Harlan County Public Schools

Check out the animal science pathway now available at Harlan County High School.

Harlan County High School Freshman Orientation is today, Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come check out all of the new and exciting opportunities coming your way at Harlan County High School!

Congratulations to Mason Garrett, a rising seventh grader at Rosspoint Elementary School, on winning the Lynch Junior Invitational Golf Tournament recently.

Mason has been a member of the Harlan County High School Golf Team, playing on the junior varsity last season.

This junior invitational returned to the Lynch Country Club after 13 years this summer. He is shown with his coaches, Brendan Rutherford and Brett Widner.

Mason is the son of Dennis and Sabrina Garrett.

Congratulations Mason!

Harlan County Pee Wee Football and Cheer sign ups are continuing through August 16th, the final day to register.

Opportunities include flag football for kindergarten through second graders only ($40 fee);

Football for third and fourth graders only ($50 fee);

Cheer for kindergarten through fourth grade ($50 fee).

Up to date physicals are required and registration fee due at signup.

We congratulate Addison Truitt on her selection to and participation in the 2025 HOBY Kentucky Leadership Seminar at Berea College this summer. She is a rising junior. Her parents are Adam and Tabitha Truitt. She is sharing her experience with us.

A special meeting of the Harlan County FFA officer team was held recently in the Library of Harlan County High School. During this meeting, a recap of the 2024-2025 School Year was discussed, items such as competitions, chapter activities, fundraisers, and community engagement were discussed.

Once the meeting moved to new business, Mr. Brock detailed the changes made this summer, gave an update on the facilities, and discussed the implementation of Chapter Goal Setting for the 2025-2026 school year. Thanks to this meeting, the FFA Officer team and Mr. Brock have several fundraiser ideas that the public should soon know about, a plan for chapter involvement in competitions, and a plan to attend Freshman orientation on July 31st.

Each officer noted they are excited to be presented with new opportunities this upcoming school year.

If you have questions about Harlan County FFA, how you can be involved, or even how you can help our students be successful, please reach out to Mr. Elijah Brock via email at elijah.brock1@harlan.kyschools.us

The Harlan County High School FFA officers will meet on Wednesday, July 23rd at 1 p.m. at the high school. Refreshments will be served. Anyone with questions may email elijah.brock1@harlan.kyschools.us

Two Harlan County students recently participated in a summer learning program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Challenger Center in Hazard. Eli Epperson, who will be in the eighth grade this fall at Cawood Elementary School, and Mason Garrett, who will be in the seventh grade at Rosspoint Elementary, took part in the day-long training. Activities included the Power of Machine Learning, how computers learn from data; the Science of Secrets, the craft behind hiding and encrypting information; What's the Matter, how temperature, viscosity and molecular interactions affect states of matter; Blast Off! DIY Rockets, using chemistry and physics to launch projectiles; and From 2D Design to 3D Printing, designing and making your own small creations. Both young men excl in science.

Harlan County Lady Bear Volleyball tryouts are July 17th.

This is a reminder that the KHSAA Mandatory Dead Period runs from Wednesday, June 25, through Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Please note that ALL of our athletic facilities are CLOSED for the entire duration of KHSAA Dead Period. Student-athletes cannot be on campus during this time. Individual participation is prohibited as well. The track, the gym, the football field, the fieldhouse, the weight rooms, the cross country course, the tennis courts, the multi-purpose room....everything is shut down during this time, said Harlan County High School Athletic Director Eugene Farmer. Communications between coaches and student-athletes are prohibited during this time, Farmer said. Several annual maintenance projects will be taking place on our campuses during this time. It is imperative that our athletes and their families understand that there are no exceptions to the rule. FROM THE KHSAA: It is the time where high school athletes in the Commonwealth are supposed to get the chance to take a break from the rigors of high school sports, and it is coming up next week. The annual “Dead Period” is set to begin on Wednesday across the state. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association enforces the annual shutdown time from June 25 to July 9. During this time period, all school-related athletic activities are suspended. This break prohibits the use of school facilities, equipment, uniforms, and transportation for any KHSAA-sanctioned sport. Additionally, coaches are barred from communicating with athletes through any means, including email, social media, or phone calls. The KHSAA has noted that the primary objective of this period is to provide student-athletes, coaches, and families with a designated time to rest and recharge, addressing concerns about year-round athletic commitments and potential burnout. Established more than two decades ago, the “Dead Period” was introduced in response to increasing demands of continuous athletic participation, which often left little room for family vacations or personal downtime. By implementing this mandatory break, the KHSAA is working to ensure that athletes have the opportunity to recover physically and mentally. While the “Dead Period” restricts organized team activities, individual athletes can still choose to engage in personal workouts or training sessions independently, as long as the activities are not organized or supervised by school personnel. It is important to note that violations of the KHSAA “Dead Period” guidelines can lead to penalties for both the school and individuals involved. https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2025/06/20/khsaa-dead-period-to-start-wednesday/featured/trogers/#:~:text=The%20Kentucky%20High%20School%20Athletic,for%20any%20KHSAA%2Dsanctioned%20sport.

Exciting news, Harlan County families! 🎉 Do you have a four-year-old ready for an amazing learning adventure? The Harlan County Child Development Center is accepting registration interest forms for our inaugural class of four-year-old students, opening August 2025! 🏫📚 Give your child the best start with our new program housed at James A. Cawood Elementary School. Don't miss out – spots are limited! ➡️ Complete your Registration Interest Form today: https://forms.gle/q4YnmyxrH7NkNhmx8 Got questions? Call Leah Coots at (606) 573-4330 or Kim Saylor at (606) 573-1950. #HarlanCounty #EarlyChildhoodEducation #PreK #FourYearOlds #ChildDevelopment #EnrollNow #HarlanCountySchools #NewProgram

Get ready for kindergarten!

Congratulations Luke Kelly! We are #HCProud!

It’s time to sign up for Summer EBT! Dear parents and families, We’re reaching out to share important information about the Summer EBT program. It’s just one program that can help families access healthy food over the summer. What is Summer EBT? Summer EBT provides an extra $120 per school-aged child for groceries during summer break. Last year, this program helped over 395,000 children in Kentucky access nutritious food while they were out of school! Check to see if you’re eligible for Summer EBT You are eligible if your household is at or under 185% of federal poverty guidelines. Most eligible families on SNAP, KTAP, income-based Medical Assistance (Medicaid), or Kinship Care are automatically enrolled, but others (like you!) may qualify too. Check feedingky.org/sebteligibility to see if you are eligible and need to sign up. It’s quick and easy. Sign up for Summer EBT today! You can sign up at kysebt.ky.gov. Summer EBT works alongside other programs like SUN Meals to ensure children in Kentucky have access to nutritious food year-round. If you received Summer EBT last year and are eligible again, look for your benefits on last year’s card. • If you need a replacement and have not moved, you can contact EBT Customer Service at 888-979-9949 to request a replacement. • If you have moved, call the DCBS Call Center at 855-306-8959 to update your address and receive a new card.

The Harlan County School District will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025 in observance of Memorial Day. Remember and Honor!

HCHS Lady Bear Volleyball camp is Friday, May 30th.

ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF RISING 11TH GRADERS: Please make sure your child has an updated Kentucky Certificate of Immunization (Shot Record) on file at school. Students are required to have their second Meningococcal vaccine. These forms are required by the Kentucky Department of Education. Thank you for your cooperation!

ATTENTION CURRENT 6TH GRADE PARENTS/GUARDIANS Please make sure your child has an updated Kentucky Certificate of Immunization (Shot Record) and the KENTUCKY PREVENTATIVE HEALH CARE FORM (Physical) are on file at your child’s school before the seventh grade year begins. These forms are required by the Kentucky Department of Education.

Harlan County High School Class of 2025 graduation practice is Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m.

The Harlan County High School Choir Concert scheduled for this evening has been postponed.