Twitter. Some people use it for news, some for business and personal promotion, and some for social engagement. To Overton High School students, it is an engine that has given them the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and ask questions with peers around the world, particularly in the field of science. Thanks to that international connectivity, Overton student Lilly Q. is a guest blogger this week on a popular science education blog, Promega Connections. Click here to read why Lilly says social media has changed the way she and her classmates are learning and how they are tapping into some of the brightest minds on the planet.

iLeaders are charged with dramatically improving the performance of and changing the culture at the district's iZone schools.

They met as a group last Friday (December 14) with Executive Director of Innovation Alan Coverstone to share ideas, best practices, and lessons learned at their schools.

They focused on the three big goals:

• Moving students (figuratively, not physically)


• Moving teachers (again, figuratively)


• Sustainable school redesign

Discussions included smarter time management and allocation; clear team priorities and roles; expanding capacity to meet the big three goals; and prioritizing highly effective actions and abandoning ineffective ones.

After the iLeaders discussed in small groups, they shared their discoveries with each other.

With a relentless focus on moving students and teachers forward, these teams shared honestly about how to help everyone participate more effectively in the big goal of dramatically improving student achievement and the opportunities for college and career readiness built on that foundation. Autonomy and innovation are allowing a sharp leadership focused on proving what is possible when all the people, programs, money, and time are focused on success for all students, and this session offered a great opportunity to adapt and improve at this crucial mid-year break.

But despite spending half a work day away from their schools, Alan and his team promised: "We want you to leave with the ways to recover the time you spend here today. You will stop doing things that take time away from high productivity outcomes and start including more people in activities that will enable them to contribute more to the bottom line with less time commitment by the people in this room."

Linda Edwards, kindergarten teacher at Julia Green Elementary, is this week’s News 2 Educator of the Week! Edwards has been teaching within MNPS for nearly 40 years. Aside from regular classroom duties, she mentors kindergarten teachers and works daily to make sure they feel like they are part of the teaching team. Edwards also takes it upon herself to make sure the kindergartners feel welcome and secure as they begin their educational journeys!

Help us congratulate Mrs. Edwards, and watch her tonight on News 2 at 10! The segment will re-air Friday, Dec. 14 during the 6am newscast.

Marla McKenna, author of popular baseball-themed children’s book “Mom’s Big Catch,” made a few quick stops at several Metro Schools this week, including Crieve Hall Elementary, which is pictured. McKenna, an advocate for youth literacy, wants children to reach for their dreams.

But the famous author wasn’t the only surprise guest of the day. Helping bring her book to life, Nashville Sounds mascot Ozzie also got in on the fun! Ozzie, who has spent the past decade cheering on the minor league baseball team, is a big fan of reading. He and the sounds regularly serve more than 75,000 children in the middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky region through the Nashville Sounds Reading Club.

Haywood Elementary is focused on families! Check out the article and photos sent in by Carolyn Price, 1st grade teacher at Haywood:



Haywood Elementary students and their families enjoyed a school wide potluck dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The initiative was to bring families together with school faculty to embrace diversity, and fellowship together. Students and parents were encouraged to wear ethnic clothing and bring a dish from their country. Nearly 250 students and families attended the event which was divided into two separate dinners for different grade levels.

Principal Melanie Schiff thanked students and their families for attending over the morning announcements Wednesday morning. Haywood is planning to have another potluck after the first of the year to encourage fellowship within the school community.

They call themselves the P.U.R.P.L.E. Girl’s, but their community may be more inclined to call them good citizens and servants. 



Fifteen Goodlettsville Middle ladies, grades six through eight, are part of a special mentoring group (P.U.R.P.L.E.: Pursuing Uniqueness, Responsibility, Purpose, Leadership, & Education) that aims to serve the community. Thanksgiving weekend, the girls volunteered at The Women’s and Children’s Shelter and served dinner to more than 200 homeless women and children. The project proved to be a powerful, and fun, experience!

Metro Nashville Public Schools is making progress, but it’s not enough. Our student performance outcomes are still too low. That was the underlying theme of a press conference held Dec. 4 to showcase the first year’s work of U.K.-based Tribal Group, an educational review and consulting company. To push the district’s transformation to the next level, MNPS will implement significant changes in 2013, all with student achievement as the focal point.

What we’ve learned during year one of our partnership with Tribal:

• Our students are not performing as they should be; one out of three elementary and middle school students perform math at grade level while two out of five read at grade level.


• Lessons are not engaging; only 22% of lessons observed were deemed effective.


• School leaders want more autonomy; four of five principals desire greater autonomy.

With that knowledge, Dr. Register says we must work aggressively to instigate change and to inspire greater success in our students.  Under his direction and in partnership with Tribal Group, the district will expand its use of network lead principals, create a strong network of sharing of best practices among 39 schools, and develop personalized learning plans for 27,000 students in under-performing schools. The district will also see a restructuring at the Central Office with decentralization of personnel, elimination of jobs, and the reconfiguration of reporting relationships.

To learn more about Tribal’s findings and what’s in store for 2013, check out the video below.

You’re invited!

Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School

904 26th Avenue, North, Nashville 37208

December 4, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The Winter Festival of the Creative Arts will feature performances from students in band, chorus, and dance classes, as well as a gallery of artwork from the school’s Digital Design classes. Students are working every aspect of this event, including the marketing and promotion. Read the student-written press release for the Festival.



This is the culminating event of an interdisciplinary project-based learning unit focused on examining how the Pearl-Cohn community demonstrates individualism and aesthetic appreciation through the creative arts. Pearl-Cohn is currently serving as a district project-based learning demonstration school for its excellence in creating and implementing interdisciplinary units of study that revolve around a specific, hands-on learning project.

It’s great for learning and even relaxing! Students in the Academy of Energy and Power at Maplewood High School just finished installing a waterfall with the help of the Nashville Zoo and MNPS Maintenance. Their plans are to use the waterfall for reference and research as they work through related topics in their chemistry, physics, math and engineering classes, in addition to the beautification is gives the campus!

The project began in September when the class sat down with Terry Wakefield, designer of the water features at the Nashville Zoo, and started drawing plans for the water feature. Once the design was complete, the MNPS Maintenance Department trained the students in the installation of the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter System to insure the electrical safety of the waterfall.



The water starts flowing Friday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m., in a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Academies of Nashville are all about connecting students to college and career, and that’s just what the Tennessee Credit Union of Academy of Business and Finance at Antioch High did earlier this week!

Seniors in The Tennessee Credit Union Academy of Business and Finance were invited to a college and career conference, hosted by The Tennessee Credit Union, Deloitte, Junior Achievement and Trevecca Nazarene University. These four organizations have lent tremendous support to the academy since its inception in 2010. They regularly offer support via teacher externships, student internships, job shadowing, speakers in the classroom, and assistance with class projects that mirror real-life working situations.  

The conference, held at Trevecca, gave students an opportunity to attend four sessions on business-related topics. They also toured Trevecca’s campus and heard from keynote speaker Dr. Jonathan Burch, associate professor of management at Trevecca. 

Two of Metro’s finest are taking their lessons learned on the road! Frankie Harris, 6th grade literacy and social studies teacher at Rose Park Middle Magnet, and Kathleen Turnmire, English teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet High School, are two of Tennessee’s newly named Reward School Ambassadors. They will spend the next year traveling the midstate region, sharing best practices with neighboring schools and working to boost student achievement across the board.

Harris and Turnmire both earned top scores on Tennessee’s new evaluation system and were subsequently nominated by their schools -- both Reward Schools which means they are among the top 10 percent of Tennessee schools in terms of student performance. They are two of just 15 teachers across the state selected for this prestigious post.   

In addition to the year-long paid position as Reward School Ambassadors, Harris and Turnmire will also receive a $20,000 grant to further their educational programming.

When asked about her new role, Turnmire commented, "As an ambassador, I will be able to combine the teaching skills I have honed at MLK with the leadership skills I developed through Metro's TLI. I am thankful to have the opportunity to collaborate with educators across the state who are passionate about helping students meet their academic potential. Metro has given me a rich set of educational tools, and I am proud to share these skills with my fellow teachers in Middle Tennessee. Additionally, I am thankful for the support and guidance of my colleagues and administrators at MLK over the past five years; I would not be in this position without them!

Thinking about a career change? Nashville Teaching Fellows may be just what you need. The program recruits professionals of various backgrounds and industries who are looking for a second career, as well as recent college graduates. Nashville Teaching Fellows trains accepted individuals and places them in classrooms throughout Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Visit www.nashvilleteachingfellows.org for more to details.

A special thanks to Caroline Price for writing and submitting the following:

Math is easy, math is fun! This was the central focus at Haywood Elementary’s Annual Family Math Night. The school-wide initiative was held on Thursday, Nov. 15. Teachers and administrators worked together to develop family friendly math activities for the school’s pre-kindergarten through 4th grade students.

“We have math night to get parents into our buildings to show them different strategies and games that they can use at home to help their children build math skills that they are using in their grade level this year,” said Assistant Principal Carl Febles.

Haywood teachers have been working hard to raise math test scores and help promote high student achievement. This was a central focus for Family Math Night. “Math night can help parents learn what we are doing at school so they can help their children at home. A lot of times parents don’t know what to do to help their children, this (math night) gives them the resources and knowledge they can use at home,” said Febles. Nearly 175 students attended the Haywood event.

Charity D., a student at Nashville Big Picture High School, is inching closer to her diploma by reaching out to the Nashville community! As part of her senior capstone project, Charity hosted a special event benefiting March of Dimes at Baptist Hospital. She spent the day passing out information about premature births, to 133 guests; raised money for the NICU Fund at Baptist; and handed out stuffed animals to raise donations for the March of Dimes.

The National Alliance for Black School Educators (NASBE) annual conference is in Nashville this weekend (the conference kicked off Nov. 14 and wraps up the 18th), and several Metro Schools are getting involved! 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, conference guests toured several schools including the construction site of the new Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet studio (pictured left). The studio is a collaboration of the Recording Academy’s Producers and Engineers Wing, Steven Durr Designs, Music Makes Us and MNPS. The state-of-the-art studio is expected to open in February/March 2013.

Thursday, Nov. 15, Chandler J., an 8th grader at Head Middle Magnet, had the privilege of introducing Roland S. Martin, CNN news analyst, who served as the Keynote Speaker. Pictured right.

Later that day, hundreds of high school students from across the district participated in a Youth Symposium where they came together with educators and civic leaders to discuss ways to create a stronger emphasis on good writing.

The following day, Maplewood High School’s Junior ROTC Unit TN-933 performed Color Guard detail for the Opening Plenary again featuring Martin, the keynote speaker of the conference. This performance came the same week the students helped celebrate Veteran’s Day with a performance at The River Church and participation in the Downtown Nashville Veteran’s Day parade.

Technology is in our homes, at the grocery stores, doctor’s offices, athletic events, and - most importantly - waiting for our children in college and their future careers. For that reason, it's crucial that educational institutions teach students in a way that is relevant and trains them to use the tools that are ever-present in our daily lives.



When the National Alliance for Black School Educators (NABSE) and Promethean, a global education company, offered to donate more than $150,000 worth of classroom technology and professional development services our employees were ecstatic, and rightfully so. Those tools and that training will help our teachers work with students and begin to close the digital divide that exists between families with technology in their homes and those without.



At Napier Enhanced Option Elementary on Wednesday, the two organizations announced the donation that will help the 15 schools receiving technology and support.  Schools will receive touch-screen interactive whiteboards, hand held student response devices, and educational software. Teachers will be trained on how to best use these new tools to increase student engagement and better lead interactive lessons.

We’re halfway into the Optional School Application period. Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High and Stratford STEM Magnet High leaders are eager for you to see the challenging and engaging programs that are happening in their schools!

Thursday, Nov. 15, both schools will open their doors to the community with student showcases, classroom tours, and more. The Stratford program runs from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.; the Pearl-Cohn program runs from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Specific to Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School, families will see a dynamic student performance; tour PCTV, the school television studio; watch project-based learning demonstrations; and be able to meet with image consultants!

Meanwhile, families interested in science, technology, engineering and math programs at Stratford STEM Magnet High will be able to tour the schools’ two Academies, The Academy of Science and Engineering and The Academy of National Safety and Securities Technology. Families will also get the first look the school’s state-of-the-art Biotechnology and Computer Gaming/Simulation Laboratory; the event will serve as the grand opening for this new learning laboratory.

Optional School enrollment is now available online. The deadline to apply is 5:30 p.m., Nov. 30 if you want to be included in the random selection process that will be held in early January.

Thursday, Nov. 15 is National Parent Involvement Day. Consider this our invite to get involved in your child’s school day! Here are a few ideas:

• Make special arrangements to drop off and pick your child up from school;


• Have lunch with your child;


• Volunteer to help in your child’s class for an hour during the day; or


• Email your child’s teacher and ask how your child is doing.

Whether or not you are able to visit your child’s school this Thursday, you can commit to taking an active role in his or her education -- help with homework, ask what he or she did each day, communicate with the teacher. One thing is for sure:  Being an actively involved parent will have a huge impact on your child’s education.

Educators and city leaders from cities across the U.S., England, China, Guam and American Samoa are in Music City to learn about career academies and explore the Academies of Nashville during the 2012 National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) Conference. During the three-day conference, guests will learn everything from what academies are to effective strategies to build and maintain strong academy business partners. The morning of Nov. 9, guests were able to tour one of nine Metro high schools that have fully implemented the academy model:  Antioch, Cane Ridge, Glencliff, Hillsboro, Hillwood, McGavock, Overton, Pearl-Cohn, and Stratford (pictured right). Students and staff showcased the Academies, offered interactive presentations that illustrated the academy model of teaching and learning, and answered questions of the programs.

Also during the conference:

McGavock and Hillwood high schools will be recognized with National Standards of Practice Career Academy Award of Distinction for receiving model status during their respective reviews.

Paula Barkley, academy coach at McGavock High School, will receive the Exemplary Academy Educator Award.    

CMT will be recognized for its outstanding contribution to The CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communications at McGavock. CMT will receive the Henk Koning Exemplary Partnership Award.

Two Gra-Mar Middle School students recently saw their first bylines. The students wrote editorials that were printed in a special election issue of the Tennessean Sunday, Nov. 4. The students had been studying the Electoral College vs. Popular Vote. They participated in mock elections with real voting machines and heard from several locally elected officials.

Meahwhile, Murrell School held a Mock Election Monday, Nov. 5. The students had been discussing the democratic process, what it means to vote, why voting is important, looking at a voting machine, and encouraging their parents to vote. Each student had the opportunity to vote by paper ballot.

Lady Liberty has landed ... at McMurray Middle School! The statue came to life to teach students a brief lesson in history and help them find their place in our country's future. The 30-minute theatrical lesson was part of the Next Great Americans Tour sponsored by the Liberty Learning Foundation.

100 Chefs, 100 Schools was a huge hit with the young culinary students at Glengarry Elementary, and for good reason! The kindergartners in Shauna Russell’s class learned how to make fruit nachos. (And yes, they also ate them!). The class was selected to participate in the initiative that aimed to pair 100 chefs with 100 schools to promote healthy eating.

That wasn’t the class’s first encounter with a healthy lesson; early this fall they recorded a special song and dance that was named first runner-up in the Coordinated School Health program’s Classroom Challenge. The video competition was designed to promote healthy lifestyles.

Meanwhile, Head Middle Magnet welcomed chef Michael New as part of the “100 Chefs 100 Schools” program. Chef New showed students how to prepare healthier snacks and provided samples of his yummy treats.

Check out the photos we received from other schools that also participated in 100 Chefs, 100 Schools:

Nashville youth have a new outlet to share their voices, and a chance to help the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The center invites all interested students to submit an entry - in the form of an essay, poem, spoke-word/rap lyrics, or work of art. The deadline is Monday, Dec. 10. Contestants will compete for cash prizes and the chance to showcase their work as part of the university-wide celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

A call to artists is being issued for an Antioch High School art exhibition being developed as a project of Academies initiative of the Metro Nashville Public Schools.   The exhibition, entitled Frist Antioch Community Exhibition (F.A.C.E), invites artists of all ages, in all genres, from all areas of the city, to explore the theme IDENTITY from personal visual perspectives.  The exhibition will open at Antioch High School Jan. 31, 2013.

Engineering students in Stratford STEM Magnet High School’s Academy of Science and Engineering participated in the Engineers Day competitions on Thursday, Oct. 25.  The group of 10 teams took a special field trip to Knoxville and held their own in the state competition that consisted of more than 100 teams. Of the 10 Stratford teams, two placed in the top 10!

Congratulations to:
8^th Place – Joshua H., Micah H.


10^th Place – Austin F., Benton M., Blake S., Ohaige W.


21^st Place – Christian M., Andre J., Casey S.


25^th Place – Tristen F., Jonathan S., Karalyn C., Hallie C.


45^th Place – Melanie H., Michael I., Quang N., Joseph U.

Also during the Engineers Day competions, Stratford aspiring engineers Logan A. and Dustin P. received honorable mentions for their performance in the Balsa Wood Bridge Competition. The contestants were asked to construct two bridges that could hold the greatest amount of sand.  Logan’s bridge was able to hold a mass of 11.2 kilograms before failing while Dustin’s bridge held 25 kilograms before failure.

The Wright/Glencliff Mariachi classes made their debut performance during a special field trip to Cheekwood Saturday, Oct. 27. According to leader Alan Lambert, “Not only were the students enthusiastic, but they did a great job performing for the first time in front of their friends and family on the steps of Glencliff High School!” Lambert said after the performance, the group visited Cheekwood Gardens for the Dia de los Muertos event. There students interacted with local mariachis, decorated sugar skulls, and took in the sights, sounds and smells of the beautiful gardens and special exhibits. “For most students and parents, this was their first time at Cheekwood, but it won’t be their last,” said Lambert.

Rose Park Math and Science Magnet Middle School won the highly coveted SCORE Prize, a statewide award that recognizes dramatic improvement in student achievement. Rose Park won in the middle school division.

McKissack Middle School and Paragon Mills Elementary are this year’s big winners in the Healthy Classroom Challenge sponsored by the Office of Coordinated School Health and United Way during Child Health Week. The goal of the challenge was to demonstrate in a two-minute video how teachers and students incorporate physical activity into their daily classroom routine. Angela Lyles and Barbara Laifer and their classes got creative with a Family Fued-style competition at McKissack and a Feelin’ Good Dance Party at Paragon Mills. 

For their winning projects, each teacher was awarded an iPod Nano and $100 gift certificate.  The students were awarded a healthy snack celebration along with a United Way t-shirt, lunch bag, water bottle and football. Congratulations to all of the participants!

The Exceptional Education Family Advisory Council in conjunction with the MNPS Department of Exceptional Education will be holding meetings to inform the community of the move towards inclusive education in MNPS. Families are invited to attend any of the following meetings:

• October 29 – Antioch Community Center, 6:30 - 8 p.m.


• November 1 – West Precinct Police Station, 6:30 - 8 p.m.


• November 5 – MNEA building, 12:30 - 2 p.m.


• November 13 – Carter Lawrence Elementary School, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Roughly 5,000 MNPS freshmen took a break from the books to attend the fourth annual Career Exploration Fair. The event, sponsored by Shoneys, showcased hundreds of careers in the business and non-profit sectors as well as higher education opportunities. Students were responsible for visiting multiple booth and interviewing representatives. They also had a chance to get their hands on actual projects and interactive learning displays

The inaugural 1st Choice Festival was a big hit, and the proof is in the pictures! Metro Police Officers onsite estimated between 5,000 and 6,000 guests were in attendance!

Learn more about your school options and how to apply.

A big thank you to all of the schools, district leaders, and community members who made the night possible. We also appreciate the support of our event sponsors who made the night possible: Anchor Trailways & Tours, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Comcast, Coca-Cola Consolidated Bottling Company, Gaylord Entertainment, Ingram Industries, Kroger, Metro Water Services, Nashville Electric Service, RG Anderson, The Memorial Foundation, The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Tractor Supply Company, Vanderbilt University and WSMV-TV.

West End Middle School’s Giant Yard Sale Is October 27th! 

Proceeds from this huge sale will support West End International Baccalaureate World School and its wonderful arts, science, music and athletics programs.

Anyone can donate items to the sale - new or gently used furniture, household items, clothing, Halloween costumes, shoes, books, toys, bikes, athletic equipment, electronics.  All items must be clean and in good working order.  Drop off dates will be Sat. and Sun. October 20 and 21 from 9:00 to noon each day; Thurs., Oct. 24 from 8-10 am; 4-6 pm and Friday, Oct. 25 from 8 am to 7 pm.

Sale hours on Saturday, October 27 will be 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Cash, checks or credit cards will be accepted.

Here's a fun way to end the week:  Christopher Blackmon, Jr. isn't afraid to show his love for his Metro School!

Glencliff High School is hosting a Fall Festival for the entire community. The festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Families will be able to participate in a Ford driving challenge, as well as enjoy food trucks, an art sale, basketball, free books, and more. The event is free!

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and the Maplewood High School football team are leading the Maplewood community in a neighborhood walk, Monday, Oct. 22, at 2:30 p.m., immediately after school dismisses. The walk will begin at the flagpole in front of the school. This event is in celebration of the Mayor's WALK 100 miles challenge. Nashvillians who walk 100 miles by the end of 2012 will receive a free congratulatory t-shirt.

No cafeteria lines in the morning at Hickman Elementary; the students are having their first meal in the classroom! The school was the first in the district to implement Breakfast in the Classroom, a new-age approach to making sure students start their day off with a healthy, fulfilling meal. Each class gets a special cooler (donated by SUDIA and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture) on wheels that a student totes to the classroom. Students serve themselves as they enter the classroom, then enjoy breakfast with their friends.



According to Principal Dr. Critchlow, the teachers were nervous at first. They worried students would be messy and their classrooms would smell. Turns out, the opposite is true. Students are attentive and responsible, and the teachers now actually lobby in support of the program!

On the Monday after fall break, students shared their beloved program with special guests including TN Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Johnson, MNPS Nutrition Services Director Spencer Taylor, MNPS Chief Operating Officer Fred Carr, several local dairy farmers, and former Tennessee Titan Blaine Bishop. The group toured the school, heard from teachers, and watched as students enjoyed their Monday morning Breakfast in the Classroom!

Kirkpatrick Enhanced Option Elementary School is ending fall break on a very high note - the school won the NFL Play 60 DonorsChoose.org Showdown! Pre-K teacher Katie Elam applied for the showdown. She will now receive $1,000 with which she will purchase books, puzzles, posters and stickers that can be used to teach lessons about citizenship and character. Check out the release issued by the Tennessee Titans.

Families at Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet joined together for a fun night of reading. Literacy Night at Robert Churchwell gives parents an opportunity to share their love of reading with their children, as well as explore new ways to include daily reading activities with children.



Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet caters to the budding storyteller. The museum theme allows students to uncover interesting and unique stories and find creative, meaningful ways to share them. The school benefits from strong community partnerships with Adventure Science Center, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and the Tennessee State Museum.

Maplewood High School is hosting a Latino Festival, Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event will be held on Maplewood’s football field. Guests will enjoy multi-cultural dancing, cuisine, arts, crafts, music, bouncy houses, face painting, informational booths, door prizes, and more. The festival will support the Maplewood Young Latino Leaders Program as well as offer the community a chance to learn about the Latino culture. Admission is $3.00 for adults; children are free. 

Rosebank Elementary School teacher Melanie Childs received a big surprise this week, all in effort to "make her day better". Reps from AdoptAClassroom.org and OfficeMax surprised the second grade teacher with $1,000 as a part of the “A Day Made Better” initiative.

This is a one-day event that awards more than 1,000 teachers across the country with more than $1,000 in school supplies, and brings attention to the issue of teacher-funded classrooms.

Rose Park Magnet Middle School is up for quite an honor; the school is one of three middle schools in Tennessee in the running for the second annual SCORE Prize. Winners will be announced Monday, Oct. 8, at the Ryman Auditorium. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m.



The award recognizes one school at each tier, as well as one school district that have shown dramatic improvements in student achievement. If selected, Rose Park will receive $10,000.

Young ladies at Haynes Middle Health/Medical Design Center have a little added incentive to investigate media-related jobs! At an assembly featuring News Channel 5 Anchor Vicki Yates, the school was presented with a special monetary donation from the Alliance for Women and Media and the Ford Motor Company. The Alliance and Ford have partnered to encourage young women to explore careers in media.

Students at Croft Middle School stepped back in time to celebrate Harvest Days at the Nashville Zoo. This marked the 10th year the school has participated in the celebration that takes visitors back in time.

The actors and singers who entertained the large crowd of visitors at the Croft House included Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Tea Party Girls, The Boys from Bull Run, The Croft Sisters, and many more. Student Anne D. celebrated women’s right to vote with a special song about the passing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

It was raining eggs at Head Middle Magnet this week. Students participated in the annual Egg Drop led by 7th grade science teacher Dwayne Hardin. The goal was to build a device that would protect the egg as they were dropped from the top of the gym roof. All students participated and were given a science grade for their projects.

Contraptions of toothpicks, peanut butter, Styrofoam and marshmallows were among the most creative.

Much to the delight of hundreds of 7th and 8th graders, Tennessee Titans tight end #89 Jared Cook made a surprise appearance at Madison Middle School today! The pro athlete made the trip on behalf of the NFL Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign, sponsored by SUDIA and the American Heart Association. Cook talked about the importance of studying hard, persevering, eating healthy, and getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.



The special visit came right in time to celebrate Child Health Week. This year marks the 84th anniversary of Child Health Day, originally started by President Calvin Coolidge. Check out the video. 

McGavock High School students in the CMT Academy of Digital Design & Communications will be making their television debut next week! The students recently produced a PSA promoting Metro Schools’ 1st Choice Festival, which will be running on Comcast Cable. If that isn’t cool enough, they will also appear in a special segment on More at Midday, Oct. 4, on Channel 4 News, who is the media sponsor of the 1st Choice Festival. Morning anchor Ian Reitz will be at the festival.

Earlier this week, WSMV sent a producer/photojournalist out to catch up with the students and see why families should make plans to attend the 1st Choice Festival. What students didn’t know was they would actually get to shadow the producer -- help run the camera, set up lights, and make sure audio checked out. Check out some behind the scenes footage from the shoot below as well as the PSA produced by McGavock. 

Earlier this month, a group of male singers from Overton High School participated in Lipscomb University's Men's Choir Festival. The festival featured Cantus, a famous group of male singers from Minneapolis, along with 250 High School students from 18 different high schools across the state of Tennessee.



Dr. Gary P. Wilson from Lipscomb University led the festival and rehearsed the combined student festival choir with the young men during the day. In the afternoon, the professional men's choir Cantus provided a master class  clinic for local high school men's choirs. In the evening, the festival choir presented a concert prior to the performance by Cantus then joined with the men of Cantus for a grand finale number.

Five MNPS students have been named semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program! Congratulations to MLK student Mustapha W., and Hume-Fogg students Rukayat A., Jeremy C., Dayja T., and Teaira W. These students are among roughly 1,600 seniors across the country who scored in the highest percentile for the region. They will now compete for more than 800 Achievement Scholarship Awards worth more than $2.5 million. Good luck!

Bryson A., a student at Rose Park Math and Science Magnet, is one of five semifinalists in the SCORE Students Rise to the Challenge competition. Bryson wrote an essay on innovation in the classroom (view it here). Find SCORE on Facebook and vote for Bryson before Tuesday, Oct. 2, and he could be the one of three finalists. If selected, Bryson will go into the final interview round. The three finalists will attend the SCORE Prize event Monday, Oct. 8, at the Ryman Auditorium. Let's make sure Bryson gets a front row seat .... go vote! 

Bring out the Sharpies, Maxwell Elementary has a star on its staff! Cafeteria Manager Cynthia Tinnel proved her incredible skills in the kitchen on the hit reality show "Chopped." Tinnel out-cooked three other school cafeteria managers, taking home $10,000. She also gave the nation a small taste of what it's like to cook for hundreds of students each day. 

Way to go, Cynthia!

Cane Ridge High School and PENCIL Foundation have teamed up to pilot a new College and Career Mentoring program. Freshmen students are paired with mentors who share college and career guidance. The goal is to help students stay on track to graduate and being making plans for what happens after they receive their high school diplomas. Read more here.

Statement on Tennessee Department of Education’s Decision to Cut Funding to

Metro Nashville Public Schools

Funding supports district’s 81,000 children

 

September 18, 2012

 

This morning, the district first heard from the State Department of Education about its decision to cut the Metro Schools Basic Education Program allocation by almost $3.4 million in October. We are very disappointed.

 

BEP is a funding formula and not a spending plan, so there are no funds earmarked for "administrative costs."  The BEP formula for non-classroom expenses includes utilities, student transportation, maintenance and other things that directly affect our 81,000 students and 5,000 classrooms. None of these items are in any way linked to charter school approval processes.

 

We do not yet have a plan on how we will respond to this disruptive mid-year cut. Our priority will always be to give the best education to our students with the resources we have. Budget amendments require action by the Metro Nashville Board of Education.

 

Metro Nashville has earned national recognition for its rigorous process to review charter school applications and its process is considered a national model. The Board of Education had genuine concerns about the Great Hearts application and how the district manages diversity. The Board approved four other applications this cycle and the number of charter schools in the district has increased from four in 2009, when the process was adopted, to 14 this year.  Six more are approved to open by 2013, for a total of 20.

 

We believe children will benefit when the State Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and the local Board of Education and school district work together. In Metro Nashville, we are committed to improving student achievement and to collaborating with the State, quality charter school operators and the people of Nashville for our children.

-MNPS-

SCORE is looking for inspirational school stories and wants to hear from Tennessee students! Students in grades 4 - 12 are invited to participate in a one-to-two page essay contest and share their inspirational experience from the classroom. Check out the details below.

Cindy Tinnel, cafeteria manager at Henry Maxwell Elementary School, was selected to be on the Food Network show Chopped! Mark your calendars or set your recorders to help cheer Tinnel on during Class Acts, Too when it airs on the Food Network Tuesday, Sept. 25. Click here to watch a preview of her episode.

If you have a child in the McGavock Cluster, mark you calendars for Tuesday, Sept. 18! You are invited to a special community day. Details below! 

Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science held a science carnival after school at Head Middle Magnet Friday, Sept. 7. Students enjoyed making their own ice cream, exploring optical illusions, and discovering the identity of “mystery” substances to name a few activities. A special thank you to Vanderbilt for sponsoring this interactive event!

McMurray Middle School's eighth grade students are getting "Money Smart!" The school has been chosen to participate in FDIC's Money Smart for Young Adults. Megan Polk, FDIC Supervisory Examiner, is teaching the class along with two of McMurray's teachers, Anne Marie Desruisseau and Beth Haggard.  This program is based on the award-winning Money Smart adult financial education curriculum that assists graduates with money management practices and financial confidence.  It is also aligned with educational standards for all 50 states.

The students at McMurray will learn the basics of handling their money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions. This will equip them in their formative years with the basics of financial education and can give them the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to manage their finances once they enter the real world.

Money Smart for Young Adults consists of eight instructor-led modules. The materials also include an optional computer-based scenario that allows students to complete realistic exercises based on each module.

Tennessee Titan Sen'Derrick Marks made a surprise appearance at DuPont Tyler Middle School this week for the team's first official Titans Tuesday! The defensive tackle talked to the students about the importance of getting an education and setting goals.

They are the first to grace the halls of Cane Ridge Elementary School, and today students were on hand to help dedicate the beautiful new facility. The school, which currently serves about 750 students, is the district's 3rd LEED certified elementary school. In addition to it's environmentally friendly construction, the atmosphere will encourage creative thinking and help the school live up to its theme of outstanding, wonderful learners and staff!

 


More photos here

Congratulations to Cheryl D. Mayes, the Metro Nashville Board of Education representative for District 6, on her election as 2012-13 Board Chair. Anna Shepherd, District 4 representative, was elected Vice Chair.  Both were unanimous.

Cheryl D. Mayes, Chair, District 6	Anna Shepherd, Vice Chair, District 4

 

September is shaping up to be a "big" month at Nashville Big Picture High School! Here's a snapshot of what's happening:




Friday, Sept. 7 - Southern Word Poetry Slam from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.


Saturday, Sept. 8 - Victoria G., senior, will hold a LIFE Walk at Centennial Park. This event is her Senior Capstone project and aims to raise awareness and celebrate premature birth survivors. The walk will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. It will start at the pavilion across from McDonald's.


Friday, Sept. 14 - Nashville Big Picture will host a student-organized Blood Drive with Red Cross from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.


Sept. 24 - Oct. 3 - Students will present what they've learned during the first quarter during Student Exhibitions.

Students active in the community have a chance to be recognized nationally for their efforts in the annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards contest. Students in grades 5-12 who have volunteered in the past 12 months are encouraged to apply. Full details below.

Middle school students are getting a little extra support this year, and it comes in the form of a new grading philosophy. The district adopted a new grading policy that is encourages grading for learning. But what exactly does that mean? 

The key changes are:

• Grades reflect subject comprehension.


• Grades are not just based on traditional tests – teachers are expected to use multiple forms of assessment such as projects, presentations, portfolios, etc. Of course, tests are still given, but students are now able to demonstrate comprehension through various assessment methods.


• No more zeros! Students who do not turn in homework will be given additional opportunities to complete the assignment and show mastery. 


• Extra credit is no longer given.

Want to see the new grading at work in DuPont Hadley Middle? Check out this story by News Channel 5 reporter Aundrea Cline-Thomas.

Nashville has new reason to celebrate! The Tennessee Department of Education released its inaugural list of Reward Schools and 14 of the state’s top performing schools are right here in Davidson County:  

• Bellshire Elementary


• Hattie Cotton Elementary


• Dupont Elementary


• Glendale Spanish Immersion


• Head Middle


• Hume-Fogg Magnet High


• Lockeland Elementary


• Martin Luther King Jr Magnet


• McGavockElementary


• Meigs Middle Magnet


• Nashville School of the Arts


• New Vision Academy


• Percy Priest Elementary


• Rose Park Math & Science Middle Magnet

 

“This is a great accomplishment for our schools,” said Director of Schools Dr. Jesse Register, “and we are so proud of them. The innovative teaching, the dedication, and the true sense of community that we are seeing throughout Metro Schools is exciting. We still have work to do, but we are on the right path.”

 

This first announcement of Reward Schools includes 166 schools across the state. Five percent of schools on the list were recognized for success rate in 3-8 math, 3-8 reading/language arts, 3-8 science, Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology I, and graduation rate. The other five percent of schools made the list based on high TVAAS scores (value-added).

 

Governor Bill Haslam and Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman celebrated the Reward Schools with a live-streamed announcement earlier today. Schools across thestate were invited to join the stream and hear words of congratulations from the Governor, First Lady Crissy Haslam and Commissioner Huffman.

 

Tennessee unveiled its new accountability system in early 2012 under a U. S. Department of Education waiver from the No Child Left Behind guidelines.  The new system emphasizes increases in student achievement among all student groups as well as closing any achievement gaps in student groups. Metro Schools earned intermediate status for the district as a whole, meeting seven of nine benchmarks and showing increases in student achievement. 

Students at Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School have an incredible new Heath & Fitness facility at their disposal. Thanks to Dane Burks & Company Fitness and the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, the school now has a brand new, state-of-the-art fitness facility for students and staff. The center includes elliptical trainers, a full weight gym, treadmills, and more. The project began as a simple need noticed by Lifetime Wellness teacher, Dr. Tina Bozeman, NBCT, but culminated with a true community partnership.

The Academies of Nashville have named, and trained, the newest class of student Ambassadors. Dozens of high school students from the districts 12 zoned high schools attended a special Customer Care and Ambassador Training program at Martin Professional Development Center. The students will now serve as a voice for their Academy and their high school at various events throughout the community, and they will give guided school tours.



Congrats!

The composite ACT score for Metro Schools rose to 18.4 in 2012 from 18.1 in 2011, slightly outpacing statewide gains as the average composite score for Tennessee schools rose to 19.7 in 2012 from 19.5 in 2011.




“We are working toward a minimum composite ACT score of 21 for the district,” said Jay Steele associate superintendent for high schools. A composite score of at least 21 qualifies students for Tennessee’s HOPE scholarship.




“High school scores in reading, math and writing are up and now ACT is up. We have a district-wide ACT prep plan and I expect even greater gains this year,” added Steele. “We are heading in the right direction.”




The district conducted three pilot projects to assess ways to supports students taking the state-mandated ACT. Hillwood High School’s model was selected as the district’s approach for 2012. It includes professional development for teachers, increasing instructional rigor consistent with the Common Core Standards, providing counseling for students and setting high expectations, and measuring and evaluating progress.

Explore your school options for the 2013-14 school year at the inaugural First Choice Festival. Families will be able to visit with representatives from the districts 153 schools, explore programs offered in our district, and learn how to apply.



The First Choice Festival will be held Thursday, Oct. 18, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., at McGavock High School. The event is sponsored by WSMV-Channel 4 News, NES, The Memorial Foundation, Vanderbilt University, Comcast, Metro Water Services, Ingram, Tractor Supply Company, Gaylord Entertainment, Kroger, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, AT&T, and RGAnderson.



Click here for more.

The 2012-13 Nashville Prevention Partnership series is looking for on-air talent, and MNPS high school students are invited to audition. Production is set to begin in late August.

According to Nashville Prevention Partnership, those interested should be able to spend at least four hours in production every week, including some weekends. Experience with video concepts and editing is preferred but not required.

Nashville Prevention Partnership is a coalition that brings individuals and organizations together to reduce substance abuse in Nashville. The organization hopes to create awareness of the issues related to youth addiction and use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. They have created several public service announcements, video projects and developed the Rep Your Voice website (www.repyourvoice.com).

In this audition, Nashville Prevention Partnership is looking to find:


1) Teens who are not afraid to be in front of the camera and conduct interviews (with peers and adults)


2) Teens who would like to learn how to work on a production set


3) Teens who can read from a script or teleprompter


4) Teens who are not using alcohol or drugs

***You will be responsible for transportation to and from the Youth Opportunity Center located on 1704 Charlotte Ave.

If you are interested, auditions are by appointment only. To schedule an audition or receive more information, contact Angela Gonzales, at aallen@npponline.org or 615-983-6823.
The deadline for auditions is August 31st

Students and staff at Hattie Cotton STEM Magnet Elementary are getting into character this school year! Tuesday, August 14 Hattie Cotton STEM Magnet Elementary’s staff dressed up as book characters to kick off the first nine-week theme of “Friends Far and Near”.  At the end of the nine weeks each classroom will have completed a class book that will be displayed at the East Nashville Public Library. The books will be used to teach the community about various literary styles. 

Hume-Fogg Magnet High School has been selected by the College Board and Cambridge International Examinations as one of only 20 schools in the world to pilot the new AP® | Cambridge Capstone Program and Credential program. This rigorous new program, which was designed to equip students with knowledge and skills that are increasingly valued by colleges and necessary for life in an interconnected world, combines the in-depth subject matter offered through AP courses and exams with the interdisciplinary global seminar curricula and the assessment of research projects and presentations offered by University of Cambridge International Examinations.



The pilot program, which will determine how the AP | Cambridge Capstone Program and Credential can best be implemented across the range of schools that AP serves, will begin this fall. Hume-Fogg Magnet was selected as a pilot school based on a number of factors including Advanced Placement® participation and performance, and a commitment to providing equitable access to AP for all academically prepared and motivated students.



The College Board and University of Cambridge International Examinations created the AP | Cambridge Capstone Program based on feedback from colleges and universities requesting that high school students develop stronger backgrounds in independent research, collaborative teamwork, and 21st-century knowledge and skills now essential for success on college campuses and in today’s global marketplace.



“The students from Hume-Fogg who participate in the AP | Cambridge Capstone Program will be engaged in some of the most challenging issues facing our world today,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of Advanced Placement and College Readiness for the College Board. “With its concentration on research methodology, global issues and challenges, and team collaboration, this program will enable motivated high school students to take their advanced studies to the next level.”

Nashville has been selected as one of just 10 cities nationwide to join The National League of Cities (NLC) and the Food Research Action Center (FRAC) this May in Washington, D.C., for the Cities Combating Hunger Through Afterschool Meals Programs (CHAMP) Leadership Academy. The focus of the event will be how to implement or expand the Afterschool Meals Program; i.e., practical strategies to help children receive federally funded meals after school and on weekends. Braina Corke, assistant director of school nutrition at MNPS, will represent the district alongside representatives from the Mayor’s Office and Second Harvest Food Bank. A second event, with 11 different cities, will be held later in May in Chicago.

Following the leadership academies, cities and anti-hunger groups will be eligible to receive regranted funding (up to $60,000 per selected city) from the Walmart Foundation to help implement the ideas generated at the academy. To learn more about the program, click here.

Mckissack Middle School’s Oasis Program has been awarded the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Award in the category of "Civic Volunteer Group Award". The school has approximately 65 students who participate in the program that aims to teach life skills, increase healthy behaviors, and create a sense of purpose in each teen through its issue-based, skill-building curriculum. The program, which also includes a significant volunteer component, is now in its 15th year.

This year, Mckissack students have contributed more than 1,000 hours of service to a variety of Nashville nonprofits, civic organizations, and schools. The students addressed many issues in the community through service such as feeding the homeless, boxing food and care packages for the needy, making cards for law enforcement officers, and much more. Congratulations Mckissack Oasis Program Students!

Families at Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary School and the Nashville community came together to see just how fun math can be!  Nashville Public Television, TSU Women’s Basketball Players, WSMV's Snowbird, Vanderbilt University's Mr. Commodore, and representatives from 92Q celebrated the evening and focused on fine-tuning math skills with the students and families of Robert Churchwell.

Roughly 180 students and their parents attended the special family night. They enjoyed a dance-off with area mascots and tested their math skills with a variety of hands-on problems that needed solving.

Dr. Simyka Carlton, lifetime wellness teacher at Stratford STEM Magnet High School, has known teaching was in the cards for her since her pre-teen years.

“When I was ten years old, I can remember my mother saying that when she finished raising her children she was going back to school to become a math teacher,” Carlton says. “When I asked her why she wanted to teach, she stated the best gift you can give a child is an education. From that point, I knew I wanted to become an educator.”

Carlton began taking education courses in college. While she wasn’t sure what she wanted to teach in the beginning, she quickly realized that teaching was second nature to her. It wasn’t until later in her undergraduate studies that she decided health and physical education were her passions.

Having spent 12 years in the classroom, Carlton says the best part of her job is reaching all students and seeing them excel. “I love seeing the confused looks on my students’ faces as I give an assignment. Yet, once they figure out what needs to be done and they accomplish the task given to them, that look of success and ‘aha, I got it’ gives me more that any accolade.”

Carlton earned a bachelor’s degree, with an emphasis in physical education, from Bethel College. She later earned a masters from Cumberland University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Walden University. She says she is “extremely honored and proud to be in the running for teacher of the year.”

When she isn’t teaching, Carlton spends her time with her family and friends, traveling, reading and writing poetry, and painting.

Friday, learn why Anthony Sewell of Hunters Lane High School credits his own teachers for his chosen career path.

Congratulations are in order for five MLK students who were named National Achievement Scholarship recipients! Eriny H., Troie J., Jasmine K., Carmen O., and Shanna R. were among 700 students nationwide who received $2500 scholarships for outstanding academic achievements. More than 160,000 students nationwide entered the scholarship competition when they took the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Of those, 1,600 were named semifinalists and only 800 students in the nation were named finalists and received scholarships.

According to a news release issued by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition established in 1964 specifically to honor scholastically talented Black American youth and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding participants in each annual competition. By the conclusion of the 2012 program, marking the 48th annual competition, about 31,800 participants will have received scholarships for undergraduate study worth more than $100 million. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance.

The faculty and staff at Whitsitt Elementary will soon dedicate the school’s gymnasium to Ray Whittaker, a 35-year member of the Whitsitt family.  Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m., the Whittsitt community will gather to celebrate at a special dedication ceremony.

Whittaker dedicated more than three decades to the students, staff and families of Whitsitt Elementary. During his tenure, he served as physical education teacher and principal designee. He also served as a mentor, friend, and father figure to many. He encouraged and inspired countless young people including their family. Even after retirement, Whittaker remained active in the profession serving as a substitute teacher.  Whittaker passed on August 28, 2011.

Deborah Shull of Antioch Middle School is this week’s News 2 Teacher of the Week! See why she is such an asset to Antioch during News 2’s 10pm newscast Thursday, April 12. You can also catch a replay Friday morning, April 13, during the 6am newscast.  

The band program at McKissack Middle School will host its inaugural Jazz Festival this Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m., in the school auditorium.

Thursday, April 12, from 5 - 7 p.m., The Academy located at Hickory Hollow will host its first International Night. The event is open to the public. Guests will enjoy great food and music, as well as have the opportunity to talk to a variety of community groups and organizations.

Muna M., a junior in the Academy of National Safety and Security Technologies at Stratford STEM Magnet High Schools, has been selected to participate in the 2012 Bank of America Student Leaders program this summer! She will spend eight weeks alongside some of the nation’s brightest young men and women, learning leadership skills and serving as a paid intern with national charity. Muna will also participate in a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., during which she will gain valuable civic, social and business leadership skills. All expenses of this trip are paid for by the Student Leaders Program. Muna is one of 225 student leaders nationwide selected for this outstanding opportunity. Congratulations!

The Blue Knights baseball team at Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High won the city's top title this week! The team is currently featured in the Tennessean for winning the Best of Metro title.

Check them out here!

Kimberly Woodard, eighth grade science teacher at Apollo Middle, is among the top in her class, and for good reason! The district Teacher of the Year finalist says she feels “overwhelmed and truly honored to be considered” for the award.

Woodard was inspired to teach by her fifth grade teacher, Robert Mitchell, who showed the class how to be an adult advocate for students. Woodard says he taught them life lessons beyond the academic setting.

Now in her 14th year of teaching, Woodard says the parts she enjoys most are developing relationships with the students and the creativity she is able to employ daily.

“When a teacher has established relationships with his/her students it cultivates an atmosphere of trust,” Woodard says. “I have found that when students know that you genuinely care about them as individuals, they are not only more compliant, but more motivated to learn. On the other hand, my ability to be autonomous and creative as a teacher is just as rewarding. I really enjoy creating authentic and interesting science lessons for my students.”

Woodard attended Tennessee State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in biology as well as a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She received a second master’s in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University.

When she isn’t teaching, Woodard is generally found giving back to her community. She frequently volunteers at the Sexual Assault Center, Nashville Rescue Mission and Hickory Hollow Towers, an assisted living facility in Antioch. She also works monthly with the ladies of the Nashville Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., to feed homeless women.

Next Friday, find out why Stratford teacher Simyka Carlton feels she was born to teach!   

The Nashville Tree Foundation is looking for “big, old” trees and needs your help!

The Nashville Tree Foundation needs you to enter Davidson County's big trees in their annual Big Old Tree contest. The organization has extended the deadline to enter to April 3.  Grab your friends, service club, neighbors, classmates or family and help NTF make sure Nashville's largest and oldest trees are recognized and protected. Trees of any species in Davidson County can be nominated by any person. The trees can be on the property of the nominator, a neighbor, friend, or stranger, or on public property. The owner's permission is suggested but not required.

How to enter

Click here to download an entry form or register online. You can also see all past winners by species and year to make sure the tree you are entering hasn't already won. The High Tree Party, where winners will be announced, will be held at 4 p.m., April 27, at Sevier Park. The High Tree Party is free and open to the public.  

The Percy Priest Elementary School Chess Team placed 2nd in the State Tournament on Saturday, March 24, at Tennessee Tech University.

The PPE Tigers won the first round against A. L. Lotts Elementary from Knoxville 4-0. Then, they played the defending State Champs, Grahamwood Elementary of Memphis, in round ftwo and lost 0-4, but bounced back in rounds three and four to defeat Harding Academy and Ensworth, both matches were 3-1 in PPE’s favor. PPE had three match wins, with the only loss coming against Grahamwood, who finished first with four match wins. Third place went to St. George Independent School and fourth place was the Lester School, both from Memphis. PPE made it to the State Finals by finishing third in the Region III Team Tournament at BGA. The only team to beat PPE in the Regional was Ensworth, but evened the score with them by beating them in round 4 at State.

Members of the PPE  team are Jonah B., Garrett S., Drew B. (State Finalist for the Individual Championship), Zachary R., and alternates, Owen S. and Luke R.

Being outdoors in Tennessee in the spring is unbeatable, but current and future middle school students and their families stepped inside Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School on Saturday, March 24, for the second annual Youth Safety Summit.

Rodger Dinwiddie, Nashville’s nationally known expert on preventing bullying, set the tone for the day with an informative, interactive keynote address that earned high marks from families in attendance.

Breakout sessions built on this year’s theme, “Setting the Foundation for Success: Middle School Transition, Myths and Realities.”  Data Coach Marla Smith led a discussion to help parents understand their children’s performance data; Sam Davidson with Cool People Care and Jo An Scalf of Nashville Public Television advised students on smart use of the Internet;  Principal Ron Woodard of Maplewood High School and Drs. Jahangir and Sethi with Vanderbilt University Medical Center discussed preventing youth violence through positive relationships; and Gini Pupo-Walker with Metro Schools moderated a discussion on family and community involvement in schools.

The district’s 12 zoned high schools sent student Ambassadors to the event to share information about their schools and the district’s Academies of Nashville program that prepares students for college and career.

In the final session, a panel of high school juniors and seniors advised middle school students to get involved in school activities and to work hard because “high school begins in middle school and college begins in high school.” The Board of Education event ended with remarks from Board Vice Chair Mark North.

Freshman at Overton High School pledged their commitment to graduate this spring. In a special C2G (Commitment to Graduate) ceremony, the students signed a huge banner promising they will stay in school and help their peers stay in school. Throughout the year, the Class of 2015 have devoted time to writing down goals that will help them stay on track and identifying at least three people who can help support them on their journey.

Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Office of Innovation has been named one of four organizations nationwide to receive a Performance Management, Replication and Closure (PMRC) Grant from the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA). The estimated value of the grant is more than $100,000, primarily in in-kind services.

“Being selected as one of just four cities nationwide shows the level of care and commitment surrounding school choices that is happening in Nashville,” said Alan Coverstone, executive director of the Office of Innovation. “We have proven, and continue to prove, our ability to offer traditional public schools, charter schools, and innovative schools. The key is to maintain oversight of all schools to ensure they are delivering what they’ve promised families.”

The grant will enable Metro Schools to increase the number of high performing schools, further develop tools that will assist the district in authorizing and renewing charter applicants, and expand educational opportunities for all students.

Metro Schools’ commitment to quality authorizing of charter schools and dedication to high performing schools increased its attractiveness to NACSA, ranking Nashville as one of the very best authorizers in the country. Two other organizations have been selected to receive the grant, with a fourth to be announced:

·       Metro Nashville Public Schools,

·       Ball State University, and

·       Atlanta Public Schools.

Each grant recipient exhibits strong policies and procedures and large portfolios of high quality charter schools.  All organizations have a complete collection of outstanding tools for making sure that only charter schools that will improve outcomes for students are authorized. Metro Schools, and the other organizations, will serve as working demonstrations of the very best of authorizing practices nationwide and will illustrate what NACSA has learned because of its commitment to quality.

Through the PMRC grant, Metro Schools will benefit from the expertise of Public Impact, a leader in the study of school turnaround, and Matthew Shaw, a nationally recognized expert in charter school financials. In partnership with Public Impact and Shaw, Metro Schools will develop clear academic, organizational and financial targets that charter schools must meet to renew the charter. Additionally, Metro Schools will receive training to establish internal review teams that will perform assessments in future years. The initial training for the internal review teams will take place March 28 as a webinar, with a full-day training following on April 26. The academic indicators and trained internal review teams will ensure that Metro Schools’ investments in charters results in greater educational opportunities for all students.

The district will enhance replication - replicating an existing charter school - and closure procedures to ensure both are in line with the NACSA Principles and Standards, which are considered the gold standard throughout the country. The grant has already begun to set Metro Schools apart as a national leader in charter school authorization.

About NACSA

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is the trusted resource and innovative leader working with public officials and education leaders to increase the number of high-quality charter schools in cities and states across the nation. NACSA provides training, consulting, and policy guidance to authorizers and education leaders interested in increasing the number of high-quality schools and improving student outcomes.

MNPS Virtual School will have a new leader this fall. Dr. James Vince Witty has been named principal of Metro Nashville Public School’s first virtual high school.

 

“Dr. Witty will lead the MNPS Virtual School in becoming one of the most innovative schools in Tennessee,” said Jay Steele, associate superintendent for high schools. “We are very fortunate to have his creativity and expertise on our team.”

 

Dr. Witty, who began his career in education at Bradley School for the Arts in Murfreesboro, Tenn., brings a wealth of experience and expertise in nontraditional educational methods. Currently, Witty manages more than 60 educational reform initiatives for Metro Schools as the Race to the Top Grant Manager. Previously, he served as the Director of the Center for Dropout Prevention, creating and launching a resource center for the Tennessee Department of Education. Dr. Witty also has expertise in out-of-school learning, previously serving as a Director for Extended Learning for the Murfreesboro City School District.

 

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the innovative work of the Virtual School,” says Witty.  “I have dedicated my career to working on behalf of nontraditional learners.  As MNPS continues to expand the number of pathways for students to earn a high school diploma, I am humbled to be a part of this innovative and important work.  I look forward to leading the dynamic team at the Virtual School and making the school a national model.”

 

Witty is noted throughout Tennessee for his extensive policy reform work in dropout prevention, as well as alternative, nontraditional, and virtual education. Nationally, Witty is recognized for authoring the first national standards for alternative education entitled, “Exemplary Practices in Alternative Education: Indicators of Quality Programming.”  Witty also served two terms as the Vice President of the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Alternative Education Association (TAEA).

 

Dr. Witty attended Middle Tennessee State University and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Education.  He is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Doctor of Education degree in Learning and Leadership.  Currently, Witty is working on his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree at Nashville School of Law.

Vanessa Lutton, library media specialist at Bellevue Middle School, came into a career in education almost by accident! While in college, she spent time working in a newly formed Career Education Department that was designed to integrate career education programs into all K-12 school settings.

According to Lutton, “As good fortune would have it, the team consisted of elementary through high school teachers who were fresh out of the classroom. I happened to land in the perfect storm as a college student with no direction among teachers who loved and missed their classrooms. The line between ‘job’ and ‘mentorship’ became blurred as these educators shared their passion of the teaching profession with me. “

Lutton learned a great deal from the individuals she worked with, but the most important lesson she learned was how much they loved their work in education. She realized that teaching was a lifestyle, not just a job.

Now, 27 years after she made teaching her lifestyle, Lutton says the part she cherishes most is learning alongside her students and co-workers. She says that the “transfer of knowledge” hierarchy changes direction throughout the day, with students learning from staff and staff learning from students. She also relishes the opportunities to establish connections with students and adults that come with each new day.

Lutton earned an associate degree from State Fair Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, a master’s degree from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, and has earned +30 from Cumberland University and Middle Tennessee State University.

When she isn’t at Bellevue Middle, Luttno spends her time investigating life through books, travel, engaging with others, and embarking on new adventures. Of her status as a finalist in the Teacher of the Year program, Lutton says that she is humbled that her peers, whom she holds in high regard, selected her out of a group of highly qualified professionals.

Next Friday, learn why Kimberly Woodard, eighth grade science teacher at Apollo Middle, feels student advocacy and volunteerism are key.v

The Encore classes at Dan Mills, Amqui, and Rosebank Elementary schools spent five weeks of this semester studying a unit called “Math on the Menu.” Led by Encore teacher Julie Delgado, the unit took them through a mock-journey of the opening for a family business, a Mexican restaurant. The students studied everything from menu groupings to floor plan possibilities for the actual restaurant building. At the end of the five weeks, the culminating activity was a Mexican fiesta complete with a "build-your-own-tostada" bar and restaurant decorations and Mexican heritage music. It was very rewarding to watch the students' interest heighten as we encountered each activity each week. The students said it was "really fun", the "tostadas were really good", and it was "better than a field trip!" Several had a great time creating the "decor for the restaurant." According to Delgado, “Encore is a wonderful program where we, teachers, get to teach ‘out-of-the-box’ material.”

To learn more about Encore, click here. 

Overton High School’s Future Business Leaders of America organization recently participated in the Regional Leadership Conference at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville. The conference was filled with competitions, informational sessions, and networking with other students. Mrs. Honarvar and Mr. Strauss, teachers in the Information Technology Academy at Overton accompanied eight students that participated in various contests with five students placing in their competitions. Quiana H., Brittany K., and Brittany B. took 1st place in the Business Ethics team event, while Jasmyne Q. took 3rd place in Business Law, and Lamora L. took 5th place in Technology Concepts. All these students qualified to represent the Region 3 at the State Leadership Conference in Chattanooga next month. Congratulations to all!

Dr. Jesse Register, Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, is the newest recipient of the esteemed PRSA Apollo Award. The Apollo Award recognizes outstanding communications’ skills for mid-state executives who “demonstrate and exemplify the public relations and communications functions within his or her organization.” Previous recipients include Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, former Mayor Bill Purcell, Belmont University President Bob Fisher, and founder of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt John Seigenthaler.

Pictured is Dr. Register alongside PRSA Nashville President Todd Smith. Smith is president of Dean, Smith & Partners a local public relations consulting firm.

Students and staff at West End IB World Middle School proudly hosted a group of Tennessee leaders and education reform activists today. SCORE, the State Collaborative on Reforming Education, selected the school as the backdrop of its 2012 Annual Report on the State of Education in Tennessee. In selecting a site to release the annaul report, SCORE noted that West End is one of the highest performing schools in the state:

West End Middle School, where the report release was held, is one of the top performing schools in the state, and has made dramatic gains in narrowing the black-white achievement gap, the Hispanic-white achievement gap, and the economically disadvantaged/non-disadvantaged achievement gap. The school is part of Metro Nashville Public Schools.

SCORE collaboratively supports Tennessee’s work to prepare students for college and the workforce. They are an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan advocacy and research institution, founded by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

“My mom always said I would be a teacher and it made me so mad!  When I was 16, a fortune-telling machine spat out a ticket that said I would be a teacher, and my face turned bright red as my mom laughed with knowing.  I never wanted to be a teacher . . . . I wanted to change the world. It wasn’t until many years later that I realized those two were one and the same.”

Fortunately for the third graders at Julia Green Elementary, 11-year veteran educator Julie Hasfjord did make that ever-important realization and redirected her professional career from environmental studies to public education. Prior to teaching, Hasfjord worked alongside major players in the environmental field, including Dr. Jane Goodall. During this time, she developed a successful curriculum and delivery model for environmental education that is still being used around the southeastern U.S. While she loved working on this type of project, Hasfjord realized that the most enjoyable and meaningful parts of her work were when she was teaching the lessons to third graders.

After more than a decade in education, Hasfjord says her favorite part about teaching is teaching at an International Baccalaureate School because of the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum. She loves inspiring students to become lifelong learners and to make a difference in the world. Mostly, she loves when everything comes together for a student and you can see the pride in his or her eyes.

“I really can’t describe how surprised I am to be in the running for Teacher of the Year,” Hasfjord says. “I have been teaching for 11 years, and I still feel like I am improving each year. I also know that most teachers are giving 110% of their time and energy on a daily basis, and I am just one of them. I hope to use the “Teacher of the Year” platform to express the many ways that all teachers make a difference every second of every day.  It is truly the most challenging and rewarding work in the world.

Hasfjord attended Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.Car., and received a bachelors degree in environmental students with a concentration in environmental education. She later earned a master’s degree from Peabody College of Vanderbilt. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She volunteers for the Nashville School Garden Coalition as curriculum chairperson and is an active member of the Tennessee Environmental Education Association. She loves finding ways for teachers to meet academic standards while using school gardens and outdoor spaces.

Next Friday, the “perfect storm” that catapulted Vanessa Lutton, library media specialist at Bellevue Middle, into an educational career spanning nearly three decades!  

View the Complete List of 2012-13 Teachers of the Year

Glencliff High School is one of the most diverse in the state, and they want you to experience the wonderfully rich and varied cultures with them!

West End IB World Middle Schools is one of 100 winners nationwide, out of 2,500 submissions, to receive a $500 gift card from Home Depot as part of the 2012 Youth Garden Grant. West End was chosen because its gardening program “…reflected the importance of garden programming to cross-curricular studies, environmental education, and health and nutrition while demonstrating the important role gardens play in the lives of students, teachers, and the community.”

Last year, West End IB World School was one of five programs selected from more than 220 applicants across the U.S. to receive a $2,500 award and more than 300 vegetables and herbs from Burpee Home Gardens and the “2011 ‘I Can Grow’ Youth Garden Award. To date, West End Middle School has received $3,000 in garden grants.

Mark your calendars! MNPS middle school students will show off their exemplary science projects at the MNPS Middle School Science & Engineering Fair Showcase and Awards Ceremony. The event will be held at Rose Park Math and Science Magnet School, Tuesday, March 20. The showcase begins at 7:30 p.m., with an awards ceremony following at 8 p.m.

Students whose projects received Exemplary ribbons or top placement will be on hand to talk about their work and answer questions. The students receiving Exemplary ribbons will also be recognized during the Awards Ceremony and trophies will be awarded to top projects in each category.

Click through for a full list of students with Exemplary projects.

There's a new Burro in town, and he has quite a list of credits!
Craig Clayton has been named the new leader of Hillsboro High School’s football team. He will join the faculty for the 2012-2013 school year and assume the head coaching position of the Burros. Clayton brings 28 years of head coaching experience, with 26 winning seasons.

Clayton joins the Hillsboro Football Program with a coaching career that started as an assistant coach in Christian County High School in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Coach Clayton rose quickly through the coaching ranks serving as an offensive coordinator at both Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky and at Madisonville High School in Madisonville, Kent. Clayton’s first head coaching job was with Todd County High School in Elkton, Kent., followed by a long and successful stay at Hopkinsville High School in Hopkinsville, Kent. Clayton’s most recent coaching assignment was as Franklin High School Head Football Coach in Franklin, Tenn., where he served from 2005-2011.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to get the program back to the place it was just a few years ago,” says Coach Clayton. “I feel that everyone in the school wants to work together to make the Hillsboro football program a success.”

Dr. Terry Shrader, principal of Hillsboro is excited to have Coach Clayton joining the Burros and hopes the new leader will help propel the Burros back to the top. Hillsboro won State Championship titles twice in the past decade, in 2005 and 2008.

“It is great to find a coach with Coach Clayton’s level of experience and success,” says Shrader. “We had more than 70 applicants and feel sure that Craig Clayton will move our football team back to the top.”

Clayton’s teams have an overall record of 230-114. Clayton’s teams have made the playoffs for 21 straight years. In 28 seasons as a head coach, Clayton’s teams have had 26 winning seasons. Coach Clayton’s teams finished as state runner-ups in 1996, 1997, and 2008. His teams made it to their respective state semifinals in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004. Clayton placed teams in the state quarter-finals in 1995, 2003, 2007, and 2009.

As a player Craig Clayton was selected to the 2nd team Associated Press Kentucky All State Team. He was also Honorable Mention All Ohio Valley Conference in 1972 and the Western Kentucky University Best Blocker in 1972.

Students at Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School will be able to perform in concert style. Tuesday, March 7, a beautiful Steinway nine-foot grand piano was donated and hand-delivered to Pearl-Cohn by Steinway and Sons by Brandon Herrenbruck, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Herrenbruck returned to the school March 8 to hear the piano being played at the announcement of a new student-run record label. He was so impressed, he and his father-in-law, Bill Metcalfe, President of Steinway and Sons, visited the school again on March 9, to tour the entertainment high school. The pair are now part of Pearl-Cohn’s Circle of Friends!

If you missed Dr. Register's State of Schools Address, click here to read the address in its entirety, hear a student's inspiring story, and see what's in store for Metro Schools.