Volume 7, Issue #3
Spring 2014
Greetings!
I am sure I am not the only one who feels like this year has flown by. Despite the
unseasonably cold winter, much has been accomplished over the last 30 weeks, yet so much
remains to be done. At the special JCPS Board of Education meeting on March 31st, it was
decided that the last day of school for students will be June 6. That gives us very little
instructional time with our students. And now, we are now entering the most important phase of
our school year—KPREP testing. With our mission set at EVERY CHILD PROFICIENT, and
with the short time frame of the school year, time is of the essence.
Since I became the principal at FLOAN, I believed that we could be one of the great
schools in this district. Our non-cognitive growth certainly supports our elevation to that status.
We have consistently improved our attendance rates, reduced suspensions and disciplinary
infractions, and made significant progress within the culture of our school. The recent audit
conducted by the Kentucky Department of Education confirmed these strides. However, we
have not reached that next and most important step: moving out of the bottom 10% of schools in
the Commonwealth on the statewide KPREP assessment. In order to meet my expectations, we
must punch through the bottom of the pack on this assessment.
It takes the effort of everyone to make sure students are prepared. Student achievement
will ultimately be how we will be judged as a school. I firmly believe that when you put in work
and do things the right way, results are sure to follow. We have worked hard this year to provide
remediation to students behind, enrich those ahead, and provide students with the necessary
skills to be successful on this year's assessment. This year we tracked each individual student
on their progress, planned how to best help them through the use of professional learning
communities, and made sure students were partners in their own success through the use of
student data tracking journals. In the days ahead, we must make sure that students are
supported and feel confident to their best on the KPREP assessment, which will take place the
week of May 14.
We must all partner together to ensure that we have a smooth testing week and that
students come in ready to do their best. We will need the help of all staff, parents, and
community members to prepare our students for the test. Attendance, rest, and proper nutrition
are all ways that parents can assist us. In addition, speaking with their child about giving their
best effort on the test can have a tremendous impact. Our staff should communicate with
parents these strategies at every opportunity.
FLOAN’s teachers continue to impress me with their dedication and commitment to the
profession. Our teacher attendance in the last quarterly report was the highest amongst similar
schools in JCPS. Our students continue to come to us with high hopes and invigorating
enthusiasm. The district and the state are working closely with us and supporting us in all our
efforts. There is positive momentum, which need to convert to success the week of the
assessment.
The Kentucky Derby, which runs in May, is a long race – it covers a mile and a quarter.
When the horses come down the stretch, the strongest horses will push to the front of the pack
and, by digging deep, find the finish line first. We are at the final turn and, with four weeks to go;
it is now our time to dig deep.
Sincerely,
Bill Perkins
Principal, Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North
Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North Survives State Leadership Audit
By Nancy Sheffield
In January of this year, Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North underwent an External
Review by the Kentucky Department of Education to determine if the leadership in the building
was capable of leading the school in meeting state academic standards for students. The
External Review team focused its evaluation of FLOAN leadership on five Standards. Each of
the five Standards received a score from one to four with four being the highest score a school
could receive.
Standards and Scores
Standard 1
The school maintains and communicates a purpose and direction that commit to high
expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and
learning.
Standard 1 received a score of 2.
Standard 2
The school operates under governance and leadership that promote and support student
performance and school effectiveness.
Standard 2 received a score of 2.7.
Standard 3
The school’s curriculum, instructional design, and assessment practices guide and
ensure teacher effectiveness and student learning.
Standard 3 received a score of 2.25
Standard 4
The school has resources and provides services that support its purpose and direction to
ensure success for all students.
Standard 4 received a score of 2.7.
Standard 5
The school implements a comprehensive assessment system that generates range of
data about student learning and school effectiveness and uses the results to guide
continuous improvement.
Standard 5 received a score of 1.8.
Based on these scores, the External Review process found FLOAN leadership to
be very capable of meeting the expectations of the Standards and moving the school
toward academic improvement. The team left FLOAN leadership with five Improvement
Priorities that are being addressed through the School Improvement Plan.
Improvement Priorities




Develop and implement a clearly defined process to ensure the curriculum is monitored
and adjusted regularly to provide all students with equitable, challenging and
individualized learning opportunities to be successful and prepared for the next level.
Ensure that like courses have the same high learning experiences and that learning
activities are individualized for each student in a way that supports achievement of
expectations.
Design and implement new practices that ensure teachers engage students in their
learning through the use of instructional strategies such as personalization of learning,
authentic use of technology, student collaboration, development of critical thinking skills,
etc. Monitor and evaluate implementation of these strategies to ensure improvement in
student achievement.
Initiate a collaborative process to examine current grading polices and the extent to
which they contribute to rigorous course work and high academic expectations. Use the
results of this examination to revise grading policies that assure academic grades are
based on content knowledge and skills and courses have the same high expectations.
Engage in a collaborative process to examine existing technology resources and
infrastructure, the school technology plan and planning process, and the extent to which
technology is being used by students as learning tools and resources. Use the results of
this examination to develop new policies, practices, expectations, etc., that will ensure
students frequently and consistently use technology as learning tools and resources.

Devise, deploy and document a system to monitor comprehensive information about
student learning, conditions that support student learning, and the achievement of school
improvement goals. Ensure that school leaders regularly communicate the results to all
stakeholder groups using multiple methods of delivery.
It is the goal of the leadership and the staff at Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North to
do all in their power to ensure that FLOAN students achieve mastery of academic
standards, so they will leave well-prepared for high school.
KPREP at FLOAN
KPREP Testing Information
As Olmsted Academy North continues its push toward proficiency, our students and staff have
been preparing for this year’s K-PREP test, Kentucky’s end of the year student assessment.
While the school schedule with Jefferson County Public Schools has been a constant work in
progress, the testing schedule has finally been decided.
The 2014 K-PREP Assessment will be begin on Wednesday, May 14 and conclude on
Wednesday, May 21. Each morning testing will begin at 7:40am; meaning it is vital that all
students arrive to school on time and with a good morning’s breakfast. Each day testing will last
approximately three hours concluding around 10:30am. While Olmsted Academy North has
worked to make testing as manageable as possible for students and families, students need to
make sure they are getting plenty of sleep the night before testing to ensure they are able to
stay awake throughout the various test sessions.
With the importance of student attendance throughout the K-PREP testing window, we request
that all students avoid doctor or other appointments during these days. If any student who
misses a testing session, that student will be required to make-up those tests during Olmsted
Academy North’s Make-Up testing days on beginning Thursday, May 22 to Wednesday, May
28.
Students have been working hard in preparation for the coming tests in each of their gradespecific contents. The tested subjects this year will be:
6th – Reading, Math, Language Mechanics, and On-Demand Writing
7th – Reading, Math, Science
8th – Reading, Math, Social Studies, On-Demand Writing
While testing can be a stressful time for students and staff alike, we encourage students to use
testing strategies, such as E.D.G.E. and S.R.E., stay on task throughout testing sessions, and
attempt to complete all parts of the test which students have been using throughout the school
year. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Shannon Brutscher at Olmsted Academy
North at (502) 486-8331 or contact her by email at [email protected].
How Can You Help Your Son Succeed on the KPREP?
Did you know that 56 Olmsted students missed scoring Proficient in Reading last year by five
questions or less? It’s true. That’s roughly 10 percent of our student population. One of the
reasons why students answer incorrectly is due to lack of test strategy skills; not always lack of
knowledge.
The K-PREP testing environment can be stressful for students and the test questions are not
simple; however, there are strategies to assist students in easing anxiety and being properly
prepared. Here are a few tips you can do at home to help prepare your student.
Start now with any schedule changes – the key is to slowly build up to testing. An
abrupt change in routine the night before the test can cause more harm than good
o Children need plenty or rest
o Healthy breakfast
o Exercise to burn off extra energy
o Minimal distractions (i.e. electronics, changes in routine, etc.)
Next week, our newsletter will focus on what students can do during the test. Meanwhile, here
are some helpful hints for year-round success.
•
•
•
•
Ask your child to read aloud then explain what they read in their own words
o Books/magazines
o Grocery lists
o Video game/movie inserts
o Instructions
Have your child “do the math” in everyday situations
o Estimate the cost of groceries in the basket
o Figure sales tax on a purchase
o Figure out percentage of an item per family member (what % of pizza would each
get)
o Figure the cost for your size family to do a certain paid activity
Encourage reading and math websites & homework completion daily
o Check out Olmsted Academy North’s webpage under “Students”, “Homework
Help” for resources
Proficiency Targets for KPREP
Reading—31%
Math—32%
Science—48%
Social Studies—44.7%
Writing—28.5%
Olmsted Parents
Parent Involvement Committee Notes
Although we are a few weeks away from summer, there are still plenty of opportunities for
parents to get involved at Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North! On May 8th, FLOAN will have
its Academic Showcase, where students will display quality pieces of student work and
celebrate their achievements. In addition, teachers will provide information about the K-PREP
test and how to make sure your student is prepared for the exam. More information will be
released soon about the Academic Showcase!
Orientation dates have been set for the upcoming school year. 6th Grade students will have their
orientation July 31 and August 1 from 1-5 PM. 7th and 8th Grade students will August 4 from 1-5
PM. Make-up dates for all grades will be on August 5th from 1-5 PM. Make sure to put the dates
on your calendar to meet your child’s teachers for the new school year!
Be sure to check the parent portal on Infinite Campus for updates on grades and other
important information to make sure your child finishes the year on a strong note! Thank you for
ensuring your child’s success at Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North!
PTSA Spotlight
Are you interested in getting more involved with what is happening at FLOAN? Would
you like to be a part of strengthening our students’ connection between home and school? One
foundational building block in our commitment to building positive family and community
relationships is the PTSA.
This semester, the PTSA is gearing up to finish the school year strong, as well as
preparing for the year ahead. Currently, the PTSA is busy planning fun incentives for our
students to encourage attendance during KPREP, May 14th-21st. Students will be given
opportunities to win exciting prizes each day they attend. Possible prizes include gift cards,
goody bags, and game balls with the goal of increasing student motivation and achievement.
As we prepare for the upcoming year, you can serve a vital role in this exciting process.
Board member positions are currently open for next year, and will be voted on in May. Another
way to become involved with the PTSA is simply to join! Our PTSA reached 76 members this
year, made up of committed parents, teachers, and students. With a successful school year
nearing its end and with a hopeful look to the year ahead, we know that together we can
accomplish much!
A Note from the Assistant Principals
Attendance on the Rise
After a long cold winter, Olmsted North's student attendance is on the rise. Our students'
attendance rate improved one percentage point from the 5th pupil month to the 6th. Please
continue to celebrate our students' success and to continue to encourage our students to attend
school on a daily basis.
Ryan Rodosky, 8th Grade AP
Olmsted’s Finest & Fantastically Fun Fridays
Do you know what’s really happening at the Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North—the
Obvious Choice for Young Men? Recess is back. We are instituting a program called “Fun
Fridays.” Each week, seventh grade students earn 30 minutes of recess. They go outside and
participate in fun activities if they’ve done the following:
1. Pass all of their classes.
2. Have a good referral record—no referrals.
3. Turn in all major assignments.
4. Stay out of PAC/ISAP.
At Olmsted, we know increased communication with parents allows for them and educators to
reinforce the school’s rules and procedures for those students who may have difficulty
understanding and living up to FLOAN’s academic expectations. We extend “Fun Fridays” to all
7th graders who track their academic and behavioral progress each day. Not only do they track
their progress, they share it with their parent(s) or guardian(s). Students who show improvement
in these two areas have an opportunity to participate in the Friday activities if the following tasks
are completed each day:
1. Meet the 5 behavioral and academic expectations.
2. Turn in their data sheet (Green) to the assistant principal.
3. Get their parents to sign the data sheet (Green).
In addition, these students participate in a mentoring program. Each of these students is
assigned a mentor. Each mentor meets with students to discuss issues they face and support
them in developing a plan of action, which enables them to make better choices throughout the
week. During one meeting, one mentor group discussed being successful in school. Students
created steps they must take to ensure they are successful in school. Also, they provided their
mentor with insight on how teachers can help them. In an upcoming session, this group will
discuss the transition from “Blamed to Blameless.” This session will focus on how to change
others perceptions of them and giving others the opportunity to 1) see their true gifts and talents
2) give them an opportunity to start over and 3) empower them to take charge of their own
destiny.
In conclusion, we’ve implemented this program for almost six weeks and we’ve already
seen very good results. The hard facts aren’t in yet, but we’ve seen a big decrease in the
number of referrals that are being written. In general, teachers report that student behaviors in
the classroom have improved. Our data sheets for those students who have difficulty following
the school’s academic expectations reveal their behaviors are improving better than we ever
imagined. Although this program isn’t a magic potion, it is making a difference in the lives of
Olmsted’s finest—students, parents, teachers, and school leaders.
Here is a special thanks to our mentors for approximately 30 students.
Mr. Davidson (FRYSC), Mr. Burney (Success Coach), Mr. Boyd (Home School Coordinator),
Ms. Lockard (7/8 Counselor), Ms. Bowman (6/7 Counselor), and Mr. Buntyn (7th Grade
Assistant Principal)
Mr. Buntyn, 7th Grade AP
THE COUNSELORS’ CORNER
Enrollment/Orientation for 2014-2015
Wow! It is time to begin thinking about beginning a new school year. The dates have been set
for enrollment/orientation. Please mark these dates on your calendar.
July 30th and July 31st ----6th grade----1 pm to 5 pm
August 4th--------------------7th/8th grade----1 pm to 5 pm
August 5th-------------------Make Up Day for all grades--------1 pm to 5 pm
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
The schedule for the 8th grade Promotion Ceremony is as follows:
Team Winning Colors: Ceremony begins in auditorium at 8:00 AM
Team Determine: Ceremony begins in auditorium at 9:00 AM
After the ceremony students will proceed to the upper gym where they will receive their
promotion packet. Inside this packet will be a promotion certificate and any awards the students
earned. Parents will be able to sign their student out at this time.
Bullying: Stop-Walk-Talk
A big, tough kid stops a smaller kid on his way to school and threatens to hurt him unless he
hands over his lunch money. The popular boys at school won’t let anyone sit at their lunch table
except their friends. A child is telling stories about another child and getting everyone around to
laugh at what is being said. These three bullying scenarios and others happen more often than
most adults realize. Seventy-four percent of eight to eleven year olds say teasing and bullying
happen at their school. The question to ask at this point is, “What is bullying?”
There are five types of bullying:
Relational bullying, sometimes referred to as “social” or “psychological” bullying. This
takes the form of disrupting another student’s peer relationships through gossiping,
whispering and spreading rumors. It also includes turning your back on them, giving
them the silent treatment, leaving them out.
o Cyber-bullying, sometimes referred to as social bullying, is often indirect; students
communicate negative representations of the target to third parties, often through social
network sites, instant messaging, texting, chat rooms, posting on web pages or blogs.
o Verbal bullying such as threatening, taunting, intimidating, insulting, sarcasm, teasing,
ridiculing, making faces, rolling eyes and other gestures.
o Physical bullying includes both the person (such as hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking,
pinching, holding a person down) and their possessions (through extorting money,
stealing or causing damage to possessions).
o Sexual bullying, sometimes referred to as sexual harassment, which includes
unwanted sexual attention and comments, gender-demeaning remarks and jokes, using
sexually offensive names, circulating pornography, touching the private parts of another
student’s body, molestation, assault, and rape.
Many parents do not think that bullying is as big a problem as bringing a weapon to school or
drug use but its effects can be severe and long lasting. Every day, nearly 160,000 children miss
school because they are scared of bullying, according to the National Education Association.
Bullying does not only negatively affect its victims, but also the bullies themselves.
o
Children who are bullied are more likely to:
o
o
o
o
Do poorly in school
Have low self-esteem
Be depressed
Turn violent behavior to protect themselves or get revenge on their bullies
Children who bully are more likely to:
o
o
o
Do poorly in school
Smoke and drink alcohol
Commit crimes in the future
Warning signs that your child is being bullied are:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Withdrawal
A loss of friends
A drop in grades
A loss of interest in activities he previously enjoyed
Torn clothing
Bruises
A need for extra money or supplies
Frequent headaches, stomachaches, trouble sleeping or bad dreams
Tips for Parents on What to Do About Bullying
Encourage your child to report bullying incidents to you and to their school counselor.
Treat the school as your ally by sharing your child’s concerns and specific information
about bullying incidents with the school counselor.
o Use school personnel as resources in finding positive ways to encourage respectful
behaviors at school.
o Teach your child to solve problems without using violence and praise them when they
do.
o Give children positive feedback when they behave well to help build their self-esteem.
o Help give your child self-confidence to stand up for what they believe in.
o If you see any bullying, stop it right away, even if your child is the one doing the bullying.
o Encourage your child to help others who need it.
o Be supportive of the school’s bully prevention program.
At Fredrick Law Olmsted Academy North (FLOAN), we believe that all students have a right
to a safe and healthy school environment. FLOAN recognizes that bullying is an
inappropriate behavior that has destructive and negative effects on individual students and
on the overall climate of a school. FLOAN has an obligation to promote mutual respect,
tolerance, and acceptance. FLOAN will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of
any student. At FLOAN, students will be educated by staff in all grade levels to help them
identify and respond to the dangers of bullying. In order to help FLOAN address bullying
issues it is necessary for parents to contact administration whenever bullying behaviors
need to be addressed.
o
o
Ms. Bowman, 6th/7th Grade Counselor
Health Corner
At Fredrick Law Olmsted Academy North (FLOAN), we believe in educating the whole child.
This includes the growth of a child socially, cognitively, emotionally, and physically. Engaging
students in physical activities promotes health and fitness while teaching valuable lessons in
teamwork, discipline, citizenship, following rules, listening, and problem solving.
At FLOAN, students will receive instruction to promote making healthy choices. This instruction
will focus on the benefits of good nutritional choices, healthy habits, physical education
(PE)/physical activity as reflected in the Kentucky Program of Studies and Program Review. To
ensure that our school promotes student wellness, every student will have PE for at least one
semester in their time at FLOAN.
Our goal for next year is to encourage healthy lifestyles among students school-wide by
addressing mental health by providing Suicide Prevention Training to staff and address suicide
prevention with students on an annual basis. We will also continue to implement the nutritional
standards required by federal and state laws and regulations, and also to make every effort to
avoid using unhealthy food as a reward in classes and in clubs.
Get involved in healthy living at home! Encourage your child/ren to get active when they’re at
home instead of sitting in front of the TV or computer. Offer fruits and vegetables as snacks.
Make sure you are all drinking plenty of water, and cut back on soda and sugary beverages.
Most importantly, lead by example! You are always invited to join any Health and/or PE class
here at Olmsted. Our doors are always open, and we would love to have you!
Student of the Year
Every year the Middle School Counselors host a breakfast where counselors choose one 8th
grade student to receive Student of the Year Award.
The chosen student is an individual who has overcome obstacles, achieved academic and
social success, and has been a peace maker within their school. This year, the counselors
nominated Bobby Huffman.
Congratulations to Bobby Huffman. Well deserved!
Mrs. Carol Lockard, 8th Grade Counselor
ACADEMICS
JCPS 2014 Summer Reading List - LFPL Supported Titles
Summer before 6th grade
(Becoming a member of the middle school literacy community)
Tangerine
Esperanza Rising
The City of Ember
Taking Sides
The Dream Keeper & Other
Poems by Langston Hughes
Holes
Wonder
The One & Only Ivan
Edward Bloor
Pam Munoz Ryan
Jeanne DuPrau
Gary Soto
ed. Brian Pinkney
Louis Sachar
R.J. Palacio
Katherine Applegate
Summer before 7th grade
(Building A Community of Readers & Writers)
Seedfolks
Paul Fleischman
Belle Teal
Ann M. Martin
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Gennifer Choldenko
Schooled
Gordon Korman
Love That Dog
Sharon Creech
A Girl Named Disaster
Nancy Farmer
Fairest
Gail Carson Levine
Kids at Work
Russell Freedman
Remember World War II: Kids
Who Survived to Tell Their Stories National Geographic
Titanic: Voices From the Disaster
Deborah Hopkinson
Summer before 8th grade
(Building A Literacy Community)
Firegirl
Tony Abbott
The House On Mango Street
Uglies
Zen & The Art of Faking It
The Report Card
Sandra Cisneros
Scott Westerfeld
Jordan Sonnenblink
Andrew Clements
The Jumping Tree
Guts
Rene Saldana, JR.
Gary Paulsen
I Have A Dream, the Story of
Martin Luther King
Jackie's Nine
Okay For Now
The Alchemist
Miles To Go for Freedom:
Segregation and Civil Rights in the
Jim Cross Years
Margaret Davidson
Sharon Robinson
Gary Schmidt
Michael Dylan Scott
Linda Barrett Osborne
Math
Students are working hard in the math department! Sixth graders have been working with twodimensional geometry and are getting ready to move on to the third dimension. Seventh graders
are learning all about area and circumference of circles. Eighth graders are learning about
volume of cylinders, cones and spheres. In all grades students are making sure they show their
work and use correct units on their measurements. Out young mathematicians are precise!
Many students are also using computer programs to extend their learning. Ask your students if
he has a log in for IXL, Khan Academy, Successmaker, Carnegie Learning or Study Isalnd.
Most of those programs will allow your student to work from home!
In other news, students will be taking final exams soon. Each grade-level will be testing students
on material they have learned this year. These tests will happen after the KPREP test in your
student’s regular math classes.
Social Studies
Social Studies classes are working hard to improve our KPREP scores for this school year. As
we reflect on what gains we have made we must remember that there is still lots of work left to
do. We will continue to work hard as instructional classroom teachers’ and demand the very
same from our students.
In 6th Grade Social Studies, students are continuing their studies of different international
perspectives. Students learned about the European Union and its importance to the social,
economic, and political life of many Europeans. In addition, students analyzed the challenges
Russia and Eastern Europeans countries faced as they transitioned from a command to a
market economy.
Students have recently finished the unit on Southwest Asia and how oil prices fluctuate which
produces unstable gas prices in Louisville. Students traced the average price of gasoline in
Louisville for two weeks and attempted to correlate it with changes in oil production. All of the
students loved it! :)
Students are now entering the unit on monotheistic religions. Students will investigate the
central teachings of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to find similarities and differences among
them. In addition, students will learn about Hinduism and Buddhism and their importance to the
daily lives of South Asians. For any questions on content or grades, please contact Mr. Burton
at [email protected] or Mr. Lamb at [email protected]!
In 7th Grade Social Studies the students have been taken on a whirlwind trip through the
world’s greatest civilizations. They have studied: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Phoenicia, China, India,
Japan, Greece, and Rome, Aztecs, Incas and more. While studying each of the civilizations the
students have investigate these ancient people’s government, culture and accomplishments.
The students read, discuss, watch and investigate various sources of information throughout the
year.
We are currently covering the Middle Ages in Europe. The students are really enjoying learning
the realities of castles, kings, knights, war and the Black Death most of all. The students
regularly ask questions tying the information to movies, books, and video games, which lets us
dig deeper into the myth surrounding the Middle Ages. We will finish out the year by studying
the amazing advancements of the Renaissance and the way the Age of Exploration changed
the world with the discovery of new lands. Please contact Mr. Schemer at
[email protected] or Ms. Megan Hardin-Riley at [email protected]
As the 2013-2014 academic school year is coming around the final turn, the 8th Grade Social
Studies teams are chomping at the bit and striving for success. In the coming weeks, students
will be using the knowledge they have gained over the past eight months to demonstrate the
success that exists within Olmsted Academy North on the K-PREP state tests. Much like history
in general, while we are keeping a steady pace toward the future, it is important to keep in mind
the journey we have taken. Since our last update in the fall, 8th grade social studies students
have learned about the formation of this great country. From the causes of the American
Revolution, students were able to understand the patriotic and rebellious nature of our country
and the ideas of justice, equality, and our never-ending pursuit of happiness as written in the
U.S. Declaration of Independence. Most recently students have been studying the events of
America throughout the early 19th century as our nation was struggling to remain together in
preservation of our union. Students focused on the various compromises that were
spearheaded by Kentuckian Henry Clay as a means to keep Northern and Southern antagonists
at bay.
In the coming weeks, students will continue in their preparation for the K-PREP test as we begin
to examine the crumbling Union that existed in the 1850’s and lead to the eventual collapse that
occurred during the American Civil War. As the southern recession comes into our focus,
students will work to understand the causation of the war itself and study the importance of
Abraham Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Northern Victory in setting the path
for the American South for the next 100 years.
While the school year may be coming to an end, it is important to remember that this year is not
over and students at Olmsted Academy North still have much to learn. As a department of
teachers, we have set high standards and goals for each of our students and encourage each of
them to push themselves and their limits as they reach new levels of success. Through a
continual focus on student success, our teachers have a great pride in the abilities of our
students. If parents or families have any questions or concerns about their child’s academic
progress and overall success, please contact any of our teachers at school at (502) 485-8331 or
feel free to email any of our teachers at the following:
Ms. Moss at [email protected];
Mr. Heberlein at [email protected] or
Mr. Pierce at [email protected].
Science
This is the first year of the new science standards. Students have been working hard in their
science classes to prepare for the upcoming KPREP testing. The sixth grade students are
finishing up the year by studying chemistry. They have been mixing chemicals and reading the
Periodic Table of Elements. They will continue studying chemistry until the end of the school
year.
The seventh grade students are getting ready for the KPREP testing. They will be taking the
test on material they learned in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade. They are presently studying physics
and will end the year with a short K-Prep Review.
The eighth grade students are finishing up the year by studying light. and are also receiving
instruction on computer skills. The 8th grade teachers have been very supportive to the
Language Arts and Math teachers by including those skills in their lessons.
All students will have one more Science Proficiency and will end the school year by taking a
Final Exam.
Transition Room
The students of the Transition Room, a place for 2nd chances and new beginnings, have been
very busy lately. We made cards for Valentine's Day for a local nursing home and delivered
them one day after school. We just completed Alphabet books that we will be taking to a
daycare and reading to the small children. We are constantly working on being positive and
doing the right thing--even in hard situations!
We strive to be fair, trustworthy, kind, respectful, responsible, and meet the goals we set for
ourselves.
WIN (WHAT I NEED)
Students have been participating in intervention and enrichment classes based on their needs
throughout the school year. The classes include Successmaker, Read 180, Corrective Reading,
Do The Math Now, Advanced Literacy, Kentucky Youth Assembly, WIN PLUS after-school and
much more. Recently, advanced math students led by Ms. Namay have started peer tutoring for
6th or 7th graders struggling in math. We have seen great results from these classes as
students have worked tirelessly to improve their reading and math skills. In fact, the average
student using Successmaker reading shows 2 months of reading growth in less than 5 hours on
the program. Many Read 180 students have increased their reading lexile levels by 100 points.
As we finish out the school year, we will continue ensuring that every child gets what they need!
RELATED ARTS DEPARTMENT
The Related Arts department is dedicated to the development of a diverse spectrum of rigorous
learning experiences in every related arts classroom. All related arts teachers have been hard at
work in department and PLC meetings to develop focused students centered activities for every
class.
The Related Arts department is honored to participating in the mayor’s annual Give a Day
Project. The Give a Day Project allows over 500 students to learn about the importance of
service learning and giving back to their community.
The music department has partnered with Kosair Children's Hospital to develop a two-step
project in which music students will fundraiser to donate toys for the hospital's multiple
playrooms. Lastly a select group of music students perform for Kosair patients on a Saturday
field trip.
Students in arts and humanities classes will create found object sculpture, utilizing recycled
items from the Olmsted grounds and surrounding area. These sculptures will be used by the
arts and humanities classes to hold an art exhibit.
Students in technology classes are creating power point presentations that will warn younger
students against the dangers of online predators as well as discuss the problem of cyber
bullying. These presentations will be examined by students in the Spanish course and
translated into Spanish. These final power point presentations will be sent to JCPS elementary
schools with a high percentage of ESL students for viewing.
Engineering students will work on building to scale sketch models of compost bins, and
measure out the correct pieces. Physical education and practical living students will clean up
the field outside; students will learn about what materials can be composted, what can’t.
Practical Living students will learn about food processing, and what kinds of food can be
composted. Consumer education students will also cover topics related to food processing and
consumerism.
Music Department
Practicing Is Very Important
By Asa Gathright, 8th Grader and Musician
When you practice you want to get better right? When you practice you need to find your sweet
spot when you play. The sweet spot is when you mess up on your scales, music or anything
that you need to work on. If you don’t practice, you are not being reliable to your team; this is
for sports, music, etc. This year our Olmsted orchestra got Proficient in the KWA. In football,
we were district champions for our third year in a row. Without us practicing this wouldn’t have
happened and we wouldn’t have had this kind of success in school. Now do you see why
practice is so important?
My friend, Bobby Huffman, a center right tackle and nose guard for the Olmsted football team
said, “I practice three hours every day in practice and even on my own private time. I want to be
successful at what I do and I’m devoted; this is how my football team and myself got this far.” If
you want to be successful you have to devote everything to whatever you are doing. This is
how you get far in life.
The orchestra only has eight students, but they practice their music every day to make sure
every note is in tone and to give their best effort. This is all to make the school proud. Mr.
Brogdon tells the students to practice an hour every day. This helps them with their music and
to feel comfortable with their instrument. By practicing, the orchestra was able to get the
Proficient at KWA. If you didn’t know, KWA is the event where all the orchestras from around
Jefferson County get together and are judged on how good they are. Some of the things they
are judged on are posture, intonation, and presentation. Without practicing, we would not have
been able to receive our high score.
Practicing is very important to life. Without it, you would not be successful. If you practice for
your whole life, you can become what you want to be. The question is: how hard will you try?
ATHLETICS
Baseball
Spring Sports are underway and it’s no surprise that Colts Soccer and Baseball teams are off to
a good start. The Colts Baseball team is into full swing right now with a very talented mix of 6th,
7th, and 8th grade students this year. 8th graders Herbert Helton and Nicholas Grassman are
leading the team in hitting, and we have a solid pitching staff led by 6th grader Keegan Shears
and 7th grader Harrison Blanton. Colts baseball games are very exciting to watch as we are
always on the move, either hitting, stealing bases, or making the fundamental plays in the field.
Our coaching staff is looking to capitalize on a lack of experience with their coaching knowledge
and a consistent dose of hard work in practice. It is a very competitive district in baseball and
our players have a tough climb to get to the championship this year. To see our complete
schedule and results go to www.glmsbaseball.com, go to Varsity AA and look up Olmsted
North. We’d love to see you at some of our games, and as always GO COLTS!!
Football Skills
Other things in store for Athletics this spring include Football Skills club which is going very well.
Attendance is high and players are really impressed with how the workouts are helping them get
better. Coaches are very impressed with the amount of talent, hard work and camaraderie they
are seeing this year. They are hoping to capitalize on our student’s love of football so that we
can dominate once again in the fall. Some things to look forward to in the future include hopes
for a Colts Mascot, and a celebration of winning programs, successful coaches, and top notch
Student Athletes who move on to compete in high school programs around the city. There are
several Olmsted North players who have gone on to compete in College programs around the
region, including former baseball and basketball players and we hope to continue to develop
young talent the right way in order for them to be successful in high school and beyond. We
would also like to make the lower gym into a source of Olmsted North Pride just as the upper
gym by adding a Colts mural and possibly adding glass backboards. Furthermore, with the
Olmsted Chess team have tremendous success this year as State Runner-Up, Regional
Runner-Up, JCPS District Runner-Up and JCPS North District Champion we’d love to add their
banners to the gym as well as Soccer and Baseball banners if they have the success they are
hoping to this year also! Also for next year Olmsted North Athletics is hoping to add a Track
program to the list of Athletics.
Soccer
Olmsted Soccer is carrying on the traditions they began last year—a winning season with a
focus on academics, leadership, and teamwork. The Colts are currently undefeated with a 6-0
record. Olmsted leads the district in goals; the top three scorers in Jefferson County— 8th
grader Ahmed Abdullahi, and 7th graders Aung Win and Irakoze Chartier—are all proud
members of the Olmsted team. Goalie Wah Doe Moo, along with starting defenders Bakdad
Mohamed, Miguel Estrada, Mowlid Ali, and Eh Hla continue to be an integral part of the team’s
success, allowing only a single goal in six games. Frequent team captains, Day Po, Jonathan
Morales, and Sadam Ibrahim are midfielders of such caliber, any middle school would be lucky
to have them. In addition to our starters, Olmsted Soccer is supported by veterans and
newcomers alike who continue to play with heart and skill.
FLOAN soccer is exciting to watch. These young men put in every ounce of effort into the
game, and yet are humble and generous with each win. The attitudes and successes in the
classroom, as well as on the field, have attracted attention for our 7th and 8th graders from a
wide range of quality high schools. High School coaches, as well as our competitors are now
watching FLOAN soccer. We’d love to have all of the Olmsted community cheering on the
Colts. Games are home on Tuesdays at 5:30. For a complete schedule, be sure to check the
Olmsted website. Good luck to the team and Coaches Nik Heberlein and Lauren Nichols as
they finish out a winning season!
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
KUNA
Olmsted just returned from another successful trip to the Kentucky United Nations Assembly
(KUNA). 20 students participated in the assembly by representing the nations of China and
Spain. The students prepare for the assembly by researching their country, writing a proposal,
preparing speeches, and building cultural displays. During the conference, the students debate
issues that are presented and vote on the feasibility, creativity, and global impact of the
presentation. The group representing China proposed to install scrubbers in coal burning power
plants in an effort to reduce global pollution. The group representing Spain proposed to provide
incentives to finish high school in order to combat the skyrocketing drop-out rate. Even
considering the high level of competition with students from all across Kentucky participating,
Olmsted North did more than hold their own. China’s group won an award for proposal passed
in summits; out of 40+ proposals, only 8 receive this award. China’s proposal was also
endorsed by the Secretary General which means it will be sent on to the Kentucky United
Nations to be read. China also won the Secretary General’s Choice Award; only one of these
awards is given based on high ranking, passage in summit, interview with the Secretary
General, and importance in the global community. China’s also won Outstanding Country
Sign. China and Spain both won the award for Delegation of Excellence. Individual awards
were also earned: Kenny Tran won an award for outstanding speaker and Kenneth Jones won
Outstanding Ambassador. Overall, it was a very successful educational experience for the
students.
College and Career Day
The 2014 College and Career Day was great success. This year’s event was supported by the
Community and featured eight local colleges, including Harvard University. In addition to the top
eight employers in the area, the LMPD, the Fire Department and Louisville Water Company also
participated. Over thirty professional men, with representatives from the Governor and Mayors
offices, shared their educational journeys with our young men. A special thanks to KFC who
provided lunch for our visitors.
Olmsted Clubs
Other Clubs are: Art Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes FCA, History Club, Battle of the
Books, (ALS) American Sign Language, Young Men A Cappella, Brass Choir, Men of Quality,
Science Club and Student Council.