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The We Are KCS Video Blog Episode 2 – The Red Boot Coalition at Sevier Middle School

John Sevier Middle School counselor Ms. Kelli Ferguson tells us all about The Red Boot Coalition, a program to encourage positive culture development, in Episode 2 of the We Are KCS Video Blog!

The KCS Saturday Six – December 12, 2015
  1.  It is going to be a VERY busy week around here!  In addition to wrapping up the first semester on Friday, if you are interested in holiday concerts and events, this week will be right up your alley.  Monday will feature concerts at Johnson (6 p.m.) and Adams (6:30 p.m.).  The largest concert of the week will take place on Tuesday, as the annual Dobyns-Bennett Band, Orchestra, and Choral Holiday Concert will fill the Eastman Chemical Company Toy Reid Auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m.  The 7th and 8th graders at Sevier Middle School will wrap up the festivities with their holiday concert on Thursday at 7 p.m., also at Toy Reid.  We invite you to come out and enjoy the sounds of the season!
  2. Speaking of schedules… Don’t forget that next Friday (12/18) marks the end of the KCS first semester and the beginning of the Winter Holiday Break.  Secondary schools will dismiss at 11:40 a.m., with elementary schools releasing at 12:15 p.m.  All school offices, as well as the KCS Administrative Support Center, will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.  The first day back for students in 2016 is Tuesday, January 5th.
  3. In case you missed it, these kids are FAST!  Congratulations are in order for several D-B swimmers who set personal or team school records this week.  The girls 200 medley relay team of Rachel Summers, Hayley Kirk, Kaylie Richard, and Hannah Love swam the fastest time in school history.  Kaylie (100 Fly) and Rachel (100 Breast Stroke) also set individual school records, as did Tyler Bourgeois in the 400 Free.  World Class!
  4. This guy is also pretty fast.  We send special thanks to Blake Leeper, who took time out of his busy Olympic training schedule to spend some quality time sharing with and motivating KCS students this week.  Blake is a constant positive presence in our community, and he is always so willing to come back to Kingsport and make personal connections with our students and staff.  It has been so exciting to see this tremendous person and athlete grow and achieve such great things.  We can’t thank Blake enough for giving back to KCS and for being such a great role model for our students!
  5. It’s exciting to see KCS graduates doing great things, and there are also future grads accomplishing big things, as well.  D-B senior Morgan Hudson was recently recognized by Berea College (KY) as a 2015 Pinnacle Scholar Award of Excellence winner.  The award program annually recognizes high school seniors for their work in science, music, or service.  Selected from a pool of hundreds representing ten states, Morgan was honored for outstanding accomplishments in the field of music.  Congratulations, Morgan!
  6. We close the Saturday Six this week with yet another shameless plug for the We Are KCS Video Blog.  This week, we launched the video portion of the blog, highlighting innovative literacy work occurring in Ami Frye’s classroom at Jefferson Elementary (click here to view).  In the coming months, we’ll be highlighting a wide variety of activities and programs throughout KCS.  Is there something you are curious about that you would like to see featured in the video blog?  Send your ideas or suggestions to blog host Andy True at atrue@k12k.com.  Your idea just might be featured on an upcoming video blog!

Do you like the Saturday Six or KCS Video Blog?  If so, please help us share this with others!  We love to spread the word regarding the people and programs of Kingsport City Schools.

The We Are KCS Video Blog Episode 1 – Literacy Interventions at Jefferson Elementary

Jefferson Elementary teacher Mrs. Ami Frye shows us some innovative and creative literacy practices in Episode 1 of the We Are KCS Video Blog!

The KCS Saturday Six – December 5, 2016
  1.  Did you hear the news this week about Dobyns-Bennett being named to the College Board’s Annual AP District Honor Roll?  Once again this year, D-B was recognized as being among the nation’s elite schools in providing increased access to advanced placement coursework while maintaining or increasing student performance on AP exams.  It’s a great indicator of the tremendous success our students are achieving as they stretch themselves with rigorous coursework.
  2. Jackson Elementary School students and staff are also receiving impressive accolades, as they have been named a “Good Sports Always Recycle” school challenge winner.  The award, sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company in conjunction with Food City, Waste Connections, and the University of Tennessee, is in recognition of Jackson’s extraordinary recycling club.  The program was inspired by the very successful “Rock and Wrap it Up” program.
  3. Roosevelt Elementary School are setting a high bar when it comes to service to our community.  The Roosevelt student food drive came to an end this week and when all boxes and cans were counted, over 1,800 pounds of food was donated and delivered to West View Baptist Church.  There are MANY families in our community that will be blessed this holiday season by the generosity of Roosevelt’s students, staff, and families!
  4. Speaking of the holiday season, have you noticed the KCS Activities Calendar lately?  Wow!  Our students will be very busy over the next few weeks as holiday concerts and performances take center stage.  Don’t miss out!  You can see the full activities calendar by clicking here.  Please join us and help celebrate the season!
  5. And while were talking about the holidays, don’t let the excitement of the season cause you to forget about what starts on January 1.  Beginning with the new year, KCS will begin accepting applications for the second class of the Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame.  The hall recognizes those key KCS employees that have made a significant impact on the students of Kingsport.  To find out more information about the KCS Hall of Fame (including how to nominate), please click here.  Who will you nominate this year for this prestigious honor?
  6. Caution… Here comes a shameless plug for the “We Are KCS Video Blog.”  Starting next week, we will begin publishing a video blog that will take you inside the schools and programs of KCS.  We’ll talk to students, teachers, and administrators and see the exciting things that are happening in classrooms across the district.  The first edition will feature some really engaging literacy work that is happening at Jefferson Elementary.  To learn more about the video blog, click here to see a promo video.  Please help spread the word!

It’s Coming! The We Are KCS Video Blog

The KCS Saturday Six, Thanksgiving Edition – November 28, 2015

In the spirit of the season, we mix up the Saturday Six a bit this week, reflecting on the many things for which we have to give thanks in Kingsport.  We’ve asked six KCS employees/students/families what they are thankful for, and are pleased to share their thoughts with you.  We are truly blessed to live, work, and learn in a such a wonderful community!

  1.  Karen Krantz, Jefferson Elementary School Teacher:  I am extremely thankful to work in a student focused – world class school system with high expectations.  When I walk into Thomas Jefferson each day, I give thanks for my caring, supportive “Jefferson Family.”  My kindergarten students make me smile and bring laughter to each and every day!   God has showered me with immeasurable blessings  by being a teacher in the Kingsport City School System.  By the way … I get paid for doing what I love!!!!  🙂
  2. Ryan Wagner, Dobyns-Bennett High School Teacher and Coach:  I would like to take this opportunity to thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon me, including my wonderful wife Beth and my two children, Samuel and Annalee.  This has been a great time for my whole family!  I am also blessed to have the opportunity to teach and coach in a great school district and work with many good people.  I would like to remind all to give thanks with a grateful heart during this season and all year long for all the blessings we have and the freedoms we have in our country!
  3. Roy Geno, KCS Bus Driver (#06):  As a bus driver, I am thankful for the result of the students as they board and disembark the bus. Seeing the behaviors altered, the eyes becoming alive, the smiles crossing their faces, and the body’s expressions of joy.  These behaviors so brighten the day and contribute to the desire to return.
  4. Rhys Wilkins, 2nd grader at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School:  I am thankful for Mrs. Seabolt and math time!  Her big sister Parker Wilkins, senior at Dobyns-Bennett:  I am thankful for the new Tribe Time schedule where I can work with my teachers and friends to get my work done!
  5. Dr. Krissy Turner, Jackson Elementary School Principal:  I am thankful to serve alongside committed educators who not only provide Jackson students with a rigorous education, but also guide our students in developing leadership skills for their future success.
  6. And members of the Nash family weighed in… Luke Nash, 3rd grader at John Adams Elementary:  I’m thankful for my teacher, Mrs. Carter, and for her wonderful math teaching.  Ellie Nash, 6th grader at Ross N. Robinson Middle School:  I’m thankful for D-B trainers Kevin Trivette and Caitlyn Horn who keep me healthy to play sports.  Abby Nash, freshman at D-B:  I’m thankful for the orchestra program and the soccer program at D-B and the great teachers I’ve had in Kingsport.  And Joanna Nash, D-B Teacher:  I’m thankful for great teaching teammates!

The We Are KCS Blog thanks for you for your support of Kingsport City Schools!

The KCS Saturday Six – November 21, 2015
  1.  It’s a great time to celebrate!  There are so many positive things happening throughout KCS, and this past week’s recognition of American Education Week provided a fantastic opportunity to highlight the great teachers and staff that give so much to our community.  If you see a KCS employee wearing one of the new maroon KCS logo t-shirts, you’ll likely be reminded that we are truly #OneTribe!
  2. Our students continue to shine.  Three KCS elementary students were named winners in “The Hero In You Foundation” essay contest, honoring every day heroes and inspiring children to want to live heroically themselves.  Congrats to Mather Konkol from Lincoln Elementary, Macy Peters from Johnson Elementary, and Madison Cox from Adams Elementary.  Well done!
  3. It was a big weekend at the Tennessee School Boards Association annual conference.  Highlights from the Nashville gathering included bring-the-house-down performances by the D-B Orchestra String Quartet, our phenomenal a capella group Armonia, and the presentation of colors by the D-B Air Force JROTC unit.  And added to that, KCS bagged two major honors from TSBA.  Board of Education President Mrs. Carrie Upshaw was named to the All Tennessee School Board and the Insight KCS community awareness program was named the Excellence in Education award winner for 2015 (And yes, I realized that I just squeezed five items into #3, but the “Saturday Ten” doesn’t sound as catchy).
  4. The D-B Band did us proud again!  At last weekend’s Bands of American Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, the band finished as the #3 band in Class AAA and the 15th best marching band in America.  This strong national showing again highlights the exceptional work and talents of the D-B Band staff, students, and supporters.  A job very well done!
  5. Did you happen to notice that D-B grad and San Francisco 49er Daniel Kilgore returned to practice this week?  After suffering a broken leg last year, Daniel has worked hard to rehab and looks to return to game action in the coming weeks.  If you happen to find the San Francisco 49ers Media Guide, you’ll see that Daniel’s profile prominently includes a review of his support of the D-B Tribe Games, an innovative series of athletic competitions for local students with special needs.  The Tribe Games bowling event takes place next week.  Thanks, Daniel, for all you continue to do for our community!
  6. It’s time to give thanks!  There were multiple Thanksgiving celebrations and family engagement events all across KCS this past week, with several more happening next week.  Don’t forget, KCS schools and offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday of next week for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Have a wonderful holiday, and we thank you for your support of Kingsport City Schools!

The KCS Saturday Six – November 14, 2015
  1.  The D-B Band is at it again!  As we speak, the Dobyns-Bennett Band is impressively representing our community at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN.  This is the culminating event of the competitive band season in the United States, and D-B has again reached the semi-finals of this prestigious event.  After performing this morning at 10:15 a.m., they hope to reach the competition finals tonight, which would place them in the top 12 marching bands in America.  For up to the minute updates, follow along on Twitter @DBHS_Band or look for retweets on @KCS_District or @AndyTrueKCS.
  2. This is also a big weekend for a KCS Board of Education member.  Board Vice President Mrs. Susan Lodal will conclude her term as President of the Tennessee School Boards Association at their annual convention.  Over the past year, Mrs. Lodal has represented both KCS and Tennessee school boards in many capacities, working to improve public education in our state.  We are fortunate to have such a passionate advocate for the children of Kingsport!
  3. It was also a huge week for several D-B athletes.  Four D-B athletes signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers in college next year.  Congratulations to Haverly Harrold, who will play golf at Lee University, William Nottingham, who will play golf at Clemson, Marrisa Honeycutt, who will play softball at North Alabama, and Abby Stratton, who will be playing softball at Roane State.
  4. Were you a guest in a KCS school this week?  If you were, you were certainly not alone, as hundreds of citizens and veterans took part in Veterans Day celebrations across the district.  Words cannot express the gratitude and love we have for those that have served our country, and this week’s celebrations are but a small way that we can show our appreciation for all they have sacrificed.
  5. Speaking of appreciating those that sacrifice for us, a big thank you goes out to the Kingsport Police Department!  If you have spent any time in a KCS school, you have likely seen a KPD officer talking with children and staff, patrolling the building, or just providing a safety presence.  KCS is blessed to have such a positive relationship with our local law enforcement.  Thank you, Kingsport Police Department, for going the extra mile to keep our schools safe!
  6. If you aren’t already listening, this weekend is a great time to re-discover a true gem, WCSK radio.  Found at 90.3 on your FM dial, Kingsport City Schools’ eclectic and educational radio station broadcasts a wide variety of music, programming, D-B sports, and even KCS student performances.  There is truly something for everyone.  Check it out!

The KCS Saturday Six – November 7, 2015
  1. There are lots of smart students around here!  At this Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, the BOE recognized a lengthy list of D-B students that have achieved some pretty impressive academic accomplishments.  D-B senior Theresa Cahill was honored for scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT.  Eight D-B students were named as Semi-Finalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program (Emily Baker, Samantha Cahill, Theresa Cahill, Alexander Caviness, Jennifer Garland, Sarah Homoky, Kaylie Richard, and Charlotte Schodowski).  And an additional six seniors were recognized as commended students in the National Merit Scholarship Program (Owen Barbour, Taylor Bunch, Hannah Burgess, Katherine Lawrence, Gibson Mills, and Kaylea Brooke Mohr).  The term “world class” springs to mind.
  2. The impressive results at D-B keep on coming!  The Dobyns-Bennett Orchestra is currently preparing for a trip next March to the prestigious Orchestra America National Festival in Indianapolis.  In receiving an invitation to this elite festival, the D-B Orchestra is identified as one of the best high school orchestra’s in America and will have performance and clinic opportunities to reach even higher levels of skill.  A representative from Orchestra America was in Kingsport this week to help students and parents continue their preparations.
  3. And the D-B Band also continues to excel!  Last weekend, the band finished 4th in the Music for All Atlanta Super Regional competition in the Georgia Dome.  This is the highest finish ever for the D-B Band in this competition.  The band will travel to Indianapolis next weekend for the Grand National Championships, where they will look to improve on last year’s impressive finish as the 14th best marching band in America.
  4. Basketball season has begun.  This week marked the beginning of the middle school basketball season, with Sevier and Robinson heating up quickly with an inter-city matchup against each other.  On Thursday evening at Sevier, the two schools split their games, with Sevier winning twice (Varsity Girls & Junior Varsity Boys) and Robinson winning twice (Junior Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys).  If this week is any indication, we are in for a fantastic season! #OneTribe
  5. KCS is blessed to have incredible community partners.  There are so many local community groups and organizations that go the extra mile to make sure our students have every opportunity to succeed, both academically and in many other ways.  The Boy Scouts of America is one such group that supports our children in becoming great students and citizens.  They will be holding a recruitment and registration open house in the KCS Administrative Support Center Tennessee Room (400 Clinchfield Street, 3rd Floor) on Thursday, November 19th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Students in 1st through 4th grade and their parents/guardians are invited to attend.
  6. Do you have an opinion about what is taught in Tennessee’s public schools?  The Tennessee State Board of Education has launched a review website to collect public feedback on Tennessee’s newly revised grade K-12 math and English language arts (ELA) standards. This is the first time the math and ELA standards (recently revised by Tennessee educators after earlier public input) will be available for public review. The new standards will be available for feedback online through mid-November.  Share your thoughts by clicking here.

The KCS Saturday Six – October 31, 2015
  1. We truly are #OneKingsport.  Student ambassadors at Abraham Lincoln Elementary took part in a special leadership session with Kingsport Mayor John Clark this week, drawing important lessons from his life and leadership experiences.  It was not only a great opportunity for these incredible students to continue their growth as leaders, but also a wonderful example of how our local community actively supports our students.  Thank you Mayor Clark!
  2. Speaking of Mayor Clark and our local leaders, Kingsport City Schools was excited to be a part of this week’s OneKingsport Summit, drawing together a wide representation of Kingsport residents to plot the future of our great community.  Passion, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking drove a visioning process that points to an incredibly exciting future for Kingsport.
  3. It’s not easy to be perfect, but Dobyns-Bennett junior Cameron Phillips was just that this week, bowling the first 300 game in D-B’s bowling team history.  Talk about world class!  What an outstanding accomplishment for this terrific young man.
  4. It was also a big week for a KCS administrator, as Dr. Lamar Smith, Supervisor of Federal Programs, was honored as a finalist for the Supervisor of the Year award by the Tennessee Department of Education.  The award recognizes the top supervisors from across the state for their work supporting Tennessee’s schools and students.
  5. Oh, and speaking of perfect, KCS school cafeterias continue to receive perfect scores on their health inspections.  With the exception of one school that “only” scored a 99, all other school cafeterias inspected this year have received a score of 100.  Quite an accomplishment that speaks to the quality of the KCS School Nutrition program.
  6. And though last night’s gutty effort vs. Science Hill marked the end of the 2015 regular season for the D-B Football Team, their work continues next Friday night.  The Tribe opens the TSSAA playoffs in Murfreesboro at Blackman High School.  Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.