I would like to thank our Student Advisory Council Members for their service.  Their input and suggestions were invaluable.  I look forward to next year’s council meetings.

We will recognize the Senior council members with a special presentation at the May 22nd board meeting.

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called “truth.”  ~Dan Rather

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation, take a moment to thank a teacher.   Your “thanks” makes all the difference!

I want all our teachers and staff to know how much I appreciate each of you.  YOU make a difference in our community, our schools, and in our students’ lives.  Your hard work is recognized on a daily basis.

Thank you!

Mr. Dotson

Harrison County Schools now has an Anti-Bullying Hotline.  The number to call or text is 588-8081.  Bullying should be reported to teachers, counselors or administrators.  Sometimes students are afraid to tell an adult out of fear the bully will harm them.  If you feel your child is being bullied or you as a student feel you are being bullied, call or text 588-8081 and leave a message to report the details of the situation.

Harrison County Schools’ Spring Break is April 9-13, 2012.  I hope everyone has a relaxing and restful break.

Certified District Leadership Team – Just a reminder…Our April meeting has been canceled.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 3rd at 3:30 in the Meeting Room at Central Office.

The next Support Staff District Leadership Team Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2nd at 9:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room at Central Office.

We had a great meeting today with the  Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.  This is a great group of students!  The purpose of the group is to develop a positive relationship between the students and superintendent by creating a clear vision for Harrison County Schools.  These students have great insight on how to increase student involvement and communication.

I look forward to the next meeting.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Commissioner Dr. Terry Holliday for visiting our school district today.  Dr. Holliday answered questions from our administration and our board of education members, Dr. Don Stephens, Mary June Brunker, and Kristy Carey.  Dr. Holliday also took the time to visit SS elementary, HCMS, and HCHS. During his visit at the schools he spoke with the administration and teachers and was impressed with the staff in our building.  A special thanks to the administration, teachers, staff, and students for allowing us to showcase the wonderful activities going on in our district.

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 107^th to 52^nd

·        Our Elementary KCCT score improved from 82^nd  to 62^nd

·        Our Middle School KCCT score improved from 97^th to 44^th

·        Our High School  KCCT score improved from 138^th to 66^th

(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!