Sumner County Schools

SCS Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Sumner County Schools (SCS) is excited to announce the names of our National Merit Semifinalists. Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors qualified for this prestigious honor, and they have an opportunity to continue in the competition for more than 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million.

SCS congratulates the following:

Karamias Antoine - Hendersonville High School

Nova Melvin - Hendersonville High School

Carson Cox - Merrol Hyde Magnet School

More than 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2024 will be announced in April.

First Responder Turned SCS Teacher Shares his Memories

In a quiet classroom at Gallatin High School, Philip Russo, a retired New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer, and now Gallatin High School Criminal Justice Teacher, speaks to a class of students about the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

“I can remember every single thing about that day. The sights, the smells, the feeling. What I did when. I remember everything. You speak to adults today, and I guarantee they remember where they were when they found out. Everybody does. It’s a moment stopped in time.”

Russo joined the NYPD in 1988 and was stationed in the heart of New York City, working in Times Square at the precinct known as Midtown North.

Russo remembers seeing the dust and the ash a half mile before arriving at Ground Zero.

“You couldn’t believe what you were seeing. Soon you were ankle deep, then hip deep, and all you thought about was how enormous it was.”

Russo worked tirelessly for two consecutive days, along with countless other first responders and on September 14, 2001 he found himself less than 300 feet from President George. W. Bush during his infamous bullhorn speech to emergency rescue workers.

“I’m very proud to be part of that day.”

Speaking to a room full of students, Russo shared multiple items of importance to him including the radios he used that day, a t-shirt a student gave him and a photo he took with Hollywood actor Harrison Ford, who cooked and served food for first responders at Ground Zero.

Russo remains in touch with his former colleagues and visits them once or twice a year. Tragically, four dozen first responders that Russo knew have succumbed to illnesses contracted from their heroic work during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. One former co-worker passed just three days ago. Russo remains vigilant, undergoing annual medical check-ups and tests to be safe.

Wearing the same shirt he wears every year on this day, Russo spoke to criminal justice and health science classes, while emphasizing the importance of unity.

“Most of us would do it again,” Russo said “I never ever, ever, ever in my lifetime want to see another 9-11, but I would love to see another September 12th. Everybody was together. Everybody. Everybody was patriotic, everybody was friendly to each other. Everybody liked each other. Once the initial shock were off, we realized we were in a different place in the world.”

Be an Attendance Super “Hero”

• H - Here
• E - Every Day
• R - Ready
• O - On Time

Are you ready to embrace your Attendance Superpower this September? In celebration of School Attendance Awareness Month, we challenge you to become a true Attendance Super Hero by embodying the H.E.R.O spirit: Here, Every Day, Ready, and On Time.

Here(H): Show up to school every day. Your presence matters, and it’s the first step to becoming an Attendance Super “Hero.”

Every Day(E): Commit to attending school daily. Consistency is key to your educational journey and being a role model for others.

Ready(R): Be prepared to learn and engage actively in your classes. Being prepared helps you and your classmates thrive.

On Time(O): Punctuality is a superpower. Arrive on time for your classes because every minute counts.

What’s your SUPER POWER? Showcase your dedication to 100% classroom attendance by participating in our competition! Here’s what you need to do:

1. Capture a classroom picture where you and your classmates achieve 100% attendance for that day.
2. Email the picture to Melanie Webster and include the following details: teacher name, school, and grade/class.

Get creative and showcase how you embody the H.E.R.O spirit. Motivate others to come to school by displaying your “Attendance Super Power” through creativity and inspiration. Teachers, please be mindful of student photo restrictions when submitting entries.

The winners will receive:

• 1st Place - $150
• 2nd Place - $100
• 3rd Place - $75

The top 3 entries from each school will be displayed at the Sumner County Board of Education for voting by Central Office staff and community stakeholders.

Submit your picture by Friday, September 29th (please submit one picture per class). Winners will be announced after Fall Break!

Teachers, remember to encourage your students to attend school every day throughout September for a chance to win the Attendance Cup. The school with the best attendance for the month will proudly display the cup for the rest of the school year.

Are you ready to be an Attendance Super “Hero?” Show us your Attendance. Superpower and inspire others to join the cause!

2023 Sumner County Schools Dress Code Policy

Click the link below the iFrame to open the full PDF.

SCS K-12 Dress Code Policy (pdf)