WOLF TRACKS
September/October 2024 Edition
Dress for the Weather, Please
As the weather becomes colder (and maybe rainier and snowier!), students should dress appropriately to continue to work outside and in the barns. Students should have warm jackets, scarves, hats, and gloves and waterproof footwear. If a student needs help getting any of these items, please ask any faculty or staff member at school. We can provide whatever you need!
Optional Student Insurance
Fayette County Public Schools does not provide medical coverage for accidents that occur on campus. Consider purchasing optional insurance here. If your student participates in a Work-Based Learning internship, Community Partnerships Liaison Mrs. Nicki Jones reviewed this option with families.
From the Counselor . . .
Counselor Ms. Jenni Berk will meet with 12th graders to discuss their post-high school plans and continues to assist students with dual credit course enrollment and scholarship selection processes through the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. Ms. Berk also met with all new students to discuss socio-emotional, career, and employability-related topics.
From the Library Media Center . . .
Library Media Specialist Mrs. Meredith Reed welcomed students to the September Book Club and has issued a challenge to all students, faculty, and staff to read at least 25 books this school year! Check out the dashboard to see our statistics! The next Book Club will meet on Friday, November 1st, so students should watch their Canvas announcements to sign-up and participate. Remember: we provide books to students, and the meetings occur during the school day, so everyone has access!
From Yearbook . . .
Sponsor and Library Media Center Specialist Mrs. Meredith Reed has met with the Yearbook Staff and our Yearbook Reporters, who will capture photos of activities in all of our courses. You may purchase a copy of this year's yearbook in advance through Josten's.
From FFA . . .
Also, best wishes to Caroline Groth, FFA Kentucky President, who will represent LTAC, the Bluegrass Region, and Kentucky as a FFA National Officer Candidate at this year's FFA National Convention!
From the Hispanic Honors Society . . .
From the Jr. Conservation Board . . .
From Jr. MANRRS . . .
Also, join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and see the below flyer honoring Cesar Chavez and Dolores Clara Huerta.
From the Committees . . .
Celebration Committee - Elaina Heil with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Latissa Higgins
- Save the date for Monday, November 25th--we will recognize students who have earned their Greenhand and Chapter Degrees during the morning and afternoon sessions. Stay tuned for more information!
Community Service Committee - Abbie Knox with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Toni Myers
- Watch for information to volunteer at our annual Operation Pumpkin Patch event on Tuesday, November 5th!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee - Kai Baker with Agriculture Instructor Ms. Graciela Barajas
- See the Jr. MANRRS section for updates.
Family and Community Engagement Committee - Kenja Vargas with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Morgan Margita
- Save the date for our Fall Festival and Cookout on Tuesday, October 29th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at LTAC. We look forward to welcoming all students and families!
Fundraiser Committee - Eden Fluharty with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Brian Craig
- We raised nearly $4,000 through our mums sale--thank you! We look forward to working with Bi-Water Farm and Greenhouse to assist with their fall festival weekends.
Leadership Development Committee - Addison Hillard with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Daniel Bustle and the FFA Officers
- See the FFA section for updates.
Social Committee - Harper Bone with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Kathleen Magsam
- See the Family and Community Engagement Committee section for updates.
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Committee - Giselle Green with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Doug Ashcraft
- Keep watching our social media sites for features on students' SAEs!
Sustainability Committee (Jr. Conservation Board) - Belle McKinlay with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Ally Thompson
- See the Jr. Conservation Board section for updates.
Wellness Committee - Melanie Planck with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Fallon Jackson
- Watch for more opportunities for movement and healthier snack options provided during upcoming Trace Days!
Students in the Agricultural Engineering Institute have learned to operate zero-turn mowers and next will learn to operate All-Terrain Vehicles. Students also have completed a tractor driving unit, sketched drawings for projects, and created an invoice of materials for projects. Students will complete the construction of a high tunnel to expand the Plant Science Institute's growing space.
Next, students will learn about the four strokes, parts, and systems of an engine; how to read a tape measure; and about different wood joints, types of lumber, and how to make various angle cuts.
Agribusiness - Equine Studies Program
Students in Equine Science (Level 1) have mastered haltering and leading and now learn to groom horses. Students also recently explored The Kentucky Horse Park! Next, students will learn horse breeds and general husbandry skills.
Students in Agribusiness and Farm Management (Level 2) finished learning about equine systems and aging horses. Students now learn about evaluating conformation and created Pokemon cards about breed characteristics. Next, students will earn about bandaging legs and preventing disease.
Students in Agricultural Sales and Marketing (Level 3) learned about thoroughbred sales and visited the Keeneland September sale. Students even practiced how to show a horse at a sale by working with sales consignors. Next, students will start horses under saddle. See the below photos! And, consider joining the Program at the below event on Saturday, October 19th at Spy Coast Farm!
Food Science and Processing Program
Students in this program will process, prepare, and eat locally raised chickens. Soon students will raise their own broiler chickens for processing and place piglets on feed to also grow for processing in the spring. Next, sheep and goats on campus will undergo parturition, so students can learn to care for newborn animals.
Pre-Veterinary Studies Program
Students in Small Animal Technology (Level 2) have learned to confidently chart in medical records, order inventory, calculate invoices, and document client histories. Next, they will practice surgical assisting.
Students in Animal Technology (Level 3) have learned about cells, tissues, and the musculoskeletal system and logged clinical hours in veterinary offices.
We hope to see you at Barktoberfest--our annual fundraiser to support experiential learning trips, etc. We will host this event at LTAC on Saturday, October 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We accept cash or check only for baths, nail trims, and microchipping. See the below flyer!
Students in this Institute have explored the history of conservation and famous conservationists. They also have learned about key environmental challenges, including unintended consequences of actions and invasive species. Students have prepared the tanks in the aquaculture lab and created tree identification booklets. Next students will enter the Jim Claypool Essay Contest hosted by the Fayette County Conservation District. Students will take an experiential learning trip to Kentucky State University and begin learning about disease and pests affecting trees.
Students in this Institute have made symmetrical triangle floral arrangements, planted ferns and cared for poinsettias in the greenhouse, and learned to evaluate land. See the below photos! Students will participate in the FFA Bluegrass Region's Career Development Event Land Judging soon!
Foundational Courses
In Agriculture Employability Skills, students have learned about personalities in the workplace and how to collaborate in groups. Students completed teambuilding activities that challenged them to work with unfamiliar students and identify how personality types play a role in group dynamics.
In Principles of Agricultural Science and Technology, students learned about FFA--the Career and Technical Student Organization for students enrolled in agricultural pathways. Next, students will learn about Environmental Science and Natural Resources, including topics they can explore in that career pathway within agriculture.
Health and Physical Education
Spanish
Social Studies
Students in Advanced United States History finished a performance assessment covering Reconstruction and will learn about the Gilded Age next.
Students in Advanced World History completed a scientific revolution, Enlightenment, and exploration simulation.
Students in Advanced Government learned about the three parts of the United States Constitution.
Livestock Showing
Congratulations to the following students who completed their season of livestock showing by participating in the 4-H/FFA Livestock and Country Ham Auction: Oliviah Coy, Skyler Farmer, Giselle Green, Larkin Romines, Logan Sass, Nevaeh Trammell, and Kenja Vargas!
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning Coordinator Mrs. Nicki Jones has visited each intern at his/her/their work site. Students have asked great questions and shared keen observations! Students working on-campus have completed their probationary period and will clock-in and out for work to receive hourly pay! Congratulations! All interns should expect to receive evaluations from their supervisors soon.
Interns at The Kentucky Castle have hosted students from around the state, including Spencer County, and National Association of Agricultural Educators board members. Next, students will learn about cover crops as they continue to care for the animals, provide fall floral arrangements to the restaurant, and can and freeze vegetables. See the below photos!
Need Help?
- Email the Attendance Specialist.
- Email the Counselor.
- Email the Library Media Specialist.
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
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: 859-422-3990
Facebook: facebook.com/locusttraceac
Instagram: instagram.com/locusttraceac
X: @LocustTraceAC