Director's Message
In today’s challenging and changing educational arena, it is increasingly difficult to face the task before us with a positive attitude and an eagerness to greet each new day as one of endless possibility. As school systems across the country face the dark reality of decreased budgets, increased accountability, and diminishing resources, I am grateful to be surrounded by professionals who still recognize the great importance of the responsibilities of educating the youth of Grainger County. As we face these challenges together as faculty and staff, as parents, as students, and as a community, I hope we will be devoted to focusing our attention on the opportunities rather than the obstacles. Personally, I have committed myself to concentrate on the “do” and “will” of educational matters rather than the “don’t,” “won’t” or “can’t” of our current situation. I hope you will join me to commit yourself to be focused on the countless possibilities presented when we allow educators to TEACH with rigor and relevance so that students will LEARN the skills and knowledge needed to SUCCEED in becoming community, college, and career ready.
Thanks,
Director of Schools
As the school year quickly draws to a close, please check this page often for pertinent information which will be updated as necessary.
The week of April 23-27 students in grades 3-8 will be taking the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) Achievement Test. The TCAP Test is a timed, multiple choice assessment that measures skills in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Although students have taken the TCAP Test for a number of years, state law now requires that TCAP scores factor into the student’s grade. The score your student receives will count 15% of his/her final nine weeks average in each of the areas tested. Faculty and staff members have worked very hard throughout the year to prepare students for these comprehensive exams and Mrs. Anna Jean Cabbage, School Nutrition Supervisor, has made arrangements to provide breakfast and a mid-morning snack to students on test days. We ask that you join us in our effort to assure students are successful by making sure students get plenty of rest each night, arrive at school each morning without feeling rushed, and try to limit stress and/or test anxiety as students the week showcasing the knowledge they've gained this school year. Together, we will help students succeed.
NEW……NEWS……
On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the Grainger County Board of Education approved my recommendation to convert two (2) stockpiled days (Snow Days) to Staff Development Days. Commissioner Huffman had given approval for this request on Thursday, April 5, 2012 (pending school board approval).
This will allow students to have two additional days off.
The last week of school will be as follows:
Monday, May 21, 2012 Last FULL Day for Students
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Staff Development Day for all Staff
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Staff Development Day for all Staff
Thursday, May 24, 2012 Administrative Day (as previously scheduled)
Friday, May 25, 2012 Report Card Day (1/2 day)
The rationale for having the Administrative Day on the same day as scheduled was that some schools had already made arrangements for staff luncheons/retirement celebrations.
The rationale for having Report Card Day on Friday (as scheduled) was that most would enjoy the shortened day on Friday.
Staff will use the additional Staff Development Days for specific trainings related to the new Common Core State Standards, the TEAM Evaluation Model, and other important topics.
Although I realize this schedule change may be a little inconvenient for some, I think the additional time spent in training will prove beneficial to all stakeholders.
