Programs

Health Promotion School of Excellence (HPSE)

HPSE is an example of a coordinated school health program as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The purpose of the HPSE Program is to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce health risk behaviors related to cardiovascular disease, cancer control, injury prevention, and physical fitness. Focusing on these areas can have a positive impact on the growing problem of childhood obesity and its effects on the early onset of diabetes, and it addresses the injuries students are suffering from because of risky behaviors. A school selected to be an HPSE school develops programs and resources for students, staff, and parents to improve their health knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors and adopt healthy lifestyles. The HPSE Program was first implemented in August 1992 with 15 JCPS schools participating—9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 high schools. In its seventeenth year of operation, HPSE has grown to 59 JCPS schools. HPSE has been recognized at the state and national level. HPSE was selected to receive the top award for the Models that Work award from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and has since been replicated throughout the state. The program has also been replicated in Oklahoma with 40 schools participating in its Schools for a Healthy Lifestyle Program.

Health Promotion School of Excellence

Advance Program

Academically gifted students present a challenge to their teachers and schools. Stimulating talented young people to stretch their abilities requires schools to be creative in providing a range of educational opportunities that promote excellence for each child. The Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) of 1990 is based upon this same principle of offering every child an educational program that appropriately promotes academic and creative excellence. In keeping with KERA, administrative regulation 704 KAR 3:285, the "Gifted and Talented Regulation" was amended in 1994 to provide direction to school districts in meeting the needs of their gifted students. In the Jefferson County Public Schools, the Advance Program has long met the needs of academically talented students. However, with the passage of KERA and the amendment of 704 KAR 3:285, our school district reexamined the Advance Program, and the Jefferson County Board of Education accepted the revised Gifted and Talented Policies in September of 1994. The result of the reexamination is an Advance Program that continues to stimulate students to do their personal best while operating within a more flexible structure. To assist parents and schools in achieving this goal, the implementation of a Gifted and Talented Student Services Plan (GSSP), initiated during the 2001-02 school year, serves as the communications vehicle between parents and schools. In addition, PD, continuing education opportunities, and resource sites are offered, via this website, to administrative and certified personnel as well as parents to enhance understanding of the needs of the gifted and talented student.