Starting the School Year

Towards the end of September, I had most of my dates booked for the school year and it was time to hit the road. My first outreach took me to Westridge Elementary, just outside of our state capital. Frankfort is only an hour east on I64, so it was a pretty easy drive to start the year.  

I was so excited to get back on the road. Alright, full tank of gas? Check. Directions? Check. Outreach kits? Check… minus. I realized that morning that I only had half of my Creating Traditions kit in the car. No big deal, I’ll just teach Mathin’ Around the Track instead. The teachers didn’t mind and the students really enjoyed it. Apparently, one teacher had brought a stack of papers to grade because she thought it was going to be boring and was wrong. She said, “I didn’t even get one paper started! I couldn’t stop watching you!”  

The following week, Kentucky Kids Day (KKD) brought me to Ruth Moyer Elementary in Fort Thomas. I knew it was close to Cincinnati but I didn’t realize I’d see the skyline driving in. Fort Thomas is about 3 miles south of the Ohio metropolis. KKD is a celebration the school started a few years ago to highlight various things our state is known for and show the kids how great it is to be a student in Kentucky. Ms. Krieg contacted me in early August to request some balloons that said Kentucky Derby Museum on it. I said, “No, but I can offer you free educational programs about the Derby!” That got the ball rolling and by the end of it, they had changed their entire celebration so that it was geared towards the Derby.  

I taught Creating Traditions… 

...and enlightened the children on the history, celebrations and significance of this world renowned race. The entire school participated- homemade cupcakes, cookies in the shape of our state, and Derby fun in classrooms around the school. The kids even made their own hats.

Afterward, Ms. Krieg sent me a really sweet thank you card for bringing the fun of the Derby to their school. Definitely a great way to start Outreach.