A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Learning at Model—Through the Teachers' Eyes 👀✨ With cold weather moving in and a long weekend ahead, it felt like the perfect time to pause and reflect. Since our last Behind-the-Scenes look, even more moments of meaningful learning have filled our classrooms—from the days just before Winter Break to the weeks since returning. Here’s a true boots-on-the-ground look at what our teachers are seeing across Model, PreK through Grade 12. Read more and see more photos on our Facebook: facebook.com/ekumodel.
From scientific discovery to cultural exchange, hands-on math to meaningful service, these teacher-submitted snapshots capture learning as it happens—authentic, engaging, and deeply connected. Thank you to our teachers for continuing to share these moments and for giving us a behind-the-scenes look at real learning in real time at Model. 🧑🏫💡🧠
From recipe testing to real-world service 🍪☕ Before Winter Break, students in our Foods & Nutrition course put their learning into action by experimenting with cookie recipes, learning the purpose of each ingredient, writing their own original recipes, and taking part in a friendly cookie competition. Superintendent John Williamson even joined the class for a few baking days, then teamed up with other administrators to help judge the final results! When we returned for the new semester, those same students took it a step further—baking cookies for our opening faculty meeting and serving them alongside homemade hot chocolate and crème fraîche, all made from scratch. A sweet example of creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning at Model.
As we step into a new year and a new semester, we’re looking back with gratitude on the moments that closed out the first. 🥰 One of our favorites was our annual Kindergarten Holiday Traditions Parade! Our youngest learners proudly shared floats representing their family traditions and celebrations, showcasing creativity, culture, and community. What a wonderful way to end the semester and celebrate learning together! 🎉🖍️
We may just be getting back from Winter Break, but these performances were too good not to share! 🎼 🎤🎻🎺 Before the break, our elementary and secondary performing arts students showcased their skills in choir, band, and orchestra concerts. We’re so proud of their creativity and performance achievements and excited for all the arts ahead in 2026 at Model!
There will be no Chicken Minis for sale this Thursday, January 8. Chicken Minis will return next Thursday, January 15.
Heads up, Model families: the Infinite Campus Parent/Student Portal app is currently down and all Infinite Campus links have been updated.
We know many of you are trying to log in after our return from Winter Break; however, while it’s being fixed, you can still access Infinite Campus through a web browser using the updated links on our website or Model Lab app under “Login.”
You may also use the direct links to access:
Parents ➡︎ model.eku.edu/parentportal
Students ➡︎ model.eku.edu/studentportal
Please let us know if you experience any difficulty accessing your account by contacting modelcounseling@eku.edu. Thanks for your patience as we actively work to resolve this issue!
Winter Break is ending and we’re warming up for a new semester. 🧣🏫📚 Classes resume tomorrow, Monday, January 5. We can’t wait to see everyone back on campus!
The school day begins at 7:50 a.m.
Early drop-off at the front entrance begins at 7:15 a.m.
All other entrances will open at 7:35 a.m.
As we wrapped up the final weeks of the semester and headed into Winter Break, our campus was filled with moments that truly captured the spirit of the season. Holiday Spirit Week brought festive outfits and school spirit, while surprise lunchtime sing-alongs, karaoke, holiday jokes, and student and teacher performances turned the cafeteria into a joyful celebration before finals and the break. Add in a snowy day perfect for building snowmen and time spent together making memories—cozy sweaters, photo booth laughs, and lots of cheer—and it was the perfect way to close out the semester. ❄️🎤☃️
🎅✨ Thank you, Model Parent Organization! ✨🎁
As we head into winter break and count down to Christmas next week, we’re still smiling about one of our favorite holiday traditions. ❤️ A couple of weeks ago, the MPO Santa’s Workshop brought the holiday spirit to life, giving our students the chance to shop for their families right here at school. Parent volunteers wrapped each gift with care—making it extra special for families to enjoy surprises under the tree. 🎄
This festive event is more than just fun—it’s an important fundraiser that supports our students and school community. A huge thank-you to the MPO for organizing this magical experience and for treating our faculty and staff to lunch during this busy season. We are so grateful for everything you do to make Model such a special place!
Game time change: Tonight's (12/16/25) boys' basketball home game is varsity only beginning at 6:30 p.m.
After returning from Thanksgiving Break, Mrs. Dacci’s and Mrs. Spears’ 5th grade classes welcomed Evan from the Ohio River Foundation for a hands-on lesson about freshwater mussels and their role in local ecosystems. Students first examined and passed around mussel shells before getting an up-close look at live mussels. Together, they helped create a tank that replicates the mussels’ natural environment. Since then, students have continued observing the mussels in Mrs. Dacci’s classroom, building curiosity and strengthening their understanding of environmental conservation through real-world learning.
This fall, Model Lab’s High School Academic Team competed in the Lake Cumberland Academic League (LCAL), wrapping up the season at the LCAL Tournament last weekend on Saturday, December 6. Our students represented Model with excellence!
Varsity Honors
Mark Edwards (‘28) – Varsity Team MVP
Logan Combs (‘29) – Named to the LCAL All-League Team
JV Team Highlights
Finished 3rd place in Quick Recall
Logan Combs (‘29) – 3rd place, JV Science Assessment
Avnita Sherigar (‘29) – 5th place, JV Language Arts Assessment
Caleb Crispin (‘29) – JV Team MVP
Congratulations to our Academic Team on a strong season and well-earned recognition! We’re proud of your hard work and dedication.
🎁 Model Volleyball Toy Drive for Kentucky Children’s Hospital 🎁 The Model Volleyball Team is supporting Kentucky Children’s Hospital through its annual Winter Wonderland Toy Drive, which brings comfort and joy to more than 250 patients and siblings spending the holidays in the hospital. To keep everyone safe, the hospital is asking donors to use their online wishlists this year. Please help us spread kindness by sharing this opportunity or purchasing a gift. Thank you for helping brighten the season for children and families!
Shop the wishlists here:
Model Laboratory Schools and the Early Childhood Development Center will be on a two-hour delay today on Friday, December 12. Students should arrive at school by 9:50 a.m., and we will follow our normal daily schedule from that point forward.
Model students have been busy spreading kindness throughout our community this holiday season!
🥫 Model Girl Scout Troop 2109 organized a schoolwide Thanksgiving food drive to support God’s Outreach. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our Model families, the troop collected more than 250 non-perishable items! The girls delivered the donations, toured the facility, and learned how God’s Outreach serves Madison County families year-round.
🎶 Our Kindergarteners shared the joy of the season by visiting Madison Health & Rehabilitation, where they sang carols and brightened the day of residents with big smiles and holiday cheer.
🎁 Model Student Council celebrated the upcoming holiday by doing a service project and stuffed stockings for the Active Senior Citizen Center.
We’re so proud of our students for leading with compassion and making a meaningful impact in our community. 🤍🤝
Holiday Spirit Week kicks off this Friday! 🎄✨ ALL STUDENTS, preschool through grade 12, are invited to join the fun each day with festive themes. Check out the full list of daily themes in the graphic and get ready to celebrate the season together at Model! 🎅🎁❄️
📝 Spelling Bee Spotlight! 🐝 Thursday was a big day at Model as our students took the stage for this year’s Spelling Bee. We hosted our Elementary division in the morning and Grades 6-8 in the afternoon, and every participant impressed us with their poise, focus, and hard work.
Congratulations to all of our spellers for their outstanding effort—and a special shout-out to our winners! We’re so proud of each student who stepped up to compete. 🐝📚
Elementary Division
Champion: Adaline Fosbenner (Grade 3)
Runner-Up: Flora Barker (Grade 5)
Middle School Division
Champion: Dawson Abney ('32)
Runner-Up: Jalen Liby ('31)
Don’t forget! We’ll have an early dismissal here shortly at 11:55 a.m. today (Friday, December 5). The Richmond Christmas Parade is gearing up for the evening, and the City of Richmond will close Lancaster Avenue from 5:00-9:00 p.m. EKU lots, including those around Model, will be inaccessible during this time and/or used as parade staging areas. All dismissal procedures remain the same as usual.
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m., starting at Alumni Coliseum, moving along Lancaster Avenue, and continuing up to Main Street. Enjoy the parade! 🎄✨
