School Snippets – December 12, 2014

Published December 12, 2014

The information below is provided by each school. Schools are listed in alphabetical order according to grade level.

Elementary Schools

Allendale Elementary

The Student Council at Allendale is spearheading the collection of new, unwrapped toys for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital this Holliday season. Gifts will be collected now until December 18 and then taken and distributed to the children who will spend their holiday in the hospital. Some of the items collected are board games, craft kits and drawing supplies. When asked why Student Council was collecting toys, fifth grade students Sydney Bull and Lydia Taylor said, “It’s sad that children won’t be home for Christmas and hopefully this will make them smile.”

The Allendale Student Council collects toys to give to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Bethesda Elementary

Fourth graders have been busy studying living organisms, which include the fiddler crabs they are keeping in their classroom.

Bethesda fourth graders Makayla Oliveros and Alyssa Sullivan observe fiddler crabs in class.

Chapman’s Retreat Elementary

Chapman’s Retreat Elementary School will have its Holiday Chorus Concert on December 11 at 6 p.m. The school will also celebrate Jingle Bell Walk to School Day on Thursday, December 18. On this day, students walk to school as a way of promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles.

College Grove Elementary

Students at College Grove Elementary meet every other Thursday morning for Fitness Club. Fitness Club students learn new games, the reasoning behind purposeful movement, and prepare for the Spring Hill Kids Marathon in May. These students have also enjoyed the opportunity to have community members come lead some of their fitness classes. Approximately 50-60 students wake up bright and early to come enjoy living a healthy, active lifestyle. Keep up the great work, Rockets!

Crockett Elementary

Thirteen fifth grade students and nine fourth grade students from Crockett Elementary competed this past weekend in the Brentwood High School Mini Mu Math Competition. Five students placed in the top 20 on Test 1 for 5th grade and three students placed in the top 20 on Test 2 for 5th grade. Congratulations to these students: Carleton O’Neil, Ryan Jordan, Elena Amonette, Eli Bullock-Papa, Kaylee Bae and Jack Smith. Jessica Muellenbach placed in the top 20 on both Test 1 and 2 for fourth grade. A great time was had by all and we look forward to participating again next year. In other news, Kate Toney, one of our amazing first grade teachers, was named Teacher of the Year. She has taught for 15 years and been at Crockett Elementary for six of those years. Jorja Trocino, our wonderful school nurse, was named Classified Employee of the Year. Jorja worked for 15 years as a nurse at a hospital in Los Angeles and has been with Williamson County Schools for 16 years. She is in her 6th year at Crockett.

The Crockett Elementary students who participated in the Mini Mu Math Contest at Brentwood High pose for a group photo.

Fairview Elementary

The holidays are in full swing here at Fairview Elementary! On Friday, December 5, students came to FES to enjoy holiday math games, write about their holiday traditions, meet Santa and watch a movie! It was a great night of learning and fun! Students are now gearing up for some performances next week. The choir will perform on Thursday, December 18 at 6 p.m. Following that, several enrichment clubs will show off what they have learned over the last couple of months including a drama performance and a dance performance. We can’t wait to see their hard work pay off!

Landon Reynolds has fun during Santa Night at Fairview Elementary.

Grassland Elementary

Elementary World Language Program registration for the spring semester is December 8-January 9. Chinese and Spanish classes available before and/or after school at GES. Register online at old.wcs.edu/parents/elementary-world-languages/.

Hunters Bend Elementary

Pre-K had a fun time searching for the gingerbread man. Clues were left all over the school for the children to follow. Using their thinking skills, they were able to track him down to his hiding place. They celebrated by having gingerbread for snack when they found him! First grade is traveling to different countries (classrooms) to learn about holiday traditions in other parts of the world. We are learning about how they celebrate in Israel, China, Germany and Mexico. The kindergarten classes have been comparing and contrasting different versions of the gingerbread man. They are able to tell the setting, characters, problem and solution of each of the stories. They will end their unit by making gingerbread houses. The second graders are hard at work learning about economics. Next week, we will have volunteers from Junior Achievement come and teach the students more about this fun topic. In third grade. students will be putting all our knowledge about consumers, producers, assembly lines, craftsmen as well as economics to the test this week with real world experience. Students will be applying for jobs to earn a paycheck. Their earnings will be used to purchase the finished goods from class stores where they will have to use their knowledge of making change to good use.

Members of the Hunters Bend Student Council collect toys for the Salvation Army’s Forgotten Angel program.

Nolensville Elementary

On Friday, December 5 the Nolensville PTO sponsored a fantastic Story Time with Santa event. First grade students performed several songs preparing all in attendance for the holidays. Pizza was served for dinner. Some amazing items were bid on in the silent auction. Keepsake ornaments were painted by students. The highlight of the evening for many was visiting with Santa and having pictures taken.

Nolensville first graders perform at the school’s Story Time with Santa event.

Oak View Elementary

Tradition seems to be the theme at Oak View. We wrapped up a successful book fair earlier this week and want to thank all of the students and parents who supported this year’s fair. To bring science and social studies to life, first grade students visited the Discovery Center on Wednesday. Kindergarten recently “traveled around the world” (at least next door and across the hall!) to learn about Christmas traditions in different countries. Kindergarten kept with the theme of tradition and had fun making gingerbread houses. They also spent time having math talks with Mrs. Puryear. Chorus students are busy rehearsing for their upcoming Christmas Lights program which will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. This is always a wonderful tradition at Oak View and a great way to celebrate the holidays.

Kindergartners at Oak View make gingerbread houses while learning about Christmas traditions in different countries.

Pearre Creek Elementary

Pearre Creek Elementary sent 25 students to the Mini Mu Math Contest that was sponsored by Brentwood High School’s Mu Alpha Theta Club. The students at Pearre Creek that were selected continually represent themselves as excellent math thinkers. Fourth grader Frederick Rudolph, placed 5th on Test 1 and 3rd on Test 2 and fourth grader Lucas Heifner placed 4th on Test 2.

Frederick Rudolph poses with math coach Karen Plaisance and teacher Catherine Hayes at the Mini Mu Math Contest.

Scales Elementary

Scales Elementary School had 26 participants at the December 6 Mini Mu Math Competition.

The Scales Elementary students who participated in this year’s Mini Mu Math Contest pose for a group photo.

Sunset Elementary

A group of fourth and fifth graders proudly represented Sunset Elementary in the Brentwood Mini Mu Math Contest. The team enjoyed a Saturday filled with super heroes and math!

The Sunset Elementary students who participated in the Mini Mu Math Contest pose for a group photo.

Walnut Grove Elementary

This week, first graders were busy at Walnut Grove. They read, “Duck! Rabbit!” by Amy Rosenthal and Tim Lichtenheld. Two characters see the same images differently – is it a duck or a rabbit? Using this book as an introduction, students will learn about writing an opinion piece. In math, students are learning about coins and their values and how different combinations of coins can add up to the same amount. In science, students are identifying the properties of liquids and solids by observing their shape, color, feel and size. Meanwhile, students will soon perform “Melton the Warm Hearted Snowman” for parents and students.

Westwood Elementary

Westwood third graders are learning about how to find the area of regular and irregular polygons. No taxation without representation! Fourth graders are learning all about the causes of the American Revolution. The fifth grade students are making research posters about animals to go along with their science biome unit. Skate time has begun in P.E. classes!

Winstead Elementary

On December 6, two dozen fourth and fifth graders competed alongside 500 other WCS students in the Mini-Mu Math Competition at Brentwood High School. Winstead students receiving medals were Angela Mueller, Kate Daniel and Joseph Gregory. The teachers who participated include Kim Young, Torie Bond, Whitney Mitchell, Kelly Clark and Math Coach Becky Bolden. Congratulations to our winners and all who participated!

The Winstead Elementary students who participated in this year’s Mini Mu Math Contest pose for a group photo.

 

Middle Schools

Brentwood Middle

Congratulations to several Brentwood Middle School band and string students who were chosen by audition to participate in the MTSBOA (Middle Tennessee Schools Band and Orchestra) Mid-State Band, Orchestra, and/or Jazz Band. Two students were named to the Gold Band; four students were named to the Silver Band; one student was named to the Jazz Band; and two students were named to the Orchestra. These students will perform at the Mid-State Band and Orchestra Event at MTSU in January.

Fairview Middle

Congratulations to Fairview Middle School seventh graders Sydney Mount, Maia Sudbrock, and Cassy Thompson whose collaborative stop-motion animation film was selected to be in the Middle Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition to be held December and January at Belmont University. The film also contained watercolor painting and 1 point perspective.

Heritage Middle

The Heritage Middle School PTO will host the Dodge for COWS Dodgeball Tournament Saturday, January 24 at 9 a.m. in the HMS gym. Teams will consist of 10 players each. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of Computers on Wheels or COWS. So get a team together and sign up today at heritagemiddlepto.org.

Heritage Middle PTO to host dodgeball tournament.

Hillsboro K-8

The PTO would like to say a big “Thank you” to everyone who attended Barnaroo and Witchaven! We appreciate everyone who donated items for the gift baskets and silent auction, as well as those who helped decorate. The PTO raised nearly $15,000 through these events! This money will go directly back to the students at Hillsboro School. Thank you!

Spring Station Middle

Spring Station Middle School’s Varsity Cheer Squad placed first at the UCA Smoky Mountain Christmas Championship in Sevierville on December 6. This win, along with a second place win in Lexington, has earned the squad a bid to the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando this February.

Spring Station Middle School’s Varsity Cheer Squad placed first at the UCA Smoky Mountain Christmas Championship.

Sunset Middle

The Sunset Middle seventh and eighth grade strings orchestra performed at Ravenwood on December 4. The Sunset Orchestra took the lead, followed by RHS Strings Orchestra and then the grand finale of combined Sunset/Ravenwood Orchestra. Craig Madole, middle school conductor, is very proud of the students’ maturity and hard work shown in their performance. It was a pleasure for students across so many grade levels to be able to collaborate in this outstanding performance. We look forward to our spring concert which will feature various musical styles.

The Sunset Middle seventh and eighth grade strings orchestra performs at Ravenwood.

Woodland Middle

Woodland Middle School is proud to have three students as cast members in Nashville’s Nutcracker. Sixth grader Meghan Fischbach has been cast as Party Scene Girl; seventh grader Hannah Rosenthal will play the role of Russian Nesting Doll; and eighth grader Rhea Zaverchand has been cast as Clara. Presented by the Nashville Ballet, this Nashville-themed holiday classic will be in residence at TPAC’s Jackson Hall for a total of 12 performances.

Woodland Middle students Rhea Zaverchand, Meghan Fischbach and Hannah Rosenthal will perform in Nashville’s Nutcracker.

 

High Schools

Brentwood High

Next Week is “The Most Wonderful Week of the Year” at Brentwood High so the student body is encouraged to participate in the dress up days. Those students who believe they are the best dressed for the theme of the day, will report to room A-7 at 11:30 to be judged to win the prize for Best Dressed! Monday-Holiday Hat & Sock Day; Tuesday-Pajama Day; Wednesday- Tropical Holiday Day; Thursday-Favorite Holiday Character Day; and Friday- Tacky Sweater Day.

Centennial High

Congratulations to CHS senior Deon Sanders on being chosen to play in the East vs. West All Star Classic Football game. Congrats also goes to CHS senior Kali Hicks who was chosen to cheer on the all-star squad for that game. Centennial Cougar Crew will be sponsoring “Cocoa and Cram” on Sunday December 14 at the CHS Library. Students can come between 3-5 p.m. to study, get help from tutors/teachers and enjoy hot cocoa.

Franklin High

Franklin High is celebrating numerous student accomplishments. Musa Subramaniam won the Extemporaeneous Speaking event and placed an impressive 3rd place in Impromptu Speaking at the Collins Invite in Arlington. Meanwhile, the wrestling team placed 4th out of 15 schools at the Overton Invitational. Franklin had four wrestlers in the finals, crowning three champions: Josh Filbey, Cameron Vogt and Jack Halloran and one runner-up, Jack Shrader. Filbey was awarded the Outstanding Wrestling Award by pinning everyone in his weight class in the first period. Congratulations to the Franklin boys swim team! They beat Ravenwood 92-78. Tim Fleet (200 IM), Evan Gobel (100 Free), and Cole Fischer (500 Free) will be headed to the University of Knoxville in February for the State Championship! Congrats also go out to Ethan Browne, who broke the Franklin High School record in the 100 Breaststroke in a time of 56.32 (this is also a NISCA All-American cut)! Our ladies unfortunately lost to Ravenwood 113-57. Freshman Phoebe Browne scored a win in the 100 Breaststroke and sophomore Emily Coke won the 100 backstroke. Congratulations to Gabby Brewster, Elizabeth Herr, Emma Harrison and Millie Taylor for earning regional cuts in their events.

Page High

Fall semester exams will be given December 16-19. No exams will be given early or at a time different from the exam schedule. All students will remain in their classrooms during the entire exam period. No hall passes should be given and no student will be permitted to leave early after finishing an exam. No student will be permitted to leave early during an exam period. All students are expected to be at school all day during the examination schedule. Students who are not present, including students exempt from exams, will be counted as absent. These absences will be unexcused unless a doctor’s note is provided or the illness is verified. A student who does not take a required exam will not receive credit for the course until the exam is taken. Any student who is not exempt and misses an exam will receive an “I” as their exam grade. The “I” can only be removed when the student takes the exam. The grade will not be changed to “0” at any point unless the student physically sits for the exam and does not correctly answer test items. Senior exemptions- Six (6) or fewer absence codes per period, per semester in order to be exempt AND have at least a 91 average in the class. The 3 points (Honors) and 5 points (AP) will be added to the semester grade prior to notification of the exam exemption.

Ravenwood High

Ravenwood baseball coach Teddy Craig has been selected as the Sectional Coach of the Year by the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association. The Raptors went 26-15 and earned Class AAA state tournament berth under Craig last season. They were District 11-AAA tournament champions and runners-up in Region 6-AAA. Craig will be recognized January 17 at the TBCA Awards Luncheon.

Summit High

Summit introduced its first contemporary issues class this year. Student are not lacking topics to discuss. They’ve analyzed everything from ISIS, Common Core, wrongful imprisonment, IVF and immigration. “We talked adult topics like true professionals,” said teacher Kate Hickey. “I’m proud of this empathetic, curious, respectful, and mature group of students. This class has exceeded my every expectation.”