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Daviess County Public Schools staff newsletter Oct. 24-28, 2016 DCPS Preschools Receive Grant The Daviess County Public Schools district’s preschool program has been awarded a $150,000 Preschool Partnership Grant to collaborate with the Owensboro Family YMCA to expand education services to qualifying preschool students. DCPS will identify 30 preschoolers who will benefit from full-day early childhood education services. Eligible students will include 4-year-old children who do not speak English as their home language; 4-year-olds who are in foster care or who have been identified as homeless; and children ages 3 and 4 who have been identified with behavior disorders. These children will attend quality DCPS preschool programs for half a day – at either morning or afternoon sessions – at Burns, Deer Park, Southern Oaks or Tamarack elementary schools, then attend Early Learning Readiness Programs at Tamarack Elementary School preschoolers react to seeing a turtle who the Family Y for the remaining half-day. lives in the courtyard behind the school — a wonderful area that allows Continued on Next Page children to learn about nature and wildlife. In This Issue: DCPS Preschool Grant DCPS ID Badge Replacement News from Our Retired Teachers Foundation for DCPS Update Non-Sheltered Tax Information Congratulations, Donna Howard! DCPS Fundraisers and Special Events Intro to National Board Certification Growing Minds — Growing Hearts Personnel Department Update Healthy Lifestyle Tip Key Dates for November Preschool offers a wonderful environment for learning, exploration and DCPS staff milestones growth, as well as making friends, as illustrated by these two children at DC-bay! Burns Elementary School. DCPS Preschools Receives Grant Continued from Front Page Mid-day transportation between the schools and the Family Y will be provided for these children, with those expenses also provided through this grant. By combining the two half-day programs, this grant will allow parents and guardians to enroll their children in full-day preschool education programs that have been proven to significantly increase readiness levels for children upon entering kindergarten. “Many of our families face challenges because parents and guardians are working full-time, and need full-time supervision for their young children,” said Janet Land. “These parents want the best for their children and our goal is to support them by eliminating obstacles that might prevent these children from receiving the strongest Preschool students at Deer Park Elementary School take their possible foundation upon which to build future first steps toward lifelong learning in preschool, learning basic learning.” skills that prepare them for success in the classroom and in life. The DCPS/Family Y program is currently under development and will begin on Jan. 2 following parent orientation meetings in December. The grant will also be used to develop partnering half-day education programs at Sweet Peas and Pleasant Grove Preschools in Daviess County. DCPS is also collaborating with the Louisville Children’s Science Museum as part of this project. Janet said the museum “will help train our preschool and day care teachers, probably two this year and more next year. We’ll have celebrations – like science fairs. We will teach the kids cool things and they will create experiments to show to their parents and the community.” The partnership is important, Janet said. “Science adds so much to preschool because kids like hands-on things. The science program will benefit all 600 preschool students and 45 Head Start students. It’s not just for the new students.” The Kentucky Department of Education said the grants are from a partnership with the Kentucky Board of Education, the Early Childhood Advisory Council, the Child Care Advisory Council and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Preschool offers a safe, nurturing environment in which children The DCPS Preschool Department continues its grow academically, physically and socially. This little girl is proud outstanding work on behalf of our littlest learners! of her achievement at Southern Oaks Elementary School. Oops – I’ve lost my News from our DCPS ID badge ... Retired Teachers

If you’ve lost your DCPS identification badge/access card, report the loss immediately to the Personnel Department at Central Office so they can turn off the access privileges associated with that card. This is The Daviess County/Owensboro/McLean County Retired important to prevent someone else from finding your card Teachers Association met Sept. 19. Retired DCPS and using it to gain access to our buildings. educator Harold Wilson is pictured here sharing the The Personnel Department will also be happy to provide health and insurance report to the group. employees with replacement badges. Call 270-852-7000 For more information about this organization, contact for assistance. Gail Kirkland at [email protected]

Distinguished Alumni — Lisa Risley, AHS Class of 1977; and Col. J. Harper Cook, DCHS Class of 1989. The official award presentation will take place at 6:45 p.m. on the Apollo football field, prior to the start of the AHS-DCHS game. Lisa Risley worked for the U.S. government for 33 years, including Lisa Risley The Foundation for 31 years of service as a federal law DCPS Board of enforcement officer. She was Directors invites appointed as a special agent with the you to attend a U.S. Secret Service in May 1984. reception from Colonel J. Harper Cook currently 5 to 6:30 p.m. serves as the Army Court-Martial Friday, Oct. 28, in Judge of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the Commons Area and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. at Apollo High His career with the U.S. Army has School as we included numerous field grade Harper Cook honor our 2016 assignments. Changes in Donna Howard receives non-sheltered Teacher Achievement Award taxes coming in January The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has required the Commonwealth of Kentucky and all related schools districts to discontinue sheltering KTRS and CERS personal retirement contributions from Medicare and FICA Tax/Social Security (payroll taxes). This becomes effective Jan. 1, 2017. Because KTRS and CERS retirement contributions will no longer be sheltered from payroll taxes, both the employee and employer will notice resulting Donna Howard, a preschool teacher at Whitesville Elementary School, was changes in payroll tax withheld recognized as a recipient of the 2017 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award from your paycheck. This is during a ceremony in Frankfort on Oct. 19. Donna is pictured above with Gov. mandatory for all school districts Matt Bevin; Kentucky Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt; Education and Commonwealth of Kentucky and Workforce Secretary Hal Heiner; and Sam Mitchell, chief executive employees/employers. officer of Valvoline. If you have questions, contact DCPS assistant superintendent Donna was named Teacher of the Year at WES in May 2015 and was selected for finance and operations Matt as the elementary school recipient of the DCPS Great Expectations Teaching Robbins at Central Office. Excellence Award in August 2015. She also received the Campbellsville Uni- versity Excellence in Teaching Award in 2016. WES Principal Cindy Appleby said, “Mrs. Howard’s love for children and passion for teaching are evident daily as she delivers fun, engaging lessons, with a positive attitude and smile. Mrs. Howard has demonstrated a record of Reminder: commitment and enthusiasm for teaching and leading within her classroom and outside of her classroom walls. Her professional responsibilities surpass All DCPS schools the required expectations for teachers.” and district offices Janet Land, who serves as DCPS preschool coordinator, said, “Donna teaches with intentionality and makes every day in her classroom an adventure in (including learning for her students. She sets meaningful educational goals for all her Central Office) students and follows these goals with strong planning and management, a learning-oriented classroom, engaging questions, and strong supportive will be CLOSED feedback to enhance learning.” Election Day “I’m very grateful for this award,” Donna said. “I would not be receiving it without the support of my principal, Cindy Appleby; my preschool coordina- Tuesday, Nov. 8. tor, Janet Land; and all my co-workers. I am truly passionate about what I do, and as I continue to watch all my students grow, blossom and progress each day, the more strongly I will advocate for early childhood education.” BMS Teddy Bear Drive Now In Progress Seventh- and eighth-grade object, so they want to be sure each child has a teddy bear members of the Burns Middle or another stuffed animal to be a friend at this time. The School Community Problem students also hope to get enough donations to give teddy Solving Team are devoting bears to our local police officers to keep in their cruisers their year to help OASIS, a to give to children when they respond to domestic local shelter for abused violence calls.” women and their children. A DCPS Superintendent Owens Saylor challenged all year ago, the students visited students and staff members to become involved in at least OASIS and learned about the one community service project this year. Tammy said her shelter and the people who students are planning other events throughout the year to are helped each year. Since, continue their goal of creating awareness of abuse and then the students have been brainstorming on how best to helping those recovering. help OASIS and the residents it serves. The Teddy Drive is in progress through Friday, Nov. 4, The BMS students want to raise awareness about abuse in as the students collect stuffed animals and monetary our community and offer as much assistance as possible to donations. New or very gently loved stuffed animals and help those in need. Their first step toward that goal is to donations may be delivered to Tammy Townsend at Burns sponsor a “Teddy Drive” to collect teddy bears or any Middle School between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. stuffed animal to provide the shelter with items for the young children who are brought into the safe haven. “Some of these children have very little time to get away from a dangerous home environment and they may not be able to take comforting items, let alone other necessities,” said BMS social studies teascher Tammy Townsend, who is the project coordinator . “Through research, my students have learned that children often cope with traumas more successfully when they have a comforting DCHS Speech Team Pizza Kit Fundraiser The Daviess County High School Speech Team is payment. sponsoring a Little Caesars Pizza Kit fundraiser. Orders Customers may pick may be placed online or with any member of the team by up their orders in Wednesday, Nov. 9. Items for sale include specialty Room 110 at Daviess pizzas, personal pizzas, Crazy Bread and Italian cheese County High School bread kits, as well as chocolate chunk cookie dough. at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Kits come with everything you need to create quick, Nov. 22, or may make delivery arrangements with fresh and delicious meals and treats. members of the speech club. To order online, visit www.PizzaKit.com Click on “These fresh and delicious pizza products are a favorite “Products” in the menu bar at the top of the page, then for families and people of all ages,” said speech club select “Shop.” Choose whether to have order delivered to advisor Karen Feldhaus. “With delivery right before DCHS or to have the order shipped to another address for Thanksgiving, these items would be perfect for a quick an additional fee. meal while that celebration. Pizza products, breadsticks The fundraiser ID is 318306. Click on “Confirm and cookies are also great to have on hand for family Fundraiser” under DCHS Speech Team. To view product meals during the busy holiday season, parties and selection before ordering, click on the “view products” entertaining.” link; click on “Shop” when you are ready to place your For more information or to place an order directly with a order. Click on the item(s) you wish to order, and then the member of the DCHS speech team, contact Karen “Add to Cart” button. Continue shopping to purchase Feldhaus at [email protected] or additional items, or click on “Checkout” for secure online 270-852-7300. AHS Band presents Free FAFSA Night A free program offering A Night at the Movies information about the FAFSA is scheduled from The Apollo High School 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Band will present its Fall Oct. 24, at Daviess County High School. The event is not Showcase at 7:30 p.m. limited to families of DCHS students but is open to Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the anyone who wants help with filing the FAFSA in 2017. AHS Little Gymnasium. Financial aid professionals from the Kentucky Higher The theme is “A Night at Education Assistance Authority, Owensboro Community the Movies” and will and Technical College, Brescia University and Kentucky feature music from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Wesleyan College will be on hand to assist with the “The Lion King,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate process and answer questions. Factory,” “Harry Potter,” “The Dark Knight” and Free pizza, soft drinks and snacks will be available to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” those in attendance. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. For more For more information, contact Amanda Jerome, DCPS information, contact band director Chris Spivey or College and Career Readiness coordinator, at assistant director Andrew Clark. [email protected] Introduction to the National Board Certification Process The Green River Regional Cooperative invites teachers to register for an “Introduction to the National Board Certification Process” webinar from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. Click HERE or copy and paste this link into your browser to register: http://www.grrec.ky.gov/workshop/introduction-national-board-certi- fication-process-webinar An email with a GoToMeeting link will be sent after registration. Webinar topics include the eligibility process, important dates regarding registration, understanding the components, an overview of the five core propositions and exploring resources available on the NBCT website. Any educator who is interested in or currently working toward National Board Certification is encouraged to participate in this webinar. Participation is limited to 40 people so don’t delay. Presenters are candidate support provider and National Board Certified Educator Dr. Angela Gunter and National Board Certified Special Educator Randy Belcher. These facilitators are collaborating with the Kentucky Network to Transform Teaching to make Board certification the norm in the GRREC region, building a clear path from teacher preparation to networks of peer support to help teachers achieve certification. For more information, contact DCPS assistant superintendent of teaching and learning Jana Beth Francis or instructional coach Jana Bryant at the DCPS Central Office — 270-852-7000 or [email protected] or [email protected] Healthy Lifestyle Tip of the Week

For more fitness information and inspiration, visit www.moveitmonday.org These weekly Healthy Lifestyle Tips are sponsored by the DCPS Food Services Department each week. We care about you! BMS to host Personnel Department Crop for Academics Staffing Update The Burns Middle At Your Service! School The DCPS academic Personnel team is Department has hosting a undergone “Crop for several changes Academics” in staffing and fundraiser reassignment of event from responsibilities. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, in the BMS cafeteria. However, our Cost is $30 to reserve a table where you can spread out commitment to Amy Shutt Debbie Foreman all your supplies and catch up on your scrapbooking and service remains other craft projects. strong! Cost also includes lunch, supper, snacks, soft drinks and Please let us fun! Advance registration is required by Thursday, Nov. know how we 10. Space is limited to the first 20 paid registrants. may be of assistance to Click HERE to download a registration form. For more information, contact Jill Leigh at BMS, 270-852-7400 or you! [email protected] – Dr. Amy Shutt Tricia Burns Tracy Pack Director of DCMS Boo Run Run Personnel Daviess County Middle Debbie School is hosting its third Foreman is our annual Boo Run Run — a district benefits costume-themed 3K and 5K coordinator. walk/run race scheduled for Tricia Burns Saturday, Oct. 29. Start has joined the times are 9 a.m. (5K) and team as our 9:05 a.m. (3K). DCPS certified Susan Wallace Penny Courtney Advance registration is staff specialist. available until Oct. 17 for $5 Tracy Pack continues to serve as our district’s classified per person (age 6 and older). Registration fee the morning (support) employee specialist. of the race is $10 per person (age 6 and older) with Susan Wallace is our service specialist, managing the sign-ups starting at 7 a.m. race day on the football field reception desk and switchboard at Central Office and behind the school. Infants and toddlers in strollers are providing service to employees and our community. also welcome. Participants in this family-friendly event are encouraged to walk or run in Halloween costumes. Penny Courtney is our district’s substitute specialist. She T-shirts are available for $12 if ordered in advance or $15 will manage and organize all aspects of our certified and on race day. The day will also include inflatables, games instructional classified substitutes, including applications, and healthy snacks for all participants from 8 to 10 a.m. background checks, trainings and assignments. Prize drawings will be held throughout the morning. Please let us know if we may be of assistance to you in For information, contact Alese Ferrell at (270) 852-7600 any way! Contact any member of the DCPS Personnel or by email at [email protected] Department by email or by calling 270-852-7000. Sincere Sympathy Congratulations! We extend sincere sympathy to the Congratulations to the following following members of the DCPS members of the DCPS family as family during their time of loss: they welcome their new arrivals: Family and friends of Barry Beck, Mark and Debbie Fortney (both of former principal of Whitesville DCHS) are excited to announce Elementary School, who passed the arrival of their new grandbaby. away on Sept. 25. Elsie Lou Kurzen was born Sept. 22, weighing in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 19 inches long upon Manda Roberts (MLES) in the loss of her grandmother, arrival. Mary Bernardette Higdon-Roberts, on Sept. 27. Melisa Saalwaechter (AES) has a new granddaughter! Kim Howard (CO, retired) in the loss of her husband, Ava Ricki Thomson arrived three weeks early on Michael Benton Howard, on Oct. 2. Sept. 25, weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring Mike Gray (CO, retired) in the loss of his mother, 20.25 inches in length. Mildred Crowe of Owensboro, on Oct. 3. Rachel Shelton is proud to announce a new grandson. Kimberly Craft (CVMS) in the loss of her father, Ronnie Braxon Case Simpson was born Sept. 25, weighing in at Law, on Oct. 4. 8 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches in length. Family and friends of Denny Lee Russell (DCHS, Steve (Computer Ops) and Becki Burton (AHS) have retired), who passed away on Oct. 7. another grandbaby! Elise Claire Broerman was born Jim Barr (Maintenance) in the loss of his brother, David Oct. 12, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and measuring Lee Barr, on Oct. 12. 22 inches in length. The baby was also welcomed by a big sister and big brother. Mike Hamilton (BMS) in the loss of his brother-in-law, Dr. Randall King, on Oct. 9. Dr. King was a former Natalie Payne (AHS) and her husband Bradley (DCHS) member of the DCPS Board of Education. have announced the arrival of a baby girl. Eva Lorraine was born Oct. 23, weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and Family, friends and co-workers of Tammy Smith, a measuring 20 inches in length. The baby was also member of our DCPS Transportation Department family, welcomed by aunt and uncle Kelly and Jason Powers who passed away on Oct. 23. (DCHS). Share milestone events with the Grapevine Send information about births, deaths, marriages and milestone anniversaries to [email protected] Special Days to Remember – November This list of key dates is provided at Special days: the beginning of each month to Nov. 1 – All Saints Day assist in planning for special Nov. 6 — Daylight Savings Time ends activities and learning projects at Nov. 8 — Election Day your school. Note: This list may Nov. 11 — Veterans Day not include all special occasions. Nov. 15 — National Philanthropy Day The month of November is: Nov. 16 — Education Support Professionals Day Nov. 1-30 — Native American Heritage Month Nov. 17 — National Parental Involvement Day; Take a Hike Day; Great American Smoke Out Special weeks: Nov. 18 — Substitute Educators Day Nov. 13-19 — Geography Awareness Week Nov. 19 — Gettysburg Address anniversary (1863) Nov. 14-18 — American Education Week Nov. 20 — Universal Children’s Day Nov. 20-26 — National Family Week Nov. 24 — Thanksgiving Day DC-bay! DC-bay! deadlines and guidelines Sell your items and find great bargains with DC-bay! Deadline to submit ads for our next issue is Nov. 11. Include your name, school/site, description of item, price, and home/personal phone number. Photographs are welcome and should be submitted as .jpg attachments, not embedded into emails. Resize images to appropriate dimensions. Size and number of photos used depends on available space and layout. Notes: DC-bay! is for DCPS staff members only. The Grapevine staff newsletter, including information in this feature, is posted on the www.dcps.org website and can be accessed by search engines such FREE! — Kentucky highway maps. as Google. Great learning tool for geography, history, mathematics, art and other classes. Use your imagination! Write to [email protected] with number of maps requested; 60 maps are still available. Orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. These large, full-color maps are a gift to DCPS from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Contact Shawna Hagan (AHS) at 233-4295 for information about these items: 1998 Fleetwood mobile home for sale. Three bedroom, two bath home is 28x40 feet. Cathedral ceiling, washer and gas dryer, refrigerator, gas stove, new central air conditioner, roof replaced in 2008, premium underpinning installed in 2008. Home includes 8x10-foot deck and utility pole. One owner; no 2012 Fiat 500. Vehicle is in superb smokers or pets in home. condition and would be a great starter Home must be moved. car for a student driver or a work Daviess County 2016 vehicle for those who commute. property assessed at landscaping. Approximately 200 stones 66,978 miles. Asking $8,000 but $22,400; asking $18,900. available; 10 stones for $1. offers will be considered. Danielle Round paving stones; Two twin beds, like new. $125 for both. Randolph (DCHS), 485-8017. need to be removed by Bedding (comforters, dust ruffle, sheets and All area codes are 270 buyer. Stones fit together; pillowcases), $40 for two sets. perfect for edging and unless otherwise stated. White nightstand, $20. DC-bay!

Xbox 360 system with one controller. Contact Gina $100. Noffsinger (BES) at Xbox 360 games. Prices range from 993-2153 about these $5 to $10 depending on title. items: Doug Sandifer (DCHS), 929-4590. Klaussner camel color leather sofa in very good condition, Number and size of $250. photos based on Avon snowman, moves and plays layout and music, $10. available space Mechanical Santa, moves and lights up, $15. Singstar Pop game for PlayStation 2, $10. Deadline for next Like new 3m Shoot and Share, takes videos and pictures and can be projected on a wall. Saves to a memory card. $30. DC-bay! New furniture cover for sofa, $40. Friday, Nov. 11 PlayStation 2 console with 10 games, $60. Tennessee Traveler Samick guitar with case, strap, stand and book, $120. DC-bay! S O

Contact Nancy Cox (BMS) at 302-7116 for information about these items. Leather sofa, chair and ottoman. Lane brand. Light brown living room set. All items in good condition but L may have minor cosmetic flaws such as small scratches in the leather or light stains on lining under cushions. Sofa is 80x39x36 with two cushions; Contact Tony Bryant (BCHS/retired) chair is 43x39x36; ottoman is 32x26x16. Purchased at Fischer’s Furniture at 929-2941 for information about the in Tell City in 2004 for $2,100. Asking $150 for all. Prefer to sell as a set following items: but will sell sofa and chair/ottoman separately for $75 if needed. Executive desk and chair. Desk has beautiful cherry finish and has locking LG window air conditioner. 6,000 BTU, cools room approximately 260 drawer. Excellent condition. Sauder square feet. Three cooling/fan speeds with auto cool and two-way air brand. Measures 66 x 30 inches. direction. Easy-to-use electronic touch controls; also has remote control. Purchased new at Office Depot. Programmable 24-hour on/off timer. Energy saver model. Washable Asking $100 for both or will sell permanent air filter. Fits windows 22-36 inches wide by 13 height. separately: Desk for $85D and chair for Purchased at Home Depot in 2012 for $160; used only three months. $80. $25. GE window air conditioner. 8,000 BTU, cools room approximately 340- 400 square feet. Three cooling/fan speeds. Electronic digital thermostat. 24-hour on/off programmable timer; delay timer. Easy-to-use electronic Need extra cash for touch controls; also comes with remote control. Fits windows 22.5-38 the holidays? wide by 13.5 high. Purchased from Sam’s Club in 2012 for $184; used only three months. $100. Buy, sell and trade Mongoose 24-inch boys’ XR-75/21-speed mountain bike. Lime green. with DC-bay! Aluminum suspension frame and suspension fork maximize comfort and performance. 21-speed Shimano shifting system with SRAM twist shifters ensure high-performance gear changes. Linear pull brakes provide smooth stopping power. Alloy rims are durable and rustproof. Purchased in 2011 for $125 but too small now. Used very little; excellent condition. $75. DC-bay!

Contact Susan Grayson (TES) at 929-4159 for information about these items. 1961 Rambler – Wow! This is truly a must-see; a true ’60s throwback! Automatic, power steering, excellent condition. Runs and drives great. Garage-kept. 93,333 miles. Red interior with Briarcliff red exterior. Very solid single-unit construction. Like new white top with working electric up and down control. Turn signals and brake lights work. Asking $13,900. Couch and love seat, $300. XL twin bed mattress, headboard and night stand, $400. NordicTrack CX 1055 elliptical, $250. 42-inch Hustler zero-turn mower. Only 17 hours. $2,600. Principal by Day ... The Grapevine is Farmer by Night! YOUR newsletter!

Send news, information and photographs about schools and staff achievements, activities and programs to [email protected]

Deadline is Friday Yes, that’s Robin Nalley in this charming example of wall the week before publication. art that greeted parents at the Fall Festival at Deer Park!