Lenoir City Schools
News from around the district - September 25, 2015
Congratulations to Teachers Who Received Grants!
I am very pleased to announce that three of our teachers who wrote grants to the Loudon County Education Foundation through the Tate & Lyle grant received funding.
Lenoir City Schools will receive:
- $3,927 for the DIY with Math project submitted by Brittney Grigsby (LCES)
- $1,500 for the Space Balloon Launch project submitted by Kevin Smith (LCHS)
- $3,000 for We Go with Lego Project submitted by Norma Jean Norman (LCES)
Insurance Update
The open enrollment period for insurance is open beginning Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 30 at 4:00 p.m. This year there are some new options to review as you decide the best plan for you and your family. Look for a booklet in your home mail from ParTNers for Health entitled, 2016 Decision Guide. Representatives from Five Points Benefits will be presenting information about the new options as they meet with each of you in your schools during October.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts...
I met with LCEA leadership who shared your thoughts as expressed in the recent survey of teachers. Overall, you support the statement that Lenoir City Schools is a great place to work. We have a great system, and I also know that in some areas we can do more to address our needs. I appreciate the honest comments. It is clear that we need to improve the student registration process, and we are working to make that process better. Separating the signed documents from the online family/student information has been suggested as a possible solution.
Professional development time is another topic that was is clearly perceived differently school to school. The option to choose classes based on your personal needs was the basis for creating the time-for-time option to replace Feb. 15. That option works for some, but not others. I ask that you share suggestions with Pam Sims as the team plans for next school year.
Lastly, I believe, along with many of you, that our family connections and parent conference plans can be improved. I will be asking our principals to work with the school teams to plan for more effective ways to make parents a vital part of the support you have for their child's education.
Professional development time is another topic that was is clearly perceived differently school to school. The option to choose classes based on your personal needs was the basis for creating the time-for-time option to replace Feb. 15. That option works for some, but not others. I ask that you share suggestions with Pam Sims as the team plans for next school year.
Lastly, I believe, along with many of you, that our family connections and parent conference plans can be improved. I will be asking our principals to work with the school teams to plan for more effective ways to make parents a vital part of the support you have for their child's education.
LCES New Playground
Lenoir City Elementary students are excited to have a NEW playground! In partnership with the PTO, LCS was pleased to provide new playground equipment. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held on Monday, September 28.
LCIMS Students Create a video at Tremont
LCHS Culinary Arts is now OPEN
In the photo, two students in culinary arts class taste-test cinnamon rolls hot out of the oven!
Tennessee Task Force on Student Testing Releases Recommendations
The Tennessee Task Force on Student Testing and Assessment, comprised of 18 educators and education leaders from across the state, concluded six month of discussion and research and listed 16 recommendations to address concerns about too much testing and to ensure meaningful use of assessments across the state.
The task force's work and recommendations focused on four key areas of assessment:
- Reducing unnecessary or redundant student tests;
- Transparency in testing;
- Aligning tests to postssecondary and workforce expectations; and
- Supporting districts around test scheduling and logistics.
full report found at http://tn.gov/education/topic/assessment-task-force
Lenoir City Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament
Pictured are Christina Mullinex and Bruin Webster
John Hattie's Research
What works best in raising student achievement according to John Hattie's research...
LCHS Chalk Walk
Coverage for All Educators Through the Educator Protection Act
Earlier this year, as part of a more than $100 million budget initiative to support Tennessee teachers and in response to feedback from educators throughout the state, Gov. Haslam proposed and the General Assembly adopted the Educator Protection Act of 2015, which created the Tennessee Educator Liability Fund (Public Chapter 493).
The fund, which is now effective, provides excess liability insurance coverage to all public school teachers and student teachers assigned to public schools and protects against damages or claims arising out of the performance of their work and within the scope of their employment or assignment. The coverage is automatically provided to teachers and student teachers at no cost.
The fund is administered by the State Board of Claims, which is attached to the Tennessee Department of Treasury. Additional information, including a “Frequently Asked Questions” document, program guidelines, and a claim form is available through the Treasury website (here).
The fund, which is now effective, provides excess liability insurance coverage to all public school teachers and student teachers assigned to public schools and protects against damages or claims arising out of the performance of their work and within the scope of their employment or assignment. The coverage is automatically provided to teachers and student teachers at no cost.
The fund is administered by the State Board of Claims, which is attached to the Tennessee Department of Treasury. Additional information, including a “Frequently Asked Questions” document, program guidelines, and a claim form is available through the Treasury website (here).