Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Bluegrass Community Health Center that serves Clark County Public Schools (CCPS) is expanding.

The CCPS Board of Education voted to approve a three-year lease to occupy an additional 1,700 square feet at the Phoenix Academy’s former location at 100 Vaught Road during its monthly meeting in December.

“They provide a lot of services for our kids,” said CCPS Chief Operations Officer Brandon Watkins.

The clinic opened in the fall of 2021 and offers full primary care, including vaccinations and wellness exams, for students, their extended families and district staff. Clinic staff also travel to district schools to provide services.

Watkins said that expanding the clinic will allow for more services to be offered, such as dental services.

The lease will require approval from the Kentucky Department of Education.

District to explore Green Schools program

Brittany Wray of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education briefed the board on the state’s Green Schools program.

“It’s a program designed to inspire students to develop environmentally friendly behavior and to feel empowered to take active steps toward creating a greener and healthier world starting in their school environments,” Wray said.

The free program provides interactive investigation kits so that upper elementary to high school students can learn more about the environmental impact around their buildings. Once the investigation is complete, students are tasked with designing an action project based on their research.

Wray said that there are many ways students benefit from participating in the program.

“They’ll certainly develop leadership and problem-solving skills. You’ll see a boost in environmental literacy and stewardship skills. They will develop a deeper connection to nature and their sense of place. One of the biggest benefits is the teamwork experience and community-building,” she said.

Howard said the district plans to pursue a pilot program for individual teachers during the 2024-25 school year.

Outgoing food services director honored

Clark County Public Schools recognized the woman who has helped keep its students fed for the past two decades.

“The last young lady that we want to recognize has led our food services department for many years and is very well respected throughout the state of Kentucky,” Howard said. “With all the warmth in my heart, I want to recognize Mrs. Becky Lowry.

Lowry will retire in December; the board meeting was her last regularly scheduled one.

In other news …

• The board recognized the GRC boys golf team for advancing to the 2023 KHSSA Boys State Golf Tournament in Bowling Green.

• The board also recognized Baker Intermedia teacher Lindsay Wagoner, Campbell Junior High teachers Lauren Whittaker and Cara Mounts, district OT Angela Thomas and students from both schools for making a coffee cart project successful at each institution.

• The district’s financial audit by Patrick & Associates came back with no discrepancies and was approved by the board.

• Thirty district teachers will receive their English as a Second Language certification next spring from Eastern Kentucky University. All participating teachers have signed a two-year retention contract to stay in the district after completing the program.