This week, the Saturday Six highlights “KCS Backs the Blue Day,” which will take place in Kingsport on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.  This special day will highlight the exceptional support provided by the Kingsport Police Department.  All KCS students, staff, and families are encouraged to wear blue on Tuesday, November 1 to show appreciation for what the KPD does for us each and every day! #BacktheBlue

1.  The Kingsport Police Department has both a formal and informal presence in our schools each and every day.  Four full-time School Resource Officers serve in our secondary schools (two at Dobyns-Bennett High School and one each at Sevier and Robinson Middle Schools), while other KPD officers conduct daily walk-throughs and maintain visibility in all other KCS schools.  The presence of these officers provides a specific reminder and level of support to our schools that can’t be understated.  These officers, as well as all KPD officers that are present in our buildings on a daily basis, ensure the safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors.
2. Who are the four School Resource Officers that are placed full-time at D-B, Robinson, and Sevier?  Left to right:  Officer Sean Cornett (D-B), Officer Justin Humphries (D-B), Officer Rick Marshall (Robinson) and Officer Brad Conkin (Sevier).
   

   

   

   
3. How will “KCS Backs the Blue Day” be celebrated throughout KCS on November 1?  The day will start with KCS providing KPD officers and staff a thank-you breakfast and conclude with a formal recognition presented to KPD leadership by the KCS Board of Education.  During the rest of the day, officers are invited to drop in at all KCS schools for a variety of school-based appreciations.  And of course, all KCS students and staff are encouraged to wear blue on Tuesday as a visible reminder of how much we appreciate all the ways the Kingsport Police Department serves our school system.
4. Did you know that even though there are not specific School Resource Officers at our elementary schools, that doesn’t mean that these schools don’t have a healthy police presence?  Odds are that if you stop by a KCS elementary school during the day, you are likely to find a KPD officer walking through the hallways, dropping into classrooms to say hello, or even interacting with students in the cafeteria.  This not only helps to keep our schools safe, but also develops positive relationships between students and law enforcement officers.
5. KPD officers also work closely with KCS teachers and administrators in the development of school emergency response planning.  These plans are in place should an emergency ever happen, and having trained and knowledgeable officers helping to craft and practice these is an incredibly valuable resource.  With KPD’s guidance, our students, staff, and community know that our schools will be in the best possible position should an emergency unfortunately occur.
6. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, there are formal goals that have been developed related to KPD’s presence in our schools.  These include…
   1. Helping maintain a safe and secure environment on each campus conducive to an educationally-stimulating atmosphere, serving as a means of reducing the possibility of criminal activities and disturbances.
   2. Establishing a more complete liaison with school personnel in a cooperative effort to prevent juvenile delinquency.
   3. Promoting positive attitudes regarding the police role in society and informing the students of their rights and responsibilities as lawful citizens.
   4. Fostering educational programs and activities that will increase students’ knowledge of and respect for the law and the function of law enforcement agencies.
   5. Reducing the potential of criminal offenses committed against persons and property.
   6. Working with school personnel to develop closer contact, better communication, and increased respect of the students.
   7. Helping develop positive and constructive relationships in the schools and school community.

Please join us in helping to “Back the Blue” on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.  Watch KCS social media and #BackTheBlue for updates, photos, and many recognitions of thanks to the women and men that put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe.  KCS Backs the Blue!

This week, the KCS Saturday Six has the honor of recognizing the 2016 inductees to the Dobyns-Bennett Alumni Association Hall of Fame.  We are consistently humbled by the great individuals that have been a part of the Tribe, and this year’s honorees exemplify all that is great about D-B.  Current D-B principal Dr. Chris Hampton said it best when he commented that we are privileged to walk in such tall shadows.  So true, when you consider what these graduates have accomplished during and after their time at D-B.

Congratulations to this year’s Hall of Fame class!  You represent all that is great about Dobyns-Bennett.   Here are this year’s six (plus one) inductees.

1. Thomas Coughenour (Class of ’60)
2. Denver Crawford (Class of ’41)
3. Darrell Crawford (Class of ’48)
4. Dr. William Locke (Class of ’62)
5. Dr. Thomas Milhorn (Class of ’55)
6. Dr. Thomas Rogers (Class of ’73)
7. John Whited, Jr. (Class of ’57)

Click here to learn more about the D-B Alumni Association Hall of Fame, including information about past inductees and how to nominate individuals for enshrinement in next year’s class!

Each and every day that school is in session, the KCS Transportation Department works hard to transport thousands of Kingsport’s children safely to and from school.  Safety is priority #1, and parents depend on our drivers and staff to deliver precious cargo… A job they enthusiastically and skillfully perform every day!

October 17-21 is the annual National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) School Bus Safety Week.  As we focus on ways to maintain a safe transportation environment, let’s look at six facts about bus safety and the KCS Transportation Department.

1.  More that 40 buses operate on KCS school days, completing approximately 140 different bus runs.  How many miles do those buses cover in a day?  The fleet drives approximately 2,500 miles every day.  That’s almost 450,000 miles each year!
2. For many years, all KCS buses have included seat belts as an extra measure to keep children safe.  This measure is a key piece of the KCS transportation plan, and continues to be included in new bus purchases.
3. KCS bus drivers not only work with students on a daily basis on the importance of staying safe, they also hold extra safety sessions at schools during the course of the school year.  Drivers bring their bus to elementary schools to hold sessions on school bus safety and bus emergency evacuation.
4. Remember, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW to pass a school bus with its stop sign extended.  The flashing lights and stop sign serve as a warning that students will be entering or exiting the bus.  The law in Tennessee law states that vehicles must stop for school buses loading and unloading except for oncoming traffic on roads with a physical dividing median or other separation.  Keep everyone safe!  Stop when you see that red indicator.
5. One other area of constant attention for drivers is what’s often called “The Danger Zone.”  This is a 10-foot radius around the outside of the bus and is the most likely place where students could get hurt during pick-ups and drop-offs, as children in the Danger Zone are more difficult to see by motorists.  Experts advise that this should be an area of particular focus and care for both drivers and students riding the bus.
6. Help spread the word about school bus safety during the 2016 National School Bus Safety Week!  This year’s theme is #StopOnRed!

Thanks to the great drivers of the KCS Transportation team!  They work hard to make sure that almost a half-million miles of bus transportation are safe and secure.

Each and every day, the students and staff of Kingsport City Schools demonstrate excellence in so many ways.  This week in the Saturday Six, we highlight several outstanding KCS individuals that exemplify “world class!”

1.  Each year, The National Merit Scholarship Corporation honors the best of the best high school students in America by recognizing them as National Merit Scholars.  These students rank in the top 1% of all U.S. high school seniors, and will compete for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million.  Four outstanding Dobyns-Bennett students have been named as prestigious National Merit Semi-Finalists this year:
   1. Kendall Bonner, daughter of Richard and Tracy Bonner.
   2. Joelle Jarjoura, daughter of Chad Jarjoura and Amy Khoury.
   3. Samatha Maness, daughter of Michael and Karen Maness.
   4. Jon Chandler Woods, son of Jon and Melissa Woods.
2. Additionally, four other D-B seniors have been named National Merit Commended Students.  This designation places them in the top 5% of all U.S. high school seniors, and is an outstanding accomplishment.  Congratulations to:
   1. Jamie Bass, daughter of Tim and Christi Bass.
   2. Jordan Guest, daughter of Chet and Jennifer Guest.
   3. Isaac Ick, son of Kurt and Tonya Ick.
   4. Rachel Summers, daughter of Becky Summers.
3. In addition to being named a National Merit Commended Student, D-B senior Isaac Ick was named the 2016 Northeast District winner of the Student Recognition Award from the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA).  This honor goes to an outstanding student in our region who has achieved distinction in the areas of academics, community leadership, and engagement.  Isaac is president of the Beta Club Service Honor Society, was the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society representative for his junior class, and is a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Panel.  He is also an active volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, “Tractors for Tita” movement, S.H.O.U.T.! (Students Helping Others Understand Tomorrow), and is also active with the Future Business Leaders of America at both the local and State level.
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   In recognizing the retiring Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey at a recent Board of Education meeting, D-B Senior Braeden Christian (a student in Juanita Mitchell‘s Advanced Drawing class) was honored for his artistic talents by creating a one-of-a-kind pen and ink drawing for the Lieutenant Governor.  Braeden’s personalized work was recognized by the Board and greatly appreciated by Lt. Gov. Ramsey!

5. The outstanding instructional talents of KCS Instructional Design Specialist Theresa Feliu have also recently been recognized, as Mrs. Feliu has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.  The honor awards the top mathematics teachers in America and includes a $10,000 prize from the National Science Foundation to be used at the teacher’s discretion.  In addition, Mrs. Feliu recently attended an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. which included professional development opportunities, guest speakers, and a tour of the White House.
6. Finally, three D-B athletics programs were rewarded for their outstanding work in support of the Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau.  These programs have gone above and beyond to support the tournaments hosted locally by the KCVB.  Congrats and thanks to the to the D-B baseball, wrestling, and girls basketball programs!

Did you know that in recent years, Kingsport City Schools has embarked on a mission to reduce energy use throughout the district?  Through facility improvements and upgrades to old and inefficient items, KCS expects to save approximately $6 million over a 15-year period.  How much is the district saving and how is this occurring?  Let’s look at six facts about the KCS energy efficient schools initiative!

1.  In partnership with Energy Systems Group, KCS was awarded a low-interest loan to fund $5.1 million in facilities upgrades, which will be repaid entirely through energy cost savings over 15 years.  Many of these upgrades replaced items that needed improving or had reached the end of their original lifespan.
2. What improvements took place?  Since 2012, construction has included installation of energy efficient lighting throughout the district, water conservation improvements, energy management controls, replacing old HVAC units, and improving windows, ceilings, lighting, and the HVAC at the Palmer Center.
3. How much has been saved?  Since construction almost four years ago, the district has realized over $1.5 million in energy savings, funds that both save the taxpayer and can be used for more critical purposes.
4. The improvements are projected to annually save 4.6 million kWh of electricity across the district… Enough electricity to power 400 homes!
5. It’s not just power savings, either.  Improvements to the district’s water system are expected to save six million gallons of water each year.  That’s enough water to full 120,000 bathtubs!
6. And this project goes beyond just energy cost savings.  The new HVAC, lighting, window, and water improvements are projected to save the district approximately $3 million in maintenance and capital improvement costs.  Wow!!