Daviess County Public Schools staff newsletter Oct. 5-9, 2015
ZÜtÑxä|Çx
The Daviess County Public Schools district is celebrating
its third consecutive year earning Distinguished status for
outstanding performance on the state Unbridled Learning
accountability system. Based on results released Oct. 1,
DCPS has once again reached the 95th percentile.
Three DCPS elementary schools have earned School of
Distinction status for scores in the 95th or higher
percentile – the highest possible recognition. Highland
Elementary School is at the 99th percentile; followed by
Meadow Lands and Burns elementary schools, both at the
98th percentile.
Ten DCPS schools have earned Distinguished status for
scores in the 90th percentile or higher:
Burns Elementary, Country Heights Elementary, Deer
Park Elementary, Highland Elementary, Meadow Lands
Elementary, Southern Oaks Elementary, College View
Middle, Daviess County Middle, Apollo High School and
Daviess County High School.
Three others – Sorgho Elementary, Tamarack Elementary
and Burns Middle School achieved Proficient status.
Burns Elementary School is the only DCPS school to
achieve status as a School of Distinction for three
consecutive years.
Apollo and Daviess County high schools have both earned
Distinguished status for the first time. Apollo’s overall
score for 2015 is 75.6 and the DCHS overall score is 75.9.
Southern Oaks Elementary School made significant gains,
moving from Needs Improvement status in 2014 to
Distinguished this year. Tamarack Elementary School
represents one of the district’s greatest successes as they
have moved from the 57th percentile to 82nd and
Proficient status.
Deer Park Elementary and Daviess County High School
are identified as High Performing Schools; and Southern
Oaks Elementary School is a High Performing/High
Progress School.
Supt. Owens Saylor said, “Earning Distinguished status is
wonderful accomplishment. The hard work and personal
contribution of every member of the DCPS family is
reflected in these results. The exciting thing is that there’s
plenty to be proud of but we are always focused on
improvement.”
See Next Pages for Photographs!
DCPS - Kentucky Distinguished District!
Professional Development
Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist
Community Campus Update
Special Events at Our Schools
Healthy Lifestyle Tip
United Way Update
Humana Vitality Re-Screens and Flu Shots
Kentucky Distinguished District
Third Consecutive Year!
DCPS VxÄxuÜtàxá4
Highland Elementary School celebrated its status as a
2015 School of Distinction with a special event on the
school campus featuring a motorcade with police cars
and fire trucks and a live radio broadcast. Highland
students scored in the 99th percentile – the top 1
percent in Kentucky — on the 2015 Unbridled
Learning state assessment. Pictured at right are the
Highland Hornet (Carrie Munsey), WBKR’s Jaclyn
Graves and Principal Leslie Peveler.
The Burns Elementary School team celebrated its status as a School of Distinction — the only DCPS school earning
this honor for three consecutive years — as the team of Brandy Bishop, Wendy Cooper, Amy Shutt and Heather
Newman proudly displayed their 2015 K-PREP scores on their shirts!
DCPS VxÄxuÜtàxá4Meadow Lands Elementary School
teachers were intensely focused
during Data Day on Sept. 25.
Teresa Howard explains
data analysis of recent student
performance through observations,
hypothesis of practice and
connections for future
performance. Meadow Lands
scored within the 98th percentile
on the Unbridled Learning
state assessment with a
2015 overall score of 78.2,
earning classification as a
Distinguished/Progressing School
and reward as a
School of Distinction.
Apollo High School celebrated the school’s move to
Distinguished status with a special lunch on Oct. 1.
Deer Park Elementary
School staff members
proudly show off their
“Distinguished” T-shirts.
Tamarack Elementary School celebrates one of our
district’s greatest successes as they have moved from the
57th percentile to 82nd and Proficient status.
cÜÉyxáá|ÉÇtÄ WxäxÄÉÑÅxÇà
While students enjoyed a day off on Sept. 25, East View
Elementary School teachers were hard at work analyzing
Fall MAP data and individual KPREP scores, making
instructional decisions to ensure student success. “I’m so
proud of their hard work,” said Principal Sonya Simpson.
“What an awesome group of educators, striving to make a
difference for every child!”
West Louisville Elementary School teachers worked
together to review the Mathematical Practices and then
discussed examples within their classrooms. Clips from
“The Big Bang Theory” were used as examples. Pictured
here are Allie Lindow, Katie Sims, Judy Ogg and Johnna
Gray.
Margaret Newton and Patrick Hittson collaborate during
Professional Development day at Heritage Park High
School as the staff focuses on student achievement.
The staff at Owensboro Day Treatment/Owensboro
Treatment Center spent the Sept. 25 Professional
Development day learning about the new monitoring
instrument for the KECSAC program. Teachers in two
groups did a jigsaw activity as they learned about the new
indicators, then shared their insights about the indicators.
Pictured above are Kendra Hendrix, Amanda Miller and
Sherry Westerman; below are Chuck Broughton, Travis
Atwell and Lee Heppler.
cÜÉyxáá|ÉÇtÄ WxäxÄÉÑÅxÇà
Photos above and right:
Daviess County High School teachers participated in a
special activity during the Sept. 25 Professional
Development Day, learning how students create their own
learning targets. DCHS was named a Distinguished/
Progressing school with rewards as a High Performing
School on the Unbridled Learning state assessment.
Left: Donna Bray and Misty Miller, kindergarten teachers at Sorgho Elementary
School, worked to create data boards with recent MAP scores during the Sept. 25
Professional Development day.
Below right: Many of Sorgho Elementary School’s staff members visited A
Simple Path for lunch on Sept. 25. Simple Path is a program at New Life Church
that provides training and education in cooking, food service and restaurant skills.
The program offers a way for residents of homeless shelters to gain independence.
Sorgho is proud to support a great cause that supports many of our students and
appreciated this opportunity to “give back.”
Teacher of the Year Semi-FinalistKaren Mallonee, a Spanish language teacher at College View Middle School, is one of nine
semifinalists for the 2016 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award presented by the Kentucky
Department of Education and Ashland Inc. She is one of three semi-finalists for the state’s
Middle School Teacher of the Year Award.
Winners will be announced Oct. 20 in Frankfort based on classroom visits and personal
interviews. Selection as a semi-finalist was based on applications, which included information
about nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experiences, community involvement and
letters of recommendation. Karen was the named the Daviess County Public Schools’
Great Expectations Middle School Teaching Excellence Award winner in August 2014.
VÉÅÅâÇ|àç VtÅÑâáIn my role as College and Career
Readiness Coordinator for the
Daviess County Public Schools
district, I have the opportunity to
interact with so many interesting
and knowledgeable professionals;
administrators, guidance
counselors, teachers, College and
Career Readiness coaches and
admissions personnel from colleges
and universities from all over the
state and region.
Two of the most knowledgeable
individuals in the field of College
and Career Readiness that I have the pleasure of
interacting with on a daily basis are our very own College
and Career Readiness Coaches from Apollo High School
and Daviess County High School — Jeremy Camron and
Susan Colbert.
Jeremy and Susan work hard daily at AHS and DCHS to
ensure Daviess County Public Schools students have the
skills necessary for a successful life after high school.
Though needed skills and skill sets are different for each
student, Jeremy and Susan collaborate with the assigned
senior counselors at each high school to achieve that goal.
Our CCRs wear many hats throughout their work day, but
their main focuses include tracking ACT and Compass
Placement scores for the senior class to ensure students
meet college readiness benchmarks. They act as a resource
and advisor to students in terms of planning for a family-
sustainable career after high school or college; and they
assist students with college applications, financial aid and
other college related questions and needs. Jeremy and
Susan also host numerous college admission and career
speakers to inform our high school students about the
plentiful opportunities that are available in our area.
The month of October has been declared “College
Application and Awareness Month” in Daviess County
Public Schools. Though preparing for life after high
school is a focus all year, every year, it is especially
important in the fall as many high school seniors are
completing college applications in preparation for
acceptance into college. I am proud to say that there are
multiple College and Career activities every day during
the month of October within DCPS. This list is far from
complete, but please take a look at some of the wonderful
opportunities available to our high school students during
the month of October:
Apollo High School Schedule of Events:
Oct. 5 — University of Louisville admissions visit
Oct. 5 — University of Louisville JB Speed School visits
Engineering Academy at Apollo
Oct. 19 — College Application Weeks Kick Off with
Keynote Speaker Bart Darrell, President KWC
Oct. 20 — Murray State On Site Admissions, KHEAA
Application assistance
Oct. 20 — KHEAA Senior Parent Meeting Financial Talk
Oct. 21 — OCTC on Site Admissions
Oct. 22 — Josten Presentation to seniors
Oct. 26 — National Guard Presentation
Oct. 29 — WKU on Site Application Assistance
Oct. 30 — Foundation Award Speaker/Alumnus Career
Talk
Oct. 30 — Post Your Plan day — Seniors fill out and post
their plan on Commons Area Bulletin Board
Daviess County High School Schedule of Events:
Oct. 2 — Host Northern Kentucky University’s president
Oct. 3 — Brescia University Open House on campus
Oct. 5 — University of Louisville in the CCR Center
Continued on Next Page
Amanda Jerome
College & Career
Readiness Coordinator
Susan Colbert and Jeremy Camron provide support and
resources to students in their roles as College and Career
Readiness Coaches at Daviess County and Apollo high
schools.
Continued from Previous Page
Oct. 8 — Lindsey Wilson College in the CCR Center
Oct. 8 — College fair at Daviess County Public Library
Oct. 19 — OCTC Application Day at DCHS
Oct. 21 — Murray State Application Day at DCHS
Oct. 23 — “Scrub Craze!” OCTC Surgical Tech Day
Additionally, during the College Application season, many
of our students across the district participate in College
and Career Field trips, including:
Sept. 29 — Kids on Campus at Western Kentucky
University (DCHS/AHS)
Oct. 2 — Great Expectations field trip: DCMS at OCTC
Oct. 23 — Kids on Campus at Murray State University
(DCHS/AHS)
Oct. 23 — Great Expectations field trip: BMS at OCTC
Oct. 28 — Kids on Campus at the University of Kentucky
(DCHS/AHS)
Community Campus Supports
College Application Month!
The Life Science Academy supports College Application
Month by hosting a variety of speakers from Owensboro
Community and Technical College. The schedule for
October includes the following events:
Oct. 5 – David Martin: STEM Scholarship
Oct. 5 — Joy Menser: Radiography
Oct. 18 — Micah Perkins: Biology at OCTC/Research
Oct. 26 — Karen Miller: OCTC Pre-Professional
Program, Cornerstone
Oct. 28 — Ed Leach: Vet Tech
Oct. 28 — Zara Basham: Surgical Tech
Students in the Life Science Academy and Engineering
Academy participated in a field trip to the University of
Kentucky on Friday, Sept. 25. Both groups were able to
see career specific courses in action, as well as participate
in customized tours of their areas of interest. Though the
students had the day off from school, they showed their
dedication to continuing their education by loading the
buses at 5:30 a.m. for this trip, as pictured at right!
For more information about how DCPS supports
College and Career Readiness, contact CCR Coaches at
Apollo or Daviess County High School, or CCR
Coordinator Amanda Jerome at 270-852-7000 or
Apollo and Daviess County high school students visited
Western Kentucky University on Sept. 29 for a combined
“Kids on Campus” College and Career Field Trip.
VÉÅÅâÇ|àç VtÅÑâá
Community Campus Engineering Academy students
visited the University of Kentucky campus.
Fifth-grade students at Sorgho Elementary School will
transform the walking trail into a historic cemetery from
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Students will dress up
and tell visitors why their characters were important to
U.S. History and how that person used the Seven Habits.
Cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. Children age 12
and younger will receive a treat from each character after
they hear their story. Bring the whole family and enjoy a
great way to learn!
Sorgho Cemetery Walk
Burns Elementary School is hosting a Fall Festival on
Friday, Oct. 23. Dinner is served in the cafeteria from 5 to
6:30 p.m. with hot dogs, chili, chips, soft drinks and
dessert on the menu. (Cash and check only, please.)
Game and activity booths are open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
and include pumpkin painting, haunted house, cornhole,
fun photos, duck pond, face painting, ball toss, cake walk,
Halloween bingo, inflatables and much more.
Tickets are 50 cents each; 12 for $5; 25 for $10. Dance
room and tattoos are free.
A silent auction is also planned with bids accepted until
5:45 p.m.
Mark your calendar and plan to join family and friends at
this fun-filled Fall Festival!
The Theater Society at Daviess County High School is
hosting a Pirate and Princess Party from 6 to 8 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26, in the school cafeteria. Those attending
are asked to enter through the back of the school using
the Southeastern Parkway entrance by the football and
softball fields.
Children are invited to wear costumes and have their
photos taken with Pirates and Princesses – members of
the Theater Society. Other activities include games, treats
and story time. Admission is free but donations will be
accepted.
For more information, contact DCHS drama director
Karen Feldhaus at 270-852-7300 or by email at
Pirate & Princess Party The Grapevine
is YOUR
newsletter!
Send news
about
your school’s
Fall Festival
and other
special events to
Weekly health and fitness tips brought to you by the
DCPS Food Services Department. We care about you!
The DCPS United Way Campaign is underway! Please
consider contributing to United Way. United Way supports
more than 70 agencies that help thousands of people every
day, so when you make a gift to United Way, you are
supporting a variety of needs. Hospice of Western
Kentucky is just one of many agencies supported by your
contributions to United Way. Below is a story of families
helped by Hospice and United Way.
Our goal as hospice caregivers is to make the patient’s
final stage of life as full and rewarding as possible. One of
our ways of accomplishing that is with a “Wish” program
we created specifically to grant last wishes for patients
who haven’t the financial or other means to make the wish
happen themselves.
For instance, we helped a 41-year-old Owensboro resident
take the trip of a lifetime to see in person his beloved San
Francisco 49ers play at the Edward Jones Dome in St.
Louis. A true fan and memorabilia collector since the
1980s, he said the team helped raise his spirits and
provided a welcome distraction as he dealt with his
Huntington’s disease diagnosis. His dream was to not only
get to see a game in person, but to also meet coaches and
players to personally thank them for the joy they had
provided him. With the help of our program, his wish
came true.
Such was true as well with a touching wish we granted for
a young lady who was planning her wedding, aware that
when her special day finally arrived, her father, a hospice
patient, would not be there to walk her down the aisle as
every little girl envisions. Knowing she wanted her father
to at least see her in her wedding gown, our staff took
that idea even further and staged a special pre-wedding
moment in the chapel at The Heartford House for father,
daughter and a few relatives from the bride’s side of the
family. Wearing her wedding dress, she walked down the
hallway of The Heartford House to bridal music played on
the piano by a Hospice staff member.
Waiting in a wheelchair in the chapel was her father,
dressed in a wedding tuxedo. Though he had lost his
ability to speak, his eyes told the story as he watched his
daughter walk toward him in her wedding dress. Days
later, he passed away, but lasting memories had been
created. Hospice staff members took photos and filmed
the occasion, and the bride was later presented with the
photos and a video as a wedding gift.
Also included was a very special surprise gift. Unknown
to her, a Hospice staff member had helped the bride’s
father express his love for his daughter and his hopes for
her future in a letter. Though he couldn’t write the letter
himself, a photo was taken of him holding the letter. Then,
on her wedding day, the letter and photo were given to her
as a gift from her father.
Not every wish is big. Some may even seem simple, but
each one has special meaning for the patient, and creates
lasting, heart-warming memories for the families left
behind.
What difference will your investment make?
With your investment of $50, Hospice of Western
Kentucky can:
n Provide monthly rental of a nebulizer
n Provide monthly rental of a patient lift
n Provide a two- to four-week supply of pain/symptom medications
n Provide one case of liquid laundry detergent for patient linens
n Provide oxygen for eight days
n Provide some medications for one day for one patient
n Provide preparation supplies for nine patient meals
LIVE UNITED
Humana Vitality re-screenings and flu shotsThe Green River District Health Department is offering
flu shots and Humana Vitality re-screenings to all staff again
this year. See list at right for schedule of remaining visits at
each building. Sign-up sheets offer appointments starting at
7 a.m. each day. There are spaces for two people to
participate in the screenings at every time slot.
Please allow 20 minutes for this screening, which includes
full lipid panel (TC, HDL, ratio, LDL, triglycerides,
glucose); blood
pressure; pulse; height, weight and waist circumference
(BMI). Plan to fast 9-12 hours before screening (you may
take medications with sips of water).
Take your HumanaVitality membership card with you to the
re-screening.
Important Note: This screening is NOT required for your
Living Well Promise! This is a RE-SCREEN for people who
had goals or an area they wanted to work on. This is an
opportunity to earn points you may not have received at the
initial screening if you have now reached target goals and
normal ranges. For example, if your blood pressure was not
in normal range at the screening at the beginning of the year,
but it is within range at this re-screening, you will receive
the 400 points you did not get with the first screen. If you
were in normal ranges on everything, you don’t need to be
re-screened at this time.
Remember – Employees may get a screening every three
months if you have something to work on.
At the beginning of 2016, we will begin scheduling the
yearly screening for the LivingWell Promise!
Burns Elementary School — Nov. 10
Country Heights Elementary School — Oct. 7
Deer Park Elementary School — Nov. 5
East View Elementary School — Oct. 8
Meadow Lands Elementary School — Nov. 12
Sorgho Elementary School — Nov. 4
Tamarack Elementary School — Oct. 9
West Louisville Elementary School — Nov. 5
Whitesville Elementary School — Oct. 22
Burns Middle School — Nov. 6
College View Middle School — Nov. 13
Daviess County Middle School — Nov. 4
Apollo High School — Oct. 22
Daviess County High School — Oct. 21
Heritage Park High School — Nov. 17
Owensboro Day Treatment/Treatment Center - Oct. 30
Valley School — Nov. 13
Transportation and Maintenance — Sept. 23
Learning Center — Nov. 17
DDCCPPSS
HHeeaalltthh
NNeewwss
[tÑÑçYtÄÄ UÜxt~4
[tÑÑçYtÄÄ UÜxt~4