School Registration Dates 2017

“I was shocked.  It’s an incredible experience to win an award for something that I love to do.  I’m happy to work in a district that supports creativity,” said Lauren Coomes, Estes teacher.

“Ms. Coomes is an innovator.  From the unique moveable desks in her classroom, to the hands-on lessons she creates for her students.  She is a special teacher with a passion that carries over to her students,” said Shari Flagg, Estes principal.

The Estes garden was started last year when Coomes noticed that her students for the most part do not get exposure to the agriculture community because they live in the city.

“The garden makes the students excited.  My students literally pull up weeds and bring them into class to ask what they are.  We are incorporating real-world learning into our curriculum,” added Coomes.

“We invite the farmers to bring fresh produce, marketing, signs, pictures and coupons to the site,” said Kaitlyn Blankendaal, OPS school nutrition supervisor.

“It’s so important for our students and families to know where their food is coming from.  It’s the key to eating healthy.  We are so fortunate that a lot of our food is grown locally since we are located in an agriculture community,” added Blankendaal.

ANY child age 18 and under can get a free meal from any of the summer feeding sites.  Please follow this Link for a complete list of summer feeding locations.

“One of the long-range goals we wanted to see in OPS was the strengthening of collaboration and networking with peers that started from the grassroots.  We couldn’t be more proud and excited for this group to begin its work and literally DRIVE us into what’s next for teaching and learning at OPS,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Superintendent.

The program was formed as a result of a group of teachers who are currently in a Western Kentucky University cohort where they’re earning their Rank I Principal certification.  They identified a need for OPS to offer a unique program where teachers could come together and develop the best teaching practices for students.

“When you’re in different buildings teaching at different levels, it can be hard to share your best ideas with teachers from other schools.  DRIVE OPS will help solve that challenge.  It will create opportunities for teachers to better master their craft,” said Krista Thompson, Sutton Elementary Teacher and WKU cohort member.

In order to be accepted into the DRIVE OPS program, teachers had to go through an application process that included getting a recommendation from one of their supervisors and explaining what DRIVE means to them.  Below is the list of the inaugural drive class:

“I’m looking forward to showing our group where I grew up.  So much of who I am today was shaped by the people I learned from in Oldham County,” said Aaron Klausing, Red Steel Director.

Red Steel is a group of OHS students based on student musicians, not necessarily percussionists.  The idea was to form a group in Owensboro that would allow students to play high-energy pieces, and perform shows in and around Owensboro.  Red Steel has played at Kentucky Music Education Association, numerous Owensboro events including the induction of the new convention center and also with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra.

Art Festival Director Mary Klausing, who also happens to be Aaron’s mom is excited for her son’s group to show off what OHS students have to offer. 

“Aaron started a steel drum group with the Louisville Leopards called Steel Leopards, and formed another steel group at OHS.  I’m so proud of what he’s been able to do both for Owensboro students and the Owensboro community.  It’s going to be a treat to see Red Steel perform in Oldham County,” said Mary Klausing, Art Festival director.

Red Steel is scheduled as the opening musical group on the Woodsongs Coffeehouse Stage at the 2^nd Street Gazebo.

“We are extremely proud to achieve Lighthouse Status.  We will continue to teach leadership principles and provide a learning culture that enables students to LEAD and GROW,” said Danna Johnson, Sutton principal.

“The process for Newton Parrish began through the Race to the Top Grant.  We took advantage of the free professional development offered through Franklin Covey and GREEC.  This is our final year of the grant and we decided to take the leap of faith to see if our students, parents and staff had implemented the criteria for lighthouse,” said Steve Bratcher, Newton Parrish principal.

There are several schools that are Leader in Me Schools, which practice the seven habits.  Lighthouse schools achieve a certain level of implementation based on the Core Paradigms (these are the schools that shift the following paradigms).  A lighthouse school implements practices that promotes the follow changes:

Paradigm of Leadership- as a whole we truly believe that everyone can be a leader.

Paradigm of Potential- as a whole we truly believe everyone has genius.

Paradigm of Change- as a whole we truly believe that change starts with me.

Paradigm of Motivation- as a whole we truly believe that educators empower students to lead their own learning.

Paradigm of Education- as a whole we truly believe that education needs to develop the whole person.

“The certification means that we have and will continue to shift our thoughts in how we teach leadership principles, develop a leadership culture and align academic systems.  Going through this formal evaluation from Franklin Covey has allowed us to gain valuable feedback on what our areas of strengths and celebration are and areas for continuous growth,” added Bratcher.

“Soon after implementation of the Leader in Me, we began to see immediate benefits throughout our school.  Students are learning to work together, taking ownership of their learning and are acquiring leadership skills through the intentional process provided through the program.  There is a belief at Sutton that everyone has the ability to lead and all students have leadership opportunities,” added Johnson.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity to lead a great group of ladies both on and off the court,” said Jansen Locher, OHS Girls Basketball head coach.

OHS leaders who selected Locher to lead the Lady Devils say he displayed an incredible amount of energy and passion that they believe will translate onto the basketball court.

“It’s always a great day when we can welcome back one of our own as the leader of a student-athlete organization.  I believe Locher has what it takes to lead a very successful basketball team,” said John DeLacey, OHS principal.

“My goal is to build a program that competes at the highest level.  We are going to play hard, with pride, class and dedication,” added Locher.

Locher serves as a teacher at Owensboro Public Schools’ Newton Parrish Elementary.  He graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  He’s currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Teacher Leadership.  Locher graduated from OHS in 2007.

“I’ve always been proud to be part of the Red Devil family, so it’s an honor to now lead the Lady Devils,” said Locher.

“I’m incredibly proud of all of our students who’ve taken advantage of this unique program.  This really opens a lot of doors for our students.  They can now transfer those credits earned at OCTC to a four-year university.  Many will start out as juniors in college at 18-years old,” said John DeLacey, OHS principal.

Last year, OHS had its first student graduate with their high school diploma and Associate Degree. 

“To produce six graduates this year shows more students are taking advantage of this wonderful program.  They’re receiving a high-quality college education at a cost of only their books for each class,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Superintendent.

“We are truly proud of the six OHS students who have taken advantage of the Early College program.  We are excited that many more of our young people will achieve similar accomplishments as a result of our continuing partnership with Owensboro Public Schools,” said Dr. Stacy Edds-Ellis, OCTC Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

Those students who earned their Associate Degree are: Aliyah Burden, Kathryn Feldpausch, Leah Fulkerson, James Blake Howard, Tyler Sovar and Trinity Washington.

“I cannot thank OHS and OCTC enough for the incredible opportunity I was provided with during my years at OHS.  This will allow me to finish getting my bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Louisville early and let me be one step closer to becoming a veterinarian,” said Trinity Washington, Early College student.

The incoming junior class at OIA can begin taking courses at Brescia this fall.  Degree options include: Associate of Arts in Integrated Studies, Associate of Science in Integrated Studies, Associate of Science in Health Science and Associate of Science in Engineering Studies.

“At just $90 a class, this gives our students an incredible opportunity to further their education.  We cannot thank Brescia enough for offering this prospect for our students,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Superintendent.

“When the Owensboro Innovation Academy presented this partnership to us, we felt it to be a perfect fit. Our institutions share the same intimate, one-on-one learning experience that caters to the educational needs of each student,” stated Father Larry Hostetter, President of Brescia University.  “We admire the innovative educational approach that OIA provides students, and we are honored to be an extension of that educational experience.  By taking classes at Brescia University, our hope is that the students at OIA will benefit from direct learning at the collegiate academic level that will allow them to seamlessly transition into college and find success in their lives,” added Father Larry.

The partnership will also allow all OIA students to use the new health complex that is currently under construction at Brescia.

“Our students will get to use brand new facilities as part of a comprehensive wellness plan for each student.  This ensures that our students are not only getting a quality education in STEM fields, but will hopefully improve their overall health,” said Beth Benjamin, OIA principal.

“From day one, Brescia has opened it doors to OIA students and staff to offer unique spaces for different learning activities.  This exciting announcement is another example of two education entities working together to produce the best options for the students of our shared community,” said Owens Saylor, DCPS Superintendent.

Brescia will also allow OIA to use some of its chemistry lab space making it easier to offer more science classes.

"Right now we are meeting with Brescia leaders and are hammering out all of the details of the new opportunity.  We will host a parent information night on May 22 at 6 p.m. at OIA to let parents and students know what the next steps are to starting their degree,” added Benjamin.

This is the second major lacrosse grant Owensboro Public Schools received.  Earlier this year, the Owensboro Middle School physical education department earned a Soft Stick grant providing supplies for gym classes.

“Given how new the sport is to the Owensboro area, the generosity of US Lacrosse in providing the Soft Stick grant to OMS and the equipment grant to OHS shows the commitment from US Lacrosse to expanding the game’s reach in Western Kentucky.  OHS is proud to be at the front of helping the game grow in Western Kentucky and we hope other schools in Daviess County and the surrounding area will form teams to further that growth from youth levels all the way to the high schools,” said Matthew Madej, OHS lacrosse coach.

The purpose of the grant is to help expand participation in underrepresented regions and communities.  According to US Lacrosse, the First Stick program seeks to expand participation beyond traditional boundaries and inspire kids to play hard, dream big and act responsibly. 

“With the grant, we were able to reach out to those who can’t afford the equipment and further expand our program. This also provided a sense of unity throughout our team as it means the world to a young program," said Bryan Sapp, OHS lacrosse player.

“For some of us on the team, money is hard to come by and getting the grant allows all the players to play without having to worry about paying for the protective equipment,” said TJ Leach, OHS lacrosse player.