BACK TO SCHOOL: School doors open Aug. 10

Students of Spencer County schools are gearing up for another year of learning as the first day of school on Aug. 10 quickly approaches.

This time next week, the district’s facilities will be filled with energy as students return and hunker down for the 2011-2012 school year.  

This week, The Spencer Magnet is taking a look at what parents and students might need to know about each facility before children return to class next week. Perhaps one of the most important changes for schools across the district is the recent decision made by the Spencer County Board of Education to extend the school day.

That decision was made so the district could accumulate “bank time,” which can keep students from having to make up a large amount of missed days – due to inclement weather or other unexpected issues – at the end of the school year.

Start times are still the same for the schools. Elementary schools will begin class at 8:50 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m. Middle and high school students will begin class at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:35 p.m. Bus routes are not expected to be dramatically affected by the change.

Spencer County Preschool

The Spencer County Preschool, located next to Taylorsville Elementary School on Reasor Ave., follows a different schedule than the rest of the district’s schools. The first day for preschool AM-only students will be Aug. 24, while PM-only students will start classes Aug. 25.

Screenings to see if a child qualifies for preschool will be Aug. 15 at the school from 1-6 p.m.

The preschool’s open house is scheduled for Aug. 22 from noon until 7 p.m. The open house is a drop-in event. Classrooms will be open, and teachers, along with cafeteria staff, PTA and transportation representatives, will be on hand to answer questions.

The preschool is directed by Jaclyn Risden-Smith.

For additional information, parents can call 502-477-3210.

Spencer County Elementary School

SCES principal Dale Kleinjan is excited about another year at SCES.
The school, located on Ky. 44 East, near the middle school, hosted its kindergarten open house yesterday and will host its open house for students in grades 1-5 tomorrow from 6:30-8 p.m.

The school building will open daily at 8:15 a.m. for students. Any student coming in before the school day begins can go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast, or to the gymnasium, Kleinjan said. All students are expected to be out of the building by 4 p.m.

Children who ride to school with a parent or guardian should be dropped off and picked up in front of the building in the car rider line.

Buses load and unload at the side of the school. All parents and guardians planning to pick up and drop off their child must sign up and get a car pass. Anyone who does not get a pass during open house should go to the office during regular hours to obtain one.

Kleinjan said there are no changes in the school’s dress code this year, and that students should come to school wearing appropriate, comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes.

“Most kids dress reasonably. The biggest problem is kids wearing flip-flops. We really need them to wear closed-toed shoes,” he said.

Kleinjan said he is excited about school-wide initiatives planned to improve students’ math skills this school year. Students will also be assessed with the new Measures of Academic Progress test in the fall, winter and spring, which will help teachers determine if students are mastering concepts throughout the year.

“In the spring, (testing) will be early enough that we will get an idea of a student’s progress before we get to the end-of-year state tests,” Kleinjan said.

SCES students are encouraged to come with all the required school supplies. Kleinjan said all students were provided with supply lists before the end of last school year, but, if a parent needs an additional copy, he or she can stop by the school and pick up one in the office.
The school can be reached at 502-477-6950.

Taylorsville Elementary School

Principal Chuck Abell can’t wait to see the smiling faces of his TES students on Aug. 10.

TES, located on Reasor Ave. in the heart of Taylorsville, will be hosting its kindergarten open house Aug. 8 and open house will be on Aug. 4 for students in grades 1-5.

TES students can come to school each morning expecting morning announcements and a community building activity at 8:40 a.m., with classes beginning at 8:50 a.m.

Parents dropping off and picking up their children from school should do so at the school’s side entrance on Jefferson Street by the playground. Bus riders are loaded and unloaded in the school’s central parking area by the cafeteria.

All parents and guardians who plan to drop off and pick up their children from school must register with the school and get a car rider number. Abell said parents should be able to get their car rider numbers at open house. Parents who cannot attend should come into the office during regular business hours to obtain a number.

Abell said there are no dress code changes at TES this year, but, much like SCES Principal Dale Kleinjan, he encouraged students to wear closed-toed shoes. He also reminded students that cut-off shirts and tank tops are not acceptable attire.

Abell said parents should be aware that last year the school acquired a health and wellness grant, along with a reading and math grant. The health and wellness grant is helping teachers and students integrate healthy habits into their lifestyles in and out of school.

Parents should also be aware that all students will be sent home with their communications folder on Thursdays. The folder will include any graded papers, student work, permission slips or school communications of which the parent needs to be aware.

“I am looking forward to seeing everybody and having another great year,” Abell said. “I think we’ve gotten our routine down.”

Parents can contact the school at 502-477-3339.

Spencer County Middle School

Spencer County Middle School is working on continuing its commitment to student achievement in the coming school year.

SCMS is located on Ky. 44 East, behind Spencer County Middle School. It is the newest of the district’s facilities and houses all of the district’s middle schoolers.

Parents and students should make plans to attend the school’s open house meetings. The open house for students in grades 7 and 8 is tomorrow from 6-7:30 p.m. The open house for incoming sixth graders is Aug. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Students should show up Aug. 10 prepared for class to begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. with classes dismissing at 2:35 p.m. Students can enter the building around 7:10 a.m. and eat breakfast in the cafeteria or join students in the gymnasium. Students are expected to promptly exit the school upon dismissal. Only students affiliated with a school-sponsored sport or extra curricular activity with proper adult supervision will be permitted to stay after school.

Parents or guardians whose children are car riders must register with the school. All car riders are dropped off and picked up at the main entrance of the school. Bus riders are dropped off and picked up at the rear entrance of the school, which sits closest to Spencer Elementary.

The school doesn’t have any dress code changes this year.
Assistant Princpal Erin Demyan said she and principal Ed Downs are excited about welcoming Eric Davis as another assistant princpal to serve on the school’s team of administrators.

Demyan said she is excited about continuing the Grizzly Heroes program. Grizzly Heroes are SCMS students recognized for making the right choices. Students named Grizzly Heroes are described as “lending a hand and taking a stand.” The program helps promote a positive school climate, where students stand up against bullying and other negative behaviors.

Demyan said it was important for parents to know that each student must carry an agenda. This year students will be required to write their academic goals in their agendas, and parents can share in their students’ journeys, encouraging them to attain their academic goals. Students will also track quiz and test scores to help them identify areas of progress or areas that need improvement.

SCMS can be reached at 502-477-3260.

Spencer County High School

Students will definitely see some new faces at SCHS this year as principal Curt Haun just joined the staff less than two weeks ago.
Haun joins the district with 14 years experience as a principal. Most recently he held the position of Nelson County High School principal for two years.

Haun said he is quickly getting acclimated with the school and is excited about meeting the students and their parents.

SCHS classes are starting at 7:45 a.m and will end at 2:35 p.m. this year. Students will be allowed into the building after the first bus has arrived, according to school office manager Stephanie Skinner.

Students can then eat breakfast or go to the gym or media center prior to class starting. All students who are not staying after school for a sports or extra-curricular activity must leave the school building after the last bell. Any students staying after school must be supervised by a teacher, coach or official club sponsor.  

Students riding with parents or guardians should be dropped off in the loop beside the school. Buses will load and unload children at the front of the school.

Any student with a license wishing to drive to school must purchase a parking permit for $20 through the office. Skinner said parking passes would be randomly distributed this year.

The SCHS dress code had some minor changes this year, including that the only hooded sweatshirts that are acceptable to wear are those that promote SCHS, a college, technical school or the military.

“Any hoodie has to be spirit wear,” Skinner said.

The school held its open house on Monday and Tuesday. Any parents unable to attend that have questions are encouraged to call the school at 502-477-3255.

Hillview Academy

Hillview Academy is the district’s alternative school and serves students who have been unsuccessful in the traditional school environment.

The school, located at 404 Main Cross, sits atop a hill overlooking TES and most of Taylorsville. It is led by principal Bob Hafendorfer, who promotes what he calls the “successful six”: kindness, caring, respect, knowledge, trust and responsibility.

Students are referred to Hillview on an individual basis and will receive specific care and attention to help them succeed academically.

Hillview Academy follows the middle and high school schedule, with class starting at 7:45 a.m. and ending at 2:35 p.m.

Hillview students adhere to a strict dress code, and safety is one of the school’s top priorities.

The school does not have an open house, but parents with questions are encouraged to contact the school at 502-477-1530.