Press Releases
The Hamilton County Department of Education generates press releases periodically to announce large activities, celebrations, student and staff recognitions and announcements of community interest. Press releases are posted chronologically as they are generated. We archive one year of press releases on subsequent pages.
For more information or to suggest a press release topic, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 209-8600.
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith is pleased to announce that the following individuals have accepted administrative positions for the 2013-14 school year. These administrators will begin their assignments in their new schools and / or positions on July 1, 2013.
On May 15, 2013, Center for Creative Arts received the Arts Integration Award from the Arts Schools Network (ASN), the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools. This award is presented to a member school that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and accomplishment in bringing arts integration strategies into the curriculum.
On May 15, 2013, Deborah Smith, Administrator of Center for Creative Arts, received the Jeffrey Lawrence Award from the Arts Schools Network (ASN), the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools. Named in honor of the long-time head of the Professional Children's School in New York, this award is granted to the head of an Arts Schools Network school who exemplifies an uncompromising commitment to excellence in arts education and arts training.
Rivermont Elementary is proud to announce it has been awarded its 2nd grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga for this school year.
On April 9th, Rivermont was awarded $14,000 for a fitness trail project.
(Due to inclement weather today, the Track Meets have been scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th and Wednesday, May 8th.)
Third through Fifth graders from all 46 schools to show their athletic ability
Nearly 1,800 students will participate at Red Bank High School and Ooltewah High School on Monday, May 6th and Tuesday, May 7th to compete in the 24th Annual Elementary Track & Field Meet. In the event of rain, the event will be held on Wednesday, May 8th and Thursday, May 9th .
Children entering kindergarten shall be five (5) years of age on or before August 31st for the 2013-2014 school year and five (5) years of age on or before August 15th for all school years thereafter. Children age five (5) on or before the appropriate date must enter kindergarten no later than 30 days after the opening day of the term, as designated by the local board of education.
This act shall take effect October 1, 2012.
The top academic seniors in Hamilton County Schools will be honored on Tuesday, March 19, at the Thirty-Second Annual Superintendent’s Honors Banquet.
Three Hamilton County teachers reign as royalty this week, as they are honored as the 2013 Hamilton County Teachers of the Year. The teachers and their principals will be recognized at a special luncheon at the Broad Street Grill at The Chattanoogan Hotel on Friday, March 15, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Red Bank High School is pleased to announce the sculpture exhibition, Building the Future. Jennifer Rubin, Adam Garey, and Bryan Rasmussen are exhibiting their work as part of this unique opportunity that connects students with professional artists in Chattanooga. This project was made possible by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and the Red Bank High School Pride Committee.
Bethel Bible Village to Honor Hamilton County School Counselors and Social Workers February 28th
at Annual Luncheon
A random lottery will be held Tuesday, February 26, 2013 beginning at 10 a.m. for those recently applying for the majority of magnet schools within Hamilton County.
Eight Hamilton County teachers, from a variety of disciplines, earned National Board Certification in December.
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) - Students in Shellie Gibson's 1st grade class exceeded their goals in a reading competition as part of the Read 20 program.
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith has announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ooltewah Elementary School is planned for Tuesday, November 27, at 2:00 p.m.
In honor of the 75TH Anniversary of the Chattanooga Zoo, Hamilton County students in grades K-12 were invited to participate in an art contest organized by local art educator, Carrie Cook. Its theme centered on “What Does the Zoo Mean to Me?” Students were encouraged to visually express how the Chattanooga Zoo has served to educate humans on the importance on animal preservation as well as their experiences at the Zoo.
Beginning November 1, 2012, parents interested in their children attending one of our Hamilton County magnet schools can submit an application for the 2013-2014 school year. Applications may be completed online at www.hcde.org/magnet or paper applications picked up at any magnet school or at the Hamilton County Department of Education’s Central Office beginning November 1. The deadline for applying is January 31, 2013.
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith has confirmed 20th day enrollment figures of 42,705. This is an increase of 469 students.
Families interested in enrolling their children in kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year at either Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences or Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts should review the criteria for submitting an application that is posted on the Hamilton County Board of Education’s website (www.hcde.org).
Chattanooga, TN -- Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith is pleased to report an increase of 426 students on the 10th day enrollment report.
Chattanooga, TN -- Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith has been notified by the State Department of Education that Governor Bill Haslam will be making a state-wide announcement via web broadcast next Monday, August 27, at 3:15 p.m. First Lady Crissy Haslam and Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman will also be taking part in the announcement.
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith announces fifth day enrollment numbers in Hamilton County Schools has increased from first day enrollment.
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith is pleased to announce the first day enrollment count for Hamilton County Schools.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Educators from around the country will visit the Scenic City next week as the Hamilton County Department of Education and the National Center for Youth Issues co-host the Thirteenth Annual National Healthy Minds & Strong Bodies conference at The Chattanoogan.
Chattanooga, TN -- Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith is pleased to announce that the following individuals have accepted administrative positions for the 2012-2013 school year. These administrators will begin their new assignments on July 1, 2012.
Mayor Coppinger will recognize the winners of the annual Hamilton SHINES Billboard Art Contest next week. (See schedule below.)
The Mayor will present each winning student artist with a county plaque and pin, and a poster-size print of their billboard. Full-size billboards will be posted by Fairway Outdoor near the school of each winning artist later next week.
Chattanooga, TN -- Hamilton County Department of Education Superintendent Rick Smith is pleased to announce that the following individuals have accepted principal appointments for the 2012-13 school year. The majority of principal vacancies for next year are due to the impending retirement of current administrators. Principals will begin their assignments in their new schools and / or positions on July 1, 2012.
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts has received an $8,950 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga (CFGC) to go towards replacing damaged library books. “We are thrilled to receive this gift from the Community Foundation. It will go a long way toward purchasing new books for our students,” stated CSLA principal Krystal Scarbrough.
Chattanooga, TN -- Superintendent Rick Smith is pleased to announce the selection of the leader of the new STEM High School. Mr. Smith announced today that Tony Donen will serve as the new school’s first principal. Dr. Donen has worked in education for over fifteen years, nine of which as a high school principal. He holds an undergraduate degree in engineering from Virginia Tech University and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University. He has presented on various topics at the local, state, and national levels. Dr. Donen has also consulted with teachers, schools, and school systems on educational best practices and authored works on grading and assessment practices.
Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS) -- Chattanooga is proud to host Miss Tennessee’s visitation to eight area elementary schools.
Chattanooga, TN -- The top academic seniors in Hamilton County Schools will be honored on Tuesday, April 10, at the 31st Annual Superintendent’s Honors Banquet.
CHATTANOOGA, TN – Three Hamilton County teachers reign as royalty this week, as they are honored as the 2012 Hamilton County Teachers of the Year. The teachers and their principals will be recognized at a special lunch at the Chattanoogan Hotel on Friday, March 30 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Chattanooga – Twenty-nine students from Hamilton County Schools joined approximately 400 of their high school peers in Nashville on March 9 to express their views on public education in Tennessee at the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE). The event took place on the Avon Williams Campus of Tennessee State University.
Chattanooga, Tennessee – January 19, 2012 – Ten Hamilton County teachers, from a variety of
disciplines, earned National Board Certification in December pushing the number of Board Certified teachers in the district to 32.
Chattanooga, TN -- The Hamilton County Department of Education is pleased to recognize six 2012 National Merit Semifinalists from Hamilton County schools. These six seniors will be recognized during the October 27th School Board meeting.
On Sunday, November 21, the Hamilton County Department of Education was featured on the local NPR affiliate WUTC, 88.1 FM. From 12-1 p.m. the station aired American Radio Works podcast Testing Teachers which looked at improving achievement through teacher quality. The program focused on efforts in Washington, DC and in Hamilton County through its Benwood Initiative.
Chattanooga, TN -- Schools in Hamilton County have received a Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation grant for the second year in a row. Today, Lowe’s announced a $100,000 grant to Hamilton County Schools to install lighting upgrades in four schools: Woodmore Elementary, Lookout Mountain Elementary, Tyner High School and Orchard Knob Middle School.
CSAS, CSLA, and the Hamilton County Department of Education value the passionate interest our parents have for the education of their children. It is this passion from parents partnered with the hard work of our educators that make our schools successful.
Superintendent Dr. Jim Scales welcomed back the staff of Hamilton County Schools at an Employee Convocation on August 3 at McKenzie Arena.
Unum invests $50,000 in Hamilton County classrooms through the Strong Schools Grants Program