IN THIS ISSUE:• CCS Keeps Scoring in the Top • ORAU Awards CCS • Board Members Achieve Level 3

• BLAZE Kicks off

T h e C l i n t o n C i t y C h r o n i c l e sC L I N T O N C I T Y S C H O O L SExemplary and Reward Status

• Cultural Exchange at CES

• SRO Throws a Party

• WBIR Teacher of the Week

D istrict and school determinations have been publicized from the 2018 TN Ready Assessment. This is the last piece of data from this testing cycle. Districts are given

a designation in three different areas: Achievement Status, Subgroup Status, and Final Determination. There are four possible distinctions assigned in each reporting category: In Need of Improvement, Progressing, Achieving, or Exemplary. We are pleased to announce that Clinton City Schools received the following distinctions:

Achievement Status: ExemplarySubgroup Status: ExemplaryFinal Determination: Exemplary

Out of the 146 districts across the state, 14 districts, only ten percent, achieved the Exemplary level as a final determination. A new accountability measure was put into place this year to identify both Priority and Reward Schools across the state. Student Achievement, Student Growth (TVAAS), Chronic Absenteeism, English Language Learners, and several other categories that apply to high schools were used in determining a school’s status. The Reward School status is the highest status a school can receive. Clinton City Schools would like to announce that both Clinton Elementary School and South Clinton Elementary School are 2018 REWARD SCHOOLS! North Clinton Elementary was a 2017 Reward School making all Clinton City Schools in the Reward Status category in the past two years.

The staff at Clinton City Schools was informed of this wonderful news on Friday after the state embargo was lifted. Needless to say, there was a great amount of celebrating occurring throughout the district. Kelly Johnson, Director of Clinton City Schools, stated, “We are thrilled with our students’ test results. Not only are Clinton City Schools students achieving at high levels, but they continue to make impressive growth each year. It is a testament to the hard work and educational focus of our students, staff, parents, School Board, City Council, and community stakeholders.”

2CLINTON CITY CHRONICLES

ORAU Awards CCS Grants

O ak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a wonderful partner to Clinton City Schools. Each year, they award mini-grants to teachers across a variety of districts. This grant program

provides our teachers with resources that support STEM instruction across the district.

ORAU awarded approximately $10,000 in grants to CCS teachers this year. Grants included items such as makerspace stations, plant survival projects, math and movement mats, grow boxes, photosynthesis chamber, and electricity kits. Many thanks to ORAU for their support of education in our city!

CCS Educators attend the 2018 ORAU Education Class Summary.

ORAU awarded approximately $10,000 in grants to CCS teachers this year.

Joey Smith and Curtis Isabell have achieved Level 3 School Board Member Status.

3CLINTON CITY CHRONICLES

C L I N T O N C I T Y S C H O O L S

Board Members Achieve Level 3

Clinton City Schools has six school board members who are elected to set and enforce policies for the system. These professionals volunteer their time and energy to provide needed support for teachers and students to

ensure that our “Tradition of Excellence” is moving forward.

Each year, the school board attends the fall meeting of Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA). School board members are required to attend training and further their professional learning regarding school law, policies, expectations, and role of a school board. As they attend trainings and complete different required activities, they receive recognition. Joey Smith and Curtis Isabell were recognized at the fall meeting this year for achieving Level 3 School Board Member Status. In order to achieve this recognition, they completed professional development core modules, attended professional meetings, and participated in leadership activities. The school board role is completely voluntary in Clinton City Schools, so each of the members fulfill this role as a contribution to their community. Congratulations to each of these men on their accomplishment of Level 3 status.

ANDERSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

C linton City Schools Blaze activities are up and running for the school year! Students across all three schools are actively participating in a wide variety of activities including swimming, cross country, basketball, dance, reading society, and science club! Check out the smiles

that our well-rounded activities are providing!

5CLINTON CITY CHRONICLES

C L I N T O N C I T Y S C H O O L S

Cultural Exchange at CES

O n Monday, August 13, Clinton Elementary School (CES) welcomed a small group of parents and students from Japan. A local resident (born

and raised in Japan) asked CES to provide some visiting friends a glimmer into the culture of a traditional school in the United States. In education, we call this impromptu exchange a “teachable moment.” There were some interesting comparisons made by both Clinton City Schools and our Japanese visitors. The Japanese adults and students were intrigued by our low student/teacher ratios and large physical classroom size. Japanese students and teachers are accustomed to 30-40 students in a classroom

that is not as spacious as classrooms in our district. While walking the halls and visiting classrooms, an excited interest in the visual representations of our district’s “Growth Mindset” philosophy was evident. Many pictures were taken of teacher made posters, banners, and other visual cues related to Growth Mindset. An appreciation for student work (both artistic and academic) was also noted. Evidently, such visual accompaniments are not common practice in Japan. The guests took particular note of the cleanliness of the school. In Japan, the students are involved in the general cleaning of the schools, including bathrooms, garbage, and sweeping.

Officer Pack and honorary policeman for the day, Luke.

C linton City Schools would like to congratulate Mrs. Jean Fielden for being chosen as WBIR Educator of the Week in September! Mrs. Fielden is a 3rd grade teacher at South Clinton Elementary School where she has begun

her tenth year of teaching. Prior to coming to SCES, she took time off from being an educator to raise her two children. When walking into her room, you might likely find her in a pirate costume or handing out beaded necklaces to visitors as they enter the room. Student relationships are very important her, and she uses these positive interactions to hold students to high expectations. She is an advocate for all students and works diligently to see students

succeed. We are proud of her accomplishment. She is currently competing for the TN Lottery Educator of the Month.

ANDERSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SRO Organizes Party for Student

WBIR Teacher

of

The Week

C L I N T O N C I T Y S C H O O L S

C linton City Schools has always been proud of our SRO (School Resource Officer) Program. Not only do the officers keep the schools safe, they also serve as role models for students. Seeing the

close relationships unfold between officers and students has been one of the most significant positive outcomes of this program. Officer Pack and Luke have a very special relationship. Luke was born with seven different heart defects and has spent a great amount of time in the hospital undergoing treatments. Although he is only five years old, he dreams of being a police officer when he grows up. On his birthday, the Clinton Police Department (CPD) organized a birthday party where Luke could be an honorary policeman for a day! You can tell by the smiles that this was the best birthday present ever! This special story is just

one of many across the district. The partnership between CCS and the CPD is truly impacting the lives of our young ones in the city of Clinton!

Jean Fielden, SCES Teacher