VOL. 9 NO. 2 NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Military hero to headline meeting U.S. Naval and Marine hero Edgar Harrell will speak at the next meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) at noon Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the DoubleTree Hotel, 215 S. Ed Harrell Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge. Everyone is invited. Harrell survived the sinking of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. Indianapolis by a Japanese torpedo weeks before the end of World War II. He jumped into shark-infested waters of the Pacific Ocean and was rescued five days later. At the meeting, Harrell will sell and sign copies of his book, “Out of the Depths.” All proceeds will be given to the National Memorial in Indianapolis dedicated to the crewmen who perished and to the memory of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. Registration begins at noon, a hot lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and Harrell will begin at 1 p.m. Reservations are required. Cost of lunch is $14 and includes dessert, tax and tip. Info: 482-4625 or 938-4532.
IN THIS ISSUE Building brains! “This isn’t a children’s show,” said Charlene Ellis, “although it is fun to watch.” The Knoxville guru of baby brain development was flat on her back with legs kicking in the air, as were the 30 other children and adults in the room.
➤
Read Nancy Anderson on page A-3
‘American Sniper’ Director Clint Eastwood knows war movies. His “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters From Iwo Jima” are two of the best in recent years. “American Sniper” had the potential to make it a trifecta, but Eastwood can’t figure out what kind of war movie he’s trying to make.
➤
Read Betsy Pickle on page A-10
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
January 14, 2015
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
Student success ‘granted’ for 2015
Hardin Valley Academy foreign language department head and French teacher Beth Howe displays a purchase order for student headsets.
By Sara Barrett Karns Middle School special education teacher Brittany Laethem and Hardin Valley Academy foreign language department head Beth Howe have already had some wishes granted for 2015. Literally. Knox County Schools and Great Schools Partnership have given more than $63,000 in funding to a handful of teachers through the TeacherPreneur Grant Program. More than 45 proposals were received, and six teachers’ requests were approved, including those of Howe and Laethem. The name “TeacherPreneur” was coined to represent the con-
Perched on the new ball chairs in a classroom at Karns Middle School are, from left, Zakira Cole, Larry McDaniel and Rebecca Beach. At back are Mikey Curtis, Bruce Cutshaw, special education teacher Brittany Laethem, Ruth Winters and Ethan Dela Rosa. Photos by S. Barrett nection between teachers and entrepreneurs. In a press release, Great Schools Partnership President Buzz Thomas said TeacherPreneurs are to education what entrepreneurs are to business.
“They innovate. They have vision. Howe received $13,040 for a They continually find ways to im- mobile foreign language lab. She prove,” said Thomas. “Through said HVA students couldn’t be the grant program, we just wanted more excited. In the past, they’ve to give them a chance to shine, and To page A-3 they didn’t disappoint.”
Democrats welcome Obama, Bidens By S Sandra and an dra Clark dra Clar Cl lark k
Kristina McLean holds a Biden sign while Christopher Ball holds an American flag. They were among those gathered on Pellissippi Parkway to see the presidential motorcade. Ball is a student at Carson-Newman University. Photos by Frank Schingle
The District 6 Democratic committee helped stir up a crowd when President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, visited Hardin Valley last week. “Everyone had a great time, very upbeat and positive,” said Janice Spoone. “We love President Obama. WBIR as well as other local stations interviewed supporters all day. We received unbelievable coverage. We were very successful and had a great time.” Spoone and Clay Mulford are co-chairs of the District 6 Democrats. Photographer Frank Schingle was there snapping pic-
tures. Knox County Commission District 6 covers Karns and Hardin Valley and is represented on the commission by Republican Brad Anders. Kristina McLean held a sign calling Joe Biden her “spirit animal.” Spoone said McLean would not be able to get To page A-3
Mary Boyce Temple “Along with Lizzie Crozier French, Mary Boyce Temple organized the Ossoli Circle in 1885 and was elected its first president. Ossoli is the South’s oldest federated women’s club.”
➤
Read Jim Tumblin on page B-2
10512 Lexington Dr., Ste. 500 37932 (865) 218-WEST (9378) NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sherri Gardner Howell | Nancy Anderson ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Patty Fecco | Tony Cranmore Wendy O’Dell | Sara Whittle
A great day to stay home By Sandra Clark Knox County Schools will be giving a state-mandated “writing assessment” to children in grades 3-11 in February. The mom of a thirdgrader contacted Shopper-News.
Analysis The tests will be given on computer, and third-graders will be required to type their answers, she said. The teacher wrote: “This is an online assessment, which means they will read two articles online and then TYPE their 5 paragraph response.”
The kids will have an hour and a half to complete the test with a 30-minute break “in between,” according to the teacher. Dr. Elizabeth Alves, chief academic officer for Knox County Schools, said this is the first year the test will be administered in grades 3-11. “In the past, it was only given in grades 5, 8 and 11. The test was piloted across the state last year. Our teachers opted not to participate in the pilot.” Alves said the writing test for grades 5, 8 and 11 was administered by computer last year and grades 8 and 11 have been tested
on computer for two years. She said student performance will be reported, but it will not count for teacher evaluation or system accountability purposes. My final question: In what grade are children taught to type and expected to be proficient in the skill?” Alves said: “Instruction in the use of technology and typing varies from school to school. Currently, there is no curriculum from the state for teaching typing at the elementary levels; however, there are state standards at each grade level that identify performance expecta-
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Preserve those old reels, slides & vhs tapes today!
tions. Elementary students are not graded on proficiency in typing.” The parent who contacted Shopper-News is concerned that her 8-year-old will be typing a fiveparagraph response in a timed format. She said her kid visits the tech lab every six days, hardly enough to become proficient at keyboarding. The teacher who contacted her said typing practice at home would be helpful because, “Capitalization, punctuation and indentions will be taken into consideration on their assessment grade.” This might be a good day to keep your 8-year-old at home.
SALES • SERVICE • MAINTENANCE
20% OFF Entire Purchase!
Bring your VHS, slides, Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. film and more into the digital age. Coupon must be presented at time order is dropped off. Discount will not be applied to previous orders or orders that are being processed.
Audio & Video Conversion
SN011415 SN 011415 Expires 1/20/15
686-5756
www.DigitizeItNow.com 12752 Kingston Pike, Renaissance Farragut, Ste 103, Bldg E
Family Business for Over 20 Years 5715 Old Tazewell Pike 687-2520 Financing available through TVA Energy Right program* *Restrictions May Apply
Cantrell’s Cares