Hamilton County Department of Education's Opportunity Zone Kick-off Celebration will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Orchard Knob Elementary School.
HCDE Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson is looking forward to celebrating this new initiative to improve the schools. “Our focus, as always, is on urgency and excellence. By increasing focused support for these schools, we send a strong message to not only the staff working in these schools, but also to the students, that we stand with them as we work together to become the fastest improving district in the state of Tennessee,” Dr.
Johnson said.
Chief of Opportunity Schools Jill Levine looks forward to the kick-off celebration. “The only reason the Opportunity Zone exists is to make these schools better. We are so excited to show the students and staff in our Opportunity Zone how we support them and are dedicated to providing them every tool we have to help ensure every student has access to a world-class education,” Ms. Levine said. “We are also excited to hear from parents and community members about the opportunities they most want for their children.”
The Opportunity Zone Kick-Off Celebration will feature community and parent visioning sessions to help answer, "What opportunities do you want for our children?" The event is also an ice cream social open to all community members.
"The Opportunity Zone offers an unprecedented level of support for HCDE Priority schools as well as those schools identified ‘as on the cusp,’" officials said.
The initial schools receiving support through this structure are: Brainerd High, The Howard School, East Lake Middle Academy, Dalewood Middle, Orchard Knob Middle, Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy, Clifton Hills Elementary, East Lake Elementary, Hardy Elementary, Orchard Knob Elementary and Woodmore Elementary.