Hopkins County Schools is seeking nominations for the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards.

Teacher of the Year nominees must have a minimum of three years teaching experience. The Teachers of the Year will be selected in the categories of Elementary (P-5), Middle (6-8) and Secondary (9-12).

Categories for Employee of the Year nominations are: Administrator of the Year, eligible nominees would include principals, assistant principals, central office administrators, and guidance counselors; Classified Support Services, eligible nominees would include instructional assistants who work in a classroom setting to enhance student achievement and Family Resource employees who provide student needs throughout the district; Facilities Management, eligible employees would include all custodians and district maintenance staff; Food Service, eligible nominees would include all cafeteria employees, cafeteria managers and district food service employees; Transportation, eligible nominees would include bus drivers, bus monitors, vehicle maintenance staff and district employees; Secretary of the Year, eligible employees would include all school secretaries; and Central Office Employee of the Year, eligible employees would include all central office staff.

Nominations will be accepted through the close of business, 4 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2024. Online nomination forms are available at the following links:

Teacher of the Year

Employee of the Year

A printable form is available at the following link. It should be mailed to Employee of the Year, Hopkins County Schools, 320 S. Seminary Street, Madisonville, KY 42431. Attention: Crystal Carlton.

Employee of the Year Nomination Form (pdf)

Nominations are now being accepted for the Regional Education Partnership Excellence in Teaching awards, which recognize outstanding classroom educators.

Public school partners from Caldwell, Crittenden, Dawson Springs, Hopkins County, Muhlenberg County, and Webster County districts along with Madisonville Community College and Murray State University-Madisonville have announced the second year of the awards.

"We are thrilled to be able to host this event for a second year, which reflects our continued commitment to excellence in teaching and the critical role that teachers play in shaping the future of our communities," said Dr. Jay Parrent of Madisonville Community College. "We hope this award will inspire educators to continue their important work and serve as a reminder of the profound impact they have on the lives of their students."

The award was created to celebrate and highlight teaching excellence in elementary, middle, and high school education. Nominees are sought who demonstrate exceptional skills and dedication to their profession and who inspire and motivate students to achieve their full potential. The colleges and school districts have been meeting regularly since 2017 to discuss issues of mutual importance, plan collaborative ventures, and refine and expand dual credit programming for students. Several key initiatives have been developed through this partnership in the subsequent years.

The window for nominations will remain open until Wednesday, April 10. To be eligible, nominees must be full-time regular classroom teachers in an elementary, middle, or high school with a minimum of three years of experience. A committee of educators and administrators from each district and representatives from the colleges will select one teacher from each grade level from each district.  

To nominate a teacher for this recognition, follow this link: 

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=UTnj8sQeckyyv6T0Zx1kr2fKd7g-8KJMmAEfKf56GDJUNEk2UUFBR1Y1RTdWVkNFN0Y4ODdYQTI0TC4u.

The official groundbreaking was held recently for the South Hopkins School project. This project involves building a middle school addition to Southside Elementary School. 



The 64,640-square-foot addition will include middle school classrooms, administrative offices, media center, and a middle school-size gym. The existing gym on the elementary side will remain. The new gymnasium will serve as a storm shelter not only for our students and staff but also for the community.

We are excited to see construction get started! 

The community had the opportunity to vote on the name, mascott, and school colors for the new preschool-8th grade school early in 2023. The Board of Education approved the options that received the most support in their category during the feedback survey. The school’s name will be South Hopkins School, with Cats as the mascot, and royal blue, black, and silver as the school colors.

The schools will operate with their current names, mascots, and colors until the planned addition is completed. We received 1,313 responses to the survey.

Parents who do not know their Infinite Campus Parent Portal password should contact their school. You will need to be able to log in to your portal account to complete the Annual Update for Online Registration. Also, any parent who does not have a portal account should go to the following website to request an account: https://www.hopkins.kyschools.us/domain/72. OLR/Annual Update will open on Monday, April 22.

For March, the Hopkins County Future Ready Initiative has focused on the characteristic of being an Innovator. Class lessons and special school projects involved students observing situations to define problems, asking questions, and becoming data-driven problem solvers. Students are encouraged to try new things and to persevere through challenges. 

Hopkins County Future Ready Graduates is one of the major initiatives that is part of the district’s new Strategic Plan. This is our version of Portrait of a Graduate. This initiative will significantly transform our schools and ensure that our students gain the characteristics needed to be successful after graduation.

West Hopkins students became innovators earlier this week by learning about snap circuits. This is a fun way for kids to study electronics. Students worked together to design and create different projects. Participants are part of the Primary Talent Pool and GT programs. 



Throughout March, HCS  is focused on the Future Ready characteristic of being an Innovator. This project definitely fits right in with that!

A unit on area, perimeter and measurements expanded into hands-on learning for Hanson Elementary 3rd graders. The project to create their dream bedroom gave the kids the chance to be innovators.

The first step was to look at inspiration online through websites such as HGTV and Pottery Barn Kids. Then, they determined the dimensions of their room, size of furniture, and how much paint and flooring they would need. They drew their design, and then created a 3-D model. They also determined how much their project would cost in real life.

“It’s just been a really good project for them,” said teacher Becky Fulkerson. “They’ve had a lot of fun looking and finding things, and designing the room. It’s been a real world application of how much it costs to do this. It’s been eye-opening.”

Teacher Ember Patterson said, “It’s got the money aspect and the look at real world careers like interior design or construction or sales. It also involves problem solving, because we ran into a few jams. I was like, ‘Be an innovator, find a way to solve your problem.’”

Students’ designs were very creative. “I saw a racecar bed,” said Dylan, who decided to make that the theme of his room. His design also includes carpet that includes a racetrack.

“It’s been fun to watch them be able to do math while also bringing in the other content areas and some creative things to the table,” Fulkerson said. 

Hopkins County Schools’ Future Ready initiative has focused on the Innovator characteristic for March. This project offers students the opportunity to become innovators! Great job!

Lauren Oldham

Lauren Oldham, an instructional assistant at Pride Elementary, received the Remember Your Why Award during the Board of Education meeting on March 4. She was monitoring the students during lunch on a recent day, when one student began choking. She sprang into action, assessed the situation, helped the student stand up, and then performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge food from his airway. She saved this student’s life! Even during her daily responsibilities, Mrs. Lauren is considered “an absolute treasure to have on staff.” She is always willing to help anyone with any task! Pride Elementary is blessed to have her as part of the Falcon family.

When asked her “why,” Oldham said, “My why is because not all kids get to go to a great home life, so while they are at school, I want them to feel safe and loved.”

Melanie Hofmann

Melanie Hofmann, visual performing arts teacher at Jesse Stuart Elementary, was presented with the Remember Your Why Award during the Board of Education meeting on March 18. 

Ms. Hofmann always goes above and beyond what is asked and is passionate about giving students the opportunity to excel in the arts through the Jesse Stuart Singers, GT, and a variety of other programs. She fosters an inclusive environment where students feel empowered to express their unique perspectives and voices through their art. She is an asset to have at JSES and throughout our district, for she is a part of the Deeper Learning Initiative and a teacher mentor.

When asked her “why,” Hofmann said, “My why as a VPA teacher in Hopkins County is to instill an understanding and appreciation for creativity and expression in our students. Cultivating this love of art and creativity in the next generation will allow the vibrant landscape of visual arts, music, theater, and dance to continue to thrive. Also, many students who have not found success in other content areas often find their passion in the arts. Students who excel in creativity become our future artists, performers, and patrons of the arts. With this foundational understanding and appreciation of the arts, our Hopkins County students will grow to enrich the cultural tapestry of our community.”

Board Attorney Keith Cartwright was recognized during the March 4 Board of Education meeting for receiving the Kentucky Bar Association’s Attorney of the Year Award! We appreciate his dedication and service to Hopkins County Schools. Congratulations!! For details, please visit https://bit.ly/48I0j8U.

Please like and follow the new HCS Community Schools Facebook page! This page will feature posts from the Hopkins County Schools Community Schools Initiative, which works closely with the Family Resource Youth Services Centers and the community to provide resources and support services for students and families. 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557061750176

Perfect Attendance Rewards for the second trimester were recently presented to three of our students! One student name from each level (elementary, middle, and high) was drawn from all students with perfect attendance to receive the award sponsored by Madisonville-Noon Kiwanis Club.

Reward winners for the second trimester are Mario Miles of Southside Elementary School, Gavin Quinn of James Madison Middle School, and Lauren Davis of Madisonville North Hopkins High School. Each received a $100 check from the Kiwanis Club and cornhole sets presented by community donors.



Perfect Attendance Reward winners will also be drawn for the third trimester. We encourage our students to have good attendance!

HCS recently celebrated National School Breakfast Week! The theme, “Surf’s Up with School Breakfast” gave a fun focus for the week.

Breakfast for lunch is always a big hit in the cafeterias. This year surpassed our expectations! The Monday lunch of Chicken and Waffles was not only the most served meal during National School Breakfast Week, but also for the ENTIRE school year! French Toast and Sausage Day was also a massive hit along with Thursday's Big Breakfast Day of Scrambled Eggs, Biscuit and Gravy, Baked Apples, and Tater Coins. 



This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the National School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.

Students from Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins who participate in Superintendent Amy Smith’s Student Advisory Council volunteered recently at Christian Food Bank. They worked hard putting together food boxes for local residents.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” a Hopkins County Schools Joint High School Production, recently took the stage at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. The musical tells the story of meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn who stumbles across a new breed of plant he names Audrey II after his coworker crush. Students gave outstanding performances! The production was a First United Bank & Trust Proud Partnership.

Reading took center stage at our elementary schools for Read Across America Week! Several fun projects got students involved, including:

• MNHHS Beta Club students visited Pride and Jesse Stuart Elementary schools to read to kids and help kick off the week.
• Several schools have had dress-up days and asked kids to decorate Book Potato Characters.
• West Broadway 5th graders partnered with kindergarten students to help them develop their reading skills.

Read Across America Week is timed each year to coincide with the birthday of Dr. Seuss. These are such fun projects to encourage kids to read! 

Students played a version of the game of LIFE recently at Hopkins County Central. Through Learning It First through Education (LIFE), middle and high school students are given an occupation, salary, and family size. Then, they have to decide how to allocate their funds among housing, transportation, communications, etc. Students from HCCHS, South Hopkins Middle, and West Hopkins School took part at the HCCHS event.



This financial program is organized by First United Bank in coordination with the Youth Service Centers at both high schools. LIFE is always eye-opening for our students. Thanks to our community partners and volunteers who come together to offer this opportunity for our students!

The High School Winter Sports Athletes of the Year were honored at the Board of Education meeting on March 18. Those recognized include the following:



• Athletes of the Year – Josh Robinson and Adison Melton

• Citizenship Athletes of the Year – Trevahn Jones and Albany Ray

• Heart of the Team Athletes of the Year - Kaitlyn Knight and Sylas Gunn

• Sportsmanship Athletes of the Year - Kanyon Johnson and Nya Jade Ribay

The Middle School Winter Sports Athletes of the Year were honored at the Board of Education meeting on March 18. Those recognized include the following:



• Athletes of the Year – Neilan Bruce and Lily Coffman

• Citizenship Athletes of the Year – Jax Kinney and Izabel Long

• Heart of the Team Athletes of the Year - Samari Pettus and Ashbie McGuyer

• Sportsmanship Athletes of the Year - Colton Harralson and Adyson Hollie

Congratulations to the girls powerlifting team at Hopkins County Central! They are the Girls Division Ky State Powerlifting Champions after placing first in the State Push and Pull Powerlifting Competition at North Bullitt High School.

Hopkins County Central High Voltage Dance Team placed 2nd in the nation in the Intermediate Hip Hop division during the 2024 NDA High School National Championship in Orlando! The team also placed 4th in the nation in the Intermediate Pom division and received the Innovative Choreography Award. 

Colors for Care 5K

Organizers of the Colors for Care 5K said that a donor will give $200 to the Family Resource Center at the elementary school that has the most sign-ups!

April 1-5 - No School / Spring Break

April 16 - Board of Education Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Central Office