Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! It has been an amazing week of celebrating our staff!
We appreciate their work each and every day and can never thank them enough for loving and serving our students.
Click the link to see examples of how each school has celebrated this week. They are a fun bunch!
https://canva.link/wglad4nkcf8d6yc
We appreciate their work each and every day and can never thank them enough for loving and serving our students.
Click the link to see examples of how each school has celebrated this week. They are a fun bunch!
https://canva.link/wglad4nkcf8d6yc
We are excited to open the applications for the 2026 Create & STEM Academies!
The Academies will be held June 15-19 and June 22-26, 2026 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Estill County High School. Estill County students currently enrolled in 2nd through 12th grades are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is May 20, 2026.
The Create Academy's theme is "The Art of Being You!" and will include musical theatre, choir, visual art and the culinary arts. The STEM Academy's theme will be “Engineering Thrills: The Physics of Theme Parks” and will include science, technology, math, engineering and sports medicine. The academies are free of charge with breakfast and lunch served daily. Transportation is available if needed. There will be an Engineer Exhibition on June 25 at 5:00 pm that will include student performances from The Create Academy, as well as presentations from the STEM Academy. A field trip is included and each student will receive a free t-shirt! Please use the links below to apply. Students must choose one academy in which to apply since both academies will occur simultaneously. Questions? Contact Mrs. Carlee Cornett at carlee.cornett@estill.kyschools.us.
The Create Academy Application - https://forms.gle/v2N4o6sBXckgYwee8
The Stem Academy Application - https://forms.gle/Ck33tUt3pQd7dhCd6
The Academies will be held June 15-19 and June 22-26, 2026 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Estill County High School. Estill County students currently enrolled in 2nd through 12th grades are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is May 20, 2026.
The Create Academy's theme is "The Art of Being You!" and will include musical theatre, choir, visual art and the culinary arts. The STEM Academy's theme will be “Engineering Thrills: The Physics of Theme Parks” and will include science, technology, math, engineering and sports medicine. The academies are free of charge with breakfast and lunch served daily. Transportation is available if needed. There will be an Engineer Exhibition on June 25 at 5:00 pm that will include student performances from The Create Academy, as well as presentations from the STEM Academy. A field trip is included and each student will receive a free t-shirt! Please use the links below to apply. Students must choose one academy in which to apply since both academies will occur simultaneously. Questions? Contact Mrs. Carlee Cornett at carlee.cornett@estill.kyschools.us.
The Create Academy Application - https://forms.gle/v2N4o6sBXckgYwee8
The Stem Academy Application - https://forms.gle/Ck33tUt3pQd7dhCd6
Today is National School Nurse Day!
Thank you for the care, compassion, patience, and love you show our students and staff each and every day. From bandages and ice packs to comforting students and supporting families, your impact reaches far beyond your office walls. We appreciate you!!!
Thank you for the care, compassion, patience, and love you show our students and staff each and every day. From bandages and ice packs to comforting students and supporting families, your impact reaches far beyond your office walls. We appreciate you!!!
Today, we celebrate School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, recognizing the dedicated professionals who safely transport our students to and from school each day.
Rain or shine, you are often the first friendly face our students see in the morning and the last one they see in the afternoon. Your commitment to safety, reliability, and care plays a critical role in our school community.
Thank you for going the extra mile to ensure every student arrives safely and feels welcomed along the way. We are grateful for all that you do. 💙
#BusDriverAppreciation #ThankYouDrivers #SchoolCommunity
We want to make everyone aware that Election Day will take place while school is in session. As a result, increased traffic is expected around Estill County High School and West Irvine Elementary, especially during arrival and dismissal times.
In the morning, heavier traffic can be expected between 7:45 and 8:20 AM during student drop-off. We anticipate in the afternoon, congestion will likely be highest between 2:45 and 3:30 PM.
To help manage traffic flow, the following procedures will be in place:
West Irvine Parent Drop Off and Pick-ups: All parent drop-off and pickups will occur in the LOWER PARKING LOT ONLY. The upper lot will not be used for parent pickup.
West Irvine Bus Traffic: Bus operations will remain unchanged and will continue using the designated bus loop.
ECHS Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Ups: Parents should drop off and pick up students at the FIRST SIDEWALK, following the established traffic pattern around the building, exiting as usual.
Estill County High School Bus Traffic: Buses will use the normal bus lane, with fewer buses staged at one time to help reduce congestion near the gym lobby.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to safely manage both school operations and increased community traffic on this day.
🌱 Grow Smarter, Not Harder!🌱
Join us for a FREE Community Education Workshop where you’ll learn how to build your very own Self-Wicking Container Garden, perfect for saving time, water, and effort while growing healthy plants!
Location: Meads Do It Center
🗓 Date: Saturday, May 16th
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This workshop is completely free to attend, but I highly recommend filling out the Google Form to secure your spot and stay updated!
🪴 Want to build your own container during the workshop?
Meads Do It Center has generously provided materials for a VERY limited number of kits available for purchase at a discounted price of $99 (that’s $20 in savings per kit!).
⚠️ Kits are extremely limited and will go fast! You must fill out the Google Form to reserve one!
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, come learn a simple, effective way to grow your own plants with less hassle.
👉 Don’t miss out! Reserve your spot and/or kit today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnejutrW3L17-OviQmztx76bR5hU1weo8LqOfTTCDqTFGuKw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103621946797981925338
#CommunityWorkshop #GardeningMadeEasy #SelfWickingGarden #GrowYourOwn #LocalEvents
Join us for a FREE Community Education Workshop where you’ll learn how to build your very own Self-Wicking Container Garden, perfect for saving time, water, and effort while growing healthy plants!
Location: Meads Do It Center
🗓 Date: Saturday, May 16th
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This workshop is completely free to attend, but I highly recommend filling out the Google Form to secure your spot and stay updated!
🪴 Want to build your own container during the workshop?
Meads Do It Center has generously provided materials for a VERY limited number of kits available for purchase at a discounted price of $99 (that’s $20 in savings per kit!).
⚠️ Kits are extremely limited and will go fast! You must fill out the Google Form to reserve one!
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, come learn a simple, effective way to grow your own plants with less hassle.
👉 Don’t miss out! Reserve your spot and/or kit today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnejutrW3L17-OviQmztx76bR5hU1weo8LqOfTTCDqTFGuKw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103621946797981925338
#CommunityWorkshop #GardeningMadeEasy #SelfWickingGarden #GrowYourOwn #LocalEvents
Estill County High School FRYSC, Charlotte Sutter, hosted an incredible Cultural Fair this afternoon! 🌎✨
Students had the opportunity to sample foods from around the world, exploring flavors from Kentucky to Germany, Italy, Japan, and beyond. It was a great way to experience different cultures right here at school!
A huge thank you to the Estill County Extension Office for helping Mrs. Sutter prepare such a wide variety of samples. We are grateful for amazing community partners who make opportunities like this possible.
And a special shoutout to Mrs. Sutter for organizing such a meaningful and engaging experience for our students. What a fantastic way to encourage them to try new things and broaden their horizons!
#EstillProud #CommunityPartnerships #StudentOpportunities
Students had the opportunity to sample foods from around the world, exploring flavors from Kentucky to Germany, Italy, Japan, and beyond. It was a great way to experience different cultures right here at school!
A huge thank you to the Estill County Extension Office for helping Mrs. Sutter prepare such a wide variety of samples. We are grateful for amazing community partners who make opportunities like this possible.
And a special shoutout to Mrs. Sutter for organizing such a meaningful and engaging experience for our students. What a fantastic way to encourage them to try new things and broaden their horizons!
#EstillProud #CommunityPartnerships #StudentOpportunities
Today, our Central Office staff came together to pre-game for the upcoming Mountain Mushroom Festival!
A big thank you to Mr. Ronald Mullins for treating everyone to delicious smoked chicken wings, and to our staff for bringing an amazing spread of sides and sweets to share.
What a great way to kick off the festivities, we’re looking forward to all the fun the Mountain Mushroom Festival will bring!
A big thank you to Mr. Ronald Mullins for treating everyone to delicious smoked chicken wings, and to our staff for bringing an amazing spread of sides and sweets to share.
What a great way to kick off the festivities, we’re looking forward to all the fun the Mountain Mushroom Festival will bring!
This week, we celebrate Administrative Professionals Week, a time to recognize the dedicated individuals who keep our schools running smoothly every day.
Your work, from managing behind-the-scenes details to supporting students, staff, and families, is essential to everything we do. Your organization, patience, and commitment create an environment where others can succeed.
Thank you for the countless ways you contribute to our community. Your efforts may often go unnoticed, but they are always meaningful. We appreciate you today and every day. 💙
#AdminProfessionalsWeek #Gratitude #Teamwork
This week, we celebrate Public School Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the incredible individuals who give their time, energy, and heart to support our students and schools.
From organizing events to lending a helping hand wherever it’s needed, our volunteers play a vital role in creating opportunities and building stronger school communities. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, shaping experiences and inspiring success for every student you touch.
Thank you for your dedication, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to public education. Our schools are better because of you. 💙
#VolunteerAppreciation #PublicSchools #ThankYouVolunteers
Our production of Shrek The Musical, Jr. by The Blue Train Theatre was a huge success! Our cast — 35 high school and 21 middle school students — gave eight performances this week to glowing reviews. Huge thanks to musical directors Mrs. Stephanie Arthur and Mrs. Melissa Collier, and to Alisha Lester for the fantastic set design. Bravo to the entire cast, crew, creative team, and our supportive families and sponsors!
Here is the live stream link for the April 16, 2026 Estill County School Board Meeting:
https://youtube.com/live/dzrmYyogFdI?feature=share
https://youtube.com/live/dzrmYyogFdI?feature=share
Here is the form for Public Comments for the April 16, 2026 Estill County School Board Meeting.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyhjXzQ0IS6-aEe6tlTA6RTzVCb1uMZj7k8xUGUCIPrFrGXw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyhjXzQ0IS6-aEe6tlTA6RTzVCb1uMZj7k8xUGUCIPrFrGXw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Estill County Schools Events Flyer
Community Education Director, Melinda Barnett (Mrs. M), had the opportunity to cook with Mrs. Hughes’ class at ECHS today! Students rolled up their sleeves and made homemade pasta from scratch, along with a spaghetti sauce using fresh garlic and basil.
Along the way, they discovered just how simple cooking can be—learning that pasta can be made with just a cup of flour, two eggs, salt, and olive oil (and even without eggs!), and that a delicious sauce doesn’t have to be complicated.
More importantly, students were reminded that sometimes the hardest part is simply trying something new. Today was a great lesson in confidence, creativity, and the realization that a homemade meal can come together with just a few basic pantry ingredients. 🍝
#CommunityEducation #MakeSomethingFromNothing #HealthyFood
Along the way, they discovered just how simple cooking can be—learning that pasta can be made with just a cup of flour, two eggs, salt, and olive oil (and even without eggs!), and that a delicious sauce doesn’t have to be complicated.
More importantly, students were reminded that sometimes the hardest part is simply trying something new. Today was a great lesson in confidence, creativity, and the realization that a homemade meal can come together with just a few basic pantry ingredients. 🍝
#CommunityEducation #MakeSomethingFromNothing #HealthyFood
The local Situation Table is already proving to be a valuable resource for our community.
So, what is the Situation Table? It’s a team of local resource providers who meet every Monday to identify and respond quickly to situations where someone may be at acute elevated risk. This can include challenges like basic needs and food insecurity, mental health concerns, substance use, abuse, or any situation that may pose a threat to public health and safety.
What makes this effort so impactful is the speed and collaboration. When a concern is identified, the right people come together and act quickly, often within 24–48 hours, to connect individuals and families with the support they need. Having a dedicated, local team ready to respond in real time is truly life-saving.
Our schools are proud to serve and represent our Engineer families and to be part of a collaborative effort that supports the well-being of our entire community.
If you would like more information or need to discuss a potential situation, please reach out to Brayden:
📧 BGriggs1@mercy.com
📱 Call or text: (606) 975-5141
Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more supportive community. 💙
So, what is the Situation Table? It’s a team of local resource providers who meet every Monday to identify and respond quickly to situations where someone may be at acute elevated risk. This can include challenges like basic needs and food insecurity, mental health concerns, substance use, abuse, or any situation that may pose a threat to public health and safety.
What makes this effort so impactful is the speed and collaboration. When a concern is identified, the right people come together and act quickly, often within 24–48 hours, to connect individuals and families with the support they need. Having a dedicated, local team ready to respond in real time is truly life-saving.
Our schools are proud to serve and represent our Engineer families and to be part of a collaborative effort that supports the well-being of our entire community.
If you would like more information or need to discuss a potential situation, please reach out to Brayden:
📧 BGriggs1@mercy.com
📱 Call or text: (606) 975-5141
Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more supportive community. 💙
Kindergarten Registration Information
April 6–10 is National Assistant Principals Week, and we are proud to recognize the incredible assistant principals who help keep our schools running smoothly every day.
Assistant principals wear many hats as they support teachers, motivate students, assist principals, and help create a positive and productive learning environment. Their work often takes place behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the entire school community.
From handling daily challenges to stepping in wherever they're needed, their dedication, leadership, and commitment do not go unnoticed.
Please join us in thanking our assistant principals for all they do to support our students, staff, and schools. We appreciate you this week and every week!
Assistant principals wear many hats as they support teachers, motivate students, assist principals, and help create a positive and productive learning environment. Their work often takes place behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the entire school community.
From handling daily challenges to stepping in wherever they're needed, their dedication, leadership, and commitment do not go unnoticed.
Please join us in thanking our assistant principals for all they do to support our students, staff, and schools. We appreciate you this week and every week!
Today, our Central Office staff enjoyed celebrating Easter together with a potluck full of delicious food and great fellowship. It was a nice opportunity to pause, connect, and enjoy time with one another. We’re grateful for moments like these that strengthen our sense of community.
Wishing everyone a happy Easter weekend! 🌷🐣
Wishing everyone a happy Easter weekend! 🌷🐣
Mrs. Sarah Beard and Mrs.Carlee Cornett, along with our first-ever middle school Odyssey of the Mind team, headed to Boyle County for the Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament. Odyssey of the Mind (OM™) teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers. Our new team and coach participated in the OM Shadow Program. They were able to observe teams competing from across our state, talk with coaches, and explore how OM could fit within our current gifted programming. The KYOM Association Director, Mr. Michael Taylor, awarded a year-long membership to Estill County Schools for the 2026-2027 school year. We cannot wait to see what these students will gain next year as our first Odyssey of the Mind team! Thank you to Mr. Jimmy Cornn for leading the OM Shadow Program!
#kyootm #OdysseyoftheMind #GiftedEducation
Odyssey of the Mind team pictured:
Eighth graders: Iris Patrick-Howard, Delayna Bailey, Kylee Nichols, Kris Philhower
Sixth graders: Jon Osborne, Ramey Blakenbecler, Emmie Beard
OM Coach: Mrs. Sarah Beard
Gifted Coordinator: Mrs. Carlee Cornett
#kyootm #OdysseyoftheMind #GiftedEducation
Odyssey of the Mind team pictured:
Eighth graders: Iris Patrick-Howard, Delayna Bailey, Kylee Nichols, Kris Philhower
Sixth graders: Jon Osborne, Ramey Blakenbecler, Emmie Beard
OM Coach: Mrs. Sarah Beard
Gifted Coordinator: Mrs. Carlee Cornett
