Amber Sanderson and Monte Hensley were honored with the Whitlow Commitment to Excellence Award at the May meeting of the Paducah Board of Education.
Mr. Hensley is an instructional assistant with McNabb Elementary, and also serves as the Technology Coordinator.
"For years Monte has been behind every dance, fall festival, parent event, and sport we have at McNabb Elementary," said one of Mr. Hensley's nominators. "I've personally seen him turn kids around when he sees they are walking down a path they don't need to (walk down). And he talks to them from a place of experience and care."
Ms. Sanderson teaches the Abilities class at Paducah Tilghman High School.
"Sometimes education gets looked at for the test scores and results reported," said the one of Ms. Sanderson's nominators. "But in this day and age, an educator, co-worker, and friend like Mrs. Sanderson brings light to the darkest of days."
The Whitlow Commitment to Excellence Award was created in 2016 and was named for Mark Whitlow, who retired that year as the board attorney. He served as the Paducah Public Schools Foundation president and volunteered for more than 20 years with the Paducah Tilghman High School mock trial team. Whitlow is in the PTHS Hall of Fame. The award honors those who demonstrate similar dedication and service to Paducah schools.
Mr. Hensley is an instructional assistant with McNabb Elementary, and also serves as the Technology Coordinator.
"For years Monte has been behind every dance, fall festival, parent event, and sport we have at McNabb Elementary," said one of Mr. Hensley's nominators. "I've personally seen him turn kids around when he sees they are walking down a path they don't need to (walk down). And he talks to them from a place of experience and care."
Ms. Sanderson teaches the Abilities class at Paducah Tilghman High School.
"Sometimes education gets looked at for the test scores and results reported," said the one of Ms. Sanderson's nominators. "But in this day and age, an educator, co-worker, and friend like Mrs. Sanderson brings light to the darkest of days."
The Whitlow Commitment to Excellence Award was created in 2016 and was named for Mark Whitlow, who retired that year as the board attorney. He served as the Paducah Public Schools Foundation president and volunteered for more than 20 years with the Paducah Tilghman High School mock trial team. Whitlow is in the PTHS Hall of Fame. The award honors those who demonstrate similar dedication and service to Paducah schools.
We've got Welding Camp going on in the Paducah Innovation Hub Makerspace this week! To see what camps we're offering this summer, go to https://tinyurl.com/mr4xcwtn
Looking for a summer soccer tune-up? Tilghman Soccer 2026 Youth Camp will be June 17-19 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jetton Soccer Fields. The camp is open to rising 2nd graders through rising 8th graders. Fee is $50. You can sign up and pay at the link- https://www.tilghmansoccer.org/store/p/2026-tilghman-youth-soccer-camp
The Paducah Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5:00 pm on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Paducah Innovation Hub, 500 South 25th Street.
As always the meeting is open to the public and visitors are welcome. If it is your first time to visit, here is quick video from our junior board members about what you can expect- https://aptg.co/x_mbHJ
Link to the agenda- https://aptg.co/Pr3xPk
We were thrilled to see our students and parents today at Paducah Park Place (Dudley Court)! FRYSC director Robyn West and friends from Clark and the district have been visiting each summer for 20 years, bringing books, snacks, and crafts as PPS Nutrition Services provides meals.
Purchase Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Rural Community Health Scholars spend time with STAY McKinney-Vento Liason Heather Anderson to learn more about student homelessness. Afterwards, they joined Anderson and WoodmenLife representative Julie Barks in shopping for goods to restock the STAY Program, thanks to a $500 donation from Woodmen Life.
Free summer meals will be available for anyone 0 - 18 years old through Tornado Takeout, Mondays and Thursdays, June 8 - August 2. Please see the attached flyers for info about times and places.
The "Happy Adult Life" event hosted by Paducah Public Schools in April received statewide attention in the Kentucky Office of Special Education's newsletter. The event was open to all Paducah Public School K–12 special needs families, offering information on guardianship & legal planning, waivers, family support resources, postsecondary options, day programs and other community resources.
Looking for a summer soccer tune-up? Tilghman Soccer 2026 Youth Camp will be June 17-19 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jetton Soccer Fields. The camp is open to rising 2nd graders through rising 8th graders. Fee is $50. You can sign up and pay at the link- https://www.tilghmansoccer.org/store/p/2026-tilghman-youth-soccer-camp
The 19th Annual Paducah Public Schools Foundation Golf Scramble will be held on Friday, July 31, at Paxton Park. Registration at 8 am, shotgun start at 9 am.
The entry fee per team is $400. Prizes will be awarded, and lunch is included. All proceeds support the after school & summer camps at our Innovation Hub Makerspace, which remain free to all district students.
Businesses are encouraged to become a hole or event sponsor. For more information, contact Lisa Chappell lisa.chappell@paducah.kyschools.us
You can download the registration form here- https://aptg.co/dNQclQ
The entry fee per team is $400. Prizes will be awarded, and lunch is included. All proceeds support the after school & summer camps at our Innovation Hub Makerspace, which remain free to all district students.
Businesses are encouraged to become a hole or event sponsor. For more information, contact Lisa Chappell lisa.chappell@paducah.kyschools.us
You can download the registration form here- https://aptg.co/dNQclQ
The STAY Homeless Program received 150 pairs of shoes and several sleeves of Bombas socks today to share with students who are experiencing homelessness. The donation was made by the Nashville based non-profit Soles4Souls. Their program 4EveryKid has the goal of providing brand new athletic shoes to every child experiencing homelessness in the United States. Thank you, Soles4Souls, for your gift!
The 2026 Paducah ATC's Discover Your Future: Summer Academy is officially underway!
This week, middle school students are exploring career pathways through hands-on learning, industry projects, guest speakers, and career exploration activities. Students will have the opportunity to learn directly from professionals, experience cutting-edge technology like VR career simulations, and discover the many opportunities available in skilled trades and technical careers.
We're excited to inspire the next generation of innovators, makers, and industry leaders as they explore, experiment, and embrace new possibilities at the Paducah Area Technology Center!
This week, middle school students are exploring career pathways through hands-on learning, industry projects, guest speakers, and career exploration activities. Students will have the opportunity to learn directly from professionals, experience cutting-edge technology like VR career simulations, and discover the many opportunities available in skilled trades and technical careers.
We're excited to inspire the next generation of innovators, makers, and industry leaders as they explore, experiment, and embrace new possibilities at the Paducah Area Technology Center!
The 25th Annual Peggy and Fred Paxton Challenge for Charities has begun! From now until August 28th, you can support our students and schools through our Paducah Public Schools Foundation. Donations are match-eligible until the end of the challenge. Click the link below to donate.
https://cfwk.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1498
https://cfwk.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1498
We are thrilled to introduce SchoolCash Online, our new, easy-to-use digital payment system for all school-related fees. From field trips to spirit wear, you can now pay for everything in just a few clicks!
Why you’ll love it:
Convenience: Pay from your phone, anywhere, anytime.
Peace of Mind: No more worrying about money getting lost at the bottom of a backpack.
Stay Organized: Receive email notifications for upcoming fees and view your payment history in one place.
Get a head start! Register your account today so you’re ready to go for the upcoming season: SchoolCashOnline.com
Why you’ll love it:
Convenience: Pay from your phone, anywhere, anytime.
Peace of Mind: No more worrying about money getting lost at the bottom of a backpack.
Stay Organized: Receive email notifications for upcoming fees and view your payment history in one place.
Get a head start! Register your account today so you’re ready to go for the upcoming season: SchoolCashOnline.com
⛳️ Calling All Future Lady Tornado Golfers! ⛳️
We are excited to begin adding to our girl's team for the upcoming fall golf season!
If you are an upcoming 7th grader through senior (current 6th through 11th grade) female with an interest in golf—whether you're experienced or just getting started—we would love to connect with you.
For more information or to get involved, please reach out to:
📧 Michaela Wood – michaela.wood@paducah.kyschools.us
We’re looking forward to a great season and can’t wait to meet our future Lady Tornado golfers! 💙
Paducah Tilghman Baseball defeats Hickman County 4-2 to advance to the Region 1 championship game! The Tornado will play McCracken County tonight at 6:00 PM at McCracken County. Good luck, and Go Big Blue!
Project Graduation for the Paducah Tilghman Class of '26 was truly a community effort. All these donors helped make Project Graduation 2026 a huge success! We appreciate you and are grateful for your support!
School's out, but we won't forget about our students! Did you know Paducah Public Schools provide free breakfast and lunch for anyone 0-18 years of age in June and July? Join us for the Summer Feeding Kick-Off Celebration Thursday, June 4, 11-1 pm. The event is at Paducah Middle School.
Your child will see familiar faces in the dunking booth, explore the Touch-a-Trucks and leave with freebies! Students 0-18 will get a hot chicken nugget meal, plus four days of breakfast and lunch. We'll unveil the full summer feeding schedule and mobile locations, too!
See you there!
Your child will see familiar faces in the dunking booth, explore the Touch-a-Trucks and leave with freebies! Students 0-18 will get a hot chicken nugget meal, plus four days of breakfast and lunch. We'll unveil the full summer feeding schedule and mobile locations, too!
See you there!
The start time for the PTHS at McCracken baseball district championship tonight has been pushed back to 6:00 PM. Good Luck! Go Big Blue!
The PTHS at McCracken Baseball District Championship is postponed due to weather. We will announce the new time and date as soon as it is available.