Logan schools strut their stuff
By Staff Reports

At each meeting of the Logan County Board of Education, each of the six schools in the system reports successes to the board. The following is what they had to say at the April board meeting:

Adairville:

• The Adairville Middle School band students participated in the North Tennessee Concert Band Festival held at Austin Peay State University and earned a distinguished rating.

• Adairville students participated in the Logan County Conservation District Poster Contest and three students won in their age division contests: (1) Briana Shelton won first place in the 2^nd-3^rd grade category, (2) Natalie Poe won first place in the 4 ^th-6^th grade category and (3) Casey Reagin won first place in the 7^th-9^th grade category.

• The Adairville Middle School Archery Team competed at the State Archery tournament held in Louisville, March 30-31 and finished as the 12^th place team. The team qualified to compete at the National Archery Tournament in Louisville on May 11^th and 12 ^th.

Auburn:

• Auburn received Fuel Up to Play 60 grant in the amount of $4,000.

• The Auburn archery team competed at the regional tournament in Louisville on April 2. Both the elementary and middle school teams advanced to the national competition, which will be held on May 11 and 12 in Louisville.

• The Logan County Conservation District named Joyce Taylor, a 4^th grade teacher, the 2012 Teacher of the Year.

Chandlers:

• Chandler's Middle School Band performed at the KMEA Concert Band Festival on April 12. The band received a proficient rating. Congratulations to our band for all their hard work!

• Middle school science classes had a special guest, Paul Blick, who connected energy and roller coasters to the content they were learning on March 19-2. Mr. Blick, who is the Regional Coordinator with NEED Organization (National Energy Education Development, came to Chandlers to work with 8^th Grade students in a hands-on lab which demonstrated the transformation of energy and the different forms of energy sources. The lab was designed with six stations and provided students with the opportunities to explore the difference between potential and kinetic energy. The energy sources discussed and explored included solar, nuclear, mechanical, electrical, thermal, hydroelectric, wind, petroleum, propane, natural gas and geothermal.

Additionally Paul spent time with both 7^th and 8^th grade students discussing the physics behind roller coasters. Paul is the National Events Director and Midwest Regional Representative for ACE Organization (American Coaster Enthusiasts) and has travelled all over the world exploring roller coaster designs and performance. Students were able to relate the scientific aspects of roller coaster design and performance to the science of Physics. There is a direct correlation between the potential and kinetic energy in Physics and roller coasters. The students were able to make those connections as they related to the “thrill” of a roller coaster ride. In his travels he has ridden over 500 roller coasters and holds the current continuous ride record at Beech Bend Park on the Kentucky Rumbler (7hours 5 min and 26 sec) for a fundraiser (over $10k) for the Boys and Girls Club of America.

• Some of our middle school students competed at the Stupp Bridge Competition on March 10^th. Chandler's placed overall 3^rd as a team. Logan Houchens took 2^nd and Cameron Scott 7^th.

The middle school Student Leadership Team members have partnered with third and fourth grade students as part of the Students Excelling Today (SET) program. The mentors meet with their younger counterparts Tuesday through Thursday mornings for approximately 20 minutes to read aloud and discuss academic progress. All of these students recently participated in a team building activity where they had a chance to interact in a more social environment.

• Several SLT members volunteered their services recently to produce a short video reminding the student body about the schools' “BEAR Expectations.” The video shown during morning meeting focused on being responsible, engaging in learning, achieving academic excellence, respecting everyone, and staying safe.

• On March 8, the College Road Show came to Chandler's School. The bus driven by KHEAA representative, Mr. Mark Hoover, used 11 satellite connected computers to present the 8^th grade students with information from the GoHigherKY.org website. He discussed paying for higher education and the types of help available to them. This included the KEES money that they can earn while in high school for their grades. He also showed them where they could make a plan for college, the steps they would need to take for getting to college, how to look at all the different colleges in Kentucky, as well as the career center where they could go to take inventories on matching their personalities and interests to careers. The students seemed to enjoy this and found it interesting. This was a good program to reinforce what they will need to know for their future at Logan County High.

• Several grade levels took field trips before the break.

First grade students attended the Nano World at the Corvette Museum. Nano World is a traveling hands-on, interactive museum exhibition that introduces children and their families to the biological wonders of the Nano world that's too small to see with just your eyes.

Second and Third grade toured the Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University. Third grade spent the afternoon at BRIMMS Science Museum and second grade went for an art lesson at the Paintin' Place and were able to paint while they were there.

Mammoth Cave has been the location of several field trips.

Fourth graders took the New Entrance Tour and then took places in talks with rangers about real life weathering and erosion. They also took a nature walk to see how slow changes affect nature.

Sixth grade also took a trip to Mammoth Cave to see the historical features of the cave and the science behind the rocks.

Fifth grade traveled to Frankfort for a full day of Kentucky History beginning with the Kentucky Museum where we saw many artifacts about the many aspects of Kentucky History. Students were able to tour the old capital's House and Senate chambers, as well as the old library. After lunch we visited the New Kentucky State Capitol building where Representative Martha Jane King and Senator Joey Pendleton them and addressed the students on the Capitol steps. Students then went on full tour of the current capital building from a fantastic tour guide. They were shown every room in the building. Finally, the students were given gallery passes to sit in on an official House of Representatives and Senate meeting.

Fourth through sixth graders were able to attend the play “The Hundred Dresses” at Van Meter Auditorium at WKU. The play that is based on the book of the same name addresses bullying issues. Students worked with their teachers and Mrs. Renee Fultz before and after the play to learn Arts and Humanities content about theater and the dramatic arts.

Eighth graders took a field trip to WKU for a tour of the campus and to hear information about how they can go to college. This field trip follows up on an earlier trip where they toured the Russellville Technical Center earlier in the year.

Mrs. Christina Nations' Energy Team Visited the County Landfill (Waste Management). This field trip included 6th, 7th, and 8^th grade students who are working on an Energy Team program with Mrs. Nations. The idea behind the field trip was for students to understand “where does our trash go” and “how is that trash managed in relationship to the well-being of our environment.” Waste Management personnel did a presentation on how the trash is disposed of at the landfill and the science behind proper disposal to best protect the environment. Students were able to tour the landfill and observed first-hand the trash being brought to the site, the heavy equipment that maneuvers about the site and buries the trash in a multi layered sealed and protected “cell”. Students were also able to observe the water treatment plant at the site which addresses any fluids that leach through the soil.

• Students showed a great deal of interest especially due to the fact that this landfill has an immediate and direct impact on them and their families as residents of Logan County. They also understand that the landfill has a limited life and that the trash that is brought to the site comes from as far away as Nashville.

OLMSTEAD:

• Kindergarten -2^nd grade students worked all year on publishing their own books. They did awesome job on their writings and illustrations about themselves

• The third grade Parent Take the Test Night was huge success. Over 60 parents and students attended.

• Sixth grade students Skyped with a University of Kentucky student living in Paris, France on March 19 to discuss current population trends.

• Seventh graders toured the Belmont Mansion in Nashville. They ate lunch in the Belmont Mansion ballroom and were catered an authentic Greek meal by Athens, a restaurant which has been featured on the Food Network. They also toured Belmont University, the Parthenon and attended the opening day showing of The Hunger Games.

• Eighth graders celebrated Pioneer Day on April 12. They learned Pioneer music and dance, made butter, and sampled authentic wagon trail stew. Storytelling was done based on primary sources, and other content area collaborated on the events of the day.

• Olmstead Archery finished 7th in Elementary Division at State Tournament held on April 3rd in Louisville.

LEWISBURG:

• At concert festival, Lewisburg students' results were 2+, 1, 2 and 2. Schools are ranked on total score of ratings, lowest core is best.

• Garrison Rosser has been invited to participate in Adidas Phenom in San Diego California in June. Only 100 students are chosen by grade level across the nation.

• Approximately 50 students from all five middle schools participated in 'Seussical, the Musical.” Students performed four shows over the weekend and school day performances on Monday.

LCHS:

• Three students (Jessica Link, Madison Westbrook, and Domminic Graham) entered work in the First Congressional District Art Competition.

• Senior Shelby Richey will have a painting on display at the Kentucky Artisans Student Art Show at the Saddle Factory in Russellville.

• Aaron Johnson will signied a letter of intent with Campbellsville University for track.

• Logan County High School archery team placed 5^th in the state.

• Will Hughes was the top scorer for American Private Enterprise System. He will travel to University of Kentucky in June for the state program.

• Mallory Wright won first place at the HOSA state competition for Prepared Speaking. She is eligible to compete in Orlando at the National HOSA Conference.

• The Logan County High School Band performed at the KMEA Concert Festival on April 13. They received all distinguished ratings on grade level 5 music (college level music). For the first time in school history they qualified to compete on the state level.