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On Friday afternoon, Jeffersontown High School students will put project-based learning to the test when they compete in a series of solar go-kart races as part of the school’s Solar Challenge—highlighting the value of real-world, project-based learning in the classroom.
Through a partnership with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL), the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant (LAP), the Solar Energy Solutions company and the City of Jeffersontown, all Jeffersontown High School sophomores, juniors and seniors had a specific role this school year while working in teams to design and build solar go-karts. Students will drive the go-karts in timed races during Friday’s race-day celebration at the school campus, which will also feature student exhibits and a car show showcasing cars of the past, present and future.
“We know that the abilities to create, innovate and solve challenging problems are all important skills for our students to develop and learn, because we know how essential those skills are in today’s workforce,” said Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Director of College & Career Readiness Christy Rogers. “That’s why these kinds of hands-on, project-based learning experiences are so beneficial to our students, as are the powerful community partnerships we have with companies, like Ford, that help make them a success.”
Jeffersontown High is one of the district’s career-theme schools for engineering (manufacturing and construction), where students may earn an industry certification while earning a high school diploma. Students at Jeffersontown High invest time developing marketable skills in high-demand areas such as computer-aided design (CAD), advanced manufacturing, industrial maintenance technology (IMT), machine tool technology, engineering and welding.
Designated a Powered by Ford Academy in 2013, Jeffersontown High and its students benefit from unique opportunities to work with Ford Motor Company employees. Over the past four years, Ford LAP employees have invested time partnering with the school to host field trips, provide job shadow opportunities, hire students for internships and partner with teachers to develop unique lessons involving real-world challenges. Additionally, the Ford Motor Company Fund sponsored the purchase of the materials for the solar panel go-karts.
Throughout the school year, Jeffersontown engineering students served as project managers for the Solar Challenge; students studying computer-aided design created prints for the go-karts; advanced manufacturing and IMT students installed the solar panels; machine tool technology and welding students completed the fabrication; and English, math and science students helped with technical writing, ratios and energy calculations. Freshman students built solar car models on their own to help guide their interest in one of the many career programs offered at Jeffersontown.
On Thursday morning, Iroquois High School students will cut the ribbon on a new community amphitheater designed and built by the students.
The amphitheater will provide both Iroquois High School and the surrounding neighborhood with an outdoor space for award presentations, concerts, plays, farmers markets, and spring and fall festivals. Iroquois was able to build the amphitheater after applying for and receiving a $25,000 nationwide grant from Lowe’s last year.
“The community amphitheater project is a perfect example of how JCPS couples classroom education with real-world experiences that prepare our students for postsecondary education and their future careers,” said Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “The students earned this award through their creativity, hard work and desire to build something that strengthens their school community and the surrounding neighborhood.”
Iroquois is one of the district’s career-theme schools, where students may earn dual college credit, articulated college credit and an industry certification while they are earning their high school diplomas.
Students participating in this project are also involved in the SkillsUSA and Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) Mentor programs, and enrolled in the Construction Technology Program at Iroquois. Through the program, students invest time developing marketable skills in high-demand areas such as brick and block masonry, building maintenance, carpentry, architectural drafting, electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning, interior design, plumbing and welding.
Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School (LPAS), a districtwide magnet of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), is celebrating 50 years of history, culture and educating leaders. Rooted in rich tradition and values established in December 1966, LPAS has transformed from an elementary school to become the only public performing arts elementary school in Kentucky.
On April 29, former students, staff and the community are invited to celebrate this milestone anniversary. The celebration, which will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the school at 930 E. Main St., will include games, crafts, tours, student performances and conversations about the school’s history.
Additionally, LPAS families, friends and alumni are encouraged to share their memories of the school ahead of the event. Photos and stories can be submitted here.
The Worksite Wellness Council of Louisville, a Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement partner, will host its annual worksite wellness conference on Thursday, May 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Gheens Foundation Lodge at Beckley Creek Park in the beautiful Parklands of Floyds Fork. For conference registration, sponsorship or vendor information, or to apply for an award, visit http://bit.ly/2nn4fGU.
Businesses with worksite wellness programs are encouraged to apply for an award. Awards will be presented at the conference. The deadline to apply is this Friday, April 28. The Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement has been recognizing businesses committed to fostering employee health and wellness for 11 years. The awards are based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Worksite Health ScoreCard criteria, in recognition of policies, programs and strategies proven to work. Four levels of winners will be awarded based on ScoreCard results: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. In addition, several “Fleur de Lis” awards will be presented to honor businesses with exemplary or unique worksite wellness programs or initiatives. Businesses can apply at https://www.stateofwellness.org/louisville/.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Plug into Wellness to Light Up your Community.” Attendees will hear from guest speakers on topics such as how to connect with all sectors of the community to improve employee and community health and how workplace wellness programs serve as a foundation for changing and improving business.
“We welcome any and all businesses who want to learn more about creating healthier workplaces to attend the conference,” said Allison Ledford, chair, Worksite Wellness Council of Louisville. “It’s a great way to learn about best practices in improving employee health whether it’s through our speakers or through networking and sharing.”
The cost to attend the conference is $75 if registration is completed by April 30. The cost is $95 after May 1 or the day of the conference. Online registration and additional information regarding vendor booths and sponsorships is available at http://bit.ly/2nn4fGU. Sponsors include Norton Healthcare, Humana, Musselman Hotels, Anthem, and the Louisville chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.
The Worksite Wellness Council of Louisville assists area employers to establish worksite wellness by providing training seminars and conferences throughout the year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), worksite wellness programs enhance worker productivity, reduce absences, reduce health care costs and help to shift the health care paradigm from treatment to prevention.
Members of the faith-based community in the Louisville area are invited to learn more about Governor Matt Bevin’s “Open Hearts/Open Homes” initiative during a series of breakfast events later this month.
The Jefferson County Office of the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), which coordinates the foster care and adoption program within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), is sponsoring several free “Kickoff Breakfasts” for faith-based community partners. Everyone is invited for a meal and fellowship to discuss the state’s need for more adoptive families.
Gov. Bevin launched Open Hearts/Open Homes in March at a Frankfort summit of more than 200 partners as part of his pledge to improve the state’s adoption and foster care system. Open Hearts/Open Homes aims to find permanent placements for those children in foster care with a goal of adoption by relying on the state’s churches, nonprofit groups and caring individuals.
Gov. Bevin said he hopes to see the Louisville-area network of churches become involved in Open Hearts/Open Homes.
“We are asking our churches to help lead on this issue,” Gov. Bevin said. “Church leaders and members are encouraged to consider the life-changing journey of foster care and adoption. With the commitment of these incredible communities, we can give these children the forever homes with loving families.”
Of the state’s 8,000 plus children in out of home care, more than 1,000 are in Jefferson County. Each session begins at 9 a.m. and include a short presentation about the foster care and adoption program and a question and answer session with those in attendance. Each event will close with prayer at 10 a.m.
Here is the schedule for the breakfast sessions in Louisville this month.
- April 25: Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1411 Algonquin Parkway
- April 26: Charmoli Neighborhood Place (Middletown), 200 Juneau Drive, Suite 200
- April 27: Fairdale Neighborhood Place (Fairdale), 1000 Neighborhood Place (off National Turnpike, behind the South Park TAPP School)
- April 28: Youth for Christ Building, 4102 W. Market St.
Because of limited seating, RSVPs are required and should be sent to patricia.franke@ky.gov. Please limit number of attendees to two per organization.
CHFS Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson said Gov. and First Lady Glenna Bevin are putting all Kentucky children first in their efforts to improve the Commonwealth.
“Gov. Bevin and the First Lady are exceptional ambassadors for our foster and adoption services,” Glisson said. “Thanks to the Governor’s servant leadership we are now in position to discuss the great need around this issue and engage many more loving families into the foster and adoptive communities.”
For more information about how you can become a foster or adoptive parent, or to get more general information simply email: openhearts@ky.gov, go to the state adoption website adopt.ky.gov, which helps families more easily navigate the foster care and adoption process or call 1-800-232-KIDS (5437).
Kentucky residents filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for student aid must do so this spring without a vital tool, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), used to transfer data from tax forms to the FAFSA, has been shut down by the IRS because of security concerns. It will not be available again until the next FAFSA season begins Oct. 1, according to a release from the department and the IRS.
The DRT is also used by students and parents whose income must be verified before students can receive their financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education requires many students to go through verification.
Some borrowers repaying federal student loans also use the DRT if their loan repayment program requires yearly updating of income data, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC).
“The IRS is working to identify the number of taxpayers affected by questionable use of the Data Retrieval Tool,” the statement added. “Identity thieves may have used personal information obtained outside the tax system to access the FAFSA form in an attempt to secure tax information through the DRT. The IRS continues to review the extent to which this contributed to fraudulently filed tax returns.”
Without the DRT, the FAFSA and verification forms must be filled out manually. The FAFSA can be found at fafsa.gov. Colleges have their own verification forms.
KHEAA is the state agency that administers the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), need-based grants and other programs to help students pay their higher education expenses.
KHESLC is a public nonprofit agency that services federal student loans and makes private education loans. KHESLC and KHEAA have the same board of directors.
For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602; or call 800-928-8926, ext. 6-7214.
Attorney General Andy Beshear is joining with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Unified Prosecutorial System to offer a three-day training to educate prosecutors and law enforcement officials on the detection, apprehension and prosecution of drugged drivers.
The AG’s office will host the annual regional seminar “Prosecuting the Drugged Driver,” April 18-20, at the Radisson in Covington.
“My administration is focused on addressing the persistent challenges our families face, and one of those is better addressing Kentucky’s drug epidemic,” Beshear said. “Every time our families, our friends or our children get in a vehicle, they are at risk of being harmed by a driver under the influence of drugs.”
Beshear said Kentucky, like other states, is facing the worst drug overdose epidemic in American history, citing a recent New York Times article that said the epidemic is spurred by rising drug abuse, increased availability of prescription opioids and an influx of potent synthetics like fentanyl and carfentanil.
The goal of the Covington training is to create a team building approach in the detection, apprehension and prosecution of drivers impaired by illicit and prescription drugs, Beshear said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recent roadside survey, about 20 percent of drivers tested positive for at least one drug in 2015, up from 12 percent in 2007.
Additionally, the University of Kentucky Transportation Center concluded that in 2015 there were 233 fatal drug-related crashes in the Commonwealth.
The three-day training is coordinated through the Attorney General’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program. The training is funded through the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety with grant funds provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and our Office of Highway Safety, look forward to continuing a very effective partnership with the Office of the Attorney General to provide funding in support of the Commonwealth’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor,” said Dr. Noelle Hunter, executive director at the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. “The TSRP program has done an exceptional job in conducting training workshops and coordinating training opportunities for both law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the state. It is not only our responsibility, it is a priority of this administration to provide all highway safety professionals with the tools and resources they need to save and protect lives on our highways.”
Representatives of the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will attend the training.
“We are grateful to be invited to participate in the training,” said Rosalind Donald, MADD victim advocate. “MADD’s driving purpose is to shed light on the long-lasting effects the impaired driving crashes create for victims and survivors. In 2015, MADD officially changed its mission statement to include victims of drugged driving offenders. Impaired driving is a serious crime. Trainings such as these help ensure that the criminal justice system addresses DUI charges consistently and effectively, which ultimately helps protect society from needless death and injury.”
Representatives from the American Automobile Association (AAA) will also attend the conference.
“Drugged driving is one of the greatest threats to the safety of motorists today,” said Cheryl Parker, regional director, public and government affairs for AAA. “AAA looks forward to this important training that will give stakeholders in the criminal justice system what they need from the roadside to the courtroom to keep drugged drivers off the road.”
