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Photo: Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board
Gov. Matt Bevin has made the following appointments to the Education Professional Standards Board:
- Rachel Colyer, Lexington, represents middle school teachers. She is a teacher for Scott County Schools. Colyer shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;
- David Graham, Bowling Green, represents arts and humanities teachers. He is a teacher for Warren County Schools. Graham shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;
- Jon Robert Akers, Versailles, represents principals or school administrators. He is the principal at Woodford County High School. Akers shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;
- Sarah Lynn Burnett, Somerset, represents science, engineering, math, or technology teachers. She is a teacher for Pulaski County Schools. Burnett shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;
- Daniel Morgan, Louisville, represents secondary school teachers. He is a teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools. Morgan shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;
- Tracy Voils Adams, Russell Springs, represents exceptional education teachers. She is a teacher for Russell County Schools. Adams shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;
- Dustin Eric Phelps, Somerset, representing school counselors or psychologists. He is a psychologist for Pulaski County Schools. Phelps shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;
- Donna Rice Hedgepath, Campbellsville, represents members of a private postsecondary institution. She is vice president for academic affairs for Campbellsville University. Hedgepath shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;
- Sherry Wilson Powers, Lexington, represents members of a public postsecondary institution. She is dean of the College of Education at Eastern Kentucky University. Powers shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;
- Katherine Ann Gornik, Lexington, represents members at-large. Gornik is co-founder and former president of THIEL Audio, and chairman of Newton’s Attic, a non-profit educational organization. Gornik shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019; and
- Steven Robert Thomas, Campbellsville, represents career and technical education. Thomas is an area technology center teacher in Allen County Schools. Thomas shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.
- Tolya Lynn Ellis, Shelbyville, represents elementary teachers. She is a teacher for Shelby County Public Schools. Ellis shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.
- Shad Michael Sletto, Ft. Mitchell, represents the School Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability Council. He is a workforce representative and a director at EGC Construction Corporation. Sletto shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.
Governor Matt Bevin signed an executive order Friday that establishes the Kentucky Charter Schools Advisory Council to ensure successful implementation of House Bill 520 (HB 520). The order also realigns key education boards, councils and committees to provide an efficient, modern structure for implementing Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) and provides for greater coordination of efforts across the education system.
“The historic charter school legislation passed during this year’s General Assembly session represents a truly momentous step forward in providing quality choices for Kentucky’s most vulnerable students,” said Gov. Bevin. “This advisory council will play a vital role in ensuring the success of this exciting new educational option. Public charter schools will create the promise of real opportunity for young people and their families where hope does not currently exist.”
The Charter Schools Advisory Council will serve as a resource to the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE).
Senate Bill 1, passed during the 2017 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, set up a framework for the state’s new school accountability system and future academic standards. KBE now has the responsibility of disseminating regulations for that new system and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Kentucky’s state plan, which includes its redesigned accountability system, is due to the U.S. Department of Education in September 2018. Further, the Standards and Assessment Review and Development Committee will soon begin the process of reviewing current academic standards and proposing changes to the Kentucky Board of Education sometime next year.
“Increased expertise on Kentucky’s boards and councils will help ensure that Kentucky’s new accountability system results in improved education outcomes for students,” said Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Hal Heiner. “Through this realignment, we are appointing members and advisors who will serve in dual capacities on various boards. These dual members and advisors will enhance the flow of communication between boards.”
Gov. Bevin’s executive order will improve collaboration among key stakeholders of the following boards and councils:
- Kentucky Board of Education
- Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE)
- Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB)
- School Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability Council (SCAAC)
- Standards and Assessment Review and Development Committee
- State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education
- State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children
- Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Grant Steering Committee
The changes to the Kentucky Board of Education include providing four non-voting, non-member advisers in an effort to enhance alignment of education decision making on all levels. The new advisers will include a member of CPE; a member of EPSB; a member of the SCAAC; and a member of the Charter Schools Advisory Council.
Changes to the EPSB with this executive order include increasing the diversity of board members’ experience and expertise, and ensuring greater coordination among EPSB and other education boards and commissions, including SCAAC and the Kentucky Board of Education. EPSB establishes standards and requirements for professional educator licensure, and establishes standards for and approves Kentucky’s educator preparation programs.
“These new structures will bring a greater diversity of expertise outside of education to address workforce needs, and the needs of Kentucky’s 21st century economy,” said Heiner.
Twenty-six of Kentucky’s environmental educators were recognized as Certified Professional Environmental Educators at a ceremony at the state capitol in Frankfort yesterday. Brad Montell, deputy secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, delivered the keynote address.
The Certified Professional Environmental Educators completed the state’s rigorous Professional Environmental Educator Certification (PEEC) course that was conducted from November 2016 – May 2017. The course is offered by the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The PEEC course, now with 213 graduates since the program was launched in 2004, is based on national guidelines designed to professionalize the field of environmental education by standardizing best practices. It was accredited by the North American Association for Environmental Education in 2015.
“I was a relative newcomer to environmental education when I joined the 2007-2008 PEEC course, and the networking opportunities provided to me were immeasurably beneficial,” said Billy Bennett, now the executive director of the KEEC.
“In addition to numerous resources and contacts, I gained a much better understanding of environmental education’s role as it pertains to both formal and non-formal settings, especially presenting complex environmental issues without advocating for a particular viewpoint.”
The following 26 people were recognized as Certified Professional Environmental Educators:
- Carmen Agouridis, Fayette County
- Dale Booth, Franklin County
- Susan Brown, Harlan County
- Ashley Bryant Cheney, Fayette County
- Jo Ann Corum, Clay County
- Michael Downs, Fayette County
- Joseph Franzen, Jefferson County
- Jackie Gallimore, Fayette County
- Jeanine Huss, Warren County
- Tim Joice, Jefferson County
- Jessica Kane, Jefferson County
- Rebecca Konopka, Carter County
- Megan McCarty, Fayette County
- Katherine Morrison, Fayette County
- Angie Muncy, Leslie County
- Moria Painter, Russell County
- Steven Rogers, Fayette County
- Trinity Shepherd, Floyd County
- April Simmons, Fayette County
- Jen Smith, Morgan County, Indiana
- Traci Tackett, Pike County
- Jamie Thorn, Russell County
- Jane Vanhook, Lincoln County
- Heather Warman, Fayette County
- Nic Williamson, Fayette County
Rachelle Wood, Jefferson County
Certified Professional Environmental Educators are required to complete annual continuing education to renew their certification. Those who renewed for at least six years receive the Master Environmental Educator designation.
Master Environmental Educator Jenny Howard Owen, who has participated in and taught the course, said, “In the academic context, environmental education (EE) is a fantastic approach for helping teachers and students connect classroom topics and lessons to real life. Outside the classroom, EE offers us tools for understanding how our daily lives and communities are directly affected by and connected to the natural environment.”
For more information about the PEEC course, visit keec.ky.gov or contact Wesley Bullock at wesley.bullock@ky.gov or 502-564-5937.
As school wraps up for the summer, Mayor Greg Fischer is reminding parents and caregivers that there are plenty of learning opportunities for Louisville students of all ages over the next three months.
During a news conference at the Newburg Library, the Mayor and others outlined a number of programs designed to keep kids engaged and prevent summer learning loss, including the Louisville Free Public Library’s Summer Reading program, and the 2017 Cultural Pass — presented by Churchill Downs in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, the library, the Arts and Culture Alliance and the Fund for the Arts.
“As parents, we all know that a week or so after classes end, the kids complain, ‘I’m bored!’ Well, there is no reason for any young person in Louisville to be bored this summer,” the Mayor said. “Thanks to partners like Churchill Downs, there is a long list of activities and learning opportunities to keep kids engaged.”
And in celebration of both the Library’s Summer Reading Program and the Cultural Pass, the Mayor announced, the Main Library will host the Super Summer Reading Kickoff and Cultural Pass Showcase on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will offer a plethora of activities, performances, and crafts featuring more than two dozen members of the Arts and Culture Alliance. Participating groups will include the Louisville Zoo, Kentucky Science Center, Frazier History Museum, Kentucky Shakespeare, and more. For more information, please visit LFPL.org/Kids or call (502) 574-1620.
The Cultural Pass supports and encourages lifelong learning by providing free access to 38 of Greater Louisville’s arts and cultural institutions for children and young adults to age 21. The Pass is valid from June 3 to Aug. 12 for one-time general admission at each of the participating institutions.
“The Cultural Pass is an incredible asset for our city,” said Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen. “Churchill Downs is proud to sponsor such an important endeavor that enriches our great city.”
“The Cultural Pass turns our world-class arts and cultural institutions into summer classrooms for our community’s children and families,” said Christen Boone, Fund for the Arts President and CEO. “Churchill Downs’ support has been remarkable as we work together to reduce barriers to the arts for every child, parent and citizen of our community.”
The 2017 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading materials are available now at any Louisville Free Public Library branch and any Metro Louisville Community Center.
Pass holders can register and track the progress of their Cultural Pass online at www.lfpl.org/culturalpass and are encouraged to visit as many venues as they are able during the summer. Children with 5 or more documented visits receive a Cultural Pass giveaway prize and will be entered into a drawing to win additional prizes, including a free stay at 21C Museum Hotel, tickets to area performances like The Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre or Louisville Ballet’s Nutcracker, family memberships to Bernheim Forest, the Frazier History Museum, Gheens Science Hall and Planetarium, and more.
“The Arts and Culture Alliance is delighted to once again participate in this program, providing access to our arts and cultural organizations for thousands of youth in our area,” said Kim Baker, President and CEO of the Kentucky Center, and Chair of the ACA Executive Committee. “Our participating members look forward to providing memorable experiences this summer as we work together to make our community a vibrant place to live, learn, work and play. We’re grateful to Churchill Downs, Fund for the Arts and Louisville Metro for this unique opportunity.”
To learn more about the Cultural Pass, please visit www.fundforthearts.org/2017culturalpass.
Photo: Kentucky Adult Education Council
The Council on Postsecondary Education is pleased to announce that Reecie Stagnolia, vice president for adult education, will speak at a Congressional briefing Thursday, June 1, 10-11:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C.
Stagnolia will talk about Accelerating Opportunity Kentucky (AOKY), an integrated education and training model that provides qualified GED-seeking students with concurrent enrollment in occupational skills programs at a community and technical college. The program is a partnership between Kentucky Adult Education, the Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment/Kentucky Career Centers and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
“Accelerating Opportunity is a game changer since it connects our students to career pathways, builds their job readiness skills and helps boost the skills of Kentucky’s workforce,” said Stagnolia.
In a news release issued by the National Skills Coalition, the briefing will provide new research and state examples to help inform reauthorization of key education and workforce legislation, including the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, Higher Education Act and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Spring and summer are great times to focus on health and fitness and Neighborhood Place partners have lined up events that do just that including a Fruit and Boot Camp, a Healthy Living Club and a Diabetes Self-Management Series. To learn more about these offerings and other valuable workshops, please refer to the list below.
June 1, 8 and 20, Work and Learn Program for K-TAP Recipients Info Session
Call 502-213-2149 for more information. Individuals who are receiving K-TAP who are interested in completing their GED or upgrading their skills in preparation for college enrollment are invited to stop by and talk with case managers from the Work and Learn program. Find out how to earn an hourly wage at an approved job site and upon completion of your GED, and receive a cash bonus.
- June 1, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- June 8, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- June 20, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 12 – 2 p.m.
June 5 and 12, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 to register or for more information. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping.
June 1, 5, 7, 8, 13 and 14, LG&E WeCare Energy Efficiency Overview
Call 1-800-356-5467 for more information. Representatives from the WeCare Program at LG&E will be on hand to talk with interested persons about energy efficiency, energy usage and tips to reduce utility bills. WeCare staff can also help determine if households are eligible for a variety of free services including air duct sealing and insulation, attic and wall insulation, programmable thermostats and much more.
- June 1, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, Valley Site, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- June 5, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. (T. J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- June 7 and 14, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- June 8 and 13, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
June 6 and 13, Fruit and Boot Camp at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 629-5437 (KIDS) for registration or more information. Join us for this fun two-week series designed to teach you and your school-age children how to eat right and stay active together. Each week adults and kids will practice making a healthy food item and participate in an exercise activity that can be done anywhere. All physical fitness levels are welcome. Children must be age 5 or older and one parent or guardian must be present and participate with every two children registered.
June 6, Car Seat Fitting at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m. (by appointment only)
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 629-7358 to schedule an appointment. Norton’s Children’s Hospital will provide a car seat check fitting station to teach how to properly install your child’s car seat or booster seat or to find out if it’s time for a change.
June 7 and 21, Legal Aid Office Hours at South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 for more information. A Legal Aid Society staff member will be on hand to answer questions, talk about cases that Legal Aid handles and provide referrals.
June 7, 8, 14, and 22, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
RSVP is required to Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400 or mmason@sevencounties.org. A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks. Hosted by Seven Counties and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
- June 7, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. 1 – 3 p.m.
- June 8, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- June 14, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- June 22, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
June 7, 14, & 21, Diabetes Self-Management Class Series Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Located at 3410 Lees Lane next to Farnsley Middle School. Registration is required by calling 574-6663. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have had diabetes for years and need a refresher, this three-part series is for you. Topics include what diabetes is and is not, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise, goal setting, and more. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness.
June 12, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at South Central Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 574-4516 for more information. Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview. This is one of Sodexo’s busiest hiring seasons. Stop by if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position. .
June 12, Diabetes Awareness and Basic Nutrition at First Neighborhood Pace, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. Call 313-4700 for more information. This class is designed to raise awareness of diabetes, help inform those who have been recently diagnosed or who are at risk, as well as provide a refresher course on how to manage your condition for those who or have been diabetic for years. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness.
June 13, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
June 13, Free Blood Pressure Checks at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure checks.
June 13, Healthy Living Club at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 363-1483 for more information. Join the support group on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss healthy living and to get the support you need to eat better, get active, and lose weight.
June 14, 20, 28, Community Dental Care Information Sessions
Call 502-366-4442 for more information. Community Dental Care is a full-service dental organization designed to increase access to health care in communities with the goal of improving the overall health of the population. Representatives will be on site to provide information about services offered and to assist in scheduling appointments for dental needs or for pediatric health needs.
- June 14, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road (T. J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 1 – 3 p.m.
- June 20, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- June 28, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- June 28, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, Valley Site, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
June 15, Choices Domestic Violence Educational Workshop located at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 12 – 3:30 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 to register. The workshop is facilitated by the Center for Women and Families’ domestic violence advocates, a psycho-educational group for women, men, and teens who have experienced abuse in their intimate relationships. The objectives of the group are to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and the supportive services that are available; support and encourage participants’ healing and reconciliation of their experiences; and to prepare the participants to practice self-care and engage in healthy relationships going forward.
June 23, American Red Cross Blood Drive at Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Located at the East Government Center, 200 Juneau Drive, Ste 200. Csll 574-8147 with any questions. Giving blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. Help us exceed our goal of 25 participants by spreading the word to friends and family members.
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife
Kentucky’s lakes and streams are bound to be crowded with anglers, paddlers and pleasure boaters during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Boating safety officials want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.
“On really busy holidays, the boat’s operator has to remain extremely attentive,” said Zac Campbell, boating education coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “They need to go slower than they normally would, and they should be wearing a life jacket at all times, but especially while they are underway, day or night.”
Recreational boating statistics compiled annually by the U.S. Coast Guard show an overwhelming percentage of people who had been involved in boating accidents and drowned were not wearing a life jacket at the time.
Federal and state law require a Type I, II or III life jacket for each person on board a vessel. Anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft must wear an approved life jacket. Children under 12 are required to wear an approved life jacket any time they’re in an open portion of a boat that’s underway. Boaters ages 12 and older aren’t required to wear a life jacket, but there should a readily accessible one for every person on board.
“If a person can’t swim, they really need to have a life jacket on at all times,” Campbell said. “People who are strong swimmers should try this test: dive in the lake then have someone throw them a vest. Now try to put it on – it’s difficult to do once you’re in the water.”
Operators should have passengers try on their life jackets beforehand to familiarize themselves with how they work and make any necessary adjustments.
A person must be 12 years or older to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Kentucky. To drive a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a 10 horsepower or greater motor, children ages 12-17 years old will need either a Kentucky Safe Boating Certificate Card or a certificate showing successful completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)-approved boater education course.
A boater education course benefits novice and experienced boaters alike. Courses are offered in person around the state at no charge and online for a fee. Course schedules are posted on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s website at fw.ky.gov. Registration is required.
Visitors to the department’s boater education web page can find links to the online courses as well as a boating safety checklist.
Nobody wants to get to the launch ramp only to realize they forgot to renew their boat registration, or they don’t have enough life jackets or a throwable cushion, or they forgot to charge their boat batteries.
“For a lot of people, Memorial Day weekend is the first time their boat’s been on the water this year,” Campbell said. “Ideally, you should take your boat out on a smaller body of water to test everything out before the big weekend to make sure it’s mechanically sound.”
Either way, you will want to have your boat numbers and decals properly displayed. Slide the registration receipt into a sealable sandwich bag and stow it on board. If the boat has an engine, lantern, stove or other equipment fueled by a flammable liquid, you will need to have a fire extinguisher. A horn or a whistle is required for boats 16 feet or longer, but good to carry in smaller boats. Test the red, green and 360-degree white navigation lights to ensure they are in working order. One small thing that is easy to overlook is securing the boat’s plug. Always double check that it is in place before launching.
When lake and river levels are up, as they have been in recent weeks across Kentucky, boaters must also be on the lookout for floating debris and keep in mind that some hazards may be hidden just below the surface.
“The water might not be as clear when the water is up, so objects that aren’t normally submerged can be even harder to spot,” Campbell said. “The operator is in charge of everybody’s well-being on the boat, but a good operator will have a good spotter who can help identify any hazards.”
A log striking a lower unit can throw occupants overboard and capsize a boat. An ignition kill switch combined with wearing a life jacket can be a godsend in such an event.
Most boats are equipped with a flexible red cord or lanyard that attaches to the ignition or throttle and clips to the boat operator’s life jacket or is worn around the wrist. Should the operator be ejected from the boat, the kill switch trips and stops the engine. If your boat’s lanyard or cord is missing, replacements are available through retailers that sell boating equipment.
The Memorial Day holiday weekend revs up the summer boating season and is one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. Make it a safe one by preparing ahead of time and operating responsibly while on the water.
