Welcome to Connections, Hopkins County Schools' parent/community newsletter! | |
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Hopkins County Schools is committed to providing accurate information regarding our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Look for the most up-to-date information on the district website at the links below. If you have a question not addressed on the links below, please reach out to your school.
Return to School 2021-2022 – This website includes links to a variety of information including answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
COVID-19 Operations Plan
COVID-19 Dashboard
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In-School Dental Care
A schedule has been set for Big Smiles dentists to provide in-school dental care for our students. Parents may complete an online referral/permission form at https://www.myschooldentist.com/.
Here is the schedule:
- Earlington Elementary, Nov. 8-10
- Grapevine Elementary, TBA
- Hanson Elementary, Nov. 5
- Jesse Stuart Elementary, Jan. 12-13
- Pride Elementary, Nov. 16-17
- Southside Elementary, Jan. 10-11
- West Broadway Elementary, Sept. 27-28
- West Hopkins, Sept. 23-24
- Browning Springs Middle, Oct. 11
- James Madison Middle, Nov. 4
- South Hopkins Middle, Nov. 1
- Hopkins County Central, Dec. 8
- Madisonville North Hopkins, Nov. 3
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Hay Bale Trail @ Mahr Park | |
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Four of our schools have entries in the Hay Bale Trail at Mahr Park Arboretum. Go check out the entries and vote for your favorite at www.mahrparkarboretum.com/haybaletrail.
- Earlington Elementary School (#33)
- James Madison Middle School (#2)
- Pride Elementary (#10)
- Pride Courtyard of Curiosity (#16)
- West Broadway (#1)
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Pride Courtyard of Curiosity | |
West Broadway "Elementary | | |
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Hopkins County Schools wants to recognize employees for good deeds and kindness shown to others. Remember Your Why Award winners may be nominated by any district stakeholder, including staff, students, parents, and community members.
Submit your nomination at www.hopkins.kyschools.us/RememberYourWhy.
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Brian Welch
Madisonville North Hopkins High School agriculture teacher Brian Welch became the first recipient of the district’s Remember Your Why Award during the Aug. 16 Board of Education meeting.
Welch is the recipient of the Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award for the state of Kentucky and our Region through the National Association for Agricultural Educators. This award honors individuals with fewer than 7 years teaching, with a focus on quality of teaching and innovation in the profession. Regional winners are honored at the national conference. He is also a finalist for Harbor Freight’s Tools for Schools recognition, which rewards teachers for quality mechanics/CTE teaching and innovation in the classroom. He is among 61 finalists selected out of 700 applicants.
When asked to share his “Why,” Welch said “To make the same impact on students and community my teachers have had on me.”
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Dawn Miller
& Jana Hodge
The Remember Your Why Award was presented to South Hopkins Middle School finance secretary Jana Hodge and attendance secretary Dawn Miller at the Sept. 20 Board of Education meeting.
Both work tirelessly day in and day out to assist students and parents by answering questions about enrollment, fees, and all things related to COVID-19, according to Principal Jan Richey. They arrive before anyone else and stay late into the evening. They make a point to help all of our students, making students, parents and teachers feel welcomed, safe, and important. They always put the needs of others first, making sure others perceive the school as a positive and welcoming environment.
Each of them explained their “why.” Hodge said, “My ‘why’ is every student who needs a smile or an encouraging word. It’s also the TEAM at SHMS. We all work together to do all we can for one another and the student body.” Miller said, “My ‘why’ is to be an encouraging positive influence in my daily interactions, especially with students.”
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Fresh Fruit & Veggie Grant | |
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Pride Elementary School has received a $23,460 grant to offer the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
The federally assisted program provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools during the school day. The goal of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children. The FFVP also encourages healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education.
The fresh fruits and vegetables will be offered to Pride students as they return to the building after recess, said Hopkins County Schools’ Child Nutrition Director Lisa Marsh.
“It’s usually fruits and vegetables that students may not be exposed to at home,” she said. This may include mango, grapefruit, starfruit, kiwi, asparagus, and more. “I think the kids will try something different. If we can encourage them to do that, that’s awesome.” Pride will also have a fun fact sheet to go along with the fruit or vegetable of the day. Marsh hopes it becomes a school-wide activity with lessons incorporated into the day.
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Patient Ambassador
West Hopkins student Madison Ramage has been selected as patient ambassador for Shriners Hospitals for Children Medical Center - Lexington. She will represent the Lexington location at the Shriners Children’s Open an official PGA Tour event in Las Vegas in October. She is one of 22 patient ambassadors throughout the country chosen to represent the pediatric care network at the tournament.Learn more at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/fundraiser/2785504.
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State Wildlife Champs
The Hopkins County Central High School FFA wildlife team won the 2021 State Championship at the Kentucky State Fair! This is the first year for the state wildlife contest. Team members are Will Townsell, Hunter Lloyd, Grace Whitaker, and Landon Harralson.
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Patrick Rudd Project Fundraiser
Congratulations to our schools for their commitment to the annual Flag Fundraiser that benefits the Patrick Rudd Project! The schools raised a total of $6,098 for this cause, which will go directly to local first responders. The top three schools will receive awards from the foundation. They were Hopkins County Central with $1,800; James Madison, $1,665; and Madisonville North Hopkins, $642.
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Cookin' for Kids
Hopkins County Schools Superintendent Amy Smith, Assistant Superintendent Marty Cline and Assistant Superintendent Damon Fleming will participate in the 2021 Cookin’ for Kids Fundraiser on Oct. 16, 2021. This is a fundraiser for Hopkins County Family YMCA. In another Hopkins County Schools connection, Hopkins County Central teacher Albert Jackson is also among the participants.
Donations may be made online at https://operations.daxko.com/online/2225/OnlineGiving/Donation.mvc?campaign_id=16521. Select donation amount, or manually enter the specific amount. There is a drop-down tab with a list of campaigners.
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Support for Impact Mentoring | |
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Impact Mentoring is teaming up with Hopkins County Schools to raise money and awareness for Impact Mentoring’s programs. The student fundraisers will include a Change/Penny War and a Bowling Fundraiser to take place at each school.
Through Oct. 1, all Hopkins County schools will compete in a county-wide Change/Penny War. Each homeroom class in the elementary schools and each grade in the middle and high schools will collect change during this time. These funds will be separate from those collected from bowling sponsors. Prizes will be awarded to the class at each school that collects the most change.
In a related project, Impact Mentoring has partnered with the district to provide resources for children to learn how to keep score when bowling and use mathematical skills in a fun and practical way. There are multiple ways for students and staff to earn prizes. More information is available at your school. Sponsor forms and money are due by Oct. 1 to be eligible for prizes.
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