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SubscribeCaroline King, an Audubon Traditional Elementary School kindergarten teacher, is the second recipient of the Excellence in Classroom and Educational Leadership (ExCEL) Award for 2017. Representatives from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and from the award sponsors — LG&E KU and WHAS11 — honored the teacher last week during a ceremony at the school.
“Ms. King is a wonderful kindergarten teacher who models integrity, respect, creativity and accountability,” Audubon Principal Tiffany Marshall said. “She is a leader in the building who supports the students inside and outside of the classroom. Students know they have to learn and are willing to be challenged to reach their potential.”
Ms. King is active in the Audubon community beyond the classroom. In addition to serving as kindergarten team leader, she supports the school technology team; provides schoolwide professional developments throughout the year; and attends math and reading professional development sessions from the district and other math organizations to continually improve and become an even better teacher.
And she has earned accolades for her work, winning the JCPS School of Innovation Design Competition from the Louisville Reach Academy in 2014, and being voted ‘Best Presentation’ at the Indiana Southeast University Student Conference in 2012.
“Ms. King has a passion for teaching and helping students realize their full potential by creating a safe and engaging learning environment that inspires students to excel,” said Audubon counselor Robin Divine. “Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for learning enhances the Audubon Traditional School environment.”
As an ExCEL Award winner, King will receive a $1,000 instructional grant from LG&E KU.
The West Louisville Community Council (WLCC), One West, and Louisville Forward
are offering west Louisville the opportunity to share the historic legacy of the Shawnee, Russell, and Portland
neighborhoods through art. This partnership of local residents, non-profit organizations and city government is asking artists to submit artwork that can be considered for display on a billboard at 30th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard on the Heritage West site.
Designs will be accepted from middle school students through adults who live, work, worship, or learn in the 40203,40210, 40211, or 40212 zip codes. Designs must help tell the story of a vibrant west Louisville community with active families, rich history, and numerous possibilities. This is an opportunity for west Louisville residents to tell their story through art.
A panel of local west Louisville artists will select the best work from each of three categories: Middle/High School (grades 6-12), Young Adult (ages 18-35), and adult (age 36+). The community will then be invited to vote for their favorite design at the March 13, 2017 WLCC Meeting. Cash awards will be presented to the 1st ($500), 2nd ($300), & 3rd ($100) place designs.
The Heritage West Art Competition will officially launch on February 6, 2017 at the WLCC Meeting held at Southern Star Community Center ( 2308 Algonquin Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40210) from 6:00-7:30pm. During the meeting entry forms and complete guidelines will be made available. Entry forms can also be downloaded at www.wearewestlouisville.weebly.com after the February 6th meeting.
The deadline for entry is Monday, February 27, 2017.
Everyone is invited to the WLCC Meeting on February 6th. In addition to launching the Heritage West Art Competition, we will present the WLCC Development Priorities & Visioning Report and initial strategies for community input regarding development of Heritage West. The Development Priorities & Visioning Report is a presentation of ideas gathered from a community visioning session held at the Louisville Urban League in September 2016.
Contact: Ramona Lindsey, wlccouncil@gmail.com , WLCC P. O. Box 11293, Louisville, KY 40291
Mayor Greg Fischer launched his SummerWorks jobs program for 2017 last week by setting a goal for a new record of employers involved, and proclaiming it necessary to ensure “a pipeline of future talent.”
“Summer jobs are critical building blocks for young people, and SummerWorks is crucial for the health of the local economy, because it creates a pipeline of future talent,” Mayor Fischer said. “We want Louisville’s business culture to be one where every company, large and small, hires or sponsors summer jobs for youth.”
A 2016 study confirmed the value of the effort. Young people participating in SummerWorks are more likely to stay in the workforce and pursue postsecondary education, according to an analysis of the program by the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics.
Last year, more than 140 companies and organizations hired SummerWorks youth. Mayor Fischer said momentum is already building for this summer, including many employers that will hire youth through the program for the first time, including Coastal Cloud, Hyatt Hotel, McDonald’s local franchises, MSD and the Speed Art Museum. Other companies, including GE and Humana, are doubling the number of young people they hire.
Today’s SummerWorks kickoff was at Kindred Healthcare, which plans to hire 10 youth this summer, after becoming a new SummerWorks employer last year.
The push for a stronger public/private partnership is being enhanced by Greater Louisville Inc., which is encouraging its member businesses to step up and support the program by hiring more young people for summer jobs.
“SummerWorks is an investment in the regional talent pipeline,” said Kent Oyler, president & CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. “Companies that hire young workers this summer are training people who may become their full-time employees. We want to rally our business community, get them involved In SummerWorks and connect our talented young people with the future career opportunities that exist in Greater Louisville.”
Companies and organizations that aren’t able to directly hire youth this summer can instead sponsor jobs. A donation of $2,500 funds a summer job at a non-profit organization or city agency.
Also today, Mayor Fischer announced a “challenge” donation of $250,000 to the SummerWorks program by businessman Paul Diaz and his family. Diaz is a former CEO of Kindred Healthcare and has been a volunteer advisor, donating a “huge amount of time, talent and advocacy” to help grow the summer jobs initiative.
SummerWorks this year will expand its focus on creating job experiences that build entrepreneurial skills in young people. Program organizers will set up six groups of youth to work as a start-up company in collaboration with local tech firms and creative agencies.
SummerWorks also will continue working closely with Jefferson County Public Schools to place students in jobs that match up with what they are learning in school, and jobs in the key business sectors the city is focused on growing, such as technology, healthcare and business services.
“Our students have a chance, through the SummerWorks program, to get out of the classroom and apply the skills they’ve learned at some of our city’s top employers,” said Dr. Donna Hargens, superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools. “In addition to expanding their learning experiences, our students also gain critical job experience and networking skills that will help them graduate prepared, empowered and inspired to reach their full potential.”
A new partnership with Louisville YouthBuild will bring expertise in helping at-risk youth who register for summer jobs. YouthBuild will provide additional mentoring and job-coaching for youth placed directly by staff, and will provide access to a network of supportive services and resources. SummerWorks and YouthBuild are striving to provide a more positive experience and stronger long-term outcomes for young people involved in the program.
SummerWorks, which is operated by KentuckianaWorks, the workforce development agency for the Louisville area, was recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2014 as one of the nation’s best summer jobs programs for young people.
The Mayor launched SummerWorks after taking office in 2011, in response to the elimination of federal funding for summer jobs. In that first year, the effort placed 200 young people in jobs. Last summer, more than 5,100 youth found summer work through the program and its champion employers.
Other businesses that have committed to hiring SummerWorks youth this year include 4th Street Live, Dare to Care, GlowTouch Technologies, Interapt, Kentucky Kingdom, Kroger, Louisville Zoo, Norton Healthcare, Oxmoor Auto Group, YMCA of Greater Louisville and UPS.
Both employers and youth participants can quickly sign up for or donate to the program at www.summerworks.org.
Citing $9 billion in investments – ranging from new libraries in Okolona and the east end, to restoration of Colonial Gardens in the south end, to 23 new hotels in and around downtown – Mayor Greg Fischer focused his seventh annual State of the City address on Louisville as “one rising American city.”
“Our city overall has achieved a level of prosperity unlike anything in recent memory,” he said in remarks made during a Downtown Rotary Club luncheon held at the Baxter Community Center at Beecher Terrace.
But there is work yet to do, he said, noting that, “To take our place alongside great global cities, we have to ensure that prosperity spreads throughout our city.”
(Read Mayor Fischer’s entire speech here)
In his six years in office, the Mayor has rotated the location for the State of City address throughout the community. This year’s location was a nod to one of Louisville Metro Government’s biggest recent announcements – a $29.5 million federal grant to redevelop the Russell neighborhood, which Mayor Fischer said is “a tremendous and important opportunity” that will have ripple effects throughout the city.
In a speech that centered on economic and job growth throughout Louisville’s many diverse neighborhoods, the Mayor noted that Russell has a proud past and a promising future.
“I can’t think of a better place from which to examine where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going,” he said.
In an overview to open his speech, he said the city has seen:
- Creation of 61,000 new jobs and 2,600 new businesses;
- Our unemployment rate drop from more than 10 percent to 3.5 percent, the lowest in 15 years;
- Our median wage, adjusted for the cost of living, increase every year since 2008. In 2015 alone, more than 10,000 Louisvillians lifted themselves out of poverty, and more than 7,000 Louisville families joined the middle class.
As he took his audience on a virtual tour of the city, the Mayor highlighted the $320 million Omni Louisville Hotel in downtown; new restaurants and businesses in NuLu, Butchertown, Sheppard Square and Portland; and library expansions and construction in south Louisville, St. Matthews and east Jefferson County.
He noted that Louisville has become a top-tier tourist destination, welcoming over 24 million tourist visits a year, largely thanks to Bourbonism, which brings people to the city year-round for restaurant and distillery experiences on our Urban Bourbon trail.
He also highlighted the city’s commitment to affordable housing, as witnessed by a $2.5 million allocation for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund this fiscal year, and $12 million in loans and support from Louisville CARES to develop more affordable units in all corners of our community.
Emphasizing Metro’s focus on jobs and economic development, the Mayor discussed the Global Louisville Action Plan, which lays out strategies to attract, retain and grow our foreign-born population. “A great city must be a global city,” he said. “We need people who can help us think, work, connect and compete globally.”
The Mayor also announced during his speech that:
- He is asking the Metro Council to add hookah and e-cigarettes to the city’s Smoke Free ordinance.
- The Compassionate School Project, which began with three Jefferson County Public Schools in 2015, is expanding to 25 schools next year.
- Metro Government has received a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support the Cultural Pass, which provides the city’s children with free access to dozens of our city’s great cultural institutions.
Mayor Fischer closed his remarks by urging Louisville’s residents to take an active part in helping the city succeed.
“The people who have the greatest power to shape the future of Louisville are the people of Louisville,” he said. And, “To make the most of that power, we must face the opportunities and challenges before us together, as one community. Our fates are as connected as our streets and the air we breathe.”
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has been selected by the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) to host the group’s 2017 Northern/Southern Regional Conference.
The conference will be held at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville from Nov. 5-8 and will bring together regulators, producers, and distributors from 26 states. This year’s meeting will focus on the industry’s top issues and will provide attendees with a forum to collaborate and share best practices.
“The regional NCSLA conference presents our state with a unique opportunity to lead the discussion on the most important topics impacting the alcohol industry,” said ABC Commissioner Christine Trout. “As this year’s hosts, we look forward to welcoming our sister states and showcasing the best of Kentucky.”
NCSLA expects approximately 150 attendees to travel to Louisville for the conference. The four-day meeting will include breakout sessions, guest speakers, and visits to local tourist attractions. Kentucky has been home to NCSLA meetings in the past, hosting annual conferences in both 1950 and 1963.
For more information on the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, visit http://abc.ky.gov.
The Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District will conduct its annual Comprehensive School Survey (CSS) from Feb. 1 to March 24, 2017. The CSS is provided annually to all staff, parents/guardians and students in grades four through twelve for the purpose of collecting data concerning academic indicators, school community, service, environment, safety and employee job satisfaction.
“The CSS is a valuable resource to gather insight, identify specific needs and craft strategies to help us ensure student success,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “I encourage all parents and employees to complete the survey so we have their feedback as we continue to improve the learning environment for our students.”
Students in grades four through twelve will complete the CSS at school during the school day. All parents/guardians who have registered for Parent Portal will receive an email with a link directing them to the CSS online. Parents who do not have computer access or an email account will be provided with a paper-and-pencil survey. Schools are being asked to provide parents with access to the school’s computer lab to complete their survey online. Parents are encouraged to complete the CSS to ensure that their feedback is part of the district’s decision-making process.
JCPS employees with district email accounts will receive an email that contains a link to the staff CSS online. Employees who do not have a district email account and/or a computer will be provided access to the staff CSS online. Using the CSS online will allow parents and staff to complete their surveys in a faster, more efficient manner. The surveys are completely anonymous.
The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) mandated that the CSS be conducted on an annual basis, beginning with the 1997-98 school year. The district uses the annual CSS data for a variety of purposes, including the following:
- JCPS Vision 2020: Excellence With Equity review
- Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP) development
- Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) development
- Strategic planning, policy making and benchmarking processes
- Formative evaluation of programs, projects, innovations and grants
CSS results from previous years are available on the JCPS website.
Neighborhood Place sites bring together multiple partners in February to provide opportunities including energy management workshops, a 16-week Diabetes Prevention Program, free dental screenings, an African American Read-In and much more. In addition, the Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place location is collecting new and gently used prom dresses and accessories to benefit high school seniors in the Park Hill neighborhood. To learn more about these services, including reservations requirements and contact info, please refer to the phone numbers listed by each event.
Feb. 1 – March 4, The Parkhill Prom Project at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
Located at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. Call 634-6050 for more information. Jordan Alhimer a Bachelor of Social Work student/intern along with support from ECHO (Exploited Children’s Help Organization) are collecting new and gently used prom dresses, shoes and accessories to help deserving high school senior girls who live in the Parkhill Neighborhood. Drop off donations any weekday between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 and 15, 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.
Feb. 2, 7, 9, 21 and 23, 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.
- Feb. 2, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- Feb. 7 and 23, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Feb 9 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Feb 21 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Two opportunities for the YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Located at 1501 Rangeland Rd. Call Kerry Basham at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.
- Mondays/Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Tuesdays/Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Feb. 7, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. For more information or to register, call 485-6145. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping. Facilitated by coupon guru, Kim Mapp.
Feb. 8, Norton Healthcare Car Seat Check and Fitting Station at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 629-7358 for an appointment. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat and find out if it’s time for a change.
Feb. 8 and 9, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
Call 341-5400 for more information and to register. 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 Centerstone and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
- Feb. 8 at Cane Run Neighborhood Place,3410 Lees Ln., 1-3 p.m.
- Feb. 9 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1-3 p.m.
Feb. 9, African American Read-In at Southwick Community Center, 6:30 p.m.
Located at 3600 Southern Ave. Call 485-6145 for more information. Celebrate black authors through spoken word, dance and music with a book signing by published authors. Sponsored in part by Ujima Neighborhood Place.
Feb. 9, 21 and 23, Energy Management Workshops
Project Warm’s free workshops help families take control of their energy usage and learn “do-it-yourself” energy-saving tips. Free supplies will be distributed at the end of the workshop such as clear plastic/tape for windows, caulk to seal openings around windows and sealing foam. Sponsored by Project Warm, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place and First Neighborhood Place.
- Feb. 9 at Southwest Branch Library, 10375 Dixie Highway, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Call 363-1483 to register.
- Feb. 21 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road, 1- 2:30 p.m. Call 313-4700 or 313-4728 to register.
- Feb. 23 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1-2:30 p.m. Call 485-7130 to register.
Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, Fifth Third Bank Financial Empowerment Bus
Call 502/562-5584 for more information. The Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Bus, or eBus, provides a mobile classroom that allows visitors to have credit reports pulled for free and reviewed with a professional; use computers to file taxes; receive internet banking and bill payment demonstrations, utilize the Next Jobs online program; and many other services.
- Feb. 13, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Feb. 16, Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 200 Juneau Dr., Ste. 200, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Feb. 14, 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 Special Needs Adoption Program.
Feb. 14, Norton Mobile Unit at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY. Call 502-899-6842 for more information or to make an appointment. The Norton Mobile Unit will offer low/no-cost mammograms and pap smears for women age 40 and over. Must be at least one complete year since the last mammogram, be able to stand unassisted for at least 15 minutes, not have any current issues or undergoing cancer treatment. Insurance will be billed and co-pay may apply- contact your insurance carrier for eligibility. Funding is available for those who are uninsured. Sponsored by Norton Health Care and Family Health Clinic.
Feb. 20 and 21, Free Dental Screenings by Community Dental Care
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 free dental screenings for children and adults and schedule appointments as necessary. Kindergarten and pre-K children who receive screenings will be provided with a certificate that will meet the school district’s requirement for dental screenings.
- Feb. 20, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Fairdale site, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p. m.
- Feb. 20, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley site, 10200 Dixie Highway, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Feb. 21, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 p.m. -3 p.m.
Feb 21 and Feb 23, Diabetes Self-Management Series at the Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, St. 200. Call 574-6663 or 574-6638 for more information. Taught by the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, the Diabetes Self-Management series will be a two-part series. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been diabetic for years and need a refresher, this class is for you. Topics covered will include: what is diabetes, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise and goal setting.
Feb. 27 – April 17, 4 Your Child – Dads Making the Difference at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
Located at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. For more information and to register, contact Dr. Cheri Langley at (502) 709-9323 or at Cheri.Langley@louisville.edu. “4 Your Child” is an eight-week fatherhood program that aims to improve the quantity and quality of fathers’ involvement by integrating responsible parenting, economic stability, and relationship education services. Participants may be compensated for their time up to $220 but registration is required.
Starting Feb. 28, Diabetes Prevention Program at the Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 3- 4 p.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, St. 200. Call 574-6663 or 266-5571 to register. This 16-week program is designed for individuals who are risk of Diabetes offering support to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. This class will help you lose weight, learn healthier eating habits and increase physical activity. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.
Upcoming Events in March
March 1, Heroin Addiction in “Our Own Backyard”, Part 2 at First Baptist Church, Fairdale, 6 – 8 p.m. Located at 413 Fairdale Rd., Fairdale, KY. Call 363-1483 for more information. This is part two in the “Not in Our Backyard” series of workshops with a focus on Community Resources. Representatives from more than fifteen community agencies will be on hand to speak to individuals one-on-one about services they offer to persons struggling with addiction as well their family and friends. The workshop is an opportunity to gain education about the physical, psychological and addictive effects of the drug. Sponsored in part by South Jefferson Neighborhood Place.
March 4, Home Buyers’ Fair at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 5708 Preston Highway. Call 363-1483 for more information. If you own a home or are interested in purchasing a home, this is the fair to attend. Businesses will be on hand to provide information and guidance for families and individuals that are first time home buyers, current home owners wanting to relocate or refinance, or home owners facing possible foreclosure. Attendees will be able to speak to banking personal face to face, attend workshops that cover the necessary steps in purchasing a home, learn about funds that are available to help with closing costs, etc. Stop by and find out if you qualify for a reduced home loan. Sponsored by Republic Bank, Louisville Free Public Library as well as South Jefferson, First and Cane Run Neighborhood Places.