Does technology improve our lives—or control them?

Students in Amanda Todd’s middle school classroom are exploring that question through a project that combines research, critical thinking and civic engagement.

Students began by considering how often they use technology and the different roles it plays in their lives. They then examined technology through fiction, nonfiction and poetry, weighing its benefits against its potential drawbacks.

Students at Preschool on College Street recently brightened their classrooms—and their school community—by participating in Color Days.

Throughout the initiative, students were invited to wear a designated color on different school days. The activity gave children a fun and memorable way to practice identifying colors while creating a stronger sense of connection across the school.

There is a lot to keep up with during the school year. Between grades, lunch menus, days off, forms and school events, parents may not always know where to look first.

A good place to start is the LaRue County Schools website.

One of the most helpful resources on the homepage is the school calendar. It gives families a look at holidays, breaks and other days when students will not be in school, making it easier to plan ahead.

An unexpected expense can disrupt even the most carefully planned budget—a lesson approximately 125 LaRue County Middle School students experienced through a life-sized financial wellness game presented in partnership with Abound Credit Union.

During the last week of August, Career Labs students in grades six through eight participated in the interactive activity, applying financial concepts to situations they may encounter in the future.

Students in Cara Howell’s art room at Hodgenville Elementary School are combining creativity with local history as they produce artwork for the Lincoln Days celebration.

The annual project gives students an opportunity to explore Abraham Lincoln’s connection to LaRue County while continuing a tradition shared by generations of local children.

“For years, our students in LaRue County have been drawing Abraham Lincoln as part of the Lincoln Days celebration,” Howell said. “It’s something I remember as a child.”

For members of the LaRue County High School FFA, a trip to the Kentucky State Fair was about more than competition. It was an opportunity to put classroom knowledge to work while developing skills that extend far beyond agriculture.

LCHS FFA students competed in the Kentucky 4-H Poultry Judging contest Friday, Aug. 21, testing their ability to evaluate everything from live birds and eggs to processed poultry products.

The competition requires students to understand what separates a high-quality product from one that might never reach a grocery store shelf.

A strong school year is built one challenge, one conversation and one creative idea at a time.

On only the second day of school, students in Meredith Richardson’s classroom at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School were already putting those ideas into action. Working in teams and using a limited selection of materials, students were challenged to construct the tallest and strongest barn they could.

The first days of kindergarten can bring a mix of excitement and uncertainty for children and their families. In recent years, staff members from Preschool on College Street helped make that transition smoother by beginning the year alongside students at Hodgenville Elementary Schools and Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.

For many people, summer signals a break from routines, early mornings, and packed schedules. One common misconception is that teachers get two full months off once students leave school for summer break. In reality, the weeks between school years are often filled with training, preparation, and professional learning designed to help educators better serve students.

Over the last several years, school districts across Kentucky have experienced significant increases in the cost of purchasing new buses. In 2019, a new school bus typically cost around $100,000. Today, that same purchase can exceed $200,000, more than doubling in price in just a few years.

Rather than waiting until multiple buses need replacement at the same time, the district follows a long-term approach designed to gradually refresh its fleet. By planning ahead and purchasing approximately one bus each year, the district can spread costs over time while ensuring students continue to travel in safe, reliable vehicles.

For many years, Project Graduation has been one of the most anticipated traditions associated with graduation at LaRue County High School. Known for strong participation and memorable experiences, the event has become a longstanding way for seniors to celebrate safely with classmates following commencement.

For many high school seniors, turning 18 brings new freedoms and responsibilities. Among them is the opportunity to vote for the first time. Recently, a discussion inside a LaRue County High School Work Based Experience classroom led to an important question: What happens when students are eligible to vote but have no reliable way to get there?

The conversation sparked action.

“Graduation is a celebration of years of hard work, growth, and perseverance,” Choate said. “This class has created memories, overcome challenges, and accomplished so much during their time at LaRue County High School. We are excited to celebrate them together as a community.”

State assessments are part of the accountability system set by the legislature to measure how schools are performing and growing. The results help guide decisions at the state level and provide a snapshot of progress.

That snapshot matters. It deserves focus, effort, and care from both students and educators.

But it is just that — a snapshot.

LaRue County High School students recently earned a spot in the final round of the Kentucky Personal Finance Challenge, placing among the top six teams in the state following the opening stage of competition.

When Charlotte Miller walks into her classroom at Preschool on College Street each morning, she carries with her years of preparation, experience, and a calling she felt led to follow.

For Heather Bewley, teaching is more than a profession, it is a calling shaped by a lifetime of caring for others. Growing up with a younger sister with intellectual disabilities and later working in a group home for adults with disabilities during college, Bewley says those experiences made it clear that she was meant to serve students with special needs. Today, as a teacher at LaRue County High School, she works to ensure every student is prepared not just for graduation, but for a happy, healthy adulthood where they can contribute meaningfully to their community.