Sumner County Schools

GHS Students Earn Jailer Certification

Sumner County Schools' Career and Technical Education (CTE) department continues to prepare students for the real world. Gallatin High School's Criminal Justice II class taught by Scott Pascarella, a retired Police Sergeant, celebrated a big achievement.

GHS students have completed the Jailer Certification program. This program is in partnership with the Sumner County Sheriff's Department. Students began training at the beginning of school and have completed all requirements. On Wednesday, October 27th students received their certification from Sumner County Sheriff, Roy "Sonny" Weatherford, during a graduation ceremony. The certification will allow students, who wish to work at the Sumner County Jail, to pursue employment with their agency.

The training Sumner County students received is the same training new hires receive prior to working in the jail. Thank you to Sheriff Weatherford and the Sumner County Sheriff's Department for supporting Sumner County students.

Hendersonville High School's JROTC Earns Prestigious Distinction

Hendersonville High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) was recently selected and awarded the designation of “Naval Honor School” for the 2020-2021 school year. Incredibly, it is the third time this designation has been bestowed upon HHS in the past four years.

Selection as a Naval Honor School means that the cadet leadership of the HHS Marine Corps JROTC program was in the top 10 percent of all programs in the southeastern region of the United States.

This selection is not subjective but based on a point system used to determine the overall performance of the unit. Criteria includes, general inspection results, community service hours, public events attended, academic awards, meets hosted, and the total dollar amount awarded in scholarships and enlistments.

In addition, MCJROTC programs are evaluated by their participation and performance in drill team competitions, marksmanship competitions, physical fitness competitions, senior leadership, and summer cadet leadership camps.

This distinction also allows the Senior Marine Instructor (SMI) to nominate up to 6 cadets to each of the three military service academies – U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. These nominations are considered equal to a nomination from a U.S. representative or senator.

Marine Corps JROTC is led by Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Stone.

7 Police Officers Trade Badge for School Bus Keys

For some SCS employees, service is a lifetime commitment. Seven retired police officers have continued their oath to serve Sumner County children.

“I’m not the type of person that can sit behind a desk and be happy,” retired police officer Tracy Murphy said. “When you're a police officer, every day is different, and you never know what’s going to happen.”

After 25 years as a police officer, Murphy made the move from California to Tennessee after another co-worker moved to the area. Murphy and her husband came for a visit and fell in love with the area and the people. She says she chose to be a bus driver for the benefits and the time off.

“I enjoy it. You have all your weekends, holidays, and the summer off. My daughter lives in Virginia and coaches figure skating, so I’m able to visit and watch her competitions.”

Former Franklin Police Department Detective, Becky Porter, is used to working murders, rapes, and child abuse cases. After retirement, she wanted something else that would give her flexibility with her schedule and the insurance that Sumner County Schools provides. She has been driving a special needs bus for the past 4 years.

“I retired in July, my first grand baby was born in September, so I get to be a grandma and do all the things with my grand babies that I wouldn’t have gotten to do, if I stayed as a detective."

Both Murphy and Porter encourage others to give the SCS Transportation Department a chance.

“Give it a try. If you can handle kids on different levels, it’s not really that hard in the overall scheme,” Murphy said.

Bus drivers we spoke with say it's a great job for retirees or stay at home parents that want to work the same hours as their children's school schedule. If you're interested in becoming a bus driver, give us a call at 615-452-1520. We are hiring full and part-time positions. Full-time positions receive medical and dental insurance plans.

Golden Apple Grant Winners

The Hendersonville Chamber Foundation showered our teachers with love, prizes, and money! Every year, the chamber hosts the Golden Apple event honoring and recognizing our teachers. The purpose of the grant program is to address a unique need or to develop a creative new program which advances teaching and learning within the guidelines of the respective school.

Due to their creativity, commitment to excellence and dedication to educating their students, the following teachers were awarded Golden Apple Grants on October 12th totaling nearly $25,000.

Congratulations to:

Lisa Baugh and Christy Brown at Hendersonville High School
Grant project: Commando Corner - $1,500

Dr. Michael Shackleford and Mr. Drew Beeler at Ellis Middle School
Grant project: A Small World - $1,771

Terri Callister and Melissa Skaggs at T.W. Hunter Middle School
Grant Project: Study Island Software - $3,000

Cassie Venable and Beth Freeman at Beech Elementary School
Grant Project: Conservation Outdoor Garden - $2,920

Sundy Mackorell and Larissa Weddle at Indian Lake Elementary School
Grant Project: Oh, the places our mobile STEAM lab will go! - $2,913

Jennifer Anglin at Dr. William Burrus Elementary School
Grant Project: On-to-one Tech for Tomorrow - $2,952

Erin Sanders and Wendy Vincent at Hendersonville High School
Grant Project: What’s wrong with our patient? - $1,500

Lauren Howard at Station Camp Elementary School
Grant Project: Third Grade Bison Bonanza STEM Projects - $1,352

Mackenzie Rowe at Ellis Middle School
Grant Project: Critical Thinking Lab - $3,000

Winning School with the highest percentage of teacher attendance Indian Lake Elementary $300 Cash Prize.

Fundraising for the Foundation is obtained through personal and business donations, advertising sales for the City Guide, and the annual Freedom Festival event held every July 3rd. Since its inception, the Hendersonville Chamber Foundation has donated over $100,000 to support teachers!

Photo credit: Memories By Murray