Hamilton County Schools

Eight schools in Hamilton County Schools will have Read to Be Ready summer programs in 2019 as the Read to be Ready Summer Grants were announced yesterday by Education Commissioner Candice McQueen. Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Bess T. Shepherd Elementary, East Lake Elementary, East Ridge Elementary, Hardy Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Lakeside Academy, and Wolftever Creek Elementary School will have the month-long literacy-focused summer camps for children. The state provides $8,900,000 in funding across the state for tuition-free access to the camp for students in need.

John Echols, a teacher at Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for pouring his energy and personal time in the school’s Destination Imagination teams. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

Tammie Vaillancourt, RN, the school nurse at Bess T. Shepherd Elementary, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for helping to keep children feeling good and in school. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

Often we hear about problems in the community, but we think that someone else will take care of it and we go about our day. When Janice Robertson, a member of the East Brainerd Church of Christ, heard that children in the community were going without food on the weekend she decided to do something about the problem. As a result of her initiative and the support of her church, a program was born that provides Snack Pack bags of food for children on Fridays to help the youngest of our community make it through a weekend.

Three Hamilton County Schools were among ten in the state announced today to receive grants to help spur school improvement. Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced Tennessee would award Priority school grants over the next three years to Calvin Donaldson Elementary, Orchard Knob Middle, and The Howard School along with another seven schools in the state. The ten grants will total $8.25 million for the selected schools and will provide funding to support specific strategies for school improvement in alignment with both district plans, and the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan.

The Hamilton Shines Billboard Art Contest winners for this year include three Hamilton County students. Mayor Jim Coppinger recognized each at their school and presented the winners a plaque, pin, and a poster rendition of their billboard. The artwork will be displayed on a billboard in the community located near each winner’s school.

Jonathan McKenney, a bus driver for schools on Signal Mountain, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for keeping children safe on the bus ride home from school. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

Today, “I am Hamilton” spotlights Hixson High graduate Kim White, president and CEO of River City Company in Chattanooga. River City is a private non-profit that has focused on downtown redevelopment for the past 32 years.

milton County Schools has a long history of balanced budgets and efficient operations to ensure children have the educational resources to be successful. Christie Jordan, chief financial officer for the district, has been a big part of that success for the past 29 years. Jordan had announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2017-2018 school year but stayed with the district as a replacement search was conducted for her position. Jordan will now retire at the end of the 2018-2019 school year as Brent Goldberg, a local finance professional, has joined Hamilton County Schools to transition into the finance leadership role.

Danielle Ivens, a Kindergarten teacher at East Side Elementary, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for her work with the bright young children in her classroom. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

Two student authors have been added to the two announced earlier this week that will hold a book signing at Barnes and Noble Thursday evening. The signings will be at Barnes and Noble at Hamilton Place on Thursday, November 29 at 6 p.m.

Mayor Jim Coppinger, Hixson High Class of 1973, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for his work for the children of our community in Hamilton County government. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.