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| Scott Hall takes a break from painting to speak with Dr. McCaslin about the timeline of the kitchen project. Both men are members of the Leadership F-S class who committed to finishing the project prior to Jan 2 when the LOPC kids return to school. ~Marsha Herndon/Franklin Favorite |
MHfRNDON@FRANKLINFAVORITE.COM
When the students at the Franklin Learning Opportunities Center returned to school this week, they found a surprise waiting for them. The LO PC, which moved this fall to the old Franklin, Simpson High School Gymnasium, was given a very special project. made possible by some very special volunteers.
Each year, Leadership F-S works with a dozen or so community leaders and future leaders who apply through the Chamber of Commerce and the Extension Service. It is an educational program designed to familiarize participants with the leadership opportunities, needs, problems and resources in the local community. Leadership F-S involves an orientation, seven sessions throughout the year and concludes with a graduation banquet usually held in May.
Dr. James McCaslin, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of the BGTC Franklin-Simpson Center, was among those in this year's class. He says as part of the class, they take time to tour businesses that serve different segments of the community. There is a justice day, farm day and an education day. It was during education day that the participants toured the old gym at FSHS that now houses the students who attend the LOPC.
Their visit with students that day made a huge impression on all the members of the Leadership class, says McCaslin. During the day they learned about the students and why they are in LOpe, it's not the reason most of us think. McCaslin says that it is sometimes because of behavioral issues, but that's not the only reason. Some have home life issues, lack structure and just struggle with their living situation in general. Others might have emotional issues that need to be overcome.
"In talking with Crystal (Bayles) we learned that many of these kids just come from a very unstable home
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| New kitchen cabinets were stained and sit waiting to dry so they could be installed in the new kitchen, which is a renovated concession stand area in the old gym. The kitchen will be used by students in the Learning Opportunities Center for meal preparation as well as instruction. ~Marsha Herndon/Franklin Favorite |
life," McCaslin said.
Some are ordered to: attend LOPC, however for others it is a decision. The decision is made, he says, usually between the principal and Bayles when there are issues at school that require more structure for the student. Sometimes they just need more individualized instruction, sometimes they need discipline, and sometimes just the structure provided by the school.
Once they show improvement, some students are given the option to return to FSHS, but McCaslin says that many of them stay in the LO PC by choice.
'They just get something here that they need, a lot of them stay here because they are doing well and they like it here," he said.
That is in no small part due to Crystal Bayles, who was made principal of LOPC two years ago. McCaslin says Bayles brings something special to the program. A firm but loving hand to guide the kids through a rough time in their life. It is where she is meant to be, McCaslin believes.
So when the Leadership group toured the new LOPC home in the old gym at FSHS, they were touched by
the students, The students are completely separated from the outside world during their hours in school. They have little interaction with anyone who is not a student or teacher at the LO PC campus. They don't eat in the cafeteria with other students, their meals are brought to them at the center.
The group saw how they spent their days, and the classes that they were taking to help prepare them for adult life. Their classes are practical, things to assist them in daily living. When they saw the kids using an old concession area as a makeshift kitchen, a plan came together.
Each year, the Leadership participants are required to choose a project to complete as a community service. That very day they began talking about how to help the students. They wanted to build a kitchen right away so that students could learn practical life lessons on food preparation, nutrition, budgeting, and how to make food that can be stretched out into more than one meal.
So that is how it came to be that during the students' winter break, some elves of a different kind were busy working. Leadership F-S members pulled out old equipment, solicited donations, painted, made curtains and installed cabinets for the new kitchen. The kitchen was unveiled to students this week when they returned to school.
McCaslin says he hopes to continue work with the center, hoping to establish a council that will maintain advocacy for these students. He also has plans for a mentoring program which will be seeking volunteers for a "J.A in a day" program next spring.
In the meantime, they have established an account for donations to help cover costs of the kitchen and other special projects in conjunction with the LOPC. Donations may be made out to dropped off in drop box FSEEF Leadership Fund and sent to : P.O. Box 94 Franklin, Ky 42135 or dropped off in a drop box at the FSEEF office 910B South Main Street.