DWS Teachers Retire

May 22, 2022
By: Bill Conger

Faculty and staff celebrated a change of life for three of the veteran teachers and longtime kitchen worker at DeKalb West School. 7th grade teacher Vicki Wilson, who taught English Language Arts and Social Studies, is retiring from the profession after 16 years. 7th grade teacher Martha Damron has decided to retire from teaching after 20 years as a Math and Science teacher. Kindergarten teacher Jalene Vanatta, who was also a longtime Educational Assistant before fulltime teaching, has retired after over 22 years of service. Former cafeteria manager and kitchen worker Beverly Starnes has also decided to start enjoying the golden years.

Principal Sabrina Farler recently presented the ladies with plaques for recognition of their service. Workers, family, and central office staff dropped by the school for a special luncheon honoring the women for their years of service.

May 21, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The Accelerating TN 2022 Tour is coming to DeKalb County!

The Tennessee Department of Education announced Friday that the a statewide tour spanning 50 school districts over the course of three weeks to highlight summer learning opportunities will be visiting DeKalb County Schools on June 10. Department members, elected officials, and education partners will have the chance to join the various engagements to learn more about how schools are accelerating student achievement.

Tennessee continues to lead the nation in supporting students, prioritizing education policies and initiatives to ensure our children are set up for success.

During the General Assembly’s 2021 special legislative session on education, legislators passed the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act, which set forward a path for all districts’ current and future summer programming opportunities to benefit students and accelerate achievement. This year, the General Assembly passed the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act, which updates the way the state funds public education for the first time in over 30 years and prioritizes the needs of each individual student.

To highlight these important policies and programs to support students, Commissioner Penny Schwinn, department staff, state and local elected officials, and community partners are visiting 50 of Tennessee’s school districts this summer to connect directly with students, educators, and stakeholders. On June 6th, the bus tour will feature a special statewide celebration on the TISA public school funding formula and the new $1 billion recurring investment in K-12 public education.

“Tennessee has led the nation in implementing innovative and student-focused strategies to accelerate student achievement and outcomes,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “The Accelerating TN 2022 bus tour will support the essential work continuing this summer—highlighting best practices, facilitating key discussions on strategic initiatives and the new TISA public school funding formula, and connecting the many stakeholders who want to help all Tennessee students succeed. By engaging, listening and learning during the tour, we can help ensure Tennessee continues to lead on behalf of our children.”

During the summer bus tour, planned highlights include visits to Summer Learning Camps and a Reading 360 Early Reading Training. Additionally, on numerous visits, the Commissioner and guests will partake in district leadership roundtables discussing strategic initiatives accelerating student achievement and the TISA public school funding formula as well as events highlighting state, regional or district work.

May 21, 2022
By: Bill Conger

This news will be sweet music to the ears to many people in the community. The conductor’s baton is about to come down with the start of a new DeKalb County Community Band.

Smithville native Caleb Rowland, a 2017 graduate of D.C.H.S. says the idea has been kicked out in band alumni circles for quite some time.

“Early this year I decided to act and see if we could actually get something started here in DeKalb County,” said Rowland, who will conduct the band. “So I sent a message to Kelly Jo Birmingham who was the longtime Assistant Director of Bands at DCHS to see what she thought, and from there Kelly Jo & I have been working to get this thing going.”

“When Caleb and I first started talking about starting a community band in DeKalb County, we bounced ideas off each other,” Birmingham adds. “We discussed long-terms visions we both shared for the ensemble, as well as possible challenges we might face in the beginning stages.

I have been blessed to work with many talented students in the band program throughout the years, and Caleb Rowland stands out as being one of the best,” Birmingham, who will assist with the DeKalb Community Band said. “I could ramble on and on about his outstanding musicianship and leadership abilities. However, I would just point out that he is making a difference! As a result of his efforts, a community band IS becoming a reality in DeKalb County and I am beyond excited to be a part of it!”

Rowland was on the staff for the DeKalb County Band for 2 seasons, and he is starting his 4th season with the Macon County Band. He is working on his Baccalaureate degree in Instrumental Music Education at UT-Chattanooga, where he also serves as Assistant to the Director of Bands.

“I think that DeKalb County has such a rich history of having a great band program, and also just the sheer amount of musicians and artists that reside in the county, that it would be something that the community would really enjoy. There are several community bands in our area like in Cookeville, Crossville, McMinnville and Carthage, so why can’t Smithville have one?”

Anyone who can play an instrument is invited to join. Living in the county is not a prerequisite. The band is especially in need of more clarinet and low brass (Trombone, Baritone & Tuba) players.

Rehearsals will be every Thursday night from 7 until 9 o’clock in the band hall of the DeKalb County High School starting on May 26. The band may play any style of music from patriotic tunes to movie or pop music, music from Broadway. It will depend on the theme of the concert. Rowland says they hope to give two concerts this summer.

To join the DeKalb Community Band, contact Caleb Rowland at this email, csj966@mocs.utc.edu, or you can sign up here: https://forms.gle/5BusZHUgzJ4b2eXq6

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