Harlan Independent Schools

Kindergarten Jumpstart is sure to be fun! Join us July 24th-27th from 9:00 am until noon! 🐉🎸

🐉 Harlan Elementary students, mark your calendars! “Pop” by and join Mrs. Posey for a popsicle on July 17th or July 18th! 😁

Hey Dragons! 🏈 Don't forget that middle and high school football practice starts TOMORROW!!! Let's get ready for a great season!!! #GoBigGreen

Cross Country practice for grades 6-12 begins tomorrow at 6:00 pm at the track! 🐉🐉

Hello Dragon Family💚! I'm excited to be transitioning over to the Middle School as a math teacher after 7 years in the elementary. I have been teaching math at different grade levels for 13 years, with 9 of those being in our amazing district. I'm excited to meet new students and see the familiar faces of those I've taught before! Mrs. Crow is married to Shawn Crow. Her daughter, Shaedyn, will be a 7th grader at Harlan Middle School, and her sons, Sawyer and Saylor, will be in the 4th grade at Harlan Elementary. Welcome to HMS Mrs. Crow! 🐉🐉🐉

Please join us in welcoming the newest staff member at Harlan Elementary School, Camerynn McKenzie. 🐉 “My name is Camerynn McKenzie. I am a life-long resident of Harlan County. I have been working at Harlan Independent as a kindergarten aide for the last 3 years. I am a graduate of Harlan County High School and I recently graduated from the University of The Cumberlands with my bachelors in General Education and a minor in Psychology. I am married to Trent McKenzie and we have one daughter, Preslee Kate. I enjoy going to church, spending time with family, and traveling. I am committed to ensuring that each student excels in their own pathway to success. I am very excited for this up coming school year!”

Happy INDEPENDENCE day from the Harlan Independent School District.

🐉🐉🐉 Please join us in welcoming the newest addition to Harlan Middle School, Sara Waller! Sara will be joining HMS this year as an ELA Teacher. "My name is Sara Waller and I am so thrilled to join the Harlan Independent community as an ELA teacher this fall. I am originally from Mt. Juliet, TN but I graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, GA with my degree in English Literature back in 2022. I am so passionate about teaching kids the power of reading and writing, which are skills they will take with them wherever they go in life! I have been teaching summer school in Knott County the past few weeks and have heard nothing but the best things about this school district. I could not be more excited to meet you all and be a part of this wonderful community!"

Please join us in welcoming the newest teacher at Harlan Elementary School, Paighton Hensley. “Hi!!! I am so excited to be joining the Dragon family💚🐉. I am a 2020 graduate of Harlan County High School and a 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands with a bachelors of science in elementary education with an emphasis in interdisciplinary studies. I will be attending the Cumberlands to attain my masters degree. I am thrilled to start the new school year as an elementary teacher at Harlan Elementary! I can’t wait to meet all of you!”

Secure your future with priority enrollment at Harlan Independent: Excellence in education begins now. 🐉🐉 https://www.harlan-ind.k12.ky.us/page/enrollment-information

2nd-4th grade students participating in Dragons Beyond the Bell concluded the week by visiting the Knoxville Zoo. Students were able to feed and pet the turtles at the turtle exhibit. The oldest turtles that they interacted with was 150 years old! 🐢

Harlan Independent School District would like to continue to ask our Dragon family to remember Timothy's family today. 💚

HES Kindergarten students are enjoying the final week of Dragons Beyond the Bell Extreme! 🐉💚 It's not too late to enroll and become a part of the Dragon Family. Please take advantage of our Priority Enrollment (lasting until June 30th) and secure your spot as a Green Dragon! 💚🐉

🏃 🐉 Any student in grades 5-12 interested in running Cross Country for the 2023-2024 school year should plan to attend an informational meeting at the HHS football field tonight at 6:00 PM. If you want to run but can’t attend the meeting please let Coach Lindsey know. #HarlanCrossCountry

We would once again like to send our condolences to the family and friends of HMS Student Timothy Hickson. The visitation for Timothy will take place on June 14th, 2023 from 5PM to 8PM in the Chapel of Mount Pleasant Funeral Home. On June 15th, 2023 a funeral service for Timothy will also be held at Mount Pleasant Funeral Home beginning at 3PM. Burial will follow at Evarts Memorial Gardens. We would like to continue to ask for all of our Dragon family to remember Timothy's family in the coming days. https://www.mountpleasantfuneralhome.com/obituaries/timothy-hickson

🏋️ "The Challenge" week, hosted by Harlan 21st Century Teen Club, will be postponed until the week of June 26th. The previously scheduled "Whippin' Up Success" week is still slated for the week of June 19th and will now be the starting week for these fun summer camps. There is still time to register if any incoming 5th through 12th graders are looking for some fun activities for this summer! #Harlan21cclc

We will be hosting a Time of Remembrance candlelight service at the Harlan football field tonight from 8 to 9 pm. This will be a time of reflection and support for all who loved Timmy. ALL are welcome. 💚 Also, we will have the school open tomorrow with counselors available for students or staff needing someone to talk to.

The Harlan Independent School District would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Harlan Middle School student Timothy Hickson. Timothy was special to many people and brought many smiles to his friends and staff in the hallways and classrooms at HMS. Timothy also participated in many sports where he was able to enjoy the games that he loved while spending time with the friends he loved even more. No words can truly describe how much Timothy meant to so many. We all mourn this tragic loss and send our prayers to his family and friends on this terrible night. Harlan High School will be open on Monday for any students who want to speak with our counselors. The Harlan Independent School District would like to join together to support our students, staff, and community throughout the coming days.

HES students participating in Dragons Beyond the Bell Extreme took a field trip to Pine Mountain Settlement School this week. Students explored the campus, made their own lip balm, and learned about mountain heritage and traditions. 🌄

🏀🏀🏀 Harlan High School Basketball Coach Derrick Akal and the Harlan Boys Basketball team hosted a great group of future Dragons last week at Basketball Camp! A huge thank you to all who attended! 🏀🏀🏀🐉🐉🐉