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One of the largest school archery tournaments in the country will kick off March 31 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville.
More than 6,200 archers from schools around Kentucky will compete for state championships at the 2017 National Archery in the Schools (NASP) tournament March 31-April 1. Tournament participants include archers in the fourth through 12th grade.
NASP, which originated in Kentucky, had its first tournament in 2002. Kentucky now hosts the largest state NASP tournament in the United States, only exceeded in size by the organization’s national tournament. The organization’s national tournament is set for May 11-13 in Louisville.
The Kentucky state tournament, held in the North Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center, includes hourly flights of teams beginning at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern) each morning. Daily admission is $5 per person for spectators, with $8 charged for parking. The center is located at 937 Phillips Lane.
Spectators and archers also can take advantage of their down time to meet their range day requirements for Kentucky’s hunter education certification. The certification can be met by using an air rifle. Employees of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resource will set up an air rifle range in the Expo Center to help people meet these requirements.
Range day participants must complete the online course at www.fw.ky.gov (search under the keywords “hunter education”) and bring a copy of their course completion voucher to the Expo Center. Participants must preregister for range day at www.register-ed.com/programs/kentucky/121.
Range work will take 30-45 minutes. Range hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 31, and 9 a.m. until noon April 1.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens and McDonald’s® Restaurants of Kentuckiana announced a new partnership that will recognize and reward students and teachers at the district’s eight transformation schools.
This new program at transformation schools rewards students and teachers for being in class and prepared for learning. Each month (March, April and May), a student and teacher from each of the eight schools with perfect attendance will be randomly selected to win a gift package, valued at $20, courtesy of McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana. The 16 teachers and students chosen each month will also be recognized on JCPS social media as the McDonald’s Student and Teacher of the Month.
“I would like to thank the local McDonald’s owner/operators for stepping up to support JCPS as we work to finish out the school year strong,” Dr. Hargens said. “These attendance incentives will help reward staff and students who are focused on being present during the last three months of school to maximize student achievement.”
“At McDonald’s, we recognize the importance that education plays in strengthening our community,” said George Saliba, local McDonald’s owner/operator and president of the Kentuckiana Co-op. “We’d like to show our appreciation for local teachers and students who are making a difference through learning.”
Schools participating in the program include:
- Wheatley Elementary
- McFerran Preparatory Academy
- Camp Taylor Elementary
- Wilkerson Elementary
- Blue Lick Elementary
- Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary
- Trunnell Elementary
- Blake Elementary
Be sure to follow JCPS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @JCPSKY. To learn more about how local McDonald’s owner/operators are making a difference in the Kentuckiana community, follow on Twitter and Instagram @McDKentuckiana or any of the 100 McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana Facebook pages.
Mayor Greg Fischer reminded parents today that there are many free or low-cost options for keeping students active and engaged during Spring Break, which starts Friday (March 31) for Jefferson County Public Schools and runs through next week (April 3-7) for JCPS and most private and Catholic schools.
“From Spring Break camps, to family picnics in our parks, to library and recreation center activities like an African Drum and Dance Workshop, there’s no reason for kids to be idle next week,” the Mayor said. “There are lots of options for the kind of experiences that stimulate their brains, get their bodies moving and keep them occupied and engaged.”
JCPS “Literacy &” camps
Families with third- through fifth-graders in Jefferson County Public Schools still have an opportunity to sign their children up for JCPS’ “Literacy &” camps at five locations. The free camps combine reading with character-building activities such as chess, karate, hip-hop, photography and robotics.
Registration is underway, and space is available for up to 30 students at each of the five elementary school locations: Crums Lane, Engelhard, Rangeland, Maupin and Wheatley. The camps will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 3-7. To register a child, families may call (502) 485-3631.
Metro Parks and Recreation
From Monday to Friday, April 3-7, many Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation community centers are offering Spring Break camps, which generally run 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are fees, ranging from $20 to $80 a week, which cover field trips, as well as organized games and activities. Find more details at www.bestparksever.com.
In addition, the Parkhill Community Center, 1703 South 13th St., is hosting an African Drum and Dance Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon each day next week. A $30 fee covers the workshop and performance. Call 637-3044 for more information. And the South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Boulevard, is hosting a free Robby Valentine Spring Break Sports Camp Tuesday and Wednesday, April 4-5, from 1-3 p.m. for ages 8-16. Call 574-3206 for information.
Other Spring Break activities sponsored by the community centers include:
- Family Night Out Parkhill Community Center, 1703 South Thirteenth Street; 637-3044 Friday, April 7, 6-8 p.m. Free kickball, games and movies.
- International Movie Night, Beechmont Community Center, 205 West Wellington Avenue; 361-5484. Friday, April 7, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Fee: $5, includes popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones.
- Fun at the Park, Newburg Park; 456-8122. Wednesday, April 5, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free activities and cookout; ages 6-18.
- Skating and Gattiland Field Trip, Newburg Community Center , 4810 Exeter Avenue; 456-8122 For ages 10-18. Runs 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $10 fee.
- Cornhole Tournament and Brunch Newburg Community Center , 4810 Exeter Avenue; 456-8122. Free for all ages; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Louisville Free Public Library
The library kicks off Spring Break week with its “Super Silly Saturday” on April 1 at the Southwest Regional Library.
Join special guests Elephant and Piggie for an afternoon of fun activities, learning stations, and all kinds of silliness! The event also features special performances by musical guest Jim Gill and StageOne Family Theatre, and each child attending will receive a free book. This program is funded by the Jefferson County Community Early Childhood Council and Junior League of Louisville, and is suggested for preschool-age children and their families.
Here are some other library events for Spring Break week, planned in addition to regular story times at each of the library’s branches:
Saturday, April 01, 2017
- 10:15 a.m. STEM Saturday Iroquois
- 10:30 a.m. Lego Build Challenge Jeffersontown
- 11 a.m. Preschool Party: Earth Day! Newburg
- 3:30 p.m. Super-Silly Saturday! Southwest
Monday, April 03, 2017
- 2 p.m. Milo and Otis Main Library
- 2 p.m. Everyone Loves Cupcakes Storytime Southwest
- 2 p.m. Money as You Grow Book Club Western
- 2 p.m. Teddy Bear’s Picnic Jeffersontown
- 2:30 p.m. Tween Art Workshop St. Matthews
- 3 p.m. Robotics Throwdown Crescent Hill
- 6 p.m. Family Movie Night Shawnee
- 6:30 p.m. Girls’ STEAM Club Portland
Tuesday, April 04, 217
- 10 a.m. Game Day Middletown
- 2 p.m. Family Movie Time Main Library
- 2 p.m. Movie: The Princess & the Frog Southwest
- 2 p.m. Afternoon Movie: The LEGO Movie Jeffersontown
- 3 p.m. Digital Literacy Event Fern Creek
- 3 p.m. Western Writing Workshop Western
- 3:30 p.m. Guess Who: Book Edition Shawnee
Wednesday, April 05, 217
- 12:30 p.m. Lunch & Learn Fern Creek
- 1 p.m. Nature Camp/ Jeff Memorial Forest Shively
- 2 p.m. Doc McStuffins Dramatic Play Southwest
- 2 p.m. Lego Squad Main Library
- 2:30 p.m. Spy Lab Crescent Hill
- 3:30 PM Robotics Throwdown Shawnee
- 6 p.m. Perler Beads: Pokemon-Style Southwest
Thursday, April 06, 217
- 10:15 a.m. Brightside Kids Crescent Hill
- 10:30 a.m. Puzzle & Lego Day! Middletown
- 11 a.m. Minecraft Middletown
- 2 p.m. Fun in the Spring Day Sun Main Library
- 2 p.m. Money as You Grow Book Club Western
- 6 p.m. Family Fort Night Southwest
- 6 p.m. Thursday Night Theater: Freaky Friday Main Library
Friday, April 07, 217
- 10:30 a.m. Friday Dance Party: Silly Dance! St. Matthews
- 11 a.m. Brown Bag Storytime Main Library
- 11 a.m. Come Play Yoga Crescent Hill
- 1 p.m. Brightside Kids Newburg
- 2 p.m. Stories with Snakes Main Library
- 2:30 p.m. Dogs vs. Cats Family Storytime Crescent Hill
Saturday, April 08, 217
- 10 a.m. Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies Family Storytime Southwest
- 10 a.m. English Conversation Club Bon Air
- 10 a.m. Preschool Party Main Library
- 11 a.m. Tell a Story with the Magic Tree House Shawnee
- 1 p.m. Lego Lab & Movie Portland
- 2 p.m. Brightside Kids Main Library
- 2 p.m. Dia! Celebrate Diversity Okolona
The Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo’s spring break camps are full, but families should keep in mind that the Zoo is a living classroom and a perfect place to keep young minds active, while parents get in a little exercise. The best way to visit for families is a membership, and the Zoo has many different packages, including a dual membership with the Kentucky Science Center. Learn more at https://louisvillezoo.org/member-benefits/
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) will host its first “Celebrate Languages Week” beginning March 27, highlighting the benefits of students speaking different languages learning alongside each other.
With more than 130 languages spoken by students in JCPS, an average school day can sound like a symphony of speech. That blend of voices is music to the ears of Eli Beardsley, the district’s English as a Second Language (ESL) coordinator.
“Second language learners are another example of how our rich diversity strengthens the learning environment at JCPS,” Beardsley said. “Not only do they help students for whom English is their primary language to learn a new language, but they foster an understanding and acceptance of other cultures that will prepare our students to be successful citizens in a global economy.”
Throughout the week, schools will host events to highlight and celebrate the various languages spoken by students, including having students making morning announcements in their native language; welcoming students each morning with a world-language greeting; and promoting bilingual books in school libraries. World-language classrooms will also participate in poster contests.
In addition, some sites will hold schoolwide events to mark the celebration:
- ESL Newcomer Academy, 4018 W. Market St., Global Homecoming, Thursday, March 23, events during the day and open house from 3-5 p.m.
- Goldsmith Elementary School, 3520 Goldsmith Lane, International Festival, Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m.
- Seneca High School, 3510 Goldsmith Lane, Cultural Extravaganza, Thursday, March 30, during the school day
- Semple Elementary School, 724 Denmark St., International Festival, Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m.
The District’s English Language Learner population – students born in other countries or raised by parents who speak another language – has boomed, growing by 30 percent over the past five years, to more than 8,100 in 2017. The number is projected to top more than 10,000 by the 2018-19 school year.
For more highlights on the District’s World Language programs, click here.
Michelle McKelvy, an English teacher at Ballard High School, has been awarded the Excellence in Classroom and Educational Leadership (ExCEL) Award. Representatives from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and from the award sponsors — LG&E and KU and WHAS11 — honored the teacher earlier this week during a ceremony at the school.
“Mrs. McKelvy stands out because of the heart and compassion she shows every student,” said Ballard Principal Staci Eddleman. “Every conversation she has with a student is validating and uplifting. If a student is having a hard time, she is the gentle ear they seek. If a student is proud of an accomplishment, she is the one with whom they share. In her words and actions she makes each child feel special.”
Praised by fellow educators for her ability to make an impact on Advanced Placement and Achievement Gap students alike, McKelvy was recognized by the District with a Golden Oar Award in fall 2016. She has presented and facilitated a number of discussions and professional development seminars, including “Building a Classroom Community” in 2015, “Book Love: Developing Depth, Stamina, and Passion in Adolescent Readers” in 2016; and “Reeling in the Reluctant Reader” in 2016.
McKelvy works continuously to improve instruction through professional development opportunities, said Kerri Dixon, assistant principal. “Although she juggles an extremely demanding workload of a myriad of grade levels courses, she volunteers to lead the 11th-grade English Professional Learning Community so that this group can benefit from her expertise and collaborative knowledge.”
“Every school has one of those teachers who everyone knows do a great jobs,” said Library Media Specialist Laura Younkin. “Mrs. McKelvy is one of those teachers at Ballard. She will not teach her students just the basics of English and have them read novels. She will love them and they come out of her class better students and better people.”
As an ExCEL Award winner, McKelvy will receive a $1,000 instructional grant.
University of Louisville and Kentucky State University announce BA/BS-MS offering for KSU students
UofL, KSU leaders formalize collaborative
Employment growth in careers related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), underscores the importance of a new degree collaboration between Kentucky State University and the University of Louisville. The initiative allows KSU undergraduates majoring in math to study seven semesters (3.5 years) at KSU, and three semesters (1.5 years) at UofL, earning a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science (BA/BS) in math at KSU and a master of science (MS) in biostatistics from UofL. Students benefit by completing six years of study in five years.
“We continue to see a growing demand for a more highly educated workforce throughout the Commonwealth,” said UofL’s Interim President Greg Postel, M.D. “This collaborative effort will expose underrepresented groups to graduate education in a degree that will lead to high-demand, high-paying jobs and help Kentucky continue to move forward in an ever more competitive economy.”
“We are pleased to partner with a great institution like the University of Louisville, and I thank the KSU and UofL faculty for their innovative and creative thinking; our aim is to build a strong P-20 pipeline to serve Kentucky and this initiative helps meet that goal,” said KSU Interim President Aaron Thompson, Ph.D.
Interested students are identified in the early stages of their study at KSU and are mentored for the graduate program. They must take the GRE and apply for admission to UofL. Upon admission, students study the spring semester of their senior year at UofL and take courses that count toward a bachelor’s degree in math at KSU and the master’s degree in biostatistics at UofL. The balance of the master level courses are completed in the fifth year toward the MS degree in biostatistics.
Kentucky State Senator Gerald A. Neal, 33rd District, is an alumnus of both KSU and UofL and says the initiative is a significant inter-institutional collaboration. Continue reading
Dennis Robinson, a counselor at the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS), was named the 2017 Outstanding High School Counselor of the Year by the Kentucky School Counselor Association (KSCA). The award was presented during the KSCA’s annual conference in Lexington.
Now in his ninth year as a secondary guidance counselor at YPAS, Robinson also serves as scholarship coordinator for YPAS and duPont Manual High School. During his tenure, students from the YPAS magnet program alone were offered more than $91.5 million in scholarships, and graduates of Manual’s five magnet programs have regularly received more than $60 million in scholarships annually.
In addition, he has 40 years of experience in music education, serving in multiple capacities at numerous schools during that time, including band director music department chairman at YPAS.
“I am greatly humbled and honored to have received this wonderful award and wish to offer my sincerest gratitude to the Kentucky School Counselor Association for this most meaningful recognition,” Robinson said. “Words cannot describe how fun it is to work in a place where the school’s motto is “Artists of Tomorrow in Performance Today.” For the past nine years, I have been in my own version of “La La Land,” and have enjoyed every second of the journey.”
“Dennis is a real champion for all students,” said Cyndi Young, sculpture and visual art teacher in Manual’s visual art magnet program. “His kindness and unassuming manner are amazingly effective tools that he puts into action in garnering support from faculty and parents in fighting for our students’ rights and well-being. We are a fortunate place to have such an invested counselling staff.”
A certified QPR suicide prevention gatekeeper counselor, Robinson has also been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts; was a 2015 participant in the Harvard Summer Institute for College Admissions; has received the Kentucky Parent Teacher Association Certificate of Honorary Life Recognition; and has been awarded the University of Chicago Certificate for Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship.
He received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in music education from the University of Louisville School of Music in 1977 and 1980, respectively. He has since earned his Rank I in educational counseling and psychology from UofL.
