Newport High School Newsletter

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year at Newport High School! We are thrilled to have our Wildcats back and ready to learn. Read on for important updates and reminders to help your family start the year off right.

Let's Make It a 100% Day, Wildcats!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9th, is High Attendance Day at Newport High School, and our goal is simple: every single Wildcat here and ready to learn. That's 100%, and we know we can hit it.

Every day a student walks through our doors is a day they get to grow, connect with teachers who believe in them, and take one more step toward their goals. But there's something special about all of us showing up together on the same day. It sends a message that this is our school, we're proud of it, and we don't want to miss a thing.

So set the alarm, pack the bag tonight, and let's fill every seat. Families, thank you for getting your students here and being part of this with us. That's what being here every day, the Wildcat way, is all about. See you tomorrow.

Go Wildcats!

Some of the best things that happen at Newport start with a simple conversation, so we'd love to see you at Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, September 17 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. This is your chance to sit down with your student's teachers, hear how the year is going, and talk through anything that's on your mind.

You don't need a reason to come. Whether your student is thriving, working through a rough patch, or somewhere in between, these conversations help all of us stay on the same page. When families and teachers work together, students notice, and it makes a real difference in how they show up every day.

We know evenings are busy and getting here isn't always easy. If you have questions about a specific teacher, transportation, or anything else that would help you attend, please reach out and we'll do what we can. Come see what your student is part of at Newport. We hope to see you there.

Homecoming is coming up, and we want to see everyone there. This year's dance is set for Friday, October 24 at 7:00 PM in the Newport High School Auxiliary Gym.

To attend, students need to meet three expectations. First, no suspensions after September 8. Second, at least 90% attendance between September 8 and October 23. And third, no more than one F for the first quarter. All three have to be met to get in the door.

The good news is that all of this is within reach. Show up, stay on top of your work, and make good choices over the next several weeks, and you'll be set for a great night. If you have questions about where you stand, check in with your counselor or an administrator.

Here's some good news to start the year off right. Thanks to our partnership with GEAR UP Kentucky, our Class of 2027 Wildcats have a real shot at some serious help paying for college, and the best part is that you don't have to compete for it.

That's right. This isn't the kind of scholarship where thousands of students are fighting over a handful of awards. If you meet the requirements, the money is yours. You complete, you receive. It's that simple.

So what are we talking about? Any 2027 GUK graduate who enrolls at a Kentucky college, university, or technical college earns a first-year scholarship of $750. Then, if you head back for a second consecutive year, another $600 lands in your corner. That's real money toward whatever comes next for you, whether that's a four-year degree, a technical certification, or something in between.

Qualifying takes just four steps. You need to graduate from a GEAR UP Kentucky high school, which you're already doing right here at Newport. You'll want to take part in at least one documented GUK activity, complete both the FAFSA and the GEAR UP Kentucky Senior Survey, and then enroll at a Kentucky college, university, or technical college. Knock those out and the scholarship is guaranteed.

This is exactly the kind of opportunity we love seeing for our students, and we don't want a single senior to miss out on it. If you have questions or want to make sure you're checking every box, talk to your GEAR UP advisor. They're ready to walk you through it and help you claim what's yours.

Go get it, Wildcats. Your next step just got a whole lot easier.

NaviGo Scholars: Real Career Pathways for Wildcats

Here's an opportunity worth putting in front of your student. NaviGo Scholars connects local businesses with motivated high schoolers who want to explore real career fields and build workforce skills before they ever graduate. Selected students get hands-on learning, time inside actual workplaces, and personalized coaching from a NaviGo Coach who supports their college and career planning along the way. Applications are open now through September 2, so this is the window to jump in.

There are more than a dozen Scholars Groups to choose from, spanning just about every interest area you can think of. A few highlights: the Balluff Industrial Sensing & Automation group is brand new this year and a great fit for students drawn to robotics, electrical engineering, and sensors. SHP Design, also new, gives juniors and seniors an inside look at architecture, interior design, and mechanical engineering. Beyond those, students can explore groups in Artificial Intelligence at NKU, Automotive Careers at the BMW Store, Cyber Defense with US Bank, Advanced Manufacturing with Toyota, Skilled Trades, Law Careers, Mental Health Careers, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, and more. Some run in the fall, some in the spring, and some across the full year, so there's flexibility to match a student's schedule.

A couple of details to know. Most groups meet about twice a month, often splitting time between the company's site and a Gateway campus, and the whole program kicks off with a celebration on Sunday, September 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. that selected scholars, families, and sponsors are all encouraged to attend.

Students can learn more and apply at navigoprep.com/navigo-scholars, and questions can go to navigo@learning-grove.org. If your Wildcat has been wondering what a career in a field actually looks like day to day, this is a chance to find out from the people who live it.

Most Valuable Student (MVS) Contest:

The 2026-2027 MVS application is now open. Applications can be found online at https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm. The application deadline is November 12, 2026 (Counselor Reports due November 19, 2026).

The Elks National Foundation (ENF) awards 500 four-year scholarships based on academics, leadership, and financial need. National awards range from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year. The national awards will be announced in April 2027. The top three males and top three females among all of the applicants that apply will advance to the District Level of Judging in December. In addition, the Newport Elks Lodge will be giving out local awards between $1,000-$2,000 per school to the highest scoring students.

MVS scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), at a U.S. college or university next school year. Some important applicant details include:

• Current high school seniors (or equivalent) who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.

• Applicants do not have to be related to a member of the Elks.

• Male and female students compete separately.

Complete details can be found at https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm.

We want to send a huge thank you to our friends at Newport Kroger for their incredible generosity this back-to-school season. Kroger donated $500 worth of snacks and treats to keep our staff fueled and appreciated, and followed that up with an additional $1,000 gift to Newport High School as part of their Back to School program.

Support like this makes a real difference. It tells our teachers and staff that the community has their backs, and it gives our school resources to keep serving students well. We're grateful to have a local partner that shows up for Newport the way Kroger has.

Thank you, Newport Kroger, for investing in our Wildcats. We're proud to have you in our corner.

There's a lot happening at NHS after the final bell, and there's something for just about everyone. Whether you want extra help with homework, a creative outlet, a new skill, or just a fun way to stay active, our after-school clubs are a great way to get involved and meet people who share your interests.

Here's what's on the schedule:

Study Tables meets Tuesday through Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 with Ms. Tasha, offering homework help and a quiet place to focus. Cosmetology Club runs Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 with Ms. Tasha for anyone interested in hair, nails, and beauty basics. YLD meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 with Ms. Amy and focuses on youth leadership. Drama Club gathers Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:00 with Ms. Parr for acting and performance. Variety Club meets Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 with Ms. Katrina and covers life skills like cooking and sewing. Pickleball is Fridays at 3:15 with Ms. Parr. And our Outdoor Adventure Club has a kayaking trip coming up on September 12 with Mrs. Kennedy.

Getting involved is one of the best parts of high school, and it looks great on a college application too. Interested in any of these? Just talk to the club sponsor to sign up. Times are subject to change, and we'll keep adding new clubs and events throughout

Newport High School has a Wildly Important Goal that every family can help us reach. We want student attendance at 93.4 percent, which means our Wildcats are here and ready to learn nearly every single day. Hitting that number starts with a few simple habits around excuse notes, so here is how the system works. Every absence and every tardy needs a note. To keep that manageable, each family gets five parent notes for the school year to use however you see fit, no reason required, to excuse any absence or tardy. The one thing to remember is the deadline. A parent note or other valid excuse has to reach the school within five school days of the event. If it doesn't, that event is marked unexcused, and your parent notes are then applied to it automatically until they run out.

Anything past that needs documentation, like a doctor or dentist note, a note from the court clerk or court designated worker, or an obituary or funeral card for the death of a family member. We know life happens, and this system is built to give families flexibility while keeping our attendance strong, because showing up is where learning starts. That goal of 93.4 percent is not just a number on a wall. It is what we mean when we say "Here Every Day, the Wildcat Way," and we get there one day and one Wildcat at a time. If you ever have a question about a note or an absence, just call the front office and we will walk you through it.

$2,500 Scholarship, No Essay Required

If you've ever skipped a scholarship because it wanted a five-page essay and a perfect GPA, this one's different. Cirkled In is offering the "No Sweat" Scholarship, a $2,500 award you can use for any educational need, and the whole application takes about two minutes.

The name isn't a joke. There's no essay, no minimum GPA, and no income requirements. It's open to all high school students, grades 9 through 12. You just create a free profile and click apply. That's it.

Here's how it works. Head to cirkledin.com and sign up for free, then go to cirkledin.com/scholarships and hit "Apply Now." The deadline is September 30, 2026, and winners will be notified by November 15, 2026.

Cirkled In is a platform built to help you showcase your skills and achievements to colleges and employers, find your best-fit school, land internships, and win scholarships. So even beyond this award, setting up a profile puts you in front of opportunities.

Two minutes for a shot at $2,500 is a good trade. Apply here: https://www.cirkledin.com/scholarships

Every day is a fresh chance for your student to learn something new, laugh with a friend, and take one more step forward, and it all starts with showing up. When our Wildcats are here day after day, great things happen. They stay connected to their teachers, they keep their momentum going, and they get the full Newport High experience we work so hard to give them.

That is why we are excited about our goal this year to reach 93.4 percent attendance together. It is a goal we know our families can help us hit, and every single day counts toward it. Get your Wildcat here, cheer them on, and let us take care of the rest. Here every day, the Wildcat way.

We want to talk with you about something that quietly shapes almost everything else at school: attendance. It's easy to think of a missed day here or there as no big deal, but the research is pretty clear that those days add up faster than most of us expect, and they matter more than we tend to realize.

Consider a few things we've learned. Missing just two days a month, which barely feels like a pattern, works out to about 18 days a year. That's the line researchers call chronic absence, and it's enough to pull a student's grades down. Attendance in the very first weeks of school often predicts how the whole year will go. And by the middle grades, how often a student shows up becomes one of the strongest signals of whether they'll graduate. The good news buried in all of that is the flip side: when attendance goes up, so do grades and the odds of walking across that stage.

None of this is about blame. We know mornings are hard, and we know that sometimes what keeps a student home has nothing to do with wanting to be here. Transportation falls through. Someone gets sick. Life happens. What we're asking is that we work on this together. Talk with your student about why being here matters. Reach out to us early when something is getting in the way, before a few absences turn into a habit. And when you're not sure how to handle a situation, let us be part of solving it.

Our goal this year is a 93.4% attendance rate across the building, and we genuinely believe we can hit it with your help. Every day a Wildcat is here is a day that counts. Thanks for partnering with us to make sure our students are here every day, the Wildcat way.

The Wildcat Market is open and ready to welcome Newport families. It's a free shopping market available to all Newport students and their families, where you can pick up food, fresh produce, clothing for children and adults, hygiene products, household items, and other everyday necessities. Everything is provided at no cost thanks to generous donations and community partnerships. If you like Plato's Closet or Goodwill, you'll love the Wildcat Market, and new items arrive every month. The Market is open on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, so you can shop twice a month. This year's shopping dates run from August 27th all the way through May 27th, with the only closure on October 8th. For the full 2026-2027 schedule and more information, find us on Facebook. One district, one community, stronger together.

Newport Independent Schools wants families to know about two rights they have under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). First, you can request information about any state or district testing policy, including what a given assessment covers, why students take it, how much instructional time it uses, and when and how results are shared. Second, you have the right to ask about the professional qualifications of your child's teacher and any paraeducator who works with your child. That includes whether they meet Kentucky's certification and licensing requirements, whether they are teaching under an emergency or provisional status, and their college major, degree, and field of certification. To request testing information, contact Autumn Slankard, District Assessment Coordinator, at 859-292-3092 or autumn.slankard@newport.kyschools.us. For educator qualifications, contact Dr. Melissa Hemmerle, Director of Federal Programs, at 859-292-3092 or melissa.hemmerle@newport.kyschools.us. When you reach out, please include your child's name, school, grade, and the specific information you want. Translation, interpretation, and accessible formats are available on request.

We've got a good week ahead at Newport, and it starts with our students. Wednesday, September 9th is High Attendance Day, and our goal is simple: every Wildcat here and ready to learn. Please help us hit 100% by getting your student to school that day. It only works if we all show up together.

On the athletics side, Wednesday is a busy one. Middle School Football travels to Sharp at 6:00, and Volleyball is on the road at NCC at 6:00 and 7:00. Volleyball stays on the road Thursday at Heritage, and then Varsity Football closes the week Friday night with a Week 4 matchup at Taylor County at 7:30. Every one of these teams plays a little harder with Newport behind them, so make some noise from the stands and wear your red and black.

Thanks for helping your student start the week strong, both in the classroom and on the field.

Newport High School is hosting a Back to School Softball Camp with the Newport Ladycats, and it's a great chance for players to sharpen their skills before the new season gets going. Starting August 20th at Newport Vets (26 Caroline Dr, Newport, KY 41071), the camp is open to all players in grades 7 through 12, no matter where they are in their development. Players will work on the fundamentals that matter most, including hitting, fielding, throwing, base running, and game situations, all while building the confidence and teamwork that carry over to every part of the game. Best of all, the camp is completely free. It just takes commitment and effort. If your athlete is ready to grow as a player and start the season strong, contact Coach Turner at kenneth.turner@newport.kyschools.us to register today.

Looking for a new way to get your student active this season? The Cincinnati Royals Rugby program is building boys' and girls' teams for students born in 2012 or later, and no experience is needed. It's a welcoming place to start from scratch.

Rugby helps young athletes build teamwork, confidence, fitness, communication, and resilience, all while becoming part of a close-knit community. And you don't have to choose between sports. The Royals encourage multi-sport athletes, so your student can keep playing the sports and activities they already love while giving rugby a try.

Families can learn more and sign up at www.RoyalsRugby.com.