Webster County Schools hosted a Supt2Community Luncheon on March 13, 2019, at the Extension Office. Supt. Rhonda Callaway greeted guests and provided an overview of Supt2Community.  Information was shared on district initiatives around Literacy, Enhanced Learning Opportunities, and Safety. Kim Saalwaechter, Early Childhood Director, provided an overview of the district's Striving Readers initiative and elementary principals shared information on how Striving Readers activities have been implemented in their schools. Michael Gooch, WCMS Principal, and Hillary Bumpus, APEX Coordinator, shared information highlighting success stories of the school's new APEX Learning Center. Aaron Harrell, WCHS Principal, shared information on the successes of the high school's new Personalized Learning  Center. Carolyn Sholar, Public Information Coord. and Donna Bumpus, True Blue Drug Free Communities Coord., shared information abouy the True Blue Drug Free Communities program.  Matt Bell, Safe Schools Coordinator, provided information around various district safety initiatives and resources. Community members were given an opportunity to provide input, feedback, and suggestions. 

Due to Webster County elementary parent/teacher conferences being rescheduled for March 21st, "Beyond the Bell"scheduled for March 21st at Providence Elementary has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 11th, at Providence Elementary from 5:30-7:30. All WC parents are invited to attend. 
The event is sponsored by FRYSC as well as Capstone and APEX Learning Centers. A meal will be served from 5:30-6:00 and parents may choose to attend 3 parent sessions from 6:00-7:30. Sessions offered for parents include *Everything Parents Need to Know About Juuling/Vaping; a *Parent's Guide to Google Docs; and *Navigating Infinite Campus. 
Childcare will be available.  

Congratulations to Dawn Forker, Sebree Elementary Principal, for being selected the state's 2019 School Breakfast Champion. Each year the Dairy Alliance and No Kid Hungry sponsor a Breakfast Champions Challenge during NSBW (National School Breakfast Week). Several Breakfast Champions across the state are selected, and then they interview each and present a statewide winner.  This year's statewide winner was Dawn Forker.  Along with the title, comes a prize package for Sebree Food Service from the Dairy Alliance of $2000.  Dawn also received a gift basket and will receive a gift card from NO KID HUNGRY.  Mrs. Forker has completed the KYONE Food Service training to qualify her to work the breakfast cart line. Mrs. Forker can be seen each morning greeting her students as she serves them on the breakfast cart line.

L to R:  Ashley Pitts Feeding KY rep., Mrs. Forker, Valerie Knight, and Alan Curtsinger, Dairy Alliance rep, 

Sebree Archery takes 1st place in elementary teams at Webster Co. Classic! This team is in the top 10 elementary teams in the state. They will compete at state March 16th.

Congratulations to Lindsay Branson, WCMS Instructional Assistant, and Taylor Wilson Herzog, WCHS teacher, for being selected the February, 2019 1WC Employees of the Month! We appreciate you!

 L to R: Tim McCormick, BOE Vice-Chair, Lindsay Branson, Taylor Herzog, and Venita Murphy, BOE member

Webster County True Blue Drug Free Community graduated from CADCA (Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America). True Blue attended three 4-day CADCA training sessions during the past year. The graduation ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. at the CADCA conference.(Feb 3-7).
WC True Blue attendees were Donna Bumpus—Coordinator; Carolyn Sholar—District Liaison/Director, Melea Ramin—Webster Co ASAP Chairperson; Kevin Ranes—Youth True Blue Crew Co-Sponsor; Raygan Ranes and Seth Ranes—True Blue Crew members. Members participated in conference activities led by national presenters that focused on transforming communities by investing in drug prevention, treatment and recovery. Members also enjoyed a tour of the White House and met with Congressman Comer in his office on Capitol Hill to share WC True Blue initiatives.  First Lady, Melania Trump, addressed conference attendees and expressed her appreciation for our youth drug prevention efforts

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L to R: Raygan Ranes, Carolyn Sholar, Donna Bumpus, Melea Ramin, Seth Ranes and Kevin Ranes

Raygan Ranes, WCHS True Blue Crew member, was one of three youth attending the CADCA Conference asked to participate on a panel in a session on Over the Counter Medicine. The students responded to the benefits and challenges of educating elementary students on OTC medicines. Raygan and her father, Kevin Ranes, received scholarships that covered their CADCA conference expenses. Raygan’s scholarship, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, required her to prepare for the conference by watching videos on OTC medications. She will also present OTC medication information to elementary students in WC. Kevin Ranes served as a monitor for various conference sessions

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Judge Henry read the proclamation at the Fiscal Court Meeting on Feb. 11th recognizing February as Career and Technical Education Month in Webster County. Fiscal Court members as well as Webster County School students and district personnel were in attendance.

Pictured L to R: Tony Felker-Magistrate; Sara Gipson- student; Greg Bowles-Director of Pupil Personnel; Lani Mitchell-student; Judge Henry; Denaleigh Starks-student; Chad Townsend-Magistrate; Grady Busby, student; Larry Garrity-ATC Principal; Jerry Brown-Magistrate; and Rhonda Callaway-Superintendent

Congratulations to Brittany LaGrange, WCMS teacher, and Jami Busbey, Sebree Elementary Secretary, for being named January 1WC Employees of the Month! Thanks for all you do!

L to R:  Tim McCormick, BOE Vice-Chair, Brittany, Jamie, and James Nance, BOE Member

Sebree Elementary was chosen to host the Highbush Blueberry event sponsored by the National Highbush Blueberry Association.  Webster County Schools Food Service purchases Highbush Blueberries of Daviess County for use in the district's cafeterias as part of the Farm to School Program. The blueberry event featured student blueberry taste testing at lunch with students sampling blueberry salad with blueberry vinegarette dressing as well as smoothies.  Students were also served blueberry parfaits and blueberry pancakes at breakfast.  Additonally, students were offered fresh blueberries each day at lunch. On Jan. 24th, a Blueberry Nutrition Assembly was presented by UK Dietetic Intern, Lindsay Thoman. Her presentation focused on five major health benefits of eating blueberries. The event also hosted a blueberry art contest and the winner was announced at lunch on Jan. 25th. Banesa Saravia, 6th grade Sebree student, won the contest and was presented with an art kit. Students had an opportunity to take pictures with Lindsay Thoman, "Blueberry Girl," as well as Principal Dawn Forker and Supt.Rhonda Callaway. 

Dawn Forker, Banesa Saravia, Rhonda Callaway            Blueberry Art Winner

The Lady Trojans and Trojan Basketball teams had a "Trojan send off" Thursday morning to the State 2A tournament in Owensboro. The boys and girls will play in the evening session on Friday, Jan. 18th at the Owensboro Sport Center. The boys game is at 6:30 PM and the girls' game is 8:00 PM. Tickets are $10 at the door. Good Luck and Go Trojans!

Judge Executive, Steve Henry, administered the oath of office to two Webster County Board of Education members on January 4th at the Webster County Board office. Sworn in were Tim McCormick, re-elected member, and Cameron Edwards, new member, who filled the seat vacated by Jeff Pettit.

Webster County Board Members:
Mickey Dunbar
Tim McCormick
Venita Murphy
James Nance
Cameron Edwards

Webster County Schools appreciates you!!!

On December 10th, 2018, County Judge Executive, Steve Henry, with the approval of Webster County Fiscal Court, declared the first day of each month in 2019 to be "True Blue" Day in Webster County. All county residents are encouraged to wear blue on the 1st day of each month to promote and show support for the county's True Blue initiative which supports a drug free Webster County. Since its inception in 2017, True Blue has provided Character Counts training in Webster County Schools and organized faith-based and law enforcement groups around the True Blue initiative. True Blue has provided free anti-drug/alcohol/tobacco resources, training and speakers in the community. Webster County residents are encouraged to participate in drug prevention education activities. For more information, contact Donna Bumpus, Coordinator @ donna.bumpus@webster.kyschools.us or 270-639-0383.

The Webster County Board of Education on December 17, 2018, was a bittersweet one. While Rhonda Callaway attended her first board meeting as the new Webster County Superintendent, the board members said goodbye to their board chair, Jeff Pettit, as he conducted his last WCBOE meeting. We thank Mr. Pettit for his eight year service on the board and for his commitment to the students and staff of Webster County Schools. Mr. Pettit praised his fellow board members and administrators for working together to provide the best possible education for Webster County students. He noted, "if we always keep what is best for the students as our top priority we will be doing the right thing." A reception was held in his honor prior to the meeting.

Congratulations to Abby Ranes, WCHS teacher, and Bettye Herald, Annex Food Service Manager, for being named December 1WC Employees of the Month! Thanks for all you do! We appreciate you!

L to R:  Tim McCormick, BOE Member, Abby Ranes, Bettye Herald, Mickey Dunbar, BOE Vice-Chair

Nexus Vol. 3, Dec. 2018

Two Webster County teachers, Renee Pratt, Clay Elementary and Lori Corbin, WCHS Media Specialist, recently joined the ranks of those Webster County teachers who have received their National Board Certification. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. NBCT requires teachers to demonstrate a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning. We are proud of you! 

    Renee Pratt                                                      Lori Corbin

Webster County Schools has a vacancy for the position of a contract School Resource Officer (SRO). The SRO will be employed by the Webster County Sheriff’s Department and work through a Memorandum of Agreement with Webster County Schools. A marked car will be provided by the Webster County Sheriff’s Department to be at the assigned location and used in official duty during the work day. Applicants may apply on the Webster County Schools website or with the Webster County Sheriff’s Department. 
Applicants must prove qualifying credentials:
• Certified police officer by KY Criminal Justice Academy

Primary Location: Webster County High School & Webster County Middle School; Webster County Elementary Schools on occasion
Salary Range: Hourly per year
Benefits: Not provided
Contractual year: 181 days

Georgiann McCord, Interim Webster County Superintendent, was honored at a retirement reception prior to the BOE meeting on Monday, November 26th. Mrs. McCord is retiring effective December 1st after spending 39.5 years in education. Mrs. McCord replaced Dr. Rachel Yarbrough who retired this past summer. Rhonda Callaway will replace Mrs. McCord as Superintendent of Webster County Schools.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Warren, 5th/6th grade Language Arts teacher at Dixon Elementary and Carol Hill, Providence Elementary Secretary for being named November 1WC Employees of the Month! We appreciate you!

Photo L to R: Mickey Dunbar, BOE Vice-Chair; Elizabeth Warren, Carol Hill, Venita Murphy, BOE Member

“Juuling” is the latest craze among teens that’s raising health concerns. It’s named after a vaping device, the JUUL, which is intended to help adults kick cigarettes. They can be bought at most convenience stores. The JUUL delivers nicotine and looks like a flash drive. It can actually be placed into the USB port of a computer to be charged. Doctors are concerned there is a misconception among teenagers that the device is safe.

A lot of these cartridges are actually marketed as health products. They have ‘healthy’ flavors, things like mango and berry that are associated with high antioxidants. But they’re just flavors. There are no actual health benefits. The CDC has found that these flavors are a big part of the reason teens are latching onto these products. 60 percent of kids believed that pods used in Juuls (a specific brand of e-cigarette) were nicotine free — when the reality is that 99 percent of these products contain nicotine.

“The use of these e-cigarettes like the popular Juul brand is spiking among youth, but parents often aren't even sure what they are and many teens mistakenly believe there are no serious health risks.” View this video from Education Week's website. 

The Kentucky Migrant Fall Academy was held in Louisville, KY November 13-15.  Webster County students attended along with the district's Migrant Coordinator, Robert "Sherrill" Tanner. 

The students had the privilege of interviewing Sylvia Mendez, the keynote speaker for the conference.  Sylvia Mendez is an American civil rights activist of Mexican-Puerto Rican heritage. At age eight, he was denied entry to an all-white school in Westminster, California. She and her family played an instrumental role in the Mendez v. Westminster case, the landmark desegregation case of 1946. Her family’s case paved the way in 1947 for the famous Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education which led to desegregation of schools across the country eight years later. Sylvia Méndez received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

L to R: Erick Escalante,Paola Rivera, Sylvia Mendez, Kerem Vazquez  L to R:  Paola Rivera, Sylvia Mendez, Erick Escalante

All Webster County teachers participated in Character Counts training on November 6th, 2018. The training was conducted by Jenny Winstead, Sebree Counselor, and Tammy White, Providence Counselor, who are the district's Character Counts trainers.
Character Counts is a mainstay of the district's True Blue Drug Free Community which has provided training and resources for the district and community. 
Character Counts is a nationally recognized initiative that focuses on the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
The goal of Character Counts is to ensure WC students receive character education which will hopefully improve the ethical quality of their decisions, and thus their character and lives.

The Trojan Cross Country Team captured its 7th straight Class AA Regional title and advanced to state!The Lady Trojan Cross Country Team finished 3rd in the region and advanced to state! WC Cheerleaders are KHSAA Medium Division Sectional Champs and are headed to State!

Congratulations to Leighann Harper, WCMS Math teacher, and Amy Wright, Special Education Instructional Assistant at Clay Elementary, for being named our 1WC Employees of the Month! ! We appreciate you!!

Pictured L to R: James Nance, BOE Member, Leighann Harper, Amy Wright, and Tim McCormick, BOE Member.

Webster County law enforcement, emergency personnel and school personnel attended Narcan training on October 17th at the Extension Office.
Training was provided by Daviess County Coroner, Jeff Jones.

Narcan Nasal Spray (Naloxone) is an FDA approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Participants were given information around opioid misuse and overdose as well as how to use Narcan. 

Thank you to the Pennyrile F.A.I.T.H. Riders for their generous donation of $1,320 to support the district's student Backpack Program. Members from the organization presented the check to the district at the Webster County Board of Education meeting on September 24, 2018.  The Pennyrile F.A.I.T.H. Riders are a chapter of the National F.A.I.T.H. Riders. The organization is a motorcycle ministry comprised of many demoninations for the Pennyrile West Kentucky region, and it is affiliated with Grapevine Baptist Church in Madisonville, KY.   Mark Odum is the Director and Jim Lantrip is the Secretary/Ride Coordinator.

Congratulations Sebree Elementary for recently being named one of America's healthiest schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

America’s Healthiest Schools earned the distinction by successfully meeting a rigorous set of criteria for serving healthier meals and snacks, getting students moving more, offering high-quality health and physical education, and empowering school leaders to be healthy role models. The schools, 81 percent of which serve high-need populations, also receive Healthier Generation’s National Healthy Schools Award at the Bronze, Silver or Gold level, based on the standards they achieve.

Sebree achieved Bronze status and joined Webster County High School and Webster County Middle School who attained Bronze status last year.

SBDM council members and students from all schools paticipated in a Council of Councils on Monday, Sept. 10th, 2018. The Webster County Council of Councils and district administrators met with board members to highlight school and district initiatives and obtain feedback from students and council members around what they feel is going well and opportunities for improvement.
District administrators shared information about the following district initiatives:
*Striving Readers Literacy Collaborative 
*WC Kids to College
*WC True Blue Drug Free Community
*Accountability Update and Graduate Profile
*Facilities Update
*Attendance Data
*Student Mental Health & School Safety
*WCMS APEX Learning Center
*New Industrial Maintenance program at the ATC

Webster County Schools is happy to announce that we have updated not only our website, but also our mobile app (formerly SchoolWay), for push alert notifications (e.g., school closings, emergency alerts, important information, etc.) Our new mobile app is called SchoolPointe Stay Connected which is integrated with our new website. You will no longer receive alerts through SchoolWay app.

To download the new SchoolPointe app please see the instructions listed below:

How to download the mobile SchooPointe Stay Connected App for Webster County Schools:

1) Go to the Apple App store or the Google Play store.

2) Search for the SchoolPointe Stay Connected app icon (see below)

3) Install the app

4) Once installed, you should click on ALLOW to accept push notifications

5) Open the app and search for Webster County Schools

6) Click to install

Got questions? Looking for resources? Interested in getting to know other grandparents raising grandchildren? Join us for a time of fellowship and learning as we explore the joys and challenges of being a “GRAND parent”

When: September 18 from 5:30-7:00
Where: WCHS Annex
What:  *A light meal will be served 
            *Childcare available for children 12 and under 
            *Guest Speaker: Kay Payne, Mental Health Therapist
            *The group will meet the third Tuesday of each month

*Sponsored by WC FRYSC and WCHS Family/Consumer Science

Webster County district administrators, faculty, and staff members kicked off the 2018-19 school year at the WC Opening Day on August 13, 2018. The day's events included breakfast, remarks from Interim Superintendent, Georgiann McCord, reflections from past years' work as well as the instructional focus for this school year. The district received a $502,000 Striving Readers grant which will provide the district with additional resources to implement a more intentional focus on reading and literacy for children in Webster County from birth through 12th grade. 
Staff members also participated in a fun "break out" room teambuilding activity. Teams looked for clues and solved puzzles which ultimately led them to a puzzle piece which was their final clue. Each piece of the puzzle was part of a larger district puzzle which, when put together, represented all of the programs, activities, instructional resources, etc. which comprise the Graduate Profile.

All 2018-19 new staff attended the Webster County "1WC Way" New Staff Day on August 6th.  Welcome to our district!! Thank you to KEA for providing our lunch and to Stephanie Winkler, State KEA President, for attending.  We appreciate you!  

District and school administrators and directors participated in "Together We Can..." Leadership Retreat on July 9-10. Day 1 included a fun team building activity followed by a working lunch at the Olive Garden. Administrators spent Day 2 in a "Leadership Challenge" activity at the district office. The team met with the Board of Education at the Extension Office at 5:30.
Supt. Georgiann McCord shared reflections from retreat activities as well as district highlights from 2014-2018. Deputy Asst. Supt. Rhonda Callaway shared stakeholder feedback from the district's 2030 World Class Vision/Graduate Profile. 
Kim Saalwaechter, Early Childhood/Special Ed Dir., shared about the district's $507,000 Striving Readers Grant to improve literacy  from birth to 12th grade.
DPP Greg Bowles shared about the district's $75,000 McKinney-Vento grant to provide support and resources for the district's homeless students.
Area Tech Principal, Larry Garrity, shared about the $140,000 partnership grant with MCC which will create a new Industrial Maintenance program at ATC.
Carolyn Sholar, Public Info/Community Ed Director, shared information about the $625,000 True Blue Drug Free Communities Grant which will prevent youth substance abuse in the community.
Superintendent McCord also shared information about the district's invitation from the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative to participate in a Gear Up grant to provide additional math and literacy support  for this year's 7th graders which will follow them through the 12th grade.

Congratulations to Nita Johnson and Mike Stone, 2018 "1WC" Employees of the Year!  We appreciate you!

Congratulations to Sebree Elementary for being the 2018 "1WC" District Attendance Winner of the Year with 95.61% attendance for the year. Sebree has been the district winner for the past four years.
Dixon Elementary was a VERY close second place this year with 95.41% attendance for the year. Dixon is the recipient of the Webster County High Attendance Award.

Congratulations New National Board Certified Teachers  
Vicky Jones and Andy Corbin

 
 L-R:  Vicky Jones, Venita Murphy, BOE Member, Andy Corbin

A big "1WC" THANK YOU to the Webster County Economic Development Board for their $250,000 donation to Webster County Kids2College Scholarship Fund. That amount will be matched over time by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Elligible students may use the scholarship funds to attend either Madisonville or Henderson Community College.

Webster County District Administrators and Teachers
Attend Public School Funding Rally in Frankfort

Dr. Rachel Yarbrough, Webster County Superintendent; Georgiann McCord, Assistant Superintendent; Pauletta Yarbrough, President Webster County Retired Teachers; and three teachers, Melissa McBride, Markeata Riley and Linda Gill attended a Public School Funding Rally on March 22nd in Frankfort.

Congratulations Brooklyn Mays for placing 2nd in the 2017 World Archery Tournament (High School Female) & Overall Runner Up  (Female)!  Brooklyn was recognized at the August 28th, 2017 Webster County Board of Education meeting.

L-R:  James Nance, BOE Member & Brooklyn Mays

Congratulations. Donna Bumpus, for being recognized at the August 28, 2017, Webster County BOE meeting on receiving the Robert Strauss Award for Excellence in Prevention Advocacy in Kentucky.

L-R:  Donna Bumpus and Venita Murphy, BOE Member

Webster County Schools Coffee and Conversation was held March 26th at the Providence Food Bank. Chip Palmer, Food Bank Director, shared information about the service the Food Bank provides to the citizens of Webster County:

• Open on Tuesday 9-12, Thurs. 3-6, and Saturday 9-12
• Serves over 1,000 people per month
• Distributes 15,000 pounds of food per month
• Can turn one dollar of food into $5
• Averaging 12-15 new households per month

We appreciate the very important service the Food Bank provides to Webster County!!!

The next Coffee & Conversation will be at 7:30 on April 16th at Jeri's in Clay. The public is invited. Coffee and donuts will be served.

Congratulations to K-5 winner, Chloe Pleskach--1st Grader at Dixon, and Middle School winner, Mary Kate Rakestraw--8th grade!