Monday, March 01, 2010
- by Susan H. Shelton
The Cleveland City School Board on Monday voted unanimously to a comprehensive review of a K-12 language program system-wide. Currently, no foreign language is taught until high school where, beginning this year, a student must take two foreign languages for two years each to graduate.
The discussion came when Riki Jackson with Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis made a Power Point presentation offering Chinese language and culture classes to school systems throughout Tennessee.
Director of Schools Dr. Rick Denning recognized a group of citizens calling themselves The Breakfast Club and being made up of the following: John and Elaine Koeppen, Mary Brehan, Phyllis Duncan, Kathy Farner, Susan McKee, Barbara Miller, Bobie Teague, Peggy Reid and Mary Smith. For many years this group has helped thousands with their generous gifts of school supplies some paid for by the group, others as donations by community members.
Cleveland High School student Nicole Hayes was recognized as a National Merit Finalist. Miss Hayes has a 4.0 grade average and has completed 23 Honors classes.
Teacher of the Year nominees were also recognized as follows:
Arnold Elementary – Rebecca L. Marino; Blythe-Bower Elementary, Gloria Scott-Richmond; Mayfield Elementary, Christy Duncan; E.L. Ross Elementary, Tanya Mullinax; George R. Stuart Elementary, Joy Fleming; Donald P. Yates Elementary, Linda B. Condo; Cleveland Middle School, Jim David, Kelly Owens and Lynn Moore; Cleveland High, Lind Lemons and Jeanie Long; Teen Learning Center, Seth LaManga.
Cleveland High Media and Theater Arts students, just returning from a visit to two art colleges, behind the scenes at Walt Disney World and Cirque du Soleil, entertained the Board and audience with a film about their trip.
Cleveland High students Lillie Brown, Hannah Johnson and Felicity Swafford have been selected by the Tennessee Junior Science and Humanities Symposium as top researchers for all high school students in the state. Miss Brown told of her visit to Oak Ridge Laboratories and her experience presenting her research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville last week.
Dr. Denning informed the Board that Doug Greene will be retiring as Assistant Director of Schools effective July 1, 2010. Mr. Greene has agreed to a 120-day contract to do personnel for the 2010-2011 school year during which time he will train Cathy Goodman who has been named to take over for Mr. Greene.
The board approved a change order on the Science Wing for Cleveland High recommended by Upland Design for Aqua-Pave permeable pavers for an additional cost of $12,144.56. Board members Bill Brown and Dawn Robinson opposed the expense.