After receiving the Guidance for K-12 School Operations for In-Person Learning released by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Kentucky Public Health on Friday July 16, 2021, and in consideration of the recommendations it contained, Henry County Public Schools has developed its Safety Plan for the opening of the coming school year. All initiatives of this plan will be implemented in order to create a safe and healthy in-person learning environment in which our students can be successful.

This plan contains prevention strategies that can be modified and/or strengthened as the situation evolves. All decisions regarding our COVID protocols are SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME based on community positivity rates and new or additional requirements from the state or other governing organizations. HCPS will rely on data provided by Kentucky Public Health to track COVID incidence rates and community transmission rates by county (https://govstatus.egov.com/kycovid19) and use the color scheme of county incidence rates (green, yellow, orange and red) to determine an appropriate level of response. We will also track all instances of positive cases and exposures among our staff and students, also using that information to adjust our prevention strategies as needed.

At Monday night's Henry County Public Schools Board of Education meeting, Interim Superintendent Sonny Fentress recognized HCHS and iLead Academy student Daniel Brooks, who has been accepted into the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics.

The Craft Academy, located on the campus of Morehead State University, is a dual-credit residential high school for academically exceptional students. Craft Academy provides students with a postsecondary residential experience to complete their junior and senior years of high school by enrolling in college courses. The Craft Academy's purpose is to meet the unique educational needs of academically gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors in the Commonwealth. The academic rigor of the Craft Academy challenges students to excel at their highest level through project-based STEM+X courses and hands-on learning experiences, with emphasis on innovation, design and creativity, and civic and regional engagement. The cost of tuition, housing and a meal plan at Craft Academy are free for Brooks, who said he intends to pursue a career in engineering.

Campbellsville University’s 35^th annual Excellence in Teaching Award Program recently honored 205 teachers throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 72 districts and/or private schools.

Although the ceremony wasn’t in person, a video was sent to each recipient with a welcome from Dr. Lisa Allen, Dean of the School of Education, who thanked them for the job they do and their impact on students in the coming years.

Henry County Public Schools were honored to have three of its teachers recognized at the Excellence in Teacher Award Program. They are: Lisa Rose, Campbellsburg Elementary School; Becky Wright, Henry County Middle School; and Andrew Shearer, Henry County High School.

The family of the late Donnie Tipton was recently presented with a tree planted in his honor by Henry County Public Schools. Tipton, who passed away just over two years ago, served as a dedicated member of the Board of Education for 26 years. The tree, a Cherokee Princess Dogwood donated and planted by Eric’s Curb Appeal LLC, will stand near one of Donnie’s favorite places – the football field of Henry County High School where he loved to watch his grandson play football. A final touch will be a memorial marker at the base of the tree. Pictured at the dedication are board member Steve Dent, Superintendent Terry Price, Donnie’s grandchildren Jaden Noel and Jake Noel, and his daughter Jennie Tipton Noel. Attending in spirit was Donnie’s wife, Kathy Tipton.