Welcome to Connections, Hopkins County Schools' parent/community newsletter! | |
Update on Building Projects | |
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The design development stage is now underway for the middle school addition to Southside Elementary School. We want to share with the community the artists renderings of the preliminary designs by Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects. Here are some highlights of the design:
- The addition would include middle school classrooms, administrative offices, media center, and a middle school-size gym. The existing gym in the elementary school will remain.
- The new gymnasium will serve as a storm shelter for the community.
- The two-story addition would be on the northwest side of the current elementary school. There will be a courtyard between the two buildings that will provide additional outdoor learning space.
- The car rider line and a majority of parking will be where the current South Hopkins Middle School parking lot is located. The line will be stacked to allow adequate space for vehicles. Drop-off will be in the same location for all students, with separate pathways to the elementary and middle school buildings.
This project is in the later design phase and there is no timeline yet for construction.
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Hanson Project Progressing | |
We wanted to share some photos showing the progress on construction of the new Hanson Elementary School. These images show the exterior front and back of the building, a classroom, media center, and restroom. | |
Preschool Pre-Registration | |
Kindergarten Registration | |
Prepare Now for Annual Update | |
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Parents who do not know their Infinite Campus Parent Portal password should contact their school. You will need to be able to log in to your portal account to complete the Annual Update for Online Registration.
Also, any parent who does not have a portal account should go to the following website to request an account: https://www.hopkins.kyschools.us/domain/72.
OLR/Annual Update will open on Monday, April 24.
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We welcome nominations from parents, students, and community members for the district's "Remember Your Why" Award. Hopkins County Schools gives this award to employees and students in recognition of outstanding service, good deeds, and kindness shown to others.
Submit your nomination at www.hopkins.kyschools.us/RememberYourWhy.
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Garris Stroud, an 8th grade science teacher at Browning Springs Middle School, was honored with the Remember Your Why Award at the Feb. 21 Board of Education meeting. He helps his students understand science while having fun at the same time! He makes sure every student understands the subject, and helps them if they don’t. His contributions are wide-ranging. The student who nominated him said he also helped with an issue of school safety. He knows Spanish and will speak to a student in Spanish if that is their main language. He makes all of the students feel included!
Stroud said his why is “”to inspire and empower my students to reach their full potential as global citizens.”
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Crystal Farmer, attendance secretary at Hopkins County Career and Technology Center, was presented with the Remember Your Why Award at the March 6 Board of Education meeting. She has a huge heart and wants our students to succeed! After hearing that a student did not have a home or caregiver, she took it upon herself to make sure the student’s needs were met. She helped the student find a stable home, food, and clothing. She also helped make sure this student had everything needed in order to take the nursing exams.
She described her “why” as follows: “When I was made aware of the situation, I felt something deep inside telling me I had to speak up and do what I could to help. I have never had that exact feeling before, so it took me by surprise! I am so blessed to be able to make a difference in a young person’s life.”
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The community is invited to two upcoming special events at Earlington Elementary and at Hanson Elementary.
The #OneLastTime Earlington School Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. The open house style event will include the opportunity to take a “last stroll” through the building. There will also be memorabilia tables with trophies, yearbooks, and more. The school’s trophy cases highlight the 1967 State Championship trophy as well as a variety of related items. T-shirt sales are being done in advance and will continue through March 24. Orders may be placed at www.bit.ly/earlington.
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Hanson … A Lasting Legacy celebration will be held on Saturday, April 29, from 1-4 p.m. at the current school. The open house style event will include the opportunity to take a “last stroll” through the building. There will also be memorabilia tables with trophies, photos, uniforms, and more. Commemorative T-shirts will be sold. Several fundraisers are also planned as part of the celebration to raise funds for playground equipment at the new school. Food trucks from Swaggy P’s and Dibby’s Ice Cream will be set up during the event.
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Bringing high school students interested in technical/industrial career fields together with local employers was the purpose of the third “Task Force Dinner: Promoting Technical Skills.” Several Hopkins County Career & Technology Center students and their parents were invited to attend this dinner to learn about opportunities for training and employment after graduation.
The event at the CTC was organized through Hopkins County Economic Development Corp., West Kentucky Workforce Board, and Hopkins County Schools. Groves Electrical Services sponsored the event.
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Students became entrepreneurs for the Shark Tank Expo recently at James Madison Middle School.
Frauline Walker, 6th grade English teacher, assigned the project to her students. Students had the options of creating a needed product or service that would be marketed to students, parents, or schools or designing a game that raises awareness for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Just like the “Shark Tank” TV show, students pitched their ideas to a panel of investors. Those who were most persuasive were awarded “Business Bucks” from the panel.
“I wanted my 6th graders to be able to research something they can be passionate about and to see that being prepared really pays off,” Walker said. “The panel of investors kept them on their toes, and some had to do quick on-the-spot thinking. I want them to feel heard and that we, as adults, do listen to their crazy ideas, and maybe some of them will push the boundaries of their creativity when it comes to business planning.”
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Read Across Hopkins County | |
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Read Across America Week has been getting students excited about reading! The event, celebrated March 2-6, includes the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.We’re sharing photos from some of the special events in our schools:
- Beta Club members from Madisonville North Hopkins read to young students at Hanson, Jesse Stuart, Pride, and West Broadway Elementary schools.
- The Cat in the Hat paid special visits to Grapevine Elementary and Jesse Stuart Elementary.
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Southside Elementary students expressed their love of reading by dressing as their favorite book characters.
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Byrum 'Double Teams' as AD, Bus Driver
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Austin Byrum already had a CDL when he started his job as athletic director at Hopkins County Central at the beginning of this school year. He previously coached in Christian County and had started driving a bus there to help out with trips.
“The first few months here, I was trying to get used to doing this job,” Byrum said. After noticing principals were staying until 4 p.m. because of the bus driver shortage, he decided to put the CDL to good use.
“I knew it would help out,” he said. “It would help out our principals. It would help members of our community. It would help our district because we’re short on bus drivers, as well.”
Another bonus is that it helped him build relationships with students. By driving a bus, he has helped kids miss less class time. Students also told him they get home as much as an hour earlier in the afternoon.
“I really do believe in doing everything I can to help other people,” Byrum said. “That’s just how I’ve always done things. I’m always going to do my best to make sure that people get the help and support that they need.”
He encourages others to consider driving a bus. “If you’re truly about the kids and want to help out in the community,” he said, “I think it’s a great opportunity for anybody.”
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Four Teams Win KDCO State Championships | |
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Four Hopkins County Schools’ dance teams won state titles at the KDCO State Championship!
Hopkins County Central High Voltage won the state championships in large high school hip hop and large high school game day. They also received the overall Grand Champions award for the highest average score in the high school division!
Madisonville North Hopkins High School Maroon Magic won the state championship in small high school pom!
James Madison Middle School Stars won the state championship in medium middle school pom and received 1st runner-up in medium middle school hip hop!
South Hopkins Middle School Dance Cats won state championships in small middle school hip hop and small middle school pom!
Our high school dance teams gave outstanding performances at the recent NDA National Championship in Orlando!
Madisonville North Hopkins Maroon Magic dance team placed 4th in the nation in the intermediate pom division! They also received the NDA Unleashed Award for innovative choreography and movement. Hopkins County Central High Voltage dance team placed 7th in the nation in the large hip hop division.
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Powerlifting Teams Make Strong Showing at State | |
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Madisonville North Hopkins swept the recent 2023 Kentucky State Powerlifting Championships and captured all three divisions! In addition to winning the girls, boys, and boys JV titles, the Maroons ended the day with 17 state champions and nine state runners-up. This was the 2nd year in a row that the girls team won the championship!
Hopkins County Central finished as state runners-up in the girls and boys JV divisions! This was the Lady Storm’s first time to compete at state, and the 2nd consecutive year the JV boys finished in 2nd place. The Storm had a total of four state champions.
For the full list of local winners, please click the link below.
Additional Information
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BSMS 7th Grade Basketball Competes at State | |
Browning Springs Middle School’s 7th grade boys basketball team qualified to participate in the Kentucky Basketball Commission State Championship. The team did great! They advanced to the Sweet 16 from the original 64 teams before being eliminated. | |
Maroon Swim & Dive Advances to State | |
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Madisonville North Hopkins High School Maroon Swim & Dive finished 4th in the region and sent 13 athletes to the KHSAA State Swimming & Diving Championships in Lexington on Feb. 16-18.
Ryan Farmer won the boys diving region event. At the state championship, he finished 7th. JD Brown, an 8th grader, earned a spot at state in the 200 Freestyle. Gavin Bunch competed in the boys 50 Freestyle. The boys 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay teams also earned spots at the state meet. The relay team consisted of JD Brown, Gavin Bunch, Reese Soriano, and Sy Soriano and alternates Aiden Clark and Jude Gamblin.
The girls 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay teams also advanced to state. The relay team consisted of Emma Tagg, Adison Melton, Addison Howard, and Audrey Tate and alternates Ella Kirkland and Katelynn Howard.
JD Brown was selected for the Male Sportsmanship Award at the Region One Meet.
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