December 19, 2008
In this edition:
Director's Search Update
Free computer classes for MNPS parents
Hillwood High’s art students selected to work on mural
Overton High School student wins sports photography contest
Buena Vista Pre-K class gets Christmas
Hillwood Band members earn spots in All-Middle Tennessee Honor Band
Overton High School Student Council brings Christmas to Ross Elementary
MNPS Community Career Center seeking volunteers for tax preparation
J.T. Moore earns dollars for Heifer International
MNPS Winter Break
Other Upcoming Events
Director's Search Update
The Metropolitan Nashville Board of Education has finished its interviews with the candidates for the Director of Schools position. The Board will convene Saturday Dec. 20, at 9:30 a.m. for a special meeting to deliberate on the candidates.
Free computer classes for MNPS parents
Parents of MNPS students can now sign up for free adult computer-training classes provided by the MNPS Community Career Center. Basic beginner as well as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint classes are being offered. Beginner keyboarding classes are also offered for any parents who want to improve their typing skills.
Classes start Jan. 8 and will be available at the following locations: 302 Foster Street in East Nashville; 3900 Clifton Ave. (near 40th Ave. N. and Charlotte Pike); 601 Benton Ave. (near the fairgrounds). For more information or to register, call 298-6752. Class schedules can be viewed at www.mnps.org/Page41311.aspx.
Hillwood High’s art students selected to work on mural
Hillwood High School’s art students have been asked by Metro Councilman Charlie Tygard to create a mural with a Warner Parks theme. The students will be working with Michael Cooper, a well-known local mural artist, to create a mural for the railroad bridge on Old Hickory Blvd. in Bellevue. Students will research the history, ecology and biology of the parks and then create a mural design. The project should be completed by the summer.
Overton High School student wins sports photography contest
Imani Cruz, a 10th grader at Overton High School, won the Nashville Sports Council photography contest. Cruz received two game tickets, press credentials, parking pass and the opportunity to shadow professional photographer Don McPeak, at the Vanderbilt University versus South Florida SEC game, held Dec. 16 at the Sommet Center. Congratulations, Imani.
Buena Vista Pre-K class celebrates the holiday
Danielle Norton’s pre-K class and parents at Buena Vista Elementary Enhanced Option celebrated the holidays with Davidson County Young Democrats (DCYD). The DCYD members raised more than $1,000 and bought each pre-K student a school uniform and toys. The club members also read stories to the students, did arts and crafts, and had a pizza party.
Hillwood band members earn spots in All-Middle Tennessee Honor Band
Members of the Hillwood High School Band were among more than 800 students from across Middle Tennessee who competed for spots in the All-Middle Tennessee Senior High and Junior High Honor Band sponsored by the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (MTSBOA). Three band members from Hillwood received chair positions in the MTSBOA Senior High School Band. The band members are:
Brent Ottarski, senior trumpet
Scott Franco, junior clarinet
Rachel Smith, junior flute
Several freshman band students also competed for positions in the MTSBOA All-Middle Tennessee Junior High Band. The band is composed of qualifying students in grades seventh through ninth from across Middle Tennessee. Those students who received chair positions are:
Shelby Rosenburg, freshman trumpet
Chelsey Miles, freshman contra-alto player
Katherine Hedges, freshman clarinet
All six of these band members will join other band members from across Middle Tennessee in January at Middle Tennessee State University for the annual MTSBOA Mid-State Band Concert Festival.
Overton High School Student Council brings gifts to Ross Elementary
Overton High School’s Student Council raised $4,500 to provide gifts to more than 40 students at Ross Elementary. Student Council members purchased shoes, clothes, coats and toys for the students with the help of the parents making the lists. The Student Council solicited donations for two months to raise the money and the senior English class raised $1,400. This annual holiday event between Overton and Ross has been celebrated for 25 years. Thank you, Overton High School for helping the students at Ross Elementary have a happy holiday.
MNPS Community Career Center seeking volunteers for tax preparation
The MNPS Community Career Center (CCC) is looking for volunteers to help low-income families avoid the dangers of predatory lenders. CCC will be providing free tax-preparation and electronic-filing services to low-income families in Nashville and training will be provided. Volunteers are needed for afternoon, evening and Saturday sessions beginning in mid January and ending in mid April. For more information or to sign-up contact Tracey Dill at 298-6752 or tracey.dill@mnps.org.
J.T. Moore earns dollars for Heifer International
During this season of giving, J.T. Moore Middle School students are reaching out to other countries to support Heifer International, a non-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance & sustainability. Students at all grade levels pledged to complete “Read to Feed” and “Chores for Change” to raise nearly $2500! Even better than two turtle doves, two llamas will provide wool and work for a village. Even better than three French hens, J.T. Moore donated three water buffalos. Forget eight geese a laying, these students contributed nine flocks of chicks. And what beats a partridge in a pear tree? A heifer! Congratulations J.T. Moore on this good work!
MNPS Winter Break
There will be no Children First for Friday Dec. 26. The Central Office will be closed for the holidays, Dec. 24-26. Hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday.
Other Upcoming Events
Dec. 22- Jan. 5 MNPS Winter Break
