Hopkins County SchoolsTop 
Staff E-News                                                       August 31, 2015
         Vol. 4, No.3
Introducing #CourageousCommunity
#CourageousCommunity is an effort inspired by The Protectors' visit to Hopkins County Schools in spring 2015. The purpose of this project is "to build a safe and supportive place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and encouraged to reach their full potential." The hashtag is being used in the name to help build awareness through social media.
 
A variety of efforts will be included under the name #CourageousCommunity, including anti-bullying measures, suicide prevention and character building. We will also be rolling out ways to get the community involved, because this will truly take a community-wide effort to be successful.
 
"Guidelines and Resources for Well-Being" has been distributed to the schools. This includes lessons that combine the curriculum provided by The Protectors with the PBIS Anti-Bullying program. Plans also include a "word of the month" that we hope will be posted in area businesses/organizations. We welcome the participation of the community in this effort and will be seeking partners who can help with funding.
 
We will be unveiling more details soon. A website has been established at www.hopkins.kyschools.us/courageouscommunity.
  
Local Students Featured
in KY Safe Schools Week Campaign
Browning Springs Middle School students will be featured in the Kentucky Center for School Safety's promotion of Kentucky Safe Schools Week, which is in October.
 
Karen McCuiston, resource center director for KCSS, visited Browning Springs Aug. 14 to shoot photos. The theme is "I want to be a school safety superhero ..."
 
Click HERE for more information and photos.
 
Best-Selling Author Visits
During a visit to James Madison Middle School Monday, New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger gave students insights into the writing process, how she became a writer, and what it was like to have her first novel, "The DUFF," made into a movie.
Keplinger grew up in McLean County and remembers sitting at her mom's typewriter as a child. It had no paper in it, but she made up stories while she was sitting there. Later, she wrote for school portfolios, and at age 11 wrote her first novel. She had her first novel published right after high school graduation.
 
The major motion picture based on that book, "The DUFF," was released earlier this year. She answered students' questions about meeting the actors and attending the premiere.
 
She lives in New York City and writes full-time. Keplinger is legally blind, but never let that stop her. Her next goal is writing for film and TV.

Life Insurance Reps to Visit  
 
Grange Life Insurance representatives Bob Arnold and Jim Hoyer will be visiting the schools in September. They will be selling guaranteed issue life insurance coverage up to $99,999. They are not replacing any life insurance. This will be additional life insurance if employees choose to purchase.
 
The tentative schedule follows:
 
September 9 - Bus Garage, 7:45-8:45 a.m.; SHMS, 9 a.m.-noon; Southside, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
September 10 - Hopkins County Central, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 14 - West Hopkins, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 15 - Madisonville North Hopkins, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 21 - Training Center, 7:45-8:45 a.m.; Browning Springs/Academy, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 22 - Earlington, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 23 - James Madison/Tech Center, 8 a.m.-noon; Jesse Stuart, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
September 24 - Hanson, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 28 - Pride, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 29 - Grapevine, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
September 30 - West Broadway/ADT, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
October 1 - Central Office and Make-Up Day, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
 
WBKO Scholar of the Week

The Honors College at WKU and WBKO are accepting applications for the WBKO Scholar of the Week recognition program. 
 
The Scholar of the Week segment will recognize two of the area's top high school students each week throughout the academic year. Their name, high school and photograph will be broadcast during a WBKO news program. Selected Scholars will also be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship to attend WKU. There is no limit to how many applications each school can submit.
 
Please encourage your students to apply online at http://www.wku.edu/honors/scholar.php.  Applications are due by Sept. 30, 2015.  If you have any questions, call 270-745-2081 or email scholaroftheweek@wku.edu.

  

Upcoming Events 

  

Sept. 7

Labor Day/No School

Central Office Closed 


 

Sept. 8

Board of Education meeting, 5:30 p.m.


 

Sept. 21

No School/Professional Development

  

 

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In This Issue
KY Safe Schools Week Campaign
Best-Selling Author Visits
Life Insurance Reps to Visit
WBKO Scholar of the Week
Upcoming Events
Travel Reimbursement
Parent Teacher Conferences
9/11 Heroes Run
BAJA 5K
A Beautiful Mess 5K
Travel Reimbursement
According to policy and procedures under 03.125/03.225 Travel Voucher Reimbursement Forms must be submitted within one week of the travel. Travel request forms (green sheets) must be approved two weeks prior to the trip. Reimbursement may be denied if the reimbursement request is not received timely with proper documentation.
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Parent Teacher Conference Dates Set
Parent Teacher Conferences have been set for Sept. 29-Oct. 1, from 3:30-5:45 p.m. each day.
 
The conferences will be Tuesday, Sept. 29, for the elementary schools; Wednesday, Sept. 30, for the high schools; and Thursday, Oct. 1, for the middle schools.
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9/11 Heroes Run
 
The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K and 1-mile Fun Run sponsored by the Travis Manion Foundation will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, in downtown Madisonville. The race starts at 8 p.m. Register by Aug. 31 to be guaranteed a T-shirt. Registration continues until race day. To register online, click HERE.
  
  
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BAJA 5K
will be Oct. 10
 
The Hopkins County STEP Coalition will host the 10th annual BAJA 5K Run and 1.5 Mile Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. at Baptist Health Fitness Formula. The first 100 elementary students registered for the 1.5 Mile Fun Run are FREE, and will receive a free race tee-shirt and be entered in the door prize drawings. The Healthiest Kids Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the elementary school with the most students participating and that school will win the Firefighters Challenge Course for a day. Parents may accompany children at no charge, but must pay registration fee to receive a T-shirt and be eligible for door prizes. Forms for the 1.5 mile Fun Run/Walk will be sent home with all Hopkins County elementary students. For more information on the Fun Run/Walk, contact Jamie Knight at 270-824-3502.
 
5K Race Awards include Men's and Women's 1st -3rd place overall and 1st - 2nd place in each age division. All registered 5K and 1.5 Mile Walk participants receive a long-sleeve race shirt and are eligible for door prize drawings. Registration fees are $20 through Sept. 29 and $25 after that date (non-refundable). You can register race day 7:30-8:30 am. Race registration forms are available at Fitness Formula, the Hopkins County Family YMCA, and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact Kathy Edwards at 270-824-2023 or Pam Stuart at 821-9622.
  
  
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A Beautiful Mess
 
A Beautiful Mess 5K, presented by Light of Chance with support of Madisonville-Hopkins County Board of Realtors, will be Saturday, Oct. 17. The starting line is at 122 N. Franklin Street, Madisonville. Pre-registration of $30/individual, $27 per team member (minimum of 5), and $20/student K-12 will be accepted until Oct. 4. Registrations will still be accepted after that, but prices increase. The event benefits the Light of Chance Breathe Youth Arts Program, which provides free after-school arts sessions for grades 5-12 at the Rosenwald-Smith Multicultural Center.

 

For more information and a link to the registration form, click here.
   

  
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Quick Links

   

   
Hopkins County Schools
Website
 
 
To submit information to be considered for publication in upcoming issues, e-mail Communications and Community Engagement Specialist Lori Harrison.