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Verizon Tech Savvy Awards deadline extension
The deadline to apply for the 2009 Verizon Tech Savvy Awards has been extended to Mon., Jan. 12. The annual awards support sustainable programs that help lessen the technological gap between adults and children. Four $5,000 regional awards and one $25,000 national award will be presented at the National Conference on Family Literacy, which will be held in Orlando in March. For more information, visit www.famlit.org/techsavvyawards.
A new year of change and diversity
The Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS Compliance and Investigations Office offers the following information. This time of year is a time to consider how cultural change is a strategic and deliberate process. Change does not come automatically. Our beliefs, principles, practices, and behaviors are what will guide us through the change process. It will be a slow process, but we can be hopeful of the change that will be inevitable as we recognize our responsibility in the workplace, school, community, government, and at home. Our mission in today’s multicultural environment and global economy is to recognize our challenges and considerations. President-elect Barack Obama asks that we believe not just in his ability to bring about change in Washington but also to believe in our abilities. Let the new year be a time to recognize our role in a new government and in our futures and in those of our children.
Getting fit for 2009
Are goals of better health, less weight, or improved fitness on your wish list for 2009? If so, there are several tools that could help you attain these goals. Several health and fitness organizations are partners with the JCPS Plus Program, a group of businesses and organizations that offer discounts to JCPS employees. Some of the JCPS Plus partners are Body Sculptors Boots Camp, Hwang’s Martial Arts, Jewish Community Center of Louisville, Louisville Athletic Club, Manslick Rollerdrome, Nutrition Works, TNT Fitness, Urban Active Fitness, and Velocity Sports Performance. To view the details and contact information for these businesses, visit www.jcpsky.net/Departments/HumanResource/JCPSPLUS/jcpsplus.html. Velocity Sports Performance also offers onsite group training for ten or more JCPS employees. To schedule a fitness session with a trainer, call Keith Sherman at 267-4544. Monday Memo hopes to feature some stories about JCPS employee groups who are working together to attain better health, lose weight, or stop smoking. If you know about a JCPS group whose members are working hard to improve their lives, send an e-mail to Monday Memo Editor Justin Willis at justin.willis@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Need used winter clothing
Do you have gently used winter clothing that you no longer need? If so, the 15th District Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Clothing Assistance Program (CAP) desperately needs used coats, gloves, and hats. The winter clothing is distributed to families and children—most of them JCPS students—who visit CAP at 319 South Fifteenth Street. Coordinators are recording an increase of visitors and additional clothing is needed to accommodate the demand. For information about CAP, visit www.jcpsky.net/Programs/PTA/CAP.html. To contact CAP, call 485-3535.
Teamsters sick bank
Open enrollment for the Teamsters Local 783 Sick Bank will be held during January. Current members must reenroll this year because the bank balance of available days has declined to less than the required minimum. This enrollment provides an opportunity for new and non-participating eligible employees to join. Enrollment information is available from cost center heads. To apply, submit a completed enrollment form by Mon., Feb. 2. Enrollment forms that are received after the deadline will not be accepted and the employee will not be eligible to apply until next year. To print a form, click here. For more information, call Sue Williams at 485-3012.
Atherton hosts scrapbook event
The Atherton High Band will host Scrapbooker’s Day Out from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 24. The event offers participants a table, door prizes, meals throughout the day, access to vendors, and access to a rummage table to sell or trade scrapbooking items. All proceeds will be used to benefit the Atherton High Band. The rummage table will be staffed, and all items should be marked with the seller’s name and a price. To reserve a spot, send a $30 check payable to the Atherton High Band to Lisa MacPherson at Atherton. For more information, call Atherton at 485-8202.
Showcase your students’ art
Parent Connection, the JCPS newsletter for parents/guardians and community members, now features an online art gallery that showcases student artwork. Do students at your school have special art projects or are they working with an artist-in-residence? If so, call Parent Connection Editor Thomas Pack at 485-6315 or send him an e-mail at thomas.pack@jefferson.kyschools.us. to discuss whether your students’ artwork could be featured. To view the impressive artwork from the St. James Court Art Show High School Scholarship Competition, view the art gallery in the December issue of Parent Connection at www.jcpsky.net/Pubs/ParentConnection/Gallery.html.
JCPS Plus adds two
The JCPS Plus Program— a collection of businesses and organizations that offer deals and discounts to JCPS employees—has added two new offers to JCPS employees. For information about these partners or all JCPS Plus Program partners, visit www.jcpsky.net/Departments/HumanResource/JCPSPLUS/jcpsplus.html. The new offers are as follows:
- Great Wolf Lodge of Mason, Ohio, is an existing JCPS Plus Program partner that has increased its discount to JCPS employees. JCPS employees will receive a 15 percent discount on guest rooms at the resort and indoor waterpark.
- The Neil Huffman Automotive Group offers all JCPS employees the “best price immediately” when they identify themselves with a JCPS identification card or check stub. The quote is available for new or pre-owned vehicles and can be given on the phone or through e-mail.
Nominate a great librarian
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Jefferson County School Media Association’s (JCSMA’s) Outstanding School Media Librarian Award. To be eligible for the award, nominees must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and have at least 18 credit hours in library science.
- Have at least five years of school library experience.
- Be an active member of JCSMA and Kentucky School Media Association/Kentucky Library Association (KSMA/KLA).
- Hold the respect of the other library media specialists, school personnel, and the public in general.
To print a nomination form, click here. For more information, send an e-mail to Karen Parsons at karen.parsons@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Grants for innovative science instruction
Teachers of P1 (kindergarten) through grade twelve who hope to offer innovate projects that enhance students’ science education could have their ideas funded with a Toyota Tapestry Grant for Science Teachers Program. The program will awards 50 large grants and a minimum of 20 small grants in 2009 that total $550,000. To apply, teachers must submit a proposal by 12 midnight on Wed., Jan. 21. For help with the application, call the JCPS Resource Development Office at 485-3290. For more information or to download an application, visit tapestry.nsta.org.
KRA seeks conference proposals
Program proposals are being sought for the Kentucky Reading Association’s (KRA’s) 2009 Conference, which will be held in Louisville from Wed., Sept. 17, through Fri., Sept. 19. “Reading Leads to Proficiency” is the conference theme. For more information and conference proposal forms, visit www.kyreading.org. Proposals should be submitted before Sun., May 31. For more information, send an e-mail to conference chair James Phillips at james.phillips@hardin.kyschools.us.
Support UNCF
The JCPS United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Annual Minor Daniels Scholarship Fund Drive will be held from Mon., Jan. 5, through Fri., Feb. 6. All JCPS graduating seniors who meet the requirements are eligible to apply. Online applications are being accepted now through Tues., Feb. 10. Students must graduate with at least a 2.5 grade point average, plan to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form. Last year, money collected from 1,313 JCPS employees helped provide seven JCPS graduates with $20,000 scholarships. To apply for a student scholarship, visit www.uncf.org. For more information about the fund drive, check with your principal or cost center director.
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“Notes From the Classroom” features personal observations of effective instruction or recent teaching success stories. Thomas Jefferson Middle social studies teacher Cori Loew wrote the following article. This article was adapted from an e-mail that Loew sent to her colleagues. |
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Thomas Jefferson Middle social studies teacher Cori Loew recently took students to the 2008 Middle School Mock Trial Competition. |
Congratulations to the Thomas Jefferson Middle Mock Trial Team members for their excellent performance in the 2008 Middle School Mock Trial Competition, which was held on Fri., Dec. 12. I cannot express how incredibly proud I was to represent Thomas Jefferson Middle with such a well-prepared, erudite group of future litigators. The only team from Jefferson County, our students woke up early to meet at school at 6 a.m. to make the nearly two-hour car ride to Richmond. We were an eight-car caravan, with seven sets of parents who graciously took time off from work to drive students to the competition.
When we arrived, we were met by Madison County High School students who escorted us to the district courthouse where our first trial was scheduled to begin. As the Thomas Jefferson Middle Defense Team proceeded to the judge’s chambers for the pretrial meeting, the excitement among our students was uncontainable. After our first trial, we walked up the street to the circuit courthouse where the Thomas Jefferson Prosecution Team was scheduled to begin. After another exciting trial, the team took a break for lunch and then assembled back in district court for our defense to once again present its case. Much to the chagrin of our team members, a student from another middle school warned them about our opponent, Foley Middle School. “They have charts. They use charts. They object to everything. Watch out.”
After verifying in the rulebook that a team’s use of any illustrative aid would result in a score deduction—and successfully convincing the Thomas Jefferson Defense Team that they had no reason to be scared of some big pieces of paper—we were ready to go once again. Our last trial was just as exciting as the first two, with our team holding its own against our chart-toting opponents. Thinking on their feet, our defense team wowed the crowd of students and parents, and sustained objections to hearsay statements and the harassment of the witnesses. The performances of two Thomas Jefferson Middle students even secured them a spot on the 2008 All-State Team.
Following our last trial, the presiding judge (a Commonwealth’s attorney) approached me and complimented me on our team. He told me that our team was “refreshing and genuine” and that “the other team was so rehearsed. It was such a pleasure to see your students really enjoy this experience.” The attorney also said, “I hope they never lose their edge.” Aside from the Commonwealth’s attorney, I received numerous compliments from competition organizers who told me how our students were “polite, professional, and delightful.”
I wish that all of you could have been there to hear the wonderful compliments that I heard and to see for yourself how well the team represented Thomas Jefferson Middle. I felt incredibly proud to be their teacher and a part of their success.
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Betty Satterly, data management technician for Human Resources Personnel Services, is a JCPS Star Performer. A colleague nominated Satterly because her knowledge and consistency. The nomination form contained the following narrative.
“Betty Satterly is always helpful—with a smile. Her depth of knowledge in Human Resources and Payroll applications has been invaluable in getting done what we need done in Management Information Services (MIS). Betty Satterly has 40 years of service to the district and is an exemplary employee. She consistently goes above and beyond in helping and has the patience of Job!”
To nominate a JCPS employee for a Star Performer Award or for more information, visit www.jcpsky.net/Employee/IAmJCPS/IAmJCPS.html.
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Ty Scroggins, head coach of the Central Yellowjackets, receives congratulations after coaching the team to its second state title. |
Kudos to Ty Scroggins, head coach of the Central High School Magnet Career Academy (MCA) Football Team, and all the coaching staff members. Scroggins coached Central to a 40-19 victory over Breathitt County to win the Class 3-A championship on Fri., Dec. 12. The Yellowjackets’ championship follows their 2007 3-A football championship. Central joins Louisville Male High (1963-64) as the only JCPS football teams to capture back-to-back state titles. Click here to view a JCPS photo gallery.
Kudos to the 14 JCPS teachers who have earned their National Board Certification—the highest professional credential in the teaching field. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification follows an extensive, yearlong evaluation process. Performance is assessed based on analyses of teaching portfolios, student work samples, and videotaped classroom teaching. Teachers must demonstrate their ability to effectively manage and measure student learning, and they must complete a two-part, innovative assessment process that is designed to test the depth of their knowledge. The 14 teachers will be recognized at the Mon., Jan. 12, Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) meeting. For more information about becoming a National Board Certified teacher, visit www.nbpts.org. The National Board Certified teachers are as follows:
- Virginia Allen, Advanced Placement English teacher at Eastern High
- Jennifer Bean, mathematics teacher at Ballard High
- Lisa Cobble, P1 teacher at Chenoweth Elementary
- Allison Colby, P1 teacher Engelhard Elementary
- Kathleen Crawford, sixth-grade mathematics teacher at Highland Middle
- Christina Delk, hearing-impaired self-contained teacher Cochran Elementary
- Lisa Donan, P2 (grade one) through P4 (grade three) teacher at Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary
- Kimberly Hinrichs, P2 teacher at Fairdale Elementary
- Stacy Kampschaefer at Frayser Elementary
- Lori Knapke, chorus teacher at Eastern High
- Viola Randall, science teacher at Fairdale High School MCA
- Cynthia Smith, mathematics teacher at Louisville Male High
- Jennifer Stewart, librarian at Engelhard Elementary
- Carrie Thompson, reading recovery teacher at Semple Elementary
Kudos to the Gutermuth Elementary Family Resource Center (FRC), which distributed gift, clothing, and food baskets to 68 families. The project was made possible with a $1,500 donation from Meijer’s, 9905 Dixie Highway, and with more than $5,000 of donations collected by the FRC. Volunteers compiled the baskets on Mon., Dec. 22, and distributed the baskets on Tues., Dec. 23. Families with children also received toys in their baskets.
Kudos to Heather Gallagher, a Functional Mental Disability (FMD) teacher at Central High School MCA, and to Shannon Putman, an ECE teacher at Cochran Elementary. Gallagher and Putman were honored with Breaking Barriers Spotlight Awards by the Louisville Metro Disability Coalition. The annual awards honor educators who help students with disabilities overcome significant barriers and make great strides in their education. The teachers were honored during an awards ceremony at Bellarmine University’s Frazier Hall. During the awards ceremony, Gallagher was honored for her excellent instruction, including such highlights as having all of her students score at the Proficient level on the Alternate Portfolio Assessment, having her students demonstrate success at multiple job sites, and coordinating the participation of two FMD classes that assist the Central basketball teams. Putnam was honored for her abilities to build a team of professionals to create a prime educational environment.
Kudos to staff members at Myers Middle who helped the school building earn the prestigious Energy Star classification. The classification means that Myers Middle is among the most energy efficient buildings in the nation. Only ten buildings in Louisville have the Energy Star classification, two of which are Myers Middle (2008) and Shelby Elementary (2006).
Kudos to sixth-grade teacher Karen Hall and eighth-grade teacher Diana Berger at Stuart Middle. Two students of Hall and Berger were honored with the Ali Award during a special ceremony on Thurs., Dec. 18, at the Muhammad Ali Center. The students were honored for their adherence to Ali’s six basic principles of respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, and spirituality. The students received a medal, T-shirts, and a yearlong family membership to the Muhammad Ali Center.
Kudos to the students and staff members at Klondike Lane Elementary who helped the Student Council Dare To Care Campaign be such a success. The campaign collected 3,480 canned-food items. Fifth-grade students of Beth Reiss collected more than 500 canned-food items—the highest number collected by a single class. Reiss’ students won a pizza party. P3 (grade two) students of Sarah Hopkins achieved the second highest number of the food campaign with a collection of 424 canned-food items. Many other classes collected between 100 to 200 canned-food items.
Kudos to Dr. Geneva Price, JCPS Human Resources specialist, and to Central High School MCA Principal Dr. Dan Withers. The two were honored with the Distinguished Service Award during the 23rd annual Project One, Inc. Awards For Excellence Banquet. Dr. Charles J. King Jr., Project One president, presented the awards to Price and Withers. They received a plaque, which says: “For your unselfish devotion and outstanding stewardship contribution in changing the lives of children through education and employment opportunities.”
Kudos to Debbie Melnykovych, librarian at Carter Traditional Elementary. Melnykovych was awarded a B.O.O.K.S. grant from Library Media Services. This grant will be used to purchase books for the Carter library. Melnykovych will collaborate with technology teacher Pat Coots to complete student surveys in which students suggest books they would like to have in the library. Data from the surveys will be recorded by the students and incorporated into spreadsheets that graph most popular books. Students will be given a budget to order the popular choices.
Kudos to Diana Berger, eighth-grade language arts teacher, and sixth-grade clerk Wendy Russell at Stuart Middle. The two coordinated the school’s annual Trim the Tree Contest, which involves a student competition to collect the most winter clothing. The school is divided in half, and students compete to see which side can donate the most new gloves, coats, hats, and scarves. The campaign collected a total of 359 clothing items that will be distributed to local homeless residents.
Kudos to Carol Amos, Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher at Doss High School MCA, who coordinated a unique partnership to promote literacy. Amos sponsors two student groups, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Future Educators of America (FEA), that teamed up to track the number of books read by students at Kiddie Land Preschool and Trunnell Elementary from October through December. Altogether, students read 1,803 books. Students who read 15 or more books were invited to a Unite to Read Celebration, which was held at Doss on Thurs., Dec. 11. The participating elementary and preschool students enjoyed face painting, vegetable art, foot races, a beanbag toss, a cakewalk, and a snack in the Doss gymnasium. Doss librarian Pam Coomer offered students a reading of Gregory the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat. Students received certificates for the reading successes. Unite to Read is a statewide project designed by Kentucky’s Career and Technical Student Organizations.
Kudos to Ryan Gilliland, teacher at Central High School MCA. During a year of national economic calamity, Gilliland’s team of three students won first place in the fall Stock Market Game, a statewide competition that involves building and managing a stock portfolio. The students, who are in Gilliand’s Junior Business Management class, turned a virtual $100,000 into a $106,090 portfolio. Their investment strategy outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 37 percent. The Stock Market Game, offered by the Kentucky Center for Economic Education and Hilliard Lyons, challenges students to manage a virtual cash account of $100,000 for 15 weeks. Students research and evaluate companies and manage their investments by using a live Internet trading simulation. For scoring as the top high school team in Kentucky, the team received a $300 prize, a $50 class party, and T-shirts.
Kudos to Conway Middle eighth-grade social studies teacher Maxann Newby, sixth-grade language arts and social studies teacher Susan Sharp, and curriculum specialist Kim Carden. The three coordinated a trip for sixth- and eighth-grade students to participate in the 2009 artist-in-residence program at the Kentucky Derby Museum, which was held on Thurs., Dec. 11, and Fri., Dec. 12. Students learned about multicultural influences while being entertained by members of Camino Flamenco. Student volunteers joined the troupe on a dancing platform to learn some dance moves from the flamenco dancers. The field trip was a hands-on arts and humanities lesson for students. Conway Middle was featured on the cover of the Wed., Dec. 17, issue of the “Southwest Neighborhoods” section of The Courier-Journal, and photos of the event will be posted on the museum’s Web site. Next, Conway will attend an opera program during the February artist-in-residence program at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
Kudos to Meyzeek Middle and Byck Elementary, which were honored as winners in the Brightside Fred Wiche Awards. The annual awards ceremony spotlights schools with the best beautification and environmental stewardship projects. Meyzeek Middle was honored as the first-place recipient and received a cash award of $3,000. Meyzeek’s science team designed and built an outdoor classroom using a vacant piece of property located close to the building. The outdoor classroom allows students to learn about the full range of gardening and includes a science laboratory, greenhouse, and raised garden beds for flowers, vegetables, and native plants. Byck Elementary was honored as the second-place recipient and won a cash prize of $2,000. Byck was honored as a result of an effort by the school’s Waldorf teachers and the Byck PTA to form the Byck Botanists, an environmental club. The club plans to construct seven raised gardening beds, which will be used to grow native or regional plants, flowers, and vegetables. The produce and flowers will be sold at Russell Farm’s Market.
Kudos to the staff members who helped several JCPS students win first- second-, or third-place essays and visual art projects in the 2009 Martin Luther King, Jr. Contest. The Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment sponsored the contest. The students have been invited to attend an awards ceremony in Frankfort on Thurs., Jan. 15. A St. Matthews Elementary student won first place in the Elementary School Division of the Visual Arts Contest. The following students won awards in the Essay Contest. A St. Matthews Elementary student won first place in the Primary Division. A Price Elementary student won second place and a Sanders Elementary student won third place in the Intermediate Division. Students from the Brown School won first and second place in the Middle School Division. A Maryhurst student won third place in the High School Division.
Kudos to Diane Staton, FRC coordinator at Brandeis Elementary. Staton, with help from several teachers and parents/guardians, coordinated the Brandeis Multicultural Fair, which was held on Thurs., Dec. 18. This fun event honored the diversity of Brandeis students and their communities. Students participated in a flag parade, songs, dances, and multicultural educational activities. Students listened to an ethnic-musicologist who told students various stories from around the world and incorporated different instruments into his stories. Representatives of the Tuskegee Airmen attended to tell their stories of flying during World War II. Brandeis parents/guardians displayed artifacts and information from their native countries and cultures. Students enjoyed visiting different exhibits, eating samples of ethnic foods, having their names written in various languages, and working on different arts and crafts projects.
Congratulations to the JCPS employees who received Star Performer Awards during November. Colleagues of these employees nominated them for Star Performer Awards after they provided exceptional customer service. For more information about the Star Performer Awards, visit www.jcpsky.net/Employee/IAmJCPS/IAmJCPS.html. The Star Performers for November are Sareta Clarkson, senior payroll clerk with Payroll and Cash Management; Bill Craigmyle, voice specialist telecom technician with Telecommunications; Dennis Dorsey, lead telecom technician with Telecommunications; Marvin Wayne Johnson, business machine technician with Mechanical and Electronic Maintenance; Susan Keeling, clerk II with Telecommunications; Charles Etta Miller, secretary I with Employee Relations; Andy Pait, telecom technician with Telecommunications; Vicki Rogers, accounting coordinator with Accounting Services; LaDonna Roser, assistant benefits counselor with Risk Management and Benefits; and Laurie Wells, speech language pathologist at Moore Traditional School. The following Grants and Awards Accounting employees also were nominated as Star Performers. They are accounting clerks Susana Aguilera, Paula Cox, Patty Fletcher, Alice Goose, Rochelle Harris, Yvonne Hogue, Erica White, and Pam Willis; senior accounting clerk Charlene Foley, secretary Terri Yost, and coordinator Denise DeWitt.
Stock Market Game offers economy lessons
Teams of students in grades four through twelve are needed to compete in the spring sessions of the Stock Market Game and Take Stock in Kentucky. The Stock Market Game is offered from Mon., Jan. 12, through Fri., Apr. 24, and Take Stock in Kentucky is offered from Mon., Feb. 9, through Fri., Apr. 17. The programs will help students understand the stock market and may provide additional insight into the credit crunch and the recession. Teams of students conduct research and oversight to build and manage a virtual $100,000. A Hilliard Lyons grant will help your team participate for free. For more information, visit www.econ.org/smg.
A free Stock Market Game Workshop for teachers of grades four through twelve will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 13, in Room 308 at Bellarmine University. This hands-on workshop will explain the Stock Market Game and how to integrate this program into writing, mathematics, social studies, and business education. A guest speaker will discuss the nation’s economic situation. Workshop participants will receive free resources and certificates for five free student teams. To register for the workshop, visit www.econ.org/pd. For more information, call Susan Sandage at the Kentucky Center for Economic Education at 267-3572.
Teach in Asia this July
Applications are now being accepted for an opportunity to teach in Asia during July. Crane House, the Asia Institute, Inc., offers the program in which teachers conduct a short-term, intensive, English-training program for teachers or students in China or Vietnam. Host teaching sites provide free rooms, meals, and short day trips. A cost is associated with the program, but generous subsidies are available to teachers who qualify. Classroom teaching experience is required, and applicants may be active or retired teachers at any level. Orientation sessions begin in February, and training is held through June. To complete an application, visit www.cranehouse.org/teachinasia.php. For more information, call 635-2240 or send an e-mail to education@cranehouse.org.
Derby Museum field trip
Now is the time to schedule your winter or spring visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Dates are quickly filling, and the free admission offer will end on Tues., Mar. 31. The trip lasts about two and a half hours and includes a tour of Churchill Downs, exploration of the museum exhibits, a 15-minute film, and your choice of 17 different programs based on Kentucky Core Content. Each teacher who books a field trip during the Free Kids Program is entered into a drawing to win tickets to the 2009 Kentucky Oaks. To schedule a visit, call Liz Williams at 992-5913.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Information is available if your school or cost center would like to participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring. The annual food donation campaign is held from Sun., Jan. 18, through Sat., Feb. 14. Food and money can be donated to the charity of your choosing. A starter kit with an instructional DVD and promotional materials is available to groups at www.souperbowl.org. For more information, send an e-mail to Sheree Muse at sheree@souperbowl.org.
P1 hospital field trips
Registration is now being accepted for P1 students to participate in the Children and Hospitals Week Program at Kosair Children’s Hospital. From Mon., Mar. 16, through Fri., Mar. 20, students can take a field trip to the hospital and participate in a variety of health promotion and injury prevention activities. Schools will receive a registration packet and additional information in January. For more information, call Amy Medley at 629-7346 or send her an e-mail at amy.medley@nortonhealthcare.org.
Food literacy poetry and art contest
A poetry and art contest is open to students who have recently visited Oxmoor Farms to participate in the Food Literacy Project. The contest, Picture Your Locally Integrated Food Economy (LIFE), challenges students to explore the concepts of locally grown, sustainable agriculture. The top-three winners in both categories will receive prizes based on their creative portrayal of Kentucky farming and food. The top 12 submissions will be used in the Community Farm Alliance 2010 Calendar. Submissions must be received by Fri., May 22. For more information or to schedule a visit to the Food Literacy Project at Oxmoor Farms, call 491-0072 or send an e-mail to foodliteracyproject@gmail.com.
Free ACT preparation
The Louisville Free Public Library will soon offer several upcoming ways to help high school juniors and seniors practice the ACT. The library offers a free online database to access practice tests, and several library branches will offer sessions where teens can learn test-taking strategies from Tues., Jan. 13, through Thurs., Feb. 19. For more information or to obtain a schedule, call Lisa Sizemore at 574-1680 or visit www.lfpl.org/teen.
Tickets for student incentives
Schools are offered complimentary tickets to the AMA Arenacross Series on Fri., Jan. 23, through Sun., Jan. 25, to use as student incentives. The complimentary tickets are for Fri., Jan. 23. The event, held at Broadbent arena, is the nation’s largest indoor arena dirt bike racing series. Posters and flyers are also available. For more information, call Laura Beatty at (630) 566-6221.
Belle of Louisville field trips
Sign up soon for May, June, and July field trips on the historic steamboat, Belle of Louisville. Field trips are ideal for students in P1 through grade eight. Teachers will receive a packet of information and a list of Kentucky Core Content-related student activities. The field trip is especially appropriate for classes exploring local, state, or national history. Several dates are available. The fare is $5 a student, and one adult is admitted free for every eight students. For more information about dates or registration, call 574-2992. For information about how you could incorporate this experience into your classroom plan, call Kadie Engstrom at 637-2221.
Opera programs available
The Kentucky Opera offers educational outreach programs during February and March. I’m Into Opera and Cinderella are great introductions for elementary students and Opera Works is ideal for middle and high school students. Each program is about 40 minutes and morning and afternoon opportunities are available. Each program costs $500, and Title I schools can participate for the discounted price of $200. For more information, send an e-mail to Deanna R. Hoying at deanna_hoying@kyopera.org or call 561-7932.
Assistance planning family reunions
The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a free quarterly workshop that helps people plan and coordinate family reunions. The workshop, How to Plan a Family Reunion, will next be offered from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 7. Admission is free, but seating is limited to two guests for each reunion. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, send an e-mail to Keri Willard at kwillard@gotolouisville.com or call 560-1487.
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