best dog sitters in the world!

With all that being said, I have also experienced a different side of having my parents share the same town. And that’s seeing the way this community has responded to having them here. As you all know, my dad works very hard to keep lines of communication open and offer a level of accessibility that’s rare in his position. He lives a very honest and open life, which I find both honorable and commendable. He serves this community so that kids will have better lives and become better citizens, and he makes all of his decisions based on what’s best for kids. This community has rallied around his philosophies and offered a level of support that’s pretty amazing. It’s rare that I go through a day without receiving some sort of praise for the strides we’re making in our education system. I’m proud to know that my father has had something to do with that.

I’ve always looked up to my dad and have seen him as a pillar of strength. So, when he had this bicycle accident, it was really hard. No one wants to see a loved one hurt or in pain, especially not your pillar of strength. So, in the past week, I’ve gone through a range of emotions. At times, I’ve been very strong. I’ve kept my head up and my back straight. I’ve called family members and kept everyone abreast of the details, not allowing my voice to waiver. I’ve tried to be someone my mom can lean on and count on. I want to be strong for her because she’s being strong for my dad. However, there have been other times that I’ve just fallen apart. I’ve cried my way home from the hospital or fallen into the arms of my husband. That’s my dad in the hospital bed, making great strides, but still in enormous amounts of pain, and that’s hard. He’s going to be OK, but the process to finding physical strength isn’t always simple. However, the huge amount of support from this community makes that process a little easier.

I said very early in the week that you could judge the way dad lives his life while he’s “up” by the amount of support he’s gotten since he’s been “down.” The flowers, cards, goody baskets, and overwhelming amount of well wishes have been astounding. Our entire family is so thankful for each and every person who has thought of us during this time. We appreciate your love, compassion, support and prayers. This community is like a big family hugging us when we need it most. And to all the family, friends, doctors, co-workers, parents, students, churches, media members, and anyone else who may have sent a little joy our way — thanks for the shoulders. They’ve been nice to lean on.

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Ahoy Mateys! It’s Open Enrollment time!

It’s time to for employees to think about their medical benefits again. The 2007 Kentucky Employees Health Plan Open Enrollment period will run from Oct. 16 through Oct. 27, 2006. Not everyone will have to participate. Only employees wishing to make changes to their current elections, enroll in Commonwealth Select, waive and enroll in a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), add or drop dependents, or enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will have to enroll.

Some highlights this year:

• There will be no changes to the cost of co-pays, co-insurances and deductibles.
• A new fourth option called “Commonwealth Select” is available.
• Employees who waive coverage will receive an employer contribution of $175 per month or $2,100 per year. The money will be deposited into an HRA, which is very similar to an FSA and can be used to reimburse medical expenses. Any funds remaining at the end of the year will roll over to the next year, provided the employee continues to waive coverage.
• There will no longer be an FBMC Cafeteria Plan form. The State is now managing the HRA and FSAs and employees will now use the health insurance application to waive and enroll in the HRA and/or FSAs. Medical and dental deductions will automatically be pre-taxed unless employee submits a pre-tax cancellation form.

All FCPS pirates and landlubbers (that’s employees for those who don’t speak pirate) are invited to learn more at a swashbuckling Benefits Fair in the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School cafeteria on Wednesday, October 18 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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FCPS educator named High School Teacher of the Year

Tracy Lambert, who for the past six years has taught French, AP literature, and AP language at Lafayette High School, has been named Kentucky’s 2007 High School Teacher of the Year.

The announcement came during a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort by the Kentucky Department of Education and Ashland Inc. Gov. Ernie Fletcher, Acting Deputy Secretary of Education Sally Hamilton, Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit and Ashland Chairman and CEO Jim O’Brien were on hand to make the presentation.

“I am truly honored to be selected as Kentucky’s High School Teacher of the Year,” Lambert said. “I hope that through the opportunities provided through this award, I will be able to influence my colleagues to work their hardest every day to improve the lives of the students they teach and in turn, I hope that all teachers will receive the recognition they deserve for their efforts.”

Lambert received $3,000 and a customized art-glass vase from Ashland Inc. Two other Fayette County teachers, Teresa Elliott of Beaumont Middle School and Vicki Reynolds of Tates Creek High School were semi-finalists and received $500 cash awards and framed certificates.

Lambert earned her bachelor and master’s degrees at the University of Kentucky and has achieved National Board Certification in World Languages Other Than English. She continues her professional and Leadership development as a participant and a presenter in a range of workshops, conferences and other education-enhancement initiatives. She has mentored students and fellow teachers, and her contributions to the teaching profession have been recognized at district and national levels. She further supports her community through involvement in church, cultural and civic activities.

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Teaching kids to be safe on-line

The following article was submitted by Greg Drake, Coordinator of Instructional Technology.

We’re in a world of global communication that offers kids and adults learning opportunities that most people never dreamed of. Unfortunately, this gold mine of information can also be dangerous if not used properly. It’s hard to turn on the news without hearing a story about someone getting in trouble over inappropriate use of the Internet.

This year all schools in Fayette County will be offering a free curriculum to help educate our students about how to use the Internet and other electronic resources. The program, called i-SAFE, is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and offers lessons that are appropriate for all ages. Information is presented in a way that is appropriate for the age group, and each year’s lessons build on topics from the previous year.

Some of the main themes include computer viruses, personal safety, cyber bullying, plagiarism and theft of intellectual property, privacy and the Internet, hacking and other malicious activities and how to identify predators.

For more information about this important curriculum for our students, contact either your school’s principal, Greg Drake, Coordinator of Instructional Technology (greg.drake@fayette.kyschools.us), or Amy Johns, District Technology Resource Teacher (amy.johns@fayette.kyschools.us) or go to the i-SAFE website at www.isafe.org.

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Local students rise to the top

Two Fayette County Public School students were among the more than 1,600 students nationally selected as semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program’s 43rd annual academic competition for high-achieving African-American high school students.

Eric J. Howard and Mike R. McNary from Henry Clay High School will now compete for a share of $2.5 million in scholarship money to be awarded next spring on the on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments, and potential for academic success in college.

More than 130,000 students from all parts of the U.S. entered the 2006 National Achievement Program by requesting consideration in the program when they took the 2004 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors. Semifinalists were designated within geographic regions and are the highest-scoring program entrants in the states that make up each region. There were 17 semi-finalists named in Kentucky.

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Speaker series provides students “real life” understanding of careers

This year, Tates Creek High School is inviting community and business leaders to the school to share their careers and stories with students. The following comments on the program were submitted by senior Andrew Patchell.

The speaker series at Tates Creek provides an interesting opportunity for participating students to get a better understanding of careers in the outside world from a speaker that is well experienced in a certain field. There is then a session where the students can ask any question about the subject career being shared.

Although speakers are intended to encourage and inform students about their profession, topics may tend to trail off in ways that are surprisingly beneficial. Fascinating stories about what has happened to the speaker while working tend to grasp the audience’s attention. It is these stories which may truly help students consider if they would be interested in the career mentioned.

I personally love the speaker program. As a student I am obligated to be in favor of it just because it gets us out of class, but I see real meaning in the program as well. It gives students the opportunity to get a glimpse into the outside world, a world which tends to get overlooked while we are bogged down with the latest homework assignment. By being reminded of what all of our work in school is for, we can help anticipate and aim for what we want in the future. The speaker program therefore helps prepare students to cross over into the new challenges that face us after high school.

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Free field trip and activity guide still available

Copies of the Lexington Family Magazine’s 2006 - 2007 Field Trip and Activity Guide are still available for teachers, parents, and youth group leaders. The free guide offers ideas for field trips and assemblies, including addresses and phone number for dozens of destinations. The guide also provides fund-raising tips, virtual field trips and teacher resources.

If you missed your copy, please call Lexington Family Magazine at 223-1765 and ask for yours now.

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Support group for parents of students with autism

As part of our continuing efforts to provide support for our families, and in response to parent requests, we are forming a support group for parents and guardians of Fayette County Public School students with Autism.

The first session will be held on Oct. 24th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the “It’s About Kids” Support Services building in Conference Room A. Dates for future meetings will be made available through the Special Education Department and the Parent Resource Center.

For further information, please contact the Parent Resource Center at 859-381-4229 or Diann Shuffett at 859-381-4334.

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Donate to the United Way

Let’s show the community how much we care – the 2006-2007 United Way campaign is underway! This year’s goal is for every FCPS employee to donate $1 per pay period.

Employees may contribute online via payroll vouchers beginning Tuesday, Oct. 17 by visiting https://voucher.fcps.net/ and logging in. You will see a new box on the welcome screen indicating that you have messages. One of the messages will say “United Way Campaign 2006-2007.” If you click this message you will be prompted through the online contribution process.

You can also contribute by completing a paper pledge form. Paper forms can be obtained from your school’s principal or by contacting Vince Mattox at 381-4332. If you wish to make a one-time, single contribution, either through cash or check, you must use the traditional United Way paper pledge form.

Pledges and donations will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 27.

United Way programs help create lasting change for families through early child care, education, adult literacy, and more. Please participate in this year’s United Way campaign.

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Food drive continues

The annual Kids Helping Kids fall food drive is underway and a record 52 schools have registered! This year’s goal is to collect more than 100,000 pounds of food. So far 14,000 pounds have been collected. You still have time to donate. Just drop off your canned food items at one of the following schools:

• Elementary schools – Arlington, Ashland, Athens-Chilesburg, Booker T. Washington, Breckinridge, Cassidy, Clays Mill, Cardinal Valley, Deep Springs, Dixie, Garden Springs, Glendover, Harrison, James Lane Allen, Johnson, Julius Marks, Lansdowne, Linlee, Mary Todd, Maxwell, Meadowthorpe, Millcreek, Northern, Picadome, Rosa Parks, Russell Cave, Southern, Squires, Stonewall, Tates Creek, Veterans Park and Yates.
• Middle schools – Beaumont, Bryan Station, Crawford, Edythe J. Hayes, Jessie Clark, Leestown, Lexington Traditional Magnet, Morton, Southern, SCAPA Bluegrass, Tates Creek and Winburn.
• High schools – Bryan Station, Eastside Technical Center, Henry Clay, Lafayette, Martin L. King Academy, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Southside Technical Center and Tates Creek.

The food drive ends on October 31 and is sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky. Donations benefit God’s Pantry Food Banks Food Pantry Program.

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Betcha can’t spend just one day

A one time event has blossomed into a full year relationship between Chef Brent Boyd and the kids and teachers at Edythe J. Hayes Middle School. Last month, Boyd was one of 51 community and business leaders who spent half a day with students and educators in schools across the county as part of a Fayette Education Foundation fundraiser. He enjoyed his time at Edythe J. Hayes so much that he volunteered to partner with the school for the rest of the year. He will spend three hours a day, one Monday a month, with family consumer science classes, providing culinary lessons and relating cooking to budgeting, decision-making, and financial planning.

“I’ve been teaching for 26 years and it’s rare to get an excellent guest speaker who can relate so well to the different variety of kids in middle school,” said Jane Manley, the family consumer science teacher whose class Boyd visits. “I would have never met him had it not been for the event.”

Fayette Education Foundation Board Chair Steve Byars is thrilled the fundraiser had a positive impact on participants and students. “We are so pleased that the Fayette Education Foundation’s Back to School event served as a conduit for a continuing partnership between Chef Boyd and Edythe J. Hayes Middle School,” he said. “The idea for the Back-to-School program was to give community leaders an opportunity to get first-hand experience in the daily activities within our public schools and for students to learn from our leaders’ life experiences. It is evident that Chef Boyd enjoyed his day at school and wanted to go back!”

The Fayette Education Foundation raises private funds to support Fayette initiatives that raise student achievement and eliminate achievement disparities. To read more about the Back-to-School event visit http://www.fcps.net/current/BackToSchool.asp?Photo=BTS_Chef.jpg

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