2022-23 School Year brings promise & potential

A new school year kicked off Wednesday as students returned to the classroom. Whether it was kindergartners learning how to line up for the restroom line, middle-schoolers learning how to access their lockers or seniors clocking in for their first profession-based experience in the workforce, the day marked the unlimited potential for over 4,000 young people.

With a new year also came new traditions. A couple of those included seniors at Nelson County High who organized a sunrise gathering as they embarked on the final year of their school journey. New Haven School adopted the house system this year and the Mustangs organized into their “stables” in a rousing ceremony in the gymnasium. 

Here’s to wishing all of our students and families a great year as we work to Unite People, Place and Purpose and achieve the NPossible.

August PRIDE Awards recognizes leaders' contributions

Every month The Nelson County Schools recognizes outstanding leaders with the PRIDE Awards. 

The August PRIDE Awards winners are:

Kasey Farley, Cafe Leader

Kasey is the perfect and positive example of always PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST and being a team player. She is quick to offer her knowledge in all aspects of being a cafe lead and promotes positivity. She takes great pride in serving the students of her OKH community and greets everyone with a smile. 

Aaron Richardson, Facility Lead at Cox’s Creek 

Aaron REIMAGINES POSSIBILITIES, he is always wanting to learn more and never hesitates to help fellow facility team members at their schools. He has also earned his wastewater certification so he can operate the wastewater plant at Cox’s Creek Elementary. He has a constant desire to grow.

Aaron Smith, Technology Lead 

INNOVATE AND GROW sums up Aaron’s two years with the NCS Technology Department. Aaron has helped several departments grow by designing innovative automated solutions that will impact our district for many years to come.

Aaron is an incredibly talented problem solver and is willing to jump in and help figure out any issue.

Ashley Glass, NCHS Arts Leader 

Ashley joined our NCHS community this summer and has hit the ground running. She has exemplified DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY by participating in the summer learning lab. As a new teacher her energy and passion to learn is contagious. She has spent many of her summer hours dedicated to cleaning and tending to the art and theatre space at NCHS so that it can serve our students this school year.

Kaitlyn Jaggers, Foster Heights Elementary Leader 

Kaitlyn is a constant positive force at Foster Heights and is dedicated to making sure that our Huskies have the best experience every day. This summer, Kaitlyn lead our Husky Kindercamp for our incoming students and coordinated with her team to bring it to life. In addition, she worked closely with the rest of our literacy team this summer to develop a literacy framework that will support teachers in their design of vibrant student experiences. She is constantly NRGIZING THOSE AROUND HER and building a sense of community that we know helps our Huskies thrive.

Next Gen Learning Teams focus on student learning

Students were back in class Wednesday, but teachers returned weeks earlier as Nelson County Schools focuses on how to best prepare students to deliver on the Next Generation Guarantee. 

Teams throughout the district united Aug. 9 to collaborate on best practices and methods. The process breaks down silos to enable classroom leaders to learn from one another and bring a unified vision for student instruction from pre-k through graduation. 

Nelson County Schools is committed to preparing every child for success and enabling every child to excavate their unique gifts, from those bound for college to students with special needs. By leveraging our classroom leaders’ innovation and experience, we are achieving the NPossible.

UP Center connects with workforce leaders through NELCO

The Nelson County UP Center connected with industry leaders during this month’s NELCO monthly meeting as NCS explores how to best prepare students to enter the workforce.

NELCO is a consortium that unites education, government and business that emphasizes employee training and development.

The event presented an opportunity for industry leaders to take an active role in shaping workforce preparedness through the public school system as the Area Technology Center transitions to the UP Center and expands its mission to touch all aspects of economic development.

“The UP Center will be a regional resource for Nelson and surrounding counties, serving students, families, adults and industries,” said Kelsey Berryman, director of the UP Center. “As we enter into the facility design process, we are hoping to partner with industries in our community to understand employers’ needs. We want to solve real challenges and create meaningful solutions to developing the future workforce.”

Berryman said the center will realize its full potential by learning first hand from employers how to best prepare graduates for their careers.

“The UP Center will only be successful when we are working in tandem with employers in our region to better understand the needs of the industry for our programs, so that we can continually innovate and grow. Community partnerships could range from quarterly conversations with our instructors to stay up-to-date on our programs, to financial support for our labs, to co-op and profession-based experience opportunities for students, to full learning design partners to create real-world learning opportunities,” Berryman said,

Industries who want to learn more about partnering with Nelson County Schools should contact Misty Roller, UP Center Community Relations Lead.