D-B EXCEL
Excellence in a Creative Environment for Learning
PAC Meeting
DB EXCEL Students Create the Only Ornaments for the TN Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.
National Park Service News Release
Students at 56 US schools to create ornaments for National Christmas Tree celebration in Washington, D.C.
Paul Morigi for the National Park Foundation
56 trees surround the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park each year. The trees are decorated with ornaments created by students in each state, territory and the District of Columbia.
WASHINGTON – At 56 schools across the country, students are creating one-of-a-kind ornaments for the 2019 National Christmas Tree display on the Ellipse in President’s Park. These handcrafted ornaments will adorn 56 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree. The 56 trees represent each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia as part of the America Celebrates display.
“I never would have imagined I could actually create an ornament for the National Christmas Tree display that represents my entire state!” Kayden Moore, a seventh grade student at Harlem Middle School in Loves Park, Illinois said. “It is an honor that students from our small city were chosen for this once in a lifetime event!”
From state flowers to notable landmarks, students across the country are creating ornaments that celebrate their state, district or territory. Learn about last year’s student artists and ornaments.
“Everyone has a home but not everyone has the honor of representing their home in Washington, D.C.,” Danica Lambert, a seventh grader at St. James–St. John School in New Bedford, Massachusetts said. “My heart is filled with love and joy to be able to represent my home of Massachusetts.”
Through a partnership with the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education worked with state art and education agencies to identify elementary, middle and high schools whose students would create the ornaments for the America Celebrates display. Over 1,500 students will participate in this year’s project. The project is funded by the National Park Foundation.
"I am happy that other people get to see our work!" Brian Hunter, a sixth grade student at Marvin M. Sedway Middle School in North Las Vegas, Nevada, said. "I want to show everyone that we can do it!"
The America Celebrates display is one of the highlights of the National Christmas Tree experience, which will begin on Thursday, Dec. 5 with the 97th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
56 schools to create ornaments for 2019 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park:
Alabama- Hamilton High School
Alaska- Valley Pathways High School
American Samoa- Leone High School
Arizona- Grand Canyon Unified School District
Arkansas- Monticello High School
California- West Valley High School
Colorado- Grand Mountain School
Connecticut- House of Arts, Letters and Science (HALS) Academy
Delaware- Cab Calloway School of the Arts
District of Columbia- Ballou High School
Florida- Suwannee High School
Georgia- Valley Point Middle School
Guam- Simon Sanchez High School
Hawaii- Maui High School
Idaho- Timberline High School
Illinois- Harlem Middle School
Indiana- Paoli High School
Iowa- Clear Creek Amana Middle School
Kansas- Cheney High School
Kentucky- Adair County High School
Louisiana- Dutchtown High School
Maine- Presque Isle High School
Maryland- North Hagerstown High School
Massachusetts- St. James - St. John School
Michigan- NorthPointe Christian High School
Minnesota- Riverside Christian School
Mississippi- Florence High School
Missouri- Carthage High School
Montana- Hellgate High School
Nebraska- Lutheran High Northeast
Nevada- Marvin M. Sedway Middle School
New Hampshire- Belmont Middle School
New Jersey- Morris County School of Technology
New Mexico- Los Alamos Middle School
New York- Averill Park High School
North Carolina- Bethel School
North Dakota- Simle Middle School
Northern Mariana Islands- Saipan Southern High School
Ohio- Firelands High School
Oklahoma- Coweta High School
Oregon- Howard Street Charter School
Pennsylvania- Danville Area Middle School
Puerto Rico- Ernesto Ramos Antonini Fine Arts School
Rhode Island- Exeter-West Greenwich High School
South Carolina- Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School
South Dakota- Sisseton Middle School
Tennessee- D-B EXCEL
Texas- Lyford Middle School
Utah- Whitehorse High School
Vermont- The School of Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales
US Virgin Islands- Arthur Richards K-8 School
Virginia- Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology
Washington- Cavelero Mid High School
West Virginia- Robert L. Bland Middle School
Wisconsin- Red Creek Elementary School
Wyoming- Indian Middle School
The National Christmas Tree Lighting has strong ties to education. In 1923, a letter arrived at the White House from the District of Columbia Public Schools proposing that a decorated Christmas tree be placed on the South Lawn of the White House. On Christmas Eve that year, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the Oval Office to the Ellipse and pushed a button that lit the first National Christmas Tree. It was a 48-foot fir donated by Middlebury College in Vermont.
Since 1973, the National Christmas Tree has been a living tree which can be viewed year-round in President’s Park – one of America’s 419 national parks! The National Park Service recently planted a new Colorado blue spruce to serve as the National Christmas Tree.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will kick off the holiday season with live musical performances, special guests and the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree. The festivities continue with a daily lighting of the National Christmas Tree, free evening musical performances and a chance to see the 56 state, district and territory trees and their ornaments up close from Dec. 9, 2019 through Jan. 1, 2020.
For more event information and updates, please visit www.thenationaltree.org or follow President’s Park on Facebook or Twitter. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #NCTL2019.
-NPS-
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. The National Park Service has cared for the White House and its grounds since 1933. President’s Park, which includes the Ellipse and Lafayette Park, was officially included in the national park system in 1961. Visit us at: www.nps.gov, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter: www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube: www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.
About the U.S. Department of Education: The original Department of Education was created in 1867 to collect information on schools and teaching that would help states establish effective school systems. In 1980, Congress established the U.S. Department of Education as a Cabinet-level agency. While the agency’s name and location within the Executive Branch have changed over the past 150 years, this early emphasis on getting information on what works in education to teachers and education policymakers continues to the present day. Today, the Department operates programs that touch on every area and level of education. Its elementary and secondary programs annually serve over 18,000 school districts and more than 55 million students attending nearly 100,000 public schools and approximately 35,000 private schools. Department programs also provide grant, loan, and work-study assistance to about 16 million postsecondary students.
About the National Park Foundation: The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.
D-B EXCEL Offers Two Certified Pathways Recognized by the State of Tennessee
Kingsport, Tenn. – D-B EXCEL (DBE) announces that it now offers DBE students the Tennessee Pathways certified Communications Pathway as well as the certified STEM Pathway. The certifications come through the efforts of the school's administrative team in developing clear and guided course alignment validated through K-12, postsecondary instructions, and industry partnerships.
The purpose of the pathway is to provide experiences that accelerate progress toward a postsecondary credential through certification or the accumulation of career-related skills. The goals for the Communications and STEM Pathways are based on a three-tiered mission: Increase the quality of college and career advisement; Provide rigorous postsecondary and work-based learning opportunities; Encourage a seamless vertical alignment between secondary education and these opportunities.
D-B EXCEL Principal Shanna Hensley stated, "I am especially proud of what these two certifications represent. Our teachers deserve all of the credit for ensuring that a rigorous secondary curriculum aligns with the student development guaranteed within each pathway. These pathways are just another step in how early postsecondary opportunities need to be leveraged for the success of all of our students as they move past graduation. Most importantly, the validation of these pathways demonstrates how EXCEL students are continuing to utilize their education to equip and empower themselves for a more prosperous future."
Within the specific competency of communications, students work with the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of occupational domains. The demand for jobs within this subset is supported by the regional data collected on career growth in the areas of communications and organizational management. Through the development of mastery in the competencies of communications, students will develop knowledge in disciplines such as marketing, digital design, business management, and technical/process writing. These core areas embedded within the secondary curriculum will form a student ready to enter a growing job market within the diverse field of communications.
The DBE STEM Pathway is based on the idea of combining education into four specific disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Rather than teach the four areas as separate subjects, the STEM Pathway integrates these domains into a cohesive learning curriculum, integrating real-life scenarios. The purpose of the STEM Pathway is to introduce DBE students to concepts and challenges that expedite the acquisition of skills identified and reinforced by industry opportunities. Students work with the skills necessary to succeed within jobs such as computer applications, engineering, and technical work. The demand for jobs within this subset is supported by regional data collected on career growth in specific areas. Through the development of mastery in STEM competencies, students will develop a critical-awareness and inquiry-minded education that fosters success in an open job market.
Community partners include: Appalachian Sustainable Development, BAE Systems, Bell Helicopter, Cumberland Marketing, Eastman, Healthy Kingsport, The Inventor Center, Keep Kingsport Beautiful, Kingsport Aquatic Center, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Kingsport Mini Maker Faire, STREAMWORKS, Visit Kingsport, and Zion Marine.
The Tennessee Pathways certification committee received 415 pathways applications from 81 school districts across the state. From these applications, 122 pathways were awarded certification. The Tennessee Pathway celebration will commence on November 7, 2019 at the LEAD Conference held in Nashville, TN.
For more information on D-B EXCEL visit dbexcel.k12k.com.
ASVAB Testing
Attention 10th, 11th, 12th graders:
Sign up to take the ASVAB on Nov. 22nd. This is a military entrance exam, as well as a wonderful tool for career assessment, and can also count toward your EPSO status (early post secondary opportunities).
Anyone in grades 10-12 can take it, it’s FREE, no registration required but you must sign up.
Sign-up outside of Mrs. Kerkhoff’s office. Deadline to sign-up is Nov. 8th.
CM Academy dates for DBE students are: Nov 19. Please sign up outside of Mrs. Kerkhoff's door.
Students, You Could Name the Next Mars Rover!
This July, NASA’s next rover will launch. Today, NASA opened the contest for K-12 students to name the Mars 2020 rover, in partnership with Battelle and Future Engineers.
How the contest works
Students will submit a name and a brief essay advocating for their choice. You can read the complete rules here and submit your entry on the Future Engineers student portal here:
https://www.futureengineers.org/nametherover
The contest runs until November 1, 2019.
Niswonger Advisor
Adria Shannon (Niswonger Advisor) will be at DBE most Fridays from 8:00am - 2:30pm to assist with TN Promise, FAFSA, college applications, career assessments, and much more. You can email her anytime: ashannon@niswongerfoundation.org
Dates for this semester are:
10/9 *this is a Wed, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 12/6, 12/13
Mandatory Senior Meetings
All seniors are required to attend a mandatory meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at DBE. There will be an AM and PM option, students only need to attend one session. Meeting times are 7:45am or 2:45pm (please note the revised meeting times).
Meeting dates:
- Nov. 13
- Dec. 11
LEAD DBE Meeting Dates
The following are Mandatory Meetings for Lead DBE students.
Wednesday, December 4th
Wednesday, January 29th
Wednesday, February 26th
Wednesday, April 1st
Wednesday May 6th
Math Tutoring
Tuesdays & Thursdays
2:45pm - 3:45pm
Canvas Parent Accounts
*If you already have an account from the Canvas Parent App, log in to Canvas using those credentials.
To observe a student, you must obtain a pairing code from your student. Students can generate a pairing code by signing into Canvas then Click Account>Settings>Pair with Observer.
To set up your parent account:
- Go to https://kingsport.instructure.com/login/canvas
Enter the following information:
-Enter your name in the Your Name field.
-Enter your email in the Your Email field.
-Enter your password in the Password field.
-Re-enter your password in the Re-enter Password field.
-Enter a pairing code to link your account to your student in the Student Pairing Code field.
-Agree to the terms of use by clicking the You agree to the terms of use checkbox.
-Click the Start Participating button.To observe a student, you must have a student pairing code. Students can access the pairing code through their settings
- Agree to the terms of use by clicking the You agree to the terms of use checkbox.
- Click the Start Participating button.
For now, each pairing code will live for 24 hours. That means once the pairing code is generated, it will remain valid for 24 hours, then it expires.
Each pairing code can only be used once. Once it’s used in account registration, the pairing code expires and the observer remains successfully paired. If you want to pair two observers to one student, each observer needs a unique pairing code.
Want to learn more about Canvas?
Join the Parent Introduction to Canvas course!
(no need for an account - this course is open to the public!)
Click here to go to the Canvas login page. Click Browse courses. Choose the "Parent Introduction to Canvas" course.
DBE School Schedule
School Day: 7:45am - 2:30pm
Advisory 7:45am - 8:25am
A Block 8:30am - 9:45am
B Block 9:50am - 11:05am
C Block 11:10am - 1:05pm
D Block 1:10pm - 2:30pm
Dismissal: Beginning at 2:30pm
Bus riders will be dismissed at the 2:30pm bell.
Car riders will be dismissed as the bus leaves.
- Student drivers and walkers will be dismissed last.
*Advisory is a class and students will have tasks to complete during this period. Attendance will be taken in Advisory and absences can effect their ability to participate in school activities that have attendance requirements.*
Below you will find D-B's daily schedule. The first day of school they will have an extended homeroom period then starting on Tuesday they will operate on a regular schedule.
D-B EXCEL Student Norms
Students will report to school on time and prepared for the school day.
Students will bring fully charged laptops and a laptop charger every day.
Students will follow their schedule and report to the appropriate area.
Students will respect the DBE faculty, staff, visitors and other students at all times.
DBE Student Drivers
We have our own parking lot and the entrance and exit is on Roller St.
Students will need to sign up for a parking permit that will need to hang from their rearview mirror at all times (tinyurl.com/DBEparking)
Cars that do not have a car tag will be asked to be moved or will be towed.
If the DBE parking lot is full, there is an overflow public parking lot across the street from the Food City loading dock (On Roller St.)
DBE students/parents can only park in the parking spots marked D-BE/KCS in the DBE parking lot. DBE students/parents cannot park in the Chamber or medical parking lots or they will be towed.
Replacement car tags will be $10.
DBE Car Riders
Students may be dropped of at DBE beginning at 7:15am. Students arriving after 7:45am will be counted tardy.
Please follow the traffic pattern. When you enter the DBE parking lot, please take an immediate right and circle the lot in that direction.
- Car riders will be dismissed after the bus leaves (Approximately 2:35pm)
- Students may be picked up in the DBE parking lot or on Roller Street. Students are not allowed to be picked up in other parking lots.
DBE Bus Riders
Bus riders will board their normal bus in the morning and then board the DBE bus at DB.
The DBE bus will arrive at DBE about 7:30am.
Bus riders will be dismissed at the 2:30pm bell.
- The bus will take students to the D-B main campus where they will then board their bus to take them home.
- If you have questions or concerns about bus transportation, please contact the KCS Transportation Office or CLICK HERE to visit their website.
Kingsport City Schools Transportation Department
Ph: (423) 392.4670
Fax: (423) 245.1346
Kingsport Area Transit Service
ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS FOR SCHOOL MEALS
The meal pre-payment website for Kingsport City School Nutrition Services Department is now available. Please visit MyPayments Plus! to check low balances, monitor purchases, and deposit funds via bank account or credit card.
There is a 4.75% fee per transaction. If you have not used this service before, you will be required to set up an account. Call (423) 378.2113 to receive your student’s ID number (required when setting up your account and different from the student pin number used at school), email Andria Ball at aball@k12k.com, or contact the school cafeteria. There is no charge or account deposit required to monitor purchases, check balances, or receive low balance notices via email.
Parents may still deposit money into their students account by sending cash or a check to school. Checks should be made out to the school cafeteria name. For example, parents of students at Dobyns-Bennett High School will write checks to D-B Cafeteria and include their students pin number on the check's memo line.
FEDERAL FREE/REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS
To apply for free or reduced school meals, download the forms below. Completed applications can be faxed to (423) 378.2109 or can be turned in to your child’s school cafeteria/office or brought to School Nutrition Services Department at 400 Clinchfield Street, Suite 200, Kingsport, TN 37660.
You can now apply online by clicking here. OneSource Online Instant Processor application entry makes it easy and convenient to apply for meal benefits for your child(ren). Simply enter the requested information as accurately as possible, and all data will be instantly and securely sent to your child(ren)sschool district for processing. Start your family's meal benefits sooner by entering your information now!
Please contact Andria Ball, SNS Bookkeeper/Office Assistant at (423) 378.2113 or aball@k12k.com with questions regarding meal prices, payments and/or free/reduced meals.
Contact Us!
Email: shensley@k12k.com
Website: http://dbexcel.k12k.com/
Location: 400 Clinchfield Street, Kingsport, TN 37660, United States
Phone: 423.378.2185
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbexcelkcs/
Twitter: @KCS_DBEXCEL