The lunch menu for the entire month of September is now available! Access it by doing one of the following:
"More" → "Lunch" in the Model Lab app,
"JUMP TO" → "Lunch" at model.eku.edu,
Via the direct link: model.eku.edu/dining
Before the first bell of the 25-26 school year even rang, Model students were already representing on the national level in competition, athletics, and research. 🏅⚽️🔬
🏆 Jacob Austin ('27) represented Model at the AAU Junior Olympic Games 2025 in Houston, TX, with a javelin throw of 122’11”, ranking him in the top 30 of nationwide! This capped off a standout season with Jacob finishing: top five in Kentucky, top 30 in the U.S., and a Junior Olympian.
⚽ Lyndon Mulcahy ('30) was selected as one of just 18 players from a 14-state region to compete in the US Youth Soccer ODP Regional Tournament! After impressing at the Sub-Regional ID Camp in Illinois, Lyndon is headed to Orlando, Florida this January to represent the Midwest Region. 📖 More here.
🧬 Ten Model students are now published authors in the Journal of Cancer Education! After launching a peer-led cancer education initiative last year, these students co-authored a paper that was officially published this summer—an extraordinary achievement in both public health and academic research.
📝 Student authors: Jiwoo Kim ('27), Youngwoo Kim ('26), Jacob Austin ('27), Aleen Bakhos ('27), Haleigh Bowens ('27), Aiden Flynn ('27), Teddy Mott ('27), Erin Simpkinson ('27), Tobias Sowders ('27), River Turner ('27)
📖 Read the article: "Peer-Led Cancer Education Intervention in Appalachian Kentucky: Evaluating Effects on Participants’ Cancer Knowledge and Perspectives"
Let’s give it up for these Model students who continue to raise the bar in every arena! 👏👏
The first week of school brought all the energy we hoped for... and then some!
📚 Students found their groove in classrooms with Ms. Castillo, Mr. Messer, and Ms. Herbst, jumping into new routines, learning, and friendships. 🧑🏫
🥪 Mr. Marsili’s 6th graders learned why clear instructions matter—especially when it comes to AI (and sandwich making)! 😆
🎶 Dr. Darville welcomed a guest harpist all the way from Turkey, and our high school orchestra wowed with an impromptu Baroque Concerto performance.
☀️ Recess brought smiles and sunshine each day. 😁
📸 Kindergarten families… a sweet surprise is coming your way soon! 🤫
🚗 And yes—we’ve even loved seeing our youngest Patriots in the pick-up line! Having them under the same roof this year has made our school community complete. 🫶
Here’s to a great start to another great year! 🥳🎉 (See more photos on our Facebook)
🥯 A day of food and fun! 🍕 Before heading into the long weekend, our school day was filled with celebration! Seniors started the morning with their Class of 2026 Breakfast, marking the beginning of a memorable year ahead. Later that day, the Model Parent Organization treated students across all grades to a schoolwide pizza party! It was the perfect way to head into the long weekend—full bellies, happy hearts, and lots of smiles. Thank you to MPO and the Class of 2026 families for making the day possible!
For any secondary student (grades 7-12) interested in being part of this year's theatre production, please attend a short meeting TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 3, from 3:00-3:30 p.m. in Mr. Felix’s Room #4103 (the music room).
📣 Model Cheer Clinic 📣
Grades K-6 female students are invited to attend the Model Cheer Clinic!
📅 September 30 - October 2 | 🕒 3:00-4:30 p.m. | 📍 Model Gym
Questions? Contact:
Coach Ryan – Ryan.Smith@eku.edu
The first Parent Newsletter of the 2025-2026 school year was sent today to all parent and student contacts. You can read the newsletter via email or at this link.
Make sure to check your email's inbox, and add us to your contacts so important information doesn't go to your spam or junk folders. 📧😁
📚✨ Your story of success started today! From the very first high-fives at the door to the joy of seeing old friends and meeting new teachers, the first day of the 2025-26 school year was one to remember.
🎉 Elementary students kept the tradition alive by sliding into school with big smiles.
🏆 EKU athletes and teams cheered on every student with encouragement and enthusiasm.
❤️ Our faculty, staff, and families welcomed students back with open arms, ready for the year ahead.
Here’s to a year filled with growth, learning, and moments that matter. We can’t wait to see all the chapters our students will write this year at Model Laboratory Schools! 🌟📖
📵 What’s the cell phone policy at Model? Our students explain in this video! ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GQvAWW3S2/
From Meet the Teacher to New Family and 6th Grade Academy orientations and our annual Picnic, we loved seeing our students and families back on campus today! 🏫🖍️🍎🧑🏫
🎒📚✏️ BACK TO SCHOOL 2025-2026 ✏️ 📚🎒 We can't wait to meet our students and their families beginning this week with Meet the Teacher on Thursday, August 21. Don't forget to visit our back-to-school page for a one-stop-shop of essential information!
Please join us in giving a warm Model welcome to the newest members of our staff for the 2025-2026 school year! We’re excited to add this group of talented professionals to the Model Family, each one bringing unique strengths, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to excellence. 🎉🧑🏫🏫🎉
Please join us in giving a warm Model welcome to the newest members of our faculty for the 2025-2026 school year! We’re excited to add this group of educators to the Model Family, each one bringing unique strengths, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to excellence. 🎉🧑🏫🏫🎉
🎉 WE’RE READY FOR YOU! 🎈 The excitement is building as our faculty & staff get ready for the first day of school! Join us this week at Meet the Teacher or the New Family Picnic on Thursday, August 21, before we kick off the new school year on Monday, August 25. Watch the video on our Facebook here!
TOMORROW, Monday, August 18, several Model students, among others across the state, in grades 11-12 are kicking off their Dual Credit classes at Eastern Kentucky University! Students, be sure to check the list below to gear up for a fantastic first day of the Fall 2025 semester. ✅
Model’s partnership with EKU Dual Credit offers our students a unique opportunity to experience real college classes in-person while still in high school. This program allows them to pursue academic excellence, save on college costs, and invest in a successful future early on! 🤩 🎓
*For any questions or assistance, please reach out to Model's Counseling Office at ModelCounseling@eku.edu.
🎓✨ Introducing the Inaugural Faculty Laureates ✨🎓
On Opening Day, we proudly recognized the very first recipients of the Model Laboratory Schools Faculty Laureate distinction—a new honor celebrating excellence in teaching and alignment with our strategic goals.
These outstanding educators were honored with custom-embroidered blazers as the inaugural recipients of this distinction, earned through demonstrated Professional Expertise, such as state or national recognition, or Pedagogical Expertise, measured by student achievement at or above the 75th percentile on national and state assessments.
👏 Please join us in celebrating:
Anne Calloway Dacci
Mary Tom Emanuel
Angela Hardin
Dr. Holli Hunt
Gretchen May
Jana Mayer
Madison Parr
Dr. Melanie Smith
Thank you for setting the bar and leading by example. Your work inspires us all!
We’re kicking off the school year with an exciting new chapter for Model’s youngest learners! For the first time in many years, all Model students—from preschool through 12th grade—are learning together in one building. Over the summer, our Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) officially relocated from the Burrier building into the main Model facility, creating new opportunities for collaboration and connection across grade levels.
As we celebrate this move, we’re also reflecting on the incredible memories made in the Burrier building. Last year’s ECDC students, faculty, and staff were the final class to learn and grow in that space, so we’re sharing special photos from this past May to honor that part of our history. 📸🤍
The new ECDC is located in the former Kindergarten wing of the elementary school, and we’ve been working hard to make it feel like home. This week, final touches were completed on a brand-new fenced-in play area designed specifically for our preschoolers. We can’t wait to see the joy and exploration this space will bring!
👩🏫 Meet the amazing ECDC team for the 2025–2026 school year:
• Vicki Crowe, Director
• Jennifer Duty, Teacher
• Jaime Priode, Teacher
• Sarah Winkler, Teacher
• Deborah Dyrssen, Paraeducator
• Tiffaney Estill, Paraeducator
• Megan Fisher, Paraeducator
• Monique Mathena, Paraeducator
We’re thrilled to have every Model student learning under one roof—and there has never been a better time to be part of the Model family. 🥰
🏫 Secondary Schedule Changes 🏫 See the attached graphic from Model Counseling and sign-up links ⬇️
🎒✨ Arrive back at school in brand-new Model gear! This year’s Back-to-School Sale at The Patriot Shoppe features several new arrivals and fresh designs, including styles for your favorite activities and sports, from hats and tees to stickers and mugs. Perfect gifts for your Patriots!
📖 Flip through the catalog here.
🛍️ Shop anytime through Infinite Campus Parent Portal or access the Shoppe via our website.
🛒 Want to shop in-person? The Patriot Shoppe will be open during Meet the Teacher & New Family Welcome Picnic next week on Thursday, August 21, all afternoon and evening.
🎉 Opening Days 2025-2026: A Year of Intentionality, Integrity, and Impact 🎉 The energy was contagious as faculty and staff returned for our first two days of the new school year!
Day 1: Balloons, banners, and warm welcomes from our Student Council set the tone for an inspiring Opening Day. Faculty and staff committed to our Honor Code—to act with intentionality, lead with integrity, and create lasting impact in all that we do.
We were honored to be joined by Eastern Kentucky University leadership and College of Education faculty, including EKU President David McFaddin, who celebrated the strong partnership between Model and EKU. As the Commonwealth’s Laboratory School, we’re proud to provide future educators with unique, hands-on opportunities right here on campus.
Day 2: Today was all about connection and Vibrant Learning—learning that matters to students—thanks to a powerful session with the Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Innovation. Robert Meacham and Sarah Snipes led us in exploring how to empower students as agents of their own learning, honoring their unique gifts and interests. A web-building activity reminded us that our impact is greater because we are linked together. As Elementary Principal Amber Catron shared: “If one strand breaks, we all feel it. If one strand holds firm, we all grow stronger.”
A huge thank-you to the Model Parent Organization for treating us to donuts today, and thank you to everyone who made these two days such an inspiring start to the year. Here’s to a year filled with intentionality, integrity, and impact!
