Brandon Robinson, WYMT Weather Man, Visits BLES

As part of a recent unit on weather and precipitation, BLES third-grader students were treated to a visit from Brandon Robinson, WYMT weather man, who shared information about weather and answered questions from the students.  "The students had really good questions," said Jennifer Griffith, third-grade science and social studies teacher. "I was especially impressed with how detailed and higher-level their questions were," Griffith continued.  

Brandon Robinson grew up in the heart of the coalfields, right across the mountain in Harlan County.  He first became interested in weather and news at an early age. In fact, he said that he grew up watching WYMT.  Mr. Robinson graduated from Cumberland High School and then attended Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College where he received an Associate Degree in Science. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications at Morehead State University.  He is now attending Mississippi State University, taking classes in Broadcast Meteorology.

BLES students extend a huge “THANK YOU” to Mr. Robinson and when you ask any BLES third-grade student, you’ll hear, “Mr. Robinson is the best weather man around!”
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BLES STUDENT SERVES AS LEGISLATIVE PAGE

     Seeing his government in action made a lasting impression on Betsy Layne Elementary student Nathan Brinager who ventured to the state Capitol as a legislative page for Senator Johnny Ray Turner on Feb. 15.
     “It is something I will never forget,” said Brinager who is a sixth grade student and a member of the boys' basketball team and serves as a peer mediator.  Nathan was among three Floyd County students chosen by the Family Resource and Youth Service Coalition of Kentucky (FRYSCKy).  Joining Nathan for the day was his parents, Steve and Melena Brinager and his sister Kelsie who all spent the afternoon in the Senate.  Nathan worked alongside Senator Turner and completed tasks such as carrying paperwork to the front and running other errands.  All the while he closely observed lawmakers in action. 
(Click here for the entire article)
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Mrs. Sandy Tackett Selected as Middle School Teacher of the Year

       BLES/BLHS STUDENTS SING 
                                        BEFORE A PACKED HOUSE IN LEXINGTON

Congratulations to 4 students from the Betsy Layne area who recently participated in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Kentucky All State Chorus:  Alex Meade and Katie Tackett, 7^th grade students from Betsy Layne Elementary;  Kelsi Tackett and Allie Meade, both freshmen at Betsy Layne High School.  Over 1000 students from across the state auditioned for this prestigious honor.  Students in the ACDA All State Chorus represented 87 schools.  Rehearsals took place at the Holiday Inn North in Lexington on Friday and Saturday, November 5^th & 6^th.  The event culminated at 3:00 on Saturday with a concert held at the Porter Memorial Baptist Church on Nicholasville Road in front of a packed house with standing room only.  Betsy Layne Elementary students are taught by Mrs. Sandy Tackett.  Mr. Mike Cooley is the music instructor for Betsy Layne High School.
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BLES PERCUSSIONIST PARTICIPATES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY'S MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS BAND

      Alex Meade, a 7^th grade percussionist in the Betsy Layne Elementary Band, recently participated in the Eastern Kentucky University Middle School Honors Band.  In all, 277 students from 28 schools participated.

      “It was such a thrill to see so many enthusiastic youngsters here on our campus who are so excited about music,” said Dr. Joe Allison, director of bands at EKU.  “The clinic is also a great learning experience for our own university students, who manage and operate most every aspect of the event.”

       “The EKU event is one of the rare university-hosted events geared to the younger middle school-aged student, explained Dr. Allison. “For this reason, we get strong commitments from music educators and band directors who see this age as a crucial one in the development of lifelong musical skills.  We at EKU couldn’t agree more.”

       Betsy Layne Elementary band director Mrs. Sandy Tackett added, “Alex is a motivated, talented musician who seeks every opportunity to grow musically.  It is such an honor to teach students with this kind of passion.”
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Betsy Layne Elementary celebrated Veterans' Day on November 10^th, 2010.  Principal John A. Kidd welcomed the student body, staff and visitors to the event where the Jr. Band directed by Sandy Tackett performed a medley of the Armed Forces Salute.  Mr. Kidd recognized the Betsy Layne Disabled American Veterans which included:  Shular Hurd (Chapter 169 DAV Commander), George Hall (Commander of SS02), Gretho Hamilton, J.D. Roberts, George Kidd, Jr. and Shane Murray.  Other veterans included Ray Ponce and Zane Rivera.  Alex Meade a 7^th grade student read a poem titled “Remember”.  The JROTC of Allen Central High School presented the flag where everyone pledged allegiance to the flag. 

            The Betsy Layne Elementary Chorus sang the National Anthem and My Country Tis of Thee under the direction of Mrs. Sandy Tackett.  After the choir sang the JROTC exited, everyone was seated while McKenzie Akers (8^th grade) read a poem “Heroes Die for Me.”  To conclude the celebration a DVD entitled Thank You Soldiers was played while the entire student body sang to the video.  This is the 4^th annual Veterans’ Day Celebration that was sponsored and arranged by the Betsy Layne Elementary Family Resource Youth Service Center.

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BLES Celebrates
Grandparents’ Day

On Friday morning, September 10, Betsy Layne Elementary School hosted a Grandparents’ Day Celebration.  Approximately 250 Grandparents and family members were in attendance and each received a small token of appreciation from the school that included a lapel pin, ribbon bookmark, Grandparent’s Day ink pen, and a Very Special Grandparent certificate.  The entire student body came together to honor all the Grandparents in attendance.  Principal John A. Kidd welcomed everyone and read the Grandparents Day Proclamation that was signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, making Grandparents Day an annual event.  Brian H. Akers of the BLES Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) delivered a history of how Grandparents’ Day began.  During his presentation, Mr. Akers explained that “being a grandparent is not an easy job, and that over 3 million children today are being raised by grandparents.” 

            The grandparents were treated a Jack Hartman poem set to music and performed by the Kindergarten classes.  Debbie Bradley, 6^th Grade Language Arts teacher, also read a poem by Joanna Fuchs titled “Grandparents Meet a Special Need.”  Other poems were read by Michal Gilliam, an eighth grade student as well as Jefferson McKade Mitchell, a third grade student.  The final performance was a Grandparents Rap preformed by Nathan Brinager, Josh Griffith, Jordan Kendrick and Zack Justice. 

            Grandparent’s Day began as the idea of one woman, who inspired other dedicated people to join her campaign to establish a special day for grandparents.  Today Grandparents Day is celebrated by millions throughout the United States, who take the opportunity to honor their elderly family members and recognize their wisdom, strength, and lasting contributions.  Throughout this morning of remembrance and celebration, Betsy Layne Elementary sought to strengthen these enduring values of the American family.
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The highly popular TV series, Survivor, has served as this year's testing theme for students and staff at BLES. As State Testing nears, the staff and students at BLES are preparing for their greatest year ever.  Along with specific content instruction and strategic test planning, the staff as well as the students have also responded remarkably well to various Survivor Challenges presented to them throughout the semester.  From raising thousands of dollars for Saint Jude's Children's Hospital and the Haitian relief effort to meeting daily attendance goals and clean room challenges, the Bobcat Survivor Tribes have shown time after time that no challenge is too difficult for them.  

Recently, a Hallway Decoration challenge was issued, requiring each tribe to decorate a portion of their hallways with artifacts and decorations related to their Tribal names.  Other required components were samples of student work, a testing motto and a lot of creativity.  A Tribal Council group will soon score each section, awarding three winning tribes with Survivor points for their efforts.  The response has been unbelievable, as students, staff members and volunteers have worked together to transform the hallways of BLES into inspiring landscapes, packed with imagination and positive thinking. (Click Here to view our slide show.)

"Getting the students, staff members and the community on board with these challenges has been an excellent morale booster in preparing for this year's State Testing," explains Mr. John A. Kidd, BLES Principal.  "These challenges have made a lot of students, and adults as well, realize that we are ready for any challenge that comes our way--even the State Test." 

The Bobcat Survivor Challenge will end on May 7th, with an afternoon Pre-Testing Rally in the gym (click here), when staff members will represent their Tribes and challenge each other to win final points for their Tribes.  Two Ultimate Survivor Tribes will be identified that day (one from grades K-4 and one from 5-8).  

Now, with State Testing knocking at the door, the students and staff members at BLES are preparing to face the year's greatest challenge--one that will require them to remain focused, dedicated, and to respond with confidence, just as they have done with all other BOBCAT SURVIVOR challenges this year.  

BOBCATS---"DO YOUR BEST, PASS THE TEST!"

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Students sort paper and plastics as part of the recycling program at Betsy Layne Elementary.  Their main goal of recycling is saving trees and raw material for generations beyond.  If everyone does their fair share, we all can reduce the amount of unnecessary waste.  Stay Green!