Though it’s hard to believe, the lifespan of the 2015-16 Saturday Six is running short!  After this week, there will be just three editions before we go on summer vacation.  Be on the lookout for  the big Saturday Six finale on May 21, coming to you straight from Dobyns-Bennett graduation!

Even though there are still three weeks of school left, it’s not too soon to start thinking about summer!  Did you know there are a wide variety of camps and experiences to keep students involved once school lets out?  Here are six things to have on your radar as you start making summer plans.

1.  KCS will host three hands-on, highly engaging STREAM camps this summer (click on the individual links for info and registration).  Rising 2nd – 6th graders can take part in Summer STREAM Camp the weeks of June 13-17 and June 20-24, hosted at Sevier Middle School.  Rising 7th – 9th graders will have an X-STREAM Summer Program at D-B those same weeks.  And rising 10th – 12th graders can take part in an X-STREAM  Summer Design Program from June 13-17.  That’s some serious high-tech learning!
2. Need to burn some energy and hone those athletic skills over the summer?  D-B will be hosting a wide variety of sports camps over the summer, focusing on everything from basketball, baseball, football, soccer, softball, swimming, track, and volleyball.  There’s something for everyone!  Click here to view the full slate of athletic camps being offered.
3. Do you have a student starting middle school in the fall?  The innovative KCS Jump Start programs will help introduce new 6th graders to all things middle school, including how to navigate a new school building, understanding the academic expectations and schedules, and even learning how to unlock a locker!  John Sevier Middle School will hold Jump Start programs on June 1-3 and June 6-8, and Ross N. Robinson Middle School will hold Jump Start on May 31-June 2 and June 7-9.  Contact your child’s school for more information.
4. Need assistance with meals this summer?  KCS offers a “Free Meals for Kids” summer program from May 23 – July 21.  From 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. each weekday, any child under the age of 18 can come to Sevier Middle School to receive a lunch, free of charge.  For additional information, you may contact Mrs. Andria Ball at 378-2113.
5. There are many summer reading programs throughout the community to help students keep their literacy skills sharp.  Two such examples are the Kingsport Public Library, which hosts a variety of reading activities for children of all ages throughout the summer.  The United Way of Greater Kingsport’s groundbreaking “United We Read” initiative will hold a Summer Book Club Kick-off at the Riverview Splashpad on June 7th at 9 a.m.  Click here for more information and to register!
6. Looking for an all-inclusive list of programs and activities for the summer?  Just click here to view the full listing of both KCS and community camps, activities, and programs that are available.  This list will be updated as new opportunities develop, so check back often!

As we wrap up this week, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge all those fantastic individuals that keep our district humming along so smoothly… Wednesday was Administrative Professionals Day, a time to recognize how special our employees are as they support the students, families, and staff of KCS.  In schools, the KCS Administrative Support Center, and other locations across Kingsport, THANK YOU TO OUR FANTASTIC ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS!  You give so much of yourselves to make KCS great!!

Today in the Saturday Six, we take a look at some key events that occurred during an incredibly important week for KCS… It was “Graduation and Beyond Week” throughout KCS, where elementary students and staff focused on school, college, and career opportunities that exist for ALL of our students.  It was exciting to see the passion and excitement that this focused week created in our schools.  The possibilities for all our students are endless!  Thanks to our KCS elementary counselors for planning and sponsoring this week.

1. The week started with “My School Monday,” where students dressed in their school spirit wear.  Monday focused on celebrating the academic and social successes taking place at each student’s home school.
2. Tuesday was “Heading to Middle School Tuesday,” with student dressing in the colors or spirit wear of their future middle school.  This day was about students looking ahead to the next step in their academic careers, focusing on how to get there and all the exciting opportunities that are available in middle school.
3. Hump day was “Heading to High School Wednesday.”  Students dressed in D-B colors or spirit gear to consider how high school will help shape their future opportunities in life.
4. Thursday was “College Wear Thursday.”  On this day, students dressed in their favorite college gear to think about life after high school and how higher education can prepare them for success as adults.
5. The week concluded with “Dress for success Friday.”  Students across the district donned the attire of their desired career, considering all the dreams that are inside them as young children.  What a terrific week of activities to keep our students thinking not only about where they are today, but what the road to an exciting future can look like!
6. Are these efforts paying off?  Two accolades were received this week that point to the fact that KCS students have access to some phenomenal, nationally-ranked environments.  The annual U.S. News and World Report ranking has identified D-B as one of the top high schools in America, and the Washington Post honored D-B as one of the most challenging high schools in Tennessee.  These are two key measures that indicate that KCS is on the right track in not only providing a world-class academic environment, but also in supporting students to very high levels of success.  Congrats to the students and staff that have worked so hard to reach these levels of success!

This week, we celebrate National Assistant and Associate Principals Week in the KCS Saturday Six!  KCS is blessed to have a team of fantastic administrators that provide educational and administrative support in schools across the district.  Thank you to these incredible assistant and associate principals!

1.  The Assistant Principal team at Dobyns-Bennett brings decades of experience to the table and is a critical piece to the school’s success, overseeing individual subject areas and segments of the D-B student “alphabet.”  Thank you to Richard Brown, Dr. Randy Watts, Dr. Brian Tate, Beth Cohen, Eric Lyons, Dee Olterman, and Cary Daniels!
2. Both KCS middle schools have an assistant and an associate principal who seamlessly support the academic and administrative work taking place.  On any given day, you might see them leading instructional teams, taking care of administrative duties, building student relationships, or working with parents and community stakeholders.  At John Sevier Middle School, Nick Roebke and Jim Wernke complete a great admin team, as do Julie Malone and Kelli Seymour at Robinson Middle!
3. We would also be remiss if we didn’t mention a retired KCS administrator that continues to serve the students of Kingsport, even in his retirement.  Longtime admin Mr. Randy Quillin has been graciously willing to return to the district on multiple occasions, serving as an interim assistant principal when needed.  Mr. Quillin is currently filling in as the interim AP at Robinson Middle School.  Thank you Mr. Quillin for you service and dedication!
4. Did you know that each KCS elementary school has an associate principal on staff to support the work of the schools?  Not only do these positions provide valuable support to the school culture, they also serve as a key component to the district’s leadership development plan.  Any healthy organization works to actively grow leadership from within, and KCS is no different!  A majority of KCS district and school leaders are “home-grown,” and have served as associate principals in the past!
5. At our elementary schools, associate principals can be found doing a wide variety of work, such as helping to lead our professional learning communities, taking care of school administrative duties, and assisting with teacher evaluations.  The team includes Phillip Wright at Adams Elementary, Dr. Kelli Cate at Jackson Elementary, Janice Irvin at Jefferson Elementary,  Vicky Treadway at Johnson Elementary, Lori Smith at Kennedy Elementary, Kyle Loudermilk at Lincoln Elementary, Val Love at Roosevelt Elementary, and Amy Doran at Washington Elementary.
6. Thank you to the fantastic assistant and associate principals of Kingsport City Schools!  You do outstanding work that leads directly to the success of our students and staff.  As a community, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated, talented, and committed group of leaders serving our schools.  #WorldClass

We thought it would be fun this week to take a look at some of the many ways our students are giving back to the community.  Young and old, our children are not only striving to do their best academically, they are also growing into outstanding young women and men that understand what it means to have a heart for service.  Let’s celebrate some of the ways our elementary students are becoming fantastic citizens.  Warning… We couldn’t stop at just six!

1. Children at Jackson Elementary School have been participating in the “Stop Hunger Now” initiative.  Through a partnership with First Broad Street Methodist Church, students have been collecting coins to purchase bags of rice that are distributed throughout the world.  It’s amazing how they are learning that just a few cents can help share nutrition with folks in need all across the globe (Click here to learn more about Stop Hunger Now).
2. Johnson Elementary students are thinking about how to support those in need both in our community and around the world.  Working with Heifer International, funds were raised to purchase both a goat and a cow for a community in poverty.  This purchase allows families in a needy community to live a more sustainable lifestyle.  And right here at home, an incredible amount of canned food was collected for the KCS Homeless Education Program and the Family Resource Center.  What a reflection of how Johnson students give through their understanding that not everyone has a home with enough food.
3. Roosevelt Elementary students are also working with Heifer International, through their “Read to Feed” program.  By holding a read-a-thon on Read Across America Day, students collected sponsorship donations to raise $500, which was used to purchase livestock.  This effort started through conversations during counseling classes, which motivated students to provide support to an overseas community in need.
4. Lincoln Elementary students are also thinking globally, as they will be supporting the “Chalkboards for Sudan” project the week of April 11-14.  With the Palmer Center and Mafair United Methodist also joining as partners, money raised will be given to purchase chalkboards for new schools being built in Sudan.  Also, over $2,000 has been raised this year for “Jump Rope for Heart,” an American Heart Association program locally coordinated by Lincoln physical education teacher Mrs. Hyder-Hall.
5. Students at Jefferson Elementary School have been very busy this year, supporting projects such as the “Thirst Comes First” global project.  This initiative, in partnership with First Broad Street United Methodist Church, raised over $4,000 to build three short hand dug wells in South Sudan, Africa that will provide clean drinking water to communities in need.  Jefferson students also reached out to our friends at Rock Springs Elementary who lost a significant amount of books due to a recent library flood.  Over 700 books were donated in a fantastic show of local support!
6. Washington Elementary students are supporting area nursing homes and hospitals in a variety of ways.  Students are providing blankets to hospitals for cancer patients to use while they receive chemotherapy treatments.  And the “Positive Quotes for Kids” club hopes to empower students with responsibility, engage their compassion, and offer them a chance to affect the lives of others by making cards for those needing words of encouragement.  The cards are then delivered to various nursing homes throughout Kingsport.  What a great way to spread joy and care to others in a time of need!
7. Kennedy Elementary students have been busy giving of their time and talents in several ways.  In addition to working to improve their environment through efforts such as recycling and a Kennedy/Lynn Garden clean-up day, they have also been hard at work to help others outside of Kingsport.  Over $900 was raised for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and materials were recently prepared to provide shoes for over 70 children in Uganda!
8. At Adams Elementary, student-led service projects have become the norm!  Almost 100 “Blessing Bags” were compiled and donated to the KCS Homeless Education program and Family Resource Center.  These bags contained items like shampoo, lotion, deodorant, scarves, and socks.  The fantastic work being done by the Small Miracles program was supported by fundraisers that provided over $2,000 and several pounds of carrots, apples, and supplies for their operations.  And Adams students also contributed books for the Rock Springs library project.

The word “impressive” doesn’t even begin to describe our fantastic students and staff!!

As we wrap up the KCS Spring Break this weekend, we look back and celebrate the Dobyns-Bennett Baseball Program, which recently celebrated the 1,500th win in program history.  Did you know that D-B Baseball is the winningest high school baseball program in America?  More varsity wins than any high school in the country!!

Here are six things you may not have known about the Tribe:

1.  What a home field advantage… J. Fred Johnson Stadium.  We all know what a great venue J Fred is for football on Fridays nights in Kingsport.  But the baseball end of the stadium has witnessed some great baseball over the years.  Not only has J Fred been the home of Tribe baseball, but Major League Baseball greats like Ted Williams, Darryl Strawberry, Glen Hubbard, and Dale Murphy have all played on the diamond inside J Fred.  Have you seen the new additions to the stadium this year to honor the past and prepare for future success of Tribe Baseball?

2. The “K”…  We are Dobyns-Bennett.  But make no mistake about it, we are Kingsport’s high school.  The K symbolizes our pride in our great city and also helps keep alive the tradition of past Tribe baseball teams.

3. We strive for excellence on the field, but it’s more than just working for the next win.  The program is also about developing great citizens and students.  The Tribe baseball team takes pride in community service.  The team helps with the Komen Race for the Cure each October and also supports the Santa Train at Christmas time each year.

4. 1500 and counting!  The Tribe has more varsity wins than any other high school in America, tallying its 1,500th W in a thrilling come from behind win against Science Hill.

5. Success in high school and beyond… There are 18 former Tribe baseball members currently playing baseball in college.

6.  We celebrate the “current,” while not forgetting our past.  Each year, the team holds a Tribe Baseball preseason banquet.  The proceeds help fund the Johnny Whited Scholarship, which is given to a senior each year.  Players from the 1950’s through current players attended this year.

Congratulations to Head Coach Ryan Wagner, the staff, and the players of Tribe Baseball on win #1,500.  World Class!!