HCES Awards, KPREP banner, Perfect Attendance

Perfect Attendance

The quest by HCES children to achieve perfect attendance reached new heights at the school this year, as a record 46 students were on track to be included in the awards program as of March 13.   That’s when Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sent students in the Commonwealth home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After discussions with HCES staff members and a few parents, the school made the decision to honor all 46 students for perfect attendance.  “We feel it’s the right thing to do,” Richard Todd, HCES Principal, said.  “We have folks in the community that have made donations specifically for this, and we have students and families who made every effort to value attendance and be here every day.”   He pointed out that students had already made it through more than three-fourths of the school year, including cold and flu season, when the decision was made to move to NTI instruction.

In past years, all students who have achieved the status were seated in front of the entire HCES student body and staff, then allowed to partake in a “game show” event with students receiving prizes such as bicycles, scooters, $100 bills, gift cards, other cash prizes, and even a laptop computer.   Each year, every student that earned perfect attendance has received at least a cash prize; Todd added that was the predominant reason he and the staff felt it necessary to do so this year.

“Even though 46 is twice the number of students with perfect attendance that we’ve had in the past, we feel they earned recognition of the award,” the HCES principal stated.   The prizes donated this year by community stakeholders include a bicycle, two $25 Wal Mart gift card, and Acee’s gift card, and several cash contributions.   “We had a staff member offer to purchase the gift cards for cash,” Todd added, “so we did that, then used all the cash to provide equal prizes for 45 of the students.”

The one exception was the girls’ bicycle.  Since it is a larger bicycle, he explained that he placed the names of all girls in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in a drawing.  Out of the 21 female students who fit those prerequisites, fourth-grader Brie Anna Simmons’ name was drawn as the recipient of the bicycle.   “When I called her and her mother, Brittany Keefer, she was thrilled to get the bike,” Todd said.

The other 45 students will receive a $10 bill, he added, which is attached to the perfect attendance award.   Students and families were given the awards when they picked up their report cards Wednesday and Thursday.

Students who met the perfect attendance criteria of missing less than one-half day of school include:

Sixth grade - Kera Adams, Sydnee Bailey, Jack Byassee, Savanna Cooley, Adison Embrey, Clayton Gilliland, Sha’Marian Gray, Kaden Grubbs, Ann Marie White;

Fifth grade – Boston Boaz, Kenzie Crumble, Katie Dowdy, Trenton Rowe, Lucas Walker, Jacob Wesley, Lakyn Wilber;

Fourth grade – Jenna Byassee, Brian Davis, Emily Ferguson, Kelton Hardy, Karadari Hornback, Macy Howell, Jordan Mason, Kylie Meshew, Rachel Perry, Blayke Riley, Kaleigh Rubey, Braxton Sheppard, Brie Anna Simmons;

Third grade – Grayson Clark, Ailey Farmer, Rebecca Freeman, Brenna Goodson, Lucas Grimmitt, Ke’Inyiaziah Powell, Leah White;

Second grade – Eli Blalock, Tucker Byassee, John Harris, Jackson Mullins, Brent Perry;

First grade – Brystol Byassee, Ean Byassee, Reese Clark;

Kindergarten – Luka Garcia, and Ryker Wyland.

Highlights of the attendance awards include: fourth grade, which had 13 of its 44 students earn the honor; six sibling pairs that  met the requirements (Jack and Jenna Byassee, Tucker and Brystol Byassee, Grayson and Reese Clark, Brian Davis and Brie Anna Simmons, Brent and Rachel Perry, Ann Marie and Leah White); and the representation of every grade on the list.

FOURTH GRADE AWARDS

Reading

Bailey Childress

Kelton Hardy

Macy Howell

Jenna Byassee

Emilee Ferguson

Social Studies

Bailey Childress

Kelton Hardy

Jenna Byassee

Carter Camp

Language Arts

Kelton Hardy

Jenna Byassee

Macy Howell

Bailey Childress

Kara Hornback

Spelling

Jenna Byassee

Kelton Hardy

Kaleigh Rubey

Tyler Rogers

Bailey Childress

Writing

Karlie Kimbell

Bailey Childress

Top Reader

Kaleigh Rubey

Rachel Perry

Citizen

BrieAnna Simmons

John Tineo

Alle Speed

Math

Jenna Byassee

Emilee Ferguson

Macy Howell

Allie Hoff

Carter Camp

Science:

Jenna Byassee

Bailey Childress

Kelton Hardy

Rachel Perry

Leadership Cabinet

Jenna Byassee

Bailey Childress

Lee Polsgrove

FIFTH GRADE AWARDS

Reading (Top 5)

Kady Boaz

Trigg Deweese

Lillie Easley 

Meadow Sowell

Katie Dowdy

Social Studies (Top 5 Averages)

Wes Workman - Top Average - 100

Gracie Bond 

Kady Boaz

Boston Boaz

Lillie Easley

Language Arts (Top 5) Handwriting

Lillie Easley- 100.32 Gracie Bond

Kady Boaz Trevon Perry

Boston Boaz

Blythe Armbruster

Halle Evans

Easley Homeroom Best All Around

Brec Byassee

Blythe Armbruster

Best All Around - Mrs. Terry’s Homeroom

Katie Dowdy

Wes Workman

Math (top 5 ) Most Freckle Levels:

Wes Workman Trigg Deweese

Myles Roach

Boston Boaz

Trigg Deweese

Amber Wheeler

Science (top 5)

Gracie Bond

Blythe Armbruster

Wes Workman

Myles Roach

Lily Lambert

Leadership Cabinet

Brec Byassee

Halle Evans

Riley Norwood

Myles Roach

SIXTH GRADE AWARDS

The last few years, HCES has gotten students pumped up for the state K-PREP assessment using a themed facelift of the school, a stress-free day before testing, goodies and treats related to the theme, and staff dress-up correlated to the theme.  One of the biggest motivators for students to do their best, however, has been the banners placed in the HCES gym listing the names of all students who scored proficient and distinguished on the previous year’s tests.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, students not only didn’t take the K-PREP assessment, they were also denied the revealing of the newly-hung banner.

Pictured is the banner, recently hung by Hickman County School’s Bobby Kelly, William Jones, and Jeff Boaz. Like the others, the banner includes the names of each student in grades 3-6 who scored proficient or distinguished on at least one section of the K-PREP test.   “We’re proud that the number of students listed on the banner continues to grow.  That’s due to the hard work of the teachers and staff, and especially the students, as we continue to demonstrate Falcon Pride,” Richard Todd, HCES Principal, said.

The first banner was created and hung in 2015, as Todd consulted with both staff and students regarding ways to motivate students to give their best effort while also building school spirit and pride.   The banners are hung annually in the HCES gym based on recommendations from students.