Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education

The Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education is proud to announce that applications are now open for the Jennifer Lynn Gaddie Scholarship, a $500 award created in memory of Jennifer Lynn Gaddie — a talented Bardstown High School sophomore whose creative spirit continues to inspire us.

Established by her family, this scholarship honors Jenny’s legacy by supporting rising freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who show exceptional promise in the arts.

Whether you’re passionate about 🎭 theatre, 🎶 music, 🎨 visual arts, ✍️ creative writing, 💻 multimedia production, 💃 dance, or graphic arts — this scholarship is designed to help make a transformative summer arts experience possible.

🗓 Deadline: March 23, 2026
🔗 Click here to apply: https://bisd.fyi/Gaddie26

Bardstown Primary School kindergarteners leapt over candlesticks, pieced together Humpty Dumpty, rescued Little Bo Peep’s sheep, and raced through spider obstacle courses during the Nursery Rhyme Olympics!

This fun-filled day celebrated the end of their first Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) unit, where students spent six weeks exploring classic nursery rhymes. These hands-on challenges helped students practice teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and perseverance. All skills that build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Thanks to a $1,000 mini-grant from the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education, students turned what they learned in the classroom into an unforgettable experience. The grant will also fund two more culminating learning events later this year!

📸 Check out these photos from the day to see smiles, laughter, and learning in action.

Surprise! It’s the BFEPE Prize Patrol! Yesterday Bardstown City Schools educators were greeted with cheers, hugs, and even a few happy tears as the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education rolled through the district to award over $20,000 in classroom and school-based grants!

From memorable kindergarten experiences and Snap Circuits to a school-wide reading buffet and indoor ecosystems, these grants fund the creative, student-centered learning that makes Bardstown City Schools shine.

This year’s Prize Patrol awarded:
- 6 Mini-Grants
- 1 Major Grant for BHS Science Curriculum

The biggest surprise? A $17,626 grant to support high-quality science instruction during lab renovations at Bardstown High!

📸 Swipe through to learn more about each grant and to see the celebration across all our schools!



🔗 Learn more about the Bardstown Foundation and how you can support: bardstownfoundation.org

🎨🎭 NOW OPEN: Jennifer Lynn Gaddie Scholarship Applications! 🎶📝

Are you a rising freshman, sophomore, or junior with a passion for the arts? The Jennifer Lynn Gaddie Scholarship is offering $500 to help Bardstown City Schools students pursue transformative summer experiences in visual arts, music, theater, dance, creative writing, graphic arts, or multimedia production.

From music camps to art workshops and theater intensives, there are so many amazing programs out there waiting for YOU!

🗓 Apply by Friday, May 4, 2025
📍 Open to students in grades 8-11
💻 Learn more + apply here: https://bisd.fyi/jlgaddie25

Let your creativity shine this summer — and let us help you get there.

Thanks to a mini-grant from the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education, Bardstown Elementary fifth graders and their families recently experienced the magic of Shakespeare in an unforgettable way!

📖 Daytime Workshop: Over 200 fifth graders participated in interactive sessions with Kentucky Shakespeare, exploring comedies, tragedies, and histories through live performances and hands-on activities.

🎭 Family Literacy Night: The evening featured themed food, a book fair, and engaging activities—plus, thanks to the Foundation, families experienced a live Shakespeare performance!

We’re proud to support initiatives that bring learning to life and create memorable experiences for students and families. Read more about this mini-grant on our new website: https://www.bardstownfoundation.org/post/shakespeare

Bardstown City Schools educators were elated and surprised as the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education (BFEPE) held its annual mini-grants prize patrol. The BFEPE, in its mission to support innovative and engaging classroom projects, distributed a total of $6,606.11 across five BCS schools on Tuesday, May 7.

These grants, each up to $1,000, are specifically tailored to provide funding for creative and innovative instructional programs within classrooms where traditional funding may be lacking.

Among the 2024 mini-grant recipients are:

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀, 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Awarded a mini-grant to enhance the school’s social and emotional learning program by acquiring Ninja Life Hack materials, fostering growth mindsets, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence among K-1 students.

𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗸, 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Awarded a grant to bring a vibrant cultural experience to K-1 students through a captivating performance from the Lexington Children’s Theater, inspiring and broadening horizons through live storytelling.

𝗖𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆: Will utilize the grant to foster inclusivity among students who use communication devices, aiming to cultivate a deeper understanding among all students, including those without disabilities, about the essential communication tools relied upon by their peers with disabilities every day.

𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿, 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆: Grant will procure chapter books for the entire fourth grade, enriching the English language arts curriculum.

𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘇, 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲: Will use a grant to support the "Capturing the Moment" program, introducing middle schoolers to the world of digital photography and teaching fundamental techniques beyond mere selfies.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵: Awarded a grant to kickstart an innovative culinary venture - a food truck - providing fresh, high-quality ingredients to enrich culinary experiences.

𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘁𝗼𝗻, 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱: Will provide engineering modulars for preschool students, enhancing engineering and design skills, creativity, and critical thinking.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱: Will purchase a Redmon Fun and Fitness bike, facilitating gross motor movement and increasing focus and participation during group tasks.

Starting this week, 137 bright students will be taking a total of 234 Advanced Placement exams. And here's the best part: thanks to the Foundation, every single one of these students can take their exam without any cost.

We believe every student deserves the chance to showcase their knowledge and potential. So here's to our incredible students - your hard work and dedication inspire us every day.

Best of luck on your exams, we're rooting for you! 🍀

Bardstown City Schools teachers were surprised by the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education (BFEPE) recently during their annual mini-grants prize patrol. The organization distributed $18,742.21 toward engaging classroom projects at four BCS schools during surprise visits on Thursday, February 16.

“This is such an exciting time for our foundation, knowing that the money given directly enhances our students’ educational opportunities and typically provides benefits for many years,” said Drew Ballard, Foundation President.

Founded in 1985, Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education is an independent non-profit organization operating exclusively to enhance learning opportunities for students in Bardstown City Schools. With the help and support of community sponsors and the generous monthly contributions of BCS employees, the Foundation awards teacher grants to creative classroom projects and also invests in major projects like the Bardstown City Schools STEAM Academy.

“Our board of directors are proud to support the dedicated, hard-working teachers of this district,” said Ballard. “We’re also grateful for the support of local businesses and individuals throughout our community whose generosity makes this all possible.”

The grants of up to $1,000 each are designed to provide funds to implement creative and innovative instructional programs in the classrooms for which federal, state or local funds are not available. Additionally, teachers who have a project that exceeds the $1,000 mini-grant limit may submit a video application to apply for a larger grant.

After reviewing all applications, foundation board members awarded 5 mini-grants ranging from $370 to $1,008 and two major grants ranging from $2,089 to $12,354.

Click on the pictures to learn more about each grant.

In 2005 we launched the Strings Program at Bardstown City Schools. Participating students receive string instrument instruction during the school day, they develop leadership skills by serving as concertmaster and some, like Reagan Ballard, discover their future career. It’s through programming like the Strings Program that really helps BCS deliver a personalized education to every student. Thank you to our generous donors for giving life to the innovative programs the BCS administrators and teachers dream up.

BHS senior Reagan Ballard was recently awarded a $5,000 music scholarship from the University of Louisville. While most scholarship applications require an essay, grades, and service hours Regan’s music scholarship was primarily based on her auditions. Her application included an instrument questionnaire, two video auditions, and an interview with the violin professor at the University of Louisville.

“My decision to major in music was not very hard for me.” Reagan adds.

While she was interested in other fields she didn't feel she would truly enjoy any other career.

“I've really loved playing ever since I joined the strings program in third grade,” said Ballard. “My parents never had to ask me to practice, I would just do it voluntarily.”

Being in the strings program and playing the violin also introduced Reagan to other instruments like piano and singing. Paola Land, Bardstown City Schools string orchestra instructor, is really the one who inspired Reagan to pursue a degree in music education at the University of Louisville.

Through Bardstown High School’s education concentration Reagan was able to take dual credit courses that earned her six college credit hours from the University of Louisville. She spent part of her senior year as Mrs. Land’s teaching assistant. As a teaching assistant she was able to see first hand what a day as a music instructor can look like. “She was great with the little kids and helping them when they needed help,” said Land. “Reagan was very patient and gentle with them, I have no doubts that she will be a great teacher.”

During her time in the Bardstown City Schools orchestra Regan served as the concertmaster. In this role, she played all violin solos and held a wide range of responsibilities from tuning the orchestra to working closely with the conductor.

For the past 10 years, Regan has spent a portion of her day in Mrs. Land’s classroom learning as a strings instructor.

“Not a lot of students can have the same teacher for 10 years,” said Regan. ”I am lucky to have been with her that long and for her to have inspired my love for music.”

Congratulations, Reagan!

Support BCS students while you shop this holiday season! All you have to do is visit https://bit.ly/3kIzdpd to select the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education as your organization of choice and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase- at no cost to you!

𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙄-𝙂𝙍𝘼𝙉𝙏 𝙄𝙉 𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉: This past spring Bardstown Elementary School teacher Amanda Grubbs applied for a mini-grant to bring science to life for 3-5 grade students. Not only has her mini-grant brought science to life it took it to recess!

This past week her third grade class has spent their recess using the magnifying kit to get up close and personal with insects.

"It's created an opportunity to teach science during non content time," said Grubbs.

As her students find grasshoppers and other insects they examine the insect through the magnifying glass and ask questions. It's a recess full of fun and learning!