OPS Annual Report 2017 A Message from the Superintendent Members of the Dr. Nick Brake Owensboro Board of Education

Photo By: Owensboro Living

Entering my ffh year as superintendent, I am very Members of the OPS Board are Jeremy Edge (vice- proud of the accomplishments of our school district. chair), John Blaney, Nancy Eskridge, Melissa Decker We continue to be recognized as one of the most and Dan Grifth (chair). innovative and collaborative districts in the Com- monwealth. A major focus at OPS is the education of the whole child. Tis is best OPS Quick Facts exemplifed through the leadership of our board of education by winning the Kennedy Center’s Award • serve over 5,000 students in of Excellence which goes to one of the top Fine and preschool through 12th grades. Performing Arts programs in the nation. • OPS Elementary Schools are: Cravens, Estes, Foust, Newton Parrish and Sutton. • Owensboro Middle School-South Campus (5th and 6th We embrace the idea of a well rounded education as grades) and Owensboro Middle School-North Campus (7th one of ’s Districts of Innovation through and 8th grades) serve our intermediate students. eforts such as the Early College program, the • Owensboro High School serves 9th - 12th grades. Owensboro Innovation Academy and the Bluegrass • Additionally, Gateway Academy and Owensboro Early College Academy serve our high school students. Scholars. We embrace the whole child through an • OPS’ new high school, the Owensboro Innovation Academy emphasis on literacy, summer learning, our one- will serve up to 400 students by 2018. to-one technology initiative and the Leader In Me. • Hager Preschool serves 3- and 4-year-old children based We have been recognized for our partnerships with on income and special needs as well as serving fee-based neighboring districts, postsecondary institutions students as space allows. • We serve a diverse ethnic and socio-economic student and local businesses. population.

During my regular visits to the classrooms, I observe an incredible level of commitment to high quality, To learn more about Owensboro Public Schools: innovative teaching and learning— which is the foundation of our district mission statement. We OPS Website see this through the commitment in the work of www.owensboro.kyschools.us every employee in the roles they play by helping our Superintendent’s Blog students reach the goal of postsecondary readiness. opssuperintendent.blogspot.com We all play a role. We are committed to best OPS Facebook Page practices that engage students with the vision of www.facebook.com/OboroPublicSchools preparing all students for life afer they leave us. OPS Twitter twitter.com/OboroSchools Nicholas Brake, Ph.D., Superintendent OPS Youtube Owensboro Board of Education www.youtube.com/user/OboroPublicSchools 450 Grifth Avenue, Owensboro, KY 42301 OPS TIE TXT Phone (270) 686-1000 Go to tietxt.com to sign up

Mission

Engaging ALL students with innovative teaching and learning.

Vision

Our vision is to enable students to succeed in life, college and the careers of tomorrow, equipped to think critically and creatively, solve problems, communicate and collaborate efectively, and participate fully in our democratic society.

OPS Values and Commitment to Innovative Teaching and Learning

Te learning community of professional educators in the Owensboro Public Schools will be leaders of learning through commitments to the following:

t Moral commitment to the learning of ALL students regardless of background t Strong instructional practice t Desire to work collaboratively t Learning is the work, a strong commitment to continuous learning t Culture and leadership matter t Success for ALL students involves the entire community

DISTRICT STRATEGY

GOAL 1: TRADITION of Engaging the “Whole Child”

Te P-12 educational continuum including the following: pre-K access and readiness, literacy, mathematics, the fne and performing arts, college, career and life readiness and a blended experience with postsecondary pathways in the last two years of high school.

GOAL 2: INNOVATION in Teaching and Learning

A Kentucky District of Innovation focused on the instructional core -- emphasizing collaborative instructional practice of teachers and student engagement with an academically challenging curriculum.

GOAL 3: EXCELLENCE

A learning community focused on continuous improvement and excellence for all students and staf members. Teacher Leadership Network Created from Within

A group of Owensboro Public Schools’ teachers have created a one-of-a-kind professional learning program for OPS teachers called DRIVE OPS. DRIVE stands for Developing Relationships and Inspiring Visionary Educators. Te goal is to create a fellowship of teachers who OIA Partners With Brescia inspire and empower others to improve teaching and learning in their schools. For Early College and Wellness

“One of the long-range goals we wanted to see in OPS was Te Owensboro Innovation Academy is the strengthening of collaboration and networking with partnering with to ofer an early peers that started from the grassroots. We couldn’t be more college program for OIA students. With the close proud and excited for this group to begin its work and proximity of OIA to Brescia, students will be able literally DRIVE us into what’s next for teaching and to walk to Brescia to take college classes, which will learning at OPS,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Superintendent. result in the students’ opportunity to earn an Associate Degree while in high school. Te program was formed as a result of a group of teachers who are currently in a Western Kentucky University cohort Te incoming junior class at OIA can begin taking where they’re earning their Rank I Principal certifcation. courses at Brescia this fall. Degree options include: Tey identifed a need for OPS to ofer a unique program Associate of Arts in Integrated Studies, Associate of where teachers could come together and develop the best Science in Integrated Studies, Associate of teaching practices for students. Science in Health Science and Associate of Science in Engineering Studies. “When you’re in diferent buildings teaching at diferent levels, it can be hard to share your best ideas with “At just $90 a class, this gives our students an teachers from other schools. DRIVE OPS will help solve incredible opportunity to further their education. that challenge.” said Krista Tompson, Sutton Elementary We cannot thank Brescia enough for ofering this Teacher and WKU cohort member. prospect for our students,” said Dr. Nick Brake.

Partnerships with Kentucky Wesleyan College allow KWC basketball players to read to our students.

Owensboro Innovation Academy students created exhibits for the Museum of Science and History to honor veterans. Hager Preschool Receives Estes Elementary School’s third/fourth Five-Star Rating grade teacher Lauren Magill has been named the Kentucky Association of Te Kentucky Department of Conservation Districts’ Teacher of the Education gave Owensboro Public Year. Schools’ Hager Preschool a Five-Star rating in its recent review of the school. It’s the highest rating an early childhood program can earn. Tere are less than 10 programs in the commonwealth with this status. KWC Hosts OPS Day

Owensboro Public Schools and Kentucky “I was shocked. It’s an incredible Wesleyan College partnered to have an experience to win an award for “OPS Day at KWC” at a KWC basketball something that I love to do. I’m happy to game. work in a district that supports creativity,” said Lauren Magill, Estes teacher. “We were thrilled to partner with KWC to ofer an opportunity where our students Owensboro Public Schools’ got exposure to not only a college athletic Superintendent Dr. Nick Brake was event, but an overall collegiate awarded the R.L. McFarland Leadership experience,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Award by the Owensboro Human Rela- superintendent. tions Commission on Tursday, Oct. 20 at the commission’s banquet at the Ow- ensboro Convention Center. According to the Human Relations Commission, the award named for Richard L. McFarland, who was the frst African American to be elected to the Owensboro City Commission goes to an individual OPS Wins National Summer Feeding who through their leadership, have Award advanced the struggle for civil and human rights in Owensboro-Daviess County. Te United States Department of Nominees are supportive of and active on Agriculture recently recognized behalf of organizations that advocate for Owensboro Public Schools with its and foster good human relations. silver Turnip the Beet award for OPS’ Summer Feeding Program. Tis is the inaugural year for the Turnip the Beet award. According to the USDA website, the awards recognize Summer Meal Program sponsors who work hard to ofer high quality meals that are appetizing, appealing and nutritious. Summer sites have the opportunity to positively impact children’s healthy development habits. OPS Cares...

OPS Employees: A Big Part of Foundation For Excellence

Te Owensboro Public Schools Foundation for Excellence grants are largely funded by the grant recipients themselves. Te last two years, an average of 223 OPS employees gave almost $13,000 out of their own pockets each year to help fund school grants. Tat hard-earned money comes from teachers, cafeteria staf, bus drivers and other OPS staf.

Estes Elementary Receives State Recognition For Tell Survey

Two OPS Elementary Schools Receive Lighthouse Status Estes Elementary has been named to the 2017 Kentucky Winner’s Circle for their TELL Both Newton Parrish and Sutton survey results. TELL stands for teaching, Elementary Schools have earned the empowering, leading and learning. Every Franklin Covey Leader In Me designation of other year, school staf around Kentucky take a lighthouse school. Tis status is the highest the TELL survey. Estes has seen dramatic achievement a school that improvements in TELL data over that time and participates in the Leader In Me’s Seven Habits is one of 10 schools in Kentucky to be named program can receive. to the Winner’s Circle. Every Art For Every Child...

OPS launched the fne arts sampler program for all ffh graders at OMS South. Every student gets to try theatre, visual art, orchestra, band, dance and choir for free!

Tree-time grammy-award winning artist and OPS alumnus Kevin Olusola toured OPS’ fne arts facilities and had a special message for OPS staf and students.

Estes Elementary student Sam Kravets’ artwork was selected to by Te State Organization on Arts and Disability to be apart of its traveling exhibit across Kentucky. Sam says art is an outlet that allows him to express how he is feeling. OPS Fine Arts participation rate is 78% as a district. Te Tradition Continues With OPS Athletics...

Owensboro Public Schools, and Kentucky Wesleyan College Partner to Open New Track and Field

Owensboro Public Schools, Owensboro Health and Kentucky Wesleyan College cut the ribbon on the new Owensboro Track and Field on Wednesday, August 16, located between the Owensboro Middle School South and the Owensboro Middle School North campuses on South Grifth Avenue. OPS, Owensboro Health and Kentucky Wesleyan College put their fnancial resources together to make the new track possible.

Bobby Watson Honored With Area In Front of Owensboro High School

Te space on Frederica Street between 17th and 20th streets was named “Te Home of Bobby Watson” afer longtime coach and educator Bobby Watson. Te 1967 Football team held their 50th anniversary meeting with the current

OHS started a Lacrosse team as a club sport. Tanks to First Stick, equipment was supplied to any player interested in coming out for the team.

OHS All-American Issac Brown was represented with his All-American plaque 50 years afer he accomplished the incredible feat. World Class Facilities...

Sutton Elementary Opens New Gym/Fine Arts Facility Te expansion created a new media center and more classrooms to accommodate the growing enrollment.

OPS Breaks Ground On New Newton Parrish Gym/Fine Arts Facilitiy Te expansion will allow Newton Parrish to start an Early Learning Academy serving children who need preschool.

Several OPS Schools Participate In Million Father March

Cravens Elementary, Estes Elementary, Foust Elementary, Sutton Elementary and Owensboro Middle School South participated in the nationally recognized Million Father March on August 9, the frst day of school. Essentially, male role models in the community formed a line in front of each school to welcome the students to school on their frst day.

“We are so excited to be a part of this program. It’s such a simple thing we can do to encourage our students to be excited for the frst day of school,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Superintendent. District Demographics, Assessments and Operations Highlights of District By Race District State Assessment Results (% of total membership) Total Percentage Total Percentage White (Not Hispanic) 2,934 62.10% 508,152 77.40% · Estes and Foust both made African American 713 15.10% 69,510 10.60% tremendous gains in percentages of Hispanic 450 9.50% 42,275 6.40% students scoring profcient or better Asian 145 3.10% 11,340 1.70% in reading and math, and in American Indian or Alaska Native 0 0.00% 819 0.10% reducing their novice numbers.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 3 0.10% 780 0.10%

Two or More Races 478 10.10% 23,712 3.60% · OHS showed improvement in 3 of 4 content areas.

By Gender District State (% of total membership) Total Percentage Total Percentage · Science had an almost 10 point

Male 2,489 52.70% 337,632 51.40% gain.

Female 2,234 47.30% 318,956 48.60% · ACT scores were up in all content areas, with composite score

General Fund Revenue Sources improving 0.5 (19.0 to 19.5). for fiscal year ended June 30, 2017

Other Sources Federal $1,413,508 Revenue 3.1% $311,081 0.7% To view the OPS District Report Card Local Revenue $13,935,555 30.8% and individual school report cards, visit the Kentucky Department of Education’s State Revenue $29,646,520 65.4% “OPEN HOUSE” Website at:

General Fund endiures http://applications.education.ky.gov/ for fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 SRC/Default.aspx usness 4.0% lant Oeratons antenance 10.3% School dnstraton 6.4% Student ransortaton 4.3% Type in “Owensboro” or a specifc strct dnstraton 3.1% school name to see the most nstructonal Sta Suort 7.6% currently posted data. Student Suort Servces 6.0%

nstructon 58.3% Non-discrimination Statement

Te Owensboro Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, identity, disability, age, religion, or marital status in providing educational opportunities, activities, or employ- ment practices in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (revised 1992), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and provide, upon request by qualifed 450 Grifth Avenue disabled individuals, reasonable accommodations including auxiliary aids and services necessary to aford individuals with a disability an equal opportunity to Owensboro, KY 42301 participate. For more information, contact Dr. Nicholas Brake, Superintendent, (270) 686-1000 at the Owensboro Board of Education, 450 Grifth Ave., Owensboro, KY 42301.