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Credit: Louisville Metro Police
Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin (D-2) is encouraging young people to make the effort and talk with Officers of the Louisville Metro Police Department at the next LMPD Youth Chat.
“It is important that young people understand that our police officers are here to help and protect us,” says Shanklin. “The chats also afford the officers a chance to get to know young people in the area. When everyone sits down and talks, then trust begins to build and we can begin working together.”
The next LMPD Youth Chat is set for the Newburg Community Center on Thursday, April 20th beginning at 6:00pm.
The LMPD Youth Chats are a series of public open-dialogue discussions, so that youth 25 and under can hear from and talk with local law enforcement officials to establish better relationships and mutual understanding While learning about the variety of things Louisville Metro police officers do.
Each session will be co-moderated by local youth. Everyone is invited to come be a part of this unique opportunity. The program is sponsored by the LMPD Sixth Division and Louisville Metro Parks.
The Newburg Community Center is located at 4810 Exeter Ave.
The Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools (KGHS) program and the Kentucky National Energy Education Development (KY NEED) Project are hosting the 10th annual Youth Summit and Awards Luncheon April 27 in Frankfort. KGHS is a program of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC).
The event will recognize students and their outstanding accomplishments in promoting school and community health and environmental sustainability. Examples of student projects include: worm composting at Providence Montessori Middle School, updating an outdoor classroom with benches made of recycled plastic caps at Morton Middle School, and teaching peers about healthy eating choices at Kit Carson Elementary School.
Students will showcase their projects beginning at 10 a.m. at the Frankfort Convention Center. At 11:15 a.m., Kentucky Education Commissioner Dr. Stephen Pruitt will be the keynote speaker.
More than 200 students and teachers will participate and be recognized. Nine KGHS schools will be given awards, and the KGHS Teacher of the Year will be announced. Additional KY NEED schools will also be honored for their projects.
- WHO: Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools
Kentucky National Energy Education Development Project - WHAT: KGHS and KY NEED Youth Summit and Awards Luncheon
- WHEN: Thursday, April 27, 2015, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eastern time
- WHERE: Frankfort Convention Center, 405 Mero St., Frankfort, KY 40601
Photo: NBPTS Website
Kentucky recently celebrated the 18 newly certified and 101 newly renewed National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) who continue to improve their teaching for the students of the Commonwealth. With 3,292 NBCTs, Kentucky ranks 6th in the nation for the percentage of teachers who are Board-certified (8%) and 9th in the nation for the total number of Board-certified teachers.
This small class of newly Board-certified teachers represents the last to be certified in the 2.0 version. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has just completed a transition to a more flexible and accommodating process that can be completed in one to three years while maintaining high and rigorous standards. Kentucky currently has nearly 1,000 teachers that are candidates in the new certification process, placing Kentucky fifth nationally for the total number of candidates, and as one of the top states in the nation in terms of percentage of teachers that are candidates.
Kentucky has consistently ranked in the top ten nationally for the number of Board-certified teachers. James Adams, Executive Director of the Education Professional Standards Board, described board certification as, “the highest credential in the teaching profession.” Adams added, “The progress that Kentucky continues to make towards the legislative goal of having at least one NBCT in every school is something to celebrate. This innovative goal is important for our students.”
At the February 23 event Hal Heiner, Secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet presented the NBCTs with a proclamation from Governor Bevin proclaiming the day “National Board Certified Teacher Day” in the Commonwealth. “I’m pleased to be presenting this proclamation on behalf of Governor Bevin,” said Secretary Heiner. “These newly board certified teachers are among Kentucky’s most dedicated educators, providing the highest level of learning for the students of our Commonwealth – our future workforce. To achieve this certification, these teachers spent more than 400 hours preparing, planning and analyzing their practice. I applaud them for their steadfast dedication.”
“Achieving National Board Certification is not only a great personal achievement, it also shows our teachers’ strong commitment to their profession and to improving teaching and learning for all Kentucky’s students,” said Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt. “I am incredibly proud of our teachers and the work they do across this Commonwealth every day to ensure each one of our students is given an opportunity to reach high levels of achievement that will prepare them to face tomorrow’s challenges.” Commissioner Pruitt presented each NBCT with an official pin from the National Board at the event.
The Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky Education Association, and the Education Professional Standards Board have worked collaboratively with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for three years as a site in the Network to Transform Teaching funded by the U.S. Department of Education Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant. “Towards the aspiration of supporting every student to learn from accomplished, Board-certified teachers, partners in the Network to Transform Teaching are developing and scaling innovative approaches that strengthen the career trajectory for every teacher,” said Joe Doctor, chief operating officer of the National Board, “Kentucky is a leader in that effort, as it capitalizes on the expertise of Board-certified teachers to lead this work and engages a broad cross-section of stakeholders to ensure coherence for teacher support.”
Three of the new NBCTs are the first in their schools or district. DeAnna Miller, Fulton Independent Supervisor of Instruction, says of the district’s first Board-certified teacher, “Jennifer Caldwell has been a leader for both students and teachers in our district for many years. She shows us what good instruction looks like on a daily basis and is the perfect mentor for other teachers to follow on this distinctive professional pathway.”
“The key to schools of excellence, raising achievement scores and creating a culture of high expectations that ensures future success for ALL kids is building leadership and teacher capacity,” said Henry Webb, Superintendent of Floyd County, who celebrated four new NBCTs at the event. “An accomplished teacher in every classroom in America should be our goal for our KIDS, and I am convinced that the National Board Teacher Certification program is an outstanding process to ensure we meet this goal!”
“Teachers are the power behind National Board Certification. The standards, assessments, and organization are run by teachers and for teachers,” said Holly Bloodworth, NBCT, President of the Kentucky NBCT Network. Bloodworth led the reciting of the Five Core Propositions, the foundation of Board-certification, considered the education profession’s Hippocratic Oath at the ceremony.
National Board Certification is voluntary and open to all teachers who have three years of classroom experience and a baccalaureate degree. National Board Certification is available in 25 certificate areas from preschool through twelfth grade.
Kentucky has strong statewide support for National Board Certification. NBCTs are entitled to an annual $2,000 salary bonus for the life of their certificate. Upon successful completion of Board certification, Kentucky teachers currently holding a Rank II certificate are eligible to apply for Rank I.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced the appointment of two new key officials with the aim of improving the city’s resilience and improving racial equity.
Eric Friedlander will be Louisville Metro’s Chief Resilience Officer (CRO), leading the city’s efforts to help prepare for, withstand, and bounce back from chronic stresses and acute shocks. The CRO is an essential element of Louisville’s partnership with 100 Resilient Cities – Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation.
Kellie Watson will be the city’s Chief Equity Officer, leading the city’s bid to improve racial equity within Louisville Metro’s policies and practices. Equity is a key component of resilience and the two officers will work closely together.
“Our city has been experiencing exceptional growth over the past seven years — $9 billion in investments, and tens of thousands of new jobs. But we have to make sure we’re growing the right way,” Mayor Fischer said. “Under Eric and Kellie, our resilience and equity efforts will collaborate — because we know our most vulnerable citizens are often the hardest hit by crises. Together, they will move forward to strengthen and better prepare our city for the big challenges of today and tomorrow.”
City takes next step as one of the world’s 100 Resilient Cities
Friedlander transitions to the Chief Resilience Officer role after serving since December 2015 as director of the city’s Department of Community Services. He previously served as deputy secretary of the state Cabinet for Health & Family Services and other agency leadership roles.
Friedlander will oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive Resiliency Strategy for the city. The new position and resiliency efforts are funded and supported through 100 Resilient Cities, which last year selected Louisville to join its network aimed at building urban, environmental and economic resilience.
“My career has been focused on health and human services,” Friedlander said. “The people who are often the first to be hurt in catastrophes big or small, sudden or slow-moving, are often the people who have the least resources. Cities must plan for how to respond to the shocks and stresses found at the intersection of race, poverty, the environment and the economy. I am excited to begin the process of creating Louisville’s Resilience Strategy.”
“Eric will be a key leader in helping Louisville better understand its challenges and develop the solutions to solve them in an equitable and impactful way,” said Michael Berkowitz, President of 100 Resilient Cities. “Eric will lead the city’s resilience building efforts and will bring Louisville significant benefits in the form of private sector contributions, technical expertise, best practices from around the world, and more.”
The CRO will work within city government to break down existing barriers at the local level, account for pre-existing plans, and create partnerships, alliances and financing mechanisms that will address the resilience vulnerabilities of all city residents, with a particular focus on low-income and vulnerable populations. The CRO will focus on issues such as:
- Louisville’s built environment challenges;
- Environmental and sustainability issues; and
- Economic and social challenges that keep all Louisvilians from thriving and reaching opportunity and success.
The CRO will oversee the Department of Community Services, which will be renamed the Department of Resilience and Community Services, and will work closely with the city’s Office of Sustainability and Office of Health Equity to develop and implement the Resiliency Strategy.
Watson to focus on improving equity
Watson assumes the Chief Equity Officer role following nearly three years as the city’s General Counsel. She was previously the city’s Human Resources Director and the Director of the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission.
Her new assignment will focus on ensuring that policies and practices — on matters ranging from hiring and promotions to procurement procedures — throughout Louisville Metro Government align with Mayor Fischer’s goal of improving racial equity in the city. Both the Department of Human Resources and the Human Relations Commission will report to Watson.
“Louisville Metro reaches citizens in countless ways every single day, and it’s important that we’re always mindful of racial equity as we go about our work,” Watson said. “Mayor Fischer’s goal of ensuring our city is a platform for helping citizens reach their full potential can only be achieved through working toward greater racial equity.”
The new Chief Equity Officer position is part of Mayor Fischer’s efforts to focus on equity issues in Louisville, which included a 2016 city leadership retreat and the city’s work with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity.
“Eric and Kellie are experienced and respected leaders in our city government,” Mayor Fischer said. “They have the know-how to identify and implement concrete steps to make Louisville more resilient and equitable, which benefits every resident in every neighborhood of our city.
“We’re looking to these two outstanding civic leaders to concentrate their efforts — independently and collaborative — to build a more resilient, equitable city.”
New general counsel, Resilience and Community Services director named
Mayor Fischer today also announced that Jeff Mosley will be the city’s new general counsel, and Gena Redmon will become Director of the city’s Department of Resilience and Community Services.
Mosley most recently served as Deputy Chief of Louisville Forward, the city’s integrated economic and community development arm. He’s previously served as general counsel of state agencies, including with the state Finance & Administration Cabinet.
Redmon most recently served as Deputy Director of Community Services, and previously served in the Executive Administrator roles for OMB Grants Administration and Community Services.
Photo: State Treasurer website
April is financial literacy month in Kentucky, and Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball is launching a digital educational campaign to promote its importance, her office announced Wednesday.
“As a former bankruptcy attorney in Eastern Kentucky, I know how critically important it is for Kentuckians to have a deep understanding of their personal finances,” Treasurer Ball said in a statement. “Financial literacy is a form of financial freedom. If Kentucky families know how to set budgets, save money, and invest earnings, they can free themselves from potentially tough financial situations.”
The Treasurer’s digital financial literacy education campaign will feature daily social media posts of financial literacy definitions and tips, initiatives in her office, and other informational tools from Treasurer Ball on smart financial decision making.
“This is a quick and easy way to teach people financial literacy basics,” Treasurer Ball said. “This is an opportunity for Kentucky families to learn something new and get a better understanding of how money works.”
Throughout the month long educational campaign, Kentuckians will learn about budgeting, savings, checking credit reports, preventing identify theft and many more important financial resources.
You can follow the educational campaign by liking Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball on Facebook or Twitter.
The Jefferson County Board of Education released the following statement April 13 regarding the leadership of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS):
“The Jefferson County Board of Education and Dr. Donna Hargens, Superintendent of the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), today announced that the Superintendent will step down from her position, effective July 1, 2017. Although Dr. Hargens regrets that her approach to implementing the strategic plan for JCPS no longer aligns with the Board’s approach, she is grateful for the experience of having provided leadership for the school district for the past six years.
The Board thanks Dr. Hargens for her service to JCPS and for guiding the district through its strategic planning process. The Board and the Superintendent believe it is in the best interest of employees and students to have a new leader guide the district through implementing the strategic plan. Since 2011, JCPS increased its graduation rate to 80.1 percent, doubled its College and Career Readiness rate, increased overall reading and math for every subgroup, and increased the number of students taking Advanced Placement classes. While the district has moved forward during the past six years, the Board believes that the district must accelerate the pace of achievement.
The Board is committed to its vision that all JCPS students graduate prepared, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential as thoughtful, responsible citizens of our diverse, shared world. There is much work to be done. With the collective commitment of the Board, parents, teachers, and administrators across the district, JCPS can and will reach its goals. The Board now intends to move forward with a sense of urgency to find a successor to the Superintendent and take actions that will continue to improve the education that it provides to all children of Jefferson County.”
30 Kentuckiana students ranging in age from 5 to 18 and their winning artwork from the 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Student Art Contest Presented by The Fillies, Inc. will be honored Tuesday night. The awards ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. at duPont Manual High School. For the past 40 years, the Festival has offered this contest as a way for local students to showcase their artistry and creative skill. Students from public, private and parochial schools in all Kentucky counties, as well as Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana are invited to participate
Hundreds of area students from grades K–12 produced original artwork showing their interpretation of Derby Festival events. The result is an exciting mix of drawings, paintings, collages, mixed media, compositions and prints. Students used watercolor, acrylics, inks, crayons, oil pastels, felt markers or any combination of these to create their one-of-a-kind pieces of work.
Entries in the Student Art Contest were judged by art professionals from the community. The winners in each division will receive a medallion, t-shirt, certificate, ribbon, and a Student Art Contest Winner’s Pin. First-place finishers will receive a 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival framed poster created by the 2017 Official Poster artist Ron Jasin and get to ride in the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade. Teachers of the winning students are also invited to the ceremony and will receive special recognition.
The artwork by area students will also be on display at the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade Preview Party beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2.
The Foundation’s Student Art Contest is sponsored by Fillies, Inc. The Fillies, Inc. was founded in 1959 kicking off a tradition of volunteer service to the local community. They join Contributing Sponsor Kentucky College of Art + Design at Spalding University and Media Sponsor ARTxFM.
The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, a 501 C 3 not-for-profit charity, receives and manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., its supporters and the general public. The Foundation perpetuates the Festival’s impact on the community by developing projects that highlight the Festival’s influence on the area’s cultural heritage. It works to further the Festival’s educational and charitable mission through exhibitions and performances.
