Our Journey is Fleming County Schools’ district-wide newsletter, shared weekly with students, teachers, staff, parents, and guardians. It serves as a clear and consistent line of communication that keeps our school community informed, connected, and aligned. Our Journey helps create a shared understanding of where we are, where we are headed, and why the work matters.

The Week of Monday, March 23, 2026

Meet Henry Barnes, a 2nd grade student at Hillsboro Elementary School.

Most adults cannot change a tire. On Friday, Henry showed us something different. With very little help from his mom and dad, he demonstrated what a Passion Project can truly look like in Fleming County Schools. Pause for a moment and think about this. A wheel and tire can weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. Yet Henry stepped into that challenge with confidence and purpose. As he shared his learning, he did more than go through the steps. He explained the tools he needed. He described why the jack must be placed in the correct location under the truck. He talked through why he needed help removing and replacing the tire because of the weight. He understood the process, and more importantly, he understood the why behind it.

That is what stood out. Henry was not completing an assignment. He was living his learning. His passion for working on vehicles with his dad and grandfather came through in every word, every step, and every explanation. That is the lesson for all of us. When students are connected to what they are learning, when it matters to them, when it feels real, we see something different. We see confidence. We see ownership. We see students performing at a level that goes beyond expectations.

Henry did not just show us how to change a tire. He showed us what happens when learning has purpose.

In Fleming County Schools, we celebrate the creativity and talent of our K-12 students. From paintings and designs to choir, band, and drama performances, the arts are alive in every corner of our schools. Take a moment to explore this week’s featured work and help us celebrate the incredible ways our students are creating and expressing themselves.

Context: 6th Grade 3D sculptures! Students dove into the world of Assemblage and Relief Sculpture, inspired by the famous Pop Artist Marisol Escobar.

Bright ideas. Everyday materials. Creativity that builds from the center outward.

Our 6th-grade Purple Parrots artists have been hard at work transforming simple materials into meaningful works of art. In this project, students explored Assemblage and Relief Sculpture, inspired by the work of Marisol Escobar. Much like our recent middle school art feature, this experience challenged students to think beyond what they see and focus on how design, structure, and purpose come together.

So what is a radial relief sculpture?

Unlike a sculpture, you can walk all the way around; a relief sculpture remains attached to a background, similar to the images on a coin. Students took this concept further by creating radial balance. Every part of their design extends outward from a central point, much like a snowflake or a star.

Using cardboard tubes of varying heights, students built compositions that feel both structured and full of movement. What started as everyday materials quickly became something much more intentional.

And that is what stands out.

Students were not just creating. They were making decisions. They were thinking about balance, space, and how individual parts work together to form a complete design. Through this process, they developed a deeper understanding of how simple shapes can create powerful visual impact.

The final pieces are impressive, but more importantly, they reflect learning that goes beyond the project itself. This is what it looks like when students engage in meaningful artistic work. They create, they reflect, and they bring their ideas to life with purpose.

Student Artists:
Lexi Helterbrand
Elarah Cooper
Marlee Grannis
Charleigh Berry
McKenna Gardner

For more information, please contact Mrs. Kelly Dusing, Art Teacher at Simons Middle School, at kelly.dusing@fleming.kyschools.us

Dear Fleming Countians,

As we approach the week before Spring Break, this is a very important week for our students, especially for students in grades 3–12. This week, students will finalize their BPIs for the year and publish their BPI website for teachers, staff, parents, and guardians to review. This work is critical and matters.

I want to stress this. A student’s BPI and their BPI website, in my opinion, are just as, if not more, important than any state assessment. Why? Because this work shows what students can do, not just what they know. Think about it. The BPIs focus on Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Creativity and Innovation, Growth and Achievement, and Service. These are the skills that will stay with our students long after they leave our classrooms. These are the skills they will use in college, in careers, and in life. These are also the skills that cannot be fully measured through a multiple-choice test.

The only way to truly know if a student is meeting grade-level expectations in these areas is through performance, demonstrations, and evidence. That is why the evidence students are selecting this week is so important. This is not about uploading a collection of work. This is not about a notebook full of assignments. This is about students choosing evidence that clearly shows grade-level expectations. It is about quality over quantity. It is about telling the story of their learning.

In addition to BPI evidence, students are also including writing samples from the year and other indicators of learning. This may include reading and math growth, high school pathway data, and other measures that help show growth, mastery, and readiness.

At the end of the day, we want every student to be able to say, and demonstrate:

I can communicate clearly, whether speaking, writing, or using digital tools.
I can solve problems, both in school and in real-world situations.
I can work with others to complete meaningful tasks.
I can create, innovate, and share new ideas.
I can show growth, meet expectations, and set goals for what comes next.

When you review your child’s BPI website, you are not just looking at assignments. You are seeing their learning. You are seeing their growth. You are seeing their readiness.

Once students return from Spring Break, they will complete the final piece of the BPI process, their End-of-Year Presentation of Learning. During this time, students will share their work, reflect on their growth, and explain their learning. Our seniors will complete two presentations: their TED-style talk and their Website Defense. You can access your child's End-of-Year Presentation of Learning below, or you can access the requirements by visiting this link: 2025-2026 EoY Presentation of Learning Table. 

This is what it looks like when learning is visible. This is what it looks like when learning is meaningful. This is what it looks like when students are preparing for what comes next.

Thank you for your continued support of Fleming County Schools and the students we serve. 

Our Journey Continues…

Brian K. Creasman
Superintendent
Fleming County Schools

In Fleming County Schools, End-of-Year (EoY) Presentations of Learning are authentic, student-driven exhibitions that showcase a student’s growth, mastery, and readiness. They serve as a culminating reflection of the learning journey across the school year. These presentations extend far beyond traditional final exams or year-end reviews. Instead, they are meaningful, public demonstrations of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students have developed, aligned to the district’s Portrait of a Learner and the BRIDGE Performance Indicators (BPIs).

Local Accountability in Fleming County Schools focuses on what matters most, real learning and real growth. Through multiple measures and authentic student work, we support students, inform families, guide staff, and keep our community connected to how our schools are preparing every learner for the future.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026: 26-27 Kindergarten Registration at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Fleming/Mason RECC)

Friday, March 27, 2026: Deadline for BPI Website for grades 3-12

Monday, March 30th - Friday, April 3rd: Spring Break