Lexington Family News – April 2021
IN THE SCHOOLS
Return to in-person learning
After nearly a year of virtual/distance learning, Fayette County Public Schools students of all grade levels were permitted to return in phases to face-to-face instruction in March. Remote learning is still offered for students whose families chose that option.
Stop Means Stop
Lexington Police Department has posted this safety reminder, “This may seem obvious, but please remember to watch and STOP for school buses in your neighborhood. We have received reports of drivers passing buses that had their stop arm activated. That is illegal and dangerous for students and other pedestrians. Lexington Police and FCPS Police officers will be doing targeted enforcement and will cite drivers caught passing stopped school buses.”
NEWS
No more test scores!
Students applying to the University of Kentucky for at least the next three years will not need to submit a standardized test score, including ACT or SAT.
This change is meant to assist school students who have had test cancellations and disruptions in learning. Students who apply though the 2024-25 school year will not need to submit an ACT or SAT score with their application. Merit-based scholarships can be earned with or without a test score, but that may differ for specific majors and departments.
UK graduation is a go
University of Kentucky will host in-person Commencement ceremonies this May, which marks the first time since the 2019 December Commencement.
Along with May 2021 graduates, those who graduated in May, August and December 2020 are invited to participate. Each graduate is allowed a maximum of four guests. The in-person ceremonies will be live-streamed for any guests who cannot attend.A virtual component will also be available for all students. Each graduate who chooses the virtual option may upload a photo and personal message to be displayed on a slide and read out loud by a pre-recorded orator. May Commencement dates are scheduled for May 14-16 at Rupp Arena. Final dates and times for the various ceremonies coming soon.
WiFi for Students
United Way of the Bluegrass is hoping to partner with local businesses and community organizations to offer students access to WiFi “pit stops” where they can sit in their parents’ cars and use the internet to receive their lessons and complete their assignments. Even though FCPS is bringing students back to in-person learning, there is still a chance that the worsening of the pandemic, or a rise in student infections will delay or forestall that process. This effort is a step toward helping students and their families to hold the line until the pandemic is no longer a barrier to education.
Participating businesses will simply need to open their parking lots for free WiFi access on a daily basis for students who need internet access to complete schoolwork. Businesses can provide a set timeframe for access as well as a password for access. United Way of the Bluegrass will liaise with Fayette County Public Schools to provide the information to those students in need. If your business or organization would like to participate, please contact Gary Cremeans at United Way of the Bluegrass at gary.cremeans@uwbg.org.
SPORTS
Registration Open for Northern Cal Ripken League
Northern Cal Ripken Baseball is a privately funded, fully sanctioned, baseball league for boys and girls ages 4 through 12, located in Lexington. Northern Cal Ripken Baseball plays at Kenawood Park.
Spring Baseball is April through June (Player age as of 4/30 of that spring season year)
- Major (9-12; player pitch)
- Rookie (7-8; coach pitch)
- T-Ball (5-6; 7 year old girls can play T-Ball or Rookie)
- Wee-Ball (3-4 yr. old league)
Summer Baseball
All Stars runs June – Aug; player age as of 4/30 of that summer season year.
– 5U, 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U
Fall Baseball
Runs Aug – Oct; player age as of 4/30 of the year after the fall season.
- Major / Minor (9-12; player pitch)
- Rookie (7-8; coach pitch)
- T-Ball (5-6; 7 year old girls can play T-Ball or Rookie)
- Wee Ball (3-4 year old)
EVENTS
Lexington Children’s Theatre hosts its 12th annual Celebrity Curtain Call on Friday, April 16 at Lexington Children’s Theatre at 6:30 pm. Celebrity Curtain Call features a celebrity cast performing the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. Enjoy a reception with food from Puccini’s, desserts from Spotz Gelato, and drinks from Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon and Kentucky Ale. Live and silent auctions featuring trips to New York City, the Bahamas, and more.
PROGRAMS
JA BizTown Summer Camps
It is never too soon to start thinking about summer camps! JA BizTown Summer Camp Dates are on June 14-18 or July 12-16 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm). Kids run the place at this academic camp that combines classroom-style teaching with hands-on experience. Kids will discover the real-life opportunities available in the free-enterprise system, as they become business operators, taxpayers and consumers for the week. JA Biztown Summer Camp gives kids the opportunity to see what it’s like to work in a job and run a business.
Parks & Rec Nature Programming
Lexington Parks and Recreation’s nature programming is back. All programs are outdoors with ample social distancing. To ensure safe group sizes, registration for all programs is required.
Programs include McConnell Springs, Raven Run Sanctuary, Outdoor Programs, Equestrian Program, and more.
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This article also appears on page 11 of the April 2021 print edition of Hamburg Journal.
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