School Snippets – October 30, 2015

Published October 30, 2015

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

Elementary Schools

Allendale Elementary

The kindergartners of Allendale Elementary received a special visit from the Spring Hill Fire Department. Since October is fire prevention month, the firefighters demonstrated the technique of stop, drop and roll, along with the importance of keeping your face covered when smoke is present in the house. The kids also got to enjoy a visit from Pup, the fire department’s mascot. An inflated fire house was set up, which allowed students to simulate crawling through the home, out a window and meeting up at the designated safety location that was discussed during the fire safety portion of the program. The firefighters suited up and let the students tour a firetruck and ambulance. The Allendale Alligators had a great time!

Bethesda Elementary

On October 26, Bethesda Elementary had two very important guests. Toni Birdsong started her career as a reporter covering courts, business, politics, the arts and entertainment. Toni Birdsong is co-owner of Birdsong Creative. Toni Birdsong is an award-winning writer with 20 years of experience. Toni also spent 10 years writing for the Walt Disney Company. The other special guest is Linda Allsup. Linda works for the National Writing Project for the United States. She is also a contracted consultant for the University of Mississippi. She is a retired school teacher of 30 years. Both are visiting Bethesda to teach the children about creative writing, where they will focus on informative writing and how to tell stories using many different writing skills.

Chapman’s Retreat Elementary

Today, CRES fifth graders went on a field trip to Carter House/Carnton Plantation. The Civil War is a large part of the fifth grade Social Studies curriculum. Seeing historic homes that played a big role in the Civil War gives students a concrete representation of what it was like during that time period. One of our fifth graders, Isaiah Ward, found a Civil War bullet while touring the Carter House. After 150 years, there is still many things to discover!

Clovercroft Elementary

Clovercroft Elementary’s third grade students will present the musical, Dig It on November 5 at 6 p.m. Travel back in time to learn about the farm laborers of early Mesopotamia and Egyptian mummies who “rap” to a chorus of ancient Greeks and Romulus and Remus who dream of building a great city, you and your students will love discovering the archeological mysteries of the past. On November 6 at 9 a.m., Clovercroft Elementary will host a Veterans’ Day program to honor all military veterans.

College Grove Elementary

Our kindergarten classes toured Walden Farms and participated in learning about animals, took a hayride and picked a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. The students had so much fun sliding down the tube on a feed sack.

Crockett Elementary

The hallways at Crockett Elementary School have been busy this week with the fall book fair. Students enjoyed having lunch with parents, Breakfast with Mom, and Family Fun Night with Mr. Bond, the Science Guy. On Thursday, students, faculty and staff dressed in pink to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Day. On Friday, students enjoyed some fun and games during their Fall Harvest Parties.

Edmondson Elementary

Students and teachers at Edmondson Elementary are participating in Red Ribbon Week. Each day of this special week, everyone follows a theme to promote healthy habits. One of our favorite days is Mustache Day: I “Mustache” You to Make Healthy Choices. Students wear or bring a mustache to encourage each other about healthy and safe choices.

Fairview Elementary

The fun and learning continue at Fairview Elementary this week! Our pre-K and early childhood students enjoyed getting to see a real life fire truck on Thursday, October 29. Students learned about being a firefighter and got to see the equipment and clothing they wear. Parent teacher conferences started this week and will also be held on November 5 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Kindergarten and first grade wrapped up their STAR reading testing this week. We love looking at their results and seeing what smart students we have!

Grassland Elementary

This week, fifth graders have been working hard to prepare for their visit to JA BizTown. Students have been learning to use and balance a checkbook. They have also been learning about resumes and speech writing. In Science, they have been focusing on ecosystems. Spirit Week was a huge success. Thank you to chairs Andrea Hoard and Ellen Peterson. And finally, Grassland Parent Math Night is November 5 from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, hosted by Math Coach Beverly Gonzalez and fourth grade teacher Amy Kate McMurry. This session is a repeat of the Math Lunch that took place September 29.

Heritage Elementary

Mrs. Weaver’s third grade class at Heritage Elementary is studying Plant Structure. On October 28, they planted a red oak tree outside the third grade classrooms. Mr. Snackenberg, Arborist for the City of Franklin, came to teach and help plant the tree.

Hunters Bend Elementary

Our kindergarten students visited the fire station and came back with complimentary fire hats! In other news, while celebrating the 50th day of school, our librarian Mrs. Nesbitt served root beer floats to our kindergartners. And the second grade students created pumpkin characters based upon books they read. Lots of creativity in this class of students!

Kenrose Elementary

Red Ribbon Week kicked off this week at Kenrose! Tuesday, October 27 was “we have the power to be drug free” day. Students wore their favorite superhero costumes to school.

Lipscomb Elementary

Students at Lipscomb Elementary were busy this week. The BE NICE Club at Lipscomb Elementary worked to frame the successory nominations to be presented to staff. First graders wore black for Red Ribbon Week to “Black Out Bullying.” Kindergartners participated in the Ollie the Otter program. Ollie is the mascot for the Tennessee Seat Belt and Booster Safety program.

Longview Elementary

In honor of Red Ribbon Week at Longview Elementary this week, our Wonderwomen kindergarten teachers appeared ready to take any challenge that comes their way!

Nolensville Elementary

Nolensville students in every grade level are completing a complex obstacle course in physical education classes. PE teachers David Hockenberry, Richard Herzog and Deborah Russell gave detailed instruction and demonstrated how to maneuver the course. Students are working to improve balance, coordination, speed, agility and upper body strength.

Oak View Elementary

The students at Oak View brought in their book character pumpkins this week. They really enjoyed sharing their creations.

Pearre Creek Elementary

Pearre Creek Elementary Monster Book Fair opens this week through Friday, November 6. Students can bring their grandparent or someone “grand” to have doughnuts with them and visit the book fair on November 3-5. Family night is Thursday, November 5 from 3:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. A fun night is planned willed with food trucks, face painting and a balloon artist.

Scales Elementary

The fifth grade held their first Science Fair, where students had fun teaching fellow elementary school scientists the different areas of science. In other news, third grader Noah Porter was the Principal for the Day. He helped with ordering computers with Principal Molly Dalgarn and computer lab teacher Carlyn Wudel.

Trinity Elementary

Trinity Elementary’s Student Council Monster Mash Dash was held on Saturday, October 24. In total, 76 runners and 14 helpers came dressed in costumes and ran a fun 5K around Trinity and Cecil Lewis Park. The purpose of the race was to collect donations such as coats and blankets for our sister school in Nashville, Haywood Elementary. During the race and the three weeks prior, students collected numerous items including 1,243 books. Great job, Trinity Community! #BeNiceFoward

Walnut Grove Elementary

Walnut Grove fifth grade classes went on a field trip to JA BizTown. BizTown is a junior achievement program that helps fifth grade students discover, investigate and become productive citizens. BizTown is a real-life, fully-functioning mini city run entirely by students. Each student serves in a specific job role to help the entire class/community operate the stores, bank, delivery center, radio station, restaurant, newspaper and city hall. During the BizTown experience, students learn first-hand what it takes to create a business, make a budget, advertise and sell products, supervise employees, hold elected office, as well as personally earn and manage money.

Westwood Elementary

Second grade is going to start a clay project next week in art. They are making clay pigs! Meanwhile, the chorus will sing at the Fairview Middle School Holiday Bazaar on November 7 at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.

Winstead Elementary

In music, pre-kindergarten is learning about steady seat and singing voice. Students have explored all the different voices-talking, silly, shouting, whisper and our natural singing voice. Students are also incorporating the drum to accompany one of their favorite songs, “Wake Me, Shake Me!” Meanwhile, kindergarten students are using their singing voice with fun songs including “Brother Jon” sung in French, and a traditional Spanish song “Ram Sam Sam.” Kindergartners are also reading rhythm patterns with whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes in a fun story telling adventure called Treasure Island Adventure-Takadimi!

Middle Schools

Brentwood Middle

Brentwood Middle School’s Student Government Association is hosting a food drive November 2 through November 6 to benefit Feed America First. Students are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to help others in Williamson County. Suggested items are soups, peanut butter, tuna, canned vegetables, etc. There will be a homeroom contest to see which one brings in the most items. For every produce box filled, the teacher’s “Can Hunger” label will get a spoon. The homeroom teacher with the most spoons wins. Let’s fill those empty boxes!

Fairview Middle

The eighth grade STARS (Students Taking A Right Stand) leadership team at Fairview Middle attended a STARS leadership conference at Belmont University on October 29. This conference is designed to develop and motivate youth in schools to take a stand against bullying and promote a positive environment for all.

Grassland Middle

Veterans living in the Grassland community are invited to join the students and staff at Grassland Middle for the school’s Veteran’s Day assembly November 10 at 10:40 a.m. WCS Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney will be the keynote speaker.

Heritage Middle

Lead by the STARS team, Heritage Middle celebrated Red Ribbon Week with a student door decorating contest.

Sunset Middle

Seventh grade scientists at Sunset Middle learned about diffusion with the Gummy Bear Lab. Students learned how substances move across membranes.

Woodland Middle

Woodland Middle School’s Student Council assembles treat bags for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Outreach Program. This is part of an annual program at WMS in which the bags are delivered to VUMC patients around Halloween.

High Schools

Brentwood High

Auditions for the musical Anything Goes will be November 5 after school in the drama room. Students who are interested should come to audition rehearsal Tuesday, November 3 after school to learn the dance and music for auditions.

Centennial High

In February of 2016, the CHS Vocal Music students will be travelling to Disney in Florida for a workshop on film scoring. They will have the amazing opportunity to record vocal tracks in a studio setting to a Disney film, and then receive a final product of the work. Disney will also host a live performance opportunity for them while there. This will provide rich and relevant learning opportunities for the students. The estimated cost of the trip is approximately $800 per student and the CHS vocal students have formulated a plan to help offset the cost of this incredible opportunity. For a donation equivalent to covering the cost for one student, you can have a small octet of Centennial top vocalists or the Chamber Choir perform at you corporate event this fall. Please contact Jeff Myrick for more information. National Honor Society will hold their fall Blood Drive in the Aux Gym Friday October 30 from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Fairview High

Over 70 students, teachers and community members joined Cross Point Church on Saturday, October 24 to provide a day of service to Fairview High teacher Valerie Willmore and her husband as they both battle cancer. In other news, 30 Fairview High students were honored and inducted into the Beta Club on Monday, October 26. Students have also joined together to eradicate hunger and defend their district title for the Canned Food Drive, culminating with a pep rally on Friday when they have the opportunity, for a donation, to pie administrators and teachers in the face. The Fairview High student body is also collecting everyday items for children in Haiti through our STARS program.

Franklin High

Congratulations are in order for many students at Franklin High. The JROTC program participated in the Commando Challenge this past weekend which included numerous physical and mental challenges. They represented Franklin very well. FHS Math Teams who represented Franklin came back with two who finished in the top 50 of about 500 students participating in the math competition. Additionally, there will be an exciting Dodgeball Tournament this week to help raise funds for our Canned Food Drive. Teams from all groups will be participating. You might even see some of your favorite staff members on the court.

Independence High

Independence High School Principal Dr. Todd Campbell has been named the Middle Tennessee Principal of the Year. The Tennessee Principal of the Year award is given each year for meritorious service in education and outstanding leadership that leads to overall improvements in their school. Nominees must have a minimum of three years’ experience as a principal and a minimum of five years’ experience in Tennessee public schools. All nominees must have a proven track record of exceptional gains in student learning.

Page High

If you have not ordered your student’s Page Patriot yearbook, now is the time. Click here and enter the order number 603380. The cost of the yearbook is $70 until they are sold out. Contact Ms. Megan Comer with questions. Time is running out! High school seniors in Tennessee may apply for the Tennessee Promise scholarship, which will provide for two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college in Tennessee. The window for applying for the TN Promise will be open through November 2 only. Completing the application is only the first step of the process. Once you apply, there are several guidelines and benchmarks that must be met and followed. Click here to start the process. Contact your school counselor with questions. Additionally, there will be an organizational meeting for seniors who would like to ply for the Tennessee Promise on November 10 at 2 p.m. This is a mandatory meeting for those seniors who have already applied by the November 2 deadline.

Renaissance High

In conjunction with their year-long study on poverty, students at Renaissance High School participated in a personal finance simulation October 30. The experience was designed to give students a greater understanding of how tough it can sometimes be for families to make ends meet.

Summit High

Summit High will be hosting a basketball camp for boys and girls this Sunday, November 1 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. We are accepting campers of all ages through current eighth graders. The cost for the camp is $30 and can be paid at the door during registration. Registration will begin at 12:15 p.m. Click here to see the camp flyer containing all pertinent information. We are accepting the first 120 campers who sign up. All campers must bring their own basketball. Current boys and girls players and coaches will serve as camp counselors. Any questions can be directed to Josh Goodwin.