PEP in PICS!

Thank you to the FIS Families for sharing your kids with us for our Fall Panther Enrichment Program! It was a great week! Students had many opportunities to explore things they had never tried before, as well as to critique their favorite activities! Our teachers and staff were amazing and the week could not have happened without having each of them on board. If your child wasn't able to attend PEP in the Fall, make sure they get signed up for the Spring session!

Students from both SSS and FHS worked with Ms. Jayme Boswell for a week of learning how to be a babysitter. Particpants earned their American Red Cross Babysitter certification, as well as their CPR certication. Thanks to Lisa Fisher for coming to instruct CPR!

We had two drama sessions during PEP. In the morning, we had 1st through 3rd graders and in the afternoon 4th through 6th graders. At the end of the week, students performed Sleeping Beauty for their families! The Drama week was led by Cindy VanAtter and FHS Drama students Kylee VanAtter, Sam Gilbert, and Elizabeth Vaught.

Elementary students learned the basics of basketball! They worked with Mr. Anthony and Mrs. Tia on shooting, passing, dribbling, defense, and lots of other skills. And the end of the week, each child left with a basketball to take home so they can practice what they learned!

5th - 8th graders worked with the FHS Boy's Basketball players and coaching staff on their fundamentals all week. They also had some fun competitions and some ended the week winning tickets to Big Blue Madness! FHS Basketball players who helped with this clinic were Kaleb Tracy, Zay Knuckles, JoJo Carter, Will Beshear, and Gavin Proffitt.

Each day, this group tried a new sport! Monday, they learned volleyball with the FHS Volleyball team and coaches. Tuesday, they learned golf with Lesa Hodge, Mrs. Starkey, and the SSS/FHS Golf Teams. Wednesday, they tried track and field with Coach Thomas and Coach Robinson. Thursday, they went to Capitol View to learn baseball and softball with the FHS Baseball and Softball teams and coaches. Friday, they went to Juniper Hills to try tennis with the FHS tennis team and Mrs. Kelly Childers. When asked which day was their favorite, they couldn't decide! They want to play it all! Mrs. Amber Robinson, Ms. Mina Thomas and Ms. Shanice Brown traveled with this group each day.

FHS Student Athletes who helped were Addison Baker, Daisy Barrett, Lily Ballantyne, Kallee Cracraft, Maddie Starkey, Bryan Starkey, Joshua Tandy, Addison Hackett, Emmaline Duff, Jaleia Hatchett, Parker Hammons, Quinn Hedden, Lyvia McCutchen, Hank Childers, Simyia Minion, Taylor Gaines, Addi Finley, Sadie Dungan, Gracie Sams, Jaina Bishop, Molly Boswell, Kendall Quire, Sam Peach, Ben Peach, and Grant Jacobs.

Our Farm to Table group had a week of harvesting from local farms and cooking with fresh, real food. We harvested butternut squash, cherry tomatoes, passion fruits, cilantro, basil, carrots, sweet potatoes and pawpaws. We cooked butternut squash soup, cornbread, sweet potato pudding, flat bread, mushrooms, fish, fruit and veggie salsa, whipped cream and also made smoothies! Students were able to take home food to share. In addition, we visited the KSU Research Farm and the Aquaculture Research Center. We did a scavenger hunt in the enchanted forest and also planted garlic and wheat in the community garden downtown. Each student made their own recipe books and crafted with some of the lingering plants in our STEM garden. We had an incredible week with the kids helping connect each other to the food we grow and consume! Students shared each day the things they were trying to make at home and the plans they now have for their future gardens!

Special Thanks to Mrs. Amy Young, Mrs. Jessica Buchner and Mrs. Connie Lemley for making this week happen!

Our field trips group went on a different trip each day. Monday, they went to Kentucky State University Farm. Tuesday, they explored the Kentucky Science Center. Wednesday, they visited Happy Jack's Farm and Pumpkin Patch. Thursday, they created art at YES Arts. And Friday, they took a trip to the Louisville Zoo! FHS Student Gracie Barbour was a student chaperone this week! Other chaperones were Mrs. Shannon Atha, Ms. Dana Dickerson, Mrs. Tara Cracraft, Mrs. Diana Espinoza, Mrs. Marian Moore, and Mrs. Mindy McGirt.

In this class, girls learned the science behind the beauty industry! They worked with hair, nails, makeup, oils and perfume, bath salts. On Tuesday, they were able to use I Am Barbershop to work on hair! Thanks to Jordan for allowing us to do this! On Friday, they traveled to Buff City Soaps to explore and create their own bath bombs! Leading this group were Ms. Elizabeth Murphy and Mrs. Christy Murphy. FHS Students who helped with this class were Camille Stone and Jamaya Rainer.

Elementary students worked with Ms. Rhonda Cornett to learn different elements of photography. They loved taking pictures of nature and using different angles!

Ms. Rhonda Cornett and Ms. Layla Gossum led an exciting week of crafts! Students created many masterpieces that they could take home with them!

Frankfort Independent had the opportunity to partner with Franklin Innovations for these two classes! Students were able to complete 3D Printing projects, as well as gain an introduction to Aviation! Thanks to Jason Allen of Franklin Innovations for inviting us to join this partnership! Mrs. Krystal Conway-Cunningham led this group.

FHS Students traveled to 3 colleges and then worked on college applications and resumes. College Visits were led by Mrs. Sheri Satterly and Mr. Kevin Bandura. Students visited Kentucky State University, Centre College and Midway University. Mr. Bandura and Mr. Joe Rogers collaborated to help students with the application process.

Elementary STEM - Ms. Layla Gossum and Mrs. Christy Murphy

Engineering Projects - Ms. Elizabeth Murphy

Bus Drivers - Bobby Driskell and TJ Gaines

Cafeteria Staff - Amy White, Tasha Hunter, Tessa Washington, Tanya Burbridge, and Sherry Hogan

Custodial Staff - Miss Tina, Mr. Reggie, Mr. Brandon and Mr. Clay

Central Office Support - Mrs. Satterly, Kathryn Pearl, Natalie Jacobs, Sharon King, Brad Kennedy, Thad Elmore

Front Office Staff - Mrs. Sams, Lisa Bowen, Danni Gray and Jessie Hood

Registration - Stephanie Starkey and Sarah Pearl

We would like to give a special word of appreciation to the Frankfort Independent Board of Education for their continued support of the Panther Enrichment Program. We are thankful for the opportunities our students have each year!