One of the many things I learned at the Children’s Defense Fund was this: Kids who drop out of high school are five times more likely to wind up dead, on drugs, unemployed, on welfare or in jail.
And here’s something else: Ninth grade is the make-or-break year when it comes to graduating from high school. READ MORE of this News-Sentinel op/ed piece.
Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam visited Norwood Elementary on Thursday, October 8 to talk about the importance of reading and to hand out a book being donated in honor of Ms. Haslam by the United Way of Greater Knoxville. Children participating in the community school program at Norwood were recipients of the books.
Darlene Kamine, executive director of the Community Learning Center Institute in Cincinnati, visited Knoxville on October 29th as 3 community schools begin operation in Knox County. Ms. Kamine spoke to a group of community leaders about how Cincinnati began its community schools and lauded the approach that Knox County is taking. One community school has been in operation for a couple of years at Pond Gap Elementary through a partnership between the University of Tennessee and Knox County Schools. Norwood Elementary, Lonsdale Elementary and Green Elementary begin after-school community schools through partnerships with the Great Schools Partnership, YMCA and Project Grad. Read more.
For 90 minutes every day, Kassandra Conejo visits a new tutoring center at West High School where she can work toward completing her credits in algebra and geometry.
The 17-year-old watches a video and she takes notes and practice quizzes to help her prepare for her end of course exams. And, she said, it’s giving her more confidence in learning how to do the complex math work.
“This shows me better,” Conejo said. “It’s easier for me, though, than being in a normal class with all of the disruptions. It’s really good.”
Conejo, a West senior, is just one of several students who are benefiting from a new tutoring center at the school that is helping students who need to complete a credit to graduate, are preparing for the ACT or need tutoring after school. The center was made possible by a $45,000 donation from Cellular Sales to the Great Schools Partnership. Read more.
Think back on the people who influenced you most. Next to your parents, chances are it was a teacher — or a coach who also happened to be a teacher. Yet, how often do we stop to thank these selfless public servants to whom we owe so much? Maybe once a year, if we’re honest about it, most likely in May during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Read more.
Last summer, Great Schools Partnership piloted a program to target rising ninth graders who were struggling in reading and math. The 8-week summer bridge program provides skills that will enable these students to succeed in high school. Due to last year’s success, the program is being expanded this summer. Approximately 360 students will take part in the program which will take place at 8 area high schools. Read KNS Article.
Watch this video to learn about the work of the Great Schools Partnership and one of the local school foundations at Shannondale Elementary School. Taking schools from good to great.
Great Schools Partnership President, Buzz Thomas, gave the closing remarks on the first evening of the joint retreat held by Knox County’s Board of Education and County Commisssion. Read more.
Knoxville News-Sentinel on Tuesday, January 31st sums up the goals of the Knox County Board of Education and the Knox County Commission after their retreat over the weekend. Read the editorial.
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