NEWS
 

April 2010

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Inside Henderson, Jr.
By initiative of the Academic Emphasis Advocacy Group of Henderson this past fall, the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, the Henderson County Gifted and Talented program, and Northwest Kentucky Forward came together to sponsor a unique leadership workshop for 8th grade Gifted and Talented students. The program known as Inside Henderson, Jr. gave approximately 65 students the opportunity to broaden their interests and interact with leaders throughout the Henderson community. Students were placed in one of seven groups, according to specific interests, and traveled to a variety of locations and heard from a number of individuals who spoke about various aspects of leadership. They were able to learn from local experts in particular fields about key community issues and begin to develop and improve their own leadership abilities from the inspiration of those local leaders. From lectures, discussion groups, and other activities, the Gifted and Talented students created small group presentations which they showcased during the recent Leadership Symposium.
"Ten students participated on the committee overseeing the project so as to involve the students in every aspect," said Jill Alexander, teacher with the Gifted and Talented Program.
Joseph Crafton was able to compare the way government runs to the student participation on the committee. "Students were chosen to be on the committee to represent the other students, like our government with elected officials."

The participation in the Inside Henderson, Jr. Program was completely voluntary and the students received no incentives other than the feeling of accomplishment and growth in leadership skills.

"We are the next generation of leaders," said Jessica Murch, student participant. With students like this as our future, our community should continue to have high hopes for the unlimited potential that is here.

McLean County High School Offers Dual Credit
Students at McLean County High School (MCHS) are finding more opportunities to graduate high school with college credit earned. Advanced Placement is now not the only option if an MCHS student wants to enter college with course work under their belt. Thanks to the initiative of the Dual Credit Advocacy Group of McLean County, now students may earn credit by completing any of 17 courses offered via the Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC). This year approximately 20 students participated in dual credit opportunities with OCTC from McLean County High School.

The dual credit offerings are college level technical based programs open to juniors and seniors in high school, with seniors receiving priority. Each of the programs offered provides the student with technical skills and training that may lead to certificates and/or associate of applied science degrees. It is the intention of this program to also make these students outstanding candidates for jobs.

Jordan Freels is participating in the Discover College Nursetrack Program. She will complete her clinical experience at The Hermitage, a retirement facility in Daviess County, and hopes to receive her associate degree with OCTC. It is her intention to someday become a nurse practitioner. Jordan will definitely have a great start towards her goal when she graduates with not only credit but also experience.

Jacob Emery is enrolled in the Electrical Technology Program. He's grateful to "get a free jump start in college," he said, through dual credit. Jacob takes courses Monday through Friday with his program. His goal after high school is to either receive an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or possibly to enroll at OCTC for Electrical Construction.


Advocacy Groups in Action
Henderson County
Academic Emphasis Group addressed the needs of students identified as gifted in leadership within the Henderson County School System. This group was responsible for forming a partnership with the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, the Gifted and Talented Program, and Northwest Kentucky Forward to bring about Inside Henderson, Jr.
Colonels 2 College Group participated in the Tri-Fest selling glow sticks, glow necklaces, and glow bracelets. The proceeds will support their initiative of sending graduating HCHS Colonels who meet certain requirements to college at Henderson Community and Technical College with scholarship money.
Parent Involvement Group recently traveled to Hopkinsville to learn about the success of their district implementation of home visits. They expect to discuss their findings at their next meeting.

McLean County
Cultural Attitudes Group is ambitiously focusing on middle school parent involvement. Their hope is to illustrate early awareness of and the importance and attainability of college. They have several projects at the moment. One such project is to begin a mentoring course at the high school for interested students.
Dual Credit Group is working on a drafting class implementation for next year, as well as a transitional reading course sequence. The reading course would not actually be dual credit but would be a prep course (remedial work) for students not at college level reading.

Union County
Student Motivation Group, in conjunction with Union County Public Schools, successfully sponsored their second annual community-wide pep rally for all Union County Public School students on April 16th. Each school in the district attended this kick-off to the Kentucky Core Content Testing.

Webster County
Dixon Group's effort to get retired teachers to volunteer in Dixon at the High School continues. The group is also open to other avenues of working to benefit Dixon Elementary School.
Providence Group initiative was to have a core group of volunteers to assist 1st grade with FRY Words. There are five volunteers that have come each week consistently since September. The plan is to expand program for the up-coming school year. The students have shown positive improvements compared to the status of 1st graders at the same time last year according to their teachers.


Calendar:
April 19-30-Kentucky Core Content Testing Window
April 26-(Webster) Providence Community Meeting-See Greg Bowles
April 27-(Henderson) Parent Involvement Group Meeting 5:30
May 2-8-National Teacher Appreciation Week
May 3-(McLean) Cultural Attitudes Meeting 3:00
May 4-National Teacher's Day
May 9-15-National Reading is Fun Week
May 10-(Henderson) Colonels 2 College Meeting 11:30
June 1-National Stand for Children Day
July-National Make a Difference to Children Month
July 25-National Parents' Day

Notable Links:

Senate effectively kills dropout age bill; House Bill 301
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/15/1224743/senate-effectively-kills-dropout.html

A bill pending in the U.S. Senate would improve nutrition standards for school meals, and administrators are on board
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20100405/APC0101/4050410/1979/APClife

Schools that put the 'care' in character http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-19/127044635271050.xml&coll=5

Digital Textbooks: They're Coming, But Will They Be Better? http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/04/07/28sewall.h29.html?tkn=PQSFiN2o6ipIUSDpJgc1Pba5b0zHz0xx2tq6&cmp=clp-edweek

Prichard Committee sends letter to Stumbo, Rand http://www.prichardcommittee.org/Publications/Reader/tabid/46550/smid/77810/ArticleID/232/reftab/30638/t/Prichard-Committee-sends-letter-to-Stumbo-Rand/Default.aspx

Prichard Committee Expresses Concern Over Cut in Education Budget http://www.prichardcommittee.org/Publications/Reader/tabid/46550/smid/77810/ArticleID/233/reftab/30638/t/Prichard-Committee-Expresses-Concern-Over-Cut-in-Education-Budget/Default.aspx

Board Approves Testing Window Extension http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/HomePageRepository/News+Room/Current+Press+Releases+and+Advisories/10-020.htm

Hager Preschool Named Center of Excellence http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/HomePageRepository/News+Room/Current+Press+Releases+and+Advisories/09-093.htm

Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies: Summer Youth Programs http://www.usm.edu/gifted/sfy/summer_gsp.html
http://www.usm.edu/gifted/sfy/summer_paty.html

Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/blueprint/index.html

Race to the Top Scores, by state http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/phase1-applications/index.html

America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids http://www.letsmove.gov/

Nation's Report Card: Reading Scores for grades 4 and 8 http://nationsreportcard.gov/reading_2009/summary.fasp