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SubscribeSecretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is beginning a tour of the state to hold conversations with Kentuckians about the state of the commonwealth’s civic health. The series of stops, which will be in every part of Kentucky, started Thursday at the University of Louisville.
“At the beginning of the year, my office released the second installment of Kentucky’s Civic Health Index, which revealed some alarming figures about the trust Kentuckians place in public institutions,” said Grimes. “We know that the more engaged people are, the more faith they are likely to have in important institutions such as media and government – and even in the people around them, like neighbors.”
The Index showed the commonwealth improved in national rankings in social connectedness, community engagement and voter registration since Grimes released the first report in 2012. But, it also showed that fewer than half of Kentuckians have confidence in media, a decline of more than 10 percent in three years, and fewer Kentuckians are trusting of their neighbors. Overall, Kentucky ranks 48th in the nation, ahead of only New Mexico (49th), Montana (50th) and Utah (51st), for public confidence in media.
Grimes has called on Kentucky’s elected officials – including legislators and constitutional officers – to help start down the road of restoring trust by signing a pledge to not share fake information and to call out inaccurate news and information to constituents. The Restore Trust in Kentucky pledge has already been signed by many officials, and Grimes is encouraging other Kentuckians to sign on at sos.ky.gov.
“Kentucky is at its best when everyone is engaged,” said Grimes. “This latest Index confirmed our work is not complete when it comes to improving the commonwealth’s civic health, and we are rededicating ourselves – with many partners – to formulating fresh strategies to help bridge participation and engagement gaps.”
The next stop on Grimes’ civic health tour is next week at Western Kentucky University, a partner in the release of the Civic Health Index. The roundtable discussion will be held Feb. 1, 3:30 p.m. CT, at the Faculty House.
The full Civic Health Index and related information is available at sos.ky.gov.
Louisville Metro Meals on Wheel’s recipients are set to receive handmade Valentine’s Day cards created by youth volunteers from across the country. DoSomething.org, a global non-profit organization with the goal of motivating young people to make positive change, has teamed up with Meals on Wheels America for the fourth annual Love Letters campaign.
The popular campaign, encouraging young people to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards to lift the spirits of older adults, runs through February 10, 2017 and cards will be included in meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels clients across the country. Young people who sign up at DoSomething.org/loveletters by Jan. 31 and upload a “selfie” photo holding the card(s) they made will be eligible to enter to win a variety of prizes including a $3,000 scholarship.
“The Love Letters campaign has been a tremendous success in our community the last several years. Last year alone we received more than 2,500 Valentine cards from schools, scout troops and other youth service providers,” said Eric Friedlander, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Community Services, the organization which administers the Meals on Wheels program locally. “I hope we can continue to count on the compassionate, committed community response again this year and in future years. These handmade cards bring great joy to the homebound seniors whom we serve.”
The J. Graham Brown School on South Fifth Street is a shining example of a local school which has increased their participation each year.
“ The Brown School students have “knocked it outta the park” the past two years that we have participated in this wonderful outreach with Metro Louisville and Meals on Wheels”, stated Stacey Powell, staff member with the Brown School who champions the Love Letters campaign. “Our students are wonderful, caring, and compassionate. Last year we submitted over 940 handmade cards! We are looking forward to participating again this year and our students are eager to have their cards delivered.”
Since 2014, nearly one million cards were distributed through Meals on Wheels America’s network nationwide, which serves nearly 2.5 million homebound seniors each year. The support of the volunteers and meals this network provides are critical to helping them maintain enough independence to stay in their own homes.
To donate cards to the local Meals on Wheels program, feel free to drop off any weekday before Feb. 10 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 701 W. Ormsby Ave. Suite 201. Be sure to register your support at DoSomething.org/loveletters. Feel free to contact Tiffany Reed, Volunteer Coordinator for the Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program at 574-6420 or Tiffany.Reed@louisvilleky.gov with any questions.
They are a service organization of dedicated people who every year host a delicious event that helps various programs in the community.
That is why three members of the Louisville Metro Council are encouraging everyone to come out to the Valley Women’s Club Annual Soup Supper and Bake Sale on Friday, February 3rd.
“The Valley Women’s Club began a great tradition with this supper many years ago,” says Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14). “Their work is far reaching in our community and this supper helps them raise the money they need to continue their charity work.”
“Come out for food and fellowship while supporting the Valley Woman’s Club. This group works hard to promote and fund scholarships and other worthy causes,” says Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13).
“The Valley Women’s Club deserves our thanks for helping people throughout our community,” says President David Yates (D-25). “I encourage everyone to support this great organization. Those who come out to this supper know nothing is better than warm soup on a cold winter night.”
The Annual Soup Supper and Bake Sale will get underway from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Sun Valley Community Club on Bethany Lane. The menu will include all you can eat assorted soups, cornbread, crackers, dessert and beverages.
Ticket prices are $6.00 for Adults and $4.00 for children 10 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Principals at three Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District schools undergoing leadership assessments do have the capacity to lead their school’s continued improvement efforts, according to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). Findings of the leadership assessments conducted at Doss, Iroquois and Seneca High schools were released this morning to JCPS Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens and the principals.
Each school has been designated as a priority school by the KDE, and the leadership assessment is part of the KDE’s ongoing review of these schools. As part of the review, the KDE Leadership Assessment Team determined that Doss Principal Marty Pollio, Iroquois Principal Clay Holbrook and Seneca Principal Kim Morales have the capacity to lead improvement interventions.
“I’m proud but not surprised that these thorough, independent assessments by the Kentucky Department of Education recognize the strong leadership and student-centered focus of Doss, Iroquois and Seneca,” Dr. Hargens said. “We appreciate the diligent work of the assessment teams, and we welcome the fresh perspective on our strengths and challenges as we continue to create an optimal learning environment for all JCPS students.”
Some highlights from the assessments include the following:
Doss High School
- The assessment team noted in its report that “the leadership of Doss High School has made a significant shift in transforming the school.”
- Reviewers noted that in less than two years the school has made “major strides to cultivate a positive school culture, improve student behavior, enhance student engagement and improve instructional practices.”
- The team praised the school’s culture of high expectations that “permeated across the school.”
- The KDE review team also noted areas where the school can improve. Those areas include providing new teachers with additional supports and mentoring, encouraging teachers to provide students with tangible examples of mastering academic standards and continuing its goal to ensure rigorous academic curriculum in all courses and classes.
Iroquois High School
- The assessment team noted that the principal has formed a committee to assist in the redevelopment of a mission and vision for the school, because he “wanted it to be more than words, but lived everyday throughout the school.”
- The team recognized the principal’s focus to provide support services to students and their families through the implementation of a Parent Center – a center created to ensure parents had ongoing access to their child’s academic performance even when there was not a computer in the home.
- The team recognized the school’s focus on building relationships with students and the community, and noted its focus on academic achievement – particularly in the area of college and career readiness.
- The KDE team also noted areas where the school should focus its improvement efforts. Those areas include monitoring and supporting teacher instruction to increase learning and student achievement.
Seneca High School
- KDE noted the efforts of the principal to create a new vision for the school and a renewed focus on collaboration, collegiality and a positive school culture.
- Reviewers recognized the school’s efforts to build caring relationships with scholars and staff. In fact, the team noted that when it asked scholars what they liked most about the school, the responses overwhelmingly noted Seneca’s “diversity and acceptance of all students.”
- The KDE team also noted areas where the school should focus its improvement efforts. Those areas include continuing to align curriculum and resources to improve student achievement and supporting instructional practices of teachers to increase student learning and achievement.
Copies of the leadership reviews are available here.
Knight Middle School continues to show progress in key areas, with strong leadership and a school culture dedicated to student learning, according to a state audit report made available last week.
The Kentucky Department of Education Two-Day Progress Monitoring Review looked at multiple reports and data, in-school observations and interviews to give the priority school feedback on improving student performance over the preceding two years. The report also outlined strategies to raise student achievement and improve conditions that support student learning.
“This independent assessment indicates that Knight is moving in the right direction,” Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens said. “It highlights the strong, supportive relationship between students and adults, and recognizes the school’s principal as a true instructional leader.”
“I am delighted with the affirmation on how our school climate allows for a focus on academics,” said Knight principal Cathy Gibbs. “Our climate for learning is clearly evident by our school’s reduction in suspensions – more than an 80 percent reduction in the last two years – while increasing proficiency in both math and reading.”
“Knight Middle is moving and improving every day,” she added. “We’re so proud of our students and staff, and look forward to continuing on this journey of improvement.”
The review team rated the school a 3 on a scale of 4 in four areas related to school leadership; mentoring and coaching programs; engaging families; and providing learning supports to meet the unique learning needs of its students.
“This report affirms the exceptional school culture at Knight Middle School that allows the focus to remain on teaching and learning,” said Assistant Superintendent Paige Hartstern, whose achievement area includes Knight. “This is a direct result of strong, committed leadership and a staff dedicated to meeting the needs of students.”
The report cited just two areas as improvement priorities – monitoring and adjusting curriculum, instruction and assessment in response to data; and implementing a formal process to promote collaborative, data-informed discussions about student learning.
The report also indicated the school had satisfactorily or partially addressed the four improvement priorities identified in the 2014-15 Internal School Review for Knight Middle. Those areas related to determining root causes for low parent involvement; refining strategies to consistently implement the schools’ instructional framework; developing a process to adjust curriculum, instruction and analysis of data from a variety of sources; and developing a process for monitoring instructional effectiveness.
“I’m extremely proud of Knight’s progress,” said Dr. Marco Munoz, director of Priority Schools. “It has great leadership, a school culture of learning and a positive behavior management system in place – all things to help lead it out of priority status.”
Schools in priority status are reviewed every two years by KDE. Knight received the shorter, two-day review which focused on the AdvancED Standard 3, Teaching and Assessing for Learning, because of its positive gains in recent years.
Southern High School has an uplifting, role-modeling culture where students see teachers and staff as mentors, leading to positive growth in terms of annual measurable objective (AMO) each of the past four years, according to a state audit report made available earlier this week.
The Kentucky Department of Education Two-Day Progress Monitoring Review looked at multiple reports and data, in-school observations and interviews to give the priority school feedback on improving student performance over the preceding two years. The report also outlined strategies to raise student achievement and improve conditions that support student learning.
“Southern has an amazing culture, one in which the students feel truly cared for by the teaching and administrative staff,” Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “That environment will help Southern build on its progress as it strives to continue moving forward.”
“Southern has a theme of ‘Our House,’ and I’m proud that emphasis is evident to visitors to our school, including the audit team, which gave us high marks for school culture, great relationships, teachers that care and respectful students,” said Southern Principal Bryce Hibbard. “We are proud of the work being done at Southern and remain focused on continuous improvement so that students have opportunities to be successful.”
The review team gave the school high ratings for teachers participating in collaborative learning communities and for the school adopting a formal structure ensuring that each student is well known by at least one adult advocate.
“It is exciting that the team recognized Southern’s willingness to embrace change and cultivate a climate that promotes school pride,” said Assistant Superintendent Paige Hartstern, whose achievement area includes Southern. “This is a direct result of engaged, visible leadership and a staff that believes in advocating for students.”
The report notes that even though Southern has been focused on instructional strategies and planning, there is still work to be done in that area.
The report cited two areas as improvement priorities – monitoring and adjusting curriculum to ensure all students have opportunities to learn in a culture of high expectations, and implementing a school-wide process to ensure all teachers use high-yield instructional strategies.
The report also indicated the school had partially addressed the only improvement priority identified in its 2014-15 Internal School Review, related to the implementation of strategies to ensure a high culture of expectations for students.
“Southern continues to show progress,” said Dr. Marco Munoz, director of Priority Schools. “There is always room for growth in the instructional progress, and I think this report clearly shows that Southern has the leadership and dedication of staff to make that happen.”
Schools in priority status are reviewed every two years by KDE. Southern received the shorter, two-day review which focused on the AdvancED Standard 3, Teaching and Assessing for Learning, because of its positive gains in recent years..
Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Asset Building Coalition and AARP announced the opening of free tax preparation sites yesterday, starting as of Monday, Jan. 23, that will provide federal and state income tax assistance to eligible residents.
“Every hard-working Louisvillian should be able to benefit from all tax credits that apply to them, and by offering this free assistance we can make sure that happens,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “This is money they can use to start a savings account, buy a car, get braces for a child, pay for books and college tuition — or start a college tuition fund for their children. It’s huge for that family and huge for our community.”
Metro Councilwoman Cindi Fowler of District 14 is a longtime VITA volunteer and champion of the program.
“I have greatly enjoyed the nine years I have spent with VITA to help families prepare their tax returns,” Fowler said. “We work hard to ensure that we are maximizing their returns, allowing them to reinvest that money locally and boost our economy.”
Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs utilize trained, IRS-certified volunteers who offer free tax services at more than 20 free sites across the city. The free service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2016.
Appointments are recommended for VITA free tax assistance service and can be made now by calling (502) 305-0005 or scheduling online at https://louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com.
Starting Monday, the VITA free tax preparation sites are located at:
- Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr.
- Bates Community Development Center, 1228 S. Jackson St.
- Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway St.
- Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
- Salt & Light Community Development Center, 3025 B Gerald Dr.
- Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
- Wesley House Community Services, 5114 Preston Highway
For a complete list of VITA locations, including mobile sites, as well as hours of operation, visit http://labcservices.org/ or call Metro United Way’s 211 help referral service.
Also visit the website at https://www.labcservices.org/index.php/free-tax-filing-at-labc-services for information about a free service for those interested in filing their own taxes online. Starting Monday, two software packages — MyFreeTaxes and Turbo Tax Freedom Edition — will be available for those who meet eligibility.
In addition to the VITA sites, AARP Tax Aide’s mission is to serve any person comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older. AARP sites will open Feb. 1 at the following locations:
- Buechel Park Baptist Church, 2403 Hikes Lane
- Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop
- Clifton Christian Church, 131 Vernon Ave.
- East Government Center, 200 Juneau Dr.
- Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W Woodlawn Ave.
- Jeffersontown Senior Center, 10631 Watterson Trail
- Lyndon Baptist Church, 8025 New LaGrange Rd.
- Portland Branch Library, 3305 Northwestern Parkway
- Shively Municipal Building, 3920 Dixie Highway
- Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway
For a full AARP schedule and listing, including mobile sites, visit http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org or call (502) 394-3443.
VITA and AARP volunteers will help determine if residents are eligible for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. Eligibility for the EITC is based on income, the number of family members and other criteria, as is the amount of your credit. Working families who earn about $53,000 or less may be eligible, with average credits last year more than $2,400.
Collectively, tax refunds filed by Louisville residents last year through the VITA campaign and AARP sites processed over 20,000 returns, adding over $19 million to the local economy, including more than $6 million in Earned Income Credits to residents.
To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring:
- Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
- Copy of 2015 tax return with all attachments and schedules
- W-2s and 1099s from your employers
- Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
- 1095 for health insurance
- 1098 for education credit, plus detailed financial statement from the school
- Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit
- Child care information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
- Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
- Additional tax information that may be required
Visit http://labcservices.org/ or http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org for more information about the required documentation.
The work of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition and the AARP Tax Assistance Program is made possible by Metro United Way, Louisville Metro Government, the IRS, the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation and dozens of other partners.
