Information on the start and end times for each of our schools for 2023-2024 is available at the following link: https://www.hopkins.kyschools.us/Page/16484.

A group of Hopkins County Schools’ employees from various schools and offices were honored with the Remember Your Why Award at a recent Board of Education meeting. They dropped everything to work together to help six families who did not have running water in their neighborhood. The families had a difficult time understanding the extent of the situation, so staff worked together to overcome language barriers and make sure they understood. They provided the families with cases and jugs of water, toiletries, and food. They also helped them find a place to take showers and launder clothing. This team truly exhibited servant leadership by taking care of the needs of these families.

Recipients are Family Resource Youth Services Center coordinators Tonja Simms of Grapevine Elementary, Dana Byrum of Hopkins County Central, and Zach Evans of Browning Springs Middle; Grapevine Elementary teacher Christina Estrada, and EL Program consultants Megan Tuz-Tamayo and Shannon Owen.

Each was asked to explain their “why.” Their answers follow:

• Byrum – “HCCHS and FRYSC are a part of who I am. I love helping families and students.”
• Estrada – “I love to help my community. We together can build strong family support and commitment to our students.”
• Evans – “To inspire and empower the next generation to achieve their full potential.”
• Owen – “I love working with kids. To be able to share in their individual accomplishments is what it is all about. They are the most important and best part of the job.”
• Simms – “Education is such an important part of our children’s lives. I love the children of Hopkins County and want them to feel safe, loved, and successful. I’m happy to do anything I can through the Grapevine Family Resource Center to make that happen.”
• Tuz-Tamayo – “I love working with kids, especially our EL students. I really enjoy helping our students and their families navigate their new environment. Being able to speak to them in their native language always makes them feel more comfortable."

The Remember Your Why Award was presented to Keith and Missy Jarvis at the Sept. 18 Board of Education meeting. This husband and wife duo serve as head custodians at Grapevine Elementary and Jesse Stuart Elementary, respectively. They regularly work together to meet the needs of students and staff at both of their schools. When one of their schools is short-handed or has an approaching deadline on a project, they both will collaborate to help. They truly embody Team Hopkins and the “Remember Your Why” initiative!

Keith said his “why” is, “I love working at Grapevine because I like talking and joking with the kids. Occasionally, I learn something new and they do, too. I like working with my Wildcat family. I never mind to help anyone out who needs help.”

Missy said her “why” is, “I love my Eagle family. I enjoy working and getting to know the students every day. I take pride in my work in making sure the students and staff have a clean and safe place to learn and work.”