HALLS/FOUNTAIN CITY
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A great community newspaper
VOL. 52 NO. 14
IN THIS ISSUE
Red Nation Robotics team wins it all
April 8, 2013
Groovin’ at the car show
Call it a historic win. Call it amazing. Call it awesome. The Red Nation Robotics team scored a first-place alliance win at the FIRST Robotics Competition Smoky Mountain Regionals on March 28-30. They are the first rookie team in the Knox area to win at a regional competition.
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Halls High Jazz Band members Jacob Meighan (seated, with guitar) and Andrew Capps (electric bass) listen to an introduction by Halls High band director Eric Baumgardner during the jazz band’s performance at the Halls High Band Boosters’ annual Halls High Crossroads Car Show at the Halls Food City. Jacob said his band “Salamander Joe” would be playing later in the day. Baumgardner joked, “Maybe they’ll come up with another name.” Photo by Jake Mabe See more on page A-3.
Read Jake’s story on page 3
Peyton’s coming Peyton Manning, in the top level of old Volunteers and an astounding success in the NFL, has kept Tennessee football in his heart. And he’s coming home for the Tennessee’s football coaching clinic this weekend.
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Read Marvin West on page 6
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Area schools get technology grant Corryton, Halls and Sterchi elementary schools, along with Holston Middle School, were among 11 schools 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. Others chosen are Bearden and South-Doyle high schools; Vine and West Valley middle schools; and Bonny Kate, Mooreland Heights and Norwood elementary schools.
Halls Alumni Dinner is April 27 The annual Halls Alumni Dinner is 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Halls High School. The classes of 1953 and 1963 will be honored and this year’s inductees into the Alumni Hall of Fame and Alumni Association officers and board members will be announced. Bring a covered dish. Walk of Fame bricks will also be on sale.
7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Jake Mabe ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey | Patty Fecco Brandi Davis | Tony Cranmore Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly and distributed to 27,813 homes in Halls, Gibbs and Fountain City.
TDOT patches pothole in Halls April 2, who passed the report By Jake Mabe Readers contacted the Shop- along to TDOT’s maintenance deper-News over the last two partment. The hole was patched on April 3. weeks to report a large pothole at the intersection of Norris Freeway and southbound Maynardville Highway. TDOT workers patched this As one said, “To call it garlarge pothole at the intergantuan would be an undersection of Norris Freeway statement.” and southbound MaynardThe Shopper-News contactville Highway in Halls. ed TDOT Region 1 community relations officer Mark Nagi on
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 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
Jennifer Evans, Randy Boyd, Pam Trainor, Richard Rhoda and Anthony Hancock participate in a panel discussion following U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s speech last week.
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 es-
timated 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 solution 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
Feel the crunch.
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U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan delivers the Baker Distinguished Lecture at UT’s University Center. Photos by Wendy Smith – 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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