Shelbyville Times-Gazette: News : Schools and education

Schools and education

New teachers budgeted (05/22/13)
The Bedford County Board of Education approved a proposed budget Tuesday. The proposed 2013-2014 budget includes estimated revenue of $52.4 million, total available funds of $57.3 million and total expenditures of $54.9 million. Former Superintendent Ed Gray, acting as a budget consultant, said the proposed budget would not cut any teachers or school-level administrative jobs. ...

Offenders may fund book program (05/22/13)
Bedford County Imagination Library, which gives books to young children every month from birth to age 5, needs money -- and would like to get it from offenders passing through the court system. But county commissioners who heard the request Tuesday night say the proposal must be studied carefully to make sure it's legal...

MTSU offers new master's in management degree (05/22/13)
MURFREESBORO -- Starting in the fall, Middle Tennessee State University will offer a new master's degree in management geared toward professionals in the workforce looking to advance in their careers. The Tennessee Board of Regents recently gave final approval for the Master of Science in Management program through the Jennings A. ...

Valedictorians, salutatorians announced (05/21/13)
Valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 2013 high school graduations last weekend were: Valedictorian: Olivia DuPuy, 101.2 Salutatorian: Jordan Wilson, 100.3 Valedictorian: Zeke Grissom, 101.07 Salutatorian: Kalab Fulton, 99.88 Valedictorian: Jessica Leigh Hockaday, 99.9545...

Celebration tour (05/21/13)
Mike Inman, Celebration CEO, takes 28 equine science students from Colorado State University on a tour of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds on Monday.

Con-grad-ulations: Seniors step into their futures (05/19/13)
Bedford County held a graduation bash this weekend, as approximately 500 seniors graduated from three public high schools. The ceremonies were all held at Calsonic Arena: Community at 7 p.m. Friday, Shelbyville Central at 10 a.m. Saturday and Cascade at 4 p.m. Saturday...

A special visitor (05/19/13)
Liberty School had a special visitor attend school last week. Don Diego, an 11-year-old walking horse stallion, was brought to the school by walking horse trainer Brock Tillman for children to pet. Don Diego has been a great ambassador for the breed and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful stallions alive today. The horse never made a false move, and all the children enjoyed meeting him. (Photo submitted)

Banding together to grow (05/19/13)
Teamwork is an important part of any learning experience. It's when great ideas and hard work come together that something extraordinary happens--at least, it's the case for students and educators at Liberty School. In January, art teacher Helen Johnson proposed an idea for a stepping-stone garden to be designed by eighth-graders. According to Johnson, the garden idea quickly evolved into much more...

Motlow College graduates record 758 students (05/17/13)
Motlow State Community College held its graduation ceremonies May 11 in Copperweld Arena on the Moore County Campus. A record 758 graduates received diplomas. Dr. Art Walker, Motlow's fourth president, was guest speaker for two commencement ceremonies. ...

Learning on the square (05/16/13)
Third graders from Liberty School learned about local government with a walking tour of the public square Wednesday, stopping by city hall, the police and fire departments, and then taking a break on the grounds of the courthouse, where they learned some local history about the times the building was destroyed and how other public squares are designed after Bedford County's seat of government. One teacher remarked this was the first time many of the students had ever seen the square. (T-G Photos by Brian Mosely)

Giving...and receiving much more (05/16/13)
A few times in recent years, I had participated in the annual "Read Across America" day held in schools around the date of Dr. Seuss's birthday. I always had fun, being a ham actor with a fondness for Dr. Seuss, and so when United Way of Bedford County started its participation in the "Raise Your Hand Tennessee" program, I thought it sounded like fun, and -- being a former United Way board member -- I wanted to support it...

Songs from the heart (05/15/13)
Although attendance was down at Tuesday night's performance by the Nashville Symphony at Calsonic Arena, organizers of the concert say they were pleased with it anyway. Dawn Holley, a co-chair of the event, estimated the crowd at 550. The concert was scheduled later than usual and conflicted with several other events, so organizers were prepared for a hit in the normal attendance, which is often in the 700-800 range...

Retiring teachers honored for years of service (05/12/13)
Fourteen retiring Bedford County teachers, with combined service totaling 388 years, were honored Thursday evening at the Bedford County Education Association (BCEA) and Bedford County Schools retirement dinner. Superintendent of Schools Don Embry welcomed retirees, spouses, supervisors, principals and BCEA members to the banquet held in the fellowship hall of Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church...

It's all on the wall: MTSU, Community students paint murals (05/12/13)
Collaboration can be a beautiful thing. At one elementary school, it turned out to be a work of art. Students and teachers from all three Community schools recently collaborated with Middle Tennessee State University art education students on a project that not only gave students experience but helped to brighten the gymnasium of Community Elementary...

Motlow to hold pinning ceremony (05/10/13)
Motlow State Community College will host a pinning ceremony today for nursing students who have successfully completed the nursing program's graduation requirements, said Amy Huff, director of nursing and allied health at the college. The pinning ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in Nisbett Center on Motlow's Moore County campus...

Cascade Elementary School book lovers honored (05/10/13)
Nationally recognized Cascade Elementary School honored its book lovers Thursday. "You are all contributors to the success of Cascade Elementary School," Principal Martha Fisher said in reference to the school's National Blue Ribbon status. "You have made a commitment to accelerating your child's reading skills," she told parents who had gathered to see their children receive a medallion...

Student was in hall due to TCAP testing (05/09/13)
The teenager allegedly slapped and pushed by a Harris Middle School teacher's assistant last week was in a hallway during one of the incidents, authorities say. "We were told the student was 'very disruptive' so he was put in a hallway during TCAP testing," Detective Sgt. Charles Kimbril of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department said...

Smokestack Theatre Group holds year-end show (05/09/13)
After an eventful year on the stage, members of Community High's Smokestack Theatre Group took time out to reflect at the 19th annual End of the Year Show, an awards banquet held by the group. The evening began with a dinner to serve the more than 90 parents, teachers, and students gathered on the CHS stage itself. The show itself would include awards and dramatic and musical performances...

Parsons receives first Cooper Steel scholarship (05/09/13)
"Man of Steel" may be the name of the new Superman movie due next month, but that's also the name of the first-ever scholarship for one local firm. Cooper, founder of the company in 1960, said the scholarship will go to a student entering the engineering field...

Letter to the Editor, May 9 (05/09/13)
Dear editor, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, CAS, is a speech disorder that seriously interferes with a child's ability to develop clear speech. CAS makes it difficult for an affected child to plan the movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw that are needed for speech...

School pay may rise, board says (05/08/13)
Bedford County school employees could be in store for a raise in the fiscal year starting July 1. The Board of Education's budget committee looked at a draft budget Tuesday that calls for employee raises. The budget has estimated revenue of $56.9 million, a decrease of $1.25 million...

More charges filed vs. Harris aide, teacher (05/08/13)
The Harris Middle School teacher's assistant accused of slapping a special education student last week faces a second assault charge involving the same child. Also, the teacher in whose class he worked has been charged for failing to report the incidents...

County's brightest gain Tennessee Scholars honors (05/08/13)
Bedford County education and business leaders are honoring scholars at the three area high schools. "We are excited to initiate the Tennessee Scholars program in Bedford County schools," said Janice Womble, supervisor of secondary education. "This program encourages our students to not only take more demanding courses in high school but also to be well-rounded students in the areas of attendance, discipline and community service."...

Teacher assistant faces 2nd assault charge; teacher charged (05/07/13)
The Harris Middle School teacher's assistant accused of slapping a special education student last week faces a second assault charge involving the same child. Also, the teacher in whose class he worked has been charged for failing to report the incidents...

Show appreciation to teachers (05/07/13)
Teacher Appreciation Week in the U.S. is recognized the week of May 6-10. This week offers us the perfect opportunity to let teachers know how thankful we are for their efforts. Teachers work to open student's minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams and keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship. A teacher fills many roles: as a listener, explorer, role model, motivator and mentor...

Learning Way briefly evacuated (05/07/13)
Smoke from an electrical issue forced students of Learning Way Elementary to evacuate briefly Monday afternoon while firefighters checked out the problem, before giving the all-clear to return to class. The timing worked out well, since the skies opened up with another round of heavy rain minutes after the students made it back inside. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Eakin students visit airport, hospital (05/07/13)
Eakin Elementary School kindergartners were treated to a recent field trip, visiting Shelbyville Municipal Airport and Heritage Medical Center. Airport Manager Hank Williamson and Mark Stauffer visited with the students discussing what it takes to learn to fly ....

Community High School Awards (05/07/13)
Community High School's Awards Day was April 26. Winners are: Vanderbilt Book Award: Courtney Williams Leo-of-the-Year: Mariah Gardner Band Recognition: Raymond Augustus, Hayden Bell, Victoria Brown, Megan Clark, Caleb Ensey, Jacob Houston, Megan Madrid, Charles Tyler Melton, Alex Nunley, Elayna Sheffield, Amber Church and Ashley Shelton...

'Wax museum' comes to life at Victory Baptist Academy (05/05/13)
The junior high English class of Victory Baptist Academy recently participated in a "Wax Museum." Ten nervous students brought their research papers to life in the school's gymnasium. The excitement of the day was evident as fellow students and many supportive parents dropped change into the students' jars that were placed at each table. ...

School staff member allegedly slaps special education student (05/03/13)
A Harris Middle School staff member has been suspended after allegedly slapping a special education student. W. Bret Lawrence, 53, of Lantern Lane was charged with assault Friday afternoon following an incident earlier this week, Harris student resource officer Eric Harris said...

Tools to live by: Couple helps build lives (05/05/13)
Obeying God's will is not always an easy task, but it seems one local couple would have it no other way. Robert and Jennifer Drawdy of Shelbyville have tried to listen to each calling that God has put on their lives, and are making the difference in others' lives as a result...

Student test changes ahead (05/02/13)
Educators want parents to know of pending changes to some of the mandatory tests students take at the end of every school year. In 2014-2015, two school years from now, Tennessee third- to 11th-graders in math and English and language arts classes will test to the Common Core State Standards instead of TCAP, said Janice Womble, supervisor of secondary education in Bedford County. ...

Next Step Home's first college graduate (05/02/13)
Representatives of the Next Step Home say that Frances Edwards has become the program's first college graduate. Edwards came to the home in November 2009. "As most of our residents are, she came to us badly broken and beaten up spiritually and emotionally from her addiction," according to a news release. ...

Faculty home named for Turner (05/01/13)
The late Margaret G. Turner, who was a residential advisor at The Webb School in Bell Buckle for more than a decade, was memorialized by the school with the dedication Friday of a new faculty residence adjoining the school's Cooper-Faris dormitory. The new faculty residence is the first on the Webb campus designed to accomodate families, according to Head of School Ray Broadhead...

Math star counts her achievements (05/01/13)
More teachers would love to have a student like Taylor Overcast. The Harris Middle School sixth-grader won the Regional Math Competition on April 18 at Middle Tennessee State University. She beat approximately 120 sixth-graders from 31 schools in this region, including students from private schools, said her proud teacher, Sheila Phillips. The Harris team placed fourth overall. Student Trey Hippe placed 15th...

Fake DUI crash makes big impact (04/28/13)
Drinking a couple of beers is a big deal when you're driving, an emergency responder told vocational students Monday. "Think about the repercussions legally and who it affects," said Brian Bruce, a supervisor with the Bedford County Emergency Medical Service. "Think about when we pull the sheet off you so your mother can identify you. You may think it's no big deal to have a couple beers and drive down the road."...

Webb Players to present 'Theophilus North' (04/27/13)
BELL BUCKLE -- "Theophilus North," by Matthew Burnett and based on a novel by Thornton Wilder will be presented by The Webb Players on May 2-4 at 7:15 p.m. on the chapel stage. The production is open to the public. A $10 donation is requested. Webb students, faculty and staff will be admitted at no charge...

FFA recognized at state, regional events (04/25/13)
The Cascade FFA Chapter has had a very busy and exciting spring semester. The Cascade FFA travelled to Gatlinburg on March 23 for the 2013 State FFA Convention. The first event chapter members participated in was the FFA Ceremonies Career Development Event. ...

World Book Night observed (04/25/13)
World Book Night was celebrated Tuesday at the Bedford Boys and Girls Club. Shelly Gray gave middle schoolers a copy of "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life," by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts. World Book Night U.S. is a celebration of books and reading on April 23, when 25,000 volunteers across America, the U.K., Ireland and Germany donate more than 2.5 million books to more than 80,000 people who do not regularly read. Shown in no particular order are: Jaylon McCree; Solomon Green; Danielle Buckingham; Jeremi Powell; Dakota Nicholas; Chancie Wicks; Buddy Buckingham; Brooklyn Steverson; Gillian Tucker and Shelly Gray. Gray also serves as president of the Bedford County Imagination Library. (T-G Photo by Jason Reynolds)

Head Start is successful, and free (04/24/13)
There's a program in Bedford County geared toward preparing children for kindergarten that some qualified individuals may not know about, officials say. Head Start and Early Head Start is a free child-development program, serving families with children ages six weeks to 5 years old...

MTSU selects former USA Today editor as journalism dean (04/24/13)
MURFREESBORO -- Ken Paulson, a lawyer who combined his passions for journalism, free expression and popular music to become a national advocate for the First Amendment, will be the next dean of the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University, officials announced Tuesday...

Cascade students feast, literally, on medieval times (04/21/13)
Sixth-graders in Amanda Thompson's world history class at Cascade Middle School recently learned about the medieval period. Highlights included: the spreading of Christianity; Feudalism; the life of a knight; the Crusades; the Magna Carta and the Parliament of England; The Hundred Years' War and the plague...

New beginnings (04/19/13)
As one school year quickly draws to a close, preparation for the next year is in full swing. Kindergarten registration is one of the more notable events that occur in anticipation of the following school year -- not just for teachers, but for anxious parents and children alike...

Work begins on new building at Webb (04/19/13)
Site work has begun in preparation for the construction of an 8,800-square-foot science-math building at The Webb School to unify science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-focused education on campus. Located adjacent to the current Austin Davis-Bryant Woosley Computer/Science Center, the target deadline for completion of the $2 million facility is December...

Henrich recieves award (04/19/13)
Melissa "Missy" Millberg Henrich was awarded the Marie C. Keel Award. The award is for excellence in supervision or mentoring of students majoring in educational psychology or special education at Georgia State University. Henrich teaches at Barnwell Elementary School in John's Creek, Ga. ...

Close encounters: MTEC class lets students experience walking horses (04/18/13)
Students from Middle Tennessee Education Center visited the grounds of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Wednesday and had a chance to meet Shelbyville's signature horse up close and personal. The trip was part of Dr. Warren Gill's "Agriculture in Our Lives" annual curriculum. The class is now offered at MTEC in Shelbyville, a satellite campus of Middle Tennessee State University...

Community Middle presents new twist on old plays (04/18/13)
Community Middle School will present the play "Dorothy Meets Alice or The Wizard of Wonderland" on Friday and Saturday. Show time is 7 p.m. both days and admission is $2, said Jasen Richardson, eigth grade language arts teacher and drama director. The play is a mix of the stories "The Wizard of Oz" and "Alice in Wonderland." The main character has to write a book report on the stories but procrastinates till the last minute and falls asleep, Richardson said. ...

Cascade student's project earns high honors (04/18/13)
Cascade High School student Jacob Smith recently competed in the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair at Austin Peay University. He received the Harold Buckspan Medicine Award, second place in medicine and health, and second place in biological sciences from the Tennessee Academy of Sciences...

Cascade Middle students attend Science Fair (04/18/13)
The following Cascade Middle School students competed in the Middle Tennessee Science & Engineering Fair at Austin Peay University: Noah Smith, Carley Lambertson, Zach Schudar and Riley Parker. Parker was awarded second place in the eighth grade. Cascade eighth grade students participated in a research project fair. ...

Community Middle SRO requested (04/17/13)
Bedford County's Board of Education is requesting that the county supply a full-time school resource officer for Community Middle School. Board member Ron Adcock made the motion during Tuesday's meeting. Chad Graham amended the motion to clarify that the request is for SRO coverage whenever the Sheriff's Department ends its extended school coverage. Off-duty deputies are filling in as acting SROs at schools that do not have trained SROs...

Budget work in progress (04/17/13)
Bedford County school officials are continuing to work on the draft budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The Board of Education's budget committee met Monday with County Finance Director Robert Daniel. The state is looking at providing a 1.5 percent raise for some teachers whose salaries are funded by the Basic Education Program (BEP), said former interim Superintendent Ed Gray, who is working with the Board of Education as a consultant...

Early Motlow registration open (04/17/13)
Students enrolled at Motlow College this semester and new degree-seeking students who have completed admissions requirements can register through May 27 for summer classes and through Aug. 27 for fall classes. "Having the option to register early for summer and fall terms is a tremendous benefit to students," said Greer Alsup, director of admissions and records. "Registering as early as possible increases their chances of getting their first choice of classes and class schedules."...

Cascade student attends leadership summit (04/16/13)
Blake Floyd of Cascade High School and Ling-ling Phongsa of Coffee County High School were sponsored by Shelbyville-based Duck River Electric Membership Corp. to attend the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association's 2013 Youth Leadership Summit March 25-27 in downtown Nashville. Phongsa and Floyd were among 46 high school juniors representing the state's 23 electric cooperatives who attended the annual event...

TTCS computer program honored (04/14/13)
The 50th National ATEA Conference was held in Chattanooga in March. During the Tennessee Technology Center's Award Ceremony, the CIT program at TTC Shelbyville was recognized as a "Shining Star." Steve Mallard, IT manager and lead instructor; and Dawn Babian, network administrator, were recognized during this event...

School tests fail, T-G readers say (04/11/13)
The majority of participants in a non-scientific Times-Gazette website poll say that an increased emphasis on standardized testing and evaluation has hurt the education process rather than helped it. It wasn't even close; 170 of 201 participants, 84.6 percent, said testing had hurt, while only 31, or 15.4 percent, said it had helped...

Registration time nears for kindergarten students (04/09/13)
Bedford County School kindergarten and pre-K registrations are coming up. Kindergarten registration will take place at each elementary school Wednesday April 17 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. In order to register for kindergarten, children have to be 5-years-old by Aug. ...

Motlow spring concert planned (04/07/13)
Music from Broadway musicals "American Idiot" and "Wicked" and songs made famous by the Beatles will be performed by the Motlow College Vocal Ensemble and Jazz Band during the Motlow Music Department's spring concert on April 18, said David Bethea, a music instructor at the college...

Bedford students star in Motlow play (04/07/13)
Motlow College theater students will join the thousands of actors around the world who have performed in "The Mouse Trap" when they star in the Agatha Christie murder mystery on Motlow's Moore County campus. Two Shelbyville students are in the cast...

Meet Wayne Dillingham (04/07/13)
Naval aviator. Military and FBI lawyer. College administrator. Wayne Dillingham has worn a number of hats --and flight helmets -- throughout his career. His most recent hat features the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders. Dillingham is coordinator of the Middle Tennessee Education Center (MTEC). The center is a joint venture between MTSU, Motlow State Community College and the Bedford County government. MTEC is at 200 Dover St. in Shelbyville, next to the old hospital...

Adult Ed program wins grant (04/05/13)
Bedford County will keep local control of its Adult Education program. The Adult Education office in Shelbyville won a state grant worth nearly $260,000, director Elaine Weaver said. She had been competing for the grant against her counterpart in Warren County. Whoever won the grant got to keep her or his job and administer the adult education programs in a new district that will comprise Bedford, Warren and Coffee counties...

June trial dates set for school threat suspect (04/05/13)
June trial dates have been set for a Tullahoma man accused of making violent threats at Thomas Magnet School last year. A jury will be seated on June 24-25 to hear accusations that Tyrone L. Watts, 43, uttered the threats two days before the Sandy Hook school shooting last December, resulting in two counts of filing a false report...

Truck driving options open up at TTC (04/03/13)
Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville is expanding its truck driving program next month to reach more students. "We wanted to make the program available to folks by doing a weekend program," said Ivan Jones, the center's director. The center offers a seven-and-a-half week class from 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. daily The weekend classes will run for 11 weeks from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The first weekend class starts May 4-5...

For Embry, x + y = passion (03/31/13)
Don Embry started his career balancing equations and making game plans, and now he will gird up to balance budgets and make personnel plans. The Shelbyville Central High School principal officially starts his new job as Bedford County schools superintendent Monday. But he will always enjoy algebra and sports...

Students meet Teddy Roosevelt! (03/31/13)
Southside 5th graders recently received a special visit from "Teddy Roosevelt." Joe Wiegand is the world's premiere Theodore Roosevelt reprisor and has performed in all 50 states and at the White House. He was in town for a History Conference: "Learning from the Past," that is sponsored by The Teaching American History Grant and Bedford County Schools...

Higher tech, lower cost (03/29/13)
Bedford County officials are considering adding technology to elementary schools to improve security as an alternative to hiring more school resource officers (SROs). During a Board of Education budget committee meeting Thursday, interim Superintendent Mike Bone recommended the technology option. Securing elementary schools would cost approximately $125,000, he said...

Scholarship deadline extended (03/29/13)
As reported in January, Middle Tennessee Business Network (MTBN) of Bedford County will be awarding a $500 scholarship at the end of the 2012-13 academic year to one Bedford County high school senior who meets certain requirements. Members of the MTBN board met with Janice Womble and Cheryl Harris with the Bedford County Board of Education last October to work out scholarship details...

Honor rolls, March 31, 2013 (03/31/13)
Cascade Elementary School Prinicipal's List Fifth Grade Anna Allison, Garrett Bennett, Tristan Bowen, Anna Brown, Ethan Calvert, Seth Corriveau, Lindsey Dehne, Sean Douglas, Savanah Emery, Eli Feck, Hadley Griffy, Jay Hall, Jackson Harris, Katelyn Henke, Isabella Insell, Braden Lollis, Britney Phommateth, Carmen Ray, Alex Scruggs, Aaram Soto, Mckayla Swain, Kayla Vincent, Lily Walker...

Students go hungry for 30 hours (03/27/13)
Nearly 7,000 children die each day because of hunger. Wars and natural disasters dominate the world's daily headlines, but behind the scenes and far from the spotlight, hunger and preventable diseases claim the lives of more than 20,000 of the world's children every day...

TTCS shines bright at national conference (03/27/13)
The Tennessee Technology Center in Shelbyville's Computer Information Technology (CIT) program was recognized as a "Shining Star" at a national conference held this past week in Chattanooga. The recognition was given at the American Technical Education Association (ATEA) National Conference, where those involved in post-secondary technical education can meet vendors, recruiters and network with other professionals...

Artwork of Webb students selected for exhibit (03/27/13)
BELL BUCKLE -- Eight students from The Webb School had their work accepted for the "Art on the Rise Exhibition at St. Andrew's-Sewanee School, which will continue through April 13. Schools were permitted to submit 20 pieces. Both 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional pieces were eligible...

Read between the lines (03/26/13)
The Bedford County Imagination Library is trying to reboot following at least a year with an inactive board and no fundraising, its new leader says. The charity's account balance has dipped down to about $4,500, said Shelly Gray, board president. That amount will only cover a couple months' invoices for buying books, as the March invoice was $2,236.20. Imagination Library ordered 1,069 books on March 10...

Books and paws (03/24/13)
The Shelbyville Central High School library offered its support outside of the walls of the library and school on March 17. Librarians Dona Northcutt and Heather Richards wanted to provide an avenue for students to get involved in a community cause -- Paws for a Cause Fun Walk...

SCHS inducts National Honor Society students (03/24/13)
Shelbyville Central High School's National Honor Society held its induction ceremony on March 12. Don Embry, SCHS principal and incoming superintendent of schools, gave the welcome. Alex Lempin, NHS president, introduced guests and recognized supporters...

Korley's memory lives on (03/24/13)
Before their game Tuesday, Liberty School's baseball team honored a beloved student who died two years ago. Korley Davis died of lung disease on Feb. 2, 2011, just shy of her 12th birthday. The girl from Wheel touched a huge number of people during her medical battle...

No voting at schools: Educators (03/22/13)
With an increasing emphasis on school security in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, some are questioning whether it's a good idea to have a polling place at a school on a day when school is in session. Commissioner Linda Yockey raised the issue Tuesday night during the meeting of Bedford County Board of Commissioners' courthouse and property committee...

New initiative to help girls shine bright (03/21/13)
A new initiative at Harris Middle School aims to help teenage girls shine brighter by promoting practical and wholesome viewpoints on beauty, money management, relationship building and more. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" conference for girls will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Harris, said science teacher Nancy Weatherhead, the organizer. There will be door prizes, free lunch and snacks, plus gift bags and a fashion show...

Adult education program still competing for grant (03/20/13)
Tennessee's adult education programs are still on track to be combined into a multi-regional network despite rumors that have swirled around this week about a change in the state's plans, officials say. Rumors had speculated that adult education would be moved out of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and into the Board of Regents system following a March 12 Senate Commerce Committee meeting on Labor's budget. ...

Book it! Fair promotes Harris Middle School library (03/20/13)
Harris Middle School's librarian is inviting parents over to buy some books for their children during this week's book fair -- and to support the library in the process. The school is holding its first book fair in the new building, and the first since 2003 at the old school, said Librarian Alyssa Littrell. Parents' Day is today from 3-7 p.m. Refreshments will be served, said Sara Davis, EIS/attendance clerk...

TTCS holds diversity training (03/19/13)
Homero Bayarena of FranklinCovey conducted a workshop on championing diversity for employees of Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

6 teachers to be hired (03/15/13)
The Bedford County Board of Education plans to hire six teachers to be spread between elementary and secondary schools, according to outgoing interim Superintendent Ed Gray. Gray laid out several budget revelations during a Budget 101-style workshop Wednesday that included several members of the Board of Education as well as incoming superintendent Don Embry. ...

Panel discusses better performance (03/15/13)
Bedford County hosted a regional education discussion panel Thursday that focused on improving school performance. The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) organization brought together educators from across South Central Tennessee to share their ideas. The event was held at Shelbyville Central High School's library...

Wing it on over to Boys & Girls Club (03/15/13)
If you like chicken, wing it on over to the Boys & Girls Club next Tuesday and order some wings. You'll be helping fund the club while enjoying a snack. The Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County is marking National Poultry Day with a wing sale. The event will provide money for program supplies and educational trips, said area director Roger Harrell...

Kick the habit before it starts: Boys & Girls Club fights smoking (03/15/13)
The Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County is ready to kick some butts. Cigarette butts. Bedford County Health Council is partnering with the club to promote the national observance of "Kick Butts Day," a youth anti-smoking initiative, on March 20. As part of the program, health educator Emily Darnell of Bedford County Health Department spoke to small groups of kids at the club's facility on Madison Street, talking about the health risks associated with smoking...

Motlow plans blood drive (03/14/13)
Motlow College students, faculty, staff members and area citizens will have the opportunity to donate blood during a Blood Assurance blood drive on March 27 on Motlow's Moore County campus. Donors may give blood from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Forrester Center, according to Sheri Mason. She is assistant director of student services and Moore County campus sponsor for the Student Government Association, sponsors of the blood drive...

Cascade FFA speads word on safety (03/14/13)
With two successful Progressive Agriculture Safety Days behind his belt, Cascade FFA Advisor Mike Swafford is planning next season's event on Oct. 4. Part of his planning involves finding new FFA students to run the event since several of the organizers -- including his daughter Madison -- are graduating this spring...

Jail, school needs tax finances (03/13/13)
The state or federal governments can force a county to build a new jail sooner than they can force one to build a new high school. And yet, Bedford County commissioners say both are needed here. County Mayor Eugene Ray updated Bedford County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night on last week's meeting with personnel from Tennessee Corrections Institute, which sent the message that the current jail overcrowding can't be addressed by any other means and the county would need to build a new jail. ...

It's official: Embry signs superintendent's contract (03/10/13)
Don Embry signed his contract to serve as Bedford County's school superintendent, effective April 1, on Friday. "It looks like Don Embry is our new superintendent," board Chairwoman Amy Martin said after the unanimous vote. The three-year contract is worth $96,440 per year as base salary plus expenses and benefits. ...

Leadership class (03/08/13)
Shelbyville Central High School student J.J. Hughes knits a scarf as he and other classmates make scarfs to give the residents of Glen Oaks Health and Rehabilitation. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis)

Next court date set for Watts (03/08/13)
A Tullahoma man accused of making violent threats at Thomas Magnet School has an important court date next month. Tyrone L. Watts, 43, must decide on April 4 if he wants to make a plea or have a jury decide his fate on two counts of filing a false report...

Zhang advances to state MATHCOUNTS competition (03/08/13)
BELL BUCKLE -- Corrina Zhang, a student at The Webb School, placed in the top eight individuals in MATHCOUNTS competition on Feb. 17 at the University of Tennessee Space Institute near Tullahoma. Zhang, an eighth grader from China, qualified for the state competition on March 16 in Nashville. The first-place team takes the first four spots, and then the next four top individuals (not on the winning team) are selected...

State competitors (03/07/13)
These Bedford County Career and Technical Education students attended the Distributive Education Students of America (DECA) District 4 competitive events in Murfreesboro on Jan. 28. They will advance to the state level in Nashville from today through Saturday. They are the marketing students of Mitzi Underwood and Sam Blevins. In front are: Brittany McCarty, Amy McGowan, Tionna Murray, Olisha Maupin, Karen Carrera, Janet Peoples and Shea Cox. In back are: Gage Cox, John Curtis Smotherman, Sam York and Drew Neeley. (Submitted photo)

Enter 'The Tiger's Den' (03/06/13)
Are you looking for come comedic relief this weekend? From Friday through Sunday, Cascade High School's Black Curtain Players will perform "The Tiger's Den" in the school's auditorium. Written by Sierra Cortner, a senior at Cascade, this comedy is for an audience of all ages...

Harris students attend MathCounts (03/06/13)
A group of Harris Middle School students competed in a math competition at Arnold Air force Base in Tullahoma last month. This was the first time the group competed in the MathCounts program and they placed 4th overall against some Coffee County schools and The Webb School...

MTSU earns top honors for 'True Blue' communications (03/06/13)
ATLANTA -- The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education has recognized MTSU with eight awards for marketing and communications excellence, including two top honors for the university's "I am True Blue" efforts. MTSU received two Grand Awards in the Council's CASE District III competition, which recognizes the best in university communication efforts by public and private institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.. ...

Green Eggs and Ham (03/06/13)
Marcia Looper, Beth Keele and Casey Clanton's first-grade students at Eakin Elementary School enjoyed green eggs and ham Tuesday after "Green Eggs and Ham" was read to them as part of Read Across America. Becky Nichols, to the left, grandmother of student Abi Smith, and Terry Davis, Beth Keele's mother, prepare the green eggs. (T-G Photo by Jason Reynolds)

Read Across America (03/05/13)
Eakin Elementary School was one of many schools in Bedford County to celebrate Read Across America this week in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday. First-grade teacher Beth Keele and Bedford County Sheriff's Deputy Monte Moore read "Green Eggs and Ham" to first-graders this morning. (T-G Photo by Jason Reynolds)

Wilson supports school security, urges look at private firm (03/03/13)
County commission member J.D. "Bo" Wilson says he supports the idea of a security presence in county schools, but wants to make sure it's done in a fiscally responsible way, and, according to figures provided by Wilson, using a private security firm as opposed to sheriff's department employees could save the county hundreds of thousands of dollars a year...

New TTC instructor is enjoying life in rural Bedford County (03/03/13)
Drawing is only one of many ways Tennessee Technology Center's new drafting instructor expresses his creative side. Russell White has settled into his job as associate instructor of drafting and CAD technology at the Shelbyville school, a position he has held since late November. But when he's not teaching students about all facets of drafting, White is busy with family, hunting, drawing oil paintings and more...

Pre-K offers a good start to at-risk kids (03/03/13)
Poverty and promise are not mutually exclusive, said Betty Farrar, who supervises Bedford County's pre-kindergarten program, Bedford County has 80 slots available for pre-kindergarten for the 2013-14 school year, and registration will be held April 17 and 18 at the school system's central office. There are often 100 names on the waiting list, she said, and she'd love to be able to add a fifth pre-K classroom next year...

Embry to lead schools (02/27/13)
Newly appointed Bedford County School Superintendent Don Embry said on Tuesday evening that his first priorities will be to meet with his predecessors to talk about the state of the school system, especially its tight financial situation. The Bedford County Board of Education appointed Embry, principal of Shelbyville Central High School, as superintendent during a special called meeting at 5 p.m...

School officers to stay, for short term (02/27/13)
Bedford County Financial Management Committee will allow the current system of law enforcement officers at county schools to remain in place while the county looks for a less-expensive solution, possibly involving private security guards...

UPDATED: School finalists to be named (02/26/13)
The Bedford County School Board will meet this evening to further narrow down the list of candidates for superintendent, as well as to talk about budget basics. The final two candidates will be announced at the 5 p.m. special called meeting. However, board chairwoman Amy Martin has said previously the board members may go ahead and select one of the three candidates as superintendent...

Get ready: It's Eaglepalooza (02/26/13)
Five years ago, Shelbyville Central soccer coach Neal Gordon and the Golden Eagle soccer team started Eaglepalooza as a spin-off of the popular video game "Rock Band." To say that the annual event has grown into much more is a huge understatement. For the past two years, the event has featured all live bands and performers...

Book illustrator visits Liberty students (02/24/13)
A successful children's book illustrator with Bell Buckle ties recently gave of her time to read one of her books to students at Liberty School. Jean Cassels has illustrated more than 60 titles since 1970 and teaches composition at an arts academy. Her full-time residence is in New Orleans, but she frequently gets away to her second home in Bell Buckle. During one visit there in early February, Cassels went to Liberty and read "Two Bobbies," a children's book that she illustrated...

County to fund adult school (02/22/13)
A meeting of county, school system and Shelbyville Rotary Club officials on Thursday concluded that the best way for the county to pursue continued control of the Adult Education program is simply to budget it under the school system. The state, which provides much of the funding for adult education, is moving towards a more regional approach and has decided to group Bedford, Coffee and Warren counties together, under a single director...

Time for Togetherness (02/22/13)
Brian Waggoner, a teacher at Southside Elementary School, dances with the vocal group Unity as they performed at the school, and delivered an anti-bullying message, Thursday morning. Unity will be one of three Christian rock or pop groups at Saturday night's Reaching Our Kids concert in Calsonic Arena. Seventh Day Slumber will headline the concert, which will begin at 6 p.m. Burning Yesterday will also be featured. Local students will be admitted free, while adult admission is $5. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis)

Garcia selected for NAIS fellowship for aspiring school heads (02/22/13)
BELL BUCKLE -- The Webb School Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life James Garcia has been selected for a 2013-2014 National Association of Independent Schools' Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads. The NAIS program's goal is "to support the professional development of exceptional and qualified individuals in independent schools who demonstrate excellence in leadership, a passion for their work, and aspiration to become a head of school."...

First Responder Youth Academy held (02/22/13)
This year, 23 Bedford County teens got a taste of health care and public safety careers through a unique First Responder Youth Academy program operated by Bedford County Emergency Medical Services. BCEMS has managed the county's First Responder program for some years now. ...

School project leads to business opportunity for student (02/24/13)
BELL BUCKLE -- Phillip James' recent junior performance project fulfilled an academic requirement that is at the heart of the public performance program at The Webb School. James' efforts also landed him a contract that could launch him as a 17-year-old entrepreneur...

Stage prepares students for life (02/24/13)
If the world is indeed a stage, to paraphrase William Shakespeare's "As You Like It," then about 60 Bedford County students are being prepared for life. The 10th annual Smokestack Theatre Festival was held last week at Community High School, despite school being out of session for President's Day. ...

Plowing ahead toward literacy (02/21/13)
Late last year, the Cascade Future Farmers of America Chapter went to the Argie Cooper Library to donate a book. The chapter has been participating in the Tennessee FFA P.L.O.W (passing literacy on ward) program for the past three years. They have won many awards at the state level for this program and this year at state convention they hope to receive the platinum award. This is the highest award for the program...

Smokey, Woodsy star in students' contest (02/21/13)
Eakin Elementary first and fifth graders participated in the 2013 National Garden Club, Inc. Poster Contest. The contest was sponsored by Volunteer Garden Club with help from Sanford Brands - a Newell Rubbermaid company and Keith and Suzy Johnson from Royal Ribbons...

Cascade FFA heading to Gatlinburg (02/21/13)
Cascade Future Farmers of America Ceremonies team competed in the Middle Tennessee Regional Career Development Event contest Feb. 7 and placed second, earning the honor of advancing to the state competition. Members of this team won first place at the district and sectional level contest prior to progressing to regional contest...

Central FFA students wrap up a busy year (02/21/13)
The Agriculture Science students at Shelbyville Central High School, Career Technical Education Department, competed in various events around the state during the months of September through December. Several students won awards and will be attending the Agriculture State Convention in Gatlinburg, along with instructor, Tommy Green, in March...

Adult education grant try backed (02/20/13)
The school board is looking at ways to keep the adult education program's administration in Bedford County. It was recently revealed that the state is cutting by about half the number of local supervisors of adult education programs. One person will administer Bedford County's program along with the programs in Warren and Coffee counties...

School officers' patrols may end (02/20/13)
The 40-day agreement to place law enforcement officers in county schools will expire March 1, prior to the next county commission meeting, so it's not clear if the officers will be able to remain after that time, until and unless county commissioners re-authorize the program...

Shelter Insurance to offer scholarship (02/20/13)
This spring, the Shelter Insurance Foundation will award a $2,000 scholarship to a graduate of Shelbyville Central High School. Shelter agent Maleah Qualls sponsors and partially funds this scholarship. A committee of local high school officials and community leaders will select the local recipient. The committee will consider each applicant's scholastic achievements, educational goals, citizenship, moral character and participation and leadership in school and community activities...

Dr. Love (02/19/13)
Community Middle School's Student Council sold "Dr. Love," a.k.a. cans of Dr. Pepper in the days leading up to Valentine's Day, and delivered the drinks on Feb. 14. All proceeds benefitted the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Last year, Community was recognized as one of the top contributing schools for its size and donated $500 worth of toys and supplies to the hospital. Student Council members are listed by grade. Eighth-grade members are: Hannah Mitchell, president; Jackson Wisener, vice president; Sydney Segroves, secretary; Zoey Grissom; Caleb Richardson; Justin Richardson; Bailey Smith; and Spencer Smith. Seventh grade: Preston Bennett; Kizzey Lane; Jon Quick; and Haley Reed. Sixth grade: Logan Brothers; Lexie Cagle; Grayson Garrette; Anna Katherine Lemmons; and Zachary Lohn. Sponsors are Jennifer Bennett and Marinda Grissom. (T-G Photo by Jason Reynolds)

Find your character (02/17/13)
Marla Jennings and her crew in Shelbyville Central High School's drama department entertained members of the Shelbyville Woman's Club Wednesday during the group's monthly meeting at the Riverbend Country Club. Each of six students performed short acts for the ladies to enjoy and later Jennings asked members to test out their own skills by getting into various roles through various characterization exercizes...

Novak to serve on Core council (02/15/13)
Liberty Elementary School Principal Mike Novak has been named to a statewide leadership council for the transition to Common Core State Standards, which he calls "the largest educational change that we've seen in the history of the United States." A previous Common Core Leadership Council was deemed a success by the state, and so a new group of principals, supervisors and superintendents was named on Wednesday to give local school districts a voice in the transition. ...

State cuts may impact adult school (02/14/13)
Bedford County is essentially in a competition with Warren County to maintain control of the adult education program, officials say, and Bedford County Board of Education could play a role in the decision. Tennessee Department of Labor's Division of Adult Education, the state agency that oversees adult education, is going through a massive downsizing and reorganization, said Elaine V. ...

Historic moment: Local students view Emancipation Proclamation (02/14/13)
Local students were treated Wednesday to a free visit to view a piece of history -- the Emancipation Proclamation -- in Nashville, fittingly held during Black History Month. About 280 fifth- through eighth-graders from Liberty School had received a grant to view the document at the Tennessee State Museum, said history teacher Jenny Reid. The school received the grant through a lottery process last October to pay for the students' admittance...

Superintendent hopefuls explain qualifications (02/14/13)
Even though the candidates for Bedford County superintendent were interviewed publicly Monday, board members continue to consider their qualifications and will name their choice within two to three weeks....

Judgment offsets savings (02/13/13)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners faced both good news and bad news, in quite comparable dollar amounts, during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night. Commissioners approved a refinancing of $8.4 million in outstanding debt from a 2003 school bond issue, a refinancing which Commissioner J.D. "Bo" Wilson said would save the county somewhere in the neighborhood of $700,00 to $800,000...

School trio discusses state's goals (02/13/13)
The Bedford County Board of Education continues to consider the merits of three candidates for superintendent. Additional questions will be featured Thursday....

Two Webb students named National Merit finalists (02/13/13)
BELL BUCKLE -- Carson Bryant and Micah Rasnick, seniors at The Webb School, were recently named National Merit Scholarship Finalists. In recognition of the achievement, Bryant and Rasnick each received a Certificate of Merit presented by Head of School Raymond Broadhead on Feb. 4 during chapel...

Webb has weather station to enhance study, safety (02/13/13)
BELL BUCKLE -- The Webb School has joined the WeatherBug Schools Program that provides live weather data, graphics and lesson plans to enhance the study of all aspects of meteorology. As part of the program, the WeatherBug Weather Station recently was installed atop the Administration Building and immediately provided information and visual images...

Finalists for schools job talk to board (02/12/13)
The three candidates for Bedford County school superintendent interviewed for the job Monday night. Members of the Bedford County Board of Education asked the same questions to each candidate....

Southside student selected for Honors Choir (02/10/13)
Southside 5th grader Abigail Neeley is a member of the Southside Salamander Singers, a 4th and 5th grade choir directed by music teacher Jessica Morel. She auditioned and made the Middle Tennessee Honors Choir and the Tennessee Treble Honor Choir Abby's mom accompanied her to Middle Tennessee Honor Choir at Brentwood United Methodist Church on Jan. ...

Hargrove makes dean's list (02/08/13)
Victoria Hargrove of Unionville has made the dean's list at Columbus State University. Hargrove, who is majoring in music performance, earned a place on the list by completing the fall 2012 semester with at least 12 credit hours and a 3.6 or higher grade point average...

Hopefuls for schools chief to speak out (02/07/13)
The search for Bedford County's next superintendent will move forward on Monday when the school board interviews the three finalists. Members of the public are welcome to attend the interviews, but only to observe, not to participate, said board chairwoman Amy Martin...

School denies spread of lice (02/07/13)
A Thomas Magnet School pupil has contracted head lice -- twice in a month -- and her grandfather says he believes she is being infected at school, something the principal denies. Chris O'Leary, the 8-year-old pupil's grandfather, said the family found the first infestation four weeks ago after the girl came to his house after school. He and the girl's mother, his daughter, took the girl to the doctor, who gave her a number of prescriptions...

Central High student killed in Marshall County crash (02/07/13)
A Shelbyville Central High School sophomore died Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash near Farmington in Marshall County, authorities said. Jackie "Trey" White III, 16, of Helton Road in western Bedford County died at the scene, according to investigators...

Southside teacher competes for 'Teacher of the Month' (02/07/13)
Brian Waggoner, a fifth grade teacher at Southside Elementary School, was named a News 2 / Tennessee Lottery "Teacher of the Week" last month and is currently in the running for "Teacher of the Month" at the Lottery's education web site, www.seehowitaddsup.com...

Class of bass: Midstate angler leads MTSU team (02/07/13)
The BCS Championship football game and the NCAA basketball Final Four are among the best-known and most-watched sporting events in the country, but there are a wide variety of sporting events in which college students compete for the sake of school pride...

Sweet spell of success (02/06/13)
Chelsea Ilarde, an eighth grader at The Webb School, won the 2013 Bedford County Spelling Bee for the second consecutive year in the 21st round of the competition hosted at Webb. Fellow Webb eighth grader, Kennady Peek, placed second, and Cerridwen Kaiding, Harris Middle School eighth grader, placed third...

Summer feeding program sponsors, sites sought (02/05/13)
Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) announces the availability of funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2013 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program is intended to assure that children and individuals with disabilities, who rely on free and reduced price meals during the school year, have access to nutritious meals during the summer. ...

Motlow art exhibit opens Thursday (02/03/13)
Work in a variety of mediums by Motlow College art faculty will be featured during an exhibit on Motlow's Moore County campus this month, said Brian Robinson, an associate professor of art at the college. The exhibit will open with a public reception from 11 a.m. ...

Motlow College Foundation Gala set for March 2 (02/03/13)
Guests at the 21st annual Motlow College Foundation Gala on March 2 will be treated to dinner, dancing, and the chance to bid on some outstanding items in a silent auction, according to Jan Rogers, director of advancement at the college. "In addition to having a great time, the gala also is an opportunity for area citizens to show support of Motlow College students," Rogers said. ...

Local applicants remain in school superintendent search (02/01/13)
Bedford County's next school superintendent will be a familiar face to many residents. The Bedford County Board of Education on Thursday narrowed the list of candidates from 10 to three -- all of them local. Those candidates are Don Embry, principal of Shelbyville Central High School; Karen Scoggins, principal of Learning Way Elementary School; and Janice R. Womble, supervisor of secondary education for Bedford County schools...

Ag students compete in events (01/31/13)
Agriculture Science students at Shelbyville Central High School, Career Technical Education Department, competed in various events around the state during the months of September through December in 2012. Several students won awards and will be attending the Agriculture State Convention in Gatlinburg, along with instructor Tommy Green, in March. ...

Local students make dean's lists (01/30/13)
Local students at two colleges have been named to the dean's list. Joshua Denny and Neil Whitehead, both of Tullahoma, have been named to the dean's list at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn. Students earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher while taking 12 or more credit hours are awarded the distinction of dean's list honors and feted at a reception sponsored by the Academic Affairs Office and Alpha Chi Honor Society...

Motlow offers ACT prep courses (01/30/13)
Area high school students planning to take the ACT can prepare for the test by enrolling in an ACT preparation class at one of three Motlow College sites. The class will be offered on the Moore County campus and at the Fayetteville and McMinnville centers...

Local student to attend journalism forum (01/29/13)
Shelby Brannon of Shelbyville, a student at Cascade High School, has been nominated to represent Tennessee as a national youth correspondent to the 2013 Washington Journalism and Media Conference. The conference will be from July 7-12 at George Mason University...

Scotty's moment: One king, three heroes and a gesture that touches all (01/27/13)
For three Community High School students, the chance to be named homecoming king was overshadowed by the opportunity to do something truly special for a beloved classmate. Seniors Zeke Grissom, Drew Gibbs and Jesse Cooper, who were named to the 2013 basketball homecoming court, decided that whoever won the crown would in turn crown fellow classmate Scotty Maloney the winner, despite the results of the student body's votes...

Com center gains access to school security cameras (01/27/13)
School and emergency service personnel met Friday morning to continue their discussion about giving law enforcement access to school security cameras in case of an emergency without violating the stringent privacy requirements placed on school systems...

Southside holds food drive (01/27/13)
The Southside Elementary School Student Council recently held a canned food drive to help those who needed extra help during the winter season. Each day had a different theme, and certain items were requested. Winning classes got to do special activities on a Friday, and the top two students who brought in the most canned food from each classroom got to participate in a money scramble...

Central students compete in technical event (01/27/13)
Students from Technology Engineering Education classes at Shelbyville Central High School's Career Technical Education department recently attended regional Technology Students Association (TSA) competitive events at Middle Tennessee State University. Six students competed with other students from high schools in the Middle Tennessee area...

We've got Bedford County covered (01/27/13)
The T-G is dedicated to thoroughly covering your school events, and we encourage parents and teachers to send us your photos or contact us with story ideas. Below, take a closer look at the T-G staff members who are working hard to cover your important school events!...

Webb to host Visitors' Day on Feb. 18 (01/27/13)
The Webb School will host Visitors' Day on Feb. 18, and families will have the opportunity to tour campus, attend the daily chapel program, and meet current Webb students and faculty. The event begins with registration and breakfast at 9 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. This will be the final visitors' day this year scheduled on a school day...

Webb offers summer program (01/27/13)
The Webb School is offering a summer program that includes a weeklong day camp, June 17-21 or June 24-28, for rising 4th-8th graders focusing on science, technology, robotics, art, Chinese and outdoor skills. The summer program also includes SAT English and math prep courses for rising 9th-12th graders, June 17-21 and June 24-28. A basketball skills camp for rising 3rd-12th graders, June 26-28, and a soccer skills camp for rising 2nd-12th graders, July 15-19, round out the Webb programs...

Raiders' Closet helps students dress for success (01/27/13)
Middle Tennessee State University students looking for appropriate clothing for job interviews need look no further than their own campus with the creation of Raiders' Closet. The Department of Business Communication and Entrepreneurship opened a repository of professional attire Friday in Room 130A on the south side of the Business and Aerospace Building...

Cascade FFA supports literacy (01/27/13)
In December, the Cascade FFA Chapter visited Argie Cooper Public Library to donate a book. The chapter has been participating in the Tennessee FFA P.L.O.W. (Passing Literacy OnWard) program for the past three years. The chapter has won awards at the state level for this program and this year at state convention members hope to receive the platinum award, the highest available for the program...

MTSU announces fall graduates (01/27/13)
Middle Tennessee State University has released the names and hometowns of the 1,960 students who graduated during the fall 2012 commencement ceremonies Dec. 15 in Murphy Center on the MTSU campus. Bedford County graduates include: Clinton T. Adams, Shelbyville;...

UT Dean's List announced (01/27/13)
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has announced its dean's list for the fall 2012 semester. To qualify for the dean's list, an undergraduate student must earn a term grade point average of 3.80--4.00 (summa cum laude), 3.65--3.79 (magna cum laude), or 3.50--3.64 (cum laude). Students must complete at least 12 credit hours, not counting work taken on a satisfactory/no-credit basis, to be eligible...

Honor rolls (01/27/13)
Community Elementary School Principal's List Third Grade: Everardo Alcala, Jena Bolinger, Chaela Boyd, Ethan Broiles, Adam Brooks, Randolph Calvert, Leland Coleman, Hannah Denny, Patrick Dusek, Lilly Dye, Allison Dyer, Hannah Gochee, Tara Harrell, Daniel Heath, Kolin Meeks, Cason Neill, Aubrie O'Neal, Carley Pellar, Samantha Ramos, Riker Reid, Tierra Smotherman, Gabriel Stusse, Braxton Thompson, Luke Underwood, Micheal Underwood, Tamara Uredi, Shyann Weatherby...

R.O.K.ing out and reaching out to youth (01/24/13)
A two-fold event -- a community-wide safety day followed by a Christian pop and rock concert -- is being organized by personnel from local emergency service agencies as a way of reaching out to children from the community, said organizer Jason Barber...

Safer schools (01/23/13)
A committee has been formed to study ways to improve safety in Bedford County schools. "We're here trying to come up with the best plan that we can for the safety of our kids," County Mayor Eugene Ray said. The committee includes members from Bedford County Schools, the county mayor, a private school counseling company, the Sheriff's Department and school safety consultants. ...

Higher security is temporary fix (01/23/13)
School system, county government, mental health, safety and emergency service personnel met Tuesday to discuss school safety issues. The committee, created by the county commission earlier this month, was chaired by County Mayor Eugene Ray, and included interim school superintendent Mike Bone...

Students weld a future at TTCS (01/20/13)
Twenty-two students at a local vocational school are turning metal into artwork, and in the process are being welded into future professionals. Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville is using a computer numerical controller (CNC) system for advanced training in welding. The school bought the machine last year, welding instructor Tim Holder said...

Motlow homecoming Feb. 2 (01/17/13)
Motlow College is inviting area residents and Motlow faculty, staff, students and alumni to Homecoming 2013 on the Moore County campus, said Sheri Mason, assistant director of student services and Student Government Association (SGA) sponsor. The event, hosted by the SGA, will begin at 1 p.m. ...

School superintendent finalists to be determined soon (01/16/13)
Bedford County Board of Education will narrow the list of superintendent candidates to four or five finalists on Jan. 31. The board decided during its monthly meeting on Tuesday that each board member would develop an individual list of six candidates he or she was interested in interviewing. The board will hold a special called meeting at 5 p.m. Jan. 31 to select the top candidates from those short lists...

Agriculture courses 'spring' up at MTEC (01/15/13)
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to jumpstart a new farming career or become more knowledgeable in your current agriculture job, the spring semester offers opportunities galore at the Middle Tennessee Education Center in Shelbyville. This month, MTEC, which is a joint project of MTSU and Motlow State Community College, will offer four agriculture classes designed for students interested in one of Tennessee's most diversified economic fields...

Raus School added to National Register of Historic Places (01/13/13)
While the Raus School has long been considered a historical building by many in Bedford County, the building that dates to the late 1880s is now officially historical. That's because the building, which was constructed in 1888, has been added to the National Register of Historical Places, according to an announcement by the Tennessee Historical Commission. Seven sites in the Volunteer State have been added to the registry...

CORRECTED: Webb siren to warn Bell Buckle of storm danger (01/10/13)
The town of Bell Buckle will be relying on Webb School's early warning system once again in case of bad weather. During Tuesday's meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen, it was reported that the town's siren is malfunctioning and a discussion followed on whether to fix the system, which was described as "ancient," or to buy a new one...

Search for a leader: Schools get 11 applications for top job (01/09/13)
Eleven people have applied for the position of Bedford County Superintendent of Schools, and copies of their application packets were given to Bedford County Board of Education members during a special called meeting on Tuesday. Monday was the application deadline, and school board chairman Amy Martin said the post office box set up for the superintendent search was not checked until Tuesday morning, meaning no one knew in advance who had applied...

Deputies to patrol all schools (01/09/13)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, formally approved the placement of sheriff's deputies in local schools, which began on Monday, for 40 days while the county studies the best long-term approach to school security. A study committee will be appointed, and a consultant from the Tennessee Risk Management Pool, the county's insurance carrier, will be asked for input in the long term...

Turnbow to share testimony next month (01/09/13)
Whit Turnbow spent 17,600 hours trying to accomplish a singular goal, only to reach a place in his spiritual walk where he realized that a spot on the PGA tour was never in God's plan for him. At 35, the assistant athletic director and golf coach at Middle Tennessee State University, had spent his life chasing this dream, only to find life taking a different direction than Whit had planned...

MTBN to offer school scholoraship (01/09/13)
Middle Tennesee Business Network (MTBN) of Bedford County will be awarding a $500 scholarship at the end of the 2012 academic year to one Bedford County High School senior who meets requirements. Members of the MTBN board recently met with Janice Womble and Cheryl Harris, both with the school system, and the Bedford County Board of Education last October to discuss the details of the scholarship...

Petty named to Harding dean's list (01/09/13)
SEARCY, Ark. -- Wartrace resident Jackson Petty, a freshman at Harding University, is among more than 1,000 university students included on the dean's list for grades achieved during the fall semester. The dean's list is published each semester by Dr. Larry Long, university provost, honoring those who have achieved high scholarship. To be eligible, a student must be carrying 12 or more hours with a 3.65 or higher grade-point average and no incompletes...

Webb earns dual reaccreditation from SACS CASI and SAIS (01/09/13)
BELL BUCKLE, Tenn. -- The Webb School has earned dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Webb was the first secondary school to be admitted to membership in SACS, an organization that was founded in 1895...

PO to be named for MTSU alumnus, vet (01/09/13)
A bill to name a post office for an MTSU alumnus killed in Iraq is on President Barack Obama's desk and awaits his signature. On Jan. 4, the U.S. Senate gave final passage to a measure by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., to rename a post office on Hope Street in Mountain View, Calif., the "Lieutenant Kenneth N. Ballard Memorial Post Office."...

Schools' security to increase (01/06/13)
Parents concerned about their children's return to Bedford County classrooms Monday can find some relief in knowing there will be an increased law enforcement presence. Police officers are checking city schools regularly, a new security officer will be posted at Thomas Magnet School, and the county will attempt to place an officer at each of the other schools...

UT Martin names honor roll (01/04/13)
The academic achievements of undergraduate students at the University of Tennessee at Martin have been honored with the Fall 2012 Chancellor's Honor Rolls for the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, College of Business and Global Affairs, College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts...

Rotary thanks school clubs (01/06/13)
The Shelbyville Rotary Club recently presented the Interact Clubs from each local school with a check from the Rotary Club for their support during August's Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Proceeds will be used to fund the projects of each club...

Vision check: Lions Club conducts screenings (01/02/13)
The Shelbyville Lions Club is conducting eye screenings at local schools for the 2012-2013 year. The Lions are responsible for screening children in the fourth grade at all local schools, plus the kindergarten classes and local day cares. The club has done this preventative program for many years. Shown is Lions Club member Katie Guthrie, Region III chair and secretary for the local club, screening a child at Eakin Elementary School recently. Lions Club member Edward Huffman Jr. and his wife, club member Rita Huffman, are chairs of the eye screening program in local schools. Club members Eddie and Jonnie Wright are chairs for the day cares and kindergarten screenings. (Submitted photo)

Top Stories of 2012: A tragic discovery brings closure (12/27/12)
Changes in the administration of local schools, allegations of inappropriate conduct by a teacher and a scout leader, and the sad resolution to a missing persons case are tied for the sixth, seventh and eighth places in the Times-Gazette's annual countdown of the year's top stories as chosen by a vote of various T-G staffers...

MTSU plans power outage (12/27/12)
A scheduled power outage for some campus buildings at MTSU will mean a quiet start for the new year beginning Wednesday, Jan. 2. Thirty MTSU buildings and the eight houses on Greek Row will have no electricity during business hours Jan. 2-3 when university offices reopen after winter break...

Top Stories of 2012: A year to remember for student musicians (12/26/12)
Before we begin the Times-Gazette's annual countdown of the top stories of the year, a word about what wasn't included. The top story ballot, which is voted on by various members of the T-G staff, was being prepared at about the time the school security issue, both here and in Connecticut, was becoming news...

DREMC and CoBank make donation to library (12/26/12)
A few years ago Duck River Electric Membership Corporation pledged $5,000 to the Argie Cooper Public Library as the library began its campaign to raise funds to build a new facility. Until recently, that pledge remained just that, a pledge, which would be fulfilled over the course of a few years once the new library project officially began...

Eakin gets grants to encourage active kids (12/23/12)
Eakin Elementary received funds from Fuel Up To Play 60 in the amount of $4,000. The program was founded by the United Dairy Council and the National Football League based on a mutual commitment to the health of the next generation. Using its many "plays", the program encourages youth to eat healthy and move more...

Faxon, bronze sculptor, explains his art during Chapel talk (12/23/12)
Russ Faxon, a bronze sculptor with numerous commissioned pieces that are publicly displayed, was a chapel speaker at The Webb School earlier this month. Faxon, a resident of Bell Buckle, showcased some of his sculptures in a display and a slideshow as part of the presentation...

School security issue studied (12/21/12)
The Bedford County Board of Education allowed ample time for discussion of school safety this week, responding in particular to parent concerns about a Dec. 12 incident at Thomas Magnet School, but additionally to re-address safety concerns in county schools in light of the tragic events in Newtown, Conn. just a week ago...

TTCS student is regional finalist in state program (12/20/12)
Jon Beiler, an Industrial Maintenance student at the Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville, was recognized as a regional finalist in the Tennessee Technology Center Outstanding Student of the Year program. Jon attends TTC-Shelbyville through Nissan Decherd, where he was chosen to participate in their maintenance apprenticeship program...

Focus on lessons learned, not lingering anger (12/20/12)
One massacre far to our north, one spoken threat in a Shelbyville school -- and major changes to our mindset. Within one week, steps are being taken toward possibly placing police officers in every Bedford County school, even elementary schools. Talk toward other security measures is beginning...

Threat against Bedford schools (12/19/12)
A threat against Bedford County schools, written on a Lebanon bathroom wall, was received this morning at about 10:05 a.m., just as schools were dismissing on holiday break. The School-Age Care Program was placed under lockdown as a result of the threat...

More SROs possible (12/19/12)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners will consider hiring seven new school resource officers (SROs), at a total cost of $257,572, according to discussion at Tuesday night's meeting of the county's Financial Management Committee. SROs are law enforcement officers who are assigned to schools but employed by the sheriff's department. They provide security but may also participate in teaching safety classes, interacting with students, and so on...

Parents complain about Thomas threat (12/19/12)
It's been an insightful week for educators and administrators nationwide. Locally, a perfect storm of events aligned last week and served to highlight security flaws in the Bedford County school system. A Thomas Magnet School parent had made specific threats against the school, inferring that if an anticipated diagnosis of cancer were made this week, he'd return to the school with a gun and start shooting...

Safety on minds of joint team (12/18/12)
Public safety officials have been working for the past five or six years to help schools review their plans and procedures in the event of a major incident -- whether it's a shooting, a fire or severe weather. Scott Johnson of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency says that the joint city/county public safety team was formed due to input from the schools, even though it now also works with other public facilities such as Shelbyville Recreation Center and large industries like CalsonicKansei North America.. ...

Chemistry comes alive (12/18/12)
Simple science produced squeals and giggles at Thomas Magnet School last week, during a presentation to the after-school science club. Dr. Dale Ensor, professor of chemistry at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, shared his presentation "Chemistry Before Your Eyes."...

Communications evaluated (12/18/12)
As the Thomas Magnet School gym filled with young students for an after-school science program Wednesday, a conversation with a parent was escalating in the front office. After making specific threats of harm, Tyrone Watts was removed from the school by the Shelbyville Police Department...

School threat suspect in custody (12/18/12)
Tyrone L. Watts, who is accused of threatening to fire shots at a Shelbyville school last week, was taken into custody Monday afternoon. Watts, 43, of Tullahoma, was arrested on a charge of violation of probation, Detective Lt. Pat Mathis of the Shelbyville Police Department said. He is being held without bond at Bedford County Jail...

Tragedy and prevention: Local schools have plans in place if unthinkable happens (12/16/12)
FIRST IN A SERIES Friday morning's tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn., hit close to home for many local parents and teachers, who hugged the children in their care a little tighter that usual. "As an art educator, when I heard about what happened, I immediately began picturing the faces of the kindergartners I teach," said Andrea McTigue of Southside Elementary...

Students get financial advice from Dave Ramsey (12/16/12)
BELL BUCKLE, Tenn. -- Students in the personal finance class at The Webb School complete a course created by Dave Ramsey, personal money management expert, best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio show host. To reinforce what they have learned in the classroom, the students travel to Financial Peace Plaza in Brentwood to hear firsthand how to avoid some of the financial pitfalls that plague young adults and how to plan for the future...

TMS thanks the T-G (12/14/12)
Logan Kaiser, representing the third grade class at Thomas Magnet School, delivers a card signed by his third grade class thanking the Times-Gazette for the good news they reported in 2012. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis)

Students hope to make history (12/13/12)
Community Middle School students have an opportunity to compete in the National History Bee, which debuted last year on the A & E Network's History channel. Members of Community Middle School's National History Bee team include, back row: Esmeralda Nava, Samantha Mitchem, Preston Bennett and Tyler Roberts. ...

MTSU bone density study needs volunteers (12/13/12)
Mary Belle Ginanni says her body type, gender, family history and European heritage make her a candidate for osteoporosis. That's why she took part in the bone density study, which is seeking more participants now at Middle Tennessee State University's Alumni Memorial Gym...

No paint required: High-tech system lets students spray bytes (12/09/12)
The technology of gaming has arrived at the Tennessee Technology Center in Shelbyville, with an advanced training device for students in the collision repair program. In August the center purchased a virtual paint spray machine, becoming the first school in the Tennessee system to employ the technology...

Schools job open for applications (12/06/12)
Candidates for Bedford County school superintendent have a month to prepare and submit their application packages. The position is one of four in play within the state. In May, Dr. Dan Lawson, director of Tullahoma City Schools since 1997, announced he would not seek an extension of his contract when it expires next June...

Word's in the air about aviation art competition (12/05/12)
Local participation has been key to Bedford County's success in the International Aviation Art Contest in previous years, and Hank Williamson of Shelbyville Municipal Airport wants to make sure the county continues to have a strong presence this year...

Youth may become BCEMS first responders (12/05/12)
Bedford County Emergency Medical Services board, meeting next week, will consider a staff proposal to start a youth academy which, if implemented, would put 24 high school students through the state-approved first responder program. First responders, as the term is used in Tennessee, are trained and state-approved volunteers, or members of other public service agencies, who provide first aid while waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive. ...

SCHS library celebrates cooking (12/05/12)
Among the most popular cable channels these days are those dedicated to food, cooking and dining. In honor of the holiday season, the Shelbyville Central High School library celebrated cooking in December. Librarians Dona Northcutt and Heather Richards assemble a themed display each month to encourage students to read...

Eaglebots ride wave of community support (12/05/12)
Word is spreading. Eaglebots. After the Harris Middle School robotics team received best rookie honors in competition with other mid-state middle and high school teams, the interest and support they are receiving in the community is growing. Since their win, the students have visited the Tennessee Technology Center and toured the Industrial Maintenance classrooms...

Traveling trunks delight students (12/05/12)
Making Tennessee history come alive for students in a hands-on fashion may be a challenge -- but resources from the Tennessee State Museum have allowed students at Community Middle School to explore the state from Memphis to Mountain City, on the floor of their classroom...

30 years and counting: 1970 Community graduate hopes to reunite with friends (12/05/12)
It has been 42 years since Joan Adcock Kirkham walked across the stage, graduating from Community High School in Unionville. Shortly thereafter, the 17-year-old moved away, settling in Nashville and later White House. It has been about 32 years since Joan has seen many of her friends who accompanied her in that milestone in 1970...

Public invited to Webb's annual Christmas service (12/05/12)
BELL BUCKLE, Tenn. -- The Webb School Chapel will be filled with music, song and fellowship, Dec. 13, during the school's annual celebration of Lessons and Carols. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. A reception will follow in the Grace Follin Dining Hall on The Webb School campus. The event is free and open to the public...

Webb instructor to participate in screening (12/02/12)
Independent Television Service (ITVS), Nashville Public Television (NPT) and the Nashville Public Library bring director Neil Berkeley's award-winning documentary "Beauty is Embarrassing,' a film focusing on the life of renowned puppeteer and artist Wayne White, to Community Cinema at the downtown Nashville Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 15...

Eyes to the skies: Students meet planets (12/02/12)
Local educator Billy Hix was working with the U.S. Air Force on some science and technology education programming when he found out about a portable planetarium, owned by the Air Force but not used very often. Hix, whose passion is sharing his love of space and astronomy, knew what he had to do...

Reaching for the Stars: Kindergartener studies science, dreams big (12/02/12)
At age 5, Vivon Ward is the youngest child, and the only one from Bedford County, ever to attend NASA's Science Engineering, Math and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA), a nationwide program which has had a presence in Tennessee since 2004. The Thomas Magnet School kindergartener, son of Teaquicia Ward and Kieran Ward, is interested in space...

Evacuation drill tests schools (11/28/12)
An evacuation drill was held Tuesday morning at the Cascade High School / Cascade Middle School campus, as part of a new mutual aid agreement between Cascade and The Webb School in Bell Buckle. The mutual aid agreement means that in the event of a disaster, students from one school would be transported to the other as a central point from which parents could pick them up. The schools would cooperate on transporting the students...

School enrollment rises almost 3 percent (11/28/12)
Terise Rhodes, student management and state reporting supervisor, outlined Bedford County School System's current population at last week's meeting of Bedford County Board of Education. As of Nov. 16, the system had 8,107 students enrolled, up 2.7 percent from last year's Average Daily Membership of 7,893...

BCEA request for 'collaborative conferencing' approved (11/25/12)
The Bedford County Education Association has notified the Bedford County School Board that they wish to enter into collaborative conferencing in the spring. Current teacher contracts expire in June 2013. A school board committee voted on at last Tuesday's regular meeting will include Diane Neeley, Mike Cook, Dr. Andrea Anderson and Glen Forsee...

School board appoints finance committee (11/25/12)
The regular monthly meeting of the Bedford County Board of Education on Tuesday marked the first formal meeting to include interim superintendent Mike Bone. As part of an annual rotation among county schools, the meeting was held in the library of Harris Middle School...

Monkey see, monkey do (11/25/12)
He arrived on picture day at Liberty Elementary, a new 'student' in Melanie Casson's fourth grade homeroom. He was quickly embraced as a classmate, however, and included in both the class and individual photos that day...

Shelbyville woman named Ms. Martin (11/25/12)
A Martin Methodist College freshman from Shelbyville was crowned Ms. Martin 2012 earlier this month. Kelsie Smith is an accounting major and a member of the RedHawk women's basketball team. The daughter of Troy and Cindy Smith of Shelbyville was crowned by Maria Charrys, the 2011 winner of the Ms. Martin Pageant...

U txt! Do u write 2? (Translation: You text! Do you write, too?) (11/25/12)
Is the language of texting mangling our modern English, or making it more efficient? In a recent episode of "Elementary" -- a dust-off of character Sherlock Holmes in modern-day mysteries -- characters chided Holmes for communicating with nearly impossible texts, "What is IMLTHO?" asked Aaron...

'Messiah' a tradition at MTSU (11/23/12)
The Middle Tennessee State University Concert Chorale and Middle Tennessee Choral Society will present one of the greatest works associated with the holiday season, Handel's "Messiah," to the community on Dec. 2 and 3. Concerts are scheduled at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, and at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, in Hinton Music Hall inside MTSU's Wright Music Building in Murfreesboro...

School board tightens rules for next leader (11/22/12)
The search for a superintendent for Bedford County Schools is on, after board members revised the policy regarding the position's duties and set the criteria for hiring during their regular meeting Tuesday evening at Harris Middle School's library. Just more than a year into his tenure, Dr. Ray Butrum requested an administrative leave in mid-October, and the Bedford County Board of Education met on Nov. 1 to modify Butrum's contract to remove him as school superintendent...

Raised hands: Organizers thankful for volunteer readers (11/22/12)
"Do you know what holiday is coming up?" asked the gentleman wearing overalls and a cowboy hat. The boys and girls in Meghan Crowell's second grade class at East Side Elementary did not hold back as they shouted their answer in unison. "Thanksgiving!"...

Central students CAN - and they prove it in food drive (11/18/12)
Students at Shelbyville Central High School once again displayed their "can do" spirit this year, with a donation of almost 16,000 items to local charities. "The Great Canned Food Drive has been a tradition at Central High School for over 30 years," said Principal Don Embry. "This is a way for our students to give back to our community and help others who are in need. I am very proud of our students' willingness to help others and their participation this year."...

Webb seniors celebrate tradition (11/18/12)
BELL BUCKLE -- The 54 seniors in The Webb School Class of 2013 participated in one of many traditions, Nov. 9, as they received their senior blazers. Marking the ceremony, Craig Patterson, a 1998 Webb graduate, was the keynote speaker. Patterson graduated from the Naval Academy, earned his Navy Wings and spent the next 10 years flying SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. He returned to Tennessee in February 2012 and accepted a job flying for Air Evac Lifeteam out of Manchester...

Heartfelt moments: Students help deployed soldier's wife endure loneliness (11/18/12)
Julie Culp may be down, but she's not out. She's got about 20 little rascals who keep her distracted each day during what many would consider a depressing time. In the middle of snacks, potty breaks and boo boos, these little rascals remind Julie of why life is good...

Wanted: More MTEC students (11/16/12)
Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray, in his quarterly report to Bedford County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, made reference to efforts to keep Middle Tennessee State University's presence in Shelbyville. Asked on Wednesday about those remarks, Ray said that MTSU would like to see higher student numbers, including more Bedford County students, at Middle Tennessee Education Center, the facility operated by MTSU and Motlow State Community College in the county-owned Bedford County Business Complex on Dover Street.. ...

School vouchers require caution (11/15/12)
A business, or a non-profit that acts like a business, has two different types of costs: fixed and variable. Imagine a fast-food restaurant selling hamburgers. The cost of the ground meat would be a variable cost. The more hamburgers you sell, the more ground meat you need to buy -- but that's OK, presumably, because you're bringing in extra revenue from all those extra hamburgers you're selling. The cost is, for the most part, linked to revenue, and so it's self-supporting...

Parker honored for service to school system (11/14/12)
Members of the Bedford County Board of Education recently attended the 75th annual Tennessee School Board Association Leadership Conference in Nashville. The convention allows board members to share best practices, discuss changes in public education and explore ways to improve the state's public schools...

Cascade picks up its blue ribbon (11/14/12)
In the race to the top of academic standards, school administrators rely heavily on the data provided by the state after each year's Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program is complete. Of the many reports generated, one in particular generated a list predicting which students would likely not receive passing grades in the next assessment...

Ex-band instructor faces jail (11/09/12)
Forfeiting his teaching licence, the former band director of Community High School will serve nine months in jail after pleading guilty Thursday to soliciting one of his students. Stephen B. Givens, 34, of Smyrna pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation of a minor, agreeing to serve nine months of a 11-month, 29-day sentence. The crime is a class A misdemeanor...

Teacher faces sex charge (11/09/12)
A local Boy Scout leader and Liberty School teacher has been charged with inappropriately touching a teenage boy. Travis Scott Spivey, 43, of Dow Drive was charged Tuesday with sexual battery by an authority figure, Detective Sgt. Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department said Thursday...

'Christmas Carol' lives on (11/09/12)
It's a familiar tale, one popularized on stage and in film. The Smokestack Theatre Group of Community High School will present "A Christmas Carol" in two public showings, Nov. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. at the school's theater. The student cast promises to bring Ebenezer Scrooge to life, along with Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and those insightful "Ghosts of."...

MTSU celebrates the world (11/09/12)
Middle Tennessee State University will celebrate International Education Week Nov. 12-17 with a flurry of food, fairs and fun, all free and open to the public. The festivities will begin with a panel discussion about MTSU students' study-abroad trip to tsunami-devastated Fukushima, Japan, this past summer. Dr. Doug Heffington, director of global studies, will join the students for a review from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in Room 106 of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building...

Special honor caps college career (11/04/12)
Micky Pietkiewicz, a 2009 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School and former Times-Gazette intern, was recently named Ms. University of Memphis. Each year, two seniors are selected for the honor of Mr. and Ms. University of Memphis after a lengthy application process...

Fall visitors' day hosted at Webb Nov. 9 (11/04/12)
On Nov. 9, The Webb School will open its campus for prospective students and their families for Visitors' Day. The daylong event begins at 9 a.m. with registration and breakfast and concludes at 3 p.m. The schedule includes campus tours, class visits, student panels, informational panels for parents, lunch, as well as details on boarding, admissions, financial aid and academic programs. ...

Motlow College art student uses humor, intelligence and energy to succeed (11/04/12)
Motlow College art student Mary Cox Pace was born with arthrogryposis, a neuro-musculo-skeletal disorder that most people would call a disability. To a lot of people, it would be, but Mary hasn't let it stop her. Although arthrogryposis made Mary a quadriplegic and robbed her of personal mobility, it didn't dare take much else from the feisty little woman who gets where she wants to go in a motorized wheelchair and has only 3 percent use of her left arm and 7 percent use of her right...

It's official: Butrum's out (11/02/12)
Bedford County Board of Education modified Ray Butrum's contract on Thursday to remove him as school superintendent; former superintendents Mike Bone and Ed Gray will work hours as needed on an interim basis until a new superintendent can be appointed...

Truly 'Champions': Cascade marches to state band title (11/02/12)
Cascade High School Band, led by David Lucich, lived up to the nickname "Champions," winning the Tennessee Division I State Marching Band Championships held Oct. 27 at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro. The band placed first in music and marching and second in percussion, in addition to the overall championship...

'The Schoolmaker' to be staged Nov. 8-11 (11/04/12)
The Webb School Players will present "The Schoolmaker: 'Sawney' Webb and the Bell Buckle Story" on Nov. 8-11 in the Black Box Studio. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8-9 and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 10-11. "The Schoolmaker," written by Laurence McMillin, is a biography of Webb's founder Sawney Webb. Since May of 2011, professional playwrights Carol Ponder and Robert Kiefer have been conducting research and interviews in order to adapt the book for the stage...

Just imagine: Program puts books in kids' hands (10/31/12)
Statistics show that early readers have higher reading, speaking, thinking and social skills than children who do not read, and a local program is reorganizing to support those skills. The Bedford County Imagination Library, the local chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, is sponsored by the Friends of Argie Cooper Public Library...

Cunningham awarded Hall Scholarship at Motlow College (10/28/12)
Morgan Cunningham, a first-year student at Motlow College, is the recipient of the Lindsay and Eleanor Hall Scholarship, according to Jan Rogers, director of advancement at the college. Cunningham graduated from Central High School in Shelbyville this year. She is following a general studies curriculum at Motlow and said she is "very thankful" to receive the scholarship...

Motlow to present 'Wizard of Oz' (10/28/12)
Students in the children's drama class at Motlow College are diligently practicing their roles for "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which will open on Nov. 1 in Eoff Hall on Motlow's Moore County campus, according to director Debbie Zimmerman, an associate professor of communications and chairman of Motlow's Humanities Department...

Cascade Elementary honors (10/28/12)
Fifth: Anna Allison, Dylan Arnold, Tristan Bowen, Anna Brown, Ethan Calvert, Andrew Curl, Sean Douglas, Savanah Emery, Eli Feck, Alexis Fox, Hadley Griffy, Jay Hall, Christopher Heath, Katelyn Henke, Isabella Insell, Nadiana Jesch, Braden Lollis, Robert Mannahan, Olivia Mason, Sarah Prosser, Carmen Ray, Jaret Santiago Sonora, Alex Scruggs, Aaram Soto, Mckayla Swain, Lily Walker, Austin Warren...

Cascade Middle honors (10/28/12)
Principal's List Eighth: Nicholas Adcock, Lucas Arnold, Cassidy Bain, Logan Baldwin, Mary Bennett, Chelsey Blackwell, Kenley Bowen, William Calvert, Morgan Campbell, Steven Crawford, Logan Dehne, Rose Espino, Shea Fordham, Cassandra Fredericks, Casey Haywood, Hannah Hill, Jacey Hoover, Gabriel Hosford, Savannah Jackson, Carley Lambertson, Alexis Lane, Dalton Lewis, Brianna Mathis, Alydia Miller, Chloe Mooneyham, Elizabeth Murphy, Jacquelyne Nelson, Ji Woo Park, Caleb Parker, Jonathan Parker, Riley Parker, MaryAnna Patton, Hunter Pritchard, Parker Pritchard, Summer Pritchard, Taylor Reynolds-Bower, Shelby Sadler, Zachary Schudar, Christopher Smith, Sydney Smith, Bailey Sudduth, Chloe Tucker, Savana Tucker, Baylee Utz, Jasmine Valdivia, Destin Vetek, Elli Wilson. ...

Cascade High honors (10/28/12)
Principal's List Seniors: Cari Brown, Sierra Cortner, Diamond Cullen, Christian Devine, Olivia DuPuy, Katelynn Edde, Haley Edmondson, Samuel Hathorn, Alyssa Hoover, Abigail Jett, Jeffrey Marcoulier, Ashlynne Miller, Regan Monajjem, Jesse Obara, William Owens, Kelsey Parker, Coty Parsons, Darian Phelps, Victoria Pimentel, Danielle Pomarico, Haylee Simpson, Elora Skuce, Tori Slater, Kelsey Smith, Madison Swafford, Alston Thomas, Carlee Vincent, Johnny Waid, Caitlin West, Jordan Wilson...

Thomas Magnet honors (10/28/12)
Fifth: Marion Caine, Charlee Davis, Heidi Engle, Nyah Inman, Noah Jolley, Anna Leigh Pugh, Kailey Snell Fourth: Brett Bone, Nicholas Bridges, Clovia Burleyson, Harrison Canter, Aiden Edwards, Jonathan Fernandez Cabrera, Haley Henson, Connor Hosford, Jayden Jackson, Jacob King, Katherine McKamey, Barrett Melson, Noah Molder, Brady O'Neal, Khushi Patel, Ezekiel Rafferty, Chloe Reeves, Larisa Rincon Molina, Emma Rose...

Southside Elementary honors (10/28/12)
Fifth: Nicholas Craig, Jared Grosvenor, Chris Hernandez Rosales, Allison LeMaster, Morgan McCormick, Madison Miller, Abigail Neeley, Karley Simmons, Lilliana Velazquez Guzman Fourth: Dyson Collins, Jacob Cooper, Logan McCormick, James Neeley, Eddy Ramirez...

Learning Way Elementary honors (10/28/12)
Fifth: David Caldwell, Michaela Caserto, Jonithan Dale, Sabrina Hampton, Noah Jackson, Alexis Krieg, Kylie Larion, Mariano Nava, Chase Smith, Gary Smith, Lashonda Thomison Fourth: Xander Blackwell, Mengting Chen, Tre Lee, Brooke Neal, Gelsey Phillips, Madeline Throneberry, Eulexis Zapien...

East Side Elementary honors (10/28/12)
Fifth: Eduardo Mendoza Vazquez, Aliyah Singleton Fourth: Leonardo Avila Suarez, Yesenia Hernandez, Denise Olea Hernandez, Jake Thompson, Maleah Woods Third: NaTasia Chunn, Sabina Rico Jimenez Fifth: David Albarran, Jovani Aparicio Lopez, Jade Cantrell, Shang Chen, London Day, Magdalena Domingo Gaspar, Jessilyn Hall-Demoss, Alexis Harris, Michael Haynes, Elaina James, Mary Majors, Damion McCroskey, Alyssa McCullough, Marisol Olea Guevara, Gisselle Perez Hernandez, Alexandra Urbieta Baeza, Knalijh Wilson. ...

Eakin Elementary honors (10/28/12)
Fifth: Nicholas Carballoso, Erman Garcia, Taylor Harper, Elvin Hernandez-Guerrero, Caleb Marsh, Tamiya McCroskey, Maria Pina Olvera, Iris Shiver, Elic Smith, Dalvazyon Triplett, Zhimya Underwood Fourth: Julie Allen, Devin Axtell, Maria Baltazar, Zoe Carballoso, Jadyn Cochrane, Samuel Dodson, Maria Estrada Gonzalez, Mara Ferguson, Alfonso Hernandez, Gerardo Miranda, Nicholas Moore, Alexyss Neff, Garious Nowlin, Pamela Palmeros Solis, Alexis Petatan Avila, Charisma Roney, Naii-Jah Rowe, Stephen Sims. ...

Community Elementary honors (10/28/12)
Fifth: MaKenzie Blanton, Gracie Buck, Camren Edwards, Eric Gochee, Calley Hand, Riley Joslyn, Jaide Langley, Macie Lemmons, Katlin Leverette, Ethan Lohn, Bryan Mitchell, Mackenzie Newkirk, Colby Pegg, Crystal Phillips, Johnathan Pope, Alexander Purdom, Felicity Reid, Cynthia Simmons, Raven Smith, Jessica Soto Vicente, Levi Todd, Kenneth Toledo, Bryn Tucker, William Vaughn, Anna Williams, Christopher Williams, Cody Woodall, Chance Woods,...

Community Middle honors (10/28/12)
Eighth: Nathan Davis, Breanna Lewis, Julia Mitchell, Justin Richardson, Justin West Seventh: Preston Bennett, Jarrett Collier, David Denny, Kizzey Lane Sixth: Logan Brothers, Mercedes Curry, Luis DeOsio, Grayson Garrette, Anna Lemmons, Zachary Lohn, Gracie Simmons, Ashley Smithey, Molly Thompson, Trenton Upchurch, Xavier Von Dran...

Community High honors (10/28/12)
Seniors: Jacqueline Barnes, Tori Broiles, Megan Clark, Holly Crowder, Kalab Fulton, Mariah Gardner, Andrew Gibbs, Zeke Grissom, Erika Harper, Megan Madrid, Scott Maloney, Brandon Marks, Jose Ornelas, Justin Parker, Sarah Parker, Jennifer Paterick, Logan Pierce, Janzen Powell, Megan Sager, Jenifer Sanders, Kali Sitz, Patrick Sullivan, Elizabeth Vincion, Megan Williams...

Home