Field Trips

Out-of-state travel for school sports teams would be restricted to only competitive trips under a new board policy. The Jessamine County Board of Education approved the first reading Monday night of a policy that would prohibit “non-competitive” and “non-curricular” out-of-state field trips. The change would become official board policy if it passes a second reading. Board members had indicated they desired such a policy in June when they denied a trip for the West Jessamine soccer team to go to South Carolina for “team training and team bonding.” Another West Jessamine trip, this one for the baseball team to go to Florida for a tournament over spring break, was up for approval at the meeting Monday.

The weather was gloomy Wednesday, with grey skies and cold morning rain, but the kids inside the Community Arts Center filled the square footage with so much bright enthusiasm, it was hard to tell. The first visitors to “SPACE … Imagine That!,” our blockbuster exhibit presented by Danville Pediatrics and Primary Care, created a buzz throughout the hallways. Volunteers and Community Arts Center staff were impressed by the level of inquisitiveness the students expressed. The right stuff The NASA photography in the Farmers National Bank Gallery drew kids with its ethereal shots of rockets taking off into blue skies, thick, white smoke trailing behind them.

A new school-board policy prohibiting out-of-state travel except for learning or competition went into effect Monday after the Jessamine County Board of Education passed the second reading. The board also approved a West Jessamine baseball trip that was tabled after concerns about the cost. Board members indicated they desired the policy in June when they denied a trip for the West soccer team to go to South Carolina for “team training and bonding.” The new policy prohibits “non-competitive” and “non-curricular” out-of-state field trips.

The Jessamine County Board of Education narrowly approved six overnight and out-of-state field trips after discussing concerns about supervision and conduct on such trips at its meeting on Nov. 23. Board member Eugene Peel said he was worried specifically about a proposed trip to Georgia and Florida by the East Jessamine High School baseball team. Peel said he had heard about East baseball players allegedly sneaking out of their room and drinking alcohol on a similar trip last spring.

Every year, schools across the country take field trips to the pumpkin patch or the zoo, but local schools are putting together big trips, taking groups to iconic sites throughout the Eastern United States. According to Montessori representative Pat Critchfield, schools are under an obligation to expose children to these exotic experiences. "Some people say you bring the world to the child," said Critchfield. "But it's really more important to bring the child to the world so they can make a connection and have an interaction.

Farmer and author Joel Salatin will share his views on "Healing the Planet, One Plate at a Time" at the 17th annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference Jan. 16-19 at the Galt House Hotel and Suites in Louisville. A Taste of Kentucky dinner featuring Kentucky Proud foods will conclude the conference Jan. 19. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's marketing office will gather the Kentucky Proud foods for the dinner. Kentucky farmer and author Wendell Berry will host a pre-conference conversation on Jan. 17. There is no charge to attend.

Nine-year-old Zemond Turley, jumped as high as he could but couldn't catch a ball kicked over his head at the Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Department Summer Day Camp at College Park Monday. The camp, for children ages 6-11, runs through July 10. It features activities daily and some field trips, including two trips to the Community Pool and hiking at the Civil War Fort at Boonesboro. Sign-ups are still open. James Mann/jmann@winchestersun.com

When it came time for Centre College's winter term, James Hoover was up to new tricks. Hoover admits he's not much of a magician, but he is teaching his students about magic in the Indian culture. The January term occurs in the dead of winter, but Anne Lubbers is keeping a green outlook on things with her class, "An American Obsession: The Lawn. " These are only a couple of the unusual offerings during the three-week winter term. Many take place abroad. This year students will have an opportunity to explore: economic development in Ecuador; art, architecture and choral music in Rome, Venice and Florence; literature in New Orleans; sustainable architecture and permanent agriculture in Australia; and Russian culture in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Dear Editor: We want to say thanks to all who helped make our 34th Annual Forkland Heritage Festival & Revue such a great success. To all of those who worked each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to clean and decorate to make everything look good for the two- day event for so many people to enjoy and take a walk back in time of days gone by from the oldest to the youngest. Thanks to all who donated items, furnished us with music, entertainment and food, thanks to craftsmen and thanks to to the many visitors who came from 17 states and 58 towns in Kentucky.

New technology is on the horizon for the school system's bus fleet that will go a long way in cutting down on student misbehavior on buses, school officials said. If approved, the technology will include a better video camera system that will allow much improved surveillance on buses. The proposed system has advantages, such as online access for parents to check bus route changes and possibly even track the progression of the bus on its route. Chris Bellman, transportation director, and Owen Saylor, assistant superintendent, outlined the proposal in a special presentation to the school board Monday night.

STANFORD - Two Lincoln County Middle School students were taken to the hospital last Wednesday after consuming energy drinks during a field trip to Eastern Kentucky University. Principal Debbie Sims said that during a 300-student excursion to the university in Richmond for a live dance performance, some students began purchasing energy drinks from a store in the main EKU food court. Sims said one student asked a teacher if he could purchase an energy drink and was given permission.

The Jessamine County Board of Education's final stamp of approval will go on the revised athletics handbook if the second reading passes June 25. Matt Moore, who has served as special-programs director but will move up into the new chief-of-staff position next year, presented the board with final revisions during its work session Monday. The newest changes add language about the district's expectations of coaches to maintain clean, sanitary facilities. Failure to complete an end-of-season checklist could result in delayed pay. The handbook sets no cap on parent out-of-pocket expenses for field trips, though the board had discussed imposing such a number at a previous meeting.

The legendary former astronaut Story Musgrave has come and gone, but the dome still stands to be discovered and Galileo still speaks the dangerous truth. There is a week left for the “SPACE … Imagine That!” exhibit, presented by Danville Pediatrics, at the Community Arts Center - Feb. 26 is the last day. The Discovery Dome has seen its fair share of fun and excitement. So has Galileo, as he continues to reign over his basement lair.  Numerous classes on school field trips, from near and far, have tromped through the hallways during the past two months, asking questions about the solar system, which astronaut is in which NASA photo and how they got to the moon, and how does the Theremin make the sound it does.  But the grandest reactions of all have come from inside the dome, where students and visitors from pre-school to high school age and even adults have been heard to gasp with amazement, squeal with delight and even shriek from unexpected surprises that pop up during the educational programs.

The weather was gloomy Wednesday, with grey skies and cold morning rain, but the kids inside the Community Arts Center filled the square footage with so much bright enthusiasm, it was hard to tell. The first visitors to “SPACE … Imagine That!,” our blockbuster exhibit presented by Danville Pediatrics and Primary Care, created a buzz throughout the hallways. Volunteers and Community Arts Center staff were impressed by the level of inquisitiveness the students expressed. The right stuff The NASA photography in the Farmers National Bank Gallery drew kids with its ethereal shots of rockets taking off into blue skies, thick, white smoke trailing behind them.

I want to publicly thank the Norton Center for the Arts staff for making our field trip from Burgin school to watch The Lucianna Souza trio a truly wonderful experience.  After expressing interest in the event via email, I received a prompt response from a Norton Center staff member. The staff member answered questions and provided directions to a free lesson plan that was available on the Norton Center's website regarding the Brazilian performers and their music. Once we arrived at the Norton Center, we were cordially welcomed by director Steve Hoffman and taken to our seats by a student volunteer.

A new school-board policy prohibiting out-of-state travel except for learning or competition went into effect Monday after the Jessamine County Board of Education passed the second reading. The board also approved a West Jessamine baseball trip that was tabled after concerns about the cost. Board members indicated they desired the policy in June when they denied a trip for the West soccer team to go to South Carolina for “team training and bonding.” The new policy prohibits “non-competitive” and “non-curricular” out-of-state field trips.

Out-of-state travel for school sports teams would be restricted to only competitive trips under a new board policy. The Jessamine County Board of Education approved the first reading Monday night of a policy that would prohibit “non-competitive” and “non-curricular” out-of-state field trips. The change would become official board policy if it passes a second reading. Board members had indicated they desired such a policy in June when they denied a trip for the West Jessamine soccer team to go to South Carolina for “team training and team bonding.” Another West Jessamine trip, this one for the baseball team to go to Florida for a tournament over spring break, was up for approval at the meeting Monday.

Beginning Aug. 1, local teenagers will have an opportunity to spend a fun-filled week learning about the environment and how to enhance, use and protect it for future generations, all for free. Eco Camp 2011 is a joint venture of local manufacturer Sekisui S-LEC America, the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service and several other community groups for teens ages 14-17. It will be from Aug. 1 to 5 at the Sekisui plant located at 1200 Rolling Hills Lane in the Winchester Industrial Park.

Two weeks ago, the Jessamine County Board of Education began a year-long review of its athletics policies. Monday, the board made its first big decision on athletics, denying what was termed a “non-competitive” out-of-state field trip, and members indicated they would deny any other such trips in the future. The request came from new West Jessamine High soccer coach Brock Sutherland, who proposed taking the team to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in July for “team training and team bonding,” according to the request form.