the bridge 2011 september

September 2011 [THE LARUE COUNTY BRIDGE]


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SEPTEMBER 2011

New Faces at LCHS

Whitney Ballinger is a Campbellsville University student teaching

under Mrs. Wooden in the math department at LaRue County High

school. Prior to attending Campbellsville University, Ms. Ballinger

attended WKU. Ms. Ballinger played college basketball and was a

member of two elite 8 teams. While at Western she played in a national

tournament. Ms. Ballinger lives in Campbellsville and plans on coaching

there this year. She will begin looking for a permanent teaching position

after graduating in December with her Second Math Education degree.

Kendrick Bryan has served as a substitute teacher for the district

since January 2010, but this is his first year in the LCHS Science

Department. Mr. Bryan is a 2005 graduate of Central Hardin High

School and a 2009 graduate of Western Kentucky University, where

he is completing his graduate work in School Counseling. Mr. Bryan

also serves as an assistant coach for the Lady Hawk volleyball

program. In addition, he is a co-sponsor of the Freshman Class

Committee and the Y-Club.

New this year at LaRue County High School is Elizabeth Marsh. She

is a student teacher working with Mr. Cecil and his chemistry classes.

Elizabeth is a WKU student and graduate of Hart County High School.

She is excited to get to know and work with the students here at LCHS.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys playing volleyball, going to

concerts, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with

her chocolate lab Lyla.


Lauren S. Heil is the new FMD teacher at LaRue County High

School. She has made a career of special education for thirty-four

years in Illinois and is now starting her fifth year here in Kentucky.

Mrs. Heil earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from

Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. She later earned her

Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership (with distinction), from North

Park University in Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Heil is married to Goodwin

Heil who is retired and works on their six-acre beef farm in LaRue

County. She has a son, Douglas, who is in his second tour of duty in

the Air Force. Mrs. Heil’s hobbies include riding her Harley, doing crossword puzzles, artwork,

and playing with her 5 Labradors.

Adam Lindsey comes to us with an abundance of teaching

and coaching experience. He graduated from Western

Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical

Education. He later obtained his Master’s Degree in Health and

Secondary Education. During his college years, he was a four

year letter winner in football. Mr. Lindsey has been the head

coach of six different sports during his teaching career. His

favorite things to do are teach, coach and watch his

student/athletes outperform others.

Alfredo Silva recently moved here from Southern California in an

area located 2 hours Southeast of San Diego in a place called the

Imperial Valley. He grew up in a city along the California/Mexico

border called Calexico. After graduation in 1989, Mr. Silva attended

The University of San Diego. He graduated from there in 1994 with a

Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts in elementary teaching with an

emphasis in Spanish. He also has a degree in Special Education with

mild to moderate disabilities. Mr. Silva says he is Glad and LUCKY to

be in such a wonderful educational setting.


Evan Cline Wins Outstanding Soldier Award

Evan Cline, a senior at LCHS, graduated August 4 from Basic

Training in South Carolina and earned Outstanding Soldier of the

Cycle.

Each platoon of the graduating company nominates one

individual to appear before a board of cadre. Nominees are

questioned on military subjects and current events. They are also

judged on personal appearance and general knowledge.

The board selects the one Soldier who has outstanding qualities

of leadership, competence, and discipline.

Only four Soldiers of the 1,200 who graduated that day received

this award.

Community Based Work Transition Program

Students participating in the Community Based Work Transition Program are discovering new

interests, gaining valuable vocational skills, and securing permanent employment. Local

businesses have partnered with the CBWTP offering training and employment opportunities.

Juniors are already busy exploring vocational interests. They are out in the community at least

once a week job shadowing at local businesses. Students learn what skills are necessary for the

various occupations, and gain insight to different work environments. Also, we spend time

discussing and practicing interview skills, work ethic, and develop resumes.

Karen Weaver owner of Best Friends


Job shadowing opportunities this month included:

Best Friends Puppies: Students walked away with information on everything from breeding,

delivering, and caring for puppies to marketing.

State Farm Insurance Co.: Students gained first-hand look at general office work as well as

learning the requirements for being an insurance agent.

First Friends Child Care: Students interacted with the children; giving them a realistic view of

childcare.

Tandy’s Pet Salon: Students learned the various responsibilities of owing a grooming salon,

importance of knowing the proper way to trim each breed, and other related career

opportunities.

This year’s seniors are already on their way to successful transition from school to work.

Zach Sallee enjoys physical work and has shown excellent work ethic

Zach Sallee is employed at Bennett and Bertram Funeral Home. Zach works hard keeping the

yawn mowed and trimmed, the vehicles cleaned and detailed, cleaning indoors, and assisting

with setting up tents. Zach realizes the importance of his job and takes pride in his work.

Chase makes every meal a ”happy meal” at the Mc D in Glendale


Chase Cooper is taking his first job very seriously and will use it as a stepping stone to achieve

other employment opportunities, possibly in the electrical field. But for now… Chase received

his first check and he’s…”lovin’ it“!

Elizabeth Lewis shakes hands Elizabeth makes friends

with Price Smith as she seals the before she begins training

deal on her first job at Best Friends Puppies.Com

Elizabeth is interested in becoming a dog groomer. Both Karen Weaver, owner of Best Friends

Puppies, and Harvey Kent, owner of Sonburst Kennel, are offering Elizabeth hands on training

one day a week. Also, Elizabeth has obtained a co-op position at Kentucky Farm Bureau where

she will gain additional work experience (and a pay check) working two days a week. She will

continue to job shadow weekly at dog grooming and related facilities until she obtains

permanent employment.

Look really close… it’s Justin! Justin keeps the office clean and looing nice

Although Justin Brackett is not employed, he is gaining valuable skills and work experience at

two training sites, Moore Electronic and State Farm Insurance Company.

Moore Electronic provides training through videos on laptop care and repairs, as well as hands

on training while assisting with building a computer tower, soldering wires, running diagnostics,

scanning for viruses, and other valuable skills.

At State Farm Insurance Company Justin is gaining office/custodial skills with hands on training.

Justin assists with shredding papers, making copies, and keeping the office clean.


We continue to look for a good job match for Justin. With the skills and work experience he has

gained, Justin will have an advantage toward obtaining permanent employment.

Allen Jones (No Picture Available) is busy cooking and delivering “America’s Favorite Pizza”.

According to Allen his job description should include being able to do ten thousand things at

once. Allen prepares the dough, washes dishes, answers the phone, takes pizzas out of the

oven, cuts, boxes, delivers, and thousands of other tasks. So come on and “gather around the

good stuff” at Pizza Hut, but if you have it delivered be sure to give Allen a BIG tip.

The ultimate goal of the CBWTP is for students to secure permanent employment before

graduating. The three seniors who participated in the CBWTP last year, Patrick Bender, Julie

Dosier, and Travis Blair have accomplished that goal with the support and cooperation of the

LCHS staff and community businesses. Each of these students walked off the stage June 3, 2011

with not only a diploma but a career in place.

Trave’s smile and outgoing personality are the perfect end to a pleasurable

meal as he busses the tables

Travis is employed at Shoney’s in Elizabethtown; he busses the

tables, and keeps the parking lot and restrooms clean. If you are

missing Trave, you can enjoy having your table cleared with a big

smile by dining at Shoney’s on the weekends during breakfast or

lunch times … “Let’s Eat”

Patrick Bender (senior) pictured with Gerald Barrett,

Auto Parts Division Manager at Konsei

Patrick works full-time at Konsei, a Japanese based

factory located in Hodgenville on Commerce Drive.

Pictured above, Patrick is transferring diffusers from

plastic packages to metal trays, but is now being

trained to drive the fork lift. Patrick is receiving

benefits and opportunities to advance.


Julie Dosier learns to multi task working at

Chick-Fil-A (waiting on customers, cleaning

tables, and resupplying condiments)

Jullie Dosier is a valued employee at

Chick-fil-A where her beautiful smile, and

work ethic help provide a pleasurable

dining experience for customers.

So…”Eat More Chikin” and let Julie know

how proud you are of her hard work and success.

If you have the opportunity, please support these business as they help support LaRue County

students. Also, If you know of a business that would like to participate as an employer or

training site please have them contact: Sue Hines 765-9728

LCMS Science

Teachers at LCMS have wasted no time in getting students into the Science Labs for

hands-on experiments this school year. The Science Department welcomes two new teachers

in the eighth grade, Kathy Maynard and Andrea Greene. They have engaged our eighth graders

with making ooze and

learning about qualitative

and quantitative

observations. Our

seventh graders, led by

Christina Boone and

Deana Paden have had

the opportunity to do a

Measurement Lab where

they learned how to

correctly use the metric

system to measure

different items and a

Density Lab in which they

applied their metric

knowledge to calculate the density of several items. Sixth grade teachers, Barbara Davila and


Jamie Russell have also

gotten an early start in the

new sixth grade lab. Sixth

grade students have

explored the Scientific

Method with Drops on a

Penny Lab and are finishing

up the second week of

school with a Measurement

Lab. Look for more exciting

Science news at LCMS

throughout the year!!

LCMS welcomes new teachers!

Tara Thomas is teaching 8th grade Language Arts on the TAG Team. She is married and has two children.

She and husband Corey recently moved to Hodgenville from Elizabethtown with their two children,

Justin and Jaelee. She has lived in Elizabethtown most of her life. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky

University with a degree in Middle Grades Education with an emphasis on Language Arts and Social

Studies. She loves teaching Language

Arts!! She loves to read and finished over

10 books during the summer. Her

hobbies include, reading (of course),

watching professional football (GO

COLTS!) and spending time with her very

large family. They have family get-

togethers often. She also loves March

Madness! “You will hear me cheer loudly

for my UK Wildcats! I feel very blessed to

be a part of the wonderful Hawks

family!”


Andrea Greene is the new 8th grade Science teacher on the TAG team. She just celebrated her

three year wedding anniversary to her childhood sweetheart, Chris, who is working very hard to

gather all of their belongings and transfer for his career from Washington State. She is

originally from Hart County and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in

middle grades education with

emphasis in English and Science. She

loves to be outside and active: hiking,

backpacking, fishing, hunting,

running, traveling, rock climbing,

biking, amusement parking,

swimming, snowboarding, football,

softball, scuba diving, and most

sports, except golf (“only because I

am terrible”) and will try any outdoor

activity at least once. “I think this

comes from the adrenaline junky that

I have become. I am an avid reader

and love most books, both fiction and

non. I also love to write, but hardly

have the time, so I jot down ideas

here and there. I am a nerd at heart

and love learning and experiencing new and exciting things, oh and sharing that with others. I

am so excited to be a Hawk and cannot wait to see what this year brings.”

Kathy Maynard is teaching 8th grade science on the TNT team this year. This is her 2nd year of

teaching. Last year she taught high school Chemistry. She grew up in southern Ohio and

majored in Zoology at Ohio State University. She earned a M.S. degree at Ohio University

where she studied environmental contaminants and reproduction in turtle species. After

graduate school, she worked for 5 years as an

environmental consultant.

Currently, she lives in Campbellsville with her

husband, Sean, and their two children, Ryan (9)

and Emma (7). She keeps extremely busy

spending time with her family and volunteering

within her community. Her favorite times are

spent either playing outside with her kids or

watching them competing in basketball,

baseball, and soccer. “If I ever have free time, I

grab a book and read for as long as I can (not

too long lately)!”


Tiffany Early is the new Spanish teacher at

LCMS. “I am a first and foremost proud to

be a Hawk! I am married to Dr. Joe Early, a

professor at Campbellsville University, and

I moved to Campbellsville, KY after getting

married in June. I am a graduate of

University of the Cumberlands in

Williamsburg, Kentucky. I majored in

middle grades education with emphases in

Language Arts, Math, and Spanish. I enjoy

reading, going to University of Tennessee

football games, coaching and judging

cheerleading competitions, and getting to

know my wonderful students better.”

LCMS Students Help Afghan Children

The act of giving comes naturally for the

students of LaRue County Middle School.

Afghan children will soon reap the benefits of

705 flip flops thanks to the generous

donation from students at the middle school.

LCMS teacher, Seronia Hudson, in connection

with a local battalion at Fort Knox will be

shipping the shoes to soldiers in Afghanistan

later this month.

The

Fort Knox battalion stationed in Afghanistan will

distribute the shoes as part of an international good

will effort to the Afghan children. Temperatures can

reach well over a hundred degrees making walking in

the harsh climate and rocky terrain extremely difficult

without shoes.

Gus Lewis, LCMS seventh grader says, “Giving just

makes you feel good.” Gus personally donated twenty


of the seven hundred and five flip flops. Students learned a valuable lesson in understanding

the importance of giving to others.

Regardless of the reason for giving to others, there are rewards and benefits from the

experience on both sides of the world. Helping individuals who are less fortunate allows the

students of LaRue Middle to continue to build a sense of community pride on a more global

scale.

“It was a great experience to be able to give to someone who doesn’t have as much as we do.”

This was Carey Coffey’s comment regarding the recent drive for flip flops. She along with the

students who participated understands that small gestures of kindness can really make a

difference in the lives of others. Courtesy and giving truly can go a long way in in teaching

students the importance of being thankful and expressing that thanks in a meaningful way.

ALES New Hires

Mrs. Tiffany Riggs – ALES 5th

grade Teacher

Mrs. Tiffiany Riggs comes to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School with 10 ½

years of teaching experience. Her last nine years were spent in nearby

Hardin County. She is a 1996 graduate of Green County High School, a 2000

graduate of Campbellsville University, and completed her Rank II through

the EPSB’s Continuing Education Option in 2007. Mrs. Riggs resides in

Taylor County with her husband of 15 years and her 13 year old son. She

looks forward to being an active member of the school community.

Amy Kiper – ALES 3rd

Grade Teacher

My name is Amy Kiper. I was raised on a farm in Hodgenville,

which instilled a lot of adventurous qualities. I graduated from

LaRue County High School in 2005. After graduation I attended

college at Western Kentucky University. This will be my very first


year as a third grade teacher at Abraham Lincoln Elementary. In my spare time I love to ride

horses and play a variety of sports. I cannot wait to start teaching within a community that I

grew up in and love.

Bethann Lockett – ALES Kindergarten Teacher

Bethann Lockett comes to Abraham Lincoln to begin her career as a

kindergarten teacher. She resides on a dairy farm in Hart County with her

family. She is a 2007 graduate of Hart County High and she recently

completed her B.S. in elementary education from Western Kentucky

University. She is looking forward to fulfilling her lifelong dream of being a

teacher. Her life so far has been dedicated to being the best student she

can be and working toward this goal. She is a movie buff and enjoys

reading. Bethann is engaged to Bruce Neville and they enjoy outdoor activities and spending

time together.

Karen Michelle Rice – ALES 1st

Grade Teacher

My name is Karen Michelle Rice and I am new to Abraham Lincoln's first

grade team this school year. I began my career in education last year in the

Elizabethtown Independent School System. Although this is my first year

teaching in the county, I am very familiar with the community. I grew up in

Buffalo, where I attended Elementary School. I was a 2006 graduate of

LaRue County High School where I was active in softball, basketball, and

volleyball, as well as numerous clubs. I then attended Western Kentucky

University where I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary

Education. Coming from a family of educators, I have always known that teaching was my

calling. My father, Glen, was my elementary school principal in the LaRue County System and is

now a retired educator of 27 years. My mother, Peggy, was a media specialist at Fort Knox High

School and is now also a retired educator of 30 years. In my free time I like to give fastpitch

pitching lessons to youth all around the region. I also enjoy reading, swimming, spending time

with my family and playing any type of sport! I am looking forward to a great school year here

at Abraham Lincoln Elementary!


Color Days

ALES Kindergarten students recently completed a Color

unit. Each day students learned a new color and color

word. To “celebrate” the color of the day, students and

staff were encouraged to wear clothes that color. Books

were read, songs were sung, and activities were

completed to go

along with each

color. The color songs taught the kids a creative way to

learn to spell their color words. Some of the books that

were shared are Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you

See?, and Pinkalious, Students really enjoyed studying

the colors. This was a fun way to kick off the new year!

5th

Grade visits My Old Kentucky Home State Park

On Wednesday, August 10, the fifth grade

classes travelled to Bardstown for a field

trip to My Old Kentucky Home State Park.

At the park, students were treated to a

midday performance of a portion of “The

Stephen Foster” story. This play depicts

the life of Stephen Foster who wrote our

state song, “My Old Kentucky Home.”

Students learned about the costumes, scenery, and hard work that are required to put on a

show of this caliber. Although it was very hot, the students really enjoyed this trip. Many hope

to return with their parents to see a complete performance of the show.


DaVinci Experience

Fifth grade students recently travelled to the Frazier History Museum in Louisville. Students

went to view the exhibit, “DaVinci-The Genius.” While at the museum, students viewed and

operated numerous machines modeled after

DaVinci’s drawings. They also saw copies of his

amazing artwork. Students were given an

opportunity to create their own art and to construct

their own invention using materials provided by the

museum. The students really enjoyed this creative

outlet.

Pictured are Amanda Beismer and Keith Powers

working at the Invention Station.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!!!

Ms. Y.’s 2nd grade

class is off to a

sweet start of

school!!! We

have been busy

learning new

procedures and

routines. We

have also been getting to know each other and making new friends as well as catching up with

old friends. We also wrote a 5 W’s poem about ice

cream that answered who, what, when, where, and

why. After the poems were finished, students enjoyed

an ice cream treat. Ice cream was a perfect treat for

these hot summer days. Ms. Y.’s class is eager to get the

SCOOP on learning!!!


Colorful Beginnings

HES Kindergarten Students from Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Lawler, Mrs. Ray and Mrs.

Tharp’s classes show off their Color Days’ projects. For each color day, the students dressed in

the color of the day, listened to

their teacher read the color day

book, completed a project to go

along with the theme of the

book, practiced cutting and

coloring skills by making a color

puppet and learned to sing

color word songs. (Pictured are

top (l to r) not available, Trinity

Leasor, not available, Emma

Carter, not available) (bottom (l

to r) not available, Carris Ford,

not available, Blakyn Shelton,

Reed ?)

HES Physical Education

Hodgenville Elementary students in 3rd – 5th

grades are working on Tinikling during their

first rotation in P.E. Tinkling is a type of

dance that originated in the Philippines and

involves two people tapping and sliding

poles on the ground and against each other

while one or more dancers step over and

between the poles. These movements

represent “tinkling” birds dodging traps set

out by rice farmers.

Through this unit, students are gaining a better

understanding of how locomotor and nonlocomotor

skills are incorporated with the elements of dance.

This activity requires group cooperation and applies


steady beat, balance, and coordination. As students progress they are allowed to create their

own patterns and movements within the dance.

First and second grade students have been working on patterns of jumping as well, but they

have been using Chinese jump ropes for their activities.

2011 Tour De LaRue Bike Festival Scheduled

The 8th annual Tour De LaRue will be held

on Saturday, September 17th, at 10:00

A.M. at Hodgenville Elementary School.

This event, which is open to school and

community members of any age, had over

200 riders last year. The purpose of the

event is to promote bike safety, healthy

choices, and family fun and fitness. Pre-

registration costs of $2 ensures that all

student participants will receive a goodie

bag, t-shirt, and a chance at prize drawings

on the day of the ride. There are three

ride options available to meet various age and ability levels and all routes will have rest areas

along the way. Advanced riders will have a

police escort on a 6.5 mile ride through flat

to rolling terrain, while intermediate riders

will travel on a 1.5 mile trek. Younger riders

will circle the HES bus loop as many times as

desired. Participants less than 16 years of

age must wear a helmet and be supervised

by an adult along the ride. Pre-registration

forms can be obtained at ALES, HES, and

LCMS. For more information contact Lisa

Drake (358-3196) or Eric Hughes (358-3506).


Award Winner

LaRue County Board of Education

Superintendent - Sam Sanders

Board Members

Price Smith - Board Chairman

Dick Greenwell - Vice Chairman

Norbert Skees - Member

Ronnie Chelf - Member

Michael Hornback – Member

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the bridge 2011 september

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