Please consider being a host family for a foreign exchange student!
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Paintsville Independent is proud to support continuous learning and growth for our educators!
Allison King, Shasta Howard, Andy Hazlette, and Nicki Caudill recently
attended the RISE (Results-Driven Initiatives for Science Education) Student Work Analysis Meeting in Louisville. During this collaborative session, teachers dug deeply into student work to better understand how students think, where misconceptions exist, and how to strengthen science instruction moving forward.
RISE is known across Kentucky for its strong emphasis on improving science teaching through evidence-based practices, three-dimensional learning, and a focus on using student thinking to drive instruction. By analyzing real student work, educators are able to refine lessons that build critical thinking, problem-solving, and deeper understanding of scientific concepts.
We are excited to see how this learning will continue to impact classrooms and support high-quality science instruction for all students! 🔬👏
$1,000 Prize!
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has officially opened the 2026 Sixth Circuit Civics Contest, inviting high school students (grades 9-12) from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee to participate.
This year’s theme – “250 Years of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: The Judiciary’s Role in Upholding America’s Promise” – encourages students to explore the connection between the Declaration of Independence and the judiciary’s ongoing role in protecting constitutional rights.
Students are asked to create an original graphic public service campaign poster accompanied by a written description of up to 500 words. Submissions will be judged on clarity, creativity, relevance, and technical quality. The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 award.
The deadline to apply is March 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Email submissions to: CA06-Civics_Contest@ca6.uscourts.gov.
Our Community Book Club selection to be discussed at our May 7th meeting will be "A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City." You are welcome to download an e-version but if you'd like a FREE paper copy, please fill out this short request form by March 27th. It will be available to pick up on April 9 (or earlier) in the PHS office.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaMwyU_47JtdP8sDU4ITMrkA-pFtinCKpTrzvTjmo_mUJLuA/viewform
About the Book:
The inspiration for HBO's Murder in Glitter Ball City
This true crime saga—with an eccentric Southern backdrop—introduces the reader to the story of a murder in a crumbling Louisville mansion and the decades of secrets and corruption that live within the old house’s walls.
On June 18, 2010, police discover a body buried in the wine cellar of a Victorian mansion in Old Louisville. James Carroll, shot and stabbed the year before, has lain for 7 months in a plastic storage bin—his temporary coffin. Homeowner Jeffrey Mundt and his boyfriend, Joseph Banis, point the finger at each other in what locals dub The Pink Triangle Murder.
On the surface, this killing appears to be a crime of passion, a sordid love tryst gone wrong in a creepy old house. But as author David Dominé sits in on the trials, a deeper story emerges: the struggle between hope for a better future on the one hand and the privilege and power of the status quo on the other.
As the court testimony devolves into he-said/he-said contradictions, David draws on the confidences of neighbors and other acquaintances within the city's vibrant community to piece together the details of the case. While uncovering the many past lives of the mansion itself, he enters a murky underworld of gossip, neighborhood scandal, and intrigue.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaMwyU_47JtdP8sDU4ITMrkA-pFtinCKpTrzvTjmo_mUJLuA/viewform
About the Book:
The inspiration for HBO's Murder in Glitter Ball City
This true crime saga—with an eccentric Southern backdrop—introduces the reader to the story of a murder in a crumbling Louisville mansion and the decades of secrets and corruption that live within the old house’s walls.
On June 18, 2010, police discover a body buried in the wine cellar of a Victorian mansion in Old Louisville. James Carroll, shot and stabbed the year before, has lain for 7 months in a plastic storage bin—his temporary coffin. Homeowner Jeffrey Mundt and his boyfriend, Joseph Banis, point the finger at each other in what locals dub The Pink Triangle Murder.
On the surface, this killing appears to be a crime of passion, a sordid love tryst gone wrong in a creepy old house. But as author David Dominé sits in on the trials, a deeper story emerges: the struggle between hope for a better future on the one hand and the privilege and power of the status quo on the other.
As the court testimony devolves into he-said/he-said contradictions, David draws on the confidences of neighbors and other acquaintances within the city's vibrant community to piece together the details of the case. While uncovering the many past lives of the mansion itself, he enters a murky underworld of gossip, neighborhood scandal, and intrigue.
Tiger community, make sure to set your clocks one hour FORWARD today for Daylight Saving Time! #SpringForwardFallBack
🎉 Big things are printing at PHS! 🎉
Students in Dustin Adams’s 3-D Printing class successfully completed their very first test print on our brand new 3-D printer this week! This exciting milestone marks the beginning of many innovative, hands-on projects to come.
Next up: students will be designing and printing literary-themed geocache containers for our English classes to use in their upcoming literary geocaching project. 📚🗺️ What a fantastic example of cross-curricular collaboration—combining technology, creativity, and literature!
We can’t wait to see these custom creations come to life. Great work, Panthers!:
Students in Dustin Adams’s 3-D Printing class successfully completed their very first test print on our brand new 3-D printer this week! This exciting milestone marks the beginning of many innovative, hands-on projects to come.
Next up: students will be designing and printing literary-themed geocache containers for our English classes to use in their upcoming literary geocaching project. 📚🗺️ What a fantastic example of cross-curricular collaboration—combining technology, creativity, and literature!
We can’t wait to see these custom creations come to life. Great work, Panthers!:
Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day is March 7th, but we will celebrate today!! 🛠️💙
We are incredibly grateful for the dedicated men and women who work behind the scenes every day at Paintsville Independent to keep our schools safe and clean. From early mornings to late evenings, our maintenance team work to ensure that our students and staff have a comfortable and secure environment for teaching and learning.
Please join us in thanking our maintenance staff for all they do for our schools! 👏
Tonight’s Community Book Club had a wonderful discussion of Clay’s Quilt! Participants shared their thoughts about the novel while enjoying snacks and great conversation.
Everyone also created unique bookmarks using pages from discarded novels, choosing phrases that reminded them of Clay’s Quilt and its themes. During the meeting, a playlist featuring all of the songs referenced in the book played in the background.
A special thank you to our Education Club members who provided child care for the moms in attendance!
We’d also like to give a special thank you to Caitlin Salyer for creating a beautiful lap quilt from the quilt squares we decorated at our last meeting to represent what “home” means to us. It was so meaningful to see everyone’s pieces come together.
The books for our Community Book Club were purchased to support community engagement through the 2025 Kentucky Comprehensive Literacy Grant. It was a fun evening celebrating reading and community! 📚🧵✨
Our Clay’s Quilt discussion is tonight at 6:00 PM! 📚
We’re so looking forward to gathering again for great conversation, snacks, and a little time to connect.
Join us in the PHS Library at 6:00 PM. Childcare is provided — we hope to see you there! Park in the 3rd street lot and enter through the double doors by the main office.
Today in Mr. Andy Hazlette’s 3rd grade science class, students were fully engaged in authentic, hands-on learning! 🌱🌪️
Working collaboratively in groups, students gathered information about their assigned weather hazard and recorded detailed research notes as they investigated the question: “How do weather hazards affect plants?”
Next, the class will come back together in their Scientist Circle to create a class chart, analyze similarities among the different weather hazards, and determine how each impacts plant life.
Collaboration, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning in action — great things are happening in 3rd grade science!
We were fortunate to spend the day working alongside the KEDC SERTAC team reviewing special education folders and strengthening our processes. The feedback from KEDC was incredibly positive — they noted how professional, thoughtful, and open our staff were to feedback and discussion. That commitment to continuous improvement is what helps us best serve our students. I’m proud of our team and grateful to be part of a group that cares so deeply about doing things the right way for kids. Thank you to KEDC for partnering with us in this work! #TeamPaintsville #SpecialEducation #ContinuousImprovement
🔬✨ VIBRANT Learning in 6th Grade Science! ✨🔬
There is some incredible learning happening in Mrs. Allison King’s 6th grade science class!
Yesterday, students planned their very first investigation to help answer the question:
Why is the air near the ground warmer than the air higher up? 🌎🌡️
Working collaboratively in groups, students determined:
✔️ What data they need to collect
✔️ How they will collect it
✔️ Where they need to collect it
✔️ What tools they will use
Today, they are putting their plans into action and performing the investigation! This is hands-on, student-driven science at its best — building critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills.
We love seeing our students think like scientists! 🧪👏
There is some incredible learning happening in Mrs. Allison King’s 6th grade science class!
Yesterday, students planned their very first investigation to help answer the question:
Why is the air near the ground warmer than the air higher up? 🌎🌡️
Working collaboratively in groups, students determined:
✔️ What data they need to collect
✔️ How they will collect it
✔️ Where they need to collect it
✔️ What tools they will use
Today, they are putting their plans into action and performing the investigation! This is hands-on, student-driven science at its best — building critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills.
We love seeing our students think like scientists! 🧪👏
🎉 Eighth Graders--FREE PSAT 8/9 Math Review Session – March 11! 🎉
8th graders are invited to attend a FREE review session for the PSAT 8/9. There will be food, drinks, and prizes! Any 8th grader who increases their PSAT 8/9 math score by 70 points from last year or meets the 430 benchmark will receive a $50 check so make sure to attend the review session!
📌 See the flyer for full details.
📣 PSAT 8/9 – March 12 📣
Our 8th grade students will be taking the PSAT 8/9 on March 12. This is a great opportunity for students to show their growth and academic progress!
💰 Incentive Opportunity:
Any 8th grader who increases their Math score by 70 points from last year OR earns a 430 Math benchmark score will receive a $50 check!
This incentive is made possible through funding from our 6th–8th grade math teachers’ participation in the Access to Algebra program. We are proud of the hard work our teachers and students have put in, and we’re excited to reward student growth and achievement!
Let’s get prepared, stay focused, and show what you’ve learned! 💪📚
8th graders are invited to attend a FREE review session for the PSAT 8/9. There will be food, drinks, and prizes! Any 8th grader who increases their PSAT 8/9 math score by 70 points from last year or meets the 430 benchmark will receive a $50 check so make sure to attend the review session!
📌 See the flyer for full details.
📣 PSAT 8/9 – March 12 📣
Our 8th grade students will be taking the PSAT 8/9 on March 12. This is a great opportunity for students to show their growth and academic progress!
💰 Incentive Opportunity:
Any 8th grader who increases their Math score by 70 points from last year OR earns a 430 Math benchmark score will receive a $50 check!
This incentive is made possible through funding from our 6th–8th grade math teachers’ participation in the Access to Algebra program. We are proud of the hard work our teachers and students have put in, and we’re excited to reward student growth and achievement!
Let’s get prepared, stay focused, and show what you’ve learned! 💪📚
Ms. Riley Thompson with SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) spoke to Mrs. Melissa Castle’s PHS business students today about the many opportunities SOAR provides to entrepreneurs across Eastern Kentucky.
Students learned how SOAR supports small businesses, start-ups, and workforce development throughout the region, helping strengthen local communities and create pathways for success.
Paintsville is proud to partner with SOAR to help create meaningful, real-world opportunities for students and to connect them with valuable resources that can support their future careers right here in Eastern Kentucky.
#PaintsvillePride #SOAR #EasternKentucky #FutureLeaders
Students learned how SOAR supports small businesses, start-ups, and workforce development throughout the region, helping strengthen local communities and create pathways for success.
Paintsville is proud to partner with SOAR to help create meaningful, real-world opportunities for students and to connect them with valuable resources that can support their future careers right here in Eastern Kentucky.
#PaintsvillePride #SOAR #EasternKentucky #FutureLeaders
🌱🔬 Paintsville Elementary’s 3rd grade scientists in Mr. Andy Hazlett’s class have been investigating the important question: “How can we protect our plants in hazardous weather?”
Students recently shared their initial plant protection designs using the Hand Up, Pair Up strategy, collaborating with classmates and explaining their thinking like true scientists. The problem-solving skills and thoughtful planning on display have been impressive. Many of the designs closely align with the “look fors” outlined in the teacher manual — a testament to the students’ understanding and effort.
Great things are growing in 3rd grade science at Paintsville Elementary! 🌿💡 #PaintsvillePride #FutureScientists
Students recently shared their initial plant protection designs using the Hand Up, Pair Up strategy, collaborating with classmates and explaining their thinking like true scientists. The problem-solving skills and thoughtful planning on display have been impressive. Many of the designs closely align with the “look fors” outlined in the teacher manual — a testament to the students’ understanding and effort.
Great things are growing in 3rd grade science at Paintsville Elementary! 🌿💡 #PaintsvillePride #FutureScientists
This week we’re celebrating National School Breakfast Week! 🍎🥞🥛
School breakfast helps fuel our students for a strong start each day — supporting focus and overall wellness. We are grateful for our amazing cafeteria staff who work hard to serve delicious meals for our students every morning.
Join us in recognizing the importance of breakfast and the difference it makes in the classroom! 💙🍽️
School breakfast helps fuel our students for a strong start each day — supporting focus and overall wellness. We are grateful for our amazing cafeteria staff who work hard to serve delicious meals for our students every morning.
Join us in recognizing the importance of breakfast and the difference it makes in the classroom! 💙🍽️
We are proud to share that Paintsville Elementary has been named a recipient of the FY26 Read to Achieve Grant! 📚✨
This highly competitive grant is valued at $70,000 per year for up to four years, providing significant support to strengthen literacy instruction and ensure every student becomes a confident, capable reader.
Early literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning, and these funds will allow our educators to expand resources, enhance instructional practices, and continue building strong reading skills that set our students up for long-term success.
We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated faculty/staff and families who make achievements like this possible. Their commitment to academic excellence continues to move our district forward.
Congratulations to Paintsville Elementary and huge thanks to Mr. Paul Baker and Mrs. Tammie Matijasic for your work to secure this funding for our students! 💙📖
This highly competitive grant is valued at $70,000 per year for up to four years, providing significant support to strengthen literacy instruction and ensure every student becomes a confident, capable reader.
Early literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning, and these funds will allow our educators to expand resources, enhance instructional practices, and continue building strong reading skills that set our students up for long-term success.
We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated faculty/staff and families who make achievements like this possible. Their commitment to academic excellence continues to move our district forward.
Congratulations to Paintsville Elementary and huge thanks to Mr. Paul Baker and Mrs. Tammie Matijasic for your work to secure this funding for our students! 💙📖
April's Community Book Club selection "They All Fall the Same" by central KY author Wes Browne and the discussion guide will be available for pickup from 6-7:45 pm on Thursday, March 4th in the PHS library. Anyone who is unable to grab the book at that time can stop by the PHS office during normal school hours of 8am to 3pm from Friday on. Our discussion meeting will be April 9 at 6pm!
FREE copies were ordered for these folks who responded to the interest form. If you didn't get to respond for a free copy, you are welcome to download the ebook or order your own and participate in our April 9th discussion meeting:
M. Bell
D. Burchett
C. Salyer
M. Stambaugh
J. Copley
N. Crum
S Belhasen
A. Hignite
N. Caudill
J. Stepp
A. King
R. Arms
J. Delong
C. Messer
A. Lemaster
A. Conley
K. Reed
L. Murray
S. Woods
P. Thomas
C. Reed
N. Hill
L. Moore
J. Luster
K. Tackett
FREE copies were ordered for these folks who responded to the interest form. If you didn't get to respond for a free copy, you are welcome to download the ebook or order your own and participate in our April 9th discussion meeting:
M. Bell
D. Burchett
C. Salyer
M. Stambaugh
J. Copley
N. Crum
S Belhasen
A. Hignite
N. Caudill
J. Stepp
A. King
R. Arms
J. Delong
C. Messer
A. Lemaster
A. Conley
K. Reed
L. Murray
S. Woods
P. Thomas
C. Reed
N. Hill
L. Moore
J. Luster
K. Tackett
We are happy to welcome back our Clay's Quilt book club members for our discussion, snacks, and fun this Thursday at 6pm in the PHS library! Child care will be provided and we will use this book club guide: https://www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/clays-quilt/guide
📚🇺🇸 Read Across America Day – March 2! 🇺🇸📚
Paintsville Independent Schools is excited to celebrate Read Across America Day on March 2! This special day reminds us of the power of reading and the adventures that books can take us on.
We encourage all of our students to grab a good book and spend some time reading — at school and at home! Whether it’s a favorite classic, a new adventure, or a story that makes you laugh, reading helps us grow, imagine, and explore the world around us.
Join us as we celebrate literacy and a love of learning across our district!
❤️💙 Read. Explore. Imagine! 💙❤️
Paintsville Independent Schools is excited to celebrate Read Across America Day on March 2! This special day reminds us of the power of reading and the adventures that books can take us on.
We encourage all of our students to grab a good book and spend some time reading — at school and at home! Whether it’s a favorite classic, a new adventure, or a story that makes you laugh, reading helps us grow, imagine, and explore the world around us.
Join us as we celebrate literacy and a love of learning across our district!
❤️💙 Read. Explore. Imagine! 💙❤️
