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SubscribeThe 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.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) will begin accepting applications for JCPS Early Childhood Programs this week. On Wednesday, the application process opens for tuition-based and income-based programs for children who turn 4 years old by Aug. 1, 2017.
Applications may be submitted online here or in person at the Edwards Education Complex, 701 S. Hancock St., from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. every Tuesday – Thursday.
JCPS Early Childhood follows Head Start and state-funded preschool regulations for placement and has a limited number of seats available. Application to the program is not a guarantee for placement.
Documents required for application include:
- Photo ID (if applying in person)
- Proof of residence
- Child’s birth certificate
- Physical examination form
- State of Kentucky immunization certificate
- Household W-2’s or 2016 tax return(s) or other household annual income documents
For more information, families may call the Early Childhood Application Center at (502) 485-7677.
Romantic Valentine evenings await on February 13 and 14 at Jefferson Memorial Forest. For only $35, couples will be treated to a romantic candle-lit hike that ends with a view of Louisville’s lights from the scenic Manor House, where couples will enjoy hot beverages, rich hors d’ouvres and desserts, and the cozy warmth of a hearth.
“The natural beauty of Jefferson Memorial Forest is a great fit with Valentine’s Day,” said Rebecca Minnick, Program Manager at Jefferson Memorial Forest. “Couples can have a romantic evening by taking a stroll through the woods, then relaxing in front of the fire. We have many couples who have made this part of their Valentine tradition.”
Jefferson Memorial Forest is located near Fairdale, just 15 minutes from downtown Louisville. The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to wind up by 10 p.m. The hike is on flat terrain, but closed-toe shoes with tread are recommended. Couples are also invited to bring flashlights to the hike for added visibility along the trails. Hikes meet in the Horine Reservation main parking lot at 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road, Fairdale KY.
To Register
Reservations must be made by Tuesday, February 7th. Call (502) 368-5404 or email the Forest at forest@louisvilleky.gov. In case of inclement weather, those registered should call the 368-5404 number for cancellation information.
Thanks to funding provided by the Kentuckiana Planning and Development Agency, four new classes for senior citizens will be debut this week at the Berrytown Recreation Center, 1300 Heafer Road, near Anchorage.
Classes on line dancing, painting, yard art, and how to live a healthy lifestyle will be offered, beginning this week, on various days. The classes will meet once a week and be free of charge to those 60 year of age or older.
For more information, please see this link or call 502/456-8148 for more details.
Neace Ventures, the parent company of Falls City Brewing Company, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire ownership in the building that houses the Heine Brothers’ Coffee headquarters. The move would bring 100 percent of Falls City’s brewing operations back to Louisville.
This joint venture would occur in the building located at 1301 W. Main St., where Heine Brothers’ moved its corporate headquarters in late 2016. The building is located directly across from the Falls of the Ohio, the namesake of the beer-brewing company.
“We are excited to announce that Falls City Brewing Company’s full-scale production is coming back to where the brand was born,” said Falls City President Shane Uttich. “With four different packaged offerings and a constantly revolving draft-only series, our brand is gaining significant traction, and the time is right. We’re proud to support the progression of the Portland neighborhood with our new neighbors, Heine Brothers’ Coffee. A Louisville-based coffee brand and a Louisville-based beer brand rubbing shoulders at 1301 W. Main will definitely create some wonderful smells.”
The joint venture is also indicative of future economic growth for Louisville.
“The brand Falls City is a symbol of early economic development for our community, one of our first local brewers,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Today we raise our glass in celebration of their history and bold renaissance of this iconic homegrown brand.”
Built in 1927, the two-story, 80,000 square foot structure would house both companies. Heine Brothers’ Coffee President Mike Mays is thrilled. “Falls City Beer is one of Louisville’s most iconic brands, and they share our love of this great city. We can’t wait for them to open their brewery in the 1301 W. Main Building in Portland. We look forward to working together to make good things happen in Louisville.”
The LOI is under contract to close in 45 to 60 days, said Neace Ventures President Brad Estes.
“In conjunction with Falls City Brewing Company, we are proud to announce our intentions to acquire ownership in the 1301 W. Main building,” Estes said. “We look forward to the opportunity to expand both our real estate and food and beverage portfolios in partnership with another great Louisville brand, Heine Brothers’ Coffee. Being able to do all of this in support of the development initiatives in Portland is just icing on the cake.”
Mayor Greg Fischer and Gov. Matt Bevin today announced Diversified Consultants Inc. (DCI), a collection services company servicing major-name telecom clients, will locate a new operation in Louisville with a $6.65 million investment expected to create 433 jobs.
“Louisville’s economy continues to thrive with the addition of a new business services company in south central Louisville. As we usher in a new year, we are proud to welcome DCI to our community,” Fischer said. “We are especially excited to welcome home DCI’s chief operating officer, Gordon Beck, a Louisville native and a graduate of Fern Creek High School.”
DCI will lease the bulk of a 60,000 square-foot building in the Commerce Crossings business park. The new DCI office will not only employ customer service agents but office-support staff, including HR, quality administration, compliance and other functions.
“DCI’s commitment to exceptional service makes it a great fit for Kentucky,” said Gov. Bevin. “Their high standard of customer care will make them a terrific partner for the commonwealth’s dedicated workforce. We welcome DCI to Kentucky and look forward to seeing both their client base and workforce grow in the years ahead.”
Beck said he plans to quickly fill all available positions. Buildout of the space could begin in late February, and Beck said he and aims to open the new office by April 1. His Kentucky roots and confidence in the local workforce played into the decision to open the new office.
“Ours is an industry that too often gets a negative reputation. DCI is changing that in how we treat our customers and through our own company culture. We got to the top of our industry by being nice. We focus on the customer experience and are legal, moral and ethical,” Beck said. “The reason we’re opening this office in Louisville is our company is looking to expand its customer base, and we know we can recruit the kind of employees who want to be a part of our company.”
Founded in 1992 in Jacksonville, Fla., DCI is a family owned telecom collection services company. Charlotte Zehnder has acted as the company’s CEO since 2010, and the company is a certified member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council as a woman-owned business. DCI has quadrupled in size since 2009, currently employing 930 people across three locations in Jacksonville, as well as operations in Portland, Ore., and in the Philippines. Of those, 835 employees are located in the U.S.
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in January preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $1 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
For more information on DCI, visit www.DCIcollect.com
To read more about Louisville’s business services sector, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/business-services
