Lincoln Elementary 4th graders learn meaning of philanthropy by doing

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COVINGTON, Ky. — Fourth-grade students from Lincoln Elementary School took on the role of philanthropists this week, awarding a $1,000 donation to a local nonprofit as part of an innovative Adopt A Class program.

The event, held at the OneNKY Center, marked the culmination of a months-long mentorship experience led by community partners including EducateNKY, the Catalytic Fund and Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky.

Through the program, students explored what it means to build strong communities, researched local nonprofits and evaluated real-world issues before hearing final presentations from organizations including Learning Grove, Go Pantry and Emergency Shelter. After the presentations, students voted Go Pantry. would receive the $1,000 donation. “Partnering with Adopt a Class has brought opportunities and experiences to our students that they otherwise would not have had,” said Dayton Independent School District Superintendent, Rick Wolf. “Opportunities such as a visit to the OneNKY Center or listening to a local entrepreneur speak could introduce a child to something they’ve never seen or heard before. I am beyond excited that we are partnering with Adopt a Class.”

The Adopt A Class program connects teams of local professionals with students through monthly classroom visits focused on career exploration, skill building and hands-on learning. A key component of the program includes exposing students to real workplaces and career pathways.

“This experience gives students a powerful opportunity to see how they can make a real impact in their community,” said Sonya Fultz, CEO, Adopt A Class. “They’re not just learning about philanthropy, they’re practicing it.”
At Lincoln Elementary, the program was implemented across all fourth-grade classrooms, with the “philanthropy project” curriculum developed specifically for their school.

“This program helps students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world opportunities and careers,” said Fultz. “It’s an investment not only in their education, but in their future.” With support from EducateNKY, Adopt A Class has seen significant growth across the region, adding 45 new mentor teams this year, primarily in Northern Kentucky’s River Cities. The program is now active in nearly every River City district, expanding access to career-connected learning experiences for students.

Beyond student impact, the program also delivers measurable benefits for participating businesses. A recent University of Cincinnati study found that employees involved in Adopt A Class report increased job satisfaction, stronger workplace pride and improved retention, highlighting the value of community engagement for both students and employers.

“Teaching students about collective impact aligns with our vision to ignite every eager, vibrant mind and helps them see what’s possible when we all work together,” said Cheye Calvo, president and CEO of EducateNKY.

Frankfort Update: How This Session Connects to EducateNKY’s Priorities

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March 26, 2026 – As the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly session moves forward, EducateNKY is tracking a number of bills that connect directly to our legislative priorities and long-term vision for Northern Kentucky. Our focus remains consistent: strengthen kindergarten readiness, build stronger educator pipelines, expand opportunities for students through out-of-school time and career-connected learning, and create more room for innovation in public education.

Several bills this session align meaningfully with that agenda.

On early learning, HB 6, SB 191, and SJR 54 all reinforce the idea that kindergarten readiness should be a central organizing goal for the Commonwealth. HB 6 proposes broad modernization of Kentucky’s child care and early learning system, including quality standards, new licensing models, and stronger public reporting. SB 191 would create a pilot that rewards child care providers for improving children’s readiness for kindergarten. SJR 54 supports efforts to expand enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an important early literacy strategy that helps families build strong foundations before children ever enter a classroom. Together, these proposals reflect the kind of prenatal-to-five alignment ENKY has called for in our legislative framework.

On teacher talent and school leadership, HB 759, SB 22, and SB 4 speak directly to a second major ENKY priority: strengthening the educator pipeline and making the profession more accessible and sustainable. HB 759 updates Kentucky’s alternative certification structure and could make it easier to bring talented educators into high-need areas. SB 22 supports a grow-your-own strategy by allowing students in approved teacher apprenticeship pathways to access dual credit scholarship support while still in high school. SB 4 would create a new practicum-based model for principal preparation, investing in stronger school leadership over time. These are the kinds of policy shifts that can help regions like Northern Kentucky recruit, prepare, and retain the talent needed to improve outcomes.

We are also encouraged by legislation that could expand student opportunity beyond the traditional school day and beyond traditional delivery models. HB 686 is especially notable because it would create a statewide Positive Youth Development Commission and trust fund that could help communities secure support for out-of-school time, mentoring, and prevention initiatives. For ENKY, that matters because we know students build skills not only in classrooms, but also through coordinated enrichment, trusted adult relationships, and strong youth-serving ecosystems.

Finally, SB 263 is one of the clearest examples of legislation that connects to ENKY’s innovation agenda. The bill would streamline the waiver process, create an expedited pathway for districts pursuing new approaches, and establish a Schools of Innovation pilot fund. That is especially relevant in Northern Kentucky as local leaders continue exploring how flexibility, collaboration, and redesigned school models can better serve students, particularly in the urban core. ENKY has consistently advocated for policies that reward innovation, remove outdated barriers, and support cross-district collaboration when it leads to better results for young people.

Other bills we are watching, including HB 513 on full-day kindergarten and HB 661 on school employee housing, also reflect practical policy conversations about what it takes to support children early and attract the workforce schools need. While each bill differs in scope and likely impact, together they show that many of the issues ENKY has prioritized are now part of the broader state conversation.

As session continues, we will keep monitoring legislation through the lens of ENKY’s core principles: helping children start strong, ensuring students build skills through aligned systems and strong partnerships, and creating the conditions for young people to own their future.

EducateNKY announces expansion of Read Ready Network

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EducateNKY announced a series of major milestones strengthening the Read Ready Network, a regional early-learning initiative designed to ensure more Northern Kentucky children enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

Together the announcements mark a significant step forward for the growing network, including the integration of Read Ready Covington, the launch of the Network’s first corporate sponsorship with C-Forward, and a $150,000 grant from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Northern Kentucky Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

“These commitments signal a shared belief across cities and businesses that early learning is foundational to Northern Kentucky’s future,” said Dr. Jenny Watson, vice president of early learning and family power for EducateNKY. “The Read Ready Network is building the infrastructure needed to support families and drive real kindergarten-readiness gains across our region.”

Read more from the NKY Tribune here.

New partnership puts free books in NKY families’ hands from birth

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Northern Kentucky families are now getting free books from the moment their children are born.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Educate-NKY and public libraries across Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties have partnered to offer new parents the chance to sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library directly from the hospital.

Learn more from WCPO: https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/finding-solutions/new-partnership-puts-free-books-in-northern-kentucky-families-hands-from-birth

Covington Schools to overhaul middle school to include trades, subject pathways

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The Covington Independent Public Schools Board of Education has voted to seek permission from the state to completely redesign the structure of teaching, scheduling and staffing at Holmes Middle School in an effort to bolster both enrollment and academic achievement at the district.

The board unanimously approved the move Thursday night, and statements from previous meetings of the board indicated the members were highly optimistic about the potential of the proposed plan, which would see a “whole school redesign,” said Principal Lee Turner during a presentation on Dec. 4, of the school’s curriculum structure, teaching philosophy, evaluation procedures and staffing framework if approved.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Board Member Kareem Simpson said on Dec. 4. “So, it sounds like you have been listening to us over the last three years, and put everything that we’ve been asking for into this proposal, and I am for it.”

Read more from our friends at Link NKY: https://linknky.com/news/2025/12/22/covington-schools-votes-to-redesign-holmes-ms-teaching-structure/ 

Southgate adopts Read Ready initiative, marking all six river cities’ commitment to early learning

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The City of Southgate has officially joined the regional Read Ready initiative, unanimously adopting a resolution at its City Council meeting tonight to launch Read Ready Southgate. With this action, all six Northern Kentucky River Cities – Covington, Newport, Dayton, Ludlow, Bellevue, and now Southgate – have committed to the Read Ready initiative, achieving a major milestone for early childhood education in the region.

The Read Ready movement, supported by EducateNKY, focuses on improving kindergarten readiness by connecting families with resources and building strong community partnerships from birth through age five. The initiative has expanded city by city, creating a network of communities aligned around the goal of preparing every child for success in school and life.

“We should be so proud of NKY right now,” said Cheye Calvo, President & CEO of EducateNKY. “To have all six River Cities step forward and make early learning a civic priority shows the deep commitment our region has to its children and families. This milestone proves that when communities work together, big things are possible.”

Read more at NKY Tribune here.

River Cities Focusing On Kindergarten Readiness

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Kindergarten readiness is an often-debated education issue in Kentucky. Only 48% of children were considered ready for kindergarten in 2023. But whose responsibility is it to ensure children are prepared for school? As Emily Sisk reports, the river cities in Northern Kentucky say they’re taking up the charge.

Watch here. 

Ludlow joins three other cities in Read Ready Initiative

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Ludlow has officially joined three other nearby cities – Covington, Newport and Dayton – in an educational initiative called the Read Ready Initiative.

The Ludlow City Council voted to join the initiative at its meeting on Thursday evening.

“Ludlow’s commitment to its youngest residents shows exactly what it takes to make lasting change,” said Jenny Watson, vice president of early learning and family power at EducateNKY, a consulting group that helping to expand the program. “Ludlow is not just investing in early learning, it’s investing in the future of the entire community.”

Read more from LinkNKY here. 

Read Ready early learning initiative expands to Dayton, joining Covington, Newport

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The Dayton City Council approved an order/resolution at its meeting last night, voting 5-0. The action means that Read Ready Dayton will officially commit this week to join Covington and Newport in a growing regional network of cities dedicated to boosting kindergarten readiness and supporting families with children ranging from prenatal through age five.

“Dayton’s commitment to our youngest learners is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Jenny Watson, Vice President of Early Learning and Family Power at EducateNKY. “By joining the Read Ready Network, Dayton is taking a bold step to ensure every child has the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive, long before they ever set foot in a kindergarten classroom.”

Read more from the NKY Tribune.

Newport launches ‘Read Ready’ effort to boost kindergarten readiness

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The city of Newport is taking steps to help improve kindergarten readiness.

The Newport City Commission adopted a resolution for a new initiative called Read Ready Newport, aimed at making learning resources more accessible and meeting families where they are.

“We have tried many times over the years to recognize that those kiddos are my kiddos,” Newport Commissioner Ken Rechtin said. “They don’t belong to the school-it takes a village, and we all got to step up. This action tonight has real implications that we’re going to make improvements in our children. No more are we going to accept 20% being ready for kindergarten. That’s not acceptable.”

Read more from LinkNKY.