HCS Connections Newsletter - December 2024

Hopkins County Schools’ Deeper Learning initiative brings lessons to life for students. 

Fifth-graders at Pride Elementary dressed in colonial attire to simulate a school day from long ago and created a cookbook filled with their own family recipes. Art students at Jesse Stuart Elementary learned about self-portraits through history and then created one, doing it “their own way.” Agri-biology students at Madisonville North Hopkins High plan science and agriculture lessons for second-graders at the annual Fall on the Farm event.

“The purpose of Deeper Learning is to ensure students acquire not only basic academic knowledge but also develop critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills,” said Wendy Mitchell, district director of elementary education. “This initiative seeks to prepare the whole child for success in college, careers, and life by fostering not just an understanding of content, but applying knowledge in the real world.”

Read the full story on the district website.

This story was published in the Hopkins County Regional Chamber of Commerce 2025 Magazine.

Hopkins County Schools wants to recognize employees and students for good deeds and kindness shown to others. Remember Your Why Award winners may be nominated by any district stakeholder, including staff, students, parents, and community members.

Through the theme "Remember Your Why," faculty and staff are encouraged to focus on what’s most important – the reason they went into education or chose to work in the schools. This initiative was initially designed to motivate staff. We always want to be there for our students! It has since been expanded to include students. Raising motivation levels will have positive impacts on students, parents, co-workers, and the community.

Hopkins County Schools teacher David Moss has been selected to represent Kentucky in the SBO+ magazine issue featuring 50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference. The December issue was released recently.

Moss teaches at both West Hopkins School and Hopkins County Central High School. He is band director at WHS and an assistant at HCCHS.

"I am grateful to be recognized by SBO Magazine, but the real difference makers are the students, parents, and colleagues that I get to work with on a daily basis that make my job the best in HCS,” he said. “I wake up every day grateful I am given the opportunity to make a difference in our part of Hopkins County." 

This award highlights music educators who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students and their communities through music.

Moss doesn’t know who nominated him, but said he wants to thank that person. He received this award once before, in 2006. This is the 25th year SBO+ has released this special edition.

West Hopkins Principal Eric Stone said, “This prestigious award comes to no surprise to me as David Moss is an exceptional band instructor who continuously strives for excellence in our school and community. Mr. Moss is not only a role model and mentor but also a positive influence on every life he touches. This comes as no surprise to anyone at ‘The Ridge,’ as Mr. Moss consistently makes a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone at West Hopkins. His unwavering commitment to our students and the community is truly unparalleled. Every student in our school, whether they are part of the band or not, knows that Mr. Moss is always there to support them and help them achieve their goals.”

HCCHS Principal Mike Zimmer also praised Moss.

“Mr. Moss is one of the most compassionate and caring educators that I have had the pleasure of getting to work with,” Zimmer said. “This mentality is why he is able to make a difference in the lives of his students.”

Hopkins County Schools Title 1 and Celebrate Literacy Hopkins County teamed up to give away books to kids while offering special children’s literacy activities at The Flight Before Christmas. This special event sponsored by the city of Madisonville was held at Madisonville Regional Airport. There was a great turnout!