“The idea is that we need to change education to better prepare students for the global economy. We need thinkers, not rememberers.” Scott High School (Kenton County) Principal Brennon Sapp on his school’s planned Renaissance Academy for 100 freshmen and sophomores in six “21st-century learning programs.” From the Fort Mitchell Nky.com.
“The fun of my job is that I get to deal with a lot of new things in an incubator and try to grow them – possibly grow them across the state. (My message is) ‘Tell us what you want to do, and let us help you do it.’” David Cook, director of the Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Innovation and Partner Engagement, a support unit created in a few states to find new ways to deliver education and help turn around struggling schools. From the Bethesda, Md. Education Week.
“Many of the students move from school to school depending on where they are currently living due to mobility. I have students whose families have moved three to four times this year, but they stay at the same school.” Midge Stribling, coordinator of Henderson County Schools’ Migrant HOME (Henderson Outreach Mentoring Education) Program, on the effort to help students without a traditional permanent home to stay in school and keep progressing. From the Henderson Gleaner.
“There’s not much fat we can cut in the budget. We only have two aides, and they are required by law.” Dawson Springs Independent Superintendent Alexis Seymore on the budget-balancing decision to cut two professional development days for staff rather than considering personnel cuts. From the Madisonville Messenger.
“In 2009, we took a look at our seniors and realized that our kids were very poorly prepared. While attendance in the rest of the school was 96 percent, senior attendance was 91 percent. There were discipline referrals for seniors. We realized that it was not the kids’ fault, it was ours for doing things the old fashioned way. We apologized to them and then got on to effective teaching.” Hickman County Schools Superintendent Kenny Wilson to the Murray State University Board of Regents on how an MSU-supported dual-credit program is an important part of the district’s college preparation work. From the Clinton Hickman County Gazette.
“More than anything, the PLAN test does help you plan a course of action for the ACT. So we know with this group, there is work to be done. Our ultimate goal would be in the top 10 in the state. We’ve got some work to do.” Anderson County High School Principal Ronnie Fields on use of the PLAN exam to measure students’ college studies readiness. From the Lawrenceburg Anderson News.
“I eat lunch in our cafeterias every single day, so I will go sit down with people today that found out Friday they won’t have a job next year. That’ll be hard to sit across the table from them. We just hope we can hang on and do what’s right for the kids every single day.” New Ballard County Schools Superintendent Casey Allen on working on his first budget, which is expected to include the loss of more than a dozen staff positions. From the Paducah WPSD-TV News.
“It is imperative that we promote awareness and good decision making among students of this very impressionable age. It is a vulnerable time for students as they will make choices that will affect the rest of their lives. It is crucial for us to join together as teachers, staff, parents and community members and be positive role models. We must behave in the same manner we expect our students to behave if we truly want to have an impact on these children’s future.” Russell County Middle School Interim Principal Tonya Adams in a letter explaining the school council’s decision to bar use of tobacco products by anyone on its campus. From the Russell Springs Times Journal.
“Comparing food and meal prices in Owensboro, Ky., to those in, say, San Diego, Calif., doesn’t make a lot of sense. When you consider our current economy, it’s hard to call it equitable. Maybe in California they need to charge $3 to make their program work. We don’t.” Owensboro Independent Schools Food Services Director Lisa McCarty on the federal school meals charge equity rule that may force higher prices in many Kentucky districts. From the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer.
“Relax, continue to work hard and listen to what the teacher tells you. They don’t need to prove anything to anybody, not another student, not anyone. They need to give their very best effort and let the teachers teach them.” Paducah Middle School Principal Tim Huddleston to a group of parents as part of an annual meeting to answer questions and dispel myths about the transition to his school, and later on to high school. From the Paducah Sun.
“There’s about 12 coats of paint on the doors and it’s a mess. We can’t even buy parts for the internal workings.” Walton-Verona Independent Superintendent Bill Boyle on one of the issues in renovating the district’s 59-year-old elementary school. From the Fort Mitchell Community Press and Recorder.
“If a child starts their freshman year, they are to finish in the same school they started their freshman year in. If they don’t, (the school is) penalized. Most of our kids, at one point in time, move with their family to a place where there is a job, since there aren’t many here in Monroe County. They need to make sure that small areas such as Monroe County are not penalized because a parent has to move somewhere to get a job. It’s not just Monroe County; I’m speaking for all the small counties.” Monroe County Schools Superintendent Lewis Carter on problems some administrators have with the new high school graduation calculations. From the Bowling Green WBKO-TV News.