1st place: Barbourville
2nd place: Harlan Independent
3rd place (tie): Harlan County & Bell County
4th place; Clay County
5th place: Corbin
Also, congratulations to senior Baylor Varner for placing 5th amongst the individual scorers! #GoBigGreen 🐉
The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) program helps reduce hunger and food insecurity by providing eligible school-aged children with benefits to buy groceries during the summer months when school meals aren’t available.
👦👧 Who’s Automatically Eligible?
If students are currently enrolled in SNAP, KTAP, Kinship Care, or certain income-based forms of Medicaid for at least one month since July 1, 2024, they should already be enrolled. However, kids not enrolled in these programs from households with incomes at or below the 185% poverty level are eligible but need to apply.
📝 Need to Apply?
If your student hasn’t received SNAP, KTAP, or Kinship Care since July 1, 2024, you’ll need to apply starting October 1, 2024 at:
https://KYSEBT.ky.gov/ or through https://kynect.ky.gov/benefits/
💳 How Benefits Are Received:
If you’re already receiving benefits, SEBT will be added to your existing EBT card. Otherwise, a new card will be mailed to you.
🛒 What Can You Buy?
Almost any grocery item—except hot, ready-to-eat foods. SEBT does not cover tobacco, alcohol, pet food, or non-food items.
Visit the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/pages/sebt.aspx) for more info!
Reminder for after-school pick up. Kindergarten pick up is the the purple line on Mound St. 1st and 2nd grade is the green line, Clover St., 3rd & 4th grade is the red line, you enter off of KY38. If your child has a sibling in 3rd or 4th grade, they will be picked up outback in the red line of traffic. Your child should have brought home a paper with their name on it in large print. Please place this paper on your dashboard in order to make identifying your vehicle easier and quicker. Thank you for being patient with us!
If you are picking up a middle/high school student, please do not enter downtown until after 3:05.
📸 What an incredible time we had yesterday at the Harlan Independent Schools campus-wide block party! 🎒 Families had the chance to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and get excited for the year ahead. From games and music to food and fun, it was the perfect way to kick off the new school year and celebrate our amazing #FamilyofDragons. 🐉💚
Our first day of school for Elementary, Middle, and High School is TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 6th! We can’t wait to welcome all of our students back. Let’s make it a great year! #EveryDayEveryDragon
📢 Important Policy Updates for the 2025–26 School Year at Harlan Independent Schools! 🐉
As we gear up for a new school year, please take a moment to review a few important policy changes:
District Staff/Student Communication
Beginning June 27, 2025, SB 181 requires that all school communication with students occur only through approved platforms including ParentSquare, district email, GoGuardian, Google Workspace, and Infinite Campus. Communication through texting, personal emails, and social media will no longer be allowed.
As a result of new Kentucky legislation, Harlan Middle/High School has made the following policy changes for the 2025-2026 school year.
Moment of Silence or Reflection
In accordance to KY Senate Bill 19, “at the commencement of the first class of each day in all public schools, there shall be a moment of silence or reflection of at least one (1) minute, but not to exceed two (2) minutes in duration,” during which “all pupils remain seated and silent and make no distracting display so that each pupil may, in the exercise of his or her individual choice, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity which does not interfere with, distract from, or impede other pupils' exercise of individual choice.”
Personal Electronic Devices
In response to KY House Bill 208, and in an effort to maximize student engagement during instructional time while limiting distractions throughout the day, all personal electronic devices—including but not limited to cell phones, AirPods, earbuds, smartwatches, camera-equipped glasses, etc.—must remain turned off and out of sight from the start of the school day until the end of the school day. Parents may contact the office to leave messages for students as needed. Students will be permitted to use office phones in cases of emergency.
✅ 1st–2nd Grade: Mon–Thurs | 4:30–5:00 PM
✅ 3rd–6th Grade: Mon–Thurs | 5:15–6:00 PM
✅ 7th–12th Grade: Mon, Tues, Thurs | 6:00–7:00 PM & Wed | 4:30–5:30 PM
📍 All practices held at HHS Track
💧 Don’t forget to bring water and updated physicals!
Let’s hit the ground running, Dragons! 🐉💪 #FamilyofDragons #CrossCountry
Student Spotlight: Summer of Success!
Please join us in congratulating rising junior Murtaza Hussain from Harlan High School for an incredible summer filled with leadership, service, and achievement!
🟢 HOBY Kentucky & World Leadership Congress
Out of nearly 200 student leaders across the state, Murtaza was selected as one of just two recipients of a $650 scholarship to represent Kentucky as a State Ambassador at the HOBY World Leadership Congress in Chicago!
🔗 Learn more: https://hoby.org/programs/world-leadership-congress/
🟢 Roger’s Scholars Ambassador
Named one of only two Ambassadors for the Roger’s Scholars Class of 2025, Murtaza will represent his peers at alumni events and help lead future classes of scholars.
🟢 USA Olympian Kenny Davis Leadership Award
Awarded this prestigious honor at the Roger’s Scholars graduation ceremony, Murtaza was recognized for his exceptional leadership and character, joining a proud tradition of student leaders.
Congratulations, Murtaza! The Green Dragon family is so proud of you!
#FamilyofDragons🐉
Green Dragon families, we are excited to kick off the 2025-2026 school year with our annual Back-to-School Block Party on Monday, August 4th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM!
From 5:00–6:00 PM, all of our amazing K-12 teachers will be in their classrooms to welcome students and parents. It’s a great time to meet your child’s teacher, check out their classroom, and get ready for a strong start.
After that, stick around for food, fun, and games as we celebrate the beginning of another incredible year together.
We can't wait to see everyone back on campus! Let’s make this year our best one yet!
#FamilyofDragons #EveryDayEveryDragon #MorethanaSchool
