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U.S.A 2024 Womens Gymnastics Team
The Olympic Spirit - All In
Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year!
The start of a new school year always fills me with anticipation and excitement. This year, we have the added thrill of the 2024 Summer Olympics, which brings with it an inspiring celebration of athleticism and sportsmanship.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love sports, and what captivates me most about the Olympics is the camaraderie and sportsmanship on display. Watching the events on TV, you see athletes supporting one another and cheering each other on through adversity and fierce competition. As our new Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, Ed.D. would say, they have an "All-In" attitude.
The All-In attitude says that we are in this together as a team. It acknowledges all that we have been through and overcome, and it promises unwavering support no matter what lies ahead. It signifies that we can accomplish anything as a collective because nothing can stop us when we work together. It also means showing up everyday and bringing our "A" game because our team is counting on us and we will not let them down.
Another one of the things I love about the Olympics are the stories of perseverance and resilience, reminding us that we can do hard things. Take Simone Biles, for example, who learned to prioritize her mental health so she can compete safely, or Suni Lee, who overcame severe health challenges that threatened her gymnastics career. Then there's Gabby Thomas, a runner for Team USA, who volunteers at a health clinic every day, giving back to those in need because she never forgets all of those that gave to her when she was in need.
One of my favorite moments so far at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics was watching the athletes from Ukraine during the opening ceremonies. Their presence and performance has told the world they are All-In for their country, no matter what. They proudly stand in strength and solidarity with their teammates to represent the country they love. They know the struggles they are facing and still they stand.
As we look forward to the upcoming school year, it is easy to see the adversities we face as educators. We are dealing with a teacher shortage, mental health struggles among students and staff, and a heavily contested presidential election that will impact those we serve. In our roles, we are often the heart of the school, carrying a heavy load while managing our own secondary trauma.
But, like the Olympians who inspire us, we can embrace the All-In mentality to overcome these challenges. We can ignite the passion needed to support our students and educators through difficult times. We can return to the basics to advocate for the time needed to offer more direct services to the students who need us most. We can embrace teamwork to break down silos that limit meaningful collaboration across the educational setting. We can be All-In because our students deserve nothing less. Public education deserve nothing less. You deserve nothing less.
I leave you with a reflection question: What would it take for you to be All-In? What would that look like, and what impact would it have on your faculty, staff and students? What impact would that have on you?
Let's start this year All-In so we can become better than we have ever been.
This year, KDE will continue to offer four professional development (PD) opportunities for Kentucky school counselors.
These sessions will be held virtually and those attending will receive three hours of Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) credit.
The 2024-2025 School Counselor Summit does require advance registration. We hope you can join us for learning that is developed specifically with YOU in mind.
AP and College Board Logo
2024-2025 AP Exam Fee Updates
Exciting news for Kentucky public school students and families! Advanced Placement (AP) Exams will continue to be discounted across the Commonwealth.
Fee-reduced students can take AP Exams, including AP Seminar and AP Research, at no cost. Standard-fee students will pay only $25 per exam, while AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) and AP Computer Science A (CSA) exams are free for all students.
The Kentucky Department of Education has developed an AP Exam Fees Funding Overview containing additional information.
We are excited to support this initiative and ensure affordable access to AP opportunities for students in Kentucky.
HB 142 Resources and Recommendations
House Bill 142, passed by the Kentucky State Legislature and signed by Gov. Beshear during the 2024 Legislative Session, affects the way Kentucky’s public schools implement their tobacco-free
campus policies.
Resources for schools have been compiled by the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program at the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Division of Substance Use Disorder, Prevention and Promotion Branch of the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, in consultation with the Kentucky Department of Education.
These recommendations and resources are intended to help ensure local school districts are implementing programs and resources that have been proven effective through research and evidence.
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