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 9, 2026

The IMPACT Leadership Class at Simons Middle School is where our district’s Portrait of a Learner truly comes to life. Through the BRIDGE Performance Indicators (BPIs), students move beyond simply learning about leadership and begin practicing it in meaningful ways. The class is designed to help students develop the habits and skills that strong leaders demonstrate every day, including communication, collaboration, advocacy, critical thinking, and problem solving.

In this class, leadership is not a title. It is a mindset and a responsibility. Students explore real issues, learn how to advocate for ideas they believe in, and work together to develop thoughtful solutions. They regularly participate in mock debates on a wide range of topics, learning how to research, articulate their thinking, listen to different perspectives, and respectfully challenge ideas. These experiences help students build confidence while strengthening their ability to communicate clearly and thoughtfully.

What makes the IMPACT Leadership class so powerful is that the learning does not stay inside the classroom. On any given day, these 8th-grade students can be found across the district supporting events, working with younger students, helping organize initiatives, or representing their school in meaningful ways. They are learning that leadership is about service, responsibility, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

It is truly inspiring to watch these students in action. Through the IMPACT Leadership class, they are not only learning about leadership. They are living it.

Back Row: Hunter Weisbrodt, Aaron Watts, Sadie Jolly, Ellory Flora. Middle Row: Alec Hardin, Denton Marshall, Dari Moran. Front Row: Ryan Dehart, Mackenzi Utterback, Emily Roberts

For more information, contact Mrs. Crystal Thayer, the sponsor, at crystal.thayer@fleming.kyschools.us

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: Students Perform During Read Across America Week 

Fleming County High School drama students recently had the opportunity to share their talents with younger audiences. On March 3, students in the FCHS Drama Class performed the play Goldilocks on Trial for local elementary school students. The performance connected a familiar childhood story with the world of performing arts, allowing the high school students to demonstrate the skills they have been developing in class.

The audience was enthusiastic and engaged, and the drama students were excited to showcase their work to such a receptive crowd. Students in the class earn their Arts and Humanities credit through the drama elective, where they explore acting, stage performance, and other elements of theater.

In addition to the drama class, FCHS also has an after-school Drama Club that includes additional students who are interested in theater and meet regularly outside of class time. This larger group partnered with FCCLA in December to present the dinner theater production Just (Holiday) Desserts. The Drama Club will again collaborate with FCCLA this spring to present Check Please in April.

These experiences provide students with valuable opportunities to build creativity, confidence, and collaboration while sharing the performing arts with their school and community. For more information, please contact Mrs. Amanda Norris, Drama Teacher and Special Education Teacher at Fleming County High School, at amanda.norris@fleming.kyschools.us

Dear Fleming Countians,

As we approach the end of the third grading period and Spring Break, an important milestone is also approaching for our students. The deadline for submitting BRIDGE Performance Indicator (BPIs) evidence for the 2025-2026 school year is drawing near.

This year, the district moved the BPI submission deadline to March 27, 2026. The change was made intentionally to provide students with additional time to strengthen their work if needed. If a student needs to submit additional evidence, revise an artifact, or improve the rationale that explains their learning, this extended timeline provides that opportunity. The goal is not simply to collect assignments, but to ensure that each piece of evidence clearly reflects what a student knows and what they are able to do.

The decision to move the deadline came directly from feedback shared by students, teachers, and parents. Students shared that additional time allows them to more thoughtfully reflect on their work and present stronger evidence of their learning. Teachers noted that the extra time allows them to provide meaningful feedback and guidance. Parents and guardians shared that it helps students balance their responsibilities while still producing quality work.

It is also important to understand what BPIs are and what they are not. This process is very different from a traditional standardized test or a fill-in-the-blank assignment. Instead of selecting answers on a test, students demonstrate their learning through real evidence of what they have done and what they can do. Students show their skills through presentations, projects, performances, writing, and other meaningful work that reflects grade-level expectations.

Through this process, students demonstrate important skills such as teamwork, communication, public speaking, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. These are the same types of skills students will be expected to use in college, careers, and life. BPIs allow students to show these skills in authentic ways rather than simply answering questions on a test.

The BPI process also encourages students to reflect on their learning. When students select evidence and explain why it matters, they take ownership of their progress and begin to better understand their strengths and areas for growth. In many ways, the BPI portfolio becomes a story of a student's journey throughout the year.

As we move toward the March 27 deadline, students will continue working with their teachers to review artifacts, strengthen rationales, and ensure their portfolios clearly represent their growth and accomplishments this year. We appreciate the support families provide in encouraging students to take this process seriously and to present their best work.

Thank you for continuing to support the learning, growth, and success of our students. In Fleming County, we believe every student has a story worth telling, and the BPI process helps our students share that story with confidence and pride. At the end of the day, BPIs are about demonstrating learning, not just selecting answers. They allow students to show the depth of their thinking, the quality of their work, and the growth they have made throughout the year.

Our Journey Continues…

Brian K. Creasman
Superintendent
Fleming County Schools

Yesterday, our students represented our school with pride at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Regional Competition held at Morehead State University. Competing against students from across the region, they demonstrated strong skills in business, communication, analysis, and teamwork. Their hard work paid off, and they returned home with several top finishes and well-earned trophies.

We are proud to recognize the following students for their outstanding achievements:

1st Place
Agribusiness – Lucas Campbell

2nd Place
Data Analysis – Tyler Boerger
Entrepreneurship – Landon Thompson and Tyson Wells
Human Resource Management – Kiley Glover

3rd Place
Public Service Announcement – Blake Bradley, Harley Gardner, and Ella Watson

4th Place
Journalism – Kate Overbey

5th Place
Accounting – Elizabeth Thorn
Sales Presentation – Addisyn Highfield and Brynlee Black

Congratulations to all of our competitors for representing our school so well. We look forward to cheering them on again as they advance to the FBLA State Competition at the end of April.

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 17, 2026: Statewide SAT Day (Grade 11), PSAT (Grades 9 & 10), Seniors to Bowling Alley

Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Monthly Board of Education Meeting at 6:00 pm (Location: FES)

Thursday, March 19, 2026: Local Accountability Advisory Council Meeting at 11:00 am (Location: FCHS)

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