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KCS Starts School Year with Service Focus: D-B YES Club

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We Are One Tribe…

The start of every school year brings with it a combination of excitement, anticipation, and though we try to eliminate it, a dose of apprehension as to what the new year will bring.  Each child likely has some combination of all of these emotions as they set foot in a new classroom and/or school.  Naturally, this may result in a mindset that focuses more on meeting personal needs, rather than considering the needs of others.  But what might happen when a group of teachers observes an issue, develops an innovative idea to address it, and presents the opportunity to students at Dobyns-Bennett High School?  The result is an exciting display of selflessness and passion to serve others.

Started as a brainstorm of KCS guidance counselor Alice Browder (Roosevelt Elementary) and family liaison Jaclyn Clendenen (Jackson Elementary), the D-B YES Club (Youth Engagement Strategies) was formed to connect interested high school students with KCS elementary students that are in need of a positive role model.  Taking place during the new D-B Tribe Time (an hour-long lunch period at D-B that allows for a variety of learning and service opportunities), interested juniors and seniors in good academic standing can gain volunteer hours and valuable experience by mentoring younger children at their elementary schools.  For the elementary students, it is a terrific opportunity to gain guidance and support from a new friend who can relate to them on a more personal level.

When presented with an opportunity to serve and support younger children, D-B students turned out in droves to share of themselves.  Almost 70 students returned an interest survey in the first days of signup, requesting an application to apply to be a mentor.  After receiving training from the KCS staff, the high schoolers will go into KCS elementary schools and share their insights and experience with young children who might not otherwise have an older sibling or friend to learn from.  It is an example of how, when presented with a need and an opportunity, our students rise to give of themselves to others.  It will be exciting to see the friendships that develop and the confidence that will grow (in both young and old) as bonds are formed during this innovative process.

To view a video about the D-B YES program, please click here.

We Are One Tribe… We Are KCS!

KCS Establishes Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame

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We Honor Our Heritage…

It would be quite a lengthy task to generate the full list of individuals that have ever worked for Kingsport City Schools.  Currently, over 1,100 employees serve the students and families of Kingsport each day, striving to positively impact the lives and futures of children in our community.  Stretching back to the early days of KCS almost 100 years ago, the complete list would certainly be in the thousands.

Knowing that the success of any organization rests squarely on the shoulders of those that have come before, the question becomes how can you appropriately honor and recognize those key individuals that have stood out over time as leaders and shining lights?  How can we identify and honor not only those key individuals in the history of Kingsport City Schools, but also the full history and heritage of the district?

In the summer of 2015, the inaugural class of the Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame will be inducted, identifying and honoring those individuals that have made significant contributions to Kingsport City Schools and its students.  Each year, up to two individuals may be inducted in each of three membership categories – “Legacy” (retired pre-1960), “Tradition” (retired 1960-1990), and “Modern Era” (retired 1991-present).

Any former KCS employee, regardless of job type or category, is eligible for consideration if they have been regularly employed by KCS a minimum of five years and have been retired for a minimum of five years.  Nominations for the Class of 2015 will be accepted through May 1, 2015.  By way of a special provision in the Hall of Fame bylaws, a “double class” is allowed for the inaugural year, meaning up to four individuals may be identified for induction this summer by the Hall selection committee.

As much as any organization looks to the future and seeks that next positive step, it is critical for a system like Kingsport City Schools to stop and also look back, honoring the heritage and contributions of those that have made the current successes possible.  Without those trailblazers and pioneers, KCS would certainly not be what it is today.

We can all remember that key teacher, bus driver, custodian, cafeteria worker, nurse, assistant, office worker, or other educator that made a significant difference in our own life.  The KCS Hall of Fame will now serve as a way to say thank you to not only those inducted, but to all KCS employees that have made such a positive impact on the Kingsport community.  It will serve to both preserve the history of KCS, as well as celebrate the excellence of its heritage and employees.

Nominations are now open and additional information is available on the KCS district website at www.k12k.com.

We Honor Our Heritage… We are KCS!

Dobyns-Bennett Student-Athletes Give Back

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(Photos courtesy Nick Shepherd, Kingsport Times-News)

We Serve…

Mathematics.  Science.  Language Arts.  Social Studies.  Music.  The Arts.  When it comes to what is taught in Kingsport City Schools, these are likely the subjects that come to mind.  While they form the core foundation of who we are and what we do, there are other words that also describe the values we work to instill in our students and throughout our educational community.

Selflessness.  Commitment.  Integrity.  Thankfulness.  Dedication.  Service.

These were the types of life skills demonstrated by the Dobyns-Bennett Girls and Boys basketball teams on Saturday, August 9, 2014 as almost 30 D-B student-athletes turned out to help serve lunch to members of our local National Guard.  Led by D-B coaches Bill Francis and Charlie Morgan and supported by the Kingsport Texas Roadhouse, these young men and women took time out to, in some small way, show their appreciation for the sacrifice provided by the members of the National Guard.  And though the service provided by these students may pale in relation to those that have risked their lives to protect our freedoms, this act of giving back can help to solidify a foundational understanding of the importance of personal sacrifice.

To be successful on the court, these athletes must show a high level of commitment and dedication in the classroom, during practice, and on game night.  But to ultimately be successful in life, they need to learn the importance of developing and using those same skills in the broader picture… How sacrifice, service, and appreciation will increase the impact of both their lives and the lives of those around them.  These are the lessons our faculty and staff work to instill on a daily basis.  By volunteering to serve others, these young men and women demonstrate they are learning this critical skill that, beyond anything that can be taught in a book, will make them ultimately successful in life.

We Serve… We Are KCS!

Click here to view Nick Shepherd’s full review in the August 10, 2014 Kingsport Times-News.

 

 

KCS Launches D-B EXCEL – A Game-Changer for Today’s Secondary Students

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We Are Groundbreaking…

Let’s face it… Today’s world looks much different from the one of ten, twenty, or thirty years ago.  From changes in technology, communications, and culture, society has evolved at a dizzying pace.  We would be naïve to think that education can’t, or shouldn’t, evolve with it.  Our parents and community expect that we will do everything possible to meet today’s students where they are and provide an innovative, high-impact educational experience that will prepare them for future success.

For many months, the administrators at Cora Cox Academy and Dobyns-Bennett High School have been examining their current educational programing and envisioning the full scope of what secondary education could look like, especially for the student that is not as likely to find success in the traditional high school setting.  Out of that extensive research and planning led by Mrs. Shanna Hensley and Dr. Chris Hampton, D-B EXCEL (Excellence in a Creative Environment for Learning) was born. 

This innovative approach to personalized learning takes the core foundational philosophies of KCS and places them in an environment that better fits today’s non-traditional high school student.  The campus is unique, providing opportunities for online learning, blended (both online and in-person) learning, and even a planned full-time virtual academy.  Schedules are unique, with classes even offered outside the traditional school day, often going late into the afternoon and evening.  This is especially helpful for students that have work or family responsibilities that keep them from maintaining a traditional school schedule.

And the learning is especially unique.  The coursework allow students to craft a more individualized learning path and provides the versatility to work at a much more personalized pace.  By providing counseling, mentorships, and a positive school culture, staff can assist D-B EXCEL students in maximizing their academic potential in a truly innovative way.  The intended outcome is to open doors and opportunities to a world of possibilities where students are empowered to focus on their own specific goals.

It’s a game-changer for secondary education not only for Kingsport, but for the entire region and state (the virtual academy is planned to open in 2015 to any Tennessee student).  Is it for you or someone you know?  Find out by accessing a  wealth of information available at www.db-excel.com.  D-B EXCEL… It’s a progressive leap forward in creating a world-class educational experience for all students, providing an innovative approach to personalized learning.

We Are Groundbreaking … We Are KCS!

Kingsport City Schools Begins 2014-15 School Year

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We are ready…

Though teachers and staff have been back at work for quite a few days now (and some never actually left!), many more alarm clocks likely went off much earlier than usual all around Kingsport this week as 7,000+ KCS students made the official shift from summer mode to the 2014-15 school year.  For the first time in 74 days (yes, summer break was really that long) lunches were packed, backpacks were loaded with fresh supplies, buses rolled, and quiet school hallways filled with the buzz of excitement and new beginnings.  The first day of school is always a time of renewed opportunities, and this year was no different, as students, teachers, and staff embarked on the unknown journey that is our new school year.

For some, it is a brand new adventure.  How precious it is to see the faces of 530 kindergarteners mixed with eager anticipation, happiness, and just a touch of nervousness as they start “big” school.  For the over 450 seniors at Dobyns-Bennett, it’s the beginning of the end of their KCS journey.  Their faces may look decidedly different as they balance AP coursework, graduation requirements, Senior Prom, and college or career choices.  But if truth be told, they are probably feeling that exact same mix of emotions as those 5-year olds entering school for the very first time.

Over 40 teachers and just as many classified staff members are starting a new professional journey with KCS this week.  Each year always brings a new group of dedicated and excited educators to Kingsport, and this year is no different.  As one of its Core Tenets, KCS lists as one of its organizational goals to recruit, hire, and retain the very best employees.  Though that process takes place all year long, the first day of the school year is always a landmark day in that process for so many individuals that we are so excited to now call colleagues.

And for John Sevier Middle School teacher Kenn Naegele, Monday might be day #1, but it is certainly nothing new.  As the longest tenured employee of Kingsport City Schools, this week marks his 43rd “first day of school.”  You might think that after starting over 40 school years, this would be old hat for him.  However, I’m sure Kenn will attest that he has the same level of energy, excitement, and even “butterflies” as those new employees just starting their educational careers. 

Young or old.  Experienced or brand new.  Day one always brings new excitement… new beginnings.. new possibilities.  It’s quite possibility the best day of the year!

We are ready… We Are KCS!

KCS Summer STREAM Camp Fosters Discovery, Creativity

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We are Investigators…

Ask the typical person on the street about what teachers and students do during the months of June and July, and you may likely get responses involving vacation, the beach, or just taking it easy at home.  Sure, that happens to some extent.  But to assume that’s all that goes on during the summer months is to ignore the reality regarding all the teaching and learning that takes place by so many KCS teachers and students.

Take, for instance, the KCS Summer STREAM Camp.  During the week of June 23-27, over 100 Kingsport students in grades 4-8 immersed themselves in a wide variety of topics involving Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, the Arts, and Math.  Led by KCS administrator Dr. Krissy Turner and with the help of teachers that designed and led interactive, hands-on project-based lessons, students explored chemistry, digital media, engineering, the environment, and the arts.  It was a fascinating week of investigation and discovery, where students designed new creations, learned about STEM careers, and created their own digital portfolio.

Over the course of the week, campers traveled to the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing to build catapults and focus on engineering design processes.  They designed, built, and tested rockets.  They conducted chemistry experiments with the guidance of experts from Eastman Chemical Company.  They learned about the water treatment process and the effect of pollution on our environment.  And they even researched the artists that created Kingsport’s downtown sculptures and created marketing commercials for the art itself.

It was a fantastic week of exploration designed to spark student interest in the STREAM areas.  The creativity and innovation shown by both students and teachers was impressive and inspiring.  Who knows what seeds the STREAM Camp may plant in a child’s mind that will foster STEM greatness in the future. 

Scientific teaching, creativity, learning, and discovery during the summer.  Who knew??  😉

We are Investigators… We are KCS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dobyns-Bennett High School Hosts “Tribe Games”

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We are student focused…

“Student Focused … World Class.”  That’s the vision statement of Kingsport City Schools and serves as the context for all that occurs within the district.  However, every now and then, a particular program or activity seems to jump out and perfectly illustrate that vision.  When it comes to “student focus,” The Dobyns-Bennett “Tribe Games” certainly stands out.

During the past school year, students and staff at D-B were troubled with the reality that students with significant disabilities typically don’t get involved with organized athletics.  Seeking to remedy that situation and provide a positive experience for students and the community, D-B Special Education teacher Jimmy Burleson started the Tribe Games, an inclusive competition in bowling, swimming, and track & field.  Students with disabilities from D-B, Sevier and Robinson Middle Schools, Johnson Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary participated, with support from a wide variety of KCS students volunteers, staff, and community members.

It’s also exciting to see is how the greater Kingsport business community has begun to support this incredible program.  Sponsors like the KCS Special Education Department, Food City, O’Charley’s, Jersey Mike’s, Zaxby’s, Chick-fil-a, and the D-B Athletic Department all supported events through contributions and donations.  As Tribe games moves into its second year during 2014-15, it’s expected that even more organizations will take part.  The involvement of the entire Kingsport community was a large part of why the event was so successful.

Year one of the Tribe Games was a smashing success and provided a fun, safe, and supportive competitive environment that was truly student focused.  Any KCS student with a disability is encouraged to participate this next year, as organizers look to build on the success of year one.  It is a terrific example of how the staff and students of KCS work together to provide high quality activities and encouragement to all.

We are student focused… We are KCS!

Dobyns-Bennett Students “Pay it Forward”

We have a heart for service…

It is said that the true character of a person is demonstrated when no one is watching.  If that is the case, than a group of young ladies at Dobyns-Bennett have set a bar that we all should strive and hope to reach.

Following an economics class on poverty during their Junior year, these ladies felt called to served economically disadvantaged students at D-B that might be missed by local service agencies.  Knowing that navigating through high school can be difficult enough, they wanted to do what they could to help their fellow students who’s families might be struggling financially.  Thus, “Pay it Forward” was born.  Over the next year, they worked to support students whose high school experience might be limited due to financial issues.

It was certainly a noble cause that made a tangible difference in the lives of many D-B students.  But here is the amazing, and likely most impressive part of the story… the entire project was done anonymously.  Mailboxes were placed within D-B and students were encouraged to anonymously suggest names of classmates so that no one would feel awkward requesting help.  The names of students or families in need were referred to appropriate individuals and agencies for help.  Assistance was provided quietly with students’ feelings in mind.  High school can be hard enough, as it is.

When word about Pay it Forward did come to light, community members quickly rose to support the cause.  Brothers Scot and John Franklin, owners of the Fort Henry Drive Subway, held two fundraising events over the course of the 2013-14 school year.  Over $670 was raised to support the efforts of Pay it Forward, with all funds donated to the Clothes Closet for needed shoes and clothing.  Dozens of shoes, tops, and pants were purchased for students in need.

And who were the young ladies that imagined, created, and facilitated the “Pay it Forward” project?  Nope… that’s anonymous, as well.  You see, it was important to these young ladies that their work remain behind the scenes, as they wanted neither credit or personal recognition for their work.  They simply desired to serve their classmates in whatever way they could… To make a positive difference in another’s life so that they could have the same type of high school experience that these young ladies were blessed to have.

We may very well never know the identities of these D-B students that did so much for their classmates, but the results of their work can be seen in the positive impact on the lives of many others.  For these young ladies, that is reward enough.

We have a heart for service… We are KCS!