🚢 Building Workforce Pathways 🚢
Several members of the McCracken County Schools team spent Thursday with Ingram Barge Company, touring their training facilities in downtown Paducah and Metropolis. We had the opportunity to see firsthand the equipment they use, how new employees are trained, and to have meaningful conversations about how we can continue preparing McCracken County High School students for success in the workforce.
Strong partnerships like this help connect classroom learning to real-world careers.
MCPS Team Members:
Josh Hunt • Jon Reid • Aaron Edwards • Jonathan Smith • Dylan Sonnek • Ashley Woodruff
Several members of the McCracken County Schools team spent Thursday with Ingram Barge Company, touring their training facilities in downtown Paducah and Metropolis. We had the opportunity to see firsthand the equipment they use, how new employees are trained, and to have meaningful conversations about how we can continue preparing McCracken County High School students for success in the workforce.
Strong partnerships like this help connect classroom learning to real-world careers.
MCPS Team Members:
Josh Hunt • Jon Reid • Aaron Edwards • Jonathan Smith • Dylan Sonnek • Ashley Woodruff
🌟 February McCracken MVP: Chuck Spees 🌟
We’re proud to recognize Chuck Spees, Preschool Bus Driver, as our February 2026 McCracken MVP!
Chuck brings positivity, patience, and a heart for kids to everything he does. He makes every ride a fun and welcoming experience for his preschool riders while always putting safety and what’s best for students first.
With a warm smile and kind words, he brightens mornings and afternoons for students and staff alike.
Thank you, Chuck, for the joy, care, and dedication you bring to our school community every day. 💙🚌
Congratulations, Chuck Spees! 🎉
We’re proud to recognize Chuck Spees, Preschool Bus Driver, as our February 2026 McCracken MVP!
Chuck brings positivity, patience, and a heart for kids to everything he does. He makes every ride a fun and welcoming experience for his preschool riders while always putting safety and what’s best for students first.
With a warm smile and kind words, he brightens mornings and afternoons for students and staff alike.
Thank you, Chuck, for the joy, care, and dedication you bring to our school community every day. 💙🚌
Congratulations, Chuck Spees! 🎉
Congratulations to these 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Grade MCPS students for representing our district as participants in the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Kentucky Children’s Chorus (Grades 5-6) and the Kentucky Junior High Chorus (Grades 7-9). They will be performing this evening alongside 600 of their peers from across the Commonwealth at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville at 5:00 PM EST tonight! #McCrackenProud 🏴☠️⚡️🐾🐴
Do you know an alum who deserves recognition?
✔️ Nominations are open to the public
✔️ Anyone may submit a nomination
✔️ Alumni from MCHS, Heath, Reidland, and Lone Oak are eligible
🗓 Deadline: June 1, 2026
🔗 https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/hall-of-fame
✔️ Nominations are open to the public
✔️ Anyone may submit a nomination
✔️ Alumni from MCHS, Heath, Reidland, and Lone Oak are eligible
🗓 Deadline: June 1, 2026
🔗 https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/hall-of-fame
The McCracken County Schools Hall of Fame includes two categories:
• McCracken County High School Hall of Fame
• Hall of Heritage — honoring alumni of Heath, Reidland, and Lone Oak High Schools
Help us recognize alumni who achieved excellence in academics or athletics.
🔗 Nominate today: https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/hall-of-fame
• McCracken County High School Hall of Fame
• Hall of Heritage — honoring alumni of Heath, Reidland, and Lone Oak High Schools
Help us recognize alumni who achieved excellence in academics or athletics.
🔗 Nominate today: https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/hall-of-fame
📚 As we wrap up School Board Appreciation Month… 📚
We have one more McCracken County Board of Education member to highlight and thank for their dedication and service to our students, staff, and community.
Today, we recognize Steve Shelby, a longtime board member with deep roots in education. With years of service on the board, prior involvement on the site-based council at Heath Elementary, and a strong family legacy of educators, Steve brings valuable experience and perspective to his role.
Thank you, Steve, for your continued leadership, commitment to public education, and service to McCracken County Schools.
We have one more McCracken County Board of Education member to highlight and thank for their dedication and service to our students, staff, and community.
Today, we recognize Steve Shelby, a longtime board member with deep roots in education. With years of service on the board, prior involvement on the site-based council at Heath Elementary, and a strong family legacy of educators, Steve brings valuable experience and perspective to his role.
Thank you, Steve, for your continued leadership, commitment to public education, and service to McCracken County Schools.
🌟 Happy National School Counseling Week! 🌟
This week, we celebrate the school counselors who are always ready to listen, encourage, and advocate for our students. Your guidance helps shape confident learners and caring individuals. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference every day.
This week, we celebrate the school counselors who are always ready to listen, encourage, and advocate for our students. Your guidance helps shape confident learners and caring individuals. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference every day.
McCracken County Schools will welcome students back to school on Tuesday, February 3.
Our transportation team will be checking routes and road conditions to ensure safe travel. Families will be contacted directly if a bus is unable to safely access a stop.
We ask our community to please be mindful of school buses on the roads, especially in areas that may not be fully cleared. Families who transport students and high school student drivers should also use extra caution.
Thank you for helping us ensure a safe return—we look forward to seeing our students tomorrow!
Our transportation team will be checking routes and road conditions to ensure safe travel. Families will be contacted directly if a bus is unable to safely access a stop.
We ask our community to please be mindful of school buses on the roads, especially in areas that may not be fully cleared. Families who transport students and high school student drivers should also use extra caution.
Thank you for helping us ensure a safe return—we look forward to seeing our students tomorrow!
February marks Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, leadership, and lasting contributions of Black Americans throughout history and today.
Throughout the month, students will engage in lessons, activities, and discussions that highlight influential voices, important moments, and the impact Black leaders have had on our nation and communities.
We are committed to celebrating diversity, promoting understanding, and ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and inspired.
Throughout the month, students will engage in lessons, activities, and discussions that highlight influential voices, important moments, and the impact Black leaders have had on our nation and communities.
We are committed to celebrating diversity, promoting understanding, and ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and inspired.
Just a reminder that Monday, February 2, is a scheduled staff workday on the 2025–26 district calendar, and students will not attend school. We look forward to seeing our students on Tuesday, February 3.
📚 School Board Appreciation Month 📚
This month, we are proud to recognize and thank our McCracken County Board of Education members for their dedication and service to our students, staff, and community.
Today, we are highlighting Crystal Culp, a one-year board member whose connection to McCracken County Schools spans more than two decades. With 27 years of service as an educator—including work at the Adult High School and the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center—Crystal has also led the district’s National Board Academy and served as past president of the McCracken County Education Association.
Thank you, Crystal, for your leadership, advocacy for public education, and commitment to transparency and strong communication in support of our students, educators, and community.
This month, we are proud to recognize and thank our McCracken County Board of Education members for their dedication and service to our students, staff, and community.
Today, we are highlighting Crystal Culp, a one-year board member whose connection to McCracken County Schools spans more than two decades. With 27 years of service as an educator—including work at the Adult High School and the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center—Crystal has also led the district’s National Board Academy and served as past president of the McCracken County Education Association.
Thank you, Crystal, for your leadership, advocacy for public education, and commitment to transparency and strong communication in support of our students, educators, and community.
Reminder that Monday, February 2, is a scheduled staff workday on the 2025–26 district calendar, and students will not attend school. We look forward to seeing our students on Tuesday, February 3.
Meal Bag Information 🍎
McCracken County Food Service will offer meal bag pick-up at each school on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
🚗 Families should drive to the door closest to the cafeteria at their child’s school.
🔢 A student lunch number is required for pick-up.
Thank you, and we look forward to serving our families!
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement- https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/food-service?fbclid=IwY2xjawPomHhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkT0p2SlB6a3dpSjN4bEY5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnE0C7EnSHmvahEaBuBebrgGvMHz6a0oe4JXX97aWzto6Yj7PEz1kjB4vR8c_aem_t81_CDPAn6-qSNcD9P_Ueg
McCracken County Food Service will offer meal bag pick-up at each school on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
🚗 Families should drive to the door closest to the cafeteria at their child’s school.
🔢 A student lunch number is required for pick-up.
Thank you, and we look forward to serving our families!
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement- https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/food-service?fbclid=IwY2xjawPomHhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkT0p2SlB6a3dpSjN4bEY5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnE0C7EnSHmvahEaBuBebrgGvMHz6a0oe4JXX97aWzto6Yj7PEz1kjB4vR8c_aem_t81_CDPAn6-qSNcD9P_Ueg
McCracken County High School Homecoming activities will continue this weekend as announced earlier this week. Our maintenance and custodial departments are continuing to ensure that snow and ice are cleared from parking areas and sidewalks at MCHS.
• Homecoming Game & Coronation: Friday, January 30
• Homecoming Coronation will begin at 5:30 p.m., prior to the girls’ basketball game.
Saturday, January 31 | 8:00–10:00 p.m.
• Homecoming Dance:
• Tickets will remain on sale through Friday night at 10:00 p.m. via the Infinite Campus School Store.
• Outside guest forms will be accepted until the start of the dance.
• Students attending the dance should enter through the House 2/3 doors.
We look forward to celebrating Homecoming with our students!
• Homecoming Game & Coronation: Friday, January 30
• Homecoming Coronation will begin at 5:30 p.m., prior to the girls’ basketball game.
Saturday, January 31 | 8:00–10:00 p.m.
• Homecoming Dance:
• Tickets will remain on sale through Friday night at 10:00 p.m. via the Infinite Campus School Store.
• Outside guest forms will be accepted until the start of the dance.
• Students attending the dance should enter through the House 2/3 doors.
We look forward to celebrating Homecoming with our students!
❄️ Weather Update | NTI Day #5 ❄️
Friday, January 30, 2026
McCracken County Schools will observe Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) Day #5 on Friday, January 30.
We are very grateful to our custodians and maintenance teams who have worked tirelessly to clear and treat sidewalks and parking lots at all of our campuses. At this time, school parking lots and sidewalks across the district have been plowed, shoveled, and treated, and crews will continue working over the next few days. We also appreciate our local and state road crews for their continued efforts.
Despite this progress, some secondary roads remain snow-covered and unsafe for school bus travel. School buses are much heavier than cars, require longer stopping distances, and cannot maneuver or brake safely on icy roads—especially on narrow, hilly, or untreated routes. Many bus turnarounds and intersections remain impacted by snow and ice, making safe transportation difficult.
🍽 Meal Pick-Up
Meal bags will be available at each school Friday from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Please enter through the door closest to the cafeteria. A student lunch number is required.
🏀 Homecoming Weekend
Officials at Paducah City Schools and McCracken County Schools have confirmed that the girls and boys varsity basketball games will take place as scheduled. McCracken County High School will continue with Homecoming activities as planned, with the Homecoming game and coronation on Friday and the Homecoming dance on Saturday. Because buses are not used for these events, and because parking lots and sidewalks at McCracken County High School will be clear, families may make the best decision for their child based on road conditions in their area.
Thank you to our staff and families for your patience, understanding, and continued support.
Friday, January 30, 2026
McCracken County Schools will observe Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) Day #5 on Friday, January 30.
We are very grateful to our custodians and maintenance teams who have worked tirelessly to clear and treat sidewalks and parking lots at all of our campuses. At this time, school parking lots and sidewalks across the district have been plowed, shoveled, and treated, and crews will continue working over the next few days. We also appreciate our local and state road crews for their continued efforts.
Despite this progress, some secondary roads remain snow-covered and unsafe for school bus travel. School buses are much heavier than cars, require longer stopping distances, and cannot maneuver or brake safely on icy roads—especially on narrow, hilly, or untreated routes. Many bus turnarounds and intersections remain impacted by snow and ice, making safe transportation difficult.
🍽 Meal Pick-Up
Meal bags will be available at each school Friday from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Please enter through the door closest to the cafeteria. A student lunch number is required.
🏀 Homecoming Weekend
Officials at Paducah City Schools and McCracken County Schools have confirmed that the girls and boys varsity basketball games will take place as scheduled. McCracken County High School will continue with Homecoming activities as planned, with the Homecoming game and coronation on Friday and the Homecoming dance on Saturday. Because buses are not used for these events, and because parking lots and sidewalks at McCracken County High School will be clear, families may make the best decision for their child based on road conditions in their area.
Thank you to our staff and families for your patience, understanding, and continued support.
⚾️ Mustang Baseball Camp ⚾️
Join us Saturday, February 7 for a fun and skill-building Mustang Baseball Camp led by our Mustang coaches and players! Open to K–8th grade, with age-based sessions.
💲 $35 per camper | 👕 Camp T-shirt included
📍 Mercy Health Indoor Facility
Join us Saturday, February 7 for a fun and skill-building Mustang Baseball Camp led by our Mustang coaches and players! Open to K–8th grade, with age-based sessions.
💲 $35 per camper | 👕 Camp T-shirt included
📍 Mercy Health Indoor Facility
Due to hazardous conditions on secondary roads, McCracken County Schools will be closed for in-person instruction tomorrow, Thursday, January 29, 2026. This day will be designated as NTI Day #4.
While travel conditions are improving, they are not yet consistent enough across the county for school buses to operate safely, particularly on secondary routes. Some staff and students would still encounter challenging travel conditions, and our priority is to ensure everyone can return to school safely.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our janitors and maintenance team, who have worked tirelessly across the district to clear parking lots, sidewalks, and school grounds in preparation for our return. Their dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated.
Looking ahead to Friday, our transportation department will be checking all bus routes tomorrow. While no decision has been made at this time, we are hopeful that in-person learning can resume if conditions continue to improve. With Monday, February 2, already scheduled as a staff work day, returning students on Friday would provide an important opportunity to check in, serve meals, and reconnect after several days away from school.
Families should not assume a closure for Friday. We will continue to closely monitor conditions and communicate clearly once a final decision is made.
Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and support as we work to safely return students to classrooms.
While travel conditions are improving, they are not yet consistent enough across the county for school buses to operate safely, particularly on secondary routes. Some staff and students would still encounter challenging travel conditions, and our priority is to ensure everyone can return to school safely.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our janitors and maintenance team, who have worked tirelessly across the district to clear parking lots, sidewalks, and school grounds in preparation for our return. Their dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated.
Looking ahead to Friday, our transportation department will be checking all bus routes tomorrow. While no decision has been made at this time, we are hopeful that in-person learning can resume if conditions continue to improve. With Monday, February 2, already scheduled as a staff work day, returning students on Friday would provide an important opportunity to check in, serve meals, and reconnect after several days away from school.
Families should not assume a closure for Friday. We will continue to closely monitor conditions and communicate clearly once a final decision is made.
Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and support as we work to safely return students to classrooms.
Due to the ongoing winter storm and hazardous conditions across our area, McCracken County Schools will be closed on Monday, January 26; Tuesday, January 27; and Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The decision to close schools for the next three days allows our families and community time to focus on safety and navigate the impacts of this significant winter weather event. In addition, the extended period of extremely cold temperatures following the storm is not expected to allow for sufficient thawing to ensure safe travel and school operations.
During this time, all McCracken County Schools campuses will be closed, and all district games, events, practices, and extracurricular activities are canceled through Wednesday, January 28. We encourage families, students, and staff to remain off the roads so highway departments and emergency services can safely perform their work.
These days will be designated as Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) Days 1, 2, and 3. If families are able, students should complete assigned NTI work. We understand that winter weather, power outages, or other unforeseen circumstances may interfere with a student’s ability to participate, and schools and staff will be flexible in accommodating these situations. Families with questions may reach out through the MCPS mobile app (Rooms), Google Classroom, or email.
The use of NTI days allows the district to maintain Spring Break and prevents the extension of in-person instruction beyond Memorial Day.
As this winter storm brings extremely cold temperatures and the potential for ice, snow, and power disruptions, we encourage everyone to take necessary precautions to stay safe and prepared. The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates through the MCPS website, MCPS mobile app, official McCracken County Schools social media channels, and local media outlets. Families will also receive a phone call, email, and text message notifying them of any updates.
Please stay warm, safe, and weather-aware during this extended closure.
The decision to close schools for the next three days allows our families and community time to focus on safety and navigate the impacts of this significant winter weather event. In addition, the extended period of extremely cold temperatures following the storm is not expected to allow for sufficient thawing to ensure safe travel and school operations.
During this time, all McCracken County Schools campuses will be closed, and all district games, events, practices, and extracurricular activities are canceled through Wednesday, January 28. We encourage families, students, and staff to remain off the roads so highway departments and emergency services can safely perform their work.
These days will be designated as Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) Days 1, 2, and 3. If families are able, students should complete assigned NTI work. We understand that winter weather, power outages, or other unforeseen circumstances may interfere with a student’s ability to participate, and schools and staff will be flexible in accommodating these situations. Families with questions may reach out through the MCPS mobile app (Rooms), Google Classroom, or email.
The use of NTI days allows the district to maintain Spring Break and prevents the extension of in-person instruction beyond Memorial Day.
As this winter storm brings extremely cold temperatures and the potential for ice, snow, and power disruptions, we encourage everyone to take necessary precautions to stay safe and prepared. The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates through the MCPS website, MCPS mobile app, official McCracken County Schools social media channels, and local media outlets. Families will also receive a phone call, email, and text message notifying them of any updates.
Please stay warm, safe, and weather-aware during this extended closure.
As we look ahead to next week following the winter storm, we want to remind families how McCracken County Schools will notify you if weather conditions require changes to the school schedule.
With the anticipation of a winter storm, all McCracken County Schools students will receive meal bags containing 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches today. How students receive their meal bags will vary by school level:
Elementary and middle school students will receive their meal bags as they leave school today.
McCracken County High School students may pick up their meal bags in the cafeteria as they leave today.
Preschool families should check with their child’s elementary school about picking up a meal bag for their preschooler.
We hope this helps families prepare. Please stay safe and warm.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement- https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/food-service
Elementary and middle school students will receive their meal bags as they leave school today.
McCracken County High School students may pick up their meal bags in the cafeteria as they leave today.
Preschool families should check with their child’s elementary school about picking up a meal bag for their preschooler.
We hope this helps families prepare. Please stay safe and warm.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement- https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/food-service
