2.  Do you want to see what the houses look like on Ft Knox?  Private contractors have built beautiful new homes and you can go into their website by visiting http://www.knoxhills.com/.

 3.  For more details on Driver’s License Information go to http://drlic.kytc.ky.gov/drivers_manual/driversmanual.htm  and you can down load a driver’s manual. Here is just a brief summary on driver’s license requirements in Kentucky:

PERMIT PHASE
• Driver must be 16 years old to apply for permit.
• Parent/Guardian must sign application for permit.
• Drivers must have 180-day instruction period after receiving permit.
• Permit holder must drive with a licensed driver 21 years old or older.
• Permit holder under the age of 18 may not drive between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless the person can demonstrate good cause for driving.
• Parent/Guardian must certify 60 hours practice driving (10 hours must be at night) before road (skills) test can be administered.
• Documentation forms for this requirement found in the back of this manual. This documentation is required before the skills test.
• Passenger restriction – limited to 1 (one) unrelated person under 20 years of age.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
• A driver under the age of 18 who accumulates more than six points may have driving privilege suspended.
• No serious moving violations are allowed for those under 18 during the permit phase. If violation(s) occur, the applicant’s 180 day waiting period begins again from the date of the violation.

 INTERMEDIATE PHASE
• Must pass driving skills test after 180-day permit period.
• Kentucky State Police License Examiner will place intermediate sticker onto the permit when applicant passes the skills test.
• Intermediate driver under the age of 18 may not drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless the person can demonstrate good cause for driving.
• Passenger restriction – limited to 1 (one) unrelated person under 20 years of age.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
• A driver under the age of 18 who accumulates more than six points may have driving privilege suspended.

INTERMEDIATE PHASE CONTINUED
No serious moving violations are allowed for intermediate drivers under 18. If violations occur, the applicant’s 180 day waiting period for license issuance begins again from the date of the violation. 

ALL INTERMEDIATE DRIVERS MUST COMPLETE A 4-HOUR SAFETY CLASS BEFORE GETTING A FULL LICENSE. THE GOAL OF THE 4-HOUR CLASS IS TO ENSURE A MINIMUM LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRIVER LICENSE LAWS AND TO REINFORCE SAFE DRIVING HABITS.

Intermediate drivers who take a high school Driver Education Course or a course from an approved private driving school will not be required to take the 4-hour class offered by the Transportation Cabinet.

• Driver’s License will be issued upon meeting all qualifications from permit and intermediate phases.
• All drivers under the age of 21 are subject to “Zero Alcohol Tolerance.” For more information regarding the Graduated Licensing Program, call the Graduated Licensing Office at (502) 564-6800, ext. 5363, or (859) 622-2446.  The seat belt law is now a primary law in Kentucky. You may be stopped and given a ticket by a law enforcement officer if you are observed not wearing your seat belt.

BUCKLE UP! IT’S THE LAW!

 THE LICENSING PROCESS
To be eligible to apply for a Kentucky Operator’s License, Motorcycle License, or Moped License, you must have reached your sixteenth birthday, and your driving privilege must not have been withdrawn in this state or any other state. You will begin the process in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in your county of residence. When applying for an instruction permit or license for the first time, you must present the following:
• Social Security Card.
• Birth Certificate.
• For applicants under the age of 18, the signature and license or social security number of parent or legal guardian must be listed on the application.
• No Pass/No Driver Form (See page 6 of this manual for details).

These rules and regulations have been established by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The Circuit Court Clerk is required to follow these rules. It is his responsibility to determine that the application for a driver’s license is complete and accurate and that the applicant meets the requirements to apply for a Kentucky license.  After the Clerk has prepared the application, the Kentucky State Police  License Examiner will administer the tests. You will be given a vision-screening test to determine if you meet minimum visual requirements and a written knowledge test of the information contained in this manual. If you fail the written test, you may return the next day that tests are given in your county. Applicants may take the written test a total of six times. If you fail the written test six times, you must wait six months before trying again. An applicant for a moped license, who has no other type of license, must take only the written test and vision screening test in order for a license to be issued. A road test is not required for a moped license.

After passing the required tests, you will return to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office where you will be issued an instruction permit. This permit is valid for one year and may be renewed. If the permit is not renewed within one year of the expiration date of the previous permit, the written and vision tests must be repeated.  You may apply for the road skills test 180 days from the issue date of the  first permit, if you are under the age of 21. Permit holders ages 16 and 17,  must meet the Graduated Driver License Program requirements listed on  pages 1 and 2, before a road test will be administered. If you are age 21 or  over, you must hold your permit 30 days before being eligible to take the  road test. Please check with the local Examiner or Circuit Court Clerk for the testing availability in your county.  If you fail the road test, you are required by law to wait seven days before another test can be administered. If you fail the road test six times, you must wait six months before another test will be given. You will then have  only two attempts to pass the test.  Once you have passed the road skills test, the Examiner will record the  results

 and send you back to the Circuit Clerk’s Office for your license to  be issued. Drivers under age 18 will receive intermediate status after successful  completion of road test.  Your driver’s license record is maintained by the Transportation Cabinet,  Division of Driver Licensing, in Frankfort. This agency keeps track of all  traffic citations, accidents, suspensions, reinstatements, and   assignments to traffic school. They alone have control of your driving file. Any questions concerning licensing qualifications or your driving record should be directed to that agency. 

Driving is an enormous responsibility. In your hands you place your life and the lives of all drivers and pedestrians around you. Please study the manual, and have a safe driving career.

4. If you want to learn how to help military kids cope with moving, visit http://www.defenselink.mil/mtom/index_t.htm

5.  If you worried about making new friends and being accepted when you move into a new neighborhood or start at the new school, please visit www.shykids.com.

6.  Louisville is the closest big city it is about 45 minutes north of Ft Knox. Visit http://www.gotolouisville.com/ for more information.

7.  Elizabethtown, which is about 30 minutes away from Fort Knox has everything you need, stores, restaurants, colleges, and much more. Visit http://www.elizabethtownky.org/  for more information.

8.  Cincinnati, Ohio is 3 hours north, St Louis, Missouri is 4.5 hours west and Nashville, Tennessee is 3 hours south. Visit these sites for more information on these cities.  Cincinnati:  www.cincinnatiusa.com/ •  St Louis: www.explorestlouis.com/ • Nashville:  www.visitmusiccity.com/

Frequently Used Phone Numbers

Fort Knox Community Schools:
Fort Knox Central Offices: (502) 624-2345  Ext 24
Fort Knox High School: (502) 624-5688
Scott Middle School: (502) 624-2236
McDonald Intermediate School: (502) 624-5650
Walker Intermediate School: (502) 624-8348
Kingsolver Elementary: (502) 624-8650

VanVoorhis Elementary: (502) 624-5854

Mudge Elementary: (502) 624-8345
Pierce Elementary: (502) 624-7449

Fort Knox Programs and Services
Golf Program: (502) 624-2717
Bowling Program: (502) 624-1651
Community Recreation: (502) 624-6420
Barr Library: (502) 624-5351
Child and Youth Registration: (502) 624-6703
School Support Services: (502) 624-2305
Devers Middle School & Teen Center: (502) 624-6642
Youth Sports: (502) 624-4747
School Age Services: (502) 624-6903
Youth Education Support: (502) 624-1784
SKIES (Instructional Programs): (502) 624-3126
Army Community Service: (502) 624-6291
Housing Division: (502) 624-7714
Religious Support : (502) 624-5255
Main Post Exchange: (270) 942-0067
Ireland Hospital Clinic Services: (502) 624-9822
Legal Assistance: (502) 624-5668
Lodging Reservations: (270) 943-1000
Military Police: (502) 624-2112
Post Information Operator: (502) 624-1000

How to Find New Friends
Potential friends are everywhere! Here’s how to find them...

• Make a list of all the things that are unique about you – you love dogs or cats, you love to play chess, you play a musical instrument, you love sports.  This will be a guide as to clubs or activities you should take part in to meet new people.        

• Start smiling more when you pass people in the hallway.  Just smiling even if you don’t say anything can open many doors for you. 

• Volunteer to be help in your school or your church and say hello or smile at everyone you meet along the way.  You will be amazed at how many great people you meet and get to know.

How to Make New Friends

Just like asking someone out on a date, striking up a friendship can be awkward. Here are some fool-proof tips to making friends with the people you want.

• Make the first move. If you meet someone you’re interested in getting to know better, approach them with a warm smile and introduce yourself.

• Ask questions and be interested in the other person. If you were drawn to them because of their choice of dress, compliment it. If you see someone looking at an interesting book, ask them about it! People love to talk in terms of what excites them.

• Get their name and email address or phone number. Say, "It was fun talking with you.   Can I ask you a couple of questions about (school, homework or after school activities)?  That way, you’ve opened the door for future communication while establishing that you’re not interested in them for the wrong reasons.

• You will get rejected and often, it will have little or nothing to do with you. Everyone’s had a day where they’re overwhelmed by life and too busy juggling friendships of their own. But if you persist, eventually you will find someone looking for what you are – that fun connection.

How to Build Friendships

Okay, you’ve met some nice people and collected some numbers. What do you do now?

• Maintain contact. Once a week, shoot your new friends a quick phone call or e-mail. Stop worrying about whether or not they like you; it’s really whether or not you like them. After all, your goal is to meet a lot of great people!

• Do nice things. Remember a birthday or think of something that your new friend might be interested in. If you read an article that matches your friend’s unique interest, pass it along.

• Plan group activities. Group activities are the best for building relationships. It takes the pressure off everyone involved and if the conversation lags, you simply start talking to someone else for awhile. So plan a casual party and invite a handful of your new friends!

Child, Youth and School (CYSS) Services
CYS Services is the big program that includes all services to students on Ft Knox.  Within CYS Services is child care for little kids, before and after school age care for students in grades 1-5, instructional classes like martial arts or dance, middle school and teen programs and youth sports.  If you want to get registered for CYS Services just go to the MWR website, find CYS Services and down load the registration packet.  Your parent has to bring that completed packet along with your shot record a physical within the last year (a sports physical will do it for everything) and their latest income tax forms. Once you are registered then you can participate in all the programs and sports and that registration has to be renewed every year.  There are no fees for registration fees. The phone number is 502-624-6703.

Help with Special Needs:  If you have any special needs or problems with adjusting to the new school on Ft Knox you or your parents can contact the Student Services Director. The Student Services  Director is a great friend to all the kids and will help you and your family solve school related problems.  The phone number is 502-624-2345  Ext:36.  For off post you can contact the School Counselor or Principal of your new school.

Sports and After School Activities
Remember I already wrote about Child, Youth and School Services free registration.  When your parents register you and turn in your sports physical, you can sign up for the current sports program being offered.

If you want to join a club, School Age Services (SAS) or Devers Middle School and Teen Center are great places for clubs.  These programs offer many 4-H Project Clubs, volunteer opportunities, social events, and fun.  If you think there should be a new kind of club at Devers, talk to the Directors about starting it and ask for their help.   SAS and Devers can also help with homework and they have computer labs with a Lab Tech on duty for technical assistance when you need it.

 Volunteering to Help Other Students
The first thing you have to do to volunteer in the YSP is to complete an application.  The form for this is the last page of this guidebook.  You’ll notice that you, your parent, a school counselor, and an adult member of the Fort Knox community will be your references and sign the application.  These signatures endorse you as an individual of solid character who would serve as a good ambassador for this community.  They also endorse that you are responsible and trustworthy.

When your application has been reviewed and you have been interviewed by a Youth Education panel, you may be accepted into the YSP Club.  This club will meet monthly, plan exciting activities to sponsor new students coming into the Ft Knox community and have fun.  The club will always have an adult YSP Advisor to help.

The YSP Club members will be trained as Student Ambassadors. The club will follow the Roberts Rules of Order, elect officers, maintain a record of each meeting, and always have the Character Counts pillars of character as their creed.

 A Few Things to do around Ft Knox

1. First of all don’t forget to check out the FMWR website at www.knoxmwr.com.  There are a lot of great things going on all over Ft Knox everyday.  You can also go to the Kentucky Tourist Bureau and ask for a free Official Visitor’s Guide:  www.kentuckytourism.com 

2.  If you live in Hardin County and you want to get involved in sports contact the Department of Parks and Recreation in Elizabethtown or go to: www.elizabethtownky.org/parks.shtml or Radcliff City Parks and Recreation  http://www.eteamz.com/rybso/index.cfm?  

3. In Radcliff, there is Super Wal-Mart and Saunders Springs that is a great place for hiking, activities and family or group outings. Also, there is Blazer Indoor Fun Zone which has a skating rink, bouncys, putt putt golf and other attractions. There is also the  NASA Challenger Learning Center where students become part of the exciting world of space exploration by flying a simulated mission.  The website is http://challenger.radcliff.org/

4. In Elizabethtown there is Super Wal-Mart, Freeman Lake, the Hardin County Performing Arts Center at John Hardin High School and the Hardin County Playhouse for live theater performances  

5.  Just like every other place you go, the Fort Knox area has plenty of McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, Wendy’s and Hardee’s restaurants, movie theaters, skate parks, a Towne Mall, shopping centers, nature trails, shopping, music and sports. Youth like all kinds of music here from Rap, Pop, Hip Hop to Country.

6.  Some special phone numbers:
Devers Middle School/Teen Center: (502) 624-6442
Olive Movie Theater (Fort Knox): (270) 942-7484
Godfather’s Pizza: (270) 942-7484
Swimming Pool (Fort Knox):  (502) 624-6217
Barr Library (Fort Knox): (502) 624-1232 -  knox.barr.library@conus.army.mil
Post Exchange (Fort Knox): (502) 624-0067
Radcliff Movie Theater: Showtime Cinema • 895 N Dixie • Radcliff, KY • (270) 351-6900
Elizabethtown Movies:  American Theaters  • 1231 Woodland •  Elizabethtown • (270) 769-1505
Super Wal-mart 24-Hours (Radcliff): • 501 W Lincoln Trail • (270) 352-2720
Super Wal-mart 24 Hours (Elizabethtown) • 100 Walmart Dr • (270) 234-9093

7. In Brandenburg check out Camp Piomingo a YMCA Family Camp outdoor adventures..  Also there is the Doe Run Inn - Abraham Lincoln’s father helped cut the stone for this mill house that is now a historic restaurant and inn.

8.  Bardstown is a wonderful place with many historical sites to see especially the live performance of Steven Foster – The Musical at My Old Kentucky Home State Park

9.  Hodgenville has the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln Museum.

10.  Louisville has many attractions, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, a History and Science Museum with an IMAX theater, Speed Art Museum, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Belle of Louisville to sail down the Ohio River, or Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby happens the first Saturday of May each year.   Louisville Bats Triple-A Baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, Louisville Fire Arena Football Team, Louisville Extreme Skate Park (one of the best skate parks in the U.S.), Ice Skating, and many more things to do.

Home Alone Safety

When is it okay for parents to begin leaving their student at home alone? The answer really is that on Ft Knox you have to be supervised in a certified Family Child Care home or the School Age Services program if you are in 5th grade or younger.  But parents know that every child is different, and some older students shouldn’t be left at home alone for the following reasons:

1.  Some youth get scared when they are home alone.

2.  Some youth don’t follow the house rules when they are home alone.

3.  Some youth don’t have adult neighbors at to help in an emergency or the neighborhood is not safe to be home alone.

Before leaving students in grades 6 and above at home alone, parents need to make sure that youth are mature enough to be on their own (even if only for a few hours). Here are some questions parents of youth in grade 6 and above need to feel good about:

1. Does your child feel at all frightened or apprehensive about staying home alone?
2. Does your child follow your instructions and your rules?
3. Can you count on your child to tell you the truth?
4. Can your child be counted on to stay clear-headed in an unexpected or emergency situation?
5. Can your child calmly dial 911, give their full name (and yours), street address and phone number, and explain the situation?

Parents might feel most comfortable starting out with short trial runs, leaving a student home alone for 15 minutes or so and gradually increasing the amount of time the student spends alone. Parents should take it slowly, staying within the comfort level of both the parent and the student.

Here are some measures you and your parents can work on together that will help to protect you even when your parents are not around:

1. Youth need to know exactly what is expected of them - discuss your house rules.
2. Review basic safety rules on a regular basis.
3. Discuss how to respond in the event of an emergency situation, and role-play responses.
4. Your parents might like you to attend a Basic First Aid Course. Check with Devers Middle School and Teen Center or the American Red Cross to learn about programs in your area.
5. Post all important phone numbers, and special instructions in a central location, such as on the fridge.
6. Agree with your parents that you will come straight home from school, and you will call your parents if there is any delay.
7. Never accept a ride.
8. Agree with your parents that you will call them or a trusted neighbor as soon as you get home from school.
9. When you get home, do not enter your house if the door is open, unlocked, or if anything seem unusual.
10. Agree with your parents that you will not answer the door (without parent’s prior approval) – Help install a peephole at the student’s eye level.
11. Agree with your parents that you will never let someone at the door or on the phone know you are alone.
12.Be sure you feel that you can comfortably handle using the telephone, operate the security system/door, and can safely use an appliance that your parents have given you permission to use.  Usually the microwave is your best bet-a cold nutritious snack is even better.  Don’t take any chances with kitchen appliances.
13. Be sure you have a working fire extinguisher and you know how to operate it (and you have smoke detectors with fresh batteries appropriately placed throughout your house.)
14. Plan escape routes and a meeting place outside your home in case of fire.
15. Tell your parents immediately if anything make you uncomfortable or frightened.

Character Counts
Good character and character education is very important in the Ft Knox community and in the Ft Knox Community Schools.  The Six Pillars of Character are:

 Trustworthiness

Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable - do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal - stand by your family, friends and country

 Respect

Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

 Responsibility

Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act - consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices

 Fairness

Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly

 Caring

Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

 Citizenship

Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment

Army Youth Sponsorship Application