Knox County Public Schools: Education Notes

Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday visited the Knox County Public Schools on Friday, December 14, as part of his three year commitment to visit all school districts in the state.

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Building a robot has turned into a teamwork and problem solving lesson for Knox County’s middle school students as teams prepare for the First Robotics League competition to be held in Hazard on December 15.

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The Knox County Academic League wrapped up their 2012 season with an awards program at Knox County Middle School on Tuesday, December 4.

Participants, top school teams, individual MVP’s, and overall league MVP’s received certificates and trophies during the awards program. League coordinator Billie Ferguson was assisted by Knox County Superintendent Walter T. Hulett and assistant superintendents Kim Merida and Marion Sowders for the awards presentation.

Click here to view award photographs

Top League Teams
Rookies: Girdler, Hampton and Barbourville, 2nd place tie. Lay, 1st place.

Junior Varsity: Lynn Camp, 3rd place. Lay, Central and Hampton, 2nd place tie. Barbourville, 1st place.

Varsity: Flat Lick, 3rd place. Lay, 2nd place. Hampton and Barbourville, 1st place tie.

Individual Team MVP’s
Rookies: Kendal Grubb (Barbourville), Trenton Melendez (Central), Lukas Mills (Dewitt), Wesley Hall (Girdler), Lynnsey Cole (Hampton), Andrew Daniels (Lay), and Elijah Brock (Lynn Camp).

Junior Varsity: Sarah Pedersen (Barbourville), Jenna Davis (Central), Dylan Bingham (Dewitt), Zachary Patterson (Flat Lick), Seth Duncan (Girdler), Taylor Mcright (Hampton), Mitchell Buchanan (Lay), and Matt Disney (Lynn Camp).

Varsity: Braxton Chafin (Barbourville), Caden Melendez (Central), Savannah Ross (Dewitt), Savanna Gray (Flat Lick), Lucas Lambo (Girdler), Abram Mills (Hampton), Hannah Daniels (Lay), and Keden Gray (Lynn Camp).

Overall League MVP’s
Rookies: Andrew Daniels and Wesley Hall, 2nd place. Lynnsey Cole and Elijah Brock, 1st place.

Junior Varsity: Jenna Davis, 4th place. Matt Disney, 3rd place. Sarah Pedersen, 2nd place. Mitchell Buchanan, 1st place.

Varsity: Lucas Lambo and Caden Melendez, 4th place. Savanna Gray, 3rd place. Braxton Chafin, 2nd place. Abram Mills, 1st place.

For many students, particularly those who do not have an immediate family member who attended college, applying to college can seem overwhelming. For those students, not having someone who can help them navigate the college application process can be enough to prevent them from pursuing a postsecondary education.

November 26-30 is College Application Week at Knox Central, Lynn Camp, and at other high schools across Kentucky. During this week, we can ensure that all seniors have the opportunity to receive hands–on assistance as they take the first big step towards continuing their education following high school.

The following events have been planned at Knox Central:

Monday – College Application Week kick-off and pep rally.
Union College will have an exhibit during lunch
5pm – Parent Information Night

Tuesday – The University of the Cumberlands, Georgetown College, and Berea College will have exhibits and visit seniors during their English classes.

Wednesday – Alice Loyd College, Nashville Auto-Diesel College, and Eastern Kentucky University will have exhibits and visit seniors during their English classes.

Thursday – The University of Kentucky, Marines, and Kentucky National Guard will have exhibits and visit seniors during their English classes.

Friday – Southeast Community College KCTCS will have an exhibit during lunch.
College Application Week celebration for seniors.

The following events have been planned at Lynn Camp:

Monday – Lynn Camp NOW Open House, 5pm-7pm
Senior Pep Rally with guest speakers and school spirit line

Tuesday – Gallery Walk and College Scavenger Hunt

Wednesday – College Fair in the library, cafeteria, and gymnasium

Thursday – Seniors will apply for college(s) during English classes.

Friday – College Application Week celebration for seniors.

Girdler Elementary students and staff took a cross-country road trip on Thursday, November 15, as they performed “Life is a Highway” at Knox County Middle School.

Students unloaded the Girdler Elementary school bus at destinations including New Orleans, Washington D.C., and Santa Fe. At each stop, students would perform or sing along to songs that represent the location.

The highlight of the evening was a surprise visit by ‘Loretta Lynn’ and ‘Billy Ray Cyrus’ when students returned to Kentucky.

Class and Destination
Kindergarten, Washington, D.C.
1st Grade, Orlando
2nd Grade, Malibu
3rd Grade, Santa Fe
4th Grade, Memphis
5th Grade, San Antonio
6th Grade, New Orleans
Finale, Home Sweet Home – Kentucky

Over 200 parents and community members gathered at Dewitt Elementary for “Turkey and Test Scores” on Thursday, November 15.

The annual event allows parents to enjoy a Thanksgiving-type dinner with their child while learning more about their child’s test scores and changes to instruction at the school.

Principal Marcie Walker met with parents in the gymnasium for a brief overview of the new accountability and testing system. Walker explained that while Dewitt is currently the third highest ranked school in Knox County, changes to the curriculum will hopefully add a boost to next year’s results and increase student performance.

“We are proud of our school and our students,” Walker said as parents waited for their children to be dismissed from class to join them for lunch.

Walker credits the active involvement of parents and the community as one of the reasons why the school of nearly 190 students performs so well.

During “Turkey and Test Scores” parents also received information about the school’s Success for All reading program and completed a parent survey.

Photos of the event are available in the KCPS Photo Gallery.