In this issue...
Students serve as legislative pages
Living History comes to Tichenor
Dental program gives Arnett students plenty to smile about
Howell and Lindeman positively glow
Tichenor takes part in Read Across America
Playhouse in the Park performs at Miles
Miles students explore marine biology
Kentucky Medicaid renewal changes
Vote in Kentucky’s primary election
Enroll in preschool!
The school district will soon be holding preschool screening days!
Friday, April 21- Friday, April 28, Friday, May 5 at
Arnett Elementary School
3552 Kimberly Drive
Preschool is available at no cost to children living in the Erlanger-Elsmere School District who are:
- 4 years old by August 1 of the school year and have a family income at or below 160% of the federal poverty level
- 3 or 4 years old and have an educational disability due to delays in development, regardless of income
Preschool is offered at Arnett Elementary and at the Early Learning Center at Lloyd. Classes meet four half-days each week, Monday–Thursday, AM or PM. Preschool programs follow the Erlanger-Elsmere School District calendar. Preschool Services are free to those who qualify, and the child does not need to be toilet trained to join us!
Sign up for a preschool screening here.
Registration requirements:
- Proof of residency (copy of lease, deed, or current utility bill)
- An official birth certificate of student
- Social Security Card for student (optional)
Prior to the first day of school:
- Current Kentucky Immunization Certificate
- Dental Screening Certificate
- School Physical
- Proof of Vision Exam (by January 2024)
Please call 859.342.2427 or click here to sign up. We will contact you to schedule the screening!
In addition to our preschool program, our district is pleased to offer Early Head Start classrooms at the Early Learning Center, available to children from six weeks to three years old. Click here for details.
Students serve as legislative pages
Two students from the Erlanger-Elsmere Schools recently headed to Frankfort to work alongside Kentucky lawmakers. Lena Meyer from Miles Elementary and Emma Abbott from Arnett were two of just a handful of students statewide selected this year as a Family Resource and Youth Services Coalition of Kentucky (FRYSCKy) legislative page.
The girls traveled to Frankfort and first received a tour of the Capitol before working the rest of the day as a page when legislators began their session. Lena paged with Senator Christian McDaniel, and Emma paged with Representative Steven Doan, performing important duties that included running errands, delivering paperwork, and gathering refreshments – all while watching their state government in action.
The page program is sponsored by FRYSCKy, a nonprofit organization that provides legislative advocacy, training, and support for Family Resource and Youth Services Center coordinators and staff statewide.
The program is open to fifth through twelfth-grade students who attend schools with family resource or youth services centers, which is a majority of schools in Kentucky. These centers work tirelessly to remove barriers to learning.
To participate, students must submit an application, an essay on why they want to be a page, and an illustration of what their school family resource center means to them.
“It is a great experience for students to see the legislative process in action,” said Ms. Shauna Kitts, Family Resource Center coordinator at Arnett and Miles, who nominated Lena and Emma. “Both students had a wonderful time, and we are so proud of how they represented our schools!”
Living History comes to Tichenor
History came alive at Tichenor Middle School when Kentucky Shakespeare recently visited to perform Living History: We the People.
During the program, professional actors used primary source documents to bring key events from United States history to life, focusing on our rights and responsibilities as a democratic society today. The production ranged from focusing on the Revolutionary War and the formation of a new government, westward expansion, social reforms, abolition, and the Civil War through World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, social media, and First Amendment rights.
We the People asks students to reflect on America’s formation, ask questions, and consider civic action in their own communities, and it certainly gave Tichenor students much to think about.
Now in its 63rd season, Kentucky Shakespeare is a not-for-profit charitable organization serving thousands annually through performances, outreach, and community programs.
Dental program gives Arnett students plenty to smile about
Students at Arnett Elementary recently had fun learning about oral health during a visit from Plan Ahead Smiles. The program is a fun, interactive experience that visits schools across Kentucky to motivate young children to plan ahead for the future of their own oral health. This teaching makes the science of a healthy mouth easy to understand and remember for decades to come.
Ms. Tracy Laughner, a public dental health hygienist, is a one-person show visiting countless schools each year to help students understand that the science of their mouth is most strongly controlled by their own personal choices. Through an engaging presentation, she covers essential topics, including:
- Going to the dentist
- Nutrition
- Healthy gums
- Cavity prevention
- Sealants
- Smoking prevention
- Fluoride
- And more!
An entire cast of characters that she built herself from scratch – including Mr. Tooth, Mr. Plaque, and The Big Brusher – help Ms. Tracy tell the story of oral health in classrooms and gymnasiums throughout the commonwealth. Each school presentation takes hours of preparation, and she provides her program and the dental supply bags she puts together for each child completely free of charge, thanks to grant funding from Delta Dental of Kentucky and other generous donors. By the end of this school year, her program will have worked in 46 counties across the state and reached more than 39,000 Kentucky kids.
Arnett’s students learned a lot and had a great time. Thank you, Plan Ahead Smiles, for visiting!
Howell and Lindeman positively glow
Two schools in the district were recently aglow with student success.
Both Lindeman and Dorothy Howell Elementary were bathed in brilliance when the schools hosted Glow Parties – which were as incandescently fun as they sound.
Lindeman’s Glow Party was held during the school day as their PBIS reward. Students and staff alike had a great time dancing and playing games in the glow event and doing various STEAM activities. Students continue to get very excited about meeting their monthly goals and participating in a variety of engaging activities.
Howell Elementary hosted over 300 people at our Art in the Dark Family Night. The event was a huge success, with students and families basking in the glowing art displays created by students, along with music and movement activities.
Progress on the field
Progress continues in the renovation and upgrades at Cecil Dees Field. We were excited when the field turf recently began to make an appearance!
Tichenor takes part in Read Across America
Tichenor was one of many schools across the district to hold special events for Read Across America week. Held annually to coincide with Dr. Seuss’ birthday, during Read Across America week, Tichenor students began each class by talking about or participating in reading. Teachers even discussed what they like to read and read poems, magazine articles, short stories, or picture books that were related to their subject area, excerpts from their favorite books, and more.
All students received a free book at the book fair and were encouraged to Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) to read during a special time set aside for independent reading each day. Students and staff even dressed in special attire several days to add to the festive feel of the week.
Read Across America serves to encourage a love of reading, improve literacy rates, promote cultural awareness, and build community. Great job, Tichenor students and staff, for promoting a lifelong love of reading!
Playhouse in the Park performs at Miles
The story of Stellaluna came to life for kindergartners and first graders at Miles Elementary when Playhouse in the Park visited the school to put on a live production.
The play Stellaluna is based on the children's book of the same name that tells of a young bat who becomes separated from her mother and is adopted by a group of zany birds. The moral shows a person's identity is shaped by both their strengths and limitations as well as their relationships.
The performers brought along stage props and many colorful costumes to tell the story. They also encouraged their student audience to show their feelings about the story through laughter, gasps, and applause. The students had a fantastic time!
Miles students explore marine biology
Ms. Sydnie Sterling’s third-grade class at Miles Elementary recently completed a marine-themed learning unit. Together, the class explored the features and structure of nonfiction texts by reading lots of different books about ocean plants, phytoplankton, sharks, and explorers like Jacques Costeau.
They watched many different videos and did several virtual field trips, including a visit to the Seattle Aquarium and a coral reef. The class wrapped up the unit by hosting a Google Meet with a marine biologist in order to answer all of their questions and learn more about careers that involve working in the oceans. The students really enjoyed learning about how animals can survive in the Abyssal Zone and discovering marine archeology as a whole.
Way to go, Winter Guard!
The district's elementary and varsity Winter Guards recently wrapped up very successful seasons.
The Varsity Winter Guard traveled to competitions throughout the region to compete with their 2023 show: The Impossible Dream, gathering impressive placements and honors throughout.
The elementary Winter Guard also competed, proudly presenting their 2023 show, Hoedown.
Winter Guard is a competitive ensemble that performs in competitions throughout the winter season. Unlike traditional color guard, winter guard is performed indoors, usually in a gymnasium or an indoor arena, and with recorded music instead of a marching band.
Congratulations on a great season, Winter Guard!
Kentucky Medicaid renewal changes
Here is what you need to know to stay covered!
If you or a family member currently has health coverage through Medicaid or the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program, called KCHIP, there are changes coming.
Because of COVID-19, the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE). During this time, changes were made so that Medicaid and KCHIP renewals were not required, so people did not lose their coverage. However, Kentucky will restart Medicaid annual renewals on April 1, 2023.
Make sure you take the necessary steps to keep your coverage!
Lions registration open
Registration is open for the 2023 Erlanger Lions Cheer and Football season. Use the link below to get started. Register early to ensure your jerseys are here for the beginning of the season!
Click here for details and registration.
Vote in Kentucky’s primary election
Kentucky’s primary election will be held on May 16, 2023. Be sure you’re ready and make your voting plan with this detailed information…
- Verify your voter registration.
Visit govoteky.com.
- If you are not registered, get registered by April 17.
You must register by 4:00 p.m. on April 17, 2023, at govoteky.com to be eligible to vote in the May 16, 2023, election.
- Request your absentee ballot, if needed.
Requests can be made online at govoteky.com from April 1 – May 2, 2023.
- Make your voting plan.
On Election Day:
May 16, 2023 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you want a pre-printed ballot, find your assigned location at http://bit.ly/kentonvote OR vote at any location using the Express Vote ballot marker to mark your paper ballot.
Early In-Person (no excuse required)
Early voting will be available on May 11, May 12, and May 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 pm. at voting centers. Check online at http://bit./y/kentonvote for locations.
By Mail - Absentee Ballot (excuse required)
Mail-in absentee ballot requests can be made online at govoteky.com or at 859.392.1620. The portal is open from April 1 to May 2. Drop boxes for absentee ballots are available at the Kenton County Government Center (1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington) or the Historic Kenton County Courthouse (5272 Madison Pike in Independence).
In-Person Absentee (excuse required)
In-person absentee voting will be available at the Kenton County Government Center (1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington) on May 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.