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.

A group of sixth grade girls find their way through the halls of PSMS during the "Map Quest" segment of the evening.

The North Family Resource/Youth Services Center sponsored and hosted “Camp Wildcat” for all incoming sixth graders this year.  This year’s transition program was designed along the same lines as the “Transition Quest”, presented for the Center by the Girl Scouts-Licking Valley Cluster in years past.  The purpose of the program is to introduce the new students to their new school, ease their mind about changes that are soon to come, and also give them the opportunity to meet new friends in a fun, friendly environment.

This year the attendance was way above our expectations.  With pre-registration, the Center was able to have an idea of expected attendance.  Having 148 students to preregister, and numerous walk-ins, the total of 161 sixth grade students to attend was by far the largest “Camp Wildcat” to date.  The excitement of the students along with that of the presenters and the administration made for a great day!

Summer break ends for thousands of Kentucky students this week as they head back to school. For many children, getting to and from school will take place on a school bus.  Unfortunately, every year children are injured and even killed in school bus related crashes.

Last year, Kentucky had 1,627 school bus related crashes resulting in 506 injuries and five deaths. With school starting in many communities, KSP Spokesman Tpr. Michael Webb is urging motorists to be alert for loading and unloading school buses.

“Nothing strikes fear in trooper’s mind like getting a call that there has been a bus related crash,” says Tpr. Michael Webb.  “As a parent myself, I know how precious those children are and when they get on the bus, you place their safety in someone else’s hands.”

Parents wanting to assist their children in working towards academic success may find the following tips helpful.

• Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do  homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.

• Make sure the materials you child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available. Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.

• Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don't let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.

August 7 - Pendleton High School Freshmen Open House from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
August 9 - Appreciation Celebration for all staff at Pendleton High School starting at 8 a.m.
August 9 - Southern Elementary Good Start at 4 p.m.
August 10 - Northern Elementary Camp Kindergarten from 1-3 p.m.
August 10 - Ready Fest from 3-6:30 p.m.
August 13 - First Day of School
September 3 - Labor Day
October 8-12 - Fall Break
November 5 - Professional Leadership- No School
November 6 - Election Day- No School
November 21 -23- Thanksgiving Break
December 21-31 - Winter Break
January 1 - New Year's Day-No School
January 21 - Martin Luther King Day-No School
February 18 - Professional Development  - No School
April 1-5 - No School
May 15 - Last Day of School

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Southern Elementary and the South Family Resource Center will “kick off” the 2012-2013 school year by hosting the 13th Annual “Good Start” Back to School Festival from 4 to 6 p.m., August 9.

Good Start will give parents, families, and students the opportunity to meet their new teachers and see their classrooms for the first time and also interact with several local agencies from here in Pendleton County and Northern Kentucky.  This year we are excited to announce that the Free Store Food Bank will be attending and will be handing out produce to our qualifying Southern Elementary families that evening.       Not only that, but there will be several door prizes to win including Cincinnati Reds Tickets and Free Tickets to the Newport Aquarium!

Be sure to stop by the South Family Resource Center booth to find out how to enter to win door prizes!  We hope to see all Southern Elementary students and parents from 4-6 p.m., August 9!  Don’t miss this great opportunity to have a “Good Start” to the 2012-2013 school year!

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We still have the following yearbooks available. All books are $25 dollars. They are all first come first serve.

The years available are 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

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