School Snippets – November 13, 2015
Published November 13, 2015
The information below is provided by each school. Schools are listed in alphabetical order according to grade level.
Elementary Schools
Bethesda Elementary
On Tuesday, November 10, Bethesda Elementary’s fifth grade students went to JA BizTown in Nashville. JA Biztown is a fully-interactive simulated town. The students hold elections, earn paychecks, run businesses and experience the world of work own their own. Perry Rogers was elected Mayor of JA Biztown. All of the fifth grade students had jobs and responsibilities. The students had checkbooks and learned how to manage their money. All the students got to be workers and consumers and experience the world on their own at JA Biztown. The students were taught many different useful skills they can use in the real world.
Chapmen’s Retreat Elementary
On November 12, Chapman’s Retreat Elementary hosted a veterans’ appreciation breakfast and recognition program during their Thursday morning assembly. More than 50 Veterans from the Chapman’s Retreat community were in attendance. The local Boy Scouts presented the colors and lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance. The student body sang the Star Spangle Banner. The third grade students sang Put Your Hand On Your Heart and We Celebrate America for the Veterans and student body. Principal Dr. Carol Garrett, along with third grade teachers, handed out Certificates of Appreciation to attending Veterans.
Clovercroft Elementary
Clovercroft Elementary’s kindergarten students are learning about family traditions and discussing their Thanksgiving traditions. The students even disguised turkeys to keep them safe during the holiday. Also, the cafeteria will host Thanksgiving lunch for parents and students on Tuesday, November 17.
Crockett Elementary
This week during Guidance, Mr. Jay Banks came to talk to our third, fourth and fifth graders about bullying. He has been doing these entertaining and educating presentations for 35 years and in 45 states. His philosophy is If they laugh, they listen. If they listen, they learn. This is the methodology behind the I AM UNAFRAID self-empowering, research-based, anti-bullying program. His goal is to empower everyone with the knowledge of what to do in a situation where bullying is occurring, after he makes sure they know the proper definition of bullying. His message revolves around four main points: AFRAid, A-Avoid the Bully, F-Find a Friend, R-Report the Bullying, A-Act confident and has written a book called I Am Unafraid. In other news, Crockett’s generous PTO treated faculty and staff to breakfast on Tuesday and lunch on Thursday. Classroom teachers have also been blessed with wish list items for their classroom.
Edmondson Elementary
Edmondson Elementary had a special Veteran’s Day assembly this week. The fourth and fifth grade choir performed two beautiful patriotic songs. On the big screen, we watched a photo presentation of veterans who are related to our Edmondson families. The highlight of the assembly was guest speaker Sgt. Ken Weichert. He explained to students what being a veteran means to him and gave a rousing pep talk about how everyone can be a life changer. Sgt. Weichter is the father of Anderson Weichert in Shelly Lindsey’s kindergarten class.
Fairview Elementary
Everything fun is happening at Fairview Elementary! Last week, the international lunch club celebrated the country of Egypt. Students had to do research and complete a project to attend. At the lunch, students got to sample Egyptian food, music, and culture. We also received our Hawk Walk results last week! Mr. Oakley, our principal, made a promise to the school that if we raised more than $17,000 he would shave his head. Last Friday, November 6, it happened! The top earners were able to help out shaving Mr. Oakley’s head bald! On Thursday, November 12, second grade students went on a field trip to Bowie Park. They had an awesome time learning about nature and spending the day outside. Our first grade music program is next week on Thursday, November 19 in the gym at 8:30 a.m. Hope to see you there!
Grassland Elementary
Kindergartners are busy working hard learning about pilgrims, Indians and Thanksgiving traditions. They have been practicing for their Thanksgiving Program. This week, second grade went to see Charlotte’s Web at the Nashville Children’s Theater. GES participated in the Feed America First Food Drive this week. The food collected will be distributed to families in need in our local community for Thanksgiving.
Hunters Bend Elementary
Hunters Bend third grade students are discovering the difference between an exoskeleton and endoskeleton this week during observations of crayfish. They are learning about habitats and why creatures behave differently in various situations.
Kenrose Elementary
Kenrose Elementary celebrated Veteran’s Day with an assembly and reception. Family members of students and staff were honored at the assembly. Sophie Page was selected through video auditions to sing the National Anthem at the assembly. A big thank you to our veterans and congratulations to Sophie.
Lipscomb Elementary
Second grade students participated in a Veteran’s Day program entitled For America on Tuesday, November 10.
Longview Elementary
Longview Elementary participated in a school-wide Task Tuesday on November 10. Ms. Burchett’s fifth grade students, with guidance from Math Coach Lori Beardsley, worked through the task individually before breaking into small groups!
Nolensville Elementary
Three big events are happening at Nolensville Elementary next week. The Book Fair will be open Monday through Friday during the school day with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. kindergartners will perform Hurray for Thanksgiving. On Thursday, November 19 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., NES Math Coach Shantel Watson is hosting Family Math Night with a superhero theme. We will be collecting cans of soup for a “soup-er” evening to donate to the Nolensville Food Pantry.
Pearre Creek Elementary
The Panthers Care Club at Pearre Creek Elementary has partnered with Brentwood Pediatric Dentistry in a project to give back part of their Halloween Candy. They collected over 400 pounds of candy. The students sorted all the candy and it will be donated to various organizations.
Trinity Elementary
Trinity Elementary’s third and fourth grade fall chorus performed at the school assembly where the focus was discussion Prioritize. We sang a parody of Cheerleader calling it Be a Leader. The new lyrics focused on our eight keys of being a leader.
Walnut Grove Elementary
It is book fair week at Walnut Grove and we are focusing on reading and literature. The theme this year is Monster Bash of Reading. The Library has been transformed into a special place with amazing, fun, friendly and imaginary monsters. This reading event brings much joy and excitement of reading to students. In-school book fairs provide students with engaging and affordable books that students want to read. 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
Fourth graders at Westwood Elementary will soon be headed to Nashville to learn all about our state’s government. We will spend the day touring the State Capitol and the Tennessee State Museum.
Winstead Elementary
Winstead fifth grade students conducted a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 10 featuring a variety of presidential speeches and patriotic poems, all presented by the students. The students also conducted a White Table ceremony to honor MIA’S and POW’S. In addition, a slideshow of veterans who died in the line of service from Williamson County was shown. In other news, Ms. Young’s fourth grade class recently built balloon powered cars to demonstrate Newton’s three laws of physics. Students used provided materials as well as their own problem solving skills to modify the car’s chassis, axles, and propulsion system for maximum distance during testing.
Middle Schools
Brentwood Middle
Brentwood Middle’s Veteran’s Day program honored our past and present Veterans, including our featured speaker MAJ (P) Matthew Smith. He is the father of two BMS students, William Smith (eighth grade) and James Smith (sixth grade). Mr. Smith also works with several of our students through boy scouts. He served two missions in Iraq and has completed two humanitarian missions. He is a current member of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Additional Veterans attended the assembly and enjoyed a breakfast provided by the Student Government Association members and their parents.
Grassland Middle
Grassland Middle would like to thank volunteers Andy Sweeney and John Pittman of Lee Company. These GMS volunteers take time out of their busy weekly schedules to plan and organize Junior Achievement activities for our students. We appreciate our generous Grassland Community and value our amazing volunteers! You can help GMS by collecting items during November for this worthy organization in our first Grassland Gives Back Drive of the school year! We will be collecting the following items for High Hopes Development Center in Franklin. There will be a donation box by the front office at GMS. Please contact Julie Albee at with any questions. Deadline to contribute is November 20. Immediate needs are construction paper, playdoh, finger paint, stickers, bubbles, disinfectant wipes, tissue and baby wipes.
Heritage Middle
BE NICE student leaders along with student body president and vice-president led the HMS community in a program to honor veterans. Quintavious Johnson, finalist on America’s Got Talent 2014, opened the ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner. Mr. Benjamin Poore, a decorated veteran and HMS Spanish teacher, spoke to the students about how they can honor veterans daily by respecting themselves, respecting others and respecting property. Additionally, Matt Nicholls, singer/songwriter/entertainer, performed God Bless the USA in tribute to all Americans.
Hillsboro School
Valentina Hooghkirk received the award for Best Use of Imagery in Writing at the 2015 Power of the Pen Writer’s Conference. Congratulations, Vaneltina! In other news, the first HEMS Art Show will take place November 19 and 20 at 5 p.m. in Heritage Hall featuring art work from students in grades K-8.
Spring Station Middle
Marissa Sparschu, the Health Educator for the Williamson County Health Department, spoke to our sixth, seventh and eighth grade Health and Wellness classes about the dangers and consequences of tobacco use. Her presentation included information on cigarettes, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes along with examples of the various chemicals that can be found in these items. The students have been learning about these products in Mrs. Boots’ Health class and were excited to show Ms. Sparschu what they already knew about the topic. Many of the students also shared personal stories of how tobacco has impacted the lives of people they know. Spring Station appreciated the time and attention Ms. Sparschu gave to our students and would like to thank her for the visit.
Sunset Middle
Sunset Middle students participated in the Model United Nations 2015 , sponsored by the Tennessee YMCA, and received the Outstanding Resolution Award. Congratulations to Trystan Wepking, Min Kalasikam, David Taylor and Parker Woods. Leah Jones is their sponsor. Additionally, Sunset Middle’s NJHS students helped serve at the Uniquely Nolensville event on Monday, November 9.
High Schools
Franklin High
Good Luck to the Rebels Football team as they play Wilson Central on Friday night in the 2nd round of the State Playoffs. The Franklin Marching Band will be competing this weekend in Indianapolis at the Grand National Championships. Good luck! Yearbooks are now on sale! This is the lowest price they will be all year – prices will increase November 20. Orders can be placed online at www.yearbookordercenter.com (School order code: 421). The Franklin High School Competition Cheerleaders will be competing in the TSSAA State Tournament at the MTSU Murphy Center on Saturday November 14. The competition team placed first in the Small Varsity Division in the Middle TN Cheer Classic at Blackman High School and first at TN Extreme Regionals at Brentwood High School on November 7, where they also received a bid to UCA High School Nationals in Orlando, Florida in February 2016.
Page High
Students have been working hard on their academics and learning a lot but in their spare time they have also been busy. The Marching Patriot Band won the Tennessee State Championship, the Lady Patriots Volleyball finished third in state, Girls Soccer made it to the final four in the state tournament, Boys’ Cross Country placed sixth in the state, Colin Lamb is the State Runner-Up in Cross Country, Girls’ Cross Country placed seventh in the state, the Page Patriot football team went to the first round in playoffs and our Patriot Players presented the play The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. As you can see, our students are busy both academically and outside of the school day.
Summit High
Congratulations to the October Spartans of the Month: Freshmen, Mikah Gerald and Brody McGill; Sophomores, Jessica Settlemire and Collin Hilton; Juniors, Mackenzie Blackstock and Kyle Sumner; Seniors, Abigail Alford and Kevin Wolcott. Additionally, the Tennessee All-State choir is a group of several hundred students from all over Tennessee who have been selected as the finest singers in the state. The students audition in their region (middle, west and east) against 100-200 students per section and are selected if they are in the top 15 of their section. They then spend three days at a conference spending upwards of nine hours a day rehearsing collegiate level music, culminating in a performance at the end of the third day. To be selected for the Tennessee All-State Choir is a tremendous honor and Summit is incredibly proud of their students who made it this year! The six students who made All-State Choir are Jessica Singer, Nicole Turner, Scott Brooks, Nathan Willis, Kayla Hack and Celina James.