WOLF TRACKS

Welcome, new and returning wolves and families! We have had a great start to our 24-25 school year!

Curious where to find updated information about upcoming events, etc.? Check our social media sites on Facebook, Instagram, and/or X. Find information about courses, school and district news, etc., on our website. Need answers to questions? Check out the LTAC Student Handbook (bit.ly/ltacstudenthandbook).

You also can contact our administrators (Mr. Mark Sims, Assistant Principal, and/or Dr. Catherine Vannatter, Principal), our Counselor (Ms. Jenni Berk), our Attendance Specialist (Mrs. Faron Shores), our School Accounts Specialist (Mrs. Kimberly Collins), and our Library Media Specialist (Mrs. Meredith Reed) for specific assistance. To contact an instructor or other staff member, check out the directory on our website. We look forward to partnering with our students and families!

Want to order LTAC FFA gear? Check out the below flyer!

Students, please join our Officers and Committee Chairpersons for our FFA Chapter's Executive Team Meeting on Tuesday, September 10th at 4:30 p.m. in the Library Media Center.

Families, please join us for our FFA Alumni Meeting on Tuesday, September 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the Library Media Center. You do not have to have any experience with agriculture and/or FFA to participate and support our school!

We love to celebrate students at LTAC! If a student has zero unexcused absences, zero discipline referrals at LTAC and their sending high school/program, and a 100% employability score in eOS, the student can win free snacks and drinks from our Snack Shack and Starbooks in the Library Media Center. We also celebrate students through recognition referrals presented in our classes. And, new this year, students can earn e-bucks to purchase LTAC swag, etc. Remember, students: remain Positive, Ambitious, Courageous, and Kind, and you can win these rewards!

Counselor Ms. Jenni Berk has an intern partnering with her this semester, Mrs. Courtney Slayden, who will participate in classroom visits, meet with students, etc. Welcome, Mrs. Slayden!

This month Ms. Berk will meet with all students enrolled in dual credit classes to set-up Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) accounts and select scholarships to cover tuition costs of Career and Technical Education dual credit courses. Ms. Berk and Mrs. Slayden also will visit with all new students to review employability skills and socio-emotional learning strategies.

Next, Ms. Berk will begin meeting with 12th graders to assist with post-graduation plans. Also, during our next Trace Day on Friday, September 13th, Ms. Berk will cover suicide prevention and nicotine cessation with all students.

All students must have a signed Acceptable Use Policy form on file to have full access to the Internet. All families received an emailed copy of the form but can complete a paper form from Library Media Specialist Mrs. Meredith Reed.

Students have signed up to participate in the September Book Club. The Book Club meets once per month during the school day to discuss a book and eat snacks provided by Library Media Specialist Mrs. Meredith Reed. This month students will read one of two 2025 Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominees: Nic Stone's Chaos Theory or Kate McLaughlin's Pieces of Me. Students can choose between a print book, ebook, or audiobook.

Sponsor and Library Media Center Specialist Mrs. Meredith Reed has led the Yearbook Staff in designing our 2025 yearbook cover and theme, "The Future of Agriculture." You may purchase a copy in advance through www.jostens.com.

The Executive Team of Officers and Committee Chairpersons met on Friday, August 23rd to plan events, etc., for the year.

Want to attend the FFA National Convention with LTAC? Apply by Tuesday, September 10th! Students can find information about all FFA events, including the application to attend National Convention and contests, in their FFA Canvas course.

Want to win money? Participate in the Fayette County Farm Bureau Outstanding Youth Contest on Monday, September 23rd, with applications due on Wednesday, September 18th. Find more information in the FFA Canvas course.

Current members met for the first time on Thursday, August 29th and discussed plans for the school year. Leah Le, the Vice President, will present about Hispanic Heritage Month during the next meeting on Thursday, September 19th. Contact Sponsor and World Language Teacher Senora Laura De Vettori for more information.

Students will host their first meeting on Monday, September 16th at 4:00 p.m. in the Library Media Center to begin planning activities, etc., for the year. Contact Sponsor and Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Ally Thompson for more information.

Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee and Jr. MANRRS Chapter hosted an introductory meeting on Thursday, September 5th at 3:30 p.m. Stay tuned for upcoming information about contests, activities, etc., all promoting diverse representation in agriculture. See Sponsor and Agriculture Instructor Ms. Graciela Barajas for more information.

Celebration Committee - Elaina Heil with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Latissa Higgins

• Watch for information about our upcoming Greenhand and Chapter Degree ceremonies where we will recognize newer members to our FFA Chapter and celebrate their accomplishments!

Community Service Committee - Abbie Knox with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Toni Myers

• Watch for information to volunteer at our annual Operation Pumpkin Patch even on Tuesday, November 5th!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee - Kai Baker with Agriculture Instructor Ms. Graciela Barajas

• See the Jr. MANRRS section for updates.

Family and Community Engagement Committee - Kenja Vargas with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Morgan Margita

• Prefer communication in Spanish? Please attend our Hispanic Night on Thursday, September 12th at 6:00 p.m. to learn about opportunities at LTAC and with FFA, all presented in Spanish. Check out the below flyer!

Fundraiser Committee - Eden Fluharty with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Brian Craig

• Thank you for your support of our FFA Chapter by purchasing mums! Students should check their FFA Canvas course site to sign-up to help at our next fundraiser: working fall festival weekends at Bi-Water Farm and Greenhouse.

Leadership Development Committee - Addison Hillard with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Daniel Bustle and the FFA Officers

• See the FFA section for updates.

Social Committee - Harper Bone with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Kathleen Magsam

• Watch for information about our upcoming Fall Festival and Family Cookout on Tuesday, October 29th. We also will host a Thanksgiving meal for students on Tuesday, November 26th.

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Committee - Giselle Green with Agriculture Instructor Mr. Doug Ashcraft

• See the Student Showcase section for celebrations of our students who participated in livestock showing this past season.

Sustainability Committee (Jr. Conservation Board) - Belle McKinlay with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Ally Thompson

• See the Jr. Conservation Board section for updates.

Wellness Committee - Melanie Planck with Agriculture Instructor Mrs. Fallon Jackson

• Stay tuned for ways we will practice wellness this school year!

Students in the Agricultural Engineering Institute have focused on learning safety procedures for all equipment and next will focus on zero-turn lawnmower operation and agricultural math.

Students in Equine Science (Level 1) have learned about equine behavior and safety around horses. They also have started learning to halter horses with a buckle halter. Next, they will learn the colors, markings, and other related terminology for horses. Soon the students will travel to the Kentucky Horse Park to learn more about the equine industry and horse breeds.

Students in Agribusiness and Farm Management (Level 2) learned about the systems of a horse, including the endocrine and cardiovascular systems. They also have given baths to our horses. Next, students will learn how to age horses by their teeth and evaluate their conformations. This gives students an opportunity to try out for our FFA Career Development Event Horse Evaluation!

Students in Agricultural Sales and Marketing (Level 3) learned about the thoroughbred sales industry and how to put on a chifney. Next, students will attend a sale at Keeneland, meeting industry professionals and learning how to read a sales catalogue. Students then will learn to start young horses under saddle.

Classes in this Program have learned about food preservation, including making and canning pickles and salsa. Next, they will prepare for the Fayette County Youth Livestock and Cured Ham Auction in partnership with 4-H and our FFA Chapter.

Students in the Animal Science course have learned how to safely handle livestock and perform procedures, including vaccinations, on live animals.

Students in Veterinary Science (Level 1) and Small Animal Technology (Level 2) have already started learning veterinary assistant skills. Students, please remember to wear scrubs and adhere to all dress code requirements to work in the lab!

Students in Animal Technology (Level 3) have learned medical terminology while also learning about cells, tissues, and the integumentary system.

Save the date for Barktoberfest--our annual fundraiser to support experiential learning trips, etc. We will host this event at LTAC on Saturday, October 12th!

Congratulations to the Wildlife Management Team, who placed 5th at the Kentucky State Fair's FFA Career Development Event. The team included Alexis Goldie, Riley Hutchison, Whitney Rivard, and Ava Soper.

Students in this Institute have learned about the human impact on the environment and worked in the school's rain garden, which attracts pollinators. Students taking the Forestry course have collected leaves to distinguish morphological characteristics to classify trees. Students in the Aquaculture course have adjusted the aquaponics systems in the lab.

Congratulations to the Agronomy Team, who placed 5th at the Kentucky State Fair's FFA Career Development Event. The team included Addison Hillard, Samantha Kroggel, Haylee Tucker, and Riley Walker.

Congratulations to the Floriculture Team, who placed 12th at the Kentucky State Fair's FFA Career Development Event. The team included Skyler Farmer, Addyson Fischer, Jaidyn McMillian, and Emily Taylor.

Students in this Institute have started identifying plants, learned to tie bows, and wired and taped flowers. They also have learned to evaluate land and soils for production and installed an irrigation system.

In AgriScience, students have learned about the various fields in agriculture and will create agritourism farm models to educate one another about the industry overall.

In Agriculture Employability Skills, students have learned and practiced soft skills for the workplace, including giving elevator speeches about themselves, networking with peers, and professional media etiquette.

In Principles of Agricultural Science and Technology, students learned about Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs)--required projects for LTAC and FFA. Students will learn about AET, the system used to document all SAE and FFA-related activities. Next, students will learn more about FFA as a national, state, and local organization and how to become more involved in our chapter.

Students have stayed active, playing yukiball and capture the flag! Next, students will learn soccer, ultimate frisbee, and touch-tag football.

All student have learned classroom procedures and expectations and basic survival phrases in Spanish.

Next, students in Spanish 1 will demonstrate understanding of survival phrases and identification of Spanish-speaking countries. Students in Spanish 2 and Advanced Spanish 3 will present projects on the demographics and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries.

Students in Advanced Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts learned about the elements and principles of visual art and will submit projects on Friday, September 27th.

Students in Advanced United States History learned about the Civil War and Reconstruction periods and will complete an assessment on Thursday, September 19th.

Students in Advanced World History learned about the development of early cultures that laid the foundation for the modern world and will complete an assessment on Friday, September 20th.

Students in Advanced Government learned about the founding principles of American democracy and will complete an assessment on Thursday, September 19th.

Carrie Wagner (graduate) - Sheep and Goat Showman:

1st in Sheep Showmanship

2nd in Dorset Market Class

3rd in Black Face Cross Market Class

5th in Hampshire Market Class

4th in Goat Market Class

Oliviah Coy - Goat Showman:

7th in Goat Showmanship

9th and 11th in Goat Market Classes

Josie Singleton - Goat Showman:

Showmanship Participant

5th in Goat Market Class

Kenja Vargas - Sheep Showman:

Showmanship Participant

5th in Black Face Cross Market Class

Giselle Green - Sheep Showman:

5th in Sheep Showmanship

1st in Hampshire Market Class

5th in Natural Market Class

Larkin Romines - Sheep Showman:

Showmanship Participant

9th in Black Face Cross Market Class

Nevaeh Trammell - Sheep Showman:

Showmanship Participant

3rd in Hampshire Market Class

5th in Black Face Cross Market Class

Skyler Farmer - Sheep Showman:

Showmanship Participant

5th in Black Face Cross Market Class

Haylee Tucker - Dairy Cattle Showman:

3rd in Showmanship

4th in March Calf Class

See below photos.

Work-Based Learning Coordinator Mrs. Nicki Jones has new information for all interns regarding hazardous occupations for minors. Students have a list of tasks that anyone under the age of 18 CANNOT perform, unless working within a specific Career and Technical Education pathway and has completed the proper documentation. Interns should talk with Mrs. Jones as needed.

Our on-campus internship program has restarted this school year, as well. This program increases access to internships regardless of students' abilities to transport themselves to job sites. Some interns perform duties campus-wide while others work for specific Institutes/Programs. Students will receive hourly pay following their probationary period that ends when we return from Fall Break.

Interns at The Kentucky Castle have had a great start to their year! The interns have made 20 floral arrangements each week for the restaurant and harvested vegetables for both the restaurant and a local Community Supported Agriculture cooperative. See the below photos.

• Email the Attendance Specialist.
• Email the Counselor.
• Email the Library Media Specialist.

Mission: To grow ALL students into leaders who serve and advocate for the future of agriculture.

Vision: Together students discover their passion and unlock their potential through Leadership, Teamwork, Agriculture, and Community.

Run with the PACK:

be Positive, Ambitious, Courageous, and Kind!

Email: catherine.vannatter@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: fcps.net/locusttrace
Location: 3591 Leestown Road, Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: 859-422-3990
Facebook: facebook.com/locusttraceac
Twitter: @LocustTraceAC