Hopkins County Board of Education has approved the school calendar for the 2026-2027 school year on second reading. The calendar is posted on the district website at www.hopkins.kyschools.us/schoolcalendar. 

The Kentucky Department of Education has released the 2024-2025 assessment and accountability results.

The state accountability system uses the Kentucky Summative Assessment and other tools to measure performance on six indicators: reading and math; science, social studies, and writing; English learner progress; quality of school climate/safety; postsecondary readiness; and graduation rate. Each indicator is evaluated on current year performance and change. 

Ratings are reported using a color-coded system to communicate performance, from highest to lowest: Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red.

Details of Hopkins County Schools’ key results are available on the district website.

The City of Madisonville’s annual Flight Before Christmas event will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Madisonville Regional Airport. The free event includes pictures with Santa, children’s activities, and food and retail vendors. The Celebrate Literacy Hopkins County group will also be there, giving kids a chance to pick out a new book for free! For more details, see the Hopkins County Tourist & Convention Commission website.

A visit from Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman on Nov. 6  gave James Madison students the chance to share what they have learned so far in the new Middle School Career Lab. They eagerly jumped on that opportunity! Students explained the details of what’s involved in computer game design, veterinary care, crime solving, and more.

The career labs, which are located in each of our middle schools, are a game changer for career readiness, workforce development, and student engagement. The lab offers 18 different career modules including home maintenance, welding, nursing, culinary, and more.  Students are introduced to possible career pathways starting in 6th grade to aid in career choices and decision making before entering high school.

Thanks to Lt. Gov. Coleman and her team for visiting!

The 10th anniversary celebration for Hopkins County Career & Technology Center put a bright spotlight on the success of its career pathways! Current students and staff, former students, business leaders, and members of the community attended the open house on November 18. 

The event included student-led tours of each of the career pathway areas: Business, Engineering, Automotive, Health Science, Industrial Maintenance, and Information Technology.

CTC also unveiled its new mascot! They are now the Jets! Great job sharing these amazing opportunities with our community!

A ribbon-cutting on Thursday marked the official opening for the Madisonville-North Hopkins High School Auxiliary Gym and Storm Shelter.

The MNHHS addition includes a full-sized basketball court, spectator seating, storm shelter, locker rooms, restrooms, and a multi-purpose area that provides space for classrooms, storage, and athletic training. A ribbon-cutting was held last summer for a similar facility at Hopkins County Central HS.

After the ceremony at MNHHS, attendees had the opportunity to look around the new facility. We’re so excited at the many opportunities this facility will offer students, as well as the community!

Madisonville North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central seniors got the chance to “Swipe Right” on possible careers during recent events at both schools. 

Swipe Right, a collaboration between Hopkins County Young Professionals, Hopkins County Schools, and community partners, is the first event in a 3-part series of Focus on Our Seniors. 

Swipe Right provides an opportunity for seniors to preview career opportunities in our community and choose two areas of interest. The choices they make are then used to begin placements for the Focus on the Future shadow day in February.  Hopkins County Young Professionals secures the placements and provides the school with placement information and requirements.  They are the lead organizers for these events.  Wendy Gamblin, HCS interim director of pupil personnel,  serves as Hopkins County Young Professionals president elect and works with Hillary Croft to make this event a success.

These placements may lead to post-graduation internships and job opportunities. Students who are offered these post-graduation placements may then participate in the third event, Career Signing Day, in late April/early May.

Student peer leaders and adult advisers in all HCS middle schools recently went through training for the Sources of Strength program. Sources of Strength explores eight protective factors to develop resilient individuals and communities. These factors are family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, medical access, and mental health.

A diverse group of peer leaders was chosen to participate. They will be doing monthly campaigns at each school to promote positive culture. Examples include creating art displays, videos, welcome to school activities, etc. The purpose is to help kids be more resilient by finding mentors, positive friends, and family support.

Talented HCS students recently took the stage of Glema Mahr Center for the Arts in the musical “Godspell.” The ensemble show illustrates parables from the Gospel of Matthew using a variety of games, storytelling techniques, and a hefty dose of comic timing in this Stephen Schwartz hit musical. This was a Hopkins County Schools Production and a First United Bank and Trust  Proud Partnership. It was presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

The recent Bowl for FRYSC’s Sake raised a total of $4,234.25, which will be divided by the eight participating Family Resource Youth Services centers. These funds will be used to help meet the needs of students and families. The FRYSCs plan to make this an annual event. Please start watching for information next spring!

Congratulations to the following award-winning participants:

• Highest Score - Team: Spicy Bowlers from South Hopkins MS consisting of Katie Riggs, Leland, Daniel Riggs, Nathan, and Will. 

• Highest Score - Person: Rob Westby from the Wizard of Oz Team with a score of 184.

• Most Money Raised: Jesse Stuart Elementary School Lunch Ladies consisting of Rick Guck, Sherri McDowell, Dana Conrad, Christina Chandler, and Tonya Lewis. They raised $491.00.

• Best Team Theme: Haag Family Dentistry, Flossy Posse with team leader Ginger Johnson.

• Best Individual Costume: Rick Guck, JSES.

HCS students honored our military veterans during special Veterans Day programs at several of our schools! These photos show the assembly and breakfast held at Grapevine Elementary and the recognition ceremony at South Hopkins Middle School. Thank you to ALL of our veterans!

Families and kids learned to cook a special pasta meal together during Southside Elementary’s Family Engagement Night on Nov. 13. The event was a huge success, bringing together nearly 400 students and family members. Southside wanted to show how much they love their families and their wonderful children!

They focused on giving families a lasting tool, remembering the saying, "If you teach a person to fish, they eat for a lifetime." Families learned to make a simple crockpot meal, "Tomcat's Pizza Pasta," and each family went home with a cookbook of staff recipes and a brand-new crockpot to help them enjoy easy meals together!

This special night was made possible through funding from Title I, the Family Resource Center, and Community Schools Family Engagement, as well as the incredible effort of teachers and staff.

Styles & Stories gives Southside Elementary students a special way to start the school day!

 

“They come in here and read a book while I style their hair,” said Amanda O’Rear, Southside Family Resource Center coordinator. When the initial call went out, 50 students signed up! To handle that number, Assistant Principal Mary Jones and special education building coach Jamie Hamby offered to help. With their involvement, three kids are able to participate each Wednesday and Thursday.

The program started after the FRC Needs Assessment showed that families are concerned about literacy.

“I was trying to come up with a way to make reading fun,” O’Rear said. “I saw a similar idea, but I made some changes and morphed it into my own.” 

It’s definitely popular with the kids. Loghan, a 4th grader, read “The Big Adventures of BabyMouse” while getting her hair done this week.

“I like it,” she said with a big smile. “I got to have my hair done and I got to read.”

Other students are already asking about participating in Styles & Stories. “Once they see other kids’ hairstyles or they come into the Family Resource Center office and see all of the hair things, they ask about it,” O’Rear said. With the overwhelming interest, she is recruiting high school groups to help. Both boys and girls get to participate. Girls get to choose from all kinds of hair ties, bows, and glitter spray, with boys’ options including hair gel, temporary tattoos, and more. 

“It gives the kids a little boost of self confidence, makes them feel special, and gives them extra reading time,” O’Rear said. “They love it. They are so excited when they see their hair. They ask me everyday if they can come back.”

Browning Springs Middle School students showed local business leaders what they’re learning in the new Career Labs during a special visit on Nov. 13. The Madisonville Hopkins County Economic Development Corp.’s Industry Alliance meeting was held at the school, offering attendees the opportunity to get a look at the program.

All Hopkins County middle schools launched the hands-on career labs this fall. Students get early exposure to fields like welding, electrical, plumbing, health care, hospitality, and more.

West Hopkins 4th/5th grade teacher Sherry Towe was honored with the Great Futures Award at the Board of Education meeting on Nov. 17. She demonstrates the “Opportunity Creator, Not a Barrier Builder” mindset.

She works tirelessly to make sure her students are prepared to tackle unknowns. She seeks endless opportunities to present knowledge so that students can relate. She also provides an environment that helps all students feel seen, recognized, and successful. 

Lyndi Sneed, the attendance secretary at Southside Elementary School, was honored with the Great Futures Award during the Board of Education meeting on Nov. 3. She demonstrates outstanding Student-Centered Impact, Leadership & Collaboration, and Service & Dedication.

Ms. Sneed always does a great job at the school! Coworkers who nominated her for the award praised her quick response when a safety issue arose. She did “an amazing job,” one nomination said. She kept calm and did what was needed to handle the situation. Her response helped keep students and the school safe!

Students in the Ed Rising chapters at Madisonville North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central recently competed at Murray State University in the regional competition.

This is the first year for the club at both schools. The chapters are part of the newly introduced Teaching and Learning Career Pathway. MNHHS students are under the instructional leadership of Carrie Durban and HCCHS students are led by Amy Thomison.

MNHHS students won two awards. Sadie Moore, Audrey Bunch, Beyli Deras, and Kaylee Davis placed 2nd in the Public Service Announcement category. Katie Berry placed 2nd in the Children's Pre-K Original Literature category. 

HCCHS student Emma Maxberry placed 2nd in Exploring Support Services Careers in Education. 

The Madisonville North Hopkins HS cheer team won the Region Championship! The team placed 1st in All-Girls Medium at the KHSAA Region 1 competition. They will advance to the KHSAA Competitive Cheer State Championship in December. 

The Hopkins County Central HS cheer team is Region Runner-Up! The team placed 2nd in Game Day Large at the KHSAA Region 1 competition. They will advance to the KHSAA Competitive Cheer State Championship in December. 

Hopkins County Central HS High Voltage dance team won the Region Championship!  The team placed 1st in Pom and 2nd in Large Hip Hop. They will advance to the KHSAA State Dance Championship in December. 

Madisonville North Hopkins HS Maroon Magic dance team is Region Runner-Up! The team placed 2nd in Small Hip Hop and 4th in Pom. They will advance to the KHSAA State Dance Championship in December.

320 S. Seminary St.

Madisonville, KY 42431