The 2020 U.S. Census is here, and the Cheatham County School District needs every family in the district to participate. The Census Bureau recently announced that data collection will now end Sept. 30. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. For schools, that means the numbers are used to make decisions to support programs and services such as Title I resources, free and reduced-price lunch, special education, teacher training, classroom technology, after-school programs and more. To fill out the form, visit my2020census.gov.

The Cheatham County School District received a $30,000 Middle School STEM Start-Up Grant from the Tennessee Department of Education this year to implement a STEM program at Cheatham Middle School, Harpeth Middle School and Sycamore Middle School. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The goal of this state grant is to add an additional 100 new middle school STEM programs by 2022 across the state of Tennessee. Since STEM skills are essential for today’s careers, the district is committed to encouraging more students to pursue STEM courses, and it is imperative that this exposure start in middle school. With the grant money, the district purchased $10,000 worth of Lego robot kits for each middle school. Teachers Kristyn Stone at CMS, Dave Parks at HMS and Angelia Bailey at SMS are working with the students this year on the new program.

Students at Ashland City Elementary STEM Academy are reaping the benefits of the school’s edible school garden. The garden was started with a grant STEM teacher Kristin McQueen received from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. “We have been thrilled our students have been a part of the harvesting. They missed the planting due to COVID-19," she said. Students have harvested okra, carrots, broccoli, peas, cucumbers and tomatoes. Students have been able to taste the vegetables on campus and learn about growing fresh produce. “Our future plans are to continue to nourish our garden and turn the space around it into a fully functioning outdoor classroom,” McQueen said.

Seniors at Cheatham County Central High School and Sycamore High School will take the ACT for FREE on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Harpeth High School seniors will take the test on Tuesday, Oct. 6. This is for ALL seniors – both those attending in-person and virtual – and it is a graduation requirement. In order to provide the safest environment possible, this will be a virtual learning day for all freshmen, sophomores and juniors. They will not report to school on these days (Sept. 22 for CCCHS and SHS and Oct. 6 for HHS). There will be precautionary measures in place to ensure social distancing for the seniors when they take the test. Each of our high schools will share additional information with students and families about the ACT Day so please watch for that communication.

Our three high schools have announced their 2020 football homecoming games. Due to COVID-19, the schools will not be hosting homecoming parades at this time.

• Sycamore High School: Friday, Sept. 25, Creek Wood, 7 p.m.

• Cheatham County Central High School: Friday, Oct. 2, Stewart County, 7:30 p.m.

• Harpeth High School: Friday, Oct. 23, East Robertson, 7:30 p.m.

Spectators can purchase tickets before all home football games using the GoFan app or website (you will be charged a convenience fee). No online tickets will be sold after noon for a Friday game. Tickets must be presented using your mobile device at the designated gate (instructions are included on the GoFan page). Tickets will also be available at the gate.

Here’s the GoFan links for each high school:

• Sycamore High School: https://gofan.co/SycamoreWarEagles

• Cheatham County Central High School: https://gofan.co/CheathamCountyCentralCubs

• Harpeth High School: https://gofan.co/HarpethIndians

Two years ago, the Cheatham County School District teamed up with the Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce to launch a “Shop Local Shop Cheatham” campaign. The goal of this campaign is to encourage the community to be aware of the choice to shop locally, and how that choice positively affects the economic well-being of our county. Please watch the video to learn about the campaign and continue to shop local.

The Cheatham County School District has a few openings in our daycare, school nutrition and transportation departments (bus drivers and bus mechanics). To apply for one of these positions, please visit our website or email Daycare Supervisor Emily Staggs at emily.staggs@ccstn.org, School Nutrition Supervisor Tracy Hopkins at tracy.hopkins@ccstn.org or Assistant Transportation Supervisor Jeff Hobbs at jeff.hobbs@ccstn.org.

Friday, Sept. 18: Early dismissal day, 11:45 a.m., breakfast and lunch will be served; teacher professional development in the afternoon

Thursday, Sept. 24: School Board work session, 7 p.m., Board Annex, 104 Elizabeth St. in Ashland City

Thursday, Oct. 1: School Board meeting, 7 p.m., Board Annex, 104 Elizabeth St. in Ashland City

Monday, Oct. 12-Friday, Oct. 16: Fall break

Friday, Oct. 23: Report Card Day