If a student misses school, please submit attendance notes (parent/guardian note, doctor's office excuse, etc.). Students can drop off notes at the Front Office, or parents/guardians can email them to Attendance Specialist Mrs. Kimberly Collins; she will ensure sending high schools/programs also receive copies of the notes. Remember: the best way to succeed as a wolf? Show up to the PACK every day!

The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Committee continues to recognize students! Each Monday, we draw two students' names to win a free item from the Snack Shack and a free drink from Starbooks, our refreshment services in the Library Media Center. Students with zero unexcused absences, zero behavior referrals, and a 100% employability score in eOS for the previous week can win! Not sure if a student qualifies for these rewards and participation in rewards days? Check students' attendance and behavior in the Infinite Campus portal and employability scores in eOS.

Thank you to all students who took Career and Technical Education End of Program assessments--you worked hard and respectfully! We have received scores and will celebrate students during an assembly in May.

Counselor Ms. Jenni Berk continues to meet with students regarding scheduling for the 24-25 school year, including enrolling students in optional Career and Technical Education Dual Credit courses. Watch for more information about a parent/guardian meeting regarding these opportunities to earn free college credit!

Having concerns regarding cyberbullying? Check out the below resource.

As we near the end of the school year, please return all borrowed items to our Library Media Center. Library Media Specialist Mrs. Meredith Reed will send reminders about overdue materials. Also, watch for information about our summer reading challenge!

Through our collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Education, we will receive a one-year license to Inspirit's Innovation Hub to support our instruction of essential employability skills. We look forward to using virtual reality in our classrooms!

You can pre-order a yearbook from Jostens. Contact Sponsor and Library Media Center Specialist Mrs. Meredith Reed for more information! We have limited copies left to purchase!

Students who already have placed orders will receive details via email soon regarding distribution!

Please save the date for our Spring Showcase featuring Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) and Agriscience Projects on Thursday, May 9th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.! You may drop by campus any time to see your student's work!

Please see the below flyer for information about our FFA Chapter Banquet and RSVP! We hope to see you there!

We hope to announce our newly elected officers soon and will have our final meeting of the school year May--stay tuned for more information about this meeting to receive graduation stoles and certificates. Contact Sponsor and World Language Teacher Senora Laura De Vettori for more information.

In partnership with the Sustainability Committee, the Junior Conservation Board organized a Trace Day with multiple community partners, including Fayette County Conservation District, Black Soil KY, Lexington-Fayette Urban-County Government, Upcycling with Stacey, Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, Trees Lexington, FoodChain, People's Bank, and Geomancer Permaculture. Contact Sponsor and Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Ally Thompson for more information.

In April, students celebrates Arabic-American Heritage Month, and we will celebrate Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May! If you would like to serve as an ambassador for Jr. MANRRS next school year, contact Sponsor and Agriculture Instructor Ms. Graciela Barajas for more information.

Celebration Committee - Keely Patterson with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Latissa Higgins

• Please see the above information about FFA Banquet!

Community Service Committee - Sam Kroggel with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Toni Myers

• Students spent time last Trace Day recapping the year and planning events for next school year!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee - Haley Trowel with Agriculture Instructor Ms. Graciela Barajas

• See the Jr. MANRRS section for updates.

Family and Community Engagement Committee - Riley Hutchison with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Morgan Margita

• See the above information about the Spring Showcase!

Fundraiser Committee - Makenzie Menges with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Brian Craig

• Please support our plant sale; check out the below flyer!

Leadership Development Committee - Alexis Goldie with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Daniel Bustle and the FFA Officers

• See the FFA section for updates.

Social Committee - Keila Savage with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Kathleen Magsam

• Students spent time last Trace Day recapping the year and planning events for next school year!

SAE Committee - Haylee Tucker with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Doug Ashcraft

• Please continue to check out our social media sites for features on students' SAEs!

Sustainability Committee (Jr. Conservation Board) - Gregoria Gafford with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Ally Thompson

• See the Jr. Conservation Board section for updates.

Wellness Committee - Jack Adkins with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Fallon Jackson

• During April, students focused on environmental wellness. Students, please stop by the table in the foyer to write a thank you note to a teacher in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week! See the flyer at top right!

Students in the Small Power and Equipment class will troubleshoot engine issues and recently competed in the FFA Bluegrass Region Small Engines Career Development Event, placing 1st! Students in Agriculture Power and Machinery Operation learned how a clutch works and about the various bearings and seals in equipment. Next, they will learn about hydraulic systems. And, students in Agriculture Construction Skills learned about wire welding. Lastly, students in Agriculture Structures and Designs will construct a high tunnel for the Plant Science Institute.

Additionally, a team of students placed 5th in the FFA Bluegrass Region Welding Career Development Event, and a team of students placed 2nd in the FFA Bluegrass Region Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event. Congratulations to Caden Harris for winning highest scoring individual!

Students in Equine Science (Level 1) learned to place splint boots, pull manes, and care for hooves. Students visited the Kentucky Three-Day Event and learned about how to prepare for an Olympic-level and have learned more about Saddlebreds and Arabians via guest speaker, Blair Montague. Next, they will help prepare the horses to return to their owners for the summer months.

Students in Agribusiness and Farm Management (Level 2) learned how to keep horses healthy, including preventing diseases and applying standing bandages. Next, students will design budgets, prepare for careers, and research postsecondary institutions with equine programs.

Students in Agricultural Sales and Marketing (Level 3) visited the Keeneland Spring Meet, meeting Dr. Rood of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and Mr. Becker, a track announcer. Students next will learn about operating basic farm equipment, including RTVs, connecting trailers, and loading horses. And, congratulations to Emily Sparks, Charlotte, Adams, Nancy Garcia Sanchez, Melanie Planck, Grace Groff, Jaydyn Hunting, Karli Dutton, and Eden Fluharty for participating in the University of Kentucky's Field Day. Emily Sparks, Charlotte Adams, Nancy Garcia Sanchez, and Melanie Planck placed 3rd overall in horse judging! See the below photos.

Students will conclude the year processing livestock, including a hog fed by the classes and available as sausage for purchase prior to the end of the school year.

Students in Veterinary Science (Level 1) learned the basics of grooming, including ear cleaning, nail trimming, and bathing. Students in Small Animal Technology (Level 2) learned canine and feline vaccine protocols. Next, they will complete lab practice and must adhere to the dress code: scrub tops and bottoms, no acrylic nails, no jewelry, no facial piercings, and tennis shoes (no slides, slip-ons, or sandals). To complete finals, teachers will call students randomly, so students must remain prepared!

Students in Animal Technology (Level 3) qualified to take the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America industry certification exam! Students will conclude the school year with experiential learning trips to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Spy Coast Farm, and the Louisville Zoo.

Students from all classes participated in the Envirothon Contest, sponsored by the Fayette County Conservation District: Kamryn Carr, Clark Hill, Braxton Schoetz, Chase Hall, and Aspen Schmidt. Students also participated in the University of Kentucky Field Day for forestry: Clark Hill, Katie Rose Evans, Kamryn Carr, Ava Soper, Whitney Rivard, Emerson Hopper, and Alexis Goldie. Students will continue to install the rain garden by the outdoor classroom with community partner Geomancer Permaculture. See the below photos.

Thank you to student teacher, Ms. Madison Goodlett, for her hard work this past semester! We appreciated all you did for our school and FFA Chapter!

Students in all classes remain busy this week preparing for upcoming projects, including flowers for a Kentucky Derby event and Fayette County Public Schools' graduation ceremonies!

In AgriScience, students have completed their projects and continue to finalize their presentations and reports. All students should submit any remaining missing assignments by Sunday, May 19th.

In Agriculture Communications, students have started learning about visual communication by discovering various photography techniques and practicing around campus. All students should submit any remaining missing assignments by Sunday, May 19th.

In Principles of Agricultural Science and Technology, students completed their Plant Science Institute notebook, learning the parts of a plant, the difference between a perfect and imperfect flower, and how to simulate cross-pollination.

Students will complete Physical Education through the end of the school year, including learning ping pong, kickball, and spikeball. Next, students will learn about lifetime fitness activities like soccer, basketball, and recreational crawdad fishing. See the below photos.

Students in Spanish 1 learned verbs followed by infinitives to talk and write about what they want, needs, and can do. Next, they will prepare for an oral interview as a final project.

Students in Spanish 2 designed memes to represent verbs and also will prepare for an oral interview as a final project.

Students in Advanced Spanish 3 read "Los Nineros Terribles" and designed a monologue to talk about the reading from the perspective of one of the characters. Next, they will create a project about their childhoods in Book Creator.

Students in Advanced Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts have started their unit on theater and will soon make their own short films.

Students in Advanced United States History and Advanced World History will prepare for an assessment soon then get ready for finals!

Current interns will report to campus one day during finals to reflect on the year's experiences in Work-Based Learning--watch for information about this from Work-Based Learning Coordinator Mrs. Nicki Jones. Students interested in participating as interns for the 24-25 school year should watch their email accounts for messages from potential employers/job sites.

Save the date for our annual Summer Job Fair on Friday, May 10th, 2024--students may visit the Library Media Center any time during their morning or afternoon session to meet with employers!

Interns at The Kentucky Castle continue to prepare their 1/2 acre no-till, organic garden. The students have removed all tarps, applied compost, and redesigned the irrigation system. The high tunnel also has a full production of spinach, lettuce, kale, and peas. Next, students will present their expansion ideas to owners. See the below photos!

• Email the Attendance Specialist.
• Email the Counselor.
• Email the Library Media Specialist.

Mission: To grow ALL students into leaders who serve and advocate for the future of agriculture.

Vision: Together students discover their passion and unlock their potential through Leadership, Teamwork, Agriculture, and Community.

Run with the PACK:

be Positive, Ambitious, Courageous, and Kind!

Email: catherine.vannatter@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: fcps.net/locusttrace
Location: 3591 Leestown Road, Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: 859-381-3990
Facebook: facebook.com/locusttraceac
Twitter: @LocustTraceAC