POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 9 NO. 34
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Haslam visits Big Ridge
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Learn to square dance
Square dancing lessons start at the Union County Senior Center in Maynardville Sept. 16 and will go on every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. Enrollment is open through Oct. 15. Everyone is welcome to join. Ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Info: Arnold 865-745-1324.
Luttrell gets sidewalk grant Luttrell Elementary School will get a sidewalk and crosswalk as a result of a $98,585 grant announced last week by Gov. Bill Haslam. Luttrell’s grant was one of 17 totalling $1.8 million through the Safe Routes to School funding program, a statewide initiative designed to make bicycling and walking to school a safer, more appealing and healthier alternative for students. “Increased physical activity is key to improving the health of Tennessee families,” Haslam said. “The Safe Routes to School Program helps communities across the state create safer walking and biking environments for students and encourages a healthy lifestyle.” The grants are made possible through a federally funded program administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Toys deadline Sept. 15 Union County Children’s Charities’ Under the Tree program is underway. The agency has distributed applications through the schools and the deadline for returning completed forms is September 15. Forms are also available from Gina Buckner at the Trustee’s office in the courthouse. Info: 865-992-5943.
Walk-A-Thon Sept. 6 The 25th annual Union County Walk-A-Thon and Memorial Balloon Launch will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. at Li’l Jo’s Barbeque in Maynardville. Walkers who raise the most money will be awarded Visa cards for: first place, $150; second place, $100; and third place, $50. Live music is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. To register to walk call 865-964-5367. The event will benefit the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service of Union County.
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August 27, 2014
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By Libby Morgan Crissy Haslam, wife of Gov. Bill Haslam, visited Big Ridge and other Tennessee parks in anticipation of the “Tennessee Landscapes” theme at the annual holiday open house at the Tennessee Residence in December. She was met by Ranger Sarah Nicley, Nicley’s mother, Wendy Leedy, and park manager John Howell, and took a short tour around the park. While the group enjoyed the view of Big Ridge Lake, Haslam asked Nicley about the “Ghost House” on the park property. “Our Ghost House Tour nighttime walk is my favorite thing all year. I’ve been doing it since I came here,” said Nicley. And while she explained the legend, an unusual-looking wild duck meandered up close. “That’s a Muscovy, and it’s a ‘perching duck.’ They aren’t native to this area. This guy’s been hanging around for a while,” said Nicley. Leedy gave Haslam a book Leedy illustrated, “The Jesus Donkey,” by David Chaltas. “I loved visiting Big Ridge State Park to see the beautiful lake and Ranger Sarah Nicley, Amanda Kerns (kneeling) and Crissy Haslam encounter a friendly Muscovy duck in Big Ridge all the recreational opportunities for families to enjoy,” said Haslam. State Park. Photo by Libby Morgan
School
English I
English 2
English 3
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Biology
Carter High
67
59
25
67
46
66
Central High
66
62
43
47
52
63
Fulton High
48
45
19
32
25
46
Gibbs High
69
67
42
57
48
67
Halls High
75
70
43
69
72
71
UCHS
69
59
40
68
49
63
Schools meet 9 of 11 state objectives By Sandra Clark Wow. When individual school scores were released (finally) by the Tennessee Department of Education last week, Union County found reason to celebrate – 9 of 11 reasons, specifically. “We can celebrate meeting our AMOs (annual measurable objectives), but we have a lot of work to do,” said Director of Schools Jimmy Carter. No Union County school, including the Virtual Academy, was “on the list” of the state’s lowestperforming schools. Hey, let’s just celebrate this week. The state expects about 4 percent growth in math and English/ language arts each year. Union County wasn’t square on that target, but it beat the state average. Take a look. 3-8 grade R/LA – Union County 3.4 percent increase; state 1 percent decrease. 3-8 grade Math – UCPS, 3.4 percent increase; state .5 percent increase. The downside is overall proficiency in Union County – 39.6 percent in reading/language arts and 24.9 percent in math. Carter said he is working closely with math teachers to increase proficiency. “We have developed pacing guides, common assessments and
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standards-based benchmarks to raise these scores.” Carter said schedule changes resulted in a “surge” in third grade math scores – “a positive sign for the coming year.” Third grade math proficiency in UCPS increased 3.5 percent, while the state’s overall third grade math proficiency dropped 2.7 percent. A highlight was math scores at Maynardville Elementary School. The scores doubled over the previous year and resulted in a “5” – the top ranking – in average yearly progress. Carter also called out for special recognition the seventh grade reading/language arts proficiency increase at Horace Maynard Middle School. UCPS increased 8.9 percent (with 40.2 percent of all students advanced or proficient), while the state increased 3.5 percent. Other highlights were Algebra I at the high school where almost 70 percent were advanced or proficient and English II which showed 58.4 percent advanced or proficient. Almost half of Algebra II students were advanced or proficient, a change of 14 percent over the previous year. While the graduation rate remains low, it has risen from 74 percent (of incoming freshmen
Outgoing school board member Bill Sexton receives a plaque of appreciation from Director of Schools Jimmy Carter. Photo by S. Clark
who stay to graduate) in the 2012- some Knox County Schools. (The 13 school year to above 85 percent chart includes 17 schools – we’re comparing these – Carter High, in 2013-14. Central High, Fulton High, Gibbs High and Halls High. The number How Union County High shows the percent proficient or adSchool compares vanced.) Last year, this writer had to dig Let’s not rest until every kid is for hours to compile this list. This proficient, but let’s not take a back year, Carter and his staff com- seat to anyone. Principal Linda piled it themselves and showed Harrell and her team get a rousing it to the school board. No won- high five from this w riter for these der. It shows UCHS on par with scores. Let’s go, Patriots!
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Dennis Powers State Representative 36th District
State Capitol Nashville TN 37243 Phone (615) 741-3335 Fax: (615) 253-0296 Toll Free: 800-449-8366 ext. 13335 E-mail: rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov Paid for by Powers for the People, Barbara Rinehart, Treasurer