Weather extends school year
I’m happy to have gotten in a full 5 days of class this week. Though I wasn’t happy to have to call off school 3 days last week, I always have to do what is in the best interest of the students and safety trumps all other concerns. The three days we missed will be added to the end of the school year. If we miss, up to 5 more, those will be added to the end of the year as well. We will use Feb. 15 as a make-up day only if we’ve missed 9 days prior to that day. The complete 2009-10 calendar and make-up schedule is posted online.

Call system keeps us in contact
I hope all of you have been receiving my calls through our Community Safe calling system. If you need to add additional numbers or change the number being called, you can do so online. It is important that we have accurate information for all of our students so we can reach our families as quickly as possible. In addition to providing you information on snow delays and closings, this system is used to call families with important school messages and could be used in case of any emergencies.

Robotics teams place at state
The tradition of excellence in robotics competition continues for CCS. At the state’s FIRST Lego League competition held Jan. 9 at Western Kentucky University, two of our teams took home trophies. The Grant’s Lick Team “Crusin’ Cardinals” took home 2nd place overall while the Reiley “Techno Birds” placed 1st in the project presentation category. These victories are especially impressive when you consider that most of the 40 teams competing were from middle schools. Congratulations to all of the students who participated.

High School offering preview
Entering high school for the first time can be scary for some students. The staff of Campbell County High School will calm the fears of incoming freshmen by holding a CCHS Expo on Feb. 3. All attendees will have a chance to take tours of the building, meet with teachers and coaches and ask questions. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. For more information, view the flyer or call the school at 635-4161.

Autism selections
Kentucky has been selected by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders to be one of only 3 states to receive technical assistance related to autism. Three of our own teachers—Lindsey Mattingly, Evan Young and Betsy Goetz—have been chosen to participate in a 2-year project being implemented by the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Autism Training Center, UNC Chapel Hill, the University of Wisconsin and the University of California Davis Medical School. This is a great accomplishment for these staff member and can only enhance the autism services we provide at CCS. The purpose of the project is to:

• Increase the number of highly qualified personnel serving students with autism in Kentucky
• Establish a sustainable system of PD in evidence=based practices in autism
• Provide technical assistance support for early childhood practitioners, educational leaders, teachers and school based personnel

Calendar
The coming weeks are filled with meetings, games, parent classes and more. You can view all of the dates on our online calendar. Be sure to mark your calendar with all of the dates that are important to you. If you know of other events that should be added to the calendar, please contact us.

Decision Makers
The next meeting of the Board of Education is Monday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. All meetings this year will be held in our new Boardroom in the Alexandria Educational Center. All meetings are open to the public and I encourage you to attend.