Lexington Family News and Updates for November 2020
IN THE SCHOOLS
In-person learning for 2021 school year
Fayette County Public Schools students have the option of returning to in-person learning five days a week in January, said FCPS Superintendent Manny Caulk, summarizing input from Fayette County Board of Education members at a special called meeting on October 21. Families will also have the choice of selecting remote instruction for their students.
Board discussion included:
- Fayette County Public Schools will continue offering Non-Traditional Instruction: Differentiated Distance Learning (NTI: 2DL) for the remainder of the fall semester.
- Schools will continue to provide targeted services for small groups of students and possibly expand offerings. Leaders will also look at how best to support our preschool students.
- FCPS will prepare for a return to in-person learning five days a week in January, provided conditions with the virus are safe. Families will have the option of sending their children to campus five days a week or selecting remote instruction. Employees will also have the opportunity to share their plans in advance of a return to in-person learning. Family interest and staff availability will help schools devise the best instructional plans for students in both cohorts.
- Families whose children are currently enrolled in the Virtual Learning Academy will have the opportunity to remain with VLA, or choose either remote or in-person learning for the second semester.
- The open enrollment window for the second semester of the Virtual Learning Academy will be from Nov. 2 through the 16th. Those interested in the ability to learn anytime, anywhere at their own pace during the second semester will be able to apply for that option.
FCPS November closings
Fayette County Public Schools is closed for Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Schools will be closed for Thanksgiving holiday on Wednesday, November 25 through Friday, November 27.
Liberty Elementary Cross-Country Champs
In the 2020 4th & Under Cross Country State Championships, the Liberty Elementary girls team finished first and the boys team finished third.
Frederick Douglass teacher is a ‘Rising Star’
The Kentucky World Language Association awarded its 2020 Outstanding Rising Star Teacher Award to Sydney Meaux, a French teacher at Frederick Douglass High School. This honor recognizes a teacher with no more than five years of experience who has made an amazing impact on their students by exhibiting best practices to an uncommonly high degree.
Middle school volleyball champs
Three seed Edythe J. Hayes upset number one seed Beaumont (17-21, 22-20, 15-6) to secure the 2020 volleyball tournament title in the B-league tournament. The winning coaches were Caroline Ricks and Shelby Shanks.
PROGRAMS
Donate Toys
Lexington’s Fraternal Order of Firefighters (FOF) is asking Lexington to help make the holidays brighter for hundreds of kids by donating to the 90th Annual Toy Program. The FOF has chosen to partner with the Salvation Army this year and is directing families who usually participate in their toy drive to sign-up with the Salvation Army. “We realize that 2020 has presented many challenges and even more hardships for the families of our community, so we are pleased to partner with the Salvation Army and offer hope to families during this trying time,” said FOF President Todd Houston. “This joint venture is a necessary step to keep everyone as safe as possible while still meeting the needs of the community.” Toy donations will be accepted at all Lexington fire stations, and they should be new and unwrapped.
“Girls Can”
The “Girls Can” program, part of the UK Sports Medicine Research Institute’s Active Women’s Health Initiative, is open to girls in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The program has gone virtual this year and November’s at-home activity programming is hula hooping. The Girls Can program is free and hosts events and share activities throughout the year to inspire and support girls as they lead active lifestyles.
Laptops from the Library
Laptops are available for checkout from the Lexington Public Library by all patrons 18 and over with a valid library card. Anyone who lives or works in Fayette County is eligible for a Lexington Public Library card. Laptops can be reserved and picked up at any library location (open or curbside) for 14 days, which will automatically renew, unless another customer places a hold on it.
Talks with Caulk
Fayette County Public Schools introduced a new weekly program called “Talks with Caulk.” The weekly video program is designed to provide an additional way of sharing information with FCPS students, families, staff and community at large. Each episode features news from across the district and shares information about upcoming dates, important events or frequently asked questions.
EVENTS
JA Inspire Virtual
JA Inspire is a two-day virtual career exploration event for 8th-12th grade students on November 18 and November 19.
Truck-a-Palooza
The city is shifting gears for this year’s Truck-a-Palooza, the popular event that provides an up-close look at the vehicles used by the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works. Normally held in November, this year the event will be virtual, running through Friday, November 20.
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This article also appears on page 12 of the November 2020 print edition of Hamburg Journal.
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