Hundreds of alumni came home to the Ridge for several activities related to Reunion Weekend. They were able to reminisce with their McCallie brethren and catch up with former teachers and coaches. The weekend began with the Golden M luncheon, where retired headmaster Dr. R. Kirk Walker '69 was recognized as this year's Distinguished Alumnus. After the lunch, Golden M alumni ... (click for more)

On her return visit to GPS, Lisa Damour, Ph.D., the New York Times bestselling author of Untangled and Under Pressure, planned to speak with parents on Thursday evening, Sept. 12, and then with teachers, parents again, and then students on Friday. Unfortunately Chattanooga experienced a water main break which caused the cancellation of all Friday presentations. Thankfully, the ... (click for more)

County School Board member Rhonda Thurman said Monday that teachers are quitting the county schools because they face attacks from unruly students and they don't get backing from the administration. Supt. Bryan Johnson said, "We absolutely have challenges," but he said he puts his focus on academic improvement. He said a disciplinary committee meeting took two hours, and he would ... (click for more)

An expressive witness, general disorder, and a circus-like atmosphere defined a preliminary hearing involving four men accused of the July murder of Tracy Calloway. On July 21, Antonio Watkins, 25; Prandel Reid Jr., 27, Gary Cross, 23, and Jamichael Smith, 26, allegedly drove up to Mr. Calloway’s residence and began shooting. Calloway, who was located in a white car parked in ... (click for more)

It seems a week doesn't go by, sometimes more in one week, without Roy or someone writing some coded messages denigrating inner-city schools and the students (using another code-hint hint) that attend inner-city schools. Which reminded me of something from decades ago about teachers from foreign countries perhaps making better instructors for inner city students. At least those ... (click for more)

As it just so happened, on the same day the Hamilton County School Board held a special two-hour meeting on Monday over disturbing disciplinary concerns among its 44,000 students, the Nashville Tennessean published a revealing report on school suspensions in the Nashville Metro Public Schools. After five years and a $2 million study, the results were available -- Nashville had launched ... (click for more)