To teach is to touch a life forever. Teachers have the potential to be powerful asset builders. In addition to the Commitment-to-Learning assets (21–25), five other assets (3: Other Adult Relationships; 5: Caring School Climate; 8: Youth as Resources; 12: School Boundaries; and 14: Adult Role Models) focus on the important role of a teacher. Below are some suggestions for what teachers can do to build assets. These suggestions are intended to give you some ideas for how to get started. They may need to be modified or adapted depending on the grade you teach; whether you are a classroom teacher, specialist, or resource teacher; and the nature of your school environment.

Post the list of assets in your classroom.

Devote a bulletin board in your classroom to asset-building messages.

Plan asset-building learning activities as part of the curriculum (for example, service learning projects, social skills training or setting aside time to read for pleasure).

Greet students by name when you see them.

Kentucky schools have routinely screened children around the time they enter kindergarten in order to establish a performance baseline for each child and to prepare teachers to better meet individual needs right from the start. A quick screening of children's developmental abilities and their ability to adapt to the structure of the school setting provides invaluable diagnostic information for kindergarten teachers.  The goal of screening is to prepare teachers to meet each child “where they are” when they arrive on their road to mastery of kindergarten content and to establish a foundation for continued success in elementary school and beyond.

Fortunately, Kentucky is taking steps to implement one common kindergarten readiness screener accompanied by best-practice guidelines for all schools. This is a collaborative effort between the Governor's Office of Early Childhood and the Kentucky Department of Education and is directly tied to the recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood Development and Education and the Transforming Education in Kentucky Task Force.

By Leigh Anne Florence, Illustrated by Chris Ware

Unleashed series: Chapter 1

Go to www.kypress.com to hear Woody read each chapter and try the interactive chapter activities. Thanks to Kentucky Utilities/LG&E, Kentucky Office for Adventure Tourism, Kentucky Press Association and Newspaper in Education for helping to make this statewide literacy project possible.

“Well, Woody, it looks as if all your numbers are higher than last year,” the doctor said as he went over my test results.

“That’s awesome!” I exclaimed, puffing out my chest.

Doc Albert chuckled before she spoke. “Actually Woody, it’s not like exams in school where higher numbers mean better grades. With medical exams, higher numbers aren’t usually a good thing.”

“I don’t understand,” I said, looking back and forth from my parents to the doctor.

“Well, your blood sugar, your cholesterol and your weight are all higher than they were last year. Those three things tell me you aren’t eating right or exercising enough. And for you to be healthy, that has to change.”

Pictured above are the FFA members who attended the FFA State Convention in Lexington. Front row, from left: Jaimie Antrobus, Kelly Armour, Sabrina Sebastian, Melissa Combs, Sierra Pfefferman. Back row: Lance Fisher, Elizabeth Eglian, Jordan Yelton, Jackson Strong. Photo by chapter reporter Kelly Armour.

The Pendleton County FFA Chapter had a very busy summer. The first thing the Chapter attended was the Kentucky FFA State Convention held in Lexington at Rupp Arena. Members who attended are pictured.

2012 Pendleton County graduate Gabe Bowen was awarded the Kentucky FFA Degree at state convention.

Missy Combs stated, “State Convention was a lot of fun. I made new friends from across the state and can’t wait till next year.”

If Ready Fest at Northern Elementary was any sign of what the 2012-2013 school year will be….”it will be a Paws-itively GREAT year” as Northern celebrates the theme of their new mascot-- the Northern Bobcats!    We could not have asked for an event to have been any better.  This year was one of our best events as the weather was great, people didn’t have to run in the rain to attend the event, most importantly, everywhere we looked we heard chatter and laughter and saw smiles on the faces of teachers, support staff, parents, and children throughout the building.  It doesn’t get much better than that!!

Five Years of Service: front row, from left: Diana Parker, Faye Thornton, Megan Ramsey, Ali Duff, Amanda King, Julie Wood. Back row: board member Daryl Mullins, Scott Nordheim, Marvin Dawson, Ray Chiles, Curtis Black, William Feltner, Joe Buerkley, Eileen Baker, Wayne Keith, Brenda Maxedon, David Myers, board member Mark Ross.

Becky Gilbert Thomas is shown above at the table set up with buckets of goodies from Barnes Hardware and Lumber Co.

The beginning of the new school year for staff of Pendleton County Schools was celebrated on August 9. During the 5th Annual District Celebration Breakfast those in attendance were introduced to the new Mission and Vision of the district.

“Our New Mission is to meet the unique needs of our students through a culture of Expectation, Engagement, and Continuous Growth so every student is prepared for the 21st Century, and a Vision – Achieving Greatness… Every Student, Every Day.”  Strong told a crowd of over 400 employees, students, business people, and community leaders in his presentation.

"Sushi" Surprise

Offer an unexpected twist on an afternoon snack of raw vegetables -- wrap them up in bread to look like sushi.

Ingredients

2 sandwich bread slices, flattened
4 cucumber and 4 carrot matchsticks, (each 6 inches long)
Cream cheese spread, (3 tablespoons cream cheese mixed with 1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream)

Directions

Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin. Spread cream-cheese mixture over slices. Lay 2 carrot and 2 cucumber matchsticks at the bottom of each slice -- let ends hand over edges. Roll up bread, pressing gently to seal, then cut each roll into 4 equal pieces.

"Be Boppin' to the Top" is the theme this year at Southern Elementary. It is a 1950's oriented atmosphere and will be used throughout the school year. The above photo shows a classic diner scene complete with checkered floors, floats, old records, and even a hula-hoop. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

"Be Boppin' to the Top" is the theme at Southern Elementary this year and the school, along with businesses, churches and other organizations, assisted students and parents in achieving this feat by preparing them for the upcoming school year with their annual "Good Start" program on Thursday, August 9.

Volunteers from around the area dedicated their time to set up booths in the gymnasium and cafeteria to give away supplies, offer school-related services and information, and ready new and returning students for their first day back of the 2012-2013 school year.

"This is an excellent and positive way for teachers to meet parents and students before school starts," said Laura Pugh, the new principal at Southern Elementary. "It helps to eliminate any fears and kicks the year off on a good note. This is also a wonderful way for the community and the school to work together."

Students received supplies such as pencils, erasers, paper, crayons, pens, glue, coloring and activity books, and other school materials that they will need throughout the year.