May 2023

Welcome to Connections, Hopkins County Schools' parent/community newsletter!

Community members are invited to come test drive a school bus! This event will be held on Friday, June 2, from 9 a.m.-noon and Monday, June 5, from 4-7 p.m. at Hopkins County Career & Technology Center.



If you’re interested in becoming a driver, this is a chance to see what it’s really like to drive a school bus! Please bring your driver’s license and wear closed-toe shoes with a back or strap on the heel. Park your vehicle next to the CTC.

We want to make sure parents are aware of the Affordable Connectivity Program. This is a Federal Communications Commission program that allows eligible families to receive up to $30 per month discount on home internet service.

Households that include students in Hopkins County Schools qualify because our students receive free lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision. To enroll, go to GetInternet.gov.

You will need to request an eligibility letter from the district. Please request this by completing the following form: https://forms.gle/XLQ498DGAexNTnXu7.

Kids eagerly raise their hands when Kaitlyn Orange asks what they love about school. They give a variety of answers: their teachers, their friends, recess, lunch, and more. Occasionally, they even say math!

Kaitlyn, a senior at Madisonville North Hopkins, has had perfect attendance since 3rd grade. She felt inspired to help young students understand the importance of attendance. Near the end of the school year, she visited most of our elementary schools to share that message. She said that being able to spread this message gave additional value to achieving perfect attendance. During her visits, she read students the picture book, “Be a Healthy You In School!” and gave a presentation.

“I love school because I get to see my friends every day,” Kaitlyn said. “I love all my teachers, and they give me advice about life, not just school … What comes with good attendance is you never miss a thing. You never miss out on what happens with your friends at recess. You never have to make up missed work. You never have to miss out on reward days and field trips, and you never miss out on life lessons that may be taught.”

Kaitlyn, a member of the MNHHS volleyball and track teams, also talked about attendance and grade requirements to practice/compete in sports. She was named 2nd Region Volleyball Player of the year. She will compete in both sports at Brescia University.

Kaitlyn keeps the mindset that coming to school is something she gets to do – not something she has to do. “When we change how we think, the outcome gets better,” she said.



Thanks, Kaitlyn, for helping to make a difference in Hopkins County Schools!

Madisonville North Hopkins High School teacher Brian Welch is a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching! He is among four Kentucky educators who have been named as finalists.

Each year, a national committee of prominent mathematicians, scientists, education researchers, district-level personnel and classroom teachers recommends up to 108 teachers to receive PAEMST awards. The award is given to up to two teachers in either mathematics or science from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories, along with schools operated by the Department of Defense in the United States and overseas.

For the 2023 state finalists in mathematics, the committee chose Marcus Blakeney of Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County) and Benjamin Molberger of Atherton High School (Jefferson County). The 2023 state finalists in science are Welch and Matthew Bryant of South Warren High School (Warren County).

The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Three Hopkins County teachers were honored with the Regional Education Partnership Excellence in Teaching Award! Recipients include Christy Mulligan of West Broadway Elementary, Sarah Buchanan of South Hopkins Middle, and Shannon King of Madisonville North Hopkins. The award was given “in recognition of an unwavering commitment to fostering a love of learning, instilling a sense of curiosity, and shaping the minds of the next generation.”



The award was created by public school partners from Caldwell, Crittenden, Dawson Springs, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Wester County districts along with Madisonville Community College and Murray State University to acknowledge the importance of teachers and the teaching profession.

Congratulations to Hopkins County Schools’ 2022-2023 retirees! They were honored during the Board of Education meeting on May 15. Thanks for your many years of dedicated service!



Retirees pictured include the following: Amy Belcher, teacher, James Madison Middle; Brock Bowman, teacher, West Hopkins School; Janet Cartwright, bus driver, Transportation Department; Martha Chambers, food service manager, WHS; Tonia Griffey, director of special education, Central Office; Donna Hendricks, teacher, Hanson Elementary; Carol Huddleston, custodian, Hopkins County Central High; Vickie Mings, teacher, Grapevine Elementary; Saundra Prowse, cook/baker, Southside Elementary; William Ward, teacher, WHS; Jayne White, teacher, GES; Felicia Willett, cook/baker, HCCHS; and Donna Wilson, custodial supervisor, West Broadway Elementary. Those not pictured include Helen Baize, cook/baker, SSES; Charlotte Barnes, cook/baker, WBES; Laurie Cowan, bus driver, Transportation; Anita Crunk, teacher, SSES; Dorothy Lutz, instructional assistant, Pride Elementary; Beth Munger, instructional assistant, WBES; Connie Phelps, custodian, GES; and Kathryn Rayman, bus monitor, Transportation.

Welcome home!” was often the greeting as community members started arriving at Hanson Elementary on April 29 for the Hanson … A Lasting Legacy celebration. It was great to see so many members of the Hanson family reminiscing, greeting old friends, and enjoying themselves! Thanks to everyone who came!

Matt Bell has been selected as Hopkins County Schools director of athletics and special programs. He is currently director of technology for Caldwell County Schools and previously served as director of special programs for Webster County Schools. He will start his new role on July 1.

“I’m humbled to accept the position of director of athletics and special programs for Hopkins County Schools and very excited to be a part of #TeamHopkins,” Bell said. “I can’t wait to begin this new journey and see how we can enhance the opportunities for all students to grow.” 

His career has included working as an assistant principal at Webster County High School. He was also a teacher and coach at Hopkins County Central High School, WCHS, South Hopkins Middle School, James Madison Middle School, and Calloway County High School. 

Bell has served as president of the Kentucky Athletic Administrators’ Association. Honors include Region 2 Athletic Administrator of the Year, NIAAA National Award of Merit, KHSADA State Athletic Administrator of the Year, and 2nd Region Coach of the Year. 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in technology (industrial) education, and master’s degrees in technology (industrial) education and school administration, all from Murray State University. 



“Mr. Bell has tremendous experience at the school and district level with athletics and special programs,” said Hopkins County Schools Assistant Superintendent Marty Cline. “He is passionate for students and the activities that enhance their school experiences.  He will be a valuable addition to the Hopkins County Schools team.”

Missy Cobb

Melissa “Missy” Cobb, the PE teacher at Southside Elementary, received the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting. She is described as a teacher who cares, and one who goes out of her way to spread love to others. As an example, she was given the task of morning outdoor car rider duty. She decided to make it her mission to bring a smile to students’ and parents’ faces! She has purchased costumes that she wears when greeting the children and has developed relationships with their parents. The car rider line has gone from a place of frustration to one of joy. She also reaches out to co-workers, checking in with them and offering to help when they are going through a difficult time. She is described as a teacher who shows up for both students and co-workers!

When asked her “why,” Cobb said, “Sometimes joy and/or comfort are found in the simplest of actions. My why is to extend kindness, a smile, a reason to laugh in hopes of bringing at least a glimpse of joy or comfort into the lives of our students, their families and my co-workers. I view each of those groups of people as an extension of my family. In return, I am the recipient of joy and comfort.”

Sarah Neathery

Sarah Neathery, a 4th grade teacher at Pride Elementary, received the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on May 1. She has gone above and beyond the past few months to help people at her school who have been hit with serious health problems. She puts other’s needs above her own and goes out of her way to help others. She loves on her colleagues, which is shown by little gifts she leaves to brighten their day. She recently organized the “Falcons Fight Together” T-shirt surprise for a teammate who was getting ready to begin chemotherapy treatments. She has a special way of doing things for others without expecting anything in return!



When asked her “Why,” Neathery said, “I work alongside many amazing individuals who I consider ‘family.’ We all have a joint mission: to see students succeed and become the best version of themselves. When I heard the news about staff members having health issues, I knew it was my chance to try and spread light and kindness to see them smile. It brings me pure joy to see others smile. Many ideas that we have carried out have been student initiated. Watching them grow, mature, and show so much empathy to those hurting around them has been the highlight of my career. It shows that as a ‘Falcon Family’ we have led by example to teach students to be kind individuals.”

Elementary students have truly done an AMAZING job in the district’s first Elementary Amazing Shake competition! The third and final round of the competition involved an etiquette dinner.



Charlie Gamblin of West Broadway Elementary won 1st place. Audrey Mulligan of WBES received 2nd place, and Mylie Duvall of Jesse Stuart Elementary placed 3rd. The 10 students who advanced to the finals participated in this round. The program included students from four schools: West Broadway, Jesse Stuart, Grapevine, and Pride Elementary. This has been a great opportunity for our elementary students!

Kaylee Brandon, an 8th grader at South Hopkins Middle School, is the winner of the Western Kentucky Regional Competition of the National Civics Bee! She will now advance to the State  Competition this summer in Frankfort.

Out of 160 entries from across the region, 20 students were named finalists. Twelve of the finalists were from Hopkins County Schools!

The National Civics Bee is hosted by the National Chamber of Commerce Network. The Western Kentucky Regional Competition of the National Civics Bee was hosted by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. The goal of the competition is to encourage students to become involved in their communities. The competition began with an essay contest that required students to present the solution to an issue in our community. The finalists competed on Saturday in Paducah for the regional competition. Students completed 2 rounds of quizzing and had to present their essay topics to a panel of judges who fired back with questions about their solutions.

Other local students who competed as finalists include Isaiah Cobb, South Hopkins Middle School; Chandler Harris, James Madison Middle School; Mason Katich, Browning Springs Middle School; Deane McKnight, BSMS; Summer Stoakley, BSMS; Chloe Vaughn, SHMS; and Amelia Williams, BSMS. Others who qualified are Coley Mitchell, BSMS; Camree Mann and Brennan Neal, SHMS; and Lainey Floyd of West Hopkins School.

Hopkins County Schools’ District Talent Shows were held recently at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts.Talent coordination is provided by the District Services for Gifted and Talented. Thanks to Madisonville Community College Lions Club for sponsoring the district competitions!

Skyview Skateshop has donated 13 skateboards to kids throughout Hopkins County Schools. They approached the Family Resource Youth Service Center coordinators to initiate the project. Thanks so much for your generous donation to our students! We appreciate our community partners!

The Be-YOU-tiful Leaders group, which includes girls from both of our high schools, celebrated the dedication of the new communication board recently at Rog Badgett All-Inclusive Play Park on the Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville campus.

The student group raised funds to purchase the communication board by selling “Hopkins United” T-shirts earlier this school year. The board will help nonverbal kids communicate.

“It’s just been such an amazing time being able to bring both sides of the community, Central and North, together on this,” said MNHHS student Chloe Young. “It warms my heart … To

be able to work so hard for this and see something like this come together is super encouraging.”

Austin Elliott, director of philanthropy for Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville, said the organization is grateful for this partnership and what it will allow them to do with the play park and pediatric therapy department, as well as what it will provide for people in the community.



Hopkins County Schools Superintendent Amy Smith thanked the students for their hard work. She also expressed how fortunate the community is to have partnerships like these. What an exciting project!

In another project, the Be-YOU-tiful Leaders presented Seeds of Hope flower pots to David and Jamie Moss at their recent home dedication. This is part of the beautification project for tornado-stricken areas of Barnsley. Hopkins County Central High School students Chloe and Callie Mackey made the presentation. 

Online Registration/Annual Update through Infinite Campus Parent Portal is open for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

Online Registration will be available on the portal through the start of the school year. We encourage you to complete this soon for your students. Parents may also register new students, including incoming kindergarten students. This is required for ALL students who will attend Hopkins County Schools next year.

This online process allows you to verify and submit required information to your child’s school. It also eliminates the forms and paperwork that used to be required for annual registration. Your child’s school may have other site-specific forms that you will be asked to complete later. 

Only the legal guardian listed for the student in the primary household can complete online registration. The assigned school is based on the primary household address. If your child has a secondary household, please update the information for that additional household while completing the online update. Look for more information on the district website, www.hopkins.kyschools.us/OLR.