Hamilton County Schools

Maggie Wilkinson, a student at the Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts (CCA), was named a 2019 YoungArts Foundation Finalist in writing and poetry, the organization’s highest honor. Wilkinson’s recognition earned her a spot in the 38th Annual National YoungArts Week held in Miami from January 6-13.

The best way to learn how a school program is making a difference in the lives of students is to hear from the young participants themselves. Future Ready Institutes in Hamilton County Schools will send teen representatives from their programs to be trained as student ambassadors this Friday at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to help them share their experiences. The training is scheduled for Friday, January 18th from 8:30-3:30 in the Chattanooga Room at UTC’s University Center. The training will involve 100 representatives from the 20 Future Ready Institutes in Hamilton County Schools.

“I am Hamilton” spotlights Kelly Houston, the cafeteria manager at Loftis Middle School. Kelly has been at Loftis for ten years. She has experience with children as an employee of the system and also as a parent as her three children attended Hamilton County Schools.

Every child has different interests, hopes, and dreams for the future. Hamilton County Schools announced additional options to help make those dreams a reality last month with open enrollment opportunities called “My Future Schools.” Magnet schools in the district play a key role in open enrollment options and provide access to opportunities to open doors to exciting pathways to possibilities for a child’s future. You will have the opportunity to explore magnet school options available at a district Magnet School Fair on Monday, January 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the South Chattanooga Recreation Center located at 1151 W. 40th Street, Chattanooga.

Today, “I am Hamilton” spotlights John Shackleford, a contract school bus driver for Hamilton County Schools. Shackleford started driving a bus in 1993 and drove until 2004. He came back to driving about two years ago because he wanted to make a difference for children at Woodmore Elementary.

Michelle Rigsby, a fourth-grade teacher at Allen Elementary, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for her work with the children in her class and pitching in to take extra duty at school for co-workers. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

Sherrie Ford, the executive assistant to the Hamilton County Board of Education, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for her work assisting the board members for Hamilton County Schools. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)’s School of Education has agreed to sponsor the UTC Teaching and Learning Institute at Tyner Academy. The UTC Teaching and Learning Institute is one of 20 Future Ready Institutes in Hamilton County Schools.

Every student has different interests, hopes, and dreams and must have access to opportunities that best open doors to exciting pathways to possibilities for their future. Hamilton County Schools provides educational opportunities in local communities and beyond neighborhood zoned schools to ignite the passion for learning in each child.

Photo: Roy Collins, band director at Tyner Academy, accepts the $5,000 check for band instruments for his program from Paul Macaluso, Krystal CEO and president of The Krystal Foundation, and Lyticha Jennings, district manager for Krystal.

Joe Barbeauld, a volunteer at North Hamilton County Elementary, received an “I Am Hamilton” t-shirt for helping children with reading and math. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

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.