School Snippets – May 15, 2015

Published May 15, 2015

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

Elementary Schools

Bethesda Elementary

The 4H County Demonstrations were held May 11 at the Rutherford County Ag Center. In fifth grade, McKinley Johnston, Zander King and Olivia Bellini won first place; and Steven Chunn came in third. In fourth grade, Elizabeth Marlin won first place; Perry Rodgers won second place; Karmye Bancalari won third place; and Emma Dolberry won third place. Meanwhile, Billy Hix, associate professor of education at Motlow College, brought his portable planetarium to the school to visually teach multi-curriculum standards to fourth and fifth graders.

Crockett Elementary

This week, Lisa Spencer, chief Meteorologist for Channel 4 news, taught first grade students about forecasting the weather and what to look for in stormy weather. The students did some experiments to help with their understanding of weather. Third through fifth grade students took their reading and math assessments. Mary Ballis McCurry, a first grader in Ms. Hasting’s class, was librarian for the day in support of the PTO’s auction. She was very professional and did a fabulous job! This year’s Nukem party (another PTO auction item) also took place this week. Each winner formed a team of six players that competed in a round robin style tournament. Each team enjoyed lunch provided by Jet’s Pizza, cookies and soft drinks. Finally, students had a blast at Field Day. A special thanks to Carrie Allen, Michelle Zelenak and the numerous parent volunteers for all of their hard work.

Edmondson Elementary

Edmondson’s third graders rotated to the various third grade classrooms to learn about our seven continents. In South America, the students learned one of the primary languages — Spanish from Allie Shelton, a senior at Mississippi State University that is majoring in Spanish while also studying abroad in Madrid, Spain this summer. The students also made Peruvian heritage dolls with the many bring colors or an Inca Indian that lived in Machu Picchu. The students loved the various activities that they were engaged in for the continent study.

Fairview Elementary

We are celebrating and preparing for summer and next year at Fairview Elementary. On May 13, fifth graders traveled across the street to the middle school to see how things operate over there. Younger grades have been hearing from students and teachers about what next year will hold for them. We even had future kindergartners visit this week to check things out! We have also had several students fill in for our authority figures this week. Our stand in principals for-a-day and assistant principals for-a-day got to visit central office on May 13 and visit with Denise Goodwin and take some pictures in a certain superintendent’s chair. They had a blast!

Heritage Elementary

Heritage Elementary would like to thank all of their wonderful volunteers that have helped this year. To our fabulous PTO Board and to the numerous parents that volunteer all year. Volunteers were honored at a volunteer breakfast on Wednesday, May 13 by students and staff. All the students made decorations to decorate the cafeteria. The HES staff and teachers provided food and door prizes. A wonderful time was had by all the volunteers.

Kenrose Elementary

Students at Kenrose dressed like their favorite rock star in support of “Rocking the Test” for TCAP! Meanwhile, Kenrose second grader Reagan Surratt nominated Meaghan Mahoney for the May Successory Award and fifth grader Avery Guay was selected the school’s Academic All-Star. In addition, May 15 is International Day at Kenrose which includes numerous student performances and demonstrations.

Nolensville Elementary

On May 12, twelve students joined principal Paula Waits and assistant principals Amanda Fuller and Kim Steinle for a special field trip. The students climbed in to a party bus and headed to Chuck E. Cheese in Cool Springs. A boy and a girl from each grade level was drawn from our Cardinal Cash stash. Students earn cash by showing Cardinal Pride, being responsible, and giving 100 percent. PTO provided funding to make this exciting event possible.

Oak View Elementary

Recently the Oak View third graders presented a representative from St. Jude with a check from the proceeds of their Market Day. The St. Jude representative explained to the students how the money they raised and donated would be used to help sick children. St. Jude was most appreciative for the generous donation! May 15 is Owl Fun Day – a day filled with inside and outside activities for every grade level. It is a fun day for everyone! The end of the year is quickly approaching and it has been a great one at Oak View Elementary. Two important dates to mark on your calendar are the fifth grade promotion taking place Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 at 1:30 p.m.

Scales Elementary

Field Day was held May 13 at Scales Elementary. Students had fun playing water games, climbing structures and participating in numerous group activities.

Sunset Elementary

Sunset Elementary Principal Karen Caldwell and Assistant Principal Christy Serpas were duct taped to the wall May 8. It was the reward for the Fun Run/Stallion Stampede fundraiser. The kids reached their goal of $25,000!

Walnut Grove Elementary

This week, Walnut Grove students are taking field trips. Kindergarteners went to The Discovery Center. This hands-on learning center lets students see, discuss and touch animals, while covering the topics of adaptations, life cycles and family characteristics. First graders went to Gentry’s Farm. On this historic working farm, students learned about farm animals and where our food comes from. Second graders went to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. They learned about Tennessee native flowers, plants and trees and also the role they play in the environment. Fifth graders went to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Students were engaged in activities that taught about the extraordinary history and cutting-edge future of space exploration.

Westwood Elementary

Westwood pre-k students have been learning about dinosaurs. Students practiced being a paleontologist by digging out fossils in the science center. We also used paper mache to make dinosaur eggs in our sensory center. Meanwhile, Westwood students have enjoyed reading together as part of the reading buddy program.

Winstead Elementary

Winstead welcomed Mr. Bond the Science Guy to each classroom to challenge student on a variety of topics. Kindergarten students went digging for bugs and worms, while first graders reviewed their five senses and enjoyed making cotton candy. Second graders made slime to explore solids and liquids. Bouncy balls excited the third grade students to learn about forces and acceleration. Fourth grade students were shocked to learn about electro-magnetism and electricity, it was a real hair raising activity. Finally it was fifth grade’s turn to explore the Earth’s layers and identify different minerals.

Middle Schools

Grassland Middle

Grassland Middle School teachers are finishing the year strong with creative curriculum projects. Mrs. Kunze’s sixth grade science class is using the engineering and design process to create products out of duct tape. This is a student favorite and is another way GMS teachers use “hands on” experience to achieve the highest level in learning. GMS will host their annual Variety Show and Spring Fling event on Friday May 15. Students are asked to bring a sack lunch and will receive their GMS Yearbook. It’s going to be a BLAST! Yearbooks will be available for sale while supplies last for $60 (cash only).

Heritage Middle

We are finishing strong and busy here at Heritage Middle School. The annual talent show was held Thursday night and was full of fantastic acts. Friday night is “Music in the Movies,” the choir’s really big spring concert! They have been working hard learning all the choreography and music for this extravaganza! The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $3 at the door. Come out and see all this amazing talent!

Hillsboro K-8

Congratulations to the Hillsboro Band for being named the Grand Champion of the 2015 Rodeo Parade! The judges were impressed with the overall professionalism, timing and energy of the students. This is Hillsboro’s second consecutive Rodeo Parade Grand Champion award.

Woodland Middle

All students who participated in the YMCA’s Youth in Government conference did an excellent job. Four teams made the afternoon docket of two which were able to present in both chambers. One bill made it through the entire process to become law. The following students won awards for Outstanding Spokesperson: Sarah Phillipi, Mark Hancock, Owen Sanford, Ella Rhodes, Ishan Sathe, Larry Sharara, Hyuntaek Shin and Emily Gwydir. Gabrielle Floyd, Lauren Link and Sarah Phillipi won an Outstanding Bill award for their Act to require First Aid to be taught to every middle school student, and Alak Johnson, Ishan Sathe, Lany Sharara and Hyuntaek Shin won an Outstanding Bill award for their bill which would put an end to the misuse of civil forfeiture in the state of Tennessee. Meanwhile, congratulations to the following students who were chosen for the Towne Centre Theatre High School Improv Troupe: Erin Mahoney, Sam Anctil, Jackson Stofka, Lauren Amussen and Claire Blattner. These students will be involved starting in the fall at the “Exit Stage Left” professional improv group performances.

High Schools

Brentwood High

Brentwood High School seniors Noah Osuna and Shayna-Raye Funderburk won first place in the “Be in the Zone” PSA contest. More than a dozen schools from across Middle Tennessee took part. The purpose was to remind students of the dangers of texting and driving. The contest was sponsored by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Allstate Foundation and Ford Driving Skills for Life. The BHS TV & Film program will split the $1,000 first place award with the Brentwood High DECA Club, sponsored by Lisa Nease Montgomery. Here is a link to the winning PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBVClhkAEfI

Page High

Driver’s education will be held at Page High beginning Tuesday, May 26 through June 4 from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Coach Billy Mooney will be the teacher and the classroom instruction will be in room 306. Driving time will be scheduled outside of classroom time. Students interested should get an application in the office to be certain they are eligible. Seniors, remember to pre-order a DVD of your Graduation 2015 Ceremony for $20. See Mr. Terry Flowers in room 309. Students should check the lost and found before they leave for the school year. If students have lost more expensive items they should check in the office with a description. Items left will be donated to a no-profit organization by Thursday, May 28.

Ravenwood High

Ravenwood student Emily Hunter was named a recipient of the The Rotary of Cool Springs’ Arlene Peterson Memorial Scholarship luncheon. She was one of four area WCS students who accepted a $1,500 scholarship for her academic success in a career and technical area.