Due to a snow day on January 3rd, we will be using Monday, January 30th as a make-up day. Students should report to school that day.
The five members of the Harrison County Board of Education oversee a $28 million budget and make decisions about multimillion-dollar building projects. But they also make certain the individual child in the Harrison County school district gets what he or she needs to successfully learn in school and beyond. All that is done in the face of shrinking state and federal dollars for education and tough economic times locally.
These responsibilities and others are the reason Kentucky and other states set aside the month of January to thank local school board members during School Board Recognition Month.
Like the students in the Harrison County school district, the members of its board of education must do their homework. This means sifting through complicated test data and financial reports while keeping abreast of the latest requirements handed down from state and federal governments, to name just a few “subjects.”
Our school board members also serve as the link between the school system and the community. That’s why you’ll often find them at ball games, school celebrations and honors ceremonies.
I hope the community as a whole, and individual parents, students and school staff will take a few minutes this month to acknowledge the critical role and responsibilities carried out by Mary June Brunker, Kristy Carey, Gary Lizer, Dr. Don Stephens, and Edwin Taylor.
Winter is almost here and it usually throws us a few winter storms. We monitor the weather very closely. If there is a threat of inclement weather or if you wake up one morning with snow/ice on the ground, please tune in to WCYN 1400 or any of our local television stations (Channels 18, 27, 36, and 56). Any closings, delays, or early dismissals will be announced on these stations.
We will also use our district's Community Safe Automated Calling System. This allows us to get a message out to all our parents, students, and staff regarding any closings, delays, or early dismissals.
If there is winter weather, how do we make the decision to close school? The Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, Transportation Director, Asst. Transportation Director and, if needed, a few designated drivers who live in specific areas of the county are all involved in the process to determine if there will not be school due to inclement weather. The roads are checked and information is provided to the Superintendent/Asst. Superintendent. If the conditions are hazardous for our students during transportation time, we decide to cancel school.
Our students' safety is our number one priority.
Please call our office with any concerns – 234-7110.
Kentucky Core Content Test
How did we do?
· Elementary KCCT scores improved from 93 (2008) to 98 (2011)
· Middle School KCCT scores improved from 86 (2008) to 96 (2011)
· High School KCCT scores improved from 69 (2008) to 79 (2011)
Out of 174 districts statewide…
· Our District’s combined KCCT score improved from 83 (2008) to 91 in 2011…improving in rank from 107th to 52nd
· Our Elementary KCCT score improved from 82nd to 62nd
· Our Middle School KCCT score improved from 97th to 44th
· Our High School KCCT score improved from 138th to 66th
(These scores were compiled by the Kentucky Association for School Councils (KASC,) the Center for Better Education (CBE,) and the Prichard Committee.)
Westside Elementary joined the Century Club by becoming the second school in our district to break the 100 index with a score of 101! Northside scored a 102 in 2009.
ACT Scores
Beginning in 2009, all high school juniors across the state were required to take the ACT (American College Testing). How have we improved?
· Our juniors continue to improve every year – 17.3 (2009), 18.1 in (2010), and 18.9 in (2011).
· In 2011, our ACT Composite Score exceeded the state average score of 18.8 with a score of 18.9!
"Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength of the nation." — John F. Kennedy
I want to express my appreciation to the administration, teachers, staff, parents, and community for your outstanding work throughout the school year in support of our district's goal to improve student learning. I am honored to be part of a school district that is focused on student learning.
Our district's staff will continue to work hard for the children of Harrison County to ensure that we accomplish our goal of being one of the top districts in our state. With your continued support, I know we will reach our goal!
I would like to invite you to visit our schools and share in our students' achievements throughout the school year. Our administration, teachers, and staff are excited about the educational opportunities for our students.
We will continue to strive toward being a "Model of Opportunity" for all our students!
This week provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate and thank you for your dedication to Harrison County Schools’ students and community. We are fortunate to have a devoted team of men and women educating our children. Please know that the work you do is valued and appreciated. I am thankful for all of our teachers and staff and for what you do every day for the children of Harrison County.
Andy Dotson, Superintendent
The 2011-2012 School Calendar has been approved by the Board of Education. Please note that December 19, 20, 21, 22, February 20, and April 9-13 will be used as make-up days if we miss days due to inclement weather, illness, etc. March 16 will be a day out of school due to KEA day. The calendar is below for your convenience.
Who determines the school calendar?
Each school has representatives on the school calendar committee. The committee also includes Lloyd Ogden, Director of Pupil Personnel. Options are developed and selected by the committee and presented to and voted upon by the Board of Education.
What does proficiency mean?
By definition, proficiency means “competence derived through training and practice.” In Harrison County Schools, we strive to be a model of opportunity for students. A big part of this model is their proficient performance. In focusing on student proficient performance we look at four “big questions,” which are:
I'm sure that there are many questions regarding the snow day on Friday, March 11th and whether it will affect Spring Break. Spring Break will not be affected.
Our district will meet the number of instructional hours required by law. The snow day will, however, reduce the number of instructional days to 171.
Pending board approval, the last day for students is June 3rd, the last day for staff is June 9th, and graduation will be held on June 3rd.
If you have any questions regarding the school calendar, feel free to call our office 234-7110.