The Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership

This institute will provide leadership training and support to parents to help them become advocates for improved education.  It will be conducted at the Commonwealth Hilton in Florence on September 9-10, September 30 and October 1, and November 4-5, 2011.  The institute is open to any parents or other caregivers with children in the public school system.

The Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership is developed by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, a non-profit citizens' organization that works to improve education for all Kentuckians.

Interested parents may apply online at http://www.cipl.org/ .

Disaster in Japan

It's hard to put into words a reaction to the natural disaster in Japan.  A major earthquake, then a resulting tsunami and a possible nuclear meltdown.  Such a tragedy.

We should all keep the people in Japan in our thoughts and prayers.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Juniors Taking the ACT on Tuesday

Good luck to the Ryle juniors as they take the ACT test on Tuesday!

Ryle SportsFest - May 18th

The Raider Athletic Club will be hosting their 2nd annual Ryle SportsFest on May 18th at St. Timothy's Church in Union.  The newest members of the Ryle Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted.  Special guest speakers will be Kerry Coombs, Associate Head Football Coach at UC; Joe Sunderman, Men's Basketball Announcer at Xavier University, and Drew Bewley, Editor-in-Chief of The Cheer Leader Magazine and former UK cheerleader.

Proceeds from this dinner event and silent auction fundraiser will benefit all athletes and programs at Ryle High School.  Sponsors are still being sought and tickets to the event will be on sale soon.

Come out and support your Raiders by helping sponsor this event, attending, or helping out some way!  Call the school office for details.

Last Minute Prep for Tuesday's ACT

All Ryle juniors will be taking the ACT on Tuesday morning.  Here are a few things to consider for Monday night:

1. Put away your study materials.  By now, you know all you'll need to know for the test.  Last minute cramming will only make you stressed and tired.
2. Gather together the things you'll need for the test: your testing room number, acceptable ID and three sharpened No. 2 pencils.  Pack a watch, too, if you want to time yourself.
3. Remember to bring a calculator to use on the math test.
4. Cell phones are not permitted in the test rooms!  If a test proctor sees a cell phone, or if one rings, even accidentally, you'll be dimissed from the test.
5. Eat a substantial breakfast, as food and drink is not permitted in the testing rooms.
6. Plan to get to school early, no later than 7:30 a.m.  Check the weather the night before to see if you'll need to allow yourself some extra time to get to school.
7. Distract yourself by doing something you enjoy: reading, playing video games, watching a movie or TV, spending time with family or friends.
8. Get to bed as early as you can, and set your alarm early enough to make sure you have enough time to eat breakfast and to get to school at least 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Your best preparation is to be well rested going into the test.

Good luck!

Enquirer - Top 50 multi-sport prep female athletes ever

 

38. KIRSTEN ALLEN, RYLE, 2008: She's the most dominant softball pitcher in Kentucky history, recording 10 state records and 41 career no-hitters. She had 142 career wins and 1,865 career strikeouts. She led the Raiders to the state championship in 2006 and a state runner-up finish in 2007 before continuing her career at Oklahoma. Allen also was an Enquirer honorable mention all-star for volleyball.

 

Top 50 multi-sport prep female athletes ever

Boone Schools fears 83 layoffs

By Justin B. Duke • jbduke@nky.com

Looming state and federal funding cuts has Boone County Schools potentially laying off up to 83 employees.

The district is looking at a total of $2.7 million in funding cuts by the end of this fiscal year. The cuts will require cutting 34 paraeducator positions. Paraeducators assist teachers and provide one-on-one assistance with students who are struggling.

“This is the best case scenario,” said Superintendent Randy Poe.

When legislators go back for the special session on Monday, they’ll decide on how to maintain federal stimulus money that sent more funding to schools. A Senate proposal suggests cutting the funding, which would leave Boone Schools with a total cut of about $5.9 million.

“There’s no way this school system could absorb a nearly $6 million cut,” Poe said.

If the additional cut comes, the district faces losing the 34 paraeducators along with 23 teachers, 23 support staff and three central office employees.

“We need the community to know what cuts are coming because this will affect their children,” Poe said.

The cuts come after the Board of Education made the controversial decision to raise the property tax rates by the compensating rate plus an additional 4 percent last August.

“The state wiped that away,” Poe said.

While the cuts will have a negative effect on the district’s goal of having students be career and college ready, staff and administrators will continue to work as hard as they can – like they always do, said board chairman Steve Kinman.

“We’ll make it. We always have; we always will,” Kinman said. “It’s not going to be easy – it’s going to be really tough…We’re tougher than Frankfort. We’re not going to let them beat us.”

Boone Schools fears 83 layoffs