McCracken County Schools

🌟 Happy Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate and thank our incredible maintenance team for their hard work, dedication, and behind-the-scenes efforts that keep everything running smoothly. 🛠️🔧 From fixing, cleaning, and maintaining our spaces to ensuring safety and comfort, your work does not go unnoticed. We appreciate you today and every day!

No School on Friday, March 14 and Monday, March 17.

🎭 McCracken County High School Theatre Presents: Big Fish – The Musical! 🎭 Welcome to SHOW MONTH! 🌟 Get ready for a spectacular production as the MCHS Theatre Department brings Big Fish – The Musical to life on stage! 📅 Show Dates & Time: 🎟 March 27th, 28th, & 29th at 7:00 PM 📍 Get Your Tickets Here: mchstheatre.ludus.com Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the beloved film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories captivate everyone around him—especially his devoted wife, Sandra. But their son, Will, who is about to become a father himself, is determined to uncover the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart and humor, Big Fish is an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love theatre—for an experience that’s richer, funnier, and bigger than life itself! This show is going to be BIG, and you won’t want to miss it! Get your tickets now!

🌟 March is Women’s History Month! 🌟 Throughout history, women have been pioneers, leaders, and change-makers in every field—from education and science to arts and civil rights. This month, we celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of women who have shaped our world and continue to inspire future generations. At McCracken County Schools, we honor the incredible women in our schools—our students, educators, staff, and community members—who make a difference every day. Join us in recognizing and celebrating Women’s History Month as we reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and empower the future!

🌟 Black History Month Staff Spotlight- Taryn Aulph. 🌟 This month, we are honored to celebrate the incredible staff members who make a difference in our school community every day! 💙👏 “Our culture is so very rich and that it should always be celebrated”- Taryn Aulph “Taryn is one of our valued McCracken employees. She is a very hardworking and always make an effort to call each student by name building a great positive rapport with each. She is a go getter and always has a smile on her face. She helps bring joy and light to Reidland Elementary School cafeteria.” – Cathy Lewis, Food Services Director

Congratulations Mustangs Women's Basketball - 2025 District Champions!

📢 April Bynum Named Interim Principal at Reidland Elementary! 🎉 McCracken County Schools is proud to announce that April Bynum has been named Interim Principal of Reidland Elementary School! 🍎📚 A dedicated educator and leader, Bynum has been an integral part of the Reidland community for many years, serving as a classroom teacher, math interventionist, instructional coach, and most recently, Assistant Principal. Her commitment to student success, teacher development, and fostering a positive learning environment makes her the perfect fit for this role. 🗣 "I am honored to continue serving the students, staff, and families of Reidland Elementary in this capacity," said Bynum. "Reidland is a special place, and I look forward to working alongside our incredible educators to create the best possible learning experiences for our students." Superintendent Josh Hunt shared his confidence in Bynum’s leadership, stating, "Her passion for student success and her ability to support and inspire both students and staff make her the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to see her continue making a positive impact." This transition follows the departure of Principal Anne Cox, who will be joining the Kentucky Department of Education as a Regional Principal Supports Leader. The Reidland Elementary SBDM Council will begin the process of selecting the school’s next principal in the coming weeks. Congratulations, Mrs. Bynum! 🎉👏 We look forward to your leadership at Reidland Elementary! https://www.mccracken.kyschools.us/article/2055880

🌟 Black History Month Staff Spotlight- Adam Duckwyler. 🌟 This month, we are honored to celebrate the incredible staff members who make a difference in our school community every day! 💙👏 Ella Fitzgerald once said, "It isn't where you come from; it's where you are going that counts." As an African American teacher, I want to teach students that it is not your past situation but your current situation that defines you. It is where you go in the future that truly matters." – Adam Duckwyler "Adam Duckwyler has brought energy and enthusiasm to our Lone Oak Elementary team this year. His love for kids, eagerness to learn, and outgoing personality make him a great addition to Lone Oak Elementary" – Jennifer Scism, Principal LOES

🎶 Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco! 🎷🎭 Students from Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary, Reidland Elementary, Heath Elementary, and Lone Oak Intermediate are experiencing the rich rhythms of Creole music and the history of Zydeco at the Carson Center today! 🎶✨ A huge thank you to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Grant for making this incredible cultural learning experience possible! ❤️🎺

SCHEDULE UPDATE: Thursday, February 20th - Tonight's Mustangs JV/Varsity Girls Basketball games @ Calloway County have been CANCELED.

🍽️ Huge Shoutout to Our Incredible Food Service Crew! 🍽️ Our amazing food service team stepped up in a big way on Tuesday! They served 3,000 breakfasts and 5,000 hot lunches, all while preparing nearly 19,000 take-home meals to ensure our students had food for the next few snow days. ❄️ A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in to make it happen. Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed! 👏👏

❄️ School Closure Announcement ❄️ Due to ongoing hazardous road conditions, McCracken County Schools will be closed on Friday, February 21, 2025. This will be NTI Day 4.

❄️ School Closure Announcement ❄️ Due to hazardous road conditions, McCracken County Schools will be closed on Thursday, February 20, 2025. This will be NTI Day 3.

🎉🏆 Congratulations to Mustangs Coed Cheer! 🏆🎉 Our Mustangs brought the energy and talent to UCA Nationals, earning an impressive 2nd place finish! 🎊👏 We are so proud of your hard work, dedication, and incredible performance!

♟️🏆 Congratulations to the MCHS Chess Team! 🏆♟️ Our Mustangs took 1st place at the Quad A Regional Chess Tournament held at Paducah Tilghman High School on Saturday, February 15! 🎉👏

❄️ School Closure Announcement ❄️ Due to incoming winter weather, McCracken County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. This will be NTI Day 2.

🎉🏆 Congratulations to the Mustangs Dance Team on their incredible achievements at Nationals! 🏆🎉 They placed 4th in Medium Varsity Game Day with an impressive score of 91.98 and 10th in Small Varsity Jazz with a score of 91.00! 💃✨ Your hard work, dedication, and talent continue to make us proud! Way to go, Mustangs! 🤍

Early Dismissal Announcement – February 18, 2025 Due to the approaching winter weather, McCracken County Schools will be dismissing early today, Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Dismissal Schedule: • 10:30 a.m.- A.M. Preschool • 11:45 a.m. – McCracken County High School, Heath Middle, Reidland Middle, and Lone Oak Middle • 1:00 p.m. – Heath Elementary, Concord Elementary, Lone Oak Elementary, Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary, Lone Oak Intermediate, Reidland Elementary, and Reidland Intermediate Additional Updates: • Afternoon preschool sessions are canceled. • All after-school activities are canceled. Please stay safe and take necessary precautions as the winter weather approaches.

🌟 Black History Month Staff Spotlight- Sal Patterson 🌟 This month, we are honored to celebrate the incredible staff members who make a difference in our school community every day! 💙👏 "I want others to know that black history and culture is more than a month in February. It is American History. Our contributions to society and this nation come from more that the major black figures we know. We are more that Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, Dr. M.L. King and Malcom X. We are entrepreneurial barbers, hairstylist, shoe shiners, shop owners, black smiths, jockeys, musicians, dentist, doctors, morticians, and police officers to name just a few. For me, my uncle Robert Lee Patterson, Sr. was Paducah's first black police chief and is credited with being the first black chief of police in Kentucky. That is Black History. For anyone interested in more Kentucky based black history; it can be found online at Notable Kentucky African Americans." Sal Patterson “Officer Sal Patterson has played a vital role in the success of Heath Middle School. Officer Patterson brings energy and life each and every day that he is around students. He is always willing to help no matter the circumstances. We can’t thank him enough for all that he does for the staff and students of Heath Middle School.” – Matthew Blackwell, Principal HMS

📢 Reminder! 📢 There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 17, 2025 in observance of Presidents' Day! 🇺🇸 Enjoy your long weekend!