Engage Every Child. Every Day. Department Head News and Updates
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Engage Every Child. Every Day. Department Head News and Updates May 26, 2017 Important Dates Superintendent’s Office Dr. Kirk Kelly May 29 Memorial Day Campus Support Dr. Lee McDade Superintendent’s Office Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kirk Kelly Jill Levine LVMHS Junior Earns 32 on ACT Curriculum and Instruction Lucas Wright, a junior at Lookout Valley Middle/High School, scored a 32 Dr. Justin Robertson composite score on his ACT. Asst. Supt. of School He is a member of the Band of Gold, a judge for Youth in Government, and a Operations member of the varsity Tennis team. Zac Brown He aspires to attend Vanderbilt for his undergraduate work. Elementary Operations Director Lucas is also planning on attending law school to earn his JD degree and Karen Hollis practice law. Elementary Operations Director Neelie Parker iZone Operations Director Sheryl Randolph Secondary Operations Director Dr. Robert Sharpe Secondary Operations Director Leandrea Ware Innovation Keri Randolph Finance Christie Jordan Human Resources Stacy Stewart Middle Valley Elementary Wins Read20 Scotty Probasco Award Middle Valley Elementary School was presented a $10,000 check Monday morning for winning the Scotty Probasco Read 20 award. This is the fourth straight year a Middle Valley elementary school won this award, as Ganns Middle Valley won the award for the past three years. Although this marked the first school year for the brand new Middle Valley Elementary, Principal Allyson DeYoung credits her staff with continuing the culture of reading that began at Ganns. This year, 91% of the students at Middle Valley Elementary School participated in reading one million words, that was the highest percentage of any elementary school in Hamilton County. Middle Valley Elementary will use the $10,000 awarded by Read20 for the school's library. Congratulations MVE readers! Hardy Elementary Field Day 2017 Volunteers from Rock Point Church helped make Hardy Elementary School’s Field Day a huge success! Calvin Donaldson, Tennessee Aquarium and Lula Lake- Oh My! Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy 5th grade students conducted a Stream Study at Lula Lake this week. A few representatives from the Tennessee Aquarium were also on hand to help. And since they were all in such a beautiful place on a beautiful day, they played some field games, too. STEM School Chattanooga Recognized at MakerMinded Competition STEM Scholl Chattanooga is one of six schools in Tennessee being recognized for outstanding participation in advanced manufacturing and STEM learning and preparedness as part of the MakerMinded competition, including STEM School Chattanooga. The Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow national manufacturing institute, the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and Tennessee Tech University iCube announced the winning schools of the 2016-2017 MakerMinded Tennessee Competition. Here are the winners: • STEM School Chattanooga – Hamilton County Department of Ed • Heritage High School – Blount County Schools • Cookeville High School – Putnam County School District • White Station Middle School – Shelby County Schools • Rose Park Middle School – Metro Nashville Public Schools • Maxine Smith STEAM Academy – Shelby County Schools MakerMinded is a new online STEM learning and competition platform designed to impassion students about advanced manufacturing and provide them with transformational STEM learning experiences that set them on track towards 21st century manufacturing careers. More than 1,600 students and 149 schools competed for points by completing a diverse range of STEM and advanced manufacturing activities over the course of the school year. CCA Wins Two National Awards Chattanooga High School for Creative Arts (CCA) has been named a 2017 National School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America (MSA). MSA is the national association of magnet and theme-based schools. In addition, CCA has been designated a 2017-2019 Exemplary School by Arts Schools Network (ASN), the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools. CCA is the only 2017 Magnet School of Excellence in the state of Tennessee, and is recognized for its distinction in the school’s magnet theme (fine arts) along with its proven record of academic excellence. According to MSA, Magnet School of Merit Awards recognize member schools that demonstrate a high commitment to academic standards, curriculum innovation, desegregation/diversity efforts, specialized teaching staffs, and parent and community involvement. MSA Executive Director, Todd Mann states, “The announcement of our national merit awards is an extraordinary time for the magnet school community. This is a way for our association to recognize the most accomplished magnet schools in the country. These schools are making a lasting, positive impact on the lives of children. They are preparing them for the challenges of the future by providing them with unique learning experiences that give them the critical skills needed to be workforce and college ready.” According to Arts Schools Network (ASN), an exemplary school category was created to highlight an arts school’s commitment to excellence. An exemplary school designation is, “presented to an ASN member school in recognition of outstanding efforts to evaluate strategically its purpose, operations, plans, and educational programs.” ASN is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to excellence and leadership in arts education. Its mission is to provide leaders in arts schools with quality resources, support, and networking opportunities. According to CCA Principal Debbie Smith, “CCA is a haven where arts and academics share center stage. CCA nurtures both the artist and the scholar through its all-encompassing approach to individual responsibility, respect for the arts, and critical thinking.” Mrs. Smith stated CCA’s 600 students in grades 6 through 12 receive both pre-professional training in the arts and rigorous college-preparatory academics. Once admitted, students receive intensive training in their arts majors and experience a rigorous curriculum in fine arts and academic courses. CCA produces more than seventy public performances and exhibits on campus each year. Students interested in CCA audition in one arts major: acting, communications, dance, instrumental music, musical theatre, technical theatre, visual arts, or vocal music. CCA is the only secondary fine arts magnet school in Hamilton County. Howard School Book Club Fundraiser Two Howard School English teachers need your help to get every student engaged in reading. They are founding a community book club at Howard that will meet quarterly during the upcoming school year. Each quarter, the students will read a new, highly-engaging young adult book and then host a book club for community members who have read the same book. Their first title is All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. They received a grant from the Sankofa Fund in Chattanooga that will enable us to purchase half as many books as we need for our students. They intend to raise the rest of the money through a fundraiser at Barnes and Noble. The event will take place in stores June 2-4 (and online June 2-9). Howard will receive 15% of the purchase made by anyone who mentions "Howard Book Club" at the Chattanooga Barnes & Noble or uses the code 12159059 at another store or online. New Administrative Appointments Announced Hamilton County Department of Education Interim Superintendent Dr. Kirk Kelly announced three new principal and two central office appointments this week. “Strong school leadership is essential to student success. Great school leaders are the key to ensuring there is an excellent teacher in every classroom. We are confident that these principals will provide outstanding leadership in their new placements,” said Dr. Kelly. Chief Academic Officer Jill Levine added, “Our new principal selection process helped us to find the best possible leaders for three schools, and our central office team is ready to work alongside these leaders and support them as they create positive change for students and teachers.” Principals: Clifton Hills Elementary – Lindsay Starnes: Lindsay Starnes began her teaching career in Hamilton County at Clifton Hills Elementary School in 2004. She moved to Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy in 2007 as an instructional coach and has been the assistant principal there for four years. During her tenure in Hamilton County, she has participated in Leadership Fellows, Principal Leadership Academy, and is currently a fellow in the Governor's Academy for School Leaders. Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy – Dr. Megan Bray: Megan S. Bray is excited to be named the new principal of Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy. She brings 24 years of experience in education, serving as the assistant principal at Red Bank Elementary for the past five years. She looks forward to becoming a part of the Calvin Donaldson community. Thrasher Elementary – Jeff Paulson: Jeff Paulson has worked at Thrasher Elementary School for the past sixteen years. During this time, he was a teacher, a literacy coach, and assistant principal. He had the honor of being chosen for Leadership Fellows and the Principal Leadership Academy. He is thrilled and honored to serve HCDE as the principal at Thrasher Elementary. Central Office: Erin Harrell – Coordinator of Field Experience and Teacher Recruitment: Erin joins our HR team this summer as an experienced professional recruiter. She has previously