Bullitt County Public Schools is proud to announce that a team of leaders from Old Mill Elementary has been selected to present at the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Conference. Representing the school will be Principal Brittany Joiner, Instructional Coach Kimberly Reibert, and School Counselor Rebecca Melcher. Their presentation, titled "Beyond the Building: Leveraging Community Partnerships to Deepen Learning and Drive Engagement," highlights Old Mill’s innovative approach to strengthening student learning through authentic relationships beyond the school walls.
At Old Mill, community partnerships are not seen as an “extra”, but rather as an essential part of the school’s culture and instructional strategy. Through carefully cultivated collaborations with local businesses, organizations, and professionals, the school provides real-world experiences that enrich the academic journey for students.
“Our goal is to make learning meaningful and connected to the world students live in every day,” said Principal Brittany Joiner. “When students see how their learning matters beyond the classroom, and when they feel empowered to contribute to their community, it builds confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose.”
Their session will showcase how these partnerships are integrated directly into the curriculum. For example, students engage in real-world interviews during project-based learning units and participate in community-supported exhibitions of their work. These experiences help build student voice, confidence, and a deeper connection to the world around them and also align powerfully with BCPS’ Graduate Profile competencies, especially Community Contributor, Effective Communicator, and Innovative Problem Solver.
The presentation will also offer practical strategies that other educators and school leaders can adopt, even in districts with limited resources. It’s a powerful example of how BCPS schools are embracing our mission to inspire and equip students to succeed in life and how we’re staying #BCPSFutureFocused by innovating in ways that truly center students.
Please join us in celebrating the Old Mill leadership team as they share their story (and our district’s commitment to meaningful, connected learning) on a national stage.
#MovingForward