Hamburg breaks ground on new middle school

ayette County Public Schools welcomed staff, neighborhood leaders, and guests to a ceremonial groundbreaking for Lexington’s next middle school, under construction at 2185 Polo

“The creation of a new school is a time to celebrate new beginnings,” said board member Tom Jones, whose district encompasses the site between Winchester Road and Man o’ War Boulevard near I-75. Jones praised the design team for developing plans well suited for young teens, such as dedicated wings for grades 6, 7, and 8 with makerspaces to encourage innovation and collaboration as well as outdoor labs for exploration.

This building project is the final item in the 2017 District Facility Plan, which prioritizes school construction and renovation, life-cycle replacement (HVAC, roof, electrical and plumbing), and administrative or support structures throughout

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins announced that four minority-owned businesses — Martina Brothers Co. Inc., Elaine Allen, Lexington Contracting, and Facility Maintenance & Services Group —are subcontractors on this project, a first for the district.

Board Chair Tyler Murphy, who also spoke at the January groundbreaking, noted how the community recognizes that our schools are an important investment. “Every child deserves to learn in a building that prepares them for the future,” Murphy said. Liggins also thanked the larger community and special guests Mayor Linda Gorton and former Commerce Lexington chair Alan Stein.

“Investing in our children and developing workforce opportunities is the key to what we in the business community can do,” Stein said, emphasizing the ongoing support for public education. Gorton agreed. “In Lexington, education

When complete, the $82.7 million middle school on Polo Club Boulevard will be the community’s first new middle school since Edythe J. Hayes opened in 2004. Since then, Fayette County Public Schools has grown by roughly 10,000 students and added eight elementary schools, a high school, Locust Trace AgriScience Center, STEAM Academy, Success Academy, and a preschool center.

Located in Lexington’s fastest growing fastgrowing Hamburg area, Councilmember Kathy Plomin said, “we are excited to welcome them to the 12th District!”

Opening in the fall of 2025, the school will house up to 1,200 students in a 171,983 squarefoot building. Among other design highlights, the administrative offices and counseling suites will be tucked in each wing, and everyone will enjoy optimal views of the property and an abundance of natural light. Students will also have a state-ofthe-art consumer and life sciences classroom and two art rooms — one for digital art and the other for visual arts like painting and pottery.

Safety and security are primary considerations. The new school will be intentional with traffic patterns, security camera placement, door hardware, and spaces for mental health professionals and police officers. In addition, the energy-efficient design includes insulated concrete forms for the exterior walls, geothermal well fields for heating and cooling, and permeable pavers throughout the campus. The architecture of the roof will accommodate solar panels in the future.

The history of the site and its location among horse farms inspired the exterior design, calling to mind the traditional look of a barn. The designers also took cues from Kentucky’s picturesque limestone accents and rock walls, along with plank fences and pitch roofs.

The history of the site for the new middle school and its location among Hamburg’s historic horse farms inspired the exterior design. The designers also took cues from Kentucky’s picturesque limestone accents and rock walls, along with plank fences and pitch roofs.

Kids And Families

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination by serving as a worksite. The Summer Youth Job Training Program provides workforce training opportunities for 300 Lexington youth who are rising 10th, 11th and 12th-grade high school students by teaming with Lexington’s business and community-based partners. Youth workers will work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and earn $15 per hour. The city government pays all youth workers’ salaries. The 2023 SYJTP will run from June 12 – July 21, 2023. The application period for the 2023 SYJTP is Jan. 17 – Feb.17, 2023. Applications are agreements are due by this date.

Library is now available to Fayette County families. Any child of preschool age or younger is now eligible to receive a free book through the mail every month until their 5th birthday. To register, visit fayettefoundation.org/imagination-library.

Summer Youth Job Training Program

Lexington’s Summer Youth Job Training Program (SYJTP) offers Lexington youth the opportunity to gain work experience and develop interpersonal skills. Participants will learn and explore career interests while earning income during the summer. The city invites your business or community organization to join our public-private partnership

The worksite application period for the 2023 SYJTP is Jan. 17 – Feb. 17, 2023. Applications and agreements are due by Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. Email signed agreements to youthwork@lexingtonky.gov.

The 2023 SYJTP Skills Session will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sign-ups are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The sign-up period will be Jan. 17 – 22, 2023. The first 300 to sign up will be enrolled. The remaining 75 will be placed on a waiting list.

Summer Camps

Summer Camps are sooner than you think. The Hamburg Journal’s Summer Camp Guide has moved forward to April in 2023. (In recent years, many camps and programs were delayed or canceled in accordance with Covid community guidelines.) Registration for many Lexington camps is already open for 2023.

Kids And Family Calendar

MON FEB 20

Celebrate Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 20 with a special event for children and their families at the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Meet Mrs. Lincoln attired in her finest, be amazed by the magic of classical conjurer John Shore, and enjoy activities inspired by the Lincoln family’s many pastimes. The interactive event is designed for children ages 5-10, but all are welcome. Free to children through age 17. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www. mtlhouse.org or at the door, subject to availability.

The Mary Todd Lincoln House is the childhood home of Mrs. Lincoln. She brought her husband and children to visit the Todd family here in 1847.

Explorium will host a Presidents’ Day Camp. Design your own money, use coins to learn about surface tension, write like the Founding Fathers and more. Pre-register.

Sat

25 E-Day at the University of Kentucky College of Engineering

From building bridges and discovering medication to writing software — Engineers Day, or E-Day, is the UK College of Engineering’s celebration of science, technology and engineering. Students of all ages can engage with exhibits, competitions and demonstrations designed by engineering companies, researchers and college students. The event is free and open to the public.