The SewaneeMountain MESSENGER Vol. XXVIII, No. 42 Friday, November 16, 2012 Testing, SES Renovations & Federal Budget in County School Board Meeting By K.G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer Th e Franklin County school board met in a regular session on Nov. 12 to dis- cuss the report card results from the state, award the bid on Sewanee Elementary renovations and consider a resolution regarding federal sequestration of funds. Broadview and North Lake elementary schools were recognized at the meet- ing for achieving Reward Status from the state, based on performance from the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program Achievement Test. “Th ree other schools are receiving lett ers from the state for almost qualifying as reward schools,” said Director of Schools Rebecca Sharber. “Th ese lett ers will outline where the schools missed reward status on testing.” Clark Memorial Elementary and Franklin County High School almost quali- fi ed as reward schools, based on progress. Sewanee Elementary almost qualifi ed as a reward school, based on performance. “We have made progress on testing, as none of the schools in Franklin County were identifi ed as focus or priority schools,” said Sharber. “We have grown in math and social studies, and need to do bett er in reading/language arts.” “We have seen progress in achievement. ACT tests are down for us and in area counties, except for Tullahoma. Science scores are down across the state, Cast members of “Th e Nutcracker: A Yuletide Ballet” performed a preview of the production at Sewanee Elementary School the district and in area counties,” said Sharber. recently. Standing with artistic director David Herriott are (fr ont, fr om left ) Addison Hannaway, James Williams, Amelia Hane, Sharber said if she had to guess why science scores were down it “may be Emily Bailey, Madison King and Meredith Foster; (back, fr om left ) Saje Mangru, Isabella Randolph, Cate Bachman, Harrison because the curriculum is not matching the test. Also, elementary students are Hartman and Iris Love. spending more time on math and reading.” Sain Construction was awarded the bid for renovations on Sewanee Elemen- tary, which now includes bids for a metal roof and gutt er guards. The rainwater harvesting system has been removed from the bid. Sharber reported the contracts “Th e Nutcracker” Comes to Life still have to be signed and a workable schedule between the contractor and Mike Ring in a new tradition this holiday season with “Th e into a prince, who invites Clara to accompany him to the Maxon, principal of SES, still has to be created. Nutcracker: A Yuletide Ballet,” performed by Alabama Land of Snow and to the court of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Th e school board budget was also amended to move money from the fund bal- Youth Ballet Th eatre and AYB-Sewanee Dance Conser- the Kingdom of Sweets. Th ere, dancers representing vari- ance to the capital outlay budget line to pay for the SES renovations. Th e county vatory under the direction of David Herriott . Two per- ous countries and the delicacies of the Kingdom of Sweets commission will have to approve the budget amendment that has the funding for formances will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2:30 p.m. perform in Clara’s honor. this project in it. Th e next meeting of the county commission is Dec. 3. and 7 p.m. in Guerry Auditorium. Ticket prices are $10 for Th is year’s presentation of “Th e Nutcracker: A Yuletide In discussion on a resolution regarding federal sequestration, Sharber re- adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets will Ballet” includes 32 dancers from across the area, including ported that a lett er from the Tennessee School Board Association urged school be available at the door. Sewanee, Monteagle and Winchester. Virtually all of the boards to adopt the resolution and present a unifi ed front in opposing budget Set on Christmas Eve, “Th e Nutcracker” tells the story party scene cast members are local. About 60 dancers from cuts to federal programs outlined in the Budget Control Act of 2011. of a young girl, Clara, who receives a special gift of a nut- Huntsville will join with the area dancers to complete the Th e resolution states, in part, “Franklin County School System urges Con- cracker from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. Following cast. Dancers from the AYB-Sewanee Dance Conservatory gress and the Administration to amend the Budget Control Act to mitigate the a festive Christmas Eve party, Clara watches in amazement range in age from 7 years old to high school age and beyond, drastic cuts to education that would aff ect our students and communities, and to as the nutcracker comes to life and batt les the mice and including some University students and staff , and some protect education as an investment critical to economic stability and American their mouse king. Victorious, the nutcracker is transformed community members. competitiveness.” Th e full resolution can be viewed at < htt p://www.boarddocs. com/tn/franklin/Board.nsf/fi les/8ZNLTA580587/$fi le/Sequestration%20 Resolution.pdf>. “If federal funding is cut, it is going to hurt us all,” Sharber said. “As a county, Community Chest Spotlight: we would lose approximately $237,000 in funding for programs such as Title I grants for disadvantaged students and the Individuals with Disabilities Educa- Sewanee Senior Center tion Action.” Th e board approved the resolution. Th e 2012–13 Sewanee Commu- a nonprofi t organization. It began in nity Chest Fund Drive is underway. 1978 with state funds from Title V The power of the people helping for building renovations. Volunteers people makes a diff erence in the life completed the work on the building. Animal Harbor’s Party of the community. Sponsored by the Part of the director’s salary at that time Sewanee Civic Association, the Com- was paid from Franklin County Senior munity Chest raises money for local Citizens’ funding. Meals were off ered For Paws on Saturday charitable organizations serving the through the state’s Nutrition Program Party for Paws, the annual fund- opening in 2003. Th e Franklin County area. Th is year’s goal is $90,000. (Title VII). raiser for the Franklin County Humane Humane Society is an independent CAC For the next few weeks, the Mes- In 1997 the satellite relationship Society, will be 6–8:30 p.m., Saturday, nonprofit organization serving all senger will focus on some of the with Franklin County Senior Citi- Nov. 17, at Cravens Hall in Sewanee. of Franklin County, and it relies solely organizations supported by the Com- zens’ became tenuous when the board The evening will include food on the generosity and donations of in- Th anksgiving munity Chest. This week we shine voted to cease contributing to the donated by local restaurants and beer, dividuals and businesses in the com- the spotlight on the Sewanee Senior director’s salary. Th e Sewanee Com- wine and spirits. Th ere will also be a munity to keep its doors open. Center. munity Chest increased its donation. silent auction with items such as gift Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 Lunch Today Sewanee Senior Citizens Inc. is (Continued on page 2) certificates for yoga, massage and at the door. To purchase tickets before Th e Community Action Commit- meals, as well as art and gift items. Th ere the event, call Animal Harbor at 962- tee (CAC) invites the Sewanee com- will be door prizes. 4472, or contact Sue Ridyard,
Next Messenger: St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School students (fr om left ) Carolyn Bruce, Genevieve Rogers and Sloan Jolly enjoy balsam wreaths during last year’s sale. For details about the Wednesday, Nov. 21 wreaths, see the story on page 11. 2 • Friday, November 16, 2012 • Th e Sewanee Mountain MESSENGER
Seniors (fr om page 1) THE SEWANEE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER An anonymous donor remained com- mitted to matching funds, and the 418 St. Mary’s Ln. Center survived. P.O. Box 296 In September 2002, the Senior Sewanee, Tennessee 37375 Center was excluded from the state’s Phone (931) 598-9949 Nutrition Program. Meals were avail- able again in October 2002, when Fax (931) 598-9685 Lena McBee and Frances Lappin Email [email protected] Contributors prepared food at home and brought it Phoebe & Scott Bates www.sewaneemessenger.com Jean & Harry Yeatman to the center for distribution. Because John Shackelford of their eff orts and the funds received Laura L. Willis, editor/publisher Annie Armour from the Franklin County Commis- Janet B. Graham, advertising director/publisher John Bordley sion and the Sewanee Community April H. Minkler, office manager Daniel Church Chest, the Center now has a part-time Ray Minkler, circulation manager Virginia Craighill cook. Th is part-time cook works 25 Leslie Lytle, staff writer Buck Gorrell K.G. Beavers, staff writer Margaret Stephens hours per week and prepares more Peter Trenchi than 6,000 meals each year. Sandra Gabrielle, proofreader Pat Wiser With increases in the cost of utili- Geraldine H. Piccard, editor/publisher emerita Francis Walter ties and other services, the Center can Published as a public service to the Sewanee community. 3,500 copies are printed on Fridays, no longer aff ord a director. Volunteers 46 times a year, and distributed to 26 Sewanee-area locations for pickup free of charge. This publication is made possible by the patronage of our advertisers and by contributions now handle all of those duties. In addi- from The University of the South (print production) and the Sewanee Community Chest. tion to meals for seniors and shut-ins, SUBSCRIPTIONS $75 first class. the Center provides various activities, All material in the Sewanee Mountain Messenger and on its website are copyrighted which are scheduled weekly for 50 to and may not be published or redistributed without written permission. 60 seniors and other members of the Webelos fr om Sewanee’s Pack 152 earned their citizenship badge on Nov. 6 with an community. Election Day service project of giving out cookies and thanking voters. From left , Porter The Senior Center relies on the Neubauer, Aden Rung, Myers Gorrell, J.T. Jenkins and (not pictured) Sean Willis. Community Chest for approximately MESSENGER Serving 27 percent of its operating budget. Th eir income last year totaled $49,000. Where Called Current funding for the Center comes Break Ahead Sewanee from the Franklin County Commis- It is hard to imagine, but Th anks- Community giving is next week, and Christmas is Please keep the following sion, the Sewanee Community Chest, individuals, their families and all Police bake sales, individual donations and an around the corner. The Messenger will publish on those who are serving our country Center annual Christmas bazaar. Expenses in your thoughts and prayers: last year totaled $52,000. Th e Center’s Wednesday, Nov. 21. The following Report greatest expense is in food purchases issue will be published on Friday, Michael Evan Brown Sewanee Police Department offi - Seeks Board of approximately $23,900 per year. Nov. 30 Jennifer Lynn Cott rell cers made three arrests in conjunction For more information, contact the Th ere will be three issues in De- James Gregory Cowan with the Mountain Top Ball on Nov. 10 Members Center at 598-0771 or drop by for a cember: Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Nathaniel Andrew Garner at McClurg Dining Hall, according to visit at 5 Ball Park Rd. Th e Center al- Th e staff will take a two-week break Robert S. Lauderdale acting chief of police Marie Eldridge. Th e Sewanee Community Center ways welcomes visitors and volunteers. and return to the offi ce on Monday, Dakota Layne Two students were arrested, one is seeking nominations for three open Th is year’s Christmas Bazaar will be Jan. 7, with the fi rst issue of 2013 on Byron A. Massengill for public intoxication and one for seats on the nine-person governing held Dec. 10–14, with sewn items, Friday, Jan. 11. Alan Moody disorderly conduct. board. crafts, baked goods, canned goods, Deadlines for next week’s issue Brian Norcross A 60-year-old Cowan man was Nominations will be taken until white elephant items and other gift s (Wednesday, Nov. 21) are: display Christopher Norcross arrested for DUI after working at Wednesday, Nov. 28. Self-nomina- for Christmas giving. advertising and news/calendar, 5 p.m., Dustin “Dusty” Lee Parker the event. He was taken to Emerald- tions are allowed. The goal of the Sewanee Com- today (Friday), Nov. 16; and classifi ed Michael Parmley Hodgson Hospital for evaluation and Please contact board member Lisa munity Chest is to help citizens by ads, noon, Monday, Nov. 19. Peter Petropoulos then to the county jail. Rung via email at
“Come in the back door.” NOW SERVING LUNCH TUESDAY–FRIDAY 11 to 2
6HZDQHH+Z\ો 'LQQHU7XH:HG7KXWR)UL6DWWR &ORVHG6XQGD\DQG0RQGD\ Th e Sewanee Mountain MESSENGER • Friday, November 16, 2012 • 3 Seminary SEWANEE AUTO REPAIR Meetings & Events —COMPLETE AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR— Community Engagement House Party Today Spouses reminds you that it’s time to Th e Community Engagement House is hosting a celebration, Fall Into Th anksgiving, 2–4 p.m., today, Nov. 16, at the house located on Alabama Avenue at Mitchell Avenue. All are welcome to come and enjoy treats Organize WINTERIZE! from Julia’s Fine Foods and local venison, chai and hot cocoa, arts and craft s and a bonfi re. The group will be collecting donations for Hurricane Sandy $OO0DNHV 0RGHOV6HUYLFH&DOOV4XDOLW\3DUWV Sandy relief. $6(0DVWHU&HUWLILHG$XWR7HFKQLFLDQ