January 9, 2009
In this edition: Welcome Back!
Magnet Lottery Drawing . TOMORROW!
School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt Now Accepting Applications
Speakers Needed for Career Academies
Finding Where You Fit
Overton High Gets Regional Recognition and a New Piano Lab!
Bordeaux Students Get a Lesson in Science and Engineering
The Twelfth Day of Christmas has Come and Gone – and So Must Your Tree
Head Middle Trumpet Player Strikes Gold
Three Nashville Alumni Inducted into Hall of Fame
Cameron Students Learn about Service and Sharing\
Litton’s PENCIL Partners Brighten the Holidays
A Healthy Start to the New Year
McGavock High’s FBLA Gives Back to the Community
Napier Students Go Global with Quilts
Outpouring of Parental Support
Mt. View Students Jam with Toby Keith’s Guitarist
Welcome Back!
As we begin the new semester, MNPS wants to say welcome back to all of our families. The district is also excited to announce the hiring of a new Director of Schools, Dr. Jesse Register. Dr. Register’s first official day will be Jan. 15.
Dr. Register, nationally recognized for his work in urban education reform, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the district as the city and state work diligently to meet the needs of all 75,000 students. Some highlights of his career include overseeing the successful merging of Hamilton County Schools and Chattanooga City Schools, securing the funding and implementing the nationally recognized Benwood Initiative to close the achievement gap in Hamilton County Schools, serving in numerous roles as a consultant for urban education reform, serving as a visiting Associate Professor for Urban Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, serving on the national support team that developed the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy for the State of Arkansas, and serving as Senior advisor for district leadership for the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University.
“I am excited and eager to begin working with Metro Nashville Public Schools,” says Register. “While the district is faced with many challenges, it also has tremendous potential for success. My goal as director will be to help develop the potential that exists in the district and the community. I think with some time, hard work, a unified and common vision and an intense focus on improving student achievement for all students, we can turn this district into one of the best in the country. Our students and our community will be the beneficiaries.”
For more information about Dr. Register, visit http://www.mnps.org/Page49052.aspx.
Magnet Lottery Drawing … TOMORROW!
MNPS will hold its annual lottery Saturday, Jan. 10. The lottery, which will fill seats in the district's magnet and optional enrollment schoolsfor the 2009-2010 school year, will begin at 9 a.m. in the boardroom of the Central Administration Building, 2601 Bransford Avenue. The event is open to the public and will be aired on NewsChannel 5+.
School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt Now Accepting Applications
The School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV), a joint venture between Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Metro Nashville Public Schools, is now accepting applications for the 2009-10 academic year. Applications are due Feb. 13. All MNPS 8th graders are eligible to apply.
The school attracts some of the brightest MNPS students who have a passion for science and math, and it immerses them in the rich and dynamic scientific research environment of Vanderbilt University. The school is a four-year commitment for high school students. Admitted students attend the SSMV classes one day per week throughout the academic year and three consecutive summers culminating in independent science research projects. The school also gives students access to leading Ph.D. scientists, Nobel Prize winners, and some of the most innovative laboratory and field experiments available. For more information about how to apply, visit http://theschool.vanderbilt.eduor call (615) 322-7132.
Speakers Needed for Career Academies
Twelve of Metro Nashville’s public high schools -- currently involved in the high school redesign into Smaller Learning Communities -- are opening their doors to area business men and women who would like to share their industry knowledge and expertise with high school students.
A new online Speakers Bureau, www.schoolvolunteers.org, has been created to help MNPS teachers recruit qualified professionals willing to share career advice and industry insight with students. The Speakers Bureau, coordinated by MNPS and PENCIL Foundation and funded through Alignment Nashville, will play a major role in engaging the Nashville business community in the district’s Career Academies. Through the website, teachers can search a database of professionals willing to address a classroom, while professionals can search a database of classroom speaking needs.
The purpose of the Speakers Bureau is two-fold: to provide relevant and meaningful information to students as they begin learning about various careers through the Career Academies and to allow the business community a chance to help educate and shape Nashville’s future business leaders. Speaking topics include engineering, arts, communications, real estate, law, management, business technology, construction, diversity skills, resume writing, and much more. The district hopes the Speakers Bureau will help nurture a strong partnership between the Nashville business community and the school system, paving the way for internship and job shadowing opportunities for upper-level Career Academy students, externships for teachers, industry certifications for students, project-based learning, and other forms of business community support.
Career Academies, along with Thematic Academies and Freshman Academies, are currently being phased in to all 12 comprehensive high schools under a district-wide redesign initiative based on Smaller Learning Communities. Academies offer students a chance to study traditional high school curriculum in the context of a particular career, get relevant, hands-on instruction, and build closer relationships with teachers. For more information about the redesign, visit http://www.mnps.org/Page21671.aspx.
Finding Where You Fit
One of the most important factors in a child’s education is finding a learning environment that best suits each child’s individual learning style and needs. In effort to help families find the “best fit” for their child, Metro Nashville Public Schools is launching a new campaign “Finding Where You Fit” to help parents know about and understand the numerous opportunities offered by the district when it comes to choosing a school that best suits each family and child. “Finding Where You Fit” will address the Student Reassignment Plan, the New School Choice Plan, magnet/optional schools, and the federal requirement by No Child Left Behind to provide school choices to students attending a High Priority School. In the coming months, you will see numerous “Finding Where You Fit” materials including maps, flyers, online services, and more.
Many of you received letters this past November announcing that your child will be impacted by the Student Reassignment Plan that was approved by the school board in July of 2008. The purpose of this plan is to better utilize MNPS buildings and bring schools closer to home. In February, families who have a zone choice option or grandfathering option can expect to receive a follow up letter explaining exactly what their zone choice and/or grandfathering options are.
In addition to the Student Reassignment Plan, MNPS is also implementing a new School Choice Plan that will eliminate its special transfers procedure and instead offer parents a period of Open Enrollment. This new plan has three main goals -- it gives families more choice in selecting the school that is best for their child; it will also enable the district to better prepare for the upcoming school year; and it will allow quicker, more effective communication with parents regarding school choices.
Open Enrollment will run the entire month of March for placement during the 2009-2010 school year. Through Open Enrollment, students will be eligible to attend any school in the district, provided the school has open seating. Parents wishing to take advantage of the Open Enrollment period and choose a school outside their child’s assigned zone MUST be able to provide transportation to and from school. For more information, contact the MNPS Customer Service Center at (615) 259-INFO (4636).
Overton High Gets Regional Recognition and a New Piano Lab!
What do football and piano have in common? A lot at Overton High School. This past fall, Overton’s football team agreed to be part of an experimental program to raise the profile of high school athletics. Through participation in “Taco Bell’s Thursday Night Lights,” Overton High not only gained regional recognition for its athletics department with primetime local television coverage of a regular season football game, but the school was also registered in an online sweepstakes to win a grant for a new piano lab.
Schools from seven mid-state counties participated. Throughout the season, fans were encouraged to visit a website, register for a weekly iPod drawing, and in turn vote for a participating high school. At the end of the season, an Overton High senior (pictured to the right) won the grand prize grant, which enabled the school to build a new piano lab. The winner also happens to be an advanced piano student at Overton.
Bordeaux Students Get a Lesson in Science and Engineering
Some fourth grade students at Bordeaux Enhanced Option Elementary recently received a special lesson in science and engineering thanks to the Gamma Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The lesson included information about a career in science and engineering, as well as demonstrations in electrical engineering and lab chemistry. Students learned what engineers do, how to become one, what a typical salary is for engineers, the different types of engineering, and much more. Students also witnessed a wrestling simulation with robots, a motion demonstration with a voice controlled robot, and a science experiment.
The Gamma Phi Chapter makes bi-monthly visits to Bordeaux, providing special speakers for the students. Through the program, students have learned about law enforcement, money management, career possibilities, etiquette, and much more.
The Twelfth Day of Christmas has Come and Gone – and So Must Your Tree
If you were waiting for the 12th day of Christmas to dispose of your Christmas Tree, the Hillwood High Band will take it off your hands this weekend. The last round of tree pickups will be this Saturday, Jan. 10. All trees will be recycled. This is a fundraiser for the Hillwood High Band. There is no charge, but donations are accepted. All proceeds will directly support Hillwood’s band programs. To schedule a pickup, contact 352-2070 or call the band office at 352-2050.
Head Middle Trumpet Player Strikes Gold
Joseph Hartley, trumpet player in the Head Magnet Middle School Band, was one of just three 7th grade students selected to the Golden Band in the Middle Tennessee State Band. Hartley was one of more than 800 7th, 8th and 9th graders from Middle Tennessee who auditioned for a spot in the prestigious band. The Golden Band is considered the best band for junior high students. Nearly 200 trumpet students audition; out of these, Hartley was selected as the 9th best trumpet player. Hartley will join other band members from across Middle Tennessee in January at Middle Tennessee State University for the annual MTSBOA Mid-State Band Concert Festival. Congratulations!
Three Nashville Alumni Inducted into Hall of Fame
Some of Metro’s brightest alumni will soon be inducted into the Nashville Public Schools Hall of Fame, an awards ceremony conducted each spring by the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. This year’s inductees include Dennis C. Bottorff, managing partner and founder, Council Ventures, and 1962 DuPont High graduate; Patsy Bradley, music industry veteran and 1957 graduate of Hillsboro High; and Dr. Kevin B. Churchwell, CEO/executive director of Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and 1979 graduate of McGavock High. Also to be honored is Thomas J. Sherrard, attorney and founding chairman of the Nashville Alliance. Sherrard will receive the Distinguished Service Award which honors citizens who did not graduate from Metro Schools but have had a positive impact on the school district.
Cameron Students Learn about Service and Sharing
Cameron Middle School student council, under the leadership of Rita Salman, recently organized a community service project that raised hundreds of cans of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The students brain-stormed several project ideas, but unanimously decided to help others in their community with the necessity of food during the holidays. As a reward for participation in the project, students were allowed to watch a movie during the last hour and a half of school, Dec. 18.
In addition, 67 Cameron Middle School families received a little extra gift during the holiday season. The gifts included school attire and toys. Cameron would like to thank and recognize the Nashville Business Journal, Tennessee National Guard and Trevecca Student Council for assisting with this very special project.
Litton’s PENCIL Partners Brighten the Holidays
Litton Middle School wants to acknowledge two of the school’s PENCIL Partners for their generous donations during the month of December. The Inglewood Neighborhood Association donated more than $1,100 to Litton’s Band department from its annual 5k run and Sam’s Club of Rivergate donated another $2,500.
A Healthy Start to the New Year
The typical American lifestyle, including poor eating habits and little or no exercise, contributes to numerous health issues, such as obesity and chronic diseases. While this lifestyle has been evolving for many years; lifestyles are learned at an early age. The Metro School Nutrition Department would like to encourage you to make a New Year’s resolution for you and your family vowing to help turn the problem around. All you have to do is make the effort to prepare healthy and appealing meals for your family and increase your daily exercise. If you’d like to take this challenge and want to learn more, visit www.Pyramid.gov, a website offers packed with information that will help you eat healthier meals and get active.
In recent years, the nation’s school districts, including MNPS, have placed an increased emphasis to serving healthy, balanced meals to students. Changes have included portion control, eliminating fried items for younger students, and offering additional healthy food choices for all students.
McGavock High School’s FBLA Gives Back to Community
McGavock High School’s Future Business Leaders of America organization kicked off the holiday season with several community service activities. The first activity was adopting two “Angels” from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Club members collected money and brought gifts for a four-year old boy and a seven-year old girl. Items collected and bought included a bike, sheet set, various toys and jackets for each child.
The second event, held Saturday, Dec. 6, at Par-Mor Lanes, was in conjunction with the Special Olympics. Club members participated by bowling with and assisting young adults in the Special Olympics program.
The final service event for 2008 included members participating in the13th annual Kids Cafe Toy Drive and Holiday Parties at the Renaissance Hotel. Club members helped stuff gift bags with toys for 1,400 boys and girls ages 12 and under. This event was sponsored by Second Harvest.
Napier Students Go Global with Quilts
Students at Napier Enhanced Option Elementary are reaching across the globe with a quilt making project. In making the quilts, students are not only learning about giving, but also about cultural diversity. Judith Meeker, a teacher at Napier and leader of the non-profit organization More Than Warmth, is leading the students in the exercise. The organization teaches children to make quilts for children in need around the world. Students draw the designs and actually make the quilt squares, Meeker finishes the quilt, and then the quilts are sent to children all around the world who are in need. To accompany the quilt-making, Meeker tells real-life stories and gives information about past and future quilt destinations. Students also write and send letters with the quilts. The quilts being made by Napier students this semester were being designated to go to Native American children in the Northwest who are victims of domestic violence. About 12 quilts were sent from Napier.
Outpouring of Parental Support
Recently the MNPS Family and Community Services Department reached out to parents across the district with a parental survey. District-wide, more than 30,000 (40%) surveys were returned. MNPS wants to say a special thank you to all families who participated in this district survey. Your input is greatly appreciated and will be used to improve the district’s parental outreach.
Mt. View Students Jam with Toby Keith’s Guitarist
Friday, Jan. 9, Rich Eckhardt, guitarist for Toby Keith, visited Mt. View Elementary for a special jam session with the students. Eckhardt met with 60 3rd through 5th grade students participating in the Little Kids Rock (LKR) program. Eckhardt has performed in nearly every major concert venue in the world, played on multi-platinum and Grammy winning albums, entertained for three American presidents and has been seen on most of the industry's staple television shows including the Tonight show and Superbowl XXXVIII.
Little Kids Rock is in its second year at Mt. View and to date, nearly 100 Mt. View students have participated. LKR teaches kids how to play pop, rock, reggae, funk, blues, rap and hip-hop music. LKR students not only perform through the program, but they also compose and record their own music. For more information about the program, visit www.littlekidsrock.org.
Other Upcoming Events
Jan. 12 Hillwood PTSO Meeting at 6 p.m., in the school library
Jan. 19 MLK Holiday – Students Do Not Report
Feb. 2 SLC Late Arrival Day
Feb. 16 In-service Day - Students Do Not Report
Feb. 23 SLC Late Arrival Day
To request an accommodation, please contact your building principal or department head. (Interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing must be requested forty-eight [48] hours prior to the event.) Questions or concerns may be referred to the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Customer Service Center, 615/259-4636.
Si usted necesita información adicional o si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame o contacte al director de su escuela.
Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, or disability in its hiring or employment practices or in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services or activities.
