Jefferson County Public Schools
January 2012
JCPS food rocks, and the whole country knows it (page 4)
Preschoolers learn best through exploring (page 8)
Are you as smart as a JCPS eighth grader? (page 14)
Are English and math harder this year? (page 2)
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Are English and math harder this year? Yes. Here’s why: Throughout the school year, all Kentucky public schools are implementing the Common Core State Standards in math and English/language arts. These academic standards determine what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. For instance, eighth graders should learn how to solve linear equations, such as –x + 5(x + 1⁄3) = 2x – 8. There aren’t as many of the new standards as there were of the old ones, but students now have to master material more quickly and learn lessons in greater depth. This means your child may have more homework, quizzes, 2
and tests than last year. Plus, under the new standards, students have to learn lessons at an earlier grade level than they did under the old ones. For example, all of the following lessons used to be introduced in the third grade, but now they’re introduced in the grade listed in parentheses: • Telling time to the nearest five minutes, learning odd and even numbers to 20, and counting by 5s, 10s, and 100s (grade two) • Telling time to the nearest half hour (grade one) • Learning the attributes of three-dimensional shapes (kindergarten)
In addition, students have to master more challenging skills at each grade level. For instance, under the old standards, third graders studying fractions learned about halves, thirds, and fourths. Under the new standards, they also learn about sixths and eighths. Under the old standards, some math lessons were repeated year after year so students could review, but the new standards require new lessons and new skills every year. Under the new English/language arts standards, you may notice an increase in the amount of reading and
writing that your child is doing—especially in nonfiction because the new standards specify that half of student reading will be nonfiction. The English/language arts standards are integrated with history, social studies, science, and other
technical subjects in grades six through twelve. These standards also present a “staircase” of increasing complexity in what students read—a progression designed to make sure students are ready for college- and career-level reading by high school graduation. For more information, visit the JCPS Web page called the Parents’ Guide to the New State Standards. You’ll find general information, specific questions you should ask your child’s teacher, and tips on helping your child adjust
to the new standards. A link to the page is available in the “Helping Your Child Succeed” section on the Parents page at www.jcpsky.net/Parent. Brochures about the standards are available at all Jefferson County public schools, and the 15th District Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is partnering with the JCPS Gheens Academy instructional staff to offer standards workshops at JCPS schools. For information on scheduling a session for your school, call 485-3535.
Parent to Parent
A New Year, a new resolve The start of 2012 signals the approach of the halfway point of the school year. When school resumed on January 3, 96 days remained in the academic year. Those 96 days translate into ample time to help students be successful. The New Year is a time for a new resolve. It is a time for renewing our commitment to improving the quality of our lives.
• Have a dedicated time to do homework every night. Scheduling time for homework keeps students focused and reduces the need for last-minute, late-night cram sessions. • Get more sleep, eat healthy, and exercise. A healthy, rested body fuels a healthy mind.
I encourage you to help your kids make a New Year’s resolution that will benefit their school performance. A few suggestions include:
• Work hard. Being successful takes effort. Regardless of performance during the first half of the year, laziness will not produce good grades during the second half.
• Attend school every day for the rest of the year (unless you’re sick). Nothing beats being in class hearing your teacher’s explanation and getting personal feedback.
• Never give up! No one masters everything on the first try. It may take a little longer and students may need a little extra help, but students can master the thing they thought
too hard to do if they just stick to it. Let’s all resolve to help our students make the most of the remainder of this school year! Sincerely,
Donna M. Hargens, Ed.D. JCPS Superintendent
3
JCPS food rocks
and the whole country knows it
Food service director earns national recognition for the district
Obama in Washington, D.C., to talk about healthy eating. The HealthySchoolFoodsNow .org Web site has applauded the district’s use of locally
A Facebook page called School Meals That Rock praised JCPS food service operations for “plenty of fresh herbs” and “scratch cooking.”
That chef, Dan Thomas, who also operates the district catering program, received a top award at the American Culinary Federation National Conference last year.
The HealthierUS School Challenge, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program, has recognized JCPS for menu planning and nutrition education. Julia Bauscher, director of JCPS School and Community Nutrition Services, was one of seven U.S. school representatives invited in 2010 to meet with First Lady Michelle 4
produced ingredients and noted that “in order to serve food that was both healthy and tasty, JCPS took an obvious yet unconventional approach: They hired a chef.”
Julia Bauscher, National Food Service Director of the Year
JCPS has also contracted with a local chef, Jim Whaley, to review and revise recipes to make them healthier— specifically by making them lower in sodium and sugar. Chef Whaley has also worked with schools to improve the way meals are served and marketed. And now Bauscher has been
named the 2012 School Foodservice Director of the Year. The award will be presented this month during the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA’s) national Child Nutrition Industry Conference in Orlando, Florida. Before Bauscher became director, she was manager of the JCPS Nutrition Service Center, the district’s central kitchen, and she was able to help create a position for a coordinator of Nutrition Initiatives. The SNA notes that “this position has had an impact in the local community by tackling nutrition-related issues, including aiding the Louisville Mayor’s Food Policy Council.”
Food for thought
JCPS Nutrition Services uses several techniques to raise the nutritional value of school food. Recently, many of the central kitchen recipes have been revised to reduce sodium by adding fresh or dried herbs or other seasonings. French fries, chicken nuggets, chicken patties, and similar items are oven-prepared, not deep-fried. Cold cuts made from turkey are regular menu items. All canned fruits are packed in juice or light syrup. All juices contain 100 percent fruit juice. Elementary students can choose from three entrées and five fruit and vegetable selections, including fresh fruits and vegetables, every day. Secondary students have even more entrée options. More than 30 JCPS schools now have Student Nutrition Advisory Councils. They are groups of students who provide feedback on the school meal program and “kidtest” important recipe and menu changes.
Bauscher was recently elected vice president of the SNA, which represents more than 55,000 school food service professionals nationwide. She’ll serve on the association’s executive committee for three years. She’ll serve as president in 2014-15. The association’s current president, Helen Phillips, points out that “under Julia’s leadership, 77 Jefferson County public schools have attained a HealthierUS School Challenge designation, so we can’t wait to see what [the SNA] can achieve with Julia on the executive team.”
Detailed nutrition information on JCPS menus is available on the Web at www.jcpsky.net/Departments/ NutritionServices/. Elementary, middle, and high school lunch menus are available on the JCPS Parents page at www.jcpsky. net/Parent/index.html. Look in the General Information section. 5
JCPS curriculum audit to be released this month A report on how JCPS develops, teaches, and evaluates its curricula will be released on Mon., Jan. 23. The report will be based on the findings of 25 auditors from the education association Phi Delta Kappa International, which offers a districtwide review process called a Curriculum Management Audit. The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) hired Phi Delta Kappa last summer to conduct the audit, and the association’s auditors visited every JCPS school in the fall.
The report will compare the district’s performance against five standards: • Control of resources, programs, and personnel • Establishment of clear and valid objectives for students • Internal consistency and rational equity in program development and implementation
The report will detail the extent to which JCPS is meeting the standards and provide recommendations for improvement. Go to www.jcpsky.net/ Projects/CMA/index.html to get more details on the audit process and track the district’s progress on implementing the recommendations.
• Use of test results to adjust, improve, or end ineffective practices • Improved productivity
Visit the JCPS elementary school showcase The elementary Showcase of Schools will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) on Sat., Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Representatives from every elementary school and many district offices will be available to answer your questions. For parking information and directions to the convention center, visit www.kyconvention.org. The elementary application period for the 2012-13 school year will be Wed., Feb. 1, through Thurs., Mar. 1. Application forms will be available at elemen6
tary schools during this period. Information on schools and programs is available in Choices, the district guidebook. Digital versions of the book are available on the JCPS Showcase of Schools Web site at www.jcpsky. net/showcase. Please note: This newsletter was printed before the Jefferson County Board of Education voted on changes to the elementary student assignment plan on Mon., Jan. 9. Information on student assignment will be available at the elementary school showcase, at parent infor-
mation sessions that will be held during the week of Jan. 30, and in the Feb.-Mar. edition of Parent Connection. Jefferson County Public Schools
2012-13
Guide to Elementary, Middle, and High School Programs
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Winter weather policy Q&A Q: How can I find out if school is canceled, delayed, or dismissed early because of bad weather? A: Official announcements will be posted on the home page of the JCPS Web site (www.jcpsky.net) and broadcast by local radio and television stations. (WHAS11 also includes information on JCPS Early Childhood classes in the scroll at the bottom of the screen.) In addition, JCPS has launched a Facebook page to immediately give parents news about weather-related closings, delays, and early dismissals. You can join at www.jcpsky.net/facebook. To get Twitter text updates on your smartphone or wireless device, just send a text that says “follow JCPSKY” to 40404. Q: When will buses run if school is delayed? A: If schools open on a delayed schedule, bus pickup will be delayed too. For example, if elementary schools open on a one-hour delay, bus pickup times will also be delayed by an hour.
sites open if school is delayed or dismissed early? A: If classes are delayed at any grade level—elementary, middle, or high—CEP sites will open at their normal time (7 a.m.). If schools are dismissed early, CEP students will be transported to their regular CEP site and parents will be encouraged to pick up their child as soon as possible. The sites will remain open until all students have been picked up. Q: Will Early Childhood classes be canceled if school is canceled? A: Yes, Early Childhood classes will be canceled too. Q: Will Early Childhood students receive transportation if school is delayed or dismissed early? A: If schools are delayed, Early Childhood classes will be held as scheduled but bus transportation will not be provided for Early Childhood students. Parents will be responsible for transporting the students to and from school.
If schools are dismissed early, students who receive bus transportation for fullday Early Childhood classes will be transported home after elementary students are delivered. If bus transportation was provided to an Early Childhood student for a half-day class, transportation home will also be provided when school dismisses early. If you have questions about these policies, call the Early Childhood Office at 4853919. Q: Will after-school activities be canceled if school is canceled or dismissed early? A: Most activities, classes, and programs—including Extended School Services (ESS), Community School Programs, tutoring programs, Jefferson County High classes, and Adult Education classes—will be canceled. Check with your child’s school to see if the cancellation or early dismissal will affect special events, athletic or academic tournaments, or competitions with non-JCPS schools.
Q: Will childcare services be offered if school is canceled? A: The Childcare Enrichment Program (CEP) snow sites will operate. (For information on registering with CEP for childcare during snow days, call 485-3834 or 6371575.) Q: When will childcare 7
Research shows preschoolers learn best through exploring In today’s society, many parents feel pressured to teach their children academics at younger and younger ages. They often use direct teaching approaches, such as flashcards and worksheets. However, studies show that preschool children actually learn best when they are given opportunities to explore and discover things on their own. According to research, you can motivate your preschooler to learn on his own if you: • Ask, don’t tell. When you reveal everything to your child, there is little for him 8
to find out on his own. So instead of saying, “Put the cars at the top of the track and push them down,” ask a question. “Where can we put these cars so they will go really fast?” • Set an example. Your child is more likely to want to learn if he thinks you want to learn. Show him the box from his jigsaw puzzle, for example, and say: “Wow, did you know we can make this picture? That’s so cool! Let’s put a couple of pieces together.” • Offer support. Be excited when your child fig-
ures out something on his own. “I love the colors you made when you mixed the paints!” Tell him that his preschool teacher would also approve. “I bet Miss Stacey would love to see your picture!” Express to your child that the adults in his life want him to explore and learn on his own. Reprinted with permission from the December 2011 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Early Childhood Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2011 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: A. Gopnik, “Why Preschool Shouldn’t Be Like School,” Slate.com, www.slate. com/id/2288402.
Students meet French ambassador Students in the French IV/ AP (Advanced Placement) class at Ballard High met the Honorable François Delattre, ambassador of France to the United States, at a Brown Hotel luncheon in the fall. The students were invited to the luncheon because they were competing in a contest sponsored by the French government that commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. The students chose to recreate the statue using recyclable materials, and they videotaped the entire process. The video will be posted on the Web for students learning English at French high schools. The Alliances Françaises of Louisville and Chicago—organizations that promote the French language and culture—were aware of the Ballard students’ efforts and
invited them to meet Ambassador Delattre at the Brown during the Alliances Françaises USA annual convention. “Each of the students who attended was thrilled with the opportunity,” says Ballard French instructor Ken Zeoli. “None of them had ever met a dignitary from another country, and half had never been to the Brown. “Two of them have an intense interest in foreign service, and this experience motivated them even further.” The students spoke with the ambassador in French and “heard other speakers in French address areas such as the increased presence of French TV in America and intercultural ties between France and the United States,” Zeoli says.
“The practical application of French language in a Frenchspeaking environment was an additional validation to what they have learned the past four years.” Photo: Monsieur Delattre with Ballard students Erin Fuller, Mahala King-O’Bannon, Frederick Flemister, Aimee Turner, Rachel Spetz, Ashley Daly, Cynthia Song, and Maggie Miller
Two of the students have an intense interest in foreign service, and this experience motivated them even further. 9
Magnet program spotlight
Atkinson Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Atkinson Elementary is the home of the Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Magnet Program. Students throughout the district may apply, and JCPS will provide transportation from most Jefferson County addresses.
In the Primary grades, Atkinson offers more teachers than most elementary schools, which enables Atkinson to provide small classes and reading instruction tailored to each student. In addition, a partnership with UofL enables the staff to evaluate the most current teaching methods and applies techniques proven to help students excel in reading, writing, math, and science.
pledge: “Each day, I pledge to show how much I care, demonstrate character, meet all challenges, and get ready for college.”
The Academy for Excellence Program also includes UofL social work interns, nursing students, student teachers, and medical students. These pre-service professionals become career models for Atkinson students and encourage them to start thinking about and preparing for college.
Nutter notes that “everyone always says, ‘all children can learn,’ but here at Atkinson we say, ‘each child will learn.’”
College planning even is part of the Atkinson student
Principal Stephanie Nutter says Atkinson is known as “a school on the move” because “we expect our students to meet high expectations.” She also points out that Atkinson teachers “work to find your child’s learning style” and then provide instruction to match that style.
Students will be able to apply to Atkinson during the February elementary application period. Watch for more information on the application process in the next issue of Parent Connection.
After-school program boosts middle school success By Jen Adams, Family & Children’s Place, Family and School Services Program Manager
Middle. The program provides academic help, mentoring, and character-building activities.
Family & Children’s Place is in its second year of supporting the Collaborative AfterSchool Program (CLASP), which serves students ages 10 through 15 at Meyzeek
CLASP begins after school and ends at 5:30, MondayFriday, throughout the school year. The program includes daily homework help, life skills development, enrichment activities, service-
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learning projects, and groups that focus on managing anger and avoiding substance abuse. Educational field trips and Family Nights enhance parent and student engagement. What makes this program unique is its comprehensive approach. Staff members who provide after-school pro-
gramming also serve as case managers for entire families. These coordinators work with the families after program hours by assessing their needs and connecting them with social services.
young men in CLASP. Family & Children’s Place has also worked with the University of Louisville (UofL) Psychology Department to train interns to work with students in the program.
CLASP also works with many community partners. For example, the Blue Apple Players have lent their expertise in character education through drama, and the men at Kappa Alpha Psi have shared their knowledge and experiences with the
The impact CLASP had on students and families during its first year was remarkable. Seventy-one percent of students improved their grades in at least one subject. With just three paid staff members, the program served 56 students and their families.
Thirty-six families attended at least one Family Night, and several came to all 12 sessions. The mission of Louisvillebased Family & Children’s Place is to strengthen our community by promoting safe, healthy, and stable families and by healing the trauma of abuse, violence, and neglect. For more information, visit www.familyandchildrensplace.org.
Keeping kids safe
Basic information on marijuana The following information has been excerpted from a Web site hosted by the JCPS Safe and Drug-Free Schools Office.
Marijuana overview
• Marijuana is a mixture of leaves, stems, and flowers of the hemp plant. • It contains more than 600 chemicals, including the primary mind-altering chemical THC. • It has been linked to an increased risk of depression. • It is addictive, and it deposits other chemicals in the lungs that could eventually cause cancer. • It affects memory, concentration, and energy level. • It is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States.
• Lack of energy • Bloodshot eyes • Giddiness • Paranoia • Forgetfulness • Appearing zoned out • Diminished sense of smell and taste • Pungent odors
What can you do to prevent your child from using marijuana?
• Remain engaged in your child’s life. • Keep your child involved in activities so that he or she will not just hang out without direction. • Praise and reward your
child’s positive behavior so that he or she will be a confident young adult who is capable of resisting peer pressure. • Talk to and listen to your child. • If substance abuse is suspected, take action to stop it. For more information on protecting your child from the dangers of marijuana, other drugs, and violence, visit www.jcpsky.net/Parents and click Keeping Kids Safe on the left side of the page.
Warning Signs
What should you look for if you suspect your child might be using marijuana? 11
J-town senior selected for All-American Marching Band Jeffersontown High senior Elizabeth Epstein was selected to perform with the All-American Marching Band during the nationally televised U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Sat., Jan. 7. Elizabeth has played clarinet since third grade. She has served as the J-town drum major for two years, and she’s a member of the school’s Marine Corps Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), in which she oversees logistics and manages $250,000 worth of equipment and uniforms. She auditioned for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band after learning about it
from the school’s director of bands, Charles Stewart. Elizabeth had to submit a video audition as well as a personal statement about why she should be selected. Army representatives visited J-town High in November to announce that Elizabeth would receive an all-expenses-paid trip to San Antonio to perform with 125 other top student musicians during the game’s halftime show on NBC. Stewart began working as band director at Jeffersontown in 1998. He then held the position at other schools, including Ballard High, where he served for eight years. Two years ago, he returned to J-town, where the band continues to grow each year. Last year, the school had its
first student make All-State Band in ten years. Several members play in All-County Band. For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, visit www. goarmy.com/events/allamerican-bowl/marchingband/elizabethepstein.
Central wins fourth state football championship The Yellowjackets football team at Central High School Magnet Career Academy (MCA) won the Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl Class 3-A championship game. It’s the team’s second consecutive state title and the fourth in five years. The Yellowjackets earned this year’s championship on Sat., Dec. 3 by defeating Belfry County, 15-14. The game was played in front of a crowd of 5,360 at the Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.
Lowe Elementary receives Winners’ Circle Award At the 17th Annual Safe Schools, Successful Students Conference in Louisville, Lowe Elementary was among ten Kentucky schools recognized for outstanding working conditions, school safety, and student achievement. 12
The ten were selected based on data from the Teaching, Educating, Leading, and Learning (TELL) Kentucky survey, which was administered to all public school teachers and principals last March. Each of the ten winning schools received a certificate, a plaque, and a school banner, and each was recognized as being in the Winners’ Circle for working conditions and student success. Several other JCPS schools were among 49 Honorable Mentions. These schools also will be used as models of best practices for other schools across the state: • Audubon Traditional Elementary • Jeffersontown High • Kennedy Montessori Elementary • Schaffner Traditional Elementary • Westport TAPP • Wilt Elementary For more information on the TELL Kentucky survey, visit www.tellkentucky.org.
Young Elementary students win state poster contest—again Young Elementary student Loeyis Ramirez Jordi won a first-place award in the annual Kentucky Adopt-a-Highway Poster Contest. Loeyis’s schoolmate Darcirius Young won a second-place award. The competition drew more than 2,400 entries from students throughout the state.
Loeyis and Darcirius received cash prizes at an awards ceremony last month at the My Old Kentucky Home mansion in Bardstown. This is the third consecutive year in which Young Elementary students have earned first- or second-place honors in this statewide art competition. Students of Young art teacher Kristine Larson also have won awards in more than a dozen other local, state, and national contests. Larson says she never meant to become a “contest maven.” She just wants “to show the world that we have some talented, amazing students at Young Elementary.”
Field hockey team wins state championship
State Field Hockey Championship. The team defeated Sacred Heart Academy 2 to 1, putting an end to Sacred Heart’s winning record. This is the first State Field Hockey Championship title for the Manual girls’ team.
Band earns top state honor The Eastern High School Marching Band won thirdplace honors in the 2011 Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) State Marching Band Class 5A Championship. The award entitled the band, directed by Mike Arthur, to compete in the Bands of America Competition in Indianapolis.
The duPont Manual High School Lady Crimsons Field Hockey Team won the 2011
Mark your calendar Jan. 16 ������School not in session—Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 28 ������Elementary school showcase Jan. 28 ������SAT Feb. 1Mar. 1 ������ Elementary school application period Feb. 11 ������ACT Feb. 13 ������No school for students— Parent-Teacher Conference Day and elementary evening registration
Mar. 2 ������No school for students—Professional-Development Day for teachers Mar. 6 ������Statewide ACT for high school juniors Mar. 8 ������15th District PTA Vendors Fair Mar. 10 ����SAT Mar. 20 ����Statewide ACT Make-Up Day for high school juniors Apr. 9-13 Spring Break
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Are you as smart as a JCPS eighth grader? The answers to the eleventhgrade science questions in the last issue of Parent Connection are 1: B, 2: B, 3: C. To review the questions, visit the newsletter’s Web site (www.jcpsky.net/Pubs/ ParentConnection/welcome.shtml) and select the Nov.-Dec. issue. The first parent to send the correct answers was Lee Lorimor, father of a student at Trunnell Elementary. Other winners were Kristy Holland (Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary and duPont Manual High) and Jing Zhou (Stopher Elementary). This month, Parent Connection offers a quick quiz with the type of math questions that eighth graders may need to answer on state tests in the spring. The first three parents who send the correct answers to the Parent Connection office via e-mail and the first three who send the answers via regular mail will receive a free JCPS T-shirt. Please include the name of your child’s (or grandchild’s) school. The e-mail address is thomas.pack@jefferson .kyschools.us. The regular mailing address is Thomas Pack, Communications and Publications North, C. B. Young Jr. Service Center, Building 4, 3001 Crittenden Drive, Louisville, KY 40209. You don’t need to write the
questions or the answers. Just send the question numbers and the letters for your answers. Or you may print out this quiz and mail it. 1. At Lake View Middle School, there are 900 boys. The ratio of boys to girls is 5 to 4. How many girls are there in the school?
A. 400
C. 720
B. 550
D. 975
2. Mary correctly used the order of operations to answer the following problem:
20 – 8 • 4 ÷ 2 + 6
What is Mary’s answer?
A. 0
C. 10
B. 6
D. 30
Lee Lorimor and his son, Blake
3. Which spinner represents that the probability of spinning an A is 1/3?
A. Spinner 1 C. Spinner 3
B. Spinner 2 D. Spinner 4