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The school board must vote, but that’s a formality. Look for the new school previously known as the “southwest sector elementary school” to become Northshore Elementary. Principal Susan Davis and a committee of 13 unanimously recommended the name from more than 700 suggestions. “We decided a name that students, parents and the community can immediately identify with will help build culture and community for the school,” Davis said. Committee members were Davis; Susan Turner, elementary supervisor; Stephanie Settlemyre, Blue Grass; Lana Hsieh, Hardin Valley; Cindy Smith and Ruth Lindsey, A.L. Lotts; Carrie Sweet, Farragut Primary; Callie Painter, Farragut Intermediate; Jami Welden, Cedar Bluff; and parents Olga Marlar, Beth Duncan, Tonya Alsobrooks, Jason Hayes and Lisa Cole.
Area schools selected for technology grant Bearden High and West Valley Middle schools were among 11 selected to participate in Knox County Schools’ technology grant challenge. A total of 28 schools applied to have 1:1 technology (one iPad or tablet for each student and teacher). Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre announced the winners Friday, saying instructional technology in selected schools will give everyone a chance to see the initiative work “right in their own neighborhood.” The program will launch this fall. The application from West Valley Middle School said: “This opportunity meets students where they are and allows them to move forward at an individualized pace. It will create experiences that appeal to each student’s interests.” While Bearden’s read: “The future is now. Students must be able to find, understand, create and communicate information. Technology is a valuable tool to excite and energize the next generation of learners.” Others chosen are SouthDoyle High School; Vine and Holston middle schools; and Bonny Kate, Corryton, Halls, Mooreland Heights, Norwood and Sterchi elementary schools.
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VOL. 7 NO. 14
Northshore Elementary
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April 8, 2013 Ap
Dogwood time!
It begins and ends on Cherokee Boulevard. The Westmoreland Dogwood Trail begins on Lyons View Drive at Kingston Pike. Deane Hill Garden ByWay begins at Kingston Pike and Golfclub Drive. Trails and byways are open during daylight hours, April 10-28. Large boxes at the beginning of each trail hold detailed information. Be prepared for spectacular dogwood trees of many variations, historic homes, beautiful gardens and open stretches of bright green lawns. Enjoy panoramic views of the Cumberland Mountains, the Tennessee The Dogwood Arts Festi- den byway, and more than The Sequoyah Hills River and Fort Loudoun val opens Wednesday with 10 open gardens and camera Trail was Knoxville’s first, Lake. two dogwood trails, a gar- sites in the Bearden area. opened in 1955. – Erin Slocum
Culinary Arts High in a go ing gourmet meal to West H teachers from the family and consumer science department last week. She is one of eight students By Wendy Smith who graduated last Thursday from West High School gradu- a new UT Culinary Certificate Proate Christie McCrory didn’t take gram. home economics class during high McCrory spent three years at school, but she felt at home serv- UT Chattanooga before deciding to
UT students show off skills at West High
return to Knoxville to pursue her life-long passion – cooking. “I realized I wasn’t going to find anything else I loved as much,” she said. The luncheon was the pinnacle of the 12-week program because it was off-site, said UT Executive Chef Greg Eisele. The event required a site survey as well as a transportation study, and was more complicated than events the students have hosted at the UT Conference Center, where
To page A-3
Duncan praises community schools By Wendy Smith The U.S. Secretary of Education came to town last week, and he said a lot of nice things about Tennessee’s education reform efforts. We’ve come a long way, he said, and he’d like to see us continue that growth.
Analysis Arne Duncan’s specific recommendations for the state included expanding high-quality early learning and reversing steep cuts to higher education. He also said he’d like for teacher salaries to be radically increased. These suggestions were met with applause from those who can imagine that such big ticket items will get funded anytime soon. Duncan also praised a more affordable initiative that Knox County has already embraced – community schools. Community schools typically remain open long after the bell rings so students can get extra help in subjects like
Get Ready for Mother's Day!
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan delivers the Baker Distinguished Lecture at UT’s University Center. Photos by Wendy Smith
math and reading, participate in enrichment classes and eat dinner. Parents and other community members can enroll in GED or ESL classes, and some schools even offer health clinics, laundry facilities or help with taxes. Community schools, in essence, become community centers. Duncan served as Chief
Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools, and witnessed the profound impact of converting 150 Chicago schools to community schools. While academic enrichment for students was at the heart of the effort, parents flocked to the schools to take advantage of learning opportunities.
“I promise you, where families are learning together, and schools truly become the heart of the neighborhood, those children will be very, very successful,” Duncan said. Pond Gap Elementary School’s University-Assisted Community School program is currently in its third year. It has served as a pilot program for the county. Randy Boyd, founder of Radio Systems Corp. and special advisor for higher education to Gov. Bill Haslam, provided the bulk of funding for the Pond Gap program. After Duncan spoke, Boyd participated in a panel discussion where he reflected on increased parental involvement at Pond Gap. Among other things, the school now has a PTA. After some quick math, he estimated how much it would cost each Knox County resident to fund 15-20 more community schools – $14. The price is low because the concept relies heavily on nonprofits and volunteers. It’s an inexpensive solu-
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tion to the conundrum of how to get parents physically into the school building. As Duncan said, parents of the most challenged students often failed academically themselves, and don’t have warm, fuzzy feelings about schools. It’s also a compassionate response to struggling families. Dr. Bob Kronick of UT’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences has been working on the community school concept for 14 years. When asked to comment during the panel discussion, he said that students can’t learn if their basic needs – food, clothing and shelter – aren’t met. Community schools provide support to students and families that is lacking in these areas. Last year, Knox County Commission provided an additional $500,000 to expand the community school program into Lonsdale, Green and Norwood elementary schools. Check back next week to learn more about these programs.
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classes are held. Such experience is important because it prepares students for working in the real world, he says. Eisele partnered with West High School as an outreach to the community and to show off the program. The staff was wowed by the studentcreated menu featuring Mediterranean tossed salad, grilled chicken ratatouille pasta and custard. The goal of the program is to
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