We have a very busy week and weekend at RJSHS with the Kelly Russell Classic held from Thursday-Saturday. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the numerous committee members who put in a great deal of effort all year to ensure that we have a top-notch event honoring the life of Kelly Russell, a former RHS student who lost his life during the warm-ups of the regional baseball tournament in 1974. A scholarship was started that year in his name and has been given to a deserving RHS Senior for the past 42 years.

The Kelly Russell Classic not only honors the outstanding young man he was, but it also allows the committee members to raise money for the continued support of the Kelly Russell Scholarship. A highlight to the event each year is being able to welcome his sister, Mrs. Joanne Bennett, back into our school and hear how much this event means to Kelly’s family. We had many teams, both baseball and softball, participate in this event and able to hear Mrs. Joanne speak about her brother. If you would like to contribute to the Kelly Russell Scholarship, please contact the school for more details.

The Lady Panther Softball team had a strong week in district play and during the Kelly Russell Classic with a huge district victory over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday. The Lady Panthers also picked up two more solid wins during the Kelly Russell Classic this weekend while falling just shy of a clean sweep to the visiting Mclean County Cougars. They have another district match-up on Tuesday as we host the Lady Cougars. Come out and catch a LPS game this week!!

 Good luck to our STLP members who will be traveling, along with Mrs. Crowder and Mrs. Rose, this coming Friday to the state STLP competition at Rupp Arena in Lexington!! We wish you the best and safe travels!

The RMS and RHS Bands had a great week at the WKU Concert Festival. On Thursday, the high school band received an overall DISTINGUISHED rating for their afternoon performance, while the middle school band received DISTINGUISHED ratings from all four judges on Friday morning! Thanks to RJSHS Band Director Brian Brown for his continued leadership in our arts programs.

Additionally, many of these students are currently working with other students on our annual musical production. This year, we are very excited to present “The Little Mermaid” in May! Please make plans to attend for an evening of great entertainment!

Our Special Olympics team was in action during regional play this past weekend! Mrs. Paige Winders reports the following Russellville Rock Stars had a very strong showing on Saturday:

Softball throw

Jonathon Taylor---5^th, Isaiah Boiseaau--4^th, Mary Ann Hamilton--2^nd, Jacob Lyne--2^nd, James Shelton Greene--4^th, Jenny Ramsey--1^st

100 meter dash

Jonathon Taylor-- 1^st, Jenny Ramsey--1^st

50 meter dash

Mary Ann Hamilton--1^st, Isaiah Boiseaau--1^st, James Shelton Greene-- 1^st, Jacob Lyne--4th

Members of the Russellville Rock Stars will travel to the state competition this summer! Best of luck to our students, and thanks to Mrs. Winders, Mrs. Lisa Meacham, Mrs. She Meyer, Ms. Tracy Shanklin and Mrs. Linda Shelton for their contributions to our Special Olympics team!

Spring Testing Schedule for both middle/high students—Below, you will find specific dates for our spring assessments. Please make every attempt to avoid scheduling appointments on these dates. If your child already has a scheduled appointment on one of the testing dates, please be sure to let us know in advance so that proper arrangements can be made.

May 2—AP Chemistry, May 4—AP English Literature, May 5—Algebra II EOC, May 6—AP US History, May 9—AP Biology; Biology I EOC, May 10—English II EOC, May 11—KPREP (6^th-8^th); AP English Language, May 12—KPREP (6^th-8^th); US History EOC; AP World History, May 13—KPREP (6^th-8^th), May 16—KPREP (6^th-8^th) and 10/11^, May 17^th—NO SCHOOL, May 18—KPREP (6^th-8^th), May 19-20^t—makeup days

There will be an 8^th Grade Parent meeting held on April 21 at 5 p.m.in the cafeteria to discuss fundraising and end of the year events.

**If your high school student was invited to apply for the National Honor Society, those membership applications are due to Mrs. Bethny Hargett-Slack and/or Mr. Chris Holloman by tomorrow (Monday)

Upcoming Events:

Monday

·RMS Baseball vs. Todd Co. (A) 5:30

·RHS Softball vs. Allen Co. (H) 5:30

Tuesday

·Academic Recovery—until 4:20

·Upward Bound

·Youth Leadership Logan

·RHS Softball vs. Logan (H) 5:30

·RHS Baseball vs. Franklin (A) 5:00 JV/V

·RHS Tennis vs. Logan (A)

·RHS Track Meet (H)

Wednesday

·Ambassador Leadership Conference @WKU

Thursday

·Academic Recovery—until 4:20

·The RMS/RHS Academic Team Reception will be held in the cafeteria @6:00

·RMS Baseball vs. Glasgow (A) 5:30

·RHS Baseball vs. West Creek (A) 5:30

·RHS Tennis vs. South Warren (H) 

Friday

·Panther College candidates will travel to the SKYCTC Franklin campus for touring/COMPASS testing.

·STLP State Competition @Rupp Arena

·RHS Baseball vs. Hart Co. (A) 5:30 Varsity only

·RHS Softball vs. Hart Co. (A) DH 5:30

·RHS Track vs. Greenwood (A)

Saturday

·RHS Baseball vs. Fort Campbell (H) 1:00 Varsity only

·RMS Baseball vs. Logan (A) 1:00

·RHS Softball 13^th District Freshmen/JV Tournament (H)