#quicksie983

New Highland Elementary School will begin the new school year under new leadership.

Hardin County Schools has announced that Dr. Melissa McDaniel has been named principal at New Highland. McDaniel replaces Chalis Packer, who retired as principal at the end of the previous school year.

A 1997 North Hardin High School graduate, McDaniel earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree from Georgetown College, and her principal certification and a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

According to a release from HCS, prior to arriving at New Highland McDaniel most recently served as an interventionist/curriculum and instructional coach at Lansdowne Elementary School in Lexington. The release notes that McDaniel has served in various roles of educational leadership and has experience mentoring teachers, training staff, and facilitating learning effectiveness programs.

McDaniel said in the release: “I’m honored to join the New Highland Elementary community as its new principal. My vision is rooted in academic excellence, a joyful and collaborative staff culture, and positive behavior fostered through strong relationships. I believe every child can grow and thrive when we work together with shared purpose and heart. I’m excited to lead alongside this incredible team and community.”

The first day of school at HCS is August 7.

The Breckinridge County Health Department hosts monthly Narcan training events, but with statistics showing that 6.4 percent of Kentucky children ages 12 to 17 have reported using illicit drugs, the department decided to host a teen Narcan training event.

“It’s for ages 14 to 19, so high school and then those starting to go off to college,” said BCHD Harm Reduction Program Coordinator Kayela Bennett. “We teach them the signs of an opioid overdose, how to use Narcan, how to call for help, and then we teach them about the dangers of opioids like fentanyl and those things that could be out on the street or in substances that they take that they didn’t know they took.”

Bennett says your child may not be in that 6.4 percent, but they can help somebody who is.

“You never know who could need it,” Bennett said. “It could be you, it could be a friend, it could be a family member, it could be a stranger on the street, and the more people that are aware and educated on how to use it, then the more lives that can be saved,” Bennett said.

The training event will be held at the health department at 5:30 p.m. CDT on July 23. Registration is required. Find the link to register on the Breckinridge County Health Department Facebook page.

As the school year gets closer, the health department also is offering special back to school packs for college kids.

“It comes with a drawstring bag that has our logo and everything on it, and then inside they get Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, a pack of condoms, and then education on an opioid overdose, first aid, kratom, marijuana, and then also the contact information for the Poison Control Line,” Bennett said.

Contact Bennett at 270-668-7294 to reserve a college pack.