DeKalb School District and Wilson Bank & Trust Join in STEAM Partnership Program

October 28, 2019
By:

DeKalb County School District and Wilson Bank & Trust have joined together for a STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Pairing Externship Program among DeKalb
County High School students and elementary students at Northside Elementary School and
Smithville Elementary School.

Kathy Bryant, Supervisor of Instruction, proposed the pairing to Chad Colwell, President of DeKalb’s Wilson Bank & Trust. “The STEAM Pairing program will give our high school students enrolled in the Teaching as a Profession (TAP) class an opportunity to mentor and teach elementary students. This pairing will afford the experience that aspiring teachers need while providing our elementary students with STEAM instruction. We are so thankful that Chad Colwell with Wilson Bank & Trust is sharing this vision for our students.”

Both high school and elementary students will benefit academically and socially from this experience. “We’re excited to be a part of this endeavor. This will give many students an
opportunity to connect with older students while learning about STEAM careers. Wilson Bank &
Trust is always looking for ways to invest in our community,” reports Chad Colwell.

In 2018, DeKalb County School District implemented a STEAM initiative for our district. This
STEAM initiative was implemented to build a passionate foundation for problem solving,
cooperative learning and communication for elementary students and to develop an
individualized career focus linked to action steps that can make a career dream into a reality for
high school students.

Becky Miller, Teaching as a Profession Instructor, adds, “Students enrolled
in the Teaching as a Profession class have a need for hands-on experiences with students in order
to get a feel for a real-world workplace. The STEAM Externship Pairing Program will give our
high school students first hand experiences in planning, organizing, and teaching while serving
as role models for our elementary students.”

Additionally, elementary students will be exposed to the teaching profession while learning STEAM skills necessary for the workforce.

Randy Jennings explains how the externship program will work. “Approximately twenty high
school TAP students will extern at both Smithville Elementary and Northside Elementary
schools. The students will make 2 hour weekly visits and work with each grade level at each
school. The TAP students will use technology from the Makerspace and from the buildings to
provide STEAM activities for the children in the classrooms.”

Principal of Northside Elementary, Karen Knowles, is excited about the opportunity for the
students. “We have enjoyed our partnership with Mrs. Becky Miller, DCHS, and the TAPS
students over the years. This sponsorship will allow our students to benefit from our future
teachers while incorporating much desired STEM activities.”

According to the latest research findings, 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have not even
been invented yet (Institute for the Future, 2017). Kathy Bryant adds, “Our current 2nd grade
students who attend both elementary schools, will graduate in 2030. The STEAM Externship
High School/Elementary School Pairing Program will foster both the teaching and learning of
STEAM standards and increase the employability skill level for all of our students.”

Summer Cantrell, Principal of Smithville Elementary School, realizes the importance of our young
students being exposed to career exploration at an early age. ” During the developmental years of
early childhood, children have a natural sense of creativity, inquiry and invention that carries into the first years of school. In the elementary school setting, it is important to continue to develop a love for learning by creating an environment and providing activities that encourage a child’s inquisitive spirit. STEAM supports and promotes learning at an early age and helps to set the stage for a student’s academic success in elementary school and beyond.”

The externship program is set to start in the spring semester of this school year. Chad Colwell
concludes, “Wilson Bank & Trust is delighted to assist in funding this program for the students
of our school system We look forward to seeing the progress and the learning along the way for
both the high school and elementary students. It’s a win for all of us.”

October 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A man who assaulted his 14 year old niece and the deputy investigating the case will make a court appearance next month.

50 year old John Michael Turner of A.B. Frazier Road, Smithville is charged with assault and domestic assault. Turner is under a $7,000 bond and his court date is November 14.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on October 24 a deputy was dispatched to A.B. Frazier Road due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a 14 year old girl who said that her uncle, Turner had pulled her from a chair, thrown her on the floor, and hit her in the back. She ran to a neighbor’s house for help and they called law enforcement. As the deputy walked up the stairs of the back porch to speak with him, Turner began cussing the officer and pushed him down.

31 year old Henry Thomas Butler of Chapman Hollow Road, Dowelltown is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or deliver. His bond is $7,000 and he will be in court November 7.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 22 a detective was called to a residence on East Main Street in Dowelltown where an unknown man had shown up in the yard. Upon arrival the detective confronted the man, Butler and found in his front pocket a round container which held two crystal like rocks (meth) weighing 1.6 grams. Butler also dropped a cardboard container which held a plastic baggie with a crystal like rock that weighed 0.5 grams. The total weight of the methamphetamine found was 2.1 grams. Butler admitted that the meth belonged to him.

October 28, 2019
By: Bill Conger

The DeKalb County High School band wrapped up its marching competition season with a second place finish at the 25^th Annual Foothills Classic in Seymour, TN. At the contest Saturday (Oct. 26) in East Tennessee, the band performed its “Shades of Latin” show in its band class against McMinn Central and Pigeon Forge.

“The band performed at their peak on Saturday at the Foothills Classic,” says Band Director Tracy Luna. “They were awarded highest scores in visual categories within their class.  Musically, they performed a demanding show that met the criteria for excellence within the state adjudication rubric.”

Besides placing second in band, the percussion and color guard took home first place trophies. The Fighting Tiger band also placed first for its visual show and second place in music.

“To be considered at the highest level musically and visually, the composition and drill consistently displays quality components of musical orchestration,” Luna explained. “A superior range of expressive components, musical devices, simultaneous responsibilities, and environmental changes are consistently evident and advanced. A superior range and variety of musical skills are consistently evident and advanced.

Achievement:  Superior clarity, uniformity of style and interpretation are consistently demonstrated. Uniformity of tone quality and intonation are consistently demonstrated with highest proficiency. Consistency of timbre and sonority are achieved throughout the performance. Accuracy is consistently achieved. Percussion tuning and quality of sound are consistent and demonstrate the highest quality. Consistent achievement of musical, physical, and environmental challenges is fully compatible with training and effortless.”

In his 5^th season as director, Luna says his latest band configuration is the “best one yet.”

“The band has been very competitive this season scoring consistently 1st or 2nd at each contest and has received superior ratings.”

Although the marching band season has concluded, much more is on the horizon.

“We are by no means finished,” Luna says. “The band still has two or more football games, Veterans Day, Christmas concerts, and three Christmas parades to perform in plus other various smaller activities…and that’s just before Christmas.”

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