www.jcpsky.netEqual Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

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Jefferson County

PublicSchools

February 2012

JCPS receives results of districtwide review (page 4)

Lincoln Elementary unveils new performing arts wing (page 2)

Are you as smart as a JCPS eighth grader? (page 16)

Elementary magnet schools and programs (page 7)

Lincoln Elementary unveils new performing arts wing

Lincoln Elementary Per-forming Arts School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month to unveil its new arts wing. The $8 million expansion includes a 3,000 square-foot black box the-ater, dance studios, practice rooms, and a state-of-the-art piano lab. The wing will house daily arts instruction as well as after-school programs with a variety of area arts partners. Local community groups will use it too. “This new performing arts wing is not only an engag-ing learning center for our students but also a unique showpiece for the city of Louisville,” says JCPS Su-perintendent Donna Har-gens. “While many other

districts are limiting such programs, our community continues to support the arts in a way that spurs academic and cultural growth.” As Kentucky’s only public elementary performing arts magnet school, Lincoln of-fers students a range of instruction, including Piano, Vocal, Orff Instrumental, Dance (ballet, modern, tap, and creative movement), and Drama (improvisation, mimicry, pantomime, role playing, and storytelling). Primary Program students receive instruction in all five areas. Fourth- and fifth-grade students focus on two of them. Arts education is combined with core instruction in ba-

sic academic subjects, such as reading and writing, which helps engage stu-dents in all of their classes and strengthens the con-nection between students and the school. “The arts get kids excited about their learning experience,” Dr. Hargens says.The Louisville Ballet and the Blue Apple Players provide after-school instruction. A videoconferencing system provides distance-learning and field-trip experiences with arts organizations worldwide. Lincoln perform-ing arts graduates have “first right of review” for JCPS middle school arts programs.

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Below: Students, Lincoln staff, JCPS administrators, and mem-bers of the Jefferson County Board of Education cut the ribbon.

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The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) re-ceived a 540-page Curricu-lum Management AuditTM

report late last month from the education association Phi Delta Kappa Interna-tional.

The report includes 24 find-ings and 10 recommenda-tions for improvements related to the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District’s curricula and op-erations.

The board decided to hire the association last sum-mer. Chairman Steve Im-hoff says the members wanted an objective opinion from an outside source on how JCPS can improve its curricula to raise student achievement.

A team of Phi Delta Kappa auditors spent a week in JCPS schools in October. The auditors visited virtu-ally every classroom, and they interviewed parents and students as well as JCPS staff.

The auditors also looked at district data (including test scores) as well as facilities, transportation, technology, and finances.

FindingsFindings from the report include the following:

• The district’s schools are more effective than the general public believes they are.

• The scope of the written curriculum in core aca-demic areas is adequate at the elementary level but needs to be improved at the middle and high school levels.

• Facilities are “gener-ally clean and adequately maintained to support a quality learning environ-ment.” Long-term facility planning is adequate, but the district’s classroom space could be used more efficiently.

• There are many opportuni-ties for teachers to receive professional-development (PD) training, but PD is not guided by a compre-hensive plan.

RecommendationsPhi Delta Kappa presented the following recommenda-tions to the board:

• Adopt policies governing the management of the

organization and job de-scriptions.

• Review, revise, adopt, and implement board policies to provide for a sound lo-cal system of curriculum management and control. Review and revise School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) sample policies to be consistent with board policy.

• Redesign the planning process to provide a co-herent focus and improved system connectivity to ful-fill the vision of the board and the new leadership.

• Design and implement a comprehensive curricu-lum management system that integrates curriculum development, staff de-

JCPS receives results of districtwide review

The board wanted an

objective opinion from

an outside source.

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velopment, and staff ap-praisal and that provides continuity and consistency across all grade levels and schools. Consolidate curriculum guides and resources for all courses offered, integrating cur-riculum expectations for special populations within the documents.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for student assessment and program evaluation. District and site levels will be required to use data that are focused on clos-ing achievement gaps among subgroups, raising achievement for all stu-dents, and providing feed-back for decisions about curriculum management and program adoption, implementation, continua-tion, expansion, modifica-tion, or termination.

• Institutionalize instruction-al best practices for effec-tive curriculum delivery.

• Establish procedures re-quiring formal monitoring of instructional practices to promote district-wide consistency.

• Design and implement a coordinated, system-wide PD program that supports the curriculum and fo-cuses on improved student achievement.

• Provide equal access to comparable programs, services, and opportunities to impact student achieve-ment. Eliminate the

achievement gap between ethnic and socioeconomic student groups. Take fur-ther steps to allocate re-sources based on student needs.

• Develop and implement a three-year plan that aligns district and building-level resources to curricular goals and strategic pri-orities. Include systematic cost-benefit analysis to

ensure that expenditures are producing desired re-sults.

JCPS Superintendent Donna Hargens says the audit has provided a great deal of critical information that the district can use to improve instruction, and her admin-istration will give the board quarterly updates on how JCPS is implementing the recommendations.

Read the full report on a special Curriculum Management Audit Web page at www.jcpsky

.net/Projects/CMA/

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JCPS now accepting elementary applicationsJCPS elementary schools will accept applications for the 2012-13 school year through Thurs., Mar. 1. Who should apply?• Students who will enter

kindergarten• Older students who are

entering a Jefferson County public school for the first time

• Older students who want to apply to a magnet school or a magnet or op-tional program

To apply to kindergarten,

a child must be 5 years old by Mon., Oct. 1, 2012. To apply to first grade, a child must have completed an ac-credited kindergarten pro-gram and be 6 years old by Oct. 1.To enroll your child, you

Board approves new elementary student assignment planLast month, the board ap-proved a new elementary student assignment plan for the 2012-13 school year.The plan benefits parents and students in many ways, points out Jack Jacobs, JCPS executive director of Student Assignment. Be-cause the plan revises di-versity guidelines and uses the most recent census in-formation as well as smaller

census areas, the district will be able to more accu-rately pinpoint diversity that already exists in Louisville’s neighborhoods.This means the plan will al-low more students to be as-signed to schools closer to their homes, potentially re-ducing their bus ride times.Highlights of the plan in-clude the following: • About 2,000 elementary

students will be able to attend a school closer to their home because of the revised diversity guide-lines.

• The new guidelines clas-sify the district’s 570 census areas into cat-egories based on income, percentage of nonwhite population, and average level of adult educational attainment.

• English as a Second Lan-guage (ESL) students will be included in the diversi-ty index for the first time.

• Kindergarten students will not have to reapply to the same school for first grade.

• Most elementary schools will continue to be grouped into one of the six clusters that have been used for the past several years.

• Bus routes to day-care centers will remain the same.

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may go to the school near-est your home that serves your child’s grade level. For information on which school your child may attend, use the SchoolFinder at http://apps.jefferson.kyschools.us/demographics/schoolfinder.aspx or call the Parent Assistance Cen-ter at 485-6250, the Office of Elementary Student As-signment at 485-3802, the Office of Demographics at 485-3050, or the district’s FactLine at 485-3228.For initial enrollment, you must provide the following:1. Proof of address*—util-

ity bill, lease, paycheck, paycheck stub, or gov-ernment check that gives the parent’s or guardian’s name and address (A driver’s license is not ac-

ceptable), and2. Certified copy of your

child’s birth certificate, or other reliable proof of your child’s identity and age and an affidavit of the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate*, and

3. School records if your child has been enrolled elsewhere (If you are unable to obtain the re-cords from the current school, bring the name and address of the person to whom the receiving school may write to ob-tain the records directly), and

4. Health documents:a. Students new to the

district must present evidence of a recent preventative health-

care examination (www.jcpsky.net/Schools/Health_De-scriptions.html), and

b. Current immunization certificate, and

c. Proof of an eye exam (no later than January 1 of the school year), and

d. Proof of a dental exam (no later than January 1 of the school year)

You may call JCPS Health Services at 485-3387 for information regarding the required health documents.*You may enroll your child in school regardless of immigration status and/or a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. For information on the Homeless Education Program, visit www.jcpsky.net/Programs/Home-less/welcome.html.

Elementary magnet schools and programsBesides applying to schools in their cluster, elementary students may want to apply to a magnet school or pro-gram. A student who is accepted into a magnet program be-comes a full-time student of the school that offers it and attends that school for all classes, not just the mag-net program classes. JCPS provides transportation for most magnet schools and programs. To apply, fill out Section II on the Elementary Student Assignment Application

and send the pink copy to the Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs Office. The address is noted on the application form, which is available at JCPS elemen-tary schools.The following magnet pro-grams accept applications from students in specific clusters:• Breckinridge-Franklin of-

fers the Communications Program to students in Clusters 4, 5, and 6.

(continued on next page)

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• The Environmental Stud-ies Program is available at Cane Run (for students in Clusters 1, 2, and 3) and at Portland (for students in Clusters 4, 5, and 6).

• The Health and Fitness for Accelerated Learning Pro-gram is available at Wel-lington (for Clusters 1, 2, and 3) and at Rangeland (for Clusters 4, 5, and 6).

• The International/Cultural Studies and Language Program is available at Fairdale (for Clusters 1, 2, and 3) and at Goldsmith (for Clusters 4, 5, and 6).

• Indian Trail offers the Mi-croSociety Program to stu-dents in Clusters 4, 5, and 6.

• Jacob offers the Success for All Accelerated Read-ing Program to students in Clusters 1, 2, and 3.

• Kennedy Montessori offers the Montessori Program to students in Clusters 1, 2, 3, and 4. Coleridge-Taylor Montessori offers it to stu-dents in Clusters 5 and 6.

• McFerran Preparatory Academy offers the Prepa-ratory Academy Program to students in Clusters 3 and 4.

• Mill Creek offers the Lead-ership Academy Program to students in Clusters 1 and 2.

• The Visual Arts Program is available at Rutherford (for Clusters 1, 2, and 3) and at Price (for Clusters 4, 5, and 6).

The following magnet schools and programs ac-

cept applications from students throughout the district:• Atkinson offers the Acad-

emy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

• Brandeis is a Mathematics/Science/Technology (MST) Magnet School.

• Byck offers the Talent Development Magnet Program and the Waldorf-Inspired Magnet Program.

• King offers the Gifted and Talented Magnet Program and the Visual and Per-forming Arts Magnet Pro-gram.

• Lincoln, a Performing Arts Magnet School, integrates drama, music, and dance with core academics. (See page two.)

• Maupin offers the Institute for Creativity and Innova-tion.

• Roosevelt-Perry offers the Technology Magnet Pro-gram.

• Students focus on self-directed learning at the Brown School, a kinder-

garten through grade-twelve magnet school. (JCPS doesn’t provide transportation for students accepted into the Brown School.)

• Wheatley offers an MST Magnet Program.

• Young, an International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet School, is authorized by the IB organization in Ge-neva, Switzerland.

• Four magnet schools of-fer traditional education: Audubon Traditional, Cart-er Traditional, Greathouse/Shryock Traditional, and Schaffner Traditional. In addition, Shelby and Fos-ter Traditional Academy offer traditional magnet programs that accept ap-plications from students throughout the district. These six schools are part of the traditional educa-tion feeder pattern to Bar-ret Traditional, Jefferson County Traditional, and Johnson Traditional Middle Schools.

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Elementary optional programsAn optional program is a small, specialized program within a school. Students who live outside the cluster of the school that offers the program may apply and be accepted, but JCPS does not provide transportation for these students.To apply to an optional pro-gram, fill out Section II on the Elementary Student Assignment Application and send the pink copy to the Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs Office. The address is noted on the application form, which is available at all JCPS el-ementary schools. • The Elementary Redesign

Program is available at Coral Ridge (Cluster 2), Engelhard (Cluster 5), and Wheatley (Cluster 5). This program provides a learning environment that features small classes, full-time school nurses, and teaching support and expertise from the Univer-sity of Louisville (UofL).

• Price (Cluster 4) offers the Advance Preparatory Pro-gram, which nurtures the abilities of Primary (kin-dergarten through grade three) students who per-form at high levels.

• Hawthorne (Cluster 5) of-fers a new Dual-Language Spanish Immersion Pro-gram. The school’s Op-tional Advanced Spanish Immersion Strand (OA-SIS) is designed to give

students a daily Span-ish immersion experi-ence that prepares them to read, write, and speak proficiently in Spanish. Students in OASIS classes (kindergarten through fifth grade) receive daily math and science instruction in Spanish from certified, Spanish-speaking teach-ers. Other content areas are taught in English. OA-SIS students also benefit from cultural enrichment in a Spanish arts class, which meets twice a week and combines the arts with Spanish language and culture learning. OA-SIS benefits both students who are learning Spanish as a second language and students who are learn-ing English as a second language. In addition, the Hawthorne community is a dual-language com-munity with an expressed appreciation of language

learning and inclusion of diverse cultural experi-ences.

• The Small Class Size Pro-gram is available at Cane Run (Cluster 1), Crums Lane (Cluster 1), Hazel-wood (Cluster 2), Frayser (Cluster 3), Maupin (Clus-ter 3), Slaughter (Cluster 4), Breckinridge-Franklin (Cluster 6), and Portland (Cluster 6). These schools have an average class size of just 20 students, be-ginning with first grade. Research shows that the benefits of small classes in the early years continue to pay off as students ad-vance to middle and high school.

For detailed information on JCPS elementary schools and programs see Choices, the district guidebook. Digi-tal versions are available on the Web at www.jcpsky.net/Showcase/index.html.

Operation Preparation will help students get ready for college and careers

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In the next seven to ten years, more than half of the jobs in Kentucky and more than 60 percent nationwide will require either a two- or four-year college degree. Most of the remaining jobs will require at least some training after high school, according to the Center for

Education and the Work-force.To help Kentucky eighth- and tenth-grade students get ready, Operation Prep-aration—a joint effort of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Department of Workforce Development—will present College and Career Readi-ness Advising Week begin-ning on March 12. According to Pamela Roys-ter, JCPS college access specialist, the district’s students already receive a great deal of college- and career-readiness informa-tion. For instance, she points out that “since JCPS employs College Access Time (CAT) in many high schools, advisement is a weekly or biweekly occur-rence,” but Royster also notes that Operation Prepa-

ration will complement the district’s efforts and help students make sure they’re on target to meet their goals. During College and Career Readiness Advising Week, most JCPS high schools will invite guest speakers to tenth-grade CAT sessions. The speakers will talk to the students “about the impor-tance of planning and using their PLAN [test] results,” Royster says. Middle schools will offer college and career planning during their CARE for Kids sessions. CARE for Kids is a daily program at many JCPS middle schools.For more on information on College and Career Readi-ness Advising Week, visit www.operationprepara-tion.com.

After-school programs give students extra hours to master lessonsTwo after-school pro-grams—Success in 60 and We Succeed—give many JCPS elementary students extra hours to tackle les-sons in reading, math, sci-ence, and social studies. Amy Dennes, JCPS as-sistant superintendent for elementary schools, says teachers and administrators

are always looking for ways to “give students more time to learn the skills they need, and these programs are a great way to give them more time.”At each school, teachers and administrators select 30 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students to partici-pate.

After school, the students start out in a computer lab using educational software that helps them learn con-tent specified in the Ken-tucky Core Academic Stan-dards (KCAS). Then teachers select stu-dents to work together in small groups. The teachers track progress and adjust

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High school seniors are encouraged to apply for a 15th District Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Evange-line J. Sansome Scholar-ship. Applicants’ financial needs and their desire to further their education will be considered along with their academic standing. The scholarship, which is for tuition only, is appli-

Seniors encouraged to apply for scholarship

cable to any type of train-ing or schooling necessary to prepare for a career, but some restrictions apply. The value of the scholarship will be determined in April. Last year, the PTA was able to provide 16 scholarships worth $1,700 each. Applicants must be mem-bers of their school’s PTA or Parent Teacher Student

Association (PTSA). More information and an applica-tion form are available at http://15thdistrictpta.org/scholarships.html. Students also may get more information from the senior counselor at their school. The application deadline is Sun., Mar. 25.

instruction based on indi-vidual needs. We Succeed operates at Hartstern, Byck, Blake, Gutermuth, Rangeland, Camp Taylor, and Shacklette Elementary Schools. Suc-cess in 60 (so named be-cause it’s designed to give students 60 extra hours of instruction time) oper-ates at Blue Lick, Cane Run,

Cochran, Hawthorne, Indian Trail, Jacob, King, Lincoln, Maupin, Price, Roosevelt-Perry, Shelby Traditional Academy, Slaughter, Wat-terson, Wellington, and Zachary Taylor Elementary Schools.“The program is providing much needed additional time to support students who lack mastery in some

areas,” says Maupin Prin-cipal Terri Davenport. “The students are placed in groups with a small teach-er-to-student ratio, and the teacher is able to give them individual support.” The programs even provide transportation, which “al-lows students to consistent-ly participate,” Davenport says.

You can help shape the future of JCPS by completing the 2011-12 Comprehensive School Survey. District administrators rely on input from parents to identify needs and develop strategies that ensure success for every student. You can complete the survey through the JCPS On-line system. If you have a JCPS Parent Portal Account, you’ll receive a link to the online survey, which will be available through Fri., Feb 24. If you don’t have online access, you still can complete the paper version of the survey, which will be sent home from your child’s school. Your opinions are important to us, and the district values your input. For more information, contact your child’s principal or counselor.

JCPS wants to hear from you

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The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) at Fern Creek Traditional High recently received the 2011 Marine Corps Reserve Asso-ciation Outstanding Unit Award for Region 1.

This is a top national award because it is pre-sented to the outstanding unit in each of six U.S. regions based on participation in school activi-ties, student government, academics, competi-tions, and community service.

During the 2010-11 school year, the Fern Creek cadets participated in more than 11,000 hours of community service, supporting more than 38 different organizations.

The cadets also performed in 30 competitive events, including drill, rifle, and athletic competi-tions.

The Lady Leathernecks Drill Team won their twelfth consecutive National Championship at the National High School Drill Team Champion-

ships in Daytona, Florida.

This is the fifth time Fern Creek has won the Out-standing Unit Award.

Fern Creek cadets earn nation’s highest Marine Corps JROTC award

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Barret counselor wins top state awardMelanie Broughton, coun-selor at Barret Traditional Middle, is the winner of the 2011-12 Kentucky Coun-seling Association (KCA) Middle School Counselor of the Year Award. It hon-ors counselors who provide exemplary leadership, com-mitment, and service to the counseling profession.

Broughton has served in many roles in the JCPS District. Most recently, she served as president of the Middle School Counselors group, as a crisis responder, and as leader of the dis-trict’s first Counselor Well-ness Program.

Broughton also serves as a mentor to new JCPS coun-selors, and she has worked with her colleagues to earn National Model Status from the American School Coun-selor Association for Bar-ret’s counseling program. She also received 2011 Middle School Counselor of the Year recognition from the Kentucky School Coun-selor Association.

Fifty-one teachers earn National Board Certifica-tionFifty-one JCPS District teachers at more than 35 schools recently earned certification from the Na-tional Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Pur-suing this certification is a rigorous process involving 300 to 400 hours of work.

JCPS educator named Special Education Teach-er of the YearJennifer Reker, Exception-al Child Education (ECE) teacher at Noe Middle, was honored as the Kentucky Special Education Teacher of the Year at the forty-sixth annual Exceptional Children’s Conference in No-vember.

The award ceremony includ-ed the following information about Reker: “With Jennifer, failure is not an option. Not only for her students, but her fellow teachers, admin-istration, and her school. Consequently, no one is left behind.

“She is a teacher leader, taking ownership in her school and the school-wide process. Jennifer motivates, encourages, and pushes her colleagues as well as her students. Her leadership and drive are good for her colleagues. One said: ‘I am a better teacher because she is here.’

“She knows relationships are the key to keeping students in school and is

diligent in building those relationships with her stu-dents’ families. According to Jennifer, ‘It’s more than just school.’

“Jennifer reaches in to her students and pulls out the best. She remodels them, leaving behind any excuses, and leads them to success. This in-your-face teacher helps all kids before, dur-ing, and after school and on Saturdays.”

The award is presented as a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Council for Ex-ceptional Children (KYCEC) and the Kentucky Division of Learning Services.

Reker received a $1,500 check from the KYCEC, and KDE presented her with a goodie basket worth $500 as well as a Kentucky Colo-nel certificate.

Reker will compete with the nation’s top special needs teachers for the title of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Teacher of the Year, which will be an-nounced at the national convention in Denver during April.

Feb. 1–Mar. 1 Elementary school application period

Mar. 2 . . . . . No school for stu-dents—PD Day for teachers

Mar. 6 . . . . . Statewide ACT for high school juniors

Mar. 8 . . . . . 15th District PTA Vendors Fair

Mar. 10 . . . . SAT

Mar. 20 . . . . Statewide ACT Make-Up Day for high school juniors

Apr. 9–13 . . . Spring Break

Mark your calendar

Your PTA: there’s strength in numbersDon’t forget to join the PTA or PTSA at your child’s school. The power of these organizations is in the strength of their member-ships.Every additional member adds clout and enhances the learning environment for all students.

Learn more to earn moreDid you know that high school graduates or adults with a General Educational Development (GED) Cer-tificate earn an average of $7,827 more per year than nongraduates? Free GED and skill-build-ing classes are available throughout Louisville. For more information, call 485-3400 or visit www.adult-ed4u.com.

ry: Dana Smith and Lauren Dickey, Maupin Elemen-tary: Shannon Gray, Mc-Ferran Preparatory Acad-emy: Holly Fernandez and Rebecca Wilson, Meyzeek Middle: Kelley Radke, My-ers Middle: Ashley Lamb-Sinclair, Newburg Mid-dle: Heather Jones, Noe Middle: Alexis Paxton and Elizabeth Lyles, Okolona Elementary: April Hetzel and Deanna Ford, Olm-sted Academy South: Alexandra Howard, Port-land Elementary: Sarah Walton, Semple Elemen-tary: Anastacia Keeton, South Park Teenage Parent Program (TAPP): Kara Parker, Stopher El-ementary: Jennifer Owen, Trunnell Elementary: Amy Boldin and Katherine O’Brien, Tully Elemen-tary: Erin Bixler, Valley Traditional High: Charlene Lynch, Waggener High: Kristie Hofelich and Saundra Hensel, Wheeler Elemen-tary: Marcia Creek. The following teachers re-cently renewed their Na-tional Board certification: Central High School Magnet Career Academy (MCA): Lisa Morris, East-ern High: Lorraine Peak, Farmer Elementary: Bran-dy Durm, Wilder Elemen-tary: Rhonda Underwood, Zachary Taylor Elemen-tary: Lawrence Elder. Re-newal is good for ten years and involves a rigorous process similar to the origi-nal certification, including a portfolio.

Candidates must complete a detailed portfolio of their instructional activities and take a challenging exam.With more than 220 teach-ers who have earned the certification, JCPS is a state and national leader. The district ranks seventh in the nation for the total number of new certified teachers: Atherton High: Matthew Rhinehart and William Tucker, Atkinson Elementary: Leslie Mont-gomery, Bloom Elemen-tary: Marian Foster, Brown School: Tamika Carr, Cane Run Elementary: Amy Goodenough, Carter Tradi-tional Elementary: Debra Melnykovych, Chancey Elementary: Linda Brown, Chenoweth Elementary: Dora Esakov and Peggy Eklof, Cochran Elementa-ry: Shannon Putman, Daw-son-Orman Education Center: Norah Kute, East-ern High: Elizabeth Harper, Fairdale Elementary: Rebecca Murphy, Fairdale High: Lauren Schuhmann, Lori Pfeifer, and Mary Ken-zer, Farmer Elementary: Charlotte Walters, Laurel Oskins, and Sarah Switzer, Field Elementary: Sarah Reed, Hite Elementary: Autumn Stith-Mitchell, Iro-quois High: Christina Gi-van, Jacob Elementary: Jenel Holdcroft, Jeffer-son County Traditional Middle: Elisabeth Speiden, Johnsontown Road El-ementary: Doris Snawder, Kammerer Middle: Kristen Gattshall, Lowe Elementa-

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Are you as smart as a JCPS eighth grader?

Angie Sturgeon and family

The answers to the eighth-grade math questions in the last issue of Parent Connec-tion are 1: C, 2: C, 3: B. To review the questions, visit the newsletter’s Web site (www.jcpsky.net/Pubs/ParentConnection/wel-come.shtml) and select the January issue. The first parent to send the correct answers last month was Angie Sturgeon, mother of students at Farn-sley Middle and Butler High. Other winners were Jennifer Summers (Hite Elementary and Ramsey Middle), Jen-nifer Bell (Kennedy Montes-sori), Mendy Dominquez (Lassiter Middle), Amy Le (Hartstern Elementary), and Beth Rose (Hawthorne Elementary).This month, Parent Connec-tion offers a quick quiz with eighth-grade social studies questions. The first three parents who send the cor-rect answers to the Parent Connection office via e-mail and the first three who send the answers via regu-lar mail will receive a free JCPS T-shirt. Please include the name of your child’s (or grandchild’s) school. The e-mail address is thomas.pack@jefferson.kyschools.us. The regular mailing address is Thomas Pack, Communications and Publications North, C. B.

Young Jr. Service Center, Building 4, 3001 Crittenden Drive, Louisville, KY 40209. You don’t need to write the questions or answers. Just send the question numbers and the letters for your an-swers. Or you may cut out this quiz and mail it.1. Prairies, steppes, and savannas are all A. desert regions. B. tundra regions. C. grassland regions. D. forest regions.2. What waterway con- structed in Central America had the greatest impact on the increase of trade between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of

the United States? A. Erie Canal B. Panama Canal C. Suez Canal D. Grand Canal3. Which earlier civiliza- tion most influenced the Roman Empire? A. Phoenician B. Greek C. Incan D. Etruscan4. The signing of the Magna Carta was important because it A. promoted a feudal society in the New World. B. gave all government power to the king and noblemen. C. concentrated govern- ment power in a few individuals. D. established the prin- ciple of limited gov- ernment power.