"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined."

- Henry David Thoreau

Sullivan County Schools will provide FREE lunches to Sullivan County students all summer.  This summer lunch program will kick off on Thursday, May 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Blountville Elementary/Middle School.

School's Out, Let's Cookout! is a collaborative school and community effort that can help alleviate childhood hunger during the summer.  Hunger and poor nutrition are linked to physical, mental, and dental problems - and poor educational outcomes.

Summertime can be a carefree, relaxing season filled with cookouts, ice cream and picnics.  But for too many kids, summertime means having an empty stomach.  Child hunger and food insecurity can often peak when school is out.  It can be very overwhelming to those children who receive free or reduced-price meals at schools.

You can help make a difference by making a monetary donation or donation of food, feeding supplies, books and games.  Volunteers are also needed to help lead recreational activities such as sports or crafts, prepare food, help with outreach, etc.

When (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) and Where:

Thursday, May 26 - Blountville ES/MS

Thursday, June 2 - Sullivan Gardens

Thursday, June 9 - Mary Hughes

Thursday, June 16 - North Middle/High

Thursday, June 23 - Blountville ES/MS

Thursday, June 30 - Sullivan Gardens K8

Thursday, July 7 - Mary Hughes

Thursday, July 14 - North Middle/High

For more information, click here and here.

Check this out! Families can now have free access to thousands of books designed to fit their child's interests and reading level. I hope you join us on our 2016 SULLIVAN COUNTY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE!

How do we become better readers?  BY READING!

Numerous studies prove that when students read interesting books on their level...student comprehension, background knowledge, vocabulary, fluency, and writing improves.  (Krashen, 2004)

Prizes will be awarded in August, but the best prize is the love of reading and becoming better readers.

Click here for more information:  Sullivan County Summer Reading Challenge 

  

  

  

  

Congratulations to the South boys tennis team.  The boys won their second straight District 1 A/AA Championship.  Jacob Nuckolls won the District 1A/AA singles championship and District 1 player of the year, both for the second straight season.   Senior members of the team in addition to Nuckolls are Garrett Bowery, Levi Ringley, and Dalton Faulk.

  

Congratulations to the South Lady Rebels tennis team.  They won their second District 1A/AA Championship in the last 3 years.  The girls completed district play without a loss for the season.  Senior members of the team are Kaitlin Barrett, Taylor Koesters,  Madeline St. Clair,  Alex Rowland,  Emma Carico, Lindsay Burrell, and Gillian Paulsen.

A cast of over 20 students from the Holston Middle School and Innovation Academy drama club, known as "The DReagles" presented their production of Don Cook's "The Three Musketeers: All Swash and No Buckle" to their parents and public Monday, May 16th and to a full auditorium of Middle School Students and Elementary students on May 17th. The play was the result of many afternoon rehearsals since the middle of January. Students choreographed many of their own fake sword fighting, Musketeers style in the show, presented in the context of a public television Mastercraft Theater format complete with feisty telethon workers and rousing hostesses, by such names as Cookie Alastaire. This production even incorporated a cheerleading stage crew of six 5th graders from Holston Elementary (future DReagles perhaps). Many of the students put together their own costumes for the show. Students from this drama club, under the direction and guidance of Steve Humphrey have gone onto great theatrical successes at Sullivan Central and South High Schools and beyond. This play was produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Company.

  

Blountville Elementary would like to say a huge Thank You to our PTO, JA Street Construction, and Insurance Claim Construction Services for our new shelter and picnic tables!

Central Heights students now have a new "Buddy Bench" on their playground.  The "Buddy Bench" is a designated, marked bench on the playground where students can go sit if they need a buddy.  5th grade students designed the buddy bench during their guidance classes and also wrote skits and a song to introduce the bench to the younger grades so that they would understand when and how to use the bench.  We are working hard on being kind to others and looking out for our friends and this is a way for students to find a friend on the playground.  Great job 5th graders!

  

The Fifth Grade students at Miller Perry Elementary School presented a living history museum to their fellow students on Friday, May 13. Visiting students pushed the Playdough made buttons and the historical figures came to life. Students heard presentations about the Holocaust, World War II, the Manhattan Project, the Vietnam War and the Space Race. The museum was directed by the 5th grade team Mrs. Shannon Brashear, Mrs. Sarah Reynolds and Mrs. Tanya Clark. 

  

Miller Perry's 5th graders went to Pigeon Forge and visited the Titanic Museum and the Dixie Stampede. The students had studied the Titanic and the tour guide was most impressed with their questions concerning the events. The students felt it was a great experience which helped make their learning and understanding of the events more meaningful. By the way, the North did win the stampede challenge, too! Next time you are at Miller Perry, just ask these students about Civil War or Titanic events. Their knowledge will impress you! 

  

This year's Sullivan County teams were from:

4th grade:  Miller Perry Elementary

5th grade:  Indian Springs Elementary- Eastern Region Champions

6th grade:  Colonial Heights Middle- Eastern Region Champions

Special thanks to all the teachers and parents who assisted students with preparing for 4-H Clover Bowl this year.