Opening Day for Russellville Independent Schools was held on Monday, Aug. 5, and was a huge success! Teachers, Staff, Administration, and Board Members gathered together in the cafeteria to share a delicious breakfast catered by Ms. Cindy Holloway. The following vendors were present: KEA, Deferred Comp, BB&T, Air Evac, and Go 365. The crowd proceeded to the multipurpose room in the Russellville 21st Century Building to hear upcoming Senior, Laura Mullen, sing the National Anthem, and Brendan Farley joined her for a duet entitled, “L.O.V.E”. Opening remarks were shared by Superintendent Bart Flener as he welcomed invited guests: Nat Love with Houchens Benefits; Angie McConnell with Air Evac; Frances Steenbergen with KEA; and Melissa Biggerstaff with GRREC. He also shared the concept/theme for 2019-20 being a WOW year: “Working on the Work!” Introductions were made of the Russellville Independent School District Board Members: Chairman, James C. Milam; Assistant Chairman, Phillip West; Joe Sparks, and Davonna Page. Due to a prior obligation, Lovis Patterson was unable to attend. RHS Principal, Ben Bruni; SES Principal, Robin Cornelius; RMS Principal, Cameron Jackson, and RPA Instructional Facilitator, Michelle McCloughan, each welcomed back staff and introduced newly hired staff. Principal Ben Bruni shared specific points of safety for our schools which has become a new role for him. Mr. Flener then introduced the guest speaker, Mrs. Shawn Carlstedt, a 1985 Asbury Graduate - Education Major, 21 years as an educator in Jessamine County; 13 years as a consultant with McGraw-Hill Publishing; earned her Masters from Georgetown College; an Adjunct Instructor at UK; wife of Dave and mom to Kelsey, Lindsay, & Delaney. What an excellent motivational speaker that reiterated each of our POWER words! At the conclusion, teachers and staff were loaded on school buses to circle Russellville and then dismissed to their individual schools for further training and preparation for their students as school starts Wednesday, Aug. 7! Mr. Flener said, “Thanks so much to Shawn Carlstedt for her exemplification of the power words and her willingness to share her story with us. Her desire to return to her classroom after the life-altering events she faced to take advantage of the opportunity and to fulfill what she saw as her responsibility is captivating & motivating. Thanks also for the participation and attentiveness this morning. I truly believe we have the best adult team members in the state. I'd put us up against anyone when it comes to serving the needs of our students.”
(See additional photos on our facebook page!)