Jefferson County Public Schools
2011-12 Back-toSchool Issue
• Bus information • Health information • Tips on getting ready for preschool, elementary, middle, and high school • Back-to-school checklist
www.jcpsky.net
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Offering Equal Educational Opportunities
JCPS welcomes new superintendent Closing achievement gaps, improving overall school performance, boosting parent involvement, and using data more effectively to promote student success are just a few of the goals that Dr. Donna M. Hargens says she will focus on as the next JCPS superintendent. The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) unanimously voted to appoint her to the position last month. Her first day at work for JCPS will be Mon., Aug. 1. “We believe Dr. Hargens is the ideal fit for this job,” says JCBE Chairman Stephen Imhoff. “Her experience in raising student achievement, her overall leadership approach, and her commitment to diversity and student assignment make her the best choice to lead our district. We look forward to working with her to increase the academic performance of our students and schools.” She will be the second female JCPS superintendent. The first was Rosa Phillips Stonestreet, who served from 1898-1910.
A message from Dr. Hargens Donna M. Hargens profile
Education: 1979, Marquette University, bachelor’s degree; 1988, UNC-Chapel Hill, master’s in educational administration/ supervision; 2005, Seton Hall University, doctorate in education leadership, management, and policy Career: chief academic officer for the Wake County Public School System, 2006-11; interim superintendent, 2010-11; assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, 2005-06; Western Area assistant superintendent, 2003-05 Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Age: 53 Family: Husband, Jeremy, 54; son, Josh, 27; daughter-in-law, Tiffany, 27; daughter, Jenna, 25 Dr. Hargens’ resume is available at www.jcpsky.net/Board/ Hargens.pdf.
What will I do during my first 90 days on the job? That’s one of the questions I was asked last month at the JCPS community forum. I said I would spend a lot of time just listening. Being a superintendent is a 24/7 job, and I plan to visit community as well as school events to listen to people and learn more about what they think JCPS is doing well and what needs to be improved. I also plan to visit as many of the district’s 155 schools as possible during the first few months, but I’m not going to just put in an appearance. I believe it’s important to spend the time necessary to meet students and parents as well as staff members. I want to truly learn the strengths and the needs at each school. Of course, during my first days on the job, I will be getting ready for the new school year. Interim Superintendent Dr. Freda Merriweather and the JCPS staff have worked diligently to prepare the district for the start of school, developing new services and tools. Many of them, such as the Back-to-School Web page, the Transportation Hotline, and the new Bus Finder, are noted in this newsletter. I encourage you to use them to ease your own back-to-school preparations and to help your child get off to a great start for the new school year. Listening to the questions at the forum, interviewing with other Louisville groups, and meeting people throughout the city, I quickly learned that Jefferson County is a community that passionately cares about its schools. I’m confident that the new year will be the start of a renewed communitywide effort to raise achievement and create a learning environment in which all students are able to grow academically, to think critically and creatively, and to compete globally. Donna M. Hargens, Ed.D. JCPS Superintendent
Learning and laughter for them—peace of mind for you Kids like the Childcare Enrichment Program (CEP) because it’s fun. Sports, games, crafts, and special projects keep them learning and laughing. Parents like CEP—a partnership between JCPS and the YMCA—because it provides high-quality care in a safe, familiar school environment for children ages 5 through 14.
First day of school: Mon., Aug. 15—Are you ready? Have you registered your child or verified his or her school assignment? Call 485-6250 if you need to find out which school your child will attend or what documents you will need to register.
A new one is required each year. Call 485-3186 for more information.
Have you confirmed your child’s transportation arrangements? Do you know where your child’s bus stop is? (See the next page for information on JCPS bus transportation.) Have you talked about both safety issues and behavior expectations on the bus? If you sent transportation information to your child’s school earlier this year, have there been any changes? If so, contact your child’s school as soon as possible. If your child is walking or biking, have you discussed safety precautions regarding traffic and strangers?
Does your child have a backpack? Call your child’s school if you need help purchasing one.
Do you know what time school starts for your child? At most JCPS elementary schools, the hours are 9:05 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. At most middle and high schools, the hours are 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Do you know how much school meals cost? Lunch is $2.30 for elementary students and $2.40 for middle and high school students. It’s $4.25 for adults. Breakfast (available at most schools) costs $1.75 for elementary students and $1.85 for middle and high school students. If your child qualifies for free or reduced-price meals under USDA guidelines, have you filled out an application?
Have you checked with the school about the supplies your child will need?
Do you know if your child’s school has a dress code? Will your child need different clothes for physical education or art classes? Have you filled out health, emergency contact, and other forms that have been sent home? Has your child developed any health problems during the summer that will affect his or her school day? If so, have you notified school staff? If your child needs to take medication at school, have you made arrangements? Have you established an earlier bedtime to help your child get back on a school schedule?
• Before-school care starts at 7 a.m. • After-school care lasts until 6 p.m. • Full-day care is available on holidays, Professional-Development (PD) Days, and other days when there’s no school. • CEP sites are located at more than 50 JCPS schools. • Financial assistance is available. For more information, visit www .ymcalouisville.org or call Melissa Barman (485-3834) or YMCA School-Age Childcare Programs (637-1575).
2011-12 new principals
Atkinson Elementary: Stephanie Nutter Blake Elementary: Susan Glenn Buechel Metropolitan High: Joey Riddle Doss High: Kenneth Moeller Fairdale High: Bradley Weston Field Elementary: Deborah Rivera Iroquois High: Christopher Perkins Jefferson County High: Jerry Keepers Knight Middle: Faith Stroud Lincoln Elementary: Susan French Minors Lane Elementary: Zachary Eckels Semple Elementary: Danielle Randle Seneca High: Michelle Dillard Southern High: Bryce Hibbard State Agency Schools: Michele Eckels Waggener High: Kathryn Zeitz Wheatley Elementary: Kristi Gregory Zachary Taylor Elementary: Dwayne Roberts Appointments as of July 11, 2011
Requesting teacher qualifications Under a provision of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, parents of a student attending a Title I school may request information about the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers. Contact your child’s school for more information.
Bus information
JCPS will start the school year with 32 new hybrid electric buses. They use 30 to 40 percent less fuel than regular diesel buses.
Transportation hotline
485-RIDE (7433) JCPS staff will be available to answer questions about bus transportation at the following times: • Aug. 11-12 — 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. • Aug. 14 — 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. • Aug. 15 (first day of school) — 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Aug. 16-17 — 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Some parents like to take their child to school on the first day, but if your child is going to be a bus rider most of the time, it’s a good idea for him or her to ride it on the first day to help the driver establish a routine.
Kindergarteners and new English as a Second Language (ESL) students will receive a sticker with the name of the child’s school on it. Please remember to put this sticker on your child’s clothing on the first day of school.
JCPS bus information is available through the Bus Finder feature on the district’s Web site at www.jcpsky .net). The district has worked with with LOJIC (Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium) Streetmap to enhance the Bus Finder for the new school year. When you enter your address, you’ll see the closest bus stops.
Luggage tags will be placed on each elementary student’s backpack on the first day. The student’s name, bus number(s), school, and afternoon bus stop will be printed on the tag. For security reasons, student phone numbers will not be included. Students who do not have a backpack on the first day of school will receive lanyards for temporary use.
JCPS has recently made several other enhancements to the transportation system. New radios will improve communication between drivers and district staff. Schools will use Skype instant messaging to communicate with bus compounds, and additional staff will be available to help elementary bus riders. Parents should anticipate that buses will run late during the first few days of school.
Elementary parents: Have you confirmed your child’s transportation arrangements? In the spring, parents of students in the JCPS Early Childhood Program and parents of incoming first- through fifth-grade students were asked to fill out information cards about their child’s transportation arrangements. If you received and returned this card and have not received a confirmation letter yet, contact your child’s school. You also should contact your child’s school if you have moved since you returned the transportation card.
If your child is an incoming kindergartener or is attending a JCPS elementary school for the first time, you should have received a transportation information card in mid-July for you to fill out and return to the school. Please contact your child’s school if you have not received this card.
Riding the bus on the first day of school—the video What’s it like for a young student to ride a JCPS school bus on the first day of school? A video that simulates the experience is posted on www .jcpsky.net.
Bus safety tips
• Make sure your child gets to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. • If you live on the opposite side of the road from a bus stop, tell your child to wait on your side of the road until the bus arrives and the driver gives the signal to cross. • Students are allowed to get off the bus only at a regular, designated stop. Temporary changes—for instance, if your child wants to get off at a friend’s house instead of the regular stop—must be requested by parents and approved by the school principal. • Tell your child to walk several giant steps away from the bus after he or she has been dropped off, but remind your child to wait for the driver’s signal if he or she has to cross a road to get back to your house. Teach your child to never cross the road behind a bus.
JCPS Phone Numbers
Transportation Department: 4853470
JCPS Web page helps you get ready for the first day
Parent Assistance Center: 4856250 or 485-6771—Information on student assignment, registration, specialized education programs, and relocation services Health Services: 485-3387—See page 10. Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs: 485-3323—Information on applying to specialized schools and programs
New, improved Bus Finder makes it even easier to find your child’s bus stop
JCPS has created a new Web page that offers all the back-to-school information you need in one place—including an enhanced Bus Finder that instantly displays pickup times at the bus stops closest to your home. Available at www.jcpsky.net, the page also offers links to many elementary and middle school supply lists, lunch menus, a school calendar, health information, a video that shows what it’s like to ride the bus on the first day of school, and lots of other info and tools to help you get ready for the new school year.
District information— however you want it
Web site (www.jcpsky.net)—The JCPS site also offers general information on the district, links to individual school sites, maps, forms, and much more. There’s a page just for parents and another just for students, which provides online homework help. District news is posted on the homepage and on the News page.
Exceptional Child Education (ECE): 485-3500—See page 11. Demographics: 485-3050—Information on which school a student should attend based on his or her address
Facebook (www.facebook.com /JCPSKY)—The Facebook page offers district news and alerts. During inclement whether, the page provides school-closing information. Twitter (http://twitter.com /JCPSKY)—The district’s Twitter feed includes school-closing information and other news items posted on the Facebook page. YouTube (www.youtube.com/user /jcpsweb)—The JCPS YouTube Channel includes student profiles and video overviews of the district’s magnet programs.
JCPS FactLine: 485-3228
Early Childhood: 485-3919—Information on JCPS preschool programs Elementary school questions: 4853495 or 485-3152 Middle school questions: 485-3549 High school questions: 485-3664 Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs): 485-3703— Information on social, health, and crisis-assistance resources FactLine: 485-3228—Answers to basic questions and transfers to other departments for in-depth information. Call this number if you don’t know where to call.
Getting ready for preschool
Coloring helps your child develop the small muscles he or she needs to hold a pencil.
Help your child learn as he or she plays. For example, you and your child could build something with blocks. This helps your child begin to understand how to plan and carry out a project. Draw and color together. This not only gives you a chance to teach colors and shapes but also helps your child develop the small muscles that he or she needs to hold a pencil. Fire your child’s imagination by encouraging him or her to make up a story and act it out with dolls, stuffed animals, or toy cars and trucks. Make sure your child has at least a small collection of simple picture books. Read together as often as possible. Point out letters and sounds when you read. For instance, you could say, “That’s a mouse. It starts with m. It sounds like mmm.” Trace letters on your child’s back with your finger. Ask your child to guess which letter you wrote. Choose a word for the day (a simple word, such as go or stop), and ask your child to see how many times he or she spots it on signs, in books, on television, or anywhere else. Here are a few ways you can help your preschooler start learning to take on responsibilities: • Ask your child to set the table. • Show him or her how to clean up after bath time. • Teach your child to sort clothes. Preschoolers who help at home gain independence and self-confidence, which will help them succeed in school. The JCPS Early Childhood Web site is located at www.jcpsky.net/Departments/EarlyChildhood.
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Getting ready for kindergarten
One of the best ways to help your child get ready is also one of the easiest: Just talk about what to expect on the first day of school and on an average day. Talk about the things your child might do and how the school schedule works. Also, talk about the opportunities your child will have to work and play with other students. Also, make sure your child knows how to: • Say and write his or her first and last name. • Say his or her telephone number and address. (You can help your child learn them by setting them to a familiar tune, such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”) • Recognize basic colors: red, blue, yellow, green, orange, black, brown, and purple. • Recognize numbers from 1-10, count from 1-20, and recognize all the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet. • Hold pencils, crayons, markers, and scissors correctly. • Use the bathroom on his or her own. • Zip, snap, tie, button, and fasten Velcro.
Tell your child it’s okay to be nervous on the first day. Point out that everyone, even the teacher, will be a little nervous.
Tell your child that it’s okay to be nervous. Point out that everyone—even the teacher—will be a little nervous but that learning and doing other fun stuff will soon help everyone get over the first-day jitters. Eliminate as much stress as possible from the getting-ready-for-school ritual. Lay out clothes and get supplies ready the night before so the morning routine will be less hectic. Talk to your child about the importance of sharing, getting along, paying attention, and waiting in line patiently. Source: JCPS teachers and Family & Children’s Place counselors. Family & Children’s Place is a Louisville-based nonprofit organization (www.familyandchildrensplace.org, phone: 893-3900.)
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Getting ready for middle school “It’s not a scary thing,” says a Noe Middle student who wrote “survival tips” for new sixth graders.
“OMG! So many new teachers, lots of stuff to carry, more rules! All of that is true, but don’t worry, middle school isn’t some place for freaks. I was a fifth grader, and I didn’t know what to expect from middle school either. I’m here to tell you some awesome tips ....” That’s an excerpt from Middle School: It’s Not a Scary Thing by Camryn Smith, a Noe Middle student. Camryn and other students in teacher Laura Yates’ language arts class practiced their writing skills last school year by writing “survival” tips for new sixth graders. You may want to share the following tips with your child. “You’ll have to wake up earlier in the morning,” says Jacob Lapsley. “School starts at 7:40 in the morning for middle and high schoolers, probably around the time you got up in the morning for elementary school. So go to bed early at night at around 9:00-9:30 PM so you’ll have enough sleep in the morning. Don’t stay up till 11:00 at night because you want to watch TV. GO TO SLEEP EARLY!” “Be careful in the hallway,” Jacob adds. “The hallway can be chaos if you aren’t careful.” “With greater age comes greater responsibility—like remembering locker combinations, getting to class on-time, and turning in all your work,” says Richard Wilson. “Don’t be afraid to ask a teacher a question if you are unsure about something,” Richard says. Be prepared for class, Camryn says. “Teachers expect more of you, and you should already know what you need for class” before you get there. “Every day you will need paper, pens, pencils, and papers from the day before,” says Kameron Jones. “My advice is to have a binder. Get a large binder where you can keep a folder for every class, notebook paper, and markers or crayons. Remember your agenda!” “Have a positive attitude and work hard,” Camryn says. “Working hard can help you achieve an ultimate goal. Everyone wants to get into that great high school and even college.”
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Getting ready for high school Talk to your child about staying organized and developing time-management skills. Positive mental preparation (and good sleep habits) can help your child avoid feeling overwhelmed. Besides attending orientation sessions, open houses, and other opportunities to visit the school, be sure to check out the school’s Web site. Make sure your child is aware of the school’s dress code and other rules.
Be patient and understanding as your child makes the transition from middle to high school.
Encourage your child to get involved with a club, athletic team, or other student activity right away. During the hubbub of the school day, it’s easy to miss official announcements of activities, auditions, and tryouts, so you may want to encourage your child to seek out the teacher in charge of the activity to get details on how to join. Emphasize the importance of homework, and help your child establish a homework schedule. Be patient and understanding as your child makes the transition. If your child seems to have an especially tough time, encourage him or her to talk about it. Together, you may be able to figure out the problem and some options for solving it. You or your child may also want to ask a counselor for advice. Tell your child not to wait until his or her senior year to start thinking about college. JCPS high schools offer students many opportunities to explore career options and earn college credit before they graduate. Point out to your child that grades in high school are different from grades in elementary and middle school because high school grade point averages (GPAs) are cumulative. The grades students earn as freshmen and sophomores are just as important as the grades they earn as juniors and seniors. When older students apply to college or try to get a job, they sometimes regret not trying harder when they were underclassmen. Source: This information was compiled with help from the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at Barret Traditional Middle.
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Health information
How do you know if your child is too sick to go to school? According to general JCPS guidelines, students should stay home when they have any of the following symptoms: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, undiagnosed rash, or a fever of 100.5 or greater. Of course, students also should stay home if they have been diagnosed with a contagious disease. Students at all Kentucky schools must follow state health regulations. Contact JCPS Health Services at 485-3387 if you have questions about the following requirements: Dental Examinations Five- and six-year-old students entering kindergarten or first grade for the first time this year should have a Kentucky Dental form on file at the school they’re attending no later than January 1, 2012. A dentist, dental hygienist, physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or physician assistant must complete the dental screening or examination. Schools will enter the exam information in the Infinite Campus online system. Immunizations Every student should have a current, valid immunization certificate on file at his or her school within two weeks of entering it. New immunization requirements went into effect on July 1, but they won’t affect certificates issued before that date. Visit www.jcpsky
.net/Schools/Health_Descriptions .html for more information on required immunizations. Medical examinations Students entering a Kentucky school for the first time and all students entering the sixth grade should have a Kentucky Preventative Health Care Examination Form on file. Vision examinations Three-, four-, five, and six-year-old students entering school for the first time this year should have a Kentucky Vision Examination Form on file no later than January 1, 2012. An optometrist or ophthalmologist must complete the vision examination. Health/Medication concerns Parents of a child who has health problems or requires health services while in school should notify JCPS Health Services as well as the child’s school. Students who need prescription medication and/or over-the-counter medication during school hours must have a Medication Authorization Form on file with the required signatures. For such health conditions as asthma/allergies, diabetes, seizures, respiratory disorders, and G-tube/ swallowing/feeding disorders, parents need to submit the appropriate Primary Care Provider Authorization form to the school or directly to JCPS Health Services. Call 485-3387 for more information or to receive a form.
Vision/Hearing screenings Elementary school students participate in vision and hearing screening programs. Parents receive a nonconsent form to return to the school if they do not want their child to participate. Scoliosis screenings Middle school students participate in scoliosis screening programs. Parental consent is required.
For more information or to download any form, visit the Health Services Web site at www.jcpsky.net/Departments/HealthServicesPromotions /HealthServ.html.
ECE services meet special needs Exceptional Child Education (ECE) services are available to JCPS students with disabilities. The scope of services ranges from consultation to placement in a special school setting.
Whenever possible, ECE services are provided in the least restrictive environment with nondisabled students.
The ECE Parent Resource Center offers complete information on the special-education process.
Most JCPS schools serve students with special needs, but services for students with disabilities such as Hearing Impaired (HI), Functionally Mentally Disabled (FMD), and Multiple Disabled (MD) are offered at specific schools. The ECE Parent Resource Center offers complete information on the special-education process, and staff members can help parents work in partnership with their child’s school. Services include: • Information on programs. • Opportunities to talk with a parent liaison who understands the needs of families with special-needs students. • Opportunities to participate in Understanding Special Education workshops. • Resources that help parents plan transitions and develop advocacy skills for their children. • Information on assistance and support groups available in Jefferson County.
Other ECE phone numbers include Programs (485-6270) and Assessment (485-6052). If your child is new to JCPS and already has an Individual Education Program (IEP) from a previous school, contact Placement at 485-3215.
ECE tips
Tips for parents from the ECE Department: • Start back-to-school routines at least a week in advance. • Encourage your child to ask questions about the school schedule. • Participate in orientation and other back-to-school events at your child’s school. • Share information with your child’s teacher (e.g., health issues, likes, and reinforcers). • Encourage your child to read often, regardless of his or her reading level. • Encourage and foster independence. • Request an IEP meeting early in the school year if concerns arise.
The ECE Web site is located at www.jcpsky .net/Programs/ECE/.
• Help interacting with teachers or other school staff members about questions or concerns. Contact an ECE Parent Resource Center staff member at 485-3562, 485-3346, or 485-3807. 11
JCPS students set another scholarship record Class of 2011 earned more than $110 million The JCPS Class of 2011 earned a record number of scholarship dollars—$111,511,468. Students received scholarships not only from top colleges and universities in Louisville and the region but also from the nation’s most prestigious universities, including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Stanford, Rice, Brandeis, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, and MIT. Students also received scholarships from highly respected colleges that focus on the arts, such as the Eastman School of Music and the Art Institute of Boston. This is the second year in a row that JCPS students have set a scholarship record. The Class of 2010 was the first to earn more than $100 million. Their total was $100,575,861.