Sumner County Schools

SUMNER READY

Sumner County Schools is dedicated to preparing our children for their next step in life.

Sumner Ready is a groundbreaking community-based initiative designed to guide students seamlessly through their academic journey from Kindergarten to senior year.

In a rapidly evolving world marked by iPhones, wearable technology and artificial intelligence, Sumner Ready focuses on equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the 21st century. By providing a comprehensive roadmap for academic and personal growth, this program ensures that each student is well-prepared to navigate the challenges of an increasingly digital and interconnected society.

On Wednesday, SCS invited community leaders including local business owners, corporate CEO's, church pastors and school booster club and PTO members to answer this question: "If a student enters the SCS system as a Kindergartener, what skills should they possess when they graduate?"

The goal of this meeting was to begin a community conversation about how to best prepare students life beyond the classroom.

Kindergarteners starting school in August will graduate as the class of 2037. They enter the classroom never knowing a world without iPhones, wearable technology, drones and artificial intelligence. They will graduate and seek out careers that don’t even exist yet.

When SCS students walk across the stage at the end of their high school career, they are not just receiving a diploma, but they are stepping into a world of possibilities. Sumner County Schools challenge remains: How do we prepare our students for the next steps? The purpose of Sumner Ready is to answer this challenge with a community-based approach to ensure that SCS is making the most of our time with our children in our classrooms.

Sumner County Schools One Book Blitz Inspires a Community of Readers and Dreamers

After experiencing snow and ice last week, penguins showed up in Sumner County Schools! Every year, Sumner County Title 1 schools take their students on a storybook journey. After months of planning, students walked into schools transformed to look like Antartica. Teachers have spent days building excitement, dropping clues, and transforming their classrooms into a magical place all leading up to a book reveal.

"One Book Blitz" is a county-wide initiative that was created to foster a love of reading. Each year a new book is selected and promoted for this program. This year, students received the children’s classic and Newberry Honor winner Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater.

Sumner County Schools utilizes federal funding under the Title I Act to support student learning in sixteen elementary schools across our great school district. For the past six years, the “One Book Blitz” initiative has brought the opportunity for each of these school communities to come together and celebrate the love of reading at home and at schools with our kids and families.

"Building on the success of previous years, the SCS Title I team is excited to join with community members this year to amplify the reach and impact of One Book Blitz. This collaborative effort between schools and community partners displays a shared commitment to promoting literacy and empowering families through the joy of reading," Supervisor of Federal Programs, Dr. Eric Bowman said. "This year is our biggest year yet with over 3,500 kids across our county receiving a brand-new book in their hands to read at home with their families."

In an effort to bring the book to life, students will be zooming with the Tennessee Aquarium, San Diego Zoo, and others. They "adopted" penguins, received stuffed animals, also referred to as their reading buddy. Students watched as penguins slid on skateboards and some of the books were delivered frozen.

While each school celebrated in their own unique way, every school was required to read the first chapter of the book together at the reveal. Students will take home a copy of the book to keep. If you have not read Mr. Popper's Penguins, we invite you to join us. The SCS Title 1 department has cardboard penguins for businesses around the county to display in hopes of making it a community affair. Reach out to the Sumner County Schools Title 1 department by calling (615) 451-5200 if you would like a cardboard penguin.

For pictures of the events please visit One Book Blitz Photos.

Welch Project SEARCH Family Night

Please join us for our annual Welch Project SEARCH Family Information Night! Welch Project SEARCH is a job training program for individuals with disabilities that have graduated high school. We will discuss program requirements, the application process, and give a general overview of the program. Tours by our current Interns and Peers will be optional after the meeting. The meeting is on Thursday, February 1 at 5:00 PM. It will be on the Welch College campus in the Presidential Dining Hall, located at 1045 Bison Trail in Gallatin (across from SCHS).

For more information about Welch Project SEARCH or our Family Information Night, please contact Shelley Vanegas or Cindy Hamblen.

Assistant Principal of the Year Announced

Heather Whitaker has been named Sumner County Assistant Principal of the Year! Mrs. Whitaker is an Assistant Principal at Ellis Middle School. She was surprised this morning by Director of Schools, Dr. Scott Langford; Director of Instruction, Frankie Skinner; Principal, Adam Cripps; and her family. Congratulations!