Powell/Norwood Shopper-News 111813

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POWELL/NORWOOD VOL. 52 NO. 46

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IN THIS ISSUE

Test scores soar

Holiday Special Section Holiday cheer and more!

See the special section inside

McIntyre comes to Copper Ridge

Miracle Maker Nearly a semester into Knox County School’s 1:1 technology pilot program, Corryton Elementary seems to be off to a running start. “We take what we used to do with pencil and paper and find interesting ways for them to engage with it with technology. Every day we’re trying something new,” says teacher Sherrie Dudley.

See page A-9

All things bright The Knoxville Expo Center glittered and gleamed last weekend during the 2013 Christmas Fair. The prevailing décor and gift presentations for this year leaned toward rustic. Vendors presented home décor, Christmas decorations, antiques and crafts - much of which was country in design.

See Cindy Taylor’s story on A-3

November 18, 2013

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By Sandra Clark Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre came to a little school to celebrate a big achievement. He chose Copper Ridge Elementary School between Powell and Halls to announce all As on the state report card for Knox County Schools in achievement and, for the first time, all As for Copper Ridge in both achievement and value added scores in English, math, science and social studies. Somewhere Charles Cameron must be smiling. The former principal introduced the school’s motto: “Hard work pays off.” In the audience, assistant superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Alves said, “I feel like a proud mother.” She said Copper Ridge’s results were possible because of the school’s “intentional focus on teaching the curriculum.” Principal Kathy Castiner challenged her students and staff to “defend our record” with this year’s work. McIntyre thanked the teachers,

Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre and Copper Ridge Elementary principal Kathy Castiner with students (front) Joel Rivera, Dylan Graham, Noah Latiff; (back) Nate Stapf, Autumn Hooks, Taylor Cusmano and Hannah Grimm. school leaders and staff. He must have noticed the preponderance of red shirts in the crowd. The color has come to symbolize silent resistance to McIntyre’s leadership. But if test scores are the game, then McIntyre was the big winner last week. Knox County was above the state average in achievement,

posting all As for the first time since the state started issuing year-end report cards in 2000. Knox County Schools achieved composite Level 5 value-added growth (the highest level) on the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System (TVAAS). Knox County advanced from Cs to Bs in value-added in read-

ing/language arts and science. It moved from a B to an A in math. Perhaps most significantly, there were no declines at any school in achievement in math, science and social studies from data released in 2013 versus 2012. Test scores for each elementary and middle school are available online at knoxschools.org.

Sagging Vols Primary observation after 83.3 percent of the Tennessee football season: I miscalculated. This restoration project is going to take longer than I thought.

Teachers talk Common Core

Powell High administrators and faculty reached out to the community last week with the first annual Community Engagement event at the school. Several school clubs and local businesses staffed tables in the gym, and principal Nathan Langlois said communication should be a “two-way connection between school and home.” After his welcome, participants divided among Powell High teacher Chris20 workshops. The good news is state tine Price talks Common Rep. Bill Dunn and this Core.

See Marvin West’s story on A-5

RAM film debuts Thursday night Remote Area Medical and its founder Stan Brock are known worldwide for bringing medical aid to individuals far removed from it, logistically, financially or both. A new documentary film on the Knoxville-based nonprofit premieres 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Tennessee Theatre.

By Sandra Clark

writer got an hour of oneon-one with two classroom teachers who are tackling the challenges of increased expectations and introduction of the Common Core State Standards. The bad news is only one parent chose this workshop. In fairness to her kid, we promised not to mention her name. Science teacher Christine Price and social studies teacher Denise Watts were our Sherpas. Both have been trained in Common Core and both are advocates.

See Jake Mabe’s story on A-5

PBPA banquet

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dents are asked to provide facts through research to support their position. It’s not just opinion anymore.” Watts added: “Common Core tells us how to teacher, not what to teach.” Curriculum will still be set by states and local school boards. All Common Core standards are online, she said, and represent “constant, strong and clear benchmarks.” “Teachers stand back and let the kids have ownership of learning,” said Watts. This is a paradigm shift. We no longer lecture and just feed them information.” “Yikes!” said the parent. To page A-3

Volleying against bullying

NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ The Powell Business and Professional Association’s annual banquet is 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club. There will be a short live auction and a silent auction. Tickets are $50. Info: Denise Girard at First Century Bank, 947-5485, or www.powellbusiness.com/ banquet.

The parent was worried that her kid, now a junior, could get caught in the transition. The end-ofcourse exam is 25 percent of a student’s grade. She called it “thrown to the wolves.” “I don’t know why you couldn’t have started this in the lower grades and let children become accustomed,” she said. Watts and Price were not there to discuss politics. Price explained the change: “Persuasive writing used to be a standard question such as ‘should there be school uniforms?’ The students would write five paragraphs of opinion. Under Common Core, stu-

Byy Cindy B Cind dy Taylor Tay aylo lorr Bob Holmes comes with a wicked serve, a winning history and a moving message. The 58 year old speaks to students and others about bullying, sex before marriage, texting while driving, drug abuse and drinking. He isn’t shy about sharing his views on those subjects or his Christian beliefs. Holmes brought his A-game to Powell Middle School on Nov. 7. “I have been told I can say this as long as I don’t force it on anyone. Jesus Christ is not a curse word,” said Holmes. “He is my Savior and I am not ashamed to say I am a

Christian.” Ch rist ri istia ian n.”” Holmes’ presentation included playing volleyball against a boys team, a girls team, the entire 8th grade student body a group of Powell Middle teachers. This may not sound all that impressive until you realize that Holmes is a oneperson team. Very few of his serves made their way back across the net and Holmes made almost every return when they did. Almost. Holmes made outrageous promises to any who could beat him. He didn’t have to make good on any of those. Things got serious once the teachers hit the floor. Holmes kept the lead dur-

Bob Holmes sends a serve over to the entire 8th grade class. Photo by Cindy Taylor ing most games but it took some time to beat the teachers. The final score was 25-23 favor of Holmes. Once the games ended Holmes showed his serious

side speaking briefly about mercials and stand alone lives that had been forever and beat the odds,” he said. altered by drinking, drug This is the creed Holmes abuse and bullying. hopes to instill in students “Don’t give up, look ahead, don’t believe comTo page A-3 2704 Mineral Springs Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917 Ph. (865) 687-4537

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