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Above, Roosevelt-Perry Elementary Principal Pamela Howell addresses students and special guests at the grand opening of the school's new addition. The school hosts the district's only elementary Technology Magnet Program. Students produce a digital portfolio that chronicles their experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Below, guests visit the school's new media center.
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Below, Roosevelt-Perry Elementary students record a student interview on an iPad. Students regularly use SMART Boards, document cameras, robotics, and videoconferencing.
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JCPS annual Comprehensive School Survey

The Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District will conduct its annual Comprehensive School Survey (CSS) from Mon., Feb. 6, through Fri., Feb. 24. The CSS is provided annually to all JCPS employees, all parents, and students in grades four through twelve to collect data. JCPS employees with district e-mail accounts will receive an e-mail that contains a link to the staff member survey on JCPS Online. Employees who do not have a district e-mail account and/or a computer will be provided access to JCPS Online to complete their survey. These surveys are anonymous.

Students will complete the CSS at school during the school day. All parents/guardians who have registered for Parent Portal will receive an e-mail with a link to the survey. Parents/Guardians without computer access may complete a paper-and-pencil survey.

The CSS is a valuable district resource in identifying specific needs and successfully crafting strategies to ensure student success. CSS training sessions will be offered on Wed., Feb. 1; Thurs., Feb. 2; and Fri., Feb. 3, for elementary, middle, and high school CSS coordinators in Stewart Auditorium at the VanHoose Education Center. For more information, contact Dr. Marco Muñoz, evaluation specialist, at 485-3036.

Stopher hosts Chinatown

Stopher Elementary will host Chinatown, a Chinese New Year-inspired event, on Wed., Feb. 15. Fourth- and fifth-grade students will use Chinese language skills to communicate and barter in a custom-created village of Chinese storefronts. The Stopher Chinese Club will lead a parasol dance and dragon dance with Chinese costumes. All students will be able to shop the storefronts and use Chinese vocabulary to describe their experiences and items on display. For more information, call Stopher Chinese teacher Keir McEachern at 485-8281.

Superintendent's PTA Membership Club

JCPS employees and supporters can join the Superintendent's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Membership Club for $5. Membership supports PTA campaigns at every level and provides trainings for parents/guardians and caregivers. To join, fill out this form, and mail it to 15th District PTA, Superintendent's Membership Club, 319 South Fifteenth Street, Louisville, KY 40203. For more information, call the PTA at 485-3535.

Library App puts school library online

LibraryWorld, the Web-based software that manages district libraries, has an app that district schools may use to get their library titles online. The app is used regularly by Fairdale Elementary librarian Jason Highley, who says, "It allows me to search our collection while I am with a student at the shelves. I get to spend more time with the kids, helping them learn to choose the books they want to read." Heidi Keairns, librarian at Field Elementary, shares that, "Some parents are downloading the free app and using it in bookstores to select books for their children, since you can search for titles by Lexile reading level in the target audience field." For more information, contact your school librarian or the JCPS Library Media Services director at 485-3090.

imageOpportunities for young adults

The Youth Opportunity Showcase! will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 18, at the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). A job fair for young adults ages 16 to 21 will be included, with additional information about internships, volunteer opportunities, and job training. Young adults should bring identification and copies of their résumés. To print a flier, click here. For more information, call KentuckianaWorks at 574-2500 or click here.

During a news conference last week, JCPS Superintendent Donna Hargens—along with Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and U.S. Representative John Yarmuth—also encouraged businesses and donors to support SummerWorks2012. Last summer, the program involved 33 employers that helped 221 young people find summer jobs. A donation of $2,500 will put a young person to work at a nonprofit agency in the region. A job, paid directly by the employer, provides an employee who can help with special projects or fill in for permanent employees on vacation. This summer, organizers hope to recruit more participating employers and young adults.

Louisville Writing Project seeks teachers

The Louisville Writing Project is accepting new members for the 2012-13 school year. The Louisville Writing Project is a teacher network focused on developing teacher leaders in writing and all aspects of literacy. The group provides teacher professional development (PD) to enhance student achievement in all grade levels and content areas. Applications are due on Wed., Feb. 22. To print a flier, click here. To print an application, click here. For more information, call Jean Wolph at 852-4544 or send her an e-mail at jean.wolph@louisville.edu.

Free workshops explore KCAS

The 15th District PTA will offer free workshops on the Kentucky Core Academic Standards (KCAS) to local PTAs, schools, and organizations. The workshops will help parents/guardians be informed about the changes to KCAS, and they will help parents/guardians remain actively engaged in their child's education. The 15th District PTA received a generous grant from the National PTA to develop parent advocacy skills and to educate parents about common state core standards. For more information about the workshops or to schedule one in your area, click here or contact Cherie Dimar at cbcdimar3@aol.com or at 485-3535.

Frayser to host I Love to Read Day

Frayser Elementary will host its annual I Love to Read Day from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 10. Community members, Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) members, retirees, firefighters, emergency responders, and other local role models will visit Frayser to read their favorite stories to students. The volunteer readers also will share how reading and books have helped their careers. To volunteer as a guest reader, contact Nedra Holbrook at nedra.holbrook@jefferson.kyschools.us or at 485-8255. School employees will dress in costumes of their favorite book characters. Guest readers are encouraged to dress up in literary-themed costumes or wear the attire that represents their career.

Auburndale hosts Health Fair

Auburndale Elementary will host a Health Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mon., Feb. 13. The Health Fair will provide the school community with valuable information about health-related issues, which will provide guidance for a healthy life. Several area health agencies will participate in addition to emergency responders, advocacy organizations, and local utility and service companies. For more information, call Auburndale at 485-8204.

Portland Elementary to host opera vocalist

Portland Elementary will host Kentucky Opera vocalist Courtney Cleveland for a special assembly at 2 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 29. During the 30-minute presentation, Cleveland will portray several different African-American characters from Africa to the Americas, from slavery to the first African-American president. The interactive presentation will include a question-and-answer session from students and opportunities for students to dance or play an instrument. For more information, call Portland at 485-8313.

Nominate an outstanding librarian

Nominations are now being accepted for the Jefferson County School Media Association's (JCSMA's) Outstanding School Media Librarian Award. This individual must be a current member of JCSMA, Kentucky Library Association (KLA), and Kentucky School Media Association (KSMA). For more information or a nomination form, contact Heidi Keairns at 485-8252 or heidi.keairns@jefferson.kyschools.us. The deadline to return completed nomination forms is Mon., Feb. 20.

District earthquake drill approaches

JCPS will participate in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut at 10:15 a.m. on Tues., Feb. 7. The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is an eight-state earthquake drill. Notification will be transmitted through the Emergency Alert Radio System. In the event of an earthquake, everyone should follow this safety strategy: drop, cover, and hold on. For more information about earthquake preparedness, contact the JCPS Safety and Environmental Services Office at 485-3298 or click here.

Dunn hosts Open House

Dunn Elementary will host a Prospective Parent Open House on Fri., Feb. 10. Visitors will be able to meet Principal Patti Barron, tour the building, and learn about all the wonderful things that Dunn Elementary offers students. The first session will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and the second session will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, call Dunn at 485-8240.

Remembering our past with hope for our future

The Office of Compliance and Investigations offers the following information. February is Black History Month. Kentucky has many reasons to pause and reflect this month. The designation of this time was begun by Carter Woodson, a graduate of Berea College, in part to promote the teaching of African-American history. He did so in the month of February to honor Abraham Lincoln. Many African Americans accompanied Daniel Boone as he moved into Kentucky's history. Kentucky has worked to preserve African-American history over the years. More recent is the preservation of a park with a rich African-American history in Aurora, Kentucky, and the establishment of the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville. Celebrate together in February, recognizing individuals and ethnic groups who have played a part in our history. We must continue to work together as a state and as a nation to overcome the mistakes of the past and to continue to build diversity and unity for a stronger future.

Elementary volleyball league

If your school is interested in playing in a fourth- and fifth-grade girls' volleyball league in August, send an e-mail to Karen Kruger at karen.kruger@jefferson.kyschools.us. Games will be played on Saturdays beginning in August. A meeting for interested schools will be hosted in late April or early May.

UNCF update and scholarship info

Thank you for supporting the district's United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Minor Daniels Scholarship Fund. The campaign ended on Fri., Feb. 3, and all donations should be sent to the district's campaign coordinator, Mark Shellinger, at VanHoose Education Center. All donations must arrive at Van Hoose by Mon., Feb. 13. Instructions about how to apply for scholarships will be sent in an e-mail to all district staff members and graduating seniors during the week of Mon., Mar. 5.

Scrapbook event benefits students

The Fund for the Eyes will host its sixth annual Scrapbooking Event from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 18, at the International Christian Center, First Alliance Church, 3726 Bardstown Road. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day. Participants will enjoy door prizes, scrapbooking contests, access to vendors, and rummage tables where participants may sell or buy scrapbooking items. All proceeds will benefit Fund for the Eyes, a nonprofit organization that helps students with vision impairments who live in Jefferson County. The rummage table will be staffed, and all items should be marked with the seller's name and a price. Registration costs $30 before Mon., Feb. 13. Vendors are welcome to participate, and their fee is $35 before Mon., Feb 13. After Mon., Feb 13, the vendor registration cost is $40. For more information or a registration form, send an e-mail to Cheryl Harrington at fundfortheeyes@insightbb.com or call her at 241-1691.

DonorsChoose helps educators

The Community Foundation of Louisville has partnered with online charity DonorsChoose.org to support innovative and creative projects in JCPS. Teachers upload project requests for specific materials that their students need on DonorsChoose.org. The public goes to the Web site to support those requests with charitable donations. The Community Foundation will match charitable contributions to projects in Jefferson County, as much as $50,000 each school year for the next three years. Coupled with public donations, this would mean $300,000 in total giving to support innovation and creativity in local classrooms.

Teacher Career Information Session

A University of Louisville (UofL) Teacher Career Information Session will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Mar. 7, at JCPS Gheens Academy. Certified teachers who would like to learn more information about pursuing an advanced degree, endorsement, or additional certification are invited to attend the session. Light refreshments will be available, and all registered participants will be entered into a drawing for an Apple iPad 2. The deadline to register for the session is Tues., Feb. 28. To register, click here.

Salary changes

The JCPS Human Resources Department offers the following information. Salary changes for a new rank or +15 hours: should be submitted to Human Resources before the end of February. Salary adjustments submitted after March 1, 2012 will be applied to the 2012-13 school year salary.

Check your certification expiration

The JCPS Human Resources Department offers the following information. All certified JCPS employees should check their KY certificate to see if it expires June 30, 2012. If so, plan now to file the required application and documents to complete the renewal process before the expiration date. Your updated certificate must be on file in JCPS Human Resources. For more information, or if you need to request a TC-2 for certification renewal, send an e-mail to: jcps.certification@jefferson.kyschools.us.  

Change in classified employee transfer deadline

The JCPS Human Resources Department offers the following information. The Classified Transfer deadline will now coincide with certified. April 18 is now the deadline to submit an online classified transfer. This will impact the following bargaining units:

Our purpose is to improve quality customer service. The intent is to accomplish the following:

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JCPS Superintendent Donna Hargens discusses how the Curriculum Management Audit is resulting in tangible changes to benefit student achievement andinstruction. To offer your thoughts, send Dr. Hargens an e-mail at jcps.generalaccount@jefferson.kyschools.us.

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Amy Medley, counselor at duPont Manual High, discusses school crisis response at a PREPaRE training on Mon., Jan. 30.

Teams PREPaRE for crises

No one knows when a tragedy will strike, but JCPS leaders are training for an efficient and organized response when it does.

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Above, JCPS lead psychologist Joe Bargione discusses school crisis response. Bargione is one of four JCPS employees training 120 district employees in coordinated school crisis intervention.

On Mon., Jan. 30, and Tues., Jan. 31, the first of three groups—mostly school counselors and school psychologists—underwent PREPaRE training, a session to prepare about 40 district employees as a district response team for school crises. Two upcoming sessions will grow that number to 120 employees by the end of the school year.

It could be a teacher who suffers a fatal heart attack in a classroom, a tornado, or a classmate's suicide. Whatever the crisis, however big or small, district employees will assess the situation to provide necessary guidance or interventions. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) designed PREPaRE, an acronym for Prevent, Reaffirm, Evaluate, Provide, and Respond, Examine.

The district has had a response team, but the new sessions help boost the numbers and improve the training, says Joe Bargione, the district's lead psychologist. Last week's training also included district representatives from Security and Investigations and Safety and Environmental.

"We wanted to build capacity within the district using all of our resources," Bargione says. Bargione is one of four district employees certified as a PREPaRE trainer.

When a principal experiences a crisis involving a staff member or a student, they call Carol Montgomery, director of Guidance Services. She can arrange response teams to visit the school, conduct classroom activities, and provide small-group or individual work with students. Disasters and crises have always been obstacles for students and schools, but the help and response are the best they have ever been.

"I think we're just better trained and we realize the potential impact these things have on us," Bargione says. "I think we're being more proactive than we have in the past."

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Forty JCPS employees, mostly school counselors and school psychologists, obtained certificiation last week in school crisis response and intervention. This is the first of of three groups to be trained before summer.

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Career and Technical Education Month

During February, district schools—along with the state and the nation—are celebrating Career and Technical Education Month. The national Association for Career and Technical Education declared February as Career and Technical Education Month. JCPS students and teachers will attend the annual Student Organization Leadership Day in Frankfort on Tues., Feb. 7, which is sponsored by the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education (KACTE). Students will tour the Capitol, observe the legislature, meet with legislators, and participate in leadership activities. The student officers of several career and technical education student organizations will meet with Governor Steve Beshear.

For more information or a listing of district CTE activities, click here.

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Wear blue on March 2

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and Fri., Mar. 2, is Dress in Blue Day. The annual nationwide campaign raises awareness about colon cancer and promotes colon cancer screening. Click here to print a flier. For more information about ways to participate, call the Kentucky Cancer Program at 1-877-326-1134 or send an e-mail to kycancer@louisville.edu. To contact Bonnie Ciarroccki, the JCPS Health Promotions coordinator, and inform her of your school's plans, send her an e-mail at bonnie.ciarroccki@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Fitness, nutrition coaches for runners

A running coach and a registered dietitian will provide a free seminar for area runners who are training for the Triple Crown of Running or other races. Running coach Lisa Jo Groft and registered dietitian Donna Giovenco will present a seminar at 11 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 11, at Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center, 750 Cypress Station Drive. This seminar is open to the public, and no membership is required. Injury prevention topics will include proper footwear, training, and strength training. Nutrition and recovery topics will include recovery nutrition, nutrition aid for muscle fatigue, food and fluids before and after exercise, and carbohydrates. For more information and seminar registration, contact Gioia Gibbons at 896-3900, Ext. 148, or at ggibbons@baptistmilestone.com.

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Gyuchoon "Joe" Cho, an application integration analyst with MIS, is a Star Performer.

Gyuchoon "Joe" Cho, an application integration analyst with Management Information Services (MIS), is a JCPS Star Performer. Cho, who says he adopted the moniker "Joe" because his first name is challenging even for a native Korean speaker, was nominated for the district's customer service honor in November. The nomination contained the following information:

"I would like to nominate Joe Cho as a JCPS Star Performer. He helped me design the new Administrative Directory, even though he had never seen the application that was previously used. He had his own daily tasks to perform, but he never turned me away when I had questions. Thank you, Joe, for your hard work, dedication, and patience. I will be forever grateful."

Compiling an accurate list of JCPS employees, titles, contact information, and department hierarchies is a massive undertaking. Cho worked closely with the JCPS Communications Department to provide updated information about thousands of employees throughout 337 locations, including schools, departments, and satellite locations. The information was used to publish the 2011-12 JCPS Administrative Directory in October.

Cho has worked with JCPS for a year. He is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at UofL, and he expects to graduate in June. As part of his UofL dissertation research, he is working on a grant-funded research project from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a computer application that is capable of translating flight data information found in the plane's black box to recreate the plane's flight. The application can use any model of existing passenger jet, and it replays on a computer screen similar to a video game. The application is groundbreaking because it allows FAA investigators to recreate a three-dimensional interpretation not only of a plane's flight path but also its pitch and roll.

The Star Performer Award is a district honor for great customer-service skills. To nominate a colleague who goes above and beyond, click here.

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Marketplace

Kudos to Sharon Lillie, teacher at Waller-Williams Environmental School. Lillie applied for and received a Very Special Arts (VSA) Kentucky Grant. The grant brought Angela Bartley to school for the first two weeks of February. Bartley is introducing students to Latin dance, and she will teach simple rhythms on adaptive instruments. "Our students had an experience with West African rhythms last year," says Lillie. "We wanted to build on that and let them see how universal music is. Bartley's program will enhance their knowledge." Students will perform some of their Latin dances at 1 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 10.

Kudos to Martha Bartlett, humanities and visual art teacher at South Park Teenage Assistance Program (TAPP). Bartlett's students are participating in a five-week collaboration with artist Pat Sturtzell, which is funded through a VSA Kentucky Grant. Students will learn fabric-dying techniques of Asia, Africa, and North America as well as Shibori and Serti techniques from Japan. This project will give students of all abilities a hands-on experience with creating fabrics and connecting their creations to cultures. Embroidery artist "Sunshine" Joe Mallard visited South Park TAPP students on Thurs., Jan. 19, to share his four-year tie quilt project and inspire the students to create their own dreams.

Kudos to Eric Wright, Family Resource Center (FRC) coordinator at Gutermuth Elementary. Wright was recently appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to serve on the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Department of Medicaid. The 2011 General Assembly created the TACs to support the Advisory Council for Medicaid Assistance and to provide peer reviews of activities associated with Medicaid assistance. Wright, who is a parent of two children with developmental disabilities, also serves as a member of the executive committee and the finance chair of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. The work associated with both of these appointed positions is vital to improving the quality of life of individuals with disabilities. In Kentucky, more than 874,000 individuals have a diagnosed disability, which represents nearly a quarter of the state's total population.

Kudos to students and staff members at Wellington Elementary and Rangeland Elementary Schools. Both schools were honored for achieving the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Get Active, Get Fit Challenge. Wellington and Rangeland were the district's only two schools to be recognized, and they are also the district's two elementary schools that offer the Health and Fitness for Accelerated Learning Magnet Program. Nearly 500,000 students nationwide signed up to participate in this challenge. Rangeland and Wellington have won a live dance party hosted by Radio Disney. Students in P1 (kindergarten) through grade five had to be active for at least 20 minutes daily and for a minimum of 40 out of 55 days. "Getting active and getting fit means doing anything that's active, whether at home or at school," says Susan Dake, coordinator of Wellington Elementary Health and Fitness for Accelerated Learning Magnet Program. "Playing soccer, dancing, walking the dog, jumping rope. Since we are a Health and Fitness Magnet, this was pretty easy for our kids."

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High school speech contest

High school students who are exceptional communicators are encouraged to participate in the 2012 Rotary Speech Contest. The theme is "Reaching Within to Embrace Humanities," and students' speeches must be between five to eight minutes and be memorized. Students research their topic and offer personal insights and interpretations. Financial prizes are available for club, sectional, and regional, and state winners. For contest information, click here. The JCPS contact is Nichelle Anthony at nichelle.anthony@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Field trip to Discovery Day

School groups can now reserve a spot in Discovery Day, a fun and educational field trip opportunity at Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on Mon., Apr. 30. Discovery Day features Stage One Storytime, in addition to many interactive and educational activities from such groups as Metro Animal Services, Frazier History Museum, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and Falls of the Ohio State Park. Reservations must be made by Wed., Mar. 28. PNC Bank presents the event. For more information, click here or call 584-3378.

The Merry Widow at Kentucky Opera

The Kentucky Opera offers tickets for the Final Dress Rehearsal for Franz Lehár's operetta, The Merry Widow, at 7 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 15, at the Brown Theater. The Final Dress Rehearsal Program is appropriate for all ages, and it costs $5 a ticket. Reservations must be made in advance, and all student groups must have at least one adult chaperone. Study guides are available online. For tickets, call Deanna R. Hoying at 561-7938 or send her an e-mail at deanna_hoying@kyopera.org.

Team Table Tennis Tournament

Middle and high school students are invited to participate in the Louisville School Invitational Team Table Tennis Tournament from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 25, at Beechmont Community Center, 205 West Wellington Avenue. Team entry fees are $25 each, and the deadline to register is Sat., Feb. 18. To print a flier, click here.

Field trips to Kentucky Derby Museum

The Kentucky Derby is less than 100 days away. Reserve your spring visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum. After Sun., Apr. 1, the admission is $3.50 for each student in prekindergarten through grade five and $5 for each student in grade six through twelve. This includes time in the exhibits, a guided tour, and a film. For more information, call 637-1111, Ext. 225.

Free ACT Prep

The Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) will offer free ACT Prep Classes throughout February and March. The next class will begin at 6 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 7, at the Southwest Regional Branch of LFPL at 10375 Dixie Highway. For a complete list of upcoming ACT Prep Classes, click here.

Spring soccer sign-ups

Spring developmental soccer sign-ups will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Sat., Feb. 11, at Westport Middle, Bates Elementary, and Carter Traditional Elementary Schools. Three age groups include children 8 and younger. For more information, click here, call Gemma Dattilo at 459-8070, or send her an e-mail at admin@louisvillesoccer.com.

Carmichael's hosts Silas House

Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue, regularly hosts authors for talks and book signings. For more information, call 896-6950.

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