School Snippets – November 21, 2014
Published November 21, 2014
The information below is provided by each school. Schools are listed in alphabetical order according to grade level.
Elementary Schools
Allendale Elementary
Have you ever thought about what it takes to make a business successful? The second grade students at Allendale Elementary sure have! This unit allowed the boys and girls to learn about all the facets of running a business: what kind of business to operate, product inventory, supply and demand, giving the business a name, customer service, and how they can make their product enticing to the buying public. This Business Day will be one that will be long remembered. As one second grader said, “I can’t wait to start my own business soon!”
Bethesda Elementary
Fifth graders at Bethesda Elementary School were busy preparing for their 4-H speeches this week.
Chapman’s Retreat Elementary
Holiday Fun week is December 15-19: Monday is Holiday/Ugly Holiday Sweater Day; Tuesday is Holiday Socks and Slippers Day; Wednesday is Movie Day – PJ Day; Thursday is Holiday Hats and Scarves Day; and Friday is Class Parties and Sing-a-Long at 11 a.m. On Thursday, December 18, there will be a Jingle Bell Walk to School Day – students are invited to wear crazy holiday hats and teachers will be spreadout along the path to school, greeting students and parents with hot apple cider and smiles.
College Grove Elementary
The journey to JA BizTown for College Grove fifth graders was both fun and educational! Our students were employed within a striving community and economy. Each child walked away with skills and experiences that they will be able to apply as they enter their young adult lives. Some were surprised at the responsibilities associated with “real world” jobs, but proved to be successful citizens.
Crockett Elementary
The book fair will continue through Friday, November 21 with hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. While the book fair is taking place in the library, the guidance department is sponsoring guest speakers from Mental Health America who are presenting the “Erasing the Stigma” program. This program provides interactive and educational presentations for children and youth addressing concerns such as bullying, self-esteem and anxiety. In other news, in honor of Thanksgiving, there are several special events taking place this week. First grade had their Native American Day on Thursday, November 20. The students dressed in Native American costumes and made totem poles, weaved place mats, created cave drawings and made butter to eat on mock piki bread. Brooke Morel’s class will be reading different versions of Stone Soup all week – her students will be doing a Stone Soup readers theatre and then making stone soup on Friday.
Edmondson Elementary
Edmondson Elementary third graders have been rocking through their geometry unit the past few weeks. They have learned all about polygons and their attributes and can organize and classify shapes of all sizes. On Wednesday, the students even calculated perimeter and area using Cheese-Its, and on Thursday, they tackled the task again completing a toilet paper challenge.
Fairview Elementary
Fifth graders are Fairview Elementary got to experience firsthand what working in the real world is like. They traveled to JA BizTown on November 6 and 7, and worked at jobs they had applied for, paid taxes, made deposits and more! They had a blast while working, but soon realized how demanding adult life can be. Additionally, fourth grade students gave character speeches to try to qualify for the county 4H competition. The students had to choose a character trait and then give a speech both about that trait and then about people who exhibit that trait. They were incredible – so well spoken and prepared.
Heritage Elementary
The Heritage Elementary PTO will be hosting it’s 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 13. This event will run from 8:30 – 10 a.m. Hot breakfast will be served and there will be crafts, games, story time, pictures with Santa and special performances by HES GLEE. This event is free for HES students and siblings. In other news, Heritage Elementary fifth graders are currently preparing for JA BizTown. Students are prepping for job placement and will enjoy this two day field trip on December 15 and 16.
Hunters Bend Elementary
Kindergarten students read the story, The Monster Sandwich by Joy Cowley. As a reading extension activity, the students made their own monster sandwiches and published a book sequencing the steps of making the sandwich. First grade is learning about the states when their Flat Stanley comes back from family members in other parts of the country. Second grade had a visit from The Science Guy and learned how to make slime! Fifth graders enjoyed learning how to Jazzercise in PE classes this week.
Kenrose Elementary
Dr. Webb Julie Lankford, Anna Sellers, Rebecca Griffin, and Sarah Becky Spain traveled to Washington, DC to accept the Blue Ribbon Award for KES.
Longview Elementary
Longview Elementary first graders made GAK and ice cream.
Nolensville Elementary
Kindergarten students did a fantastic job performing “Hurray for Thanksgiving.” Shelley Exler, music teacher, and all the kindergarten teachers worked hard to prepare students for the big day. Volunteers helped make costumes for the Pilgrims, Indians and turkeys. Parents, grandparents and other community members were in attendance. We are thankful for all of our students and families, teachers, principals and staff at Nolensville Elementary.
Oak View Elementary
Oak View student leadership council under the supervision of fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jill DeClerk, sponsored a canned food drive over the last couple of weeks. The many boxes of food donated by all of our students were sent to GraceWorks for distribution to those in need. Oak View was happy to help our community through this project. Also this week, the fourth grade had their play celebrating America and recognizing our special Veterans. Lastly, on Thursday, Oak View celebrated a delicious Thanksgiving meal with family and friends in our cafeteria – Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Pearre Creek Elementary
Two years ago, Pearre Creek Elementary implemented an honorable responsibility for our oldest Panthers. The Pearre Creek Color Guard consists of two students from each class who are selected by their teachers to take care of our American and Tennessee flags. These students are selected based on their demonstration of responsibility and reliability of this special task. Students are specially trained for the job by the Franklin Police Department and are trained on how to raise, lower and fold the flags properly, as well as demonstrate honor and extra special treatment for the American flag. Fifth graders in the Color Guard for this year are: Mary Kate Story and Grayson Kiser, from Ms. Clohessy’s class; Luke Roaten and Emma Finney from Mr. Higgins’ class; Campbell Slaughter and Olivia Dillon from Ms. Jewel’s class; and Carissa Brandt and John Mattox from Ms. Kin/Ms. Pennington’s class.
Scales Elementary
The kindergarten classes at Scales Elementary had their annual Thanksgiving Feast where Pilgrims and Indians joined together for a feast. In other school news, the third grade presented their patriotic program “American Voices” for the school on Wednesday, November 19. A show for the parents took place the following evening.
Sunset Elementary
On November 14, fifth graders at Sunset Elementary School took a field trip to the Carnton Plantation and Carter House. They even brought their BE NICE signs!
Walnut Grove Elementary
Walnut Grove is focusing on reading and literature this week. It is book fair week and the theme is “Book Fair Diner” to celebrate the love of reading and the 1950’s. This reading event provides fun, as well as engaging and affordable books that students want to read. The students listened and learned from three distinguished visiting authors. They also enjoyed a day of reading and dancing at the sock-hop. Giving students an opportunity to choose books motivates them to read more. Reading builds relationships, academic excellence, better communication skills and logical thinking skills.
Westwood Elementary
Third grade will be working on division in math! Fourth grade went on a field trip to the Nashville Children’s Theater to see James and the Giant Peach. Fifth grade presented 4H speeches this week about a character trait. In guidance classes, kindergartners, first graders and second graders are learning about Kelso’s choices and the difference between BIG problems and small ones.
Winstead Elementary
Every classroom is excited to spread the Winstead “Think Twice – Be Nice!” theme by bringing in can goods for GraceWorks. Students competed between classrooms to win a class prize for bringing in the most items. Mrs. Rollins’ class won for grades three through five and Ms. Melissa’s class won for grades kindergarten through second. The real winners will be GraceWorks families who will benefit from the thoughtful generosity of the Winstead students.
Middle Schools
Brentwood Middle
Energy is essential for survival and wild animals are linked together in a constant struggle to find food and to avoid being eaten. On Thursday, November 20th, the sixth grade students attended an assembly by Mr. Brad Reynolds which focused on the amazing adaptations that enable predators to capture prey and those adaptations that protect prey from predators. Live animals were used to bring these adaptations to life, to illustrate the food chain, to explain natural selection, and to demonstrate interdependence.
Fairview Middle
The Fairview Middle School Model UN team did a great job at the Model UN Conference on November 17. All of the teams presented and defended their resolutions confidently. They supported one another and conducted themselves beautifully throughout the day.
Grassland Middle
This fall has been busy at GMS as students show their charitable side by donating to several worthy causes. The football team and Move2Stand program, led by Julie Albee and Coach Johnathan Michael, collected 329 pairs of socks, 17 coats/jackets, 12 blankets, miscellaneous toiletries and 92 pounds of clothing for the Nashville Rescue Mission. At the same time, the school donated nearly 400 pounds of food to GraceWorks for their Fuel Bag drive. The upcoming holiday will be made just a little bit better for eight families sponsored by Grassland Middle students for the Full Tummies, Warm Hearts campaign as well.
Heritage Middle
On Wednesday, November 19, the HMS Library hosted the start of the 2nd Annual Math Olympiad where around 60, sixth through eighth grade students will compete monthly from now through March against students across the country. On Thursday, November 20, HMS had a Pep Rally in the School Gym to recognize our wrestling and soccer teams. As the week draws to a close, we at Heritage Middle would like to give thanks to our wonderful community of teachers, staff, students and PTO.
Hillsboro K-8
Hillsboro did a wonderful job at Middle School Model UN on Tuesday, November 18. Only 15 teams were selected to move forward into the General Assembly, and 12 out of those 15 teams were from Hillsboro.
Spring Station Middle
It’s time to shop till you drop at Spring Station Middle School’s 4th Annual Holiday Marketplace on December 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The school is located at 1000 Spring Station Drive in Spring Hill. Admission is $2 per person and this year’s childcare will be available for $10 per child. Door prizes will be given throughout the day! This is a wonderful time to start your Christmas shopping, or for those over-achievers out there, a change to pick up those last items on your list. Area vendors will offer artisan crafts, foods, home goods and other specialty items. If you’re interested in having a booth, please contact Ashley Harris at ashleyh@wcs.edu or call at (615) 472-5080 ext. 2862. Concessions will be hosted by Summit High School Band boosters. Breakfast and lunch items will be available as well as candy and drinks. More than 700 people are expected to attend so plan to get here early, have breakfast and lunch with us, and enjoy the day.
Sunset Middle
Sunset Middle showcased their musical talent this week. The Sunset Middle School Winter Choir Concert opened their concert with a spirited rendition of “Seasons of Love”, off with a bit of Broadway from the sixth grade choir, followed by the Hanukkah tune, “Candlelight Song” and a heartwarming rendition of Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Edelweiss.” Not long after, the seventh and eighth concert choir took the stage with the wintry “Chapua Kali Desemba,” a stunning performance of “Kyrie” from Schubert’s Mass in G and an arrangement of “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay. For the grand finale, the concert choir was joined by the sixth grade for “Carol of the Bells.” The Sunset Middle School Bands performed their fall concert the evening of November 13. They kicked off with a demonstration by our sixth grade, al 133 students. Our seventh grade played three selections including Ancient Voices by Michael Sweeney. Our eighth graders concluded an incredible evening with favorites from John Williams and the Sunset version of the Three-minute Nutcracker. The strings orchestra will join the Ravenwood Orchestra on Thursday, December 4 for their concert.
Woodland Middle
This week in Mrs. Palmer’s class, students were able to take a moment and reflect on things for which they were thankful. Sometimes we get so busy that we just don’t realize how lucky we are. They made a ‘Thankful Tree.” The “Thankful Tree” was created for students to be able to write at least one thing/person they were thankful for and hang it on the tree that sits atop a table in their classroom.
High Schools
Centennial High
Centennial will have five students representing our region at the National Student Leadership Academy in Washington D.C. November 19-23. The students all competed regionally and statewide, with Destiny Newsome being named the top winner of the Jobs for America’s Graduates Essay contest. Along with Destiny, four additional delegates were selected by a committee from WorkForce Essentials, Inc. and the business community following additional essay submissions. Those students are Cheyanne Davis, Joshua Waddell, Ashleigh Knoll and Cyerra Henderson. Lastly, be sure to check out the 17th Annual Centennial Holiday Show this weekend on Saturday, November 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 23 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Fairview High
The Transition I and II classes will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for students and administration on Friday, November 21. This activity is to teach these students meaningful life skills and help bridge between the two programs. Transition students are also selling wreaths and holiday decorated jars to raise money for the department. Additionally, students are launching a “Teacher Helper” service to offer help to the teachers at Fairview High School.
Franklin High
Financial Aid Night is Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. in the FHS Cafeteria. Important topics that will be covered include understanding financial aid terms, completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and information about Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarships (TELS). The FHS Chorus Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 4 at 7 p.m. in the FHS Theater. Fall semester exams will be given December 16-19. FHS Basketball will host the FHS Thanksgiving Classic Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25. The Animal Awareness Club is collecting Donations December 8-12 for dogs that were rescued on November 5 from a puppy mill in Tennessee for “Operation Home for the Holidays.” Members of the club will take donations during lunch periods. There will also be collection boxes around the school during that week for items like towels, blankets, toys or pet food to help Tennessee rescues.
Independence High
Indy friends recently went bowling at the Franklin Lanes. They had a great time.
Page High
On Tuesday, December 2, starting at 6 p.m., Annie Trout of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation will present a program that deals with all aspects of applying for financial aid. Topics will include: Tennessee State Lottery Scholarships, TN Promise, filling out the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), qualifying for need based and non-need based grants and loans, work study opportunities and family responsibilities as it applies to contributions for college education. There are many state grants, loans and scholarship programs that will be discussed. Various sources, from paper applications to online applications will be reviewed. Representatives from area colleges should be on hand for a Q & A. The program will be held in Page High School’s Theater. Any questions can be directed to the Page High School Counseling center at (615) 472-4738.
Ravenwood High
On Saturday, November 15, the RHS Skeet and Trap team placed third in Varsity at the last regional match for the semester at Big Springs Clay Targets. Shooting for Ravenwood were Kelsey Krause, Tyler Dunn, Trey Caldwell, Christian Suray and Matt Walters. Olivia Flint also placed first on a mixed squad with Eagleville for first place in Junior Varsity. Kelsey Krause had the highest individual score at the match with a 95, including a perfect round of 25 straight broken targets.
Summit High
In Mr. Turpin’s English II Honors class at Summit High School, students were recently assigned a research project where they were asked to research a topic of their interest related to the Holocaust, then develop a written component, a visual component and a presentation for the class. One group conducted their entire presentation as if they were Holocaust deniers. Another group, after researching survivors’ stories, used what they had learned to create their own fictional survivor’s story video. Another group had a reporter “break into” a concentration camp to interview two prisoners who, as the reporter discovered, were about to attempt an escape. One student said of the project, “I think it’s important that we don’t forget that tragic time in history. I loved this project because everything we did gave me a new perspective and more knowledge.”