Fall/Winter 2012-2013 - Boyd County Public Schools

Fall & Winter 2012-2013 | Volume 20 | Number 1
The New Boyd County High School
The new Boyd County High School was dedicated on December 13, 2012. The crowd
attending the ceremony were almost reverential as they listened attentively to the
honored speakers.
The Boyd County Junior Navy ROTC presented the colors as the Boyd County High
School Band, played the National Anthem. The Boyd County High School Choir then
sang the BCHS Alma Mater and “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Dr. Terry Holliday, Kentucky Commissioner of Education, told the crowd of more
than 1,400 that he fully expected to see Boyd County High School as one of the top
performers in future college and career readiness scores. No doubt the design of the
building itself will give an advantage to BCHS students as they pursue studies in science,
technology, arts and humanities, engineering and mathematics; the STEAM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) academies - the inspiration behind the
design of the classrooms.
“Creating Our
Future“ Goes Digital
The Boyd County Public Schools’
district newsletter has undergone
a face-lift and is now available
exclusively online.
You can request a paper copy by
calling Karen Curnutte at 928-2651,
extension 2011, or emailing karen.
[email protected].
Also incorporated into the facility’s design is the tribute to area
communities. Names of the surrounding communities adorn the upper
facade of the media center; names such as Burnaugh, Coalton, Kavanaugh
and Rush. Many of these communities housed one and two room schools
that made up the rural Boyd County School district in the late 1800’s and
early 1900’s.
Rep. Rocky Adkins spoke of how the new BCHS is a state-of-the-art
facility that will offer students a world-class education readying them to
compete in a global economy. Adkins was later surprised to learn that
the new BCHS gymnasium will be named the Rocky Adkins Gymnasium
and Athletic Complex. He was visibly moved by the honor, later calling it
‘humbling.’
Above: The JNROTC raises the first flag during the Flag
Dedication Ceremony prior to the dedication of the building.
Ponderosa 4th grader, Sarah Slone, sang a stirring rendition
of the National Anthem and Rev. Mike Blankenship offered the
prayer.
Rep. Kevin Sinnette, a 1980 graduate of BCHS, spoke of how bright the
future is for students attending the new high school. He talked about how
the infamous ‘bridge to nowhere’ over East Fork is now a bridge to ‘endless
possibilities.’”
Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were two very special
guests; Ada Adkins Cline and Donald Groves.
Ada Adkins Cline, the only known surviving member of Boyd County High School’s first graduating class in 1929, was introduced by
Superintendent Howard K. Osborne and presented with a red and white bouquet of flowers. The crowd gave her a standing ovation. Ms.
Cline celebrated her 102nd birthday on February 5th.
Donald Groves was also honored as the only employee to have worked in all three high schools. He was only 17 years-old when he began
working in the original high school, stoking the coal-burning furnace. Later, he worked as a custodian in the 1957 high school building.
Beginning in January, Don will complete his trilogy by working in the new BCHS. After being introduced, the crowd also gave Don a
standing ovation acknowledging his work and dedication to Boyd County Schools.
Tours of the building were given after the ceremony with BCHS students knowledgeably guiding the way.
BCHS DEDICATION
Above: Attending the dedication ceremony as a special honored
guest, Ada Adkins Cline (center) is the last known living member of
the first graduating class of the first Boyd County High School. She
graduated in 1929 and celebrated her 102nd birthday in February.
Pictured with her is, left to right, Rep. Rocky Adkins, relatives of Ms.
Adkins; granddaughter Sandra Douglas (former librarian of BCHS),
son Roy Cline and daughter-in-law Libby Cline. (See the related story
about Ada on page 5.)
Above: the crowd listens to speakers from the home bleachers
section of the new high school gymnasium. An estimated 1,400
people attended the ceremony.
Below: Rep. Rocky Adkins, center, acknowledges the applause from
the crowd after just learning the new BCHS gym will be named in
his honor. Looking on at left is Rep. Kevin Sinnette and Judge Marc
Rosen. At
right, seated,
Ms. Ada
Adkins Cline.
Behind Ms.
Cline is Kevin
Cheek, Project
Manager
from the
architectural
firm Sherman
Carter
Barnhart.
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Above: Ponderosa fourth
grader Sarah Slone sings
the National Anthem for the
Flag Dedication Ceremony
outside the New BCHS.
Above: Enjoying the BCHS Fight Song at the end
of the Dedication Ceremony. From left to right:
Don Fleu, BCPS Finance Director; Dr. Doug Cole,
former BCPS Superintendent; Bennie Shields,
retired BCHS teacher; Gertrude Tackett, wife of
the late Chester Tackett, BCPS BOE member;
Mark Meenach, District Administrator; and Dr.
Terry Holliday, KY Commissioner of Education.
BCHS DEDICATION
Speakers at the Dedication Ceremony for the new Boyd County High School
State Rep. Rocky Adkins
Charlie Barnhart of
Sherman Carter Barnhart
Architects
KY State Commissioner of
Education
Dr. Terry Holliday
State Rep. Kevin Sinnette
BCHS students demonstrate taping ankles in the Sports
Medicine and Training area in the new BCHS Athletic Complex
during the tours of the new building. The dedication ceremony
used BCHS students to guide the tours.
State Senator
Walter “Doc” Blevins
BCHS Principal
Rhonda Salisbury
In the gym, the night of the dedication - BCHS
Cheerleaders pose for a picture.
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BCHS DEDICATION
First Day of School in the
New BCHS
Some had mixed emotions of sadness
and joy, but all of them were excitedly
feeling their way through the new Boyd
County High School.
January 2, 2013, marked the first
official day of classes at the new facility
and everyone remarked how smoothly the
transition was going. No lost students, no
major malfunctions, and even a successful
first lunch experience.
First day at the new digs. Students in Cmdr. Roe’s NJROTC class meet in the
new high school media center.
them to learn how everything flows.”
Students were greeted by District
Office staff as they entered the building.
Other than a few cars going into the
wrong parking lot, everyone fell in step
quickly. “Everything is still new,” said
Kathy Rice, District Federal Programs
Director, “it will only take a little time for
Brianna Crooks, junior classman, said the new building offered lots of exercise. The building seems a lot bigger with a
lot more walking involved. “It’s so clean and nice. I like it a lot better than our old school,” she said. She commented that
the teachers seemed to be a bit more watchful. “Everyone seems to be more respectful.”
“I see tailgating in our future,” said junior Travis Day, referring to the large patio that overlooks State Route 180.
Plans are to eventually move the football field there and tailgating will be held on the wide concrete area just outside the
gymnasium.
Crooks seemed to think that the academy set up of the school would do wonders for improving academics.
Commander Russ Roe, Junior Navy ROTC instructor, said he told his students that they should take care of the
building because their children and grandchildren will attend there. “I told them to tell their kids that I (speaking of
himself) was there the day the school opened. I want them to remember me because by that time, I won’t be here,” he
added.
The director of Food Services, Mary Fritz, was on hand for breakfast and lunch to ensure things ran smoothly on the
first day of lunch. “Everything went fantastically. The lines moved through and even though we had to look up individual
student numbers (instead of using the key pads due to a software upload issue), everyone, my staff especially, did a great
job and all went well.”
Roe also said that the students had a lot of good memories associated with the old school that were hard to leave
behind. Many were sad they had to leave. “I told them that they should consider this as a rebirth. Today is the day we start
our new memories. They seemed to like that idea.”
BCHS Alumni
Auditorium Available
for Rental
The 450 seat auditorium in the new
Boyd County High School is available for
community use. Rental fees and policies
may be accessed on the Boyd County
High School webpage. The venue has
handicapped seating, a large projection
screen, theatrical lighting and sound.
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For more information and to download the necessary forms, please visit the high school website in the “Links” section
(on the left hand side of the webpage).
BCHS HISTORY
Ada Adkins Cline
Ada Adkins Cline attended the very first Boyd County High
School in 1925 and is the last known, living graduate of the first
graduating class from the original high school. She celebrated her
102nd birthday February 5, 2013.
In 1925, Boyd County High School began at the Cannonsburg
Methodist Church. She was a freshman that year, part of a class
that was 30 members strong. For the next two years, Ada, along
with six juniors and no sophomores, attended classes there. She
recalls a curtain that was put up to separate the classes from the
pulpit area. Her first principal, who also served as a teacher, was
Allen H. Turman.
Ada lived in the area known as Buena Vista on Straight Creek.
She attended Buena Vista grade school, a part of the Boyd County
rural school district, where she completed the eighth grade.
Her walk to the high school was five miles one way. Since no
other transportation was provided, students had to make their
way to school as best they could. Ada recounts that most days
she was given a ride. Her family was lucky enough to be friends
Ada Adkins’ senior picture 1929
with the many truck drivers that traveled to Ashland on Route
60 and they would pick her up on their way. There were days,
however, that she did have to walk the entire five miles.
“My precious mother,” Ada recalls, “Every day she made me a biscuit, maybe with a little sausage
on it, so I could eat it on the way.” It wasn’t easy to make that journey, but Ada says she was
determined to go to school.
As construction began on the original Boyd County High School, Ada verifies that she and her
classmates attended the school before the building was completed. The building was dedicated in 1928
and Ada Adkins was one of the 29 graduates in 1929.
The school day started with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Lunch was brought from home and
eaten outside, if the weather was nice, down by a little fence. “We would all line up along the fence
and eat there,” Ada said.
Ada confirms that there was indeed a football team as early as 1925. She remembers that they
played their games on the church’s property and she attended many of their games.
“We were so proud of our school,” Ada reminisced fondly, with pride still evident in her voice.
Boyd County High School football team, Delbert Allie, coach, dated 1926.
5
BCHS HISTORY
The picture at left shows the first
Boyd County High School students
in 1925. Since there wasn’t a
building yet, the high school met
at Cannonsburg United Methodist
Church, pictured here behind the
group. The church was located on
Midland Trail Road not far from its
present day location.
Ada Adkins is standing in the
middle row, fourth from the right.
At right: Students of Boyd County
High School gather in front of the
partially completed high school
building in this picture dated 1927.
The building shows only the middle
section, without the two classroom
sections on each end and without the
gymnasium.
Twenty-nine students graduated in May of 1929. Pictured below: Top row, standing, left to right - Paul J.
Johnson, Woodrow Thompson, George W. Burton, Irma L. Mason, William H. “Harry” Nelson, David May,
Theodore R. Peters, and Charles L. O’Brien. Middle row, left to right - George Stewart, Jr., Lillian Jauchius,
Dovie Davis, Hattie Patton,
Lou Towler Eastham, Fannie
Rice Turman, Hazel Ross Scott,
Stephen R. Davis, William
Jerome Prichard. First row,
seated, left to right - Goldia
Hogan, Sophia Davis, Celia M.
Patton, Martha M. Klaiber, Ruth
Hogan, Ada Mae Adkins, Lelia
E. Johnson, Pauline Davis, Halia
M. Queen, Etta Mae Davis,
Betty Charoline Lakin and
Helen G. Hogan.
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DISTRICT NEWS
Superintendent Announces His
Retirement
Affective April 1, 2013, Osborne will step down
Citing his parents’ ailing health as his
reason, Howard “Ken” Osborne announced
plans to retire as Boyd County Public
Schools’ Superintendent on April 1,
2013. He has been with the district for
the past eight years.
During his tenure, the district has
seen several improvements in both
academics and facilities. Most obvious
is the completion of a new Boyd County
High, a project that had been in the
planning stages for over thirty years.
In his open letter to the public, Osborne
credited staff for the strides made in the district.
“Our district reading proficiency rates have risen from
the 55% to 75% and our mathematics proficiency rates have
risen from the 37% to 64% during the past six years. We met
NCLB district goals for the first time and our district is fully
accredited by the Southern Association of Schools (SACSCASI). In addition, our ACT scores increased to 18.7, our
college and career readiness rate increased to 48.6%, and
our Average Freshman Graduation Rate was 90.3%.”
Osborne highlighted a few of the facility improvements
over the past 8 years such as the middle school airconditioning and lighting project, a new weight room for
high school athletes, a softball field press box and dugouts,
an archery building, soccer field lights, football and
Osborne Named KSBA KIDS First
Advocacy Award Recipient
Two local education leaders who have put their time
where their mouths are to work for schools and children at
the state and federal levels have been honored by with the
KIDS Kids First Advocacy Awards.
Anderson County school board member James Sargent
and Boyd County Schools Superintendent Howard K.
Osborne received the honors during the KSBA Winter
Symposium Dec. 1 in Lexington.
KSBA annually selects a state representative, state
senator, a school board member and a superintendent for
outstanding work for resources and beneficial laws and
regulations for the state’s public schools and students. The
legislative awards are presented during the session of the
baseball scoreboards, the Catlettsburg Elementary gym airconditioning and a football field sound system.
The district’s communications have been modernized
significantly while Osborne has been Superintendent.
Improvements such as the Honeywell Instant
Alert Call-Out system, newsletter inserts in
the daily local paper, upgrading the district
webpages by including teacher pages, and
the development of a district smart phone
app have all contributed to the expansion
of internal and external communications.
Academically, Osborne has placed
the district on a path to continued
advancements.
Incorporating
innovations in curriculum such as
Professional Learning Communities,
Response To Intervention, and partnering
with local colleges (Morehead State and
Ashland Community and Technical College)
have enhanced our students’ choices for successful
careers after graduation.
When asked what his fondest memory has been,
Osborne responded that watching the students as they
entered the new high school was one. “Seeing the faces of
the students as they walked through the doors of their new
home.”
In regards to his legacy, Osborne said he would like to
be remembered as someone who cared about the children,
the adults and the community. “The district is poised for
continued growth, exactly as it should be.”
“I would like to thank everyone for making the past 8
years a wonderful experience,” Osborne said.
General Assembly.
Osborne has worked as an administrator in five school
districts spanning 35 years, becoming Boyd County’s
superintendent in 2005. He is well-known to legislators, not
only those representing his specific district but also others
in eastern Kentucky. His local advocacy is exemplified by
the successful 2008 passage of a nickel facilities tax without
opposition.
Boyd County school board Chairman Robert Green,
in his nomination of Osborne, recalled their first meeting.
“Twelve hundred students were marching around the
football field to highlight academic achievement. Mr.
Osborne had broken both legs in an accident and walked on
crutches with our students. It was at that moment I decided
to become a board member. He is a constant advocate for
our children at the local, state and national level.”
Norma M. Meek has been named a member of the Prichard Committee for Academic
Excellence.
Meek is the curriculum event coordinator and district parent involvement coordinator
for Boyd County Schools.
She is among 18 new members announced to the committee, which advocates for
quality education for all Kentuckians.
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DISTRICT NEWS
BCPS BOE Chairman Completes KSBA
Academy of Studies
Congratulations are in order for Boyd County
Public Schools Chairman of the Board of
Education for completing levels one and two of
the Kentucky School Boards Academy of Studies.
Robert “Bob” Green, chairman of the Board of
Education, completed level one Basic Studies and
level two Advanced Studies.
This in-service training initiative is designed
to prepare school board members to succeed
in a new era of high expectations through a
realistic and practical curriculum designed with
the assistance of experts in the field - current
Kentucky board members and superintendents.
Alumni of Boyd County High School
*Don’t forget to register by going to the Alumni ‘quick link’
on the main district webpage or by clicking here: www.
boyd.kyschools.us/alumni.aspx. Registering gives you the
opportunity to announce reunion information and search
for other registered alumni of Boyd County High.
*Having a reunion? Bring a laptop and have everyone
register or update their information.
*Alumni update their own information so it stays current.
Boyd County District Goes Passionately Pink!
The third Friday in October was designated as a district-wide day of awareness and to collect donations for the Susan
G. Komen “Go Passionately Pink for the Cure” organization.
The district office staff and schools in the district wore pink and raised a total of $938 to help in the fight against breast
cancer.
Above: the District Office staff gather for a picture on October 19th,
for the “Go Passionately Pink district-wide event. In front, left to
right: Howard K. Osborne, Mary Fritz, Terry Stevens, Brock Walter
and Lisa Maynard. Standing, from left to right: Mark Meenach, Norma
Meek, Donna Black, Don Fleu, Carole Chaney, Patricia Griffith, Susan
Stapleton, Helen Campbell, Cindy McClelland, Lani Thacker, Marilyn
Mayo and Angie Marcum.
Above: a Cannonsburg Elementary
student shows support.
At left:
Cannonsburg
students are
decked out
in pink in
observance
of the “Go
Passionately
Pink for the
Cure” districtwide event.
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Above: Kim Wilbur’s 2nd grade class at
Catlettsburg Elementary.
DISTRICT NEWS
Readifest - Back to School Event
Each year, Boyd County Public Schools’
Family Resource and Youth Services Centers
(FRYCS) provide back to school items to BCPS
students in need.
Items are donated by community businesses
and outreach services, but the bulk of items
are purchased through the generosity of the
employees of Boyd County Public Schools.
Above: Ponderosa staff are in the pink.
This past year, 207 families were served
and a total of 393 students. The FRYCS’s will
continue to follow up with these students and
their families to ensure they have what they
need in order to be successful achievers.
Individual (students) school attendance at
Readifest were: ECLC 33; Cannonsburg 51;
Catlettsburg 39; Ponderosa 32; Summit 67;
BCMS 114; BCHS 56; and BCC 1.
On Fridays, BCPS employees have the option
to wear jeans to work. Known as Readifest Jean
Days, employees pay $1 to their FRYSC when
they wear jeans. This money supports Readifest.
“Due to financial cuts, we cannot purchase
school supplies, etc. out of our grants, so we
depend on the Jean Day money,” said Ruth Ellen
Chaney, coordinator of FRYSC-West.
Above and below: Summit Elementary students on “Go
Passionately Pink for the Cure” day.
Ponderosa Student wins 2nd Place in
Adopt-a-Highway State Poster Contest
Morgan Lewis, third grade student at Ponderosa
Elementary and daughter of Mary Leigh Lewis,
BCHS science instructor, won 2nd place in the statewide Kentucky Department of Transportation poster
competition in the
ages 6 to 8 division.
The
Kentucky
Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n
Cabinet
invited
students from across
the Commonwealth
to submit creative
works for use in the
Adopt-a-H ig hw ay
calendar for 2013.
Exposure to the
contest and to the Above: Morgan Lewis holds
Adopt-a-H ig hw ay her winning poster. Her
program
provides principal from Ponderosa,
Matt Spade, is pictured at
young people with a right. Mr. Spade attended
sense of ownership in the award ceremony in
Kentucky’s highways Frankfort.
and stresses the
importance of keeping Kentucky’s highways clean
and free of litter. The contest is aimed at educating
and encouraging children not to litter and to
spread the message to others.
9
DISTRICT NEWS
New Security Buzz In System
Boyd County Public Schools, in its efforts to continually
provide a safe environment for students and staff, has installed
a new buzz-in security access system. The new system has been
Cost to the district for this upgraded security system was
$25,050. As of yet, no state or federal funding has been given to
help with security enhancements.
At 7:45 each morning, all entry doors at all buildings are
locked for the remainder of the school day. Receptionists and
key personnel will receive training on the new system and
proper safety procedures allowing entrance at front doors.
School personnel will monitor parking lots and lobbies
during the arrival and dismissal of students. Parents and
guardians will no longer be permitted access to the buildings
at these times. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged
to call the school office in advance of picking up their child or
dropping off an item during school hours.
A parent uses the new buzz in security system at Summit
Elementary.
installed in every school and was activated March 11, 2013,
according to School Resource Officer Richard Cyrus.
The new system requires a Boyd County Schools’ employee,
usually a receptionist, to release door locks on the front
Remembering
Bill Scaggs
This April will mark the second
anniversary of the passing of William
E. “Bill” Scaggs. He is remembered as a
dear friend and unwavering supporter
of Boyd County Public Schools.
Bill served in the Marine Corps
during the Korean Conflict, was a longstanding member of Rose Hill Baptist
Church, and retired from AK Steel
after nearly 30 years as the supervisor
of communications and government
relations. He was appointed to the
National Rifle Association’s Legion
of Honor and served his community
on the boards of the Salvation Army,
American Heart Association, Boyd
County Library, Junior Achievement,
Big Brother/Big Sister, Cerebral Palsy
School, Boyd-Greenup Chamber
of Commerce, FIVCO Economic
Development Board, as well as a Boy
Scout Troop Leader. Additionally, he
was a volunteer columnist for the Daily
Independent for 13 years, penning
their outdoor segment called “Rod and
Gun.”
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entrance before allowing anyone access to the building.
Bill’s involvement with helping
In a letter sent to all parents and guardians, Superintendent
Howard K. Osborne emphasized that Boyd County Public
Schools welcomes and encourages parental and community
involvement, but the safety of students is the district’s major
priority.
“As educators,” Mr. Osborne stated, “it is our goal to ensure
that your child becomes a life-long learner and, while doing
that, we want to ensure they are safe.”
Boyd County Public Schools urges all parents, guardians and
community at large to be patient as everyone adapts to the new
procedures.
Boyd County Schools was varied and
spanned several decades. Both of
his daughters, Gina and Keri, were
graduates of Boyd County High School.
“Bill was an advocate for children
and a strong believer in the value of
education,” said retired Superintendent
of Boyd County Schools Howard K.
Osborne. “We miss Bill and his input.”
Retired Director of Personnel,
Mickey Rice, said that Bill Scaggs
was a constant supporter of Boyd
County Public Schools. “He possessed
an
uncompromising
dedication
to life-long learning and was very
instrumental in the development of
music education within the district.”
Mr. Rice added that Bill was an
advocate for all students whether you
found yourself in agreement with
him or not. “Bill was a champion for
some and an antagonist for others. He
believed strongly in his principles.”
Two programs in particular
benefited from Mr. Scaggs personal
attention.
The Boyd County High School
National Archery in the Schools
Program (NASP) was in its infancy
when sponsor Alisa Borders called
on Bill for help. It wasn’t long before
Scaggs had contacted Judge Executive
William “Bud” Stevens and $2,500 was
donated to the program.
The Junior Navy Reserve Officer
Training Corps (JNROTC) at Boyd
County High also has Bill Scaggs to
thank. After a conversation with Mr.
Scaggs, NJROTC instructor Retired
Master Chief James Sandlin had the
equipment needed for his air rifle
team.
“Bill asked what sort of supplies
we had,” Sandlin said. “I told him,
and that we would need to raise some
funds to keep it going. He showed me
how, and encouraged me, to put in a
grant request through The Friends of
the NRA. Through his help, guidance,
and pointing me in the right direction,
I secured 3 different grants over $3,600
for our Air Rifle Team.”
The support Bill Scaggs gave Boyd
County Schools is still felt today as the
NJROTC and NASP programs practice
in the new gymnasium. To be certain,
if he were still here, he would continue
asking how he could assist them in
growing their programs.
Bill Scaggs was indeed a friend to
Boyd County Schools.
DISTRICT NEWS
FORWARD IN THE FIFTH - Workshop
held to help parents understand
Kentucky’s new testing standards
What parents need to know about Kentucky’s new
academic standards and testing was the topic of a
recent regional workshop in Boyd County attended by
65 parents, educators and students.
Forward in the Fifth, a regional non-profit organization that
supports increasing educational attainment, collaborated
with Boyd County, Ashland and Fairview Independent
and Carter County School districts to offer the workshop.
In addition, The Prichard Committee for Educational
Excellence, the Boyd County parent coordinator
(Norma Meek) and local Family Resource and Youth
Services Centers and Parent Teacher Associations
joined in the efforts to provide an evening of
information for parents and students of all ages.
Educators across Kentucky have been receiving
training on the new core academic standards over the
past two years, resulting in the first implementation of
the new student assessments. Kentucky led the nation
by becoming the first state to adopt the core academic
standards that an additional 45 states later approved.
Developing common standards in multiple
content areas is the first step to creating a common
assessment to increase the quality of education no
matter where a student lives. For example, children
in a military family who move during the school
year will be able to resume their current level of
studies at a new school without playing “catch up.”
Forward in the Fifth Executive Director, Jim Tackett,
said, “The educational bar has been raised.” To be
academically proficient, he explained, students will need
to work harder because concepts are more complex and
will be introduced at earlier grade levels than before.
He provided examples of what first, fifth, seventhgraders and high school students will need to know to
be proficient in math and English/language arts. He
emphasized that parents need to know that knowledge
and skills will continue to build on previous teaching and
learning and that time will not be spent after summer
and winter breaks reviewing the past year’s concepts.
“The new assessment and accountability system
will measure growth as well as achievement, so
students and schools will not only be working towards
proficiency, they will also be expected to show
growth and improvement every year,” Tackett said.
In addition to measuring achievement and growth,
“gap” student groups (such as minority, exceptional
education students and students who qualify for free or
reduced lunches) will also be expected to show growth. When students reach high school, the accountability
system expands to include college and career
readiness and graduation rate figures in its final score.
Graduation rates will be calculated differently
beginning in 2013. Instead of counting what
percentage of the senior class graduates, the
graduation rate will count how many of the
freshman students graduate four years later.
The new Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational
Progress, known as K-PREP replaces the former KCCT
testing system and encompasses multiple forms of
assessment that will occur at various grade levels.
Now, when students complete annual K-PREP
assessments, parents will receive a “Student Report.” The first page of the report will show the student’s
scores and performance levels and give a short
explanation of each level. The second page compares
the student’s performance to other students’ across
the nation. Included are specific activities that
parents can do to support their student’s learning.
“I did not know much about the new testing system,
but I think it will be better,” said a parent attending the
recent workshop. Tackett explained, “since this system for
measuring student success is completely different
than last year, parents cannot and should not
compare this year’s test score results to last year’s.”
The changes to the system are being adopted over a
period of years. New standards for math and English/
language arts occurred in 2011. Many of the new K-PREP
student assessments were also introduced last year. Science and social studies standards and program reviews
for writing, arts and humanities and practical/career
studies are anticipated in the near future. Teacher and
principal evaluations systems are also being developed.
When parents receive their Student Report, Tackett
recommends going over it thoroughly, spending time
talking with their student about it and discussing how
both can have a role in working toward progress. For
parents who have access to a mobile internet device,
there is a free application called “Common Core” that
individually lists all of the current common core standards.
For more information or to set up a Parent
Engagement
Workshop
in
your
co m m u n i t y,
c o n t a c t
Forward
in
the Fifth at
(606)
6776000
or
email
fif@
c e n te r te c h .
com.
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BCHS NEWS
BCCTEC Students Score Well
at SkillsUSA Competition
Students from six area high schools
competed at the annual SkillsUSA Kentucky
held March 1 at Ashland Community and
Technical College.
SkillsUSA Kentucky is a chapter of the national
organization that serves industrial, trade and technical
students in area technology centers. Annual competitions
focus on leadership and technical skills. The regional
competitions at ACTC included 32 contests.
The 154 contestants came from ACTC,
Boyd County Career and Technical
Education Center (BCCTEC), Carter
County, Elliott County, Greenup County,
Lawrence County and Russell Independent.
In the secondary division, the following Boyd County
students won awards: Architectural Drafting (CAD): First
- Zach Wells, Second - Heath Baker. Technical Drafting
(CAD): Third - Landon Gould. Technical Drafting
(Board): Second - Justin Reeder, Third - Triston Stewart.
BCHS JNROTC Picture Gallery
On September 5, 2012, the Boyd County High School
Junior Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps’ Color
Guard traveled to Cincinnati. They presented colors
as the National Anthem was sung during the opening
ceremony of the Cincinnati Reds game. Top left:
The JNROTC appears on the Jumbotron at the Great
American Ball Park. Center left: Sasha Hicks gives a
hug to “Gapper”, the Reds’ mascot. Above: The BCHS
JNROTC prepares to present colors at the game.
Bottom Left: Jonathan Hall, Matthew Littleton
and Jesse Tackett take a break from the ziplines in
Maysville, KY, September 29th, 2012.
Below: Katie Robinson and Vincent DiCenso paddle a
canoe at Shawnee State Park.
12
BCHS NEWS
Valvoline Donates Oil to Auto Tech
Although Christmas is over, students in the
automotive tech department of Boyd County
Career and Technical Education Center were
given a gift.
In January, as a part of the Valvoline Career
Tech Motor Oil Education Program, 84 cases
of Valvoline NextGen motor oil was donated to
the program from the Valvoline Corporation.
The Auto Tech class at Boyd County Career and Technical Education
Center pose with their large donation of motor oil. Eighty-four cases
were donated by the Valvoline Corporation’s Education Program.
Automotive Instructor Jack Kinner said the
donation will allow the Auto Tech program and
its students to directly benefit financially from
the money that is generated from the NextGen
oil. “The entire portion that is earned from the
donation, will be used exclusively for Auto Tech
student projects and also the program budget
will get a boost as well, as budgets have been
drastically reduced in career and technical
education programs,” Kinner said.
The program awards a certification upon
completion which students appreciate and hold in high regard. “Each student who receives a Valvoline certificate has
a sense of recognition and alignment with the ‘outside’ world of the automotive and transportation industries,” Kinner
explained. “They esteem them in the same way they do their ASE and Kentucky Department of Education certifications.”
On October 12th, a group of students
(pictured at left) from Boyd County High School
and Rose Hill Christian Academy - and teachers
Shelia Duncan and Mary Ann Dyer - visited
Georgetown College to experience the Spanish
Immersion Program. After introductions and
a snack, the students split into two groups
so that they could experience the small class
sizes that are common at Georgetown College.
The groups rotated between a discussion
with current immersion students and a miniimmersion class before going on a campus tour
and having lunch in the Caff (GC cafeteria).
First Spanish Honor Society Induction
Ceremony Held Feb. 4
Boyd County High School held its first National Spanish
Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Monday, Feb. 4 in
the Alumni Auditorium.
The National Spanish Honor Society, known as The
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH), is an honor society
for high school students enrolled in Spanish and/or
Portuguese, sponsored by the American Association of
Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). At present
there are over 2,000 national and international chapters.
The BCHS Charter - “Parador de Leon” was established
last year. However, this was the chapter’s first induction/
installment ceremony. Twenty students were inducted.
Students who are enrolled in either AP Spanish, Spanish
III or Spanish 101/102 with a GPA of 3.0 in Spanish and
3.0 cumulative GPA were eligible for induction.
The purpose of the society is to recognize high
achievement of high school students in the Spanish and
Portuguese languages and to promote a continuing interest
in Hispanic and Luso Portuguese studies.
Officers are: President - Sean Sines; Vice President Savannah Henry; Secretary - Jacob Stacy; Treasurer - Katie
Marquez; Historian - Jordan Rose; Event Coordinators Robyn Opell and Taylor Cyrus.
Other charter members of Parador de Leon are: Lara
Barker, Reed Barlow, Marissa Childers, Donovan Cyrus,
Justin Elswick, Andrew Hall, Kellee Harvey, Savanah Ison,
Austin Legg, Katie Marquez, Letha Moore, Michael Neal,
Taylor Rockwell, and Kaycee Walters.
Mrs. Shelia Duncan is the chapter’s advisor.
13
BCHS NEWS
BCHS Students Win Gingerbread House
Competition
Consumer Science Instructor, Ms. Betty
Thacker, and her Consumer
Foods students competed in
the “Home, Sweet Homes”
gingerbread
house
competition conducted by
the Highlands Museum
and Discovery Center.
There were 27
houses entered.
BCHS students
won 1st and 2nd
place in the school
category. Houses were on
display at the Highlands
Museum through Christmas.
Above: The winning gingerbread house.
Top right: The winning team working on their project.
Bottom right: 2nd place team with their gingerbread house.
A New Look For the BCHS Yearbook
When an opportunity comes knocking, you have to
take it and run. That’s what Boyd County High School art
teacher Mike Spears did when he was given the chance to
take over the high school’s yearbook.
This year’s yearbook will be a larger size than previous
years. The pages will be filled with full size photos. “That’s
what everyone wants to see,” he said.
Mr. Spears emphasized to his staff that there was to be
no clip art used in this yearbook. He told them, “People
buy the yearbook to see students and classmates, not clip
art.”
yearbookordercenter.com and pay online or send their
payment to the high school. A payment plan is also
available by which a student or parent can put down as
little as $10 and make payments through the high school.
Mr. Spears made a promise to everyone that this
Mr. Spears had his
year’s yearbook will be the
yearbook staff look at
best ever. The best part is
several old yearbooks
students who buy a yearbook
and pick out what they
will have it in their hands
liked and didn’t like about
before they leave school at
the way they looked.
the end of the year. Events
Mr. Spears also chose
such as Homecoming, Prom
to go with a different
and graduation that happen
yearbook company this
after the March deadline
year, Herff Jones, to
will be put together in a 16
help embrace the new
page supplement. This will
start. Ginger Thompson,
be finalized after graduation,
the
company’s
sent to the company for print,
representative who is
and mailed directly to the
also a Boyd County
students’ homes. The insert
graduate, brought in Above: Sample page from the 2012-2013 BCHS yearbook.
will have a clear sticky peel
several yearbooks for
strip which will be inserted
the staff to look at. The
between two designated pages
yearbook that grabbed their eye was one from California. for a continuance of the yearbook.
Mr. Spears and his staff decided that was the look they
Anyone wishing to purchase a yearbook can do
wanted.
so in two ways. They may either go directly to www.
14
BCHS NEWS
BCHS NEWS BRIEFS
ALL STATE CHORUS MEMBERS
The following BCHS students successfully
auditioned for the Kentucky All-State
Chorus. Andrew Hall (2nd year), Zach
Caudill, Jacob Caudill, Paul Caleb Miles, and
Justin Elswick. The competition is rigorous
to reach this level with more than 1,800
students vying for only 600 positions. The
All-State Chorus performed at the annual
Kentucky Music Educators Association’s
conference in Louisville, KY in February.
Above: AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students
and teacher, Shelia Duncan, visited and toured the University of
Kentucky campus on Sept. 14, 2012. They met with admissions
counselors and toured the campus.
Boyd County
High School has a
new varsity sport –
bass fishing.
This past year,
the Kentucky High
School
Athletic
Association
sanctioned
bass
fishing as an official high school
sport. Rick Perry, who has children
on the team, began campaigning for a
fishing team shortly after the KHSAA
announced its inclusion.
Boyd County High is one of the first schools in eastern
Kentucky to form a team. They also have a middle school team.
The team will compete in the Region 4 tournament at Yatesville
Lake. The top 4 teams to emerge from the regional meet will
advance to the state tournament which is April 25 through 28 and
will be held at the Land Between the Lakes. The state tournament
will be hosted by Murray State University.
Bass fishing offers students another avenue for college
scholarships. There are over 200 colleges with bass fishing teams.
It is also a great sport for those who may have physical handicaps
that prevent them from competing in conventional high school
sports.
Melvin Lawhorn is the coach and Chris Holbrook is the assistant
coach. Coach Lawhorn, now 51, has been a bass fisherman since he
was 20 years old. In 1998 he set a Yatesville Lake record with a 32
pound and 6 ounce bass during a fishing tournament. He has been
a member of several bass clubs throughout the years and says he
loves the sport both recreationally and competitively.
Several parents and community members are supporting the
new team by lending their time and their boats. Adults act as
‘captains’ and chaperone the students on the lakes.
BCHS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
The BCHS Girl’s Cross Country team were
crowned the Regional Cross Country
Champions for the first time in 25 years.
In 1987, girls only ran 1.8 miles in the
competition. Today’s athletes run 3.1
miles. The team won the championship
by 4 points over Mason County, who have
won the regional meet every year since
2008. Members of the girl’s team are:
Hannah Cassady (12), Taylor Cyrus (12),
Alliya Kautzman (11), Saralyn Miller (11),
Darian Steele (10), Courtney Cook (10), and
Courtney Gibson (9). Alternates: Shalyn
Daniels (10), and Elizabeth Pennington (10).
At the state level, the BCHS Girls Cross
Country team finished in 6th place.
IRVINE IS HOBY LEADERSHIP
AMBASSADOR
Hannah Irvine is the 2013 BCHS Hugh O’Brien
Youth (HOBY) Leadership Ambassador.
Hannah will represent the high school this
summer at Kentucky’s HOBY conference.
The conference will be held May 30-June
2, 2013. HOBY programs provide youth
selected by their schools to participate in
unique leadership training, service-learning
and
motivation-building
experiences.
Founded in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to
inspire and develop our global community
of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated
to leadership, service and innovation.
DAILY INDEPENDENT NAMES ALL-AREA
ATHLETES
The Daily Independent named the following
BCHS athletes to their 2012 All-Area Team:
Cross Country:
Darian Steele,
Kautzman, and Courtney Gibson.
Country Honorable Mention: Saralyn
Hannah Cassady, Conner Goble, and
Parent.
Alliya
Cross
Miller,
Aaron
Coach of the Year: Dirk Hollar.
Football: Dylan Harris, Reid Deerfield, Cain
Cooksey, Colin Smith, and Jason Smith.
Boys Soccer: Jaz Stephenson, Jonah Black,
Ryan Whitt, and Zach Vincent.
Girls Soccer: Emily Stewart.
*Jonah Black was also voted player of
the year in the area.
15
BCMS NEWS
Ms. Serrano Gets “A Day
Made Better”
Made Better because we want teachers
and students nationwide to have the
resources they need for success in the
classroom,” said Carolynn Brooks, vice
president, chief diversity officer and
president of the OfficeMax Charitable
Foundation. “OfficeMax shoppers and
business clients have joined the cause
because they recognize that their
contributions have a positive effect
on the community, and ultimately
contribute to an educated workforce.”
More than 90 percent of teachers
spend their own money on basic school
supplies for their students, according
to a recent survey. OfficeMax®
Incorporated,
its
back-to-school
shoppers and business customers
donated nearly $1.9 million in school
supplies to teachers nationwide for
their classrooms through A Day Made
Better — a series of surprise classroom
events that help to provide relief and
support to teachers nationwide who
spend their own money on muchneeded classroom supplies.
On October 9, 2012, Ms. Marilyn
Serrano, BCMS instructor, nominated
by Principal Bill Boblett, was chosen as
a recipient.
Above: Marilyn Serrano is surprised
New this year, OfficeMax also
accepted monetary donations at the
checkout counters of all its retail
locations
for
AdoptAClassroom.
org throughout the month of
October. These donations will be
put into a spending account on
AdoptAClassroom.org where schools
that participate in A Day Made
Better can use the donations to order
additional supplies and equipment for
their classrooms.
The annual event in October marks by OfficeMax and BCMS Principal Bill
the sixth year of the A Day Made Boblett as the recipient of “A Day
Made Better.” Ms. Serrano’s day was
Better program, in which OfficeMax made better by donations of office
associates surprise 1,000 teachers in supplies for her classroom.
Since 2007, A Day Made Better
their classrooms with $1,000 each
and other OfficeMax Goodworks
worth of school supplies — $1 million in sum. OfficeMax programs have contributed more than $18 million in
consumers and business clients contributed nearly $900,000 grants and supplies to support more than 29,000 teachers
in additional school supplies through this summer’s in- and their classrooms. Additionally, through the annual
store supply drive held at OfficeMax locations nationwide. event, OfficeMax has helped its nonprofit partner
These additional supplies are being donated Oct. 2 to the AdoptAClassroom.org secure funding for more than
A Day Made Better schools where the teachers are being 78,000 classrooms nationwide.
honored.
Learn more at www.adaymadebetter.com or adopt a
“OfficeMax is proud to be in its sixth year of A Day teacher at www.adoptaclassroom.org.
Drug Awareness Poster Contest Winners
Announced
The crowded lunchroom grew quiet as Bill Harris talked
to students about his son, Kyle Harris, who had sat in the
very same room to eat lunch, dreamed the same dreams,
but didn’t see them fulfilled. His son lost his life to a drug
overdose in 2005. He was only 22 years old.
third place was awarded to Hunter Reeves, an 8th grader.
Second and third place winners both received $25.
“Rise above it,” Harris told Boyd County Middle School
students, “Don’t let drugs take away your dreams.”
Now his dad spreads his impassioned message to any kid
that will listen.
Each year, Bill Harris, in partnership with BCMS art
teacher Michael Sexton and Family Youth Services
Coordinator Vickie Caniff, organizes a drug awareness
poster contest. It falls during Red Ribbon week, the
nationwide alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence
prevention awareness campaign observed annually in
October. Harris was at BCMS on November 1, 2012 to
award the winners of the contest.
16
This year’s winning poster was enlarged into a billboard
on US Route 60. Created by Carson Wilson, the 7th grade
student was awarded a $50 gift card for her drawing.
Second place went to Ryan Settles, an 8th grader, and
Above: Left to right: Carson Wilson with her First
Place winning poster. Her poster was displayed as a
billboard on US Rt. 60 during the month of November
2012. Ryan Settles won Second Place and Hunter
Reeves won Third Place.
BCMS NEWS
Where’s Waldo?
Attendance Gnome Arrives at BCMS in Style
It’s fitting that Waldo, the district’s roving High
Attendance Gnome, should arrive in a limousine.
He deserved the special treatment since this was
his first trip outside of an elementary school.
In February, Boyd County Middle School had the
highest attendance of any school in the district.
This was the first time a non-elementary school
has had the distinction since Waldo first came to
the district.
The gnome is the district’s incentive to increase
monthly attendance. His mode of arrival has
become legendary as schools try to outdo each
other in ushering him from one location to
another. To date, Waldo has been transported by
limo, an emergency medical vehicle, horseback,
and was even brought in by helicopter!
Above: Waldo, the district’s High Attendance Gnome, arrives
at Boyd County Middle via limousine.
Waldo will reside at BCMS for the entire month of
March.
| CANNONSBURG NEWS
Mock Election at Cannonsburg
Cannonsburg Elementary School’s fifth grade class has held a mock election each
election year since 2000. All students, k-5, are able to participate.
Fifth graders are given roles as voting officials and make certain that everyone has
a smooth voting experience. Additional students are selected to tally the votes and
record all the results for the school-wide election.
“I was an assistant clerk today,” said fifth grader Olivia Hensley. “Everybody did a
good job.”
A student marks his ballot in the
mock election.
Ms. Cathy Jackson and Ms. Deidra Patton have organized this event to help students
understand their roles and responsibilities as a part of the citizenship, government,
and civics curriculum standards.
“I thought it was brilliant,” said fourth grader Libbi Mays.
After the votes were tallied, the mock election revealed Mitt Romney won by 52%.
Above: Cannonsburg fifth grade students assist voters in the
school-wide mock election.
At right: The voting booth offers privacy when casting a
ballot.
17
CATLETTSBURG NEWS
Catlettsburg Elementary Has “Gobble Wobble”
The first annual “Gobble Wobble” Walk/Run was held as a
fundraising activity for Catlettsburg Elementary on November 16.
The Walk/Run was 5 kilometers and included a kid’s walk/run, a
CrossFit division, and an Educators division.
Proceeds from the run will be used to help send Catlettsburg’s
4th and 5th grade students on their Spring Trip to Williamsburg,
Virginia.
While there, students will experience the colonial period from
a southern perspective. They will tour the Jamestown Settlement,
Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown Victory Center and various
historic battlefields. The students will also have the chance to tour
Shirley Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in Virginia, plus
visit Busch Gardens Amusement Park.
Career Cruising
The rain didn’t dampen spirits as Catlettsburg
Elementary held their Career Cruising event. The warm
rain that fell that September day was barely noticed as
students were awed with the sight of a huge dump truck
brought in by the Kentucky Department of Transportation
and the Catlettsburg Fire Department’s fire engines. As the
soft rain became a torrent, the activities were seamlessly
And they’re off! Entrants in the Catlettsburg
“Gobble Wobble” bolt from the starting line.
moved inside.
The annual Career Cruising event gives Catlettsburg’s
students a peek into the myriad of job opportunities
waiting for them after graduation. Presented by volunteers
who are working in their respective fields, students rotated
through stations throughout the building.
Above: Chuck Conley and Jason Bennett from Air
Products and Chemicals, Inc. pour liquid nitrogen into
a PVC pipe. The resulting chemical reaction created
enough pressure to shoot a racquetball across the
room.
Above: Kentucky Senator Walter “Doc” Blevins speaks
with students about what it takes to be a legislator.
Below: Students hold a wrench used to repair
locomotives.
18
Companies such as Air Products and Chemicals,
Kentucky Power, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and G. E.
Transportation attended and had demonstrations and
planned activities for students. Chuck Conley and Jason
Bennett from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. put on a
fascinating demonstration of how liquid nitrogen freezes
various objects like a rubber racquet ball and a banana.
They wowed the students by smashing frozen items
with a hammer and using chemical pressure to shoot an
object from a valved pipe, explaining all the while that an
education in chemistry is necessary for a job like theirs.
Other presenters during the day were Kentucky State
Senator Walter “Doc” Blevins, Margaret Reid from Reid’s
Apiary (beekeeping), Faith Cornwell from Music Notes
by Faith (piano teacher), Dr. Missy Bentley (veterinarian),
Lori Haines (beautician), Amber Holley and Harold Holley
from Boyd County Emergency Management, Joyce Blanton
and Karen Arnett from Kentucky Farmers Bank, and Kelli
Wechsler from Kentucky Fried Chicken.
PONDEROSA NEWS
Penny Fuller is
KSCA Elementary
School Counselor of
the Year
Each
year,
the
Kentucky
School
Counselors Association
awards a high school,
middle
school
and
elementary
school
counselor of the year. This
year, the 2013 designation
falls on one of our own Penny Fuller, Counselor
at Ponderosa Elementary.
“She is a natural counselor whose quiet humility makes
her valuable across a broad range of settings. She is able to
blend her professionalism with her rapport with families,
children, and colleagues effortlessly. Her outstanding
commitment to education, and her selfless, untiring
persistence in supporting children set her apart and make
her worthy of the this award.”
Ms. Fuller is very active in both the Eastern Kentucky
and the state chapter of the school counselors association.
She has served on the KSCA board for three years as the
New Counselor Chairperson.
Ms. Fuller has been
a school counselor for
six years, and holds a
Master’s Degree and
“When educating the whole child, so often the emotional
side is given little attention,” said Ponderosa Elementary
principal Matt Spade. “Penny Fuller is outstanding at
reminding us of the emotional needs of our students. She
is always willing to speak to a class or individual student if
a difficulty arises. She has taken the initiative to train our
staff and students in leadership and has had a tremendous
influence school wide. We are proud to call her a Ponderosa
Mustang!”
Ms. Janet Wente, Catlettsburg counselor, nominated
Ms. Fuller for the award. In her written nomination,
Ms. Wente spoke of what sets Ms. Fuller apart as a great
counselor.
Some of the services Ms. Fuller provides for students
include weekly small group, individual, and whole class
counseling sessions. Penny provides individual counseling
to students, and takes counseling referrals from staff,
parents, and students.
Penny Fuller, Counselor at
Ponderosa Elementary, with
her KSCA Elementary School
Counselor of the Year award.
Rank I in school counseling.
“Penny is exceptional in her field,” said Ms. Wente.
| SUMMIT NEWS
Summit’s 4th grade science students are pictured here with their teachers.
Summit Tops State Scores
in Science
year these units have been refined and polished as teachers
studied student data and changing core content. The
teachers are always looking for ways to improve these units.
By now, everyone has heard the new standards by which
students are tested are much more rigorous. In light of that
fact, Summit Elementary School’s accomplishment is even
more fantastic!
Teachers began by being “specialists” on different units
and developing in-depth activities to bring science to
life for their students. These units were shared with our
Professional Learning Communities group. Grade level
PLC’s have developed flashbacks, exit slips, and assessments
to accompany the units. Students participate in scientific
inquiry, learn the scientific method, and conduct many
experiments.
On the 2011-2012 K-PREP testing, Summit scored
higher than any other elementary school in the state of
Kentucky in the area of science. Put another way, out of 733
elementary schools in Kentucky, Summit Elementary
students’ science scores ranked number one.
Teachers begin in Kindergarten to introduce basic
science concepts and every grade, on up to 4th grade,
continues to build on these science skills. Summit’s efforts
to produce top notch science units goes back about 10
years when science units were initially developed. Every
According to Marilyn Mayo, District Assessment and
Curriculum Coordinator, students are tested in science
in the 4th grade, the 7th grade and once more at the high
school level in End-of-Course testing.
Congratulations to the students and staff of Summit
Elementary!
19
SUMMIT NEWS
Tammy Martin Awarded 2013
KSCA Principal of the Year
Summit Elementary Principal Tammy Martin was
surprised with an honor and a school assembly on
February 25, 2013.
Martin wiped away tears as she was told that she
had been named the 2013 Kentucky School Counselors
Association’s Outstanding Principal of the Year.
Summit students cheered and chanted her name,
holding up handmade signs of “congratulations” and
“number one principal.”
“Today, it’s our turn to celebrate you,” Deana Sexton,
Summit counselor said as the student assembly broke into
more cheers.
Sexton nominated Mrs. Martin several months ago.
She had almost forgotten about it, she said, but after a
particularly difficult day recently, she checked her email to
find that Mrs. Martin had been awarded the honor, which
brightened her day considerably.
“We are always honoring the students for their
achievements – their test scores, their accomplishments
– but, she (Mrs. Martin) is the support behind all of
the students’ success,” Sexton said. “She is deserving of
this because she is strong, dedicated, enthusiastic, and
flexible… but supportive is the best word for her.”
At right:
students
honor Ms.
Martin
with a
Gangnam
Style
dance.
Surprised, Summit Principal Tamala Martin
receives a ‘crown’ and a bouquet of flowers during
the special assembly. The school-wide assembly
was in honor of her KSCA 2013 Principal of the
Year award.
Summit Career Fair
It’s never too early to begin thinking about what career you might
want. That certainly is the philosophy of third grade teacher Ms.
Chris Wallace.
Jacob Crawford, New Inductee into
Summit’s SuccessMaker Hall of Fame
She, along with the other third grade teachers at Summit, organized
a two-day event designed to expose students to a variety of careers
and a look into college life.
Day one brought community members into the school gym.
Students visited stations where area business people spoke to them
about their jobs. Day two was a visit to Morehead State University
where students were treated to a tour of the campus and a meal.
Jacob Crawford poses with
his SuccessMaker Hall of
Fame award.
SuccessMaker is a computer program
used at Summit to enrich the math
curriculum. Students learn and master math
skills with the help of fun characters geared
toward each grade.
Jake Crawford, a 5th grade student, is
now one of only 5 to achieve and master an
8.99 grade level in math since the 2010-2011
school year. Jake is the first student this year
to complete the program.
20
Waylon Smith is assisted by Dr. Lisa Fugate, a Family
Practice Physician from Family Medicine Center, in proper
use of a tuning fork during Summit’s Career Fair.
Past inductees include: Jason Ellis, Jake
Smith, Erin Borders and Seth Ferrell.
PRESCHOOL NEWS
Focus on School Readiness
by Janice Marcum, Director of Preschool
The path to all students becoming college and
career ready doesn’t begin at high school, middle
school, or even elementary school. It begins with
our youngest children at the preschool level.
Boyd County Preschool is dedicated to ensuring
that students participating in the program are
physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially, and
academically prepared for life. This year, the program
has developed a School Readiness Plan that not only
will help to better prepare children for transitioning
into kindergarten, but will set the groundwork for
children to become life-long learners who are wellequipped for life in an ever-changing society.
The process of creating a School Readiness Plan
involved a variety of stakeholders and included
analyzing data from various sources, such as
assessment data, attendance data, and parent/
community engagement data. Using this data and
input from stakeholders allowed the program to focus
on setting goals that were specific to the individual
needs of students and their families. The School
Readiness Committee came together to identify
‘smart goals’ that were to be set in each of the school
readiness domain areas of Physical Development
and Health, Social and Emotional Development,
Approaches to Learning, Language and Literacy
Development, and Cognition and General Knowledge.
The program also added a Family Engagement/
Attendance goal and a Health, Safety, and Nutrition
goal. The School Readiness Plan is an evolving
document that will change as the needs change,
according to updated data in the fall, winter, and
spring checkpoints.
Setting goals was just the beginning of the
process. Strategies for meeting each goal were
also identified. As a result of the program’s School
Readiness Plan, several new initiatives were put
into place. This included a Family Math Night, ontime attendance incentives, a Screen Time Swap (an
initiative to encourage family activities that don’t
involve screens), and more. One of the most beneficial
A preschool student, her mother, and her sibling all
participate during Family Math Night.
strategies was the development of Professional
Learning Communities (PLC).
The teachers and
staff had always had very strong collaboration and
communication skills. However, there was not a
specific time set aside for teachers to discuss and
focus on only student learning and achievement.
With the implementation of Professional Learning
Communities, teachers have been able to have a
specific time each week in which they share teaching
strategies, discuss educational research, dig deeper
into their assessment objectives and teaching
standards, share strategies for individualizing
instruction, focus on teacher-child interactions, and
analyze data. Teachers also have time to discuss
ways to extend student learning for those achieving
above level or support student learning for those
below level.
Feedback about the implementation of the PLCs,
Melanie Kelley, Preschool teacher, leads an activity during
Family Math Night. The event was held to guide parents
and their children through math activities and games that
they can do at home.
from teachers, has been very positive. Gina Bush,
Preschool teacher at Catlettsburg Elementary,
stated, “PLCs are helping us to become more
intentional about our teaching and planning and
to make sure that we are all on the same page in
our classrooms.” Sandi Roberts, a teacher at Early
Childhood Learning Center - South, has said, “I love
having the support of my colleagues. I feel like it
helps me to get better and learn new things that I
can apply in my own classroom.” Stacey Stevens,
also a teacher at ECLC-South, shared, “The time that
we have set aside for our PLC meetings has already
become very precious to me and our PLC team.
We have had the opportunity to really collaborate
without any other distractions that may normally
occur in other meetings. We stay focused on student
learning, and I think that we are all growing from this
process. We have already been able to implement
great things, such as putting together building-wide
strategies for our weekly rhyming focus, discussing
better questioning techniques, sharing educational
articles and activities, focusing on making sure that
our students understand the objectives for what they
are learning in child-friendly terms, and planning
interactive opportunities, in which we are able to pull
all of our classrooms together.”
Based on data and teacher/parent input,
the preschool program plans on continuing to
implement and add new strategies for the on-time
article continued on next page
21
Preschool - Focus on School Readiness - continued from previous page
attendance and screen time initiatives for the 2013-2014 school year. Smart
Goals will continue to be updated and changed, as they are met, as a way to track
the program’s continual progress.
Teachers also have plans to use professional development time to work on
receiving more training on the Teaching Strategies Gold assessment tool and to
continue to work on aligning the curriculum and lesson plans to the Kentucky
Early Childhood Standards, Head Start Domains, and Teaching Strategies Gold
objectives.
| LATE BREAKING NEWS
This Just In...
BCHS Science Student Results in Regional
Science Olympiad
Boyd County High science instructor and department
chairperson Mary Leigh Lewis reports that students did
well at the Maysville Community and Technical College’s
Regional Science Olympiad. The competition was held
Saturday, March 23 with the following results:
Tori Conley - 3rd place in forestry, Devin Boggs and
Justin Elswick - 3rd place in Astronomy, Heather Griffith
and Gabby Thompson - 2nd place in Write it Do it,
BCHS Archery Team Honors
Mr. Osborne
National Archery in the Schools
Program began in Boyd County
Schools in the fall of 2006 when a
Summit teacher’s husband, Robbie
Turner, brought the idea to Summit
Elementary. With school and district
support, Mr. Turner and Ms. Alisa
Borders formed the first Boyd County
archery team at Summit Elementary.
The following fall, the 8th graders
had moved on to the high school. With
24 interested students, Ms. Borders
was asked to form an archery team at
the high school. Leaving the Summit
Archery team in good coaching hands
of Mr. Turner, she went about the
process of getting a team together for
the high school.
After raising their own money for
the equipment through community
support, the Boyd County High
School Archery Team was formed.
Bill Scaggs (see related story on page
10) was one community supporter
who helped get start-up funding.
Since that time, archery has spread
throughout the district with the
Enjoying Family Math Night.
Morgan Price and Tori Sager - 4th place in Anatomy and
Physiology, Wyatt Lewis and Justin Elswick - 4th place in
Fermi Questions, Heather Griffith, Gabby Thompson
and Baylee Thompson - 3rd place in Experimental Design,
Alex Caldwell - 5th place in Disease Detectives, Wyatt
Lewis and Noah Meade - 4th place in Boomilever, Tori
Conley and Allison Spears - 4th place in Forensics, Baylee
Thompson - 3rd place in Designer Genes, Nathan Perry
- 2nd place Magnetic Levitation Car, Walter Stubblefield
and Landen Gould - 4th place in Gravity Vehicle.
“They did an excellent job for a first time performance
in the regional Olympiad,” said Lewis. “Next year we hope
to move on to state.”
formation of teams at Cannonsburg
and Catlettsburg Elementary schools.
Recently, the BCHS Archery
team honored Mr. Osborne, retiring
Superintendent, with a reception.
Ms. Borders spoke about his support
throughout his time with Boyd
County Schools. “With the support of
Mr. Osborne, “ Borders said, “we have
started 5 archery teams, and have
built a 3-D range and outdoor archery
building behind the middle school. All
5 teams have brought pride to Boyd
County Schools by placing in regional,
state and national tournaments as
teams and as individuals.”
Borders also spoke about the
positive effects archery has had on
students. “Archery has leveled the
playing field for students who may
not be as fast as others, who do not
quite fit in, who feel awkward in
other sports, or have handicaps and
disabilities,” she said. “I have seen the
transformation from timid, awkward
children to children filled with
newfound pride and confidence.”
That confidence can also relate
to the student’s performance in the
classroom, Borders said. “A teacher
once came to me asking what I had
done to her student. Puzzled, I ask
why. She informed me that he no
longer walked with his head slumped
over. He gave her eye contact when
speaking and he actually spoke loud
enough to hear. Archery was the
only change the teacher could find
in his routine. I told her that he had
found confidence in himself through
archery.”
Boyd County Schools’ archery
programs have helped numerous
children over the past 7 years. Great
things are happening through archery.
Above: Mr. Osborne, right of center,
poses with the BCHS archery team.
Creating Our Future - is a publication of Boyd County Public Schools and is paid for by the BCPS Board of Education.
For printed copies, please contact Karen Curnutte, Public Information, BCPS District Office, 1104 Bob McCullough Drive,
Ashland, KY 41102. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 606-928-4141 Ext. 2011.