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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 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.”
Four teachers from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) have been selected for 2018 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Awards (TAA), the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) announced last week. The four join 20 other teachers throughout the state in competing for the 2018 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced in May.
The teachers include:
· Mandy Ridenour, a fifth-grade teacher at Audubon Traditional Elementary School;
· Kim Joiner, a drama teacher at Noe Middle School;
· Apryl Moore, a science teacher at the Academy @ Shawnee; and
· Taylor Clements, a math teacher at Atherton High School.
“It’s always rewarding to be recognized for excellence in your field, but when that field is teaching our young people, the award takes on a special significance,” JCPS Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens said. “I want to congratulate all the award recipients – I know you do the jobs that you do not for the accolades, but for the love of teaching, and that makes the real winners our students whose lives you touch.”
All 24 teachers will be honored at a May 16 ceremony in Frankfort, during which the Kentucky Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers of the Year will be named. The Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be selected from this group of three finalists, and will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
The Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year programs are sponsored by Valvoline.
Valley High School has officially shed its status as a priority school, according to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
KDE Commissioner Stephen Pruitt notified the school this week that he had accepted the recommendation of the Accountability Appeals Committee and adjusted Valley’s performance judgement, “effectively removing Valley High School from Priority status.”
“I commend Valley High School and its students, staff and parents for its tireless effort in pursuit of continuous school improvement,” Commissioner Pruitt added.
“I’m tremendously proud of the entire Valley High School family,” said Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “This decision validates the work and progress that Valley has made – and continues to make – to improve the learning environment within the school, and boost student outcomes.”
Valley had asked the state to reconsider its status following the release of its most recent test scores which showed the school had made significant progress since it entered priority status in 2010.
In appealing its status, Valley Principal Rob Stephenson wrote that his school had met its goal for four consecutive years, was no longer in the lowest five percent based on overall score, and had a graduation rate of 79.8.
Valley is the third JCPS District school to exit priority status. Waggener and Fern Creek high schools have also shed the label.
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/
