This Week Inside Hamilton County Schools
March 5-11, 2005
National School Social Workers Week
Theme: “Celebrating Community and Honoring Diversity”
March 6-12
National School Breakfast Week
Theme: “School Breakfast: Great Performances”
March 7-11
Date: Saturday, March 5
Time: Starts at 9 a.m.
Place: Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts
Event: CCA is hosting the Lower East Tennessee Junior Orchestra today. This annual event is sponsored by the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association, and it involves strings students from across Hamilton County and Crossville, Tenn. Some 140 students from eight schools will combine their talents to form two orchestras. Both orchestras will present a free concert for the community today at 2.
Contact: Principal Gary Record, 209-5929
Date: Saturday, March 5
Place: Cumberland County High
Event: Select students from Hamilton County Schools will participate in the region 2 qualifying tournament for the Tennessee Chess Team Championship. School officials say the game of chess helps students develop concentration and critical- thinking skills, which are essential for success in the classroom.
Contact: Sammy Sedman, 344-1456
Dates: Monday – Friday, March 7-11
Time: Check with schools.
Places: Apison Elementary
Spring Creek Elementary
Wolftever Creek Elementary
Event: Several schools in Hamilton County are having special observances for
National School Breakfast Week as students focus on getting the most out of their morning
meal. This year’s theme is “School Breakfast: Great Performances.” On Tuesday morning at
Apison Elementary, students will enjoy a pre-St. Patrick’s Day breakfast complete with
green eggs, ham and biscuits. Parents are also invited to join in the celebration. A fifth-grader
from Wolftever Creek Elementary will serenade students as they eat breakfast. (Check with
school for date.) And at Spring Creek Elementary on Thursday morning, students will
receive a special treat at breakfast time – pancakes with apple topping! Yum, yum!
Contact: Child Nutrition Director Lana Elliott, 209-5653/Any principal of a school listed above.
Dates: March 7-15
Time: All day.
Place: 21st Century Academy
Event: Boys and girls here know that reading is both fun and fundamental! The students are gearing up for a spring book fair that will feature a variety of literary selections.
Contact: Principal Fred Wunderlich, 493-0309
Date: Monday, March 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Red Bank High
Event: Hamilton County Schools, along with Stand for Children, the Hamilton County Council of PTAs and the Hamilton County Education Association, is hosting the second of four Community Forums to discuss the district’s budget process. Parents are invited to share their ideas and opinions about this year’s budget cuts, as well as budget priorities for the upcoming school year. Parents will be grouped in small break-out sessions where a trained facilitator will ask them questions related to the budget. School officials will compile parents’ responses and use them as they plan for the 2005-2006 budget.
Date: Monday, March 7
Time: All day.
Place: Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts
Event: A team of consultants from the International NETWORK of Performing and Visual Arts Schools will stop by Center for Creative Arts today to observe several classrooms. The consultants are affiliated with Miami’s New World School of the Arts and Pittsburgh’s Performing and Visual Arts School. CCA is also a NETWORK school. The International NETWORK of Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education inspires and promotes excellence in arts education.
Contact: Principal Gary Record, 209-5929
Dates: Monday – Friday, March 7-11
Time: Check with school.
Place: Lakeside Academy of Math, Science and Technology
Event: Students in grades three – five are doing their part to help fight heart disease. The youngsters are participating in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart during P.E. classes.
Contact: Principal Lea Ann Burk, 855-2605
Dates: Monday-Friday, March 7-11
Time: Check with school.
Place: Soddy-Daisy High
Event: School counselors here will present “Celebrate Healthy Choices” Week to encourage young people to make positive choices in life. A guest motivational speaker will also address students on Friday, March 11.
Contact: Principal Robert Smith, 332-8828
Date: Tuesday, March 8
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts
Event: CCA is hosting an evening of fine art as the 6-12 magnet school presents an exhibit opening for its Senior Art Show. There evening will also include special performances by beginning and intermediate instrumentalists. The community is invited to attend.
Contact: Principal Gary record, 209-5929
Date: Monday, March 7
Time: 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Place: Ooltewah High
Event: The award-winning Ooltewah High band members are hosting an orientation session for area eighth-graders interested in joining the band. The prospective freshmen will get a first-hand look at the high school’s band program during this session.
Contact: Principal Ed Foster, 238-5221
Date: Monday, March 7
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Orchard Knob Elementary
Event: Miss Tennessee Ashley Eicher will visit with fourth- and fifth-grade students to encourage them to stay in school and work hard to reach their highest potential.
Contact: Principal Marthel Young, 493-0385
Date: Tuesday, March 8
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Lakeside Academy of Math, Science and Technology
Event: The school’s PTA is hosting a program this evening that will feature a performance by the first-grade class. Everyone is invited to attend.
Contact: Principal Lea Ann Burk, 855-2605
Date: Tuesday, March 8
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: Morning Pointe Assisted Living
Event: Members of the Future Business Leaders of America from Ooltewah High are spreading some Irish cheer to residents at this assisted living facility. The youngsters gather at Morning Pointe once a month to spend some quality time with the residents. Today, the students will host a St. Patrick’s Day-themed outing. The Ooltewah High chorus will even lead the residents in a sing-along of popular Irish tunes!
Contact: Principal Ed Foster, 238-5221
Date: Tuesday, March 8
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: Bonny Oaks Central Office
Event: The Hamilton County School Board’ discipline committee will convene for a meeting to continue to study and review school discipline concerns.
Contact: School Board Secretary Ann Bates, 209-8400
Date: Wednesday, March 9
Time: 2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Place: 21st Century Academy
Event: Members of the University of Memphis’ pop band will stop by 21st Century Academy to entertain students, teachers and staff.
Contact: Principal Fred Wunderlich, 493-0309
Date: Wednesday, March 9
Time: Check with school.
Place: Battle Academy
Event: Select students will participate in their third videoconference along with former NASA astronaut Margaret Rhea Seddon. Dr. Seddon will help students gain a better understanding of how women have impacted space exploration. Battle Academy was selected as a NASA Explorer School last year, and educators say this designation has afforded the students here wonderful learning opportunities in math and science.
Contact: Principal Aimee Randolph, 209-5747
Date: Wednesday, March 9
Time: 9:15 – 11 a.m.
Place: Lakeside Academy of Math, Science and Technology
Event: Master storyteller and author Rhonda Friend Todd will entertain students with an interactive program based on her new book, “R. Friend Swallows Her Pride.” The story is base don’t he author’s life growing up on a farm in the 1960s. This very humorous story is designed to teach children the importance of forgiveness. Ms. Todd will also autograph copies of her books for the students.
Contact: Principal Lea Ann Burk, 855-2605
Date: Thursday, March 10
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Howard School of Academics and Technology
Event: Hamilton County Schools, along with Stand for Children, the Hamilton County Council of PTAs and the Hamilton County Education Association, is hosting the third of four Community Forums to discuss the district’s budget process. Parents are invited to share their ideas and opinions about this year’s budget cuts, as well as budget priorities for the upcoming school year. Parents will be grouped in small break-out sessions where a trained facilitator will ask them questions related to the budget. School officials will compile parents’ responses and use them as they plan for the 2005-2006 budget.
Date: Thursday, March 10
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts
Event: Advanced instrumentalists will perform a concert for their parents, friends and community residents. These students are excited about this opportunity to showcase their talents!
Contact: Principal Gary Record, 209-5929
Date: Thursday, March 10
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: East Lake Academy of Fine Arts
Event: This 6-8 magnet school is hosting a Parent Coffee this morning. All parents are encouraged to attend to learn more about upcoming school programs, projects and events.
Also from 6-7 p.m., parents and students will participate in “Making Sense of TCAP” Family Night. The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, or TCAP, is a standardized test that all students in grades 3-8 take each spring. Local students will take the TCAP between April 18-29.
Contact: Principal Wendy Jung, 493-0334
Date: Thursday, March 10
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Place: Lakeside Academy of Math, Science and Technology
Event: Students here are rolling out the red carpet to pay special tribute to grandparents. The youngsters will share special times with their grandmas and grandpas as they tour the school’s science labs, techno plaza, library and literacy labs.
At 2 p.m., select students will meet for the Principal’s Book Club. The selected feature is “Who Was Ben Franklin?” The students will also build kites and fly them as a special activity related to this book.
Contact: Principal Lea Ann Burk, 855-2605
Dates: Thursday-Saturday, March 10-12
Place: Nashville
Event: DECA students from Soddy-Daisy High will compete in a state competition this weekend. The Distributive Education Clubs of America seeks to improve educational and career opportunities for high school students in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA also works with the business community to integrate academic achievement with career and technical skills.
Contact: Principal Robert Smith, 332-8828
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Place: To be determined.
Event: The Hamilton County School Board will meet for a work session to begin preliminary talks on the 2005-2006 budget.
Contact: School Board Secretary Ann Bates, 209-8400
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: Check with school.
Place: Science Theatre
Event: Third- and fourth-graders from 21st Century Academy will be blinded with science as they take a field trip to the Science Theatre. Teachers say this educational experience will help bring the students’ classroom studies to life.
Contact: Principal Fred Wunderlich, 493-0309
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Barger Academy of Fine Arts
Event: Come one, come all to the most spectacular event of the year! Barger Academy students are putting on a show-stopping talent show that’s sure to please the crowd. There will be lots of singing, dancing and other lively entertainment. Don’t miss it!
Contact: Principal Juanita McClarty, 493-0450
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: Check with school.
Place: Battle Academy
Event: Newberry Award-winning author Richard Peck will talk with Battle Academy boys and girls as part of Chattanooga’s “A Tale for One City” initiative. This year’s featured book is Peck’s “A Long Way From Chicago.” According to Peck’s biography, he became familiar with contemporary adolescent problems while teaching high school in Illinois. He became discouraged with teaching and decided to write books for teenagers that featured the problems he had witnessed.
Also at 6 this evening, Peck will speak to the community at during a gathering at Normal Park Museum Magnet. There will be a reception following his speech.
Contact: Principal Aimee Randolph, 209-5747/Principal Jill Levine, 209209-5900
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: Check with school.
Place: Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts
Event: The school is hosting the Tennessee High School Speech and Dramatics District Forensics Tournament. The forensics tournament will continue on Saturday, March 12.
Contact: Principal Gary Record, 209-5929
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 12:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Place: Ooltewah High
Event: They’re playing basketball for a good cause at Ooltewah High! The Student Council is sponsoring a 3 X 3 basketball competition to raise funds to support this school-based organization.
Contact: Principal Ed Foster, 238-5221
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Ooltewah Middle
Event: Select students will put their public speaking skills to the test as they participate in the Modern Woodmen of America’s oratorical competition. Some 20 students will speak on this year’s theme, “The Greatest Time In American History.” Some subjects will include man landing on the moon, the computer age and the ending of the Civil War.
Contact: Principal Diana Green, 238-238-5732
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: McBrien Elementary
Event: There will be plenty of fun and lots of laugh as this school sponsors a variety show where students and their family members will showcase their special talents. The community is invited to attend this big event.
Contact: Principal Madeline Bell, 867-6209
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Place: UTC
Event: The Soddy-Daisy High Chamber Choir, along with several other school choirs, will lift their voices to sing in the popular J.B. Lyle Choir Festival.
Contact: Principal Robert Smith, 332-8828
Date: Saturday, March 12
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Place: Howard School of Academics and Technology
Event: Officials with Hamilton County Schools are on a mission to find quality teachers to work in classrooms all across the district. To get a head start, the school system is hosting its fourth annual Teacher Recruitment Fair today. Typically, 400-500 prospective teachers attend the recruitment fair each year. They include soon-to-be college graduates majoring in education, teachers from other cities looking to relocate and retired educators wanting to return to the classroom. Over the years, fair participants have come from several states such as Alaska, California, Florida, Nevada, New York and Texas. At fair, principals and other staff will conduct interviews at 79 individual school booths set up in Howard’s new gymnasium. The potential teacher candidates may visit these booths and other vendors, talk to current county teachers, as well as learn about employee benefits and professional development opportunities the school system has to offer.
Contact: Director of Recruitment Joyce Hardaway, 209-8517
Date: Saturday, March 12
Time: 9 a.m. - noon
Place: Battle Academy
Event: Parents will roll up their sleeves and get busy making the school campus look beautiful as part of a workday activity. The moms and dads plan to do a little spring cleaning so that children here can learn in a safe, clean environment.
Contact: Principal Aimee Randolph, 20905747
Date: Saturday, March 12
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Place: Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts
Event: Parents here will spruce up the school’s campus as they participate in a workday. Parents are looking forward to helping make their children’s school a beautiful place to learn.
Contact: Principal Gary Record, 209-5929
Date: Saturday, March 12
Time: 9 a.m. - noon
Place: Lakeside Academy Math, Science and Technology
Event: Lakeside Academy parents will work inside and outside the school today to make sure the premises are in tip top shape.
Contact: Principal Lea Ann Burk, 855-2605
Fabulous Features!
Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts is one of only six schools across the state nominated for next year's Blue Ribbon School Award. The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that score in the top 10 percent on state standardized tests, as well as schools that have at least 40 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds that show dramatic improvement in student achievement in math and reading. Blue Ribbon School finalists will be named in the fall and honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Thrasher Elementary atop Signal Mountain was awarded this prestigious designation for the 2004-2005 academic year. Contact CSLA Principal Ismahen Kangles, 855-2614.
Students at Howard Elementary are “Off The Chain Readers”! The girls and boys here are being encouraged to read a book every day as part of this fun project to promote a love of literacy. The students actually wear decorative chains to school each day. As they complete a book, the youngsters receive various charms to add to their chains. The students are excited to see what sort of charms they can earn next! Contact Principal Sharon Dodds, 209-5858.
Pro Player Sports, which operates the Chattanooga Locomotion Women’s Professional Football Team and the Chattanooga Steam Men’s Minor League Professional Football Team, is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Howard School of Academics and Technology. Both teams will play their home games at Howard SAT during the 2005 season. The Locomotion will play four regular season games at Howard while the Steam will play five home games. School officials are thrilled to partner with these professional teams. Contact Principal Elaine Swafford, 209-5868.
Way to go, Ooltewah High! The CollegeBound Network has announced Ooltewah High as the winner of its third annual High School of the Year award. The school was nominated for this prestigious award by the Senior Class President, Jessie Breann Voss. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the CollegeBound Network, and her application will be featured in the spring issue of “CollegeBound Teen Magazine.” Nominating students were asked to answer several questions in 200 words or less regarding their high school. The questions focused on school spirit, community service opportunities, educational/curriculum offerings. Each principal also provided information such as the percentage of college-bound students, student/teacher ratios and school awards. Officials from Ooltewah High will receive a banner, trophy, national press coverage and other recognitions. The High School of the Year competition is sponsored by K Swiss, Chela Education Financing, Campbell’s Soup at Hand, Playtex, ACT, Southpole, Lot 29, H & M and the Office of the National Drug Control Policy/Partnership for a Drug Free America and Self-Esteem. Contact Principal Ed Foster, 238-5221.