✅ BOARD UPDATE | During yesterday's Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) meeting, the Constitutional Oath of Office was administered to JCBE members Gail Logan Strange (District 1), Tricia Lister (District 2), Trevin Bass (District 4), and Taylor Everett (District 7), who were elected in November.
Also during last night's meeting, Dr. Corrie Shull was elected chairperson of the JCBE, and James Craig was elected vice chairperson.
Thank you to all of our JCBE members for their dedication to JCPS!
🏇 HORSING AROUND WITH ART 🎉 | Congratulations to Pleasure Ridge Park High School sophomore Kayci Shacklette, grand prize winner of the Kentucky Derby Museum's 39th annual Horsing Around With Art competition, presented by WinStar Farm!
Shacklette’s winning artwork, The Final Furlong, will be displayed at the museum. She also received a Spring Race Day Experience prize package sponsored by Churchill Downs, and PRP High School’s art department was awarded $500 to purchase art supplies!
🔧 ENGINEERING PATHWAY | Jeffersontown High School and Fern Creek High School engineering pathway students got a behind-the-scenes look yesterday at Jones Plastic & Engineering Co., one of Louisville’s largest employers! Students toured the facility and learned about exciting job opportunities and future careers.
🌟 THANK YOU | We are so grateful to our Jefferson County Board of Education members for their tireless advocacy and unwavering dedication to JCPS.
Their passion for helping our students thrive is truly inspiring. Happy School Board Recognition Month!
🌟 CHECKMATE | Congratulations to the top school chess teams and players, awarded by the Kentucky Chess Ambassadors!
➡️ Grace M. James Academy of Excellence: Middle School Chess Team of the Year
➡️ Valley High School: High School Chess Team of the Year
Players of the Year:
➡️ Anna McCandless (Grace James Academy)
➡️ Devyn Hill (Grace James Academy)
➡️ Prathyun Dhanapalraj (Meyzeek Middle School)
#WeAreJCPS
We are loving our new app! Access documents, news, updates, and even emergency notifications, right from your pocket.
Download for Android: https://aptg.co/5BH22f
Download for iPhone: https://aptg.co/mqSZlT
🌟 BRIGHT STARTS 🌟 | This week, the JCPS Flash Dads visited Shelby Academy and Mornings with Moms volunteers visited Foster Traditional Academy to surprise students with smiles, high-fives, and encouragement!
Their energy and kindness helped students kick off their day on a positive note. Thank you to these incredible volunteers for spreading joy and building community spirit! 💕 #WeAreJCPS
🌟 EMPOWERING LEADERS | Student leaders from 18 JCPS middle schools came together for an unforgettable day of growth, inspiration, and connection at the Explore Ambassadors Conference! Students dove into sessions designed to build leadership skills!
❤️ WARMTH ON WHEELS 🚍 | JCPS bus driver Larry Elliott regularly goes above and beyond for his students, supplying activity packets, books, and consistent kindness.
This week, in the face of bitter cold, he provided cozy blankets to help students stay warm. Let’s give a big shoutout to this amazing driver for going the extra mile to make sure the ride to school was as warm as it was welcoming!
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS | Ashley Billiter, a senior at duPont Manual High School, will join Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul in representing Kentucky during the 63rd annual U.S. Senate Youth Program in March!
Read more: bit.ly/2025USSYP
DOWNLOAD THE NEW JCPS APP | We're thrilled to announce the new app for JCPS! It's everything Jefferson County Public Schools, in your pocket.
Download for Android: https://aptg.co/5BH22f
Download for iPhone: https://aptg.co/mqSZlT
✅ SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | The 2025 Comprehensive School Survey is open now through Feb. 28, 2025!
If you are a JCPS parent/guardian or employee, take the survey now at ➡️: https://bit.ly/JCPSCSS25
❄️ THANK YOU | Thank you to our JCPS employees working around the clock this week to prepare our buildings for the return of students and staff. We appreciate you!
❄️⛄️ SNOW DAY | The snow day adventures continue for our students and staff today. We love to see how our community is making #WinterFun memories! #SnowDayMagic #WeAreJCPS
❄️ SNOW MUCH FUN ❄️ | We've missed seeing our students and staff in person this week but love to see how everyone is making the most of this winter wonderland! Thanks to those who shared snow day photos with us on social media!
🎁 SHOP WITH A COP | Thanks to the Louisville Metro Police Department's 2nd District for making the holidays brighter for many of our JCPS students, including some from Maupin Elementary School!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS | Reminder, there is no school Dec. 23 to Jan. 3. Classes resume on Jan. 6, 2025. Have a safe and relaxing Winter Break!
✅ APPLY BY DEC. 20 | Just a few days remain for families to apply to the school that best aligns with their child's learning style and interest for the 2025-26 school year. Applications are due by this Friday, Dec. 20!
Apply now: https://bit.ly/JCPSapplication2025-26
🧠 SHARING LEADS TO LEARNING | 30 of JCPS’ highest-need schools are sharing ideas on how to improve learning in their buildings. For instance, Sanders Elementary's math test scores jumped after starting a 30-minute WHAM session each day featuring fun math exercises!
✅ 4 DAYS LEFT TO APPLY | Have you completed your child’s application for the 2025-26 school year yet? Note: If your student is entering kindergarten or has never attended a JCPS school, you must register online first to get your access key. If you need assistance, call 502-485-6250.
Apply now: https://bit.ly/JCPSapplication2025-26
