Oak Ridge Today

ORHS pantry provides food, clothing, toiletries, cleaning products to students in need

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A pantry started about a year ago at Oak Ridge High School provides food, clothing, toiletries, and cleaning products to students in need. The Oak Ridge Board of Education toured the pantry with ORHS administrators and teachers on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. From left to right are Laura McLean, Angi Agle, Allen Etheridge, Beth Estep, Leslie Shelton, Bruce Lay, Bob Eby, Bruce Borchers, and Keys Fillauer. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:25 p.m. Jan. 26.

A pantry started about a year ago at Oak Ridge High School provides food, clothing, toiletries, and cleaning products to students in need.

It’s known as the RISE Pantry. RISE stands for Raising Individual Students to Excellence.

The pantry started with a cabinet. It’s now housed in a former classroom on the third floor of the high school.

Items stored there include, among other essentials, backpacks and notebooks, pants and shirts, shoes and boots, and soup and beans.

“You can’t learn if your basic needs aren’t met,” said English teacher and coach Allen Etheridge, one of those who started the pantry. “(If) a kid asks, we will bring them down here.” [Read more…]

Borchers nominated as Anderson County Substance Abuse Prevention Ally of Year

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Bruce Borchers

Bruce Borchers

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers has been nominated by Anderson County Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention as a candidate for the 2017 Anderson County Ally of the Year Award.

Candidates were nominated by community members based on their passion for creating a healthier and more productive Anderson County. These candidates are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County, a press release said. Each dollar raised by the candidates will count as one vote. The person with the most votes will be named ASAP’s Anderson County Ally of the Year and be recognized at a luncheon on February 3. [Read more…]

Wilson family establishes Roane State endowment in memory of Doug Wilson

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The family of longtime Roane State supporter Doug Wilson has established a scholarship endowment in his memory. From left are son Charles Wilson, Roane State Foundation executive director Dan Clifton, Carolyn Wilson and daughter Susan Wilson. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

The family of longtime Roane State supporter Doug Wilson has established a scholarship endowment in his memory. From left are son Charles Wilson, Roane State Foundation executive director Dan Clifton, Carolyn Wilson, and daughter Susan Wilson. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

The Roane State Foundation has received a $30,000 donation to establish the Doug Wilson Family Scholarship Endowment in memory of Doug Wilson.

Doug Wilson was a longtime supporter of Roane State Community College and served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors from 1990-2015.

“Doug was an advocate for students and for the Roane County community,” said Dan Clifton, executive director of the Roane State Foundation. “The endowment is a fitting legacy that reflects Doug’s tremendous support for our students and for the college’s mission to open doors to higher education for all students.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools working on completing Phase 2 of convertible laptop purchases for students

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Convertible laptops were provided to 9th-grade and 10th-grade students at Oak Ridge High School in October 2016 as part of Oak Ridge Schools’ digital initiative, which is known as Access Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Convertible laptops were provided to 9th-grade and 10th-grade students at Oak Ridge High School in October 2016 as part of Oak Ridge Schools’ digital initiative, which is known as Access Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge Schools is working on completing the second phase of a program that, among other things, provides convertible laptops to students. The program is known as Access Oak Ridge.

Phase Two brings the technology, which is also known as one-to-one technology, into all high school classrooms.

Due to funding, Oak Ridge Schools started the second phase by purchasing devices for two grade levels, ninth and tenth grades.

To complete Phase Two, about 750 additional machines are required at an estimated cost of $530,000. [Read more…]

Navy Junior ROTC program to start at ORHS in 2017-2018

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Navy Junior ROTC

Oak Ridge High School will begin offering a Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC, program in the 2017-2018 school year.

ORHS has been trying to start a Junior ROTC program since 2014. It’s expected to lead to more students attaining the seventh key in the school system’s Seven Keys to College and Career Reediness. (The seventh key says all students will participate in dual enrollment, advanced placement coursework, industry certification, or military preparation by graduation.)

The Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation and CNS—the contractor that operates and manages the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas—have donated $15,000 to help with start-up costs of the Navy JROTC. An announcement of that $15,000 donation called the Navy Junior ROTC program the Naval National Defense Cadet Corp program. [Read more…]

Anderson County Schools add bus route after overcrowding reported

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Information from WYSH Radio

After Anderson County Schools officials received complaints from parents about overcrowding on a bus route, a second route was added this week.

Parents informed school leaders that a bus serving Norwood Middle School and Clinton High School was crowded enough that, at times, students were forced to stand or even sit on the floor. [Read more…]

City Council, BOE to discuss preschool, Blankenship, budget, energy savings

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The Oak Ridge City Council and Oak Ridge Board of Education will have a joint work session on Thursday, January 26, to discuss site selection for the preschool, the revitalization of Blankenship Field, an energy savings project, and the budget and capital improvements.

The preschool site selection could include Elm Grove Park in east Oak Ridge and Scarboro Center.

The joint work session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, January 26, in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane. See the agenda here.

Oak Ridge preschool students are riding safely with new helmets

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Thanks to the work of Safe Kids, the Oak Ridge Police Department, and the Oak Ridge Fire Department, preschool students are now riding safely on the playground with new helmets.

Tribby Kelly, compliance monitor at Oak Ridge Preschool, said students ride tricycles and other wheeled toys at school, and they are now required to wear helmets while riding.

As students had helmet fittings, the officers were encouraging them to repeat the simple words, “Wear it!” [Read more…]

ORHS Choral Ensemble, Rev. Hammond visit state Capitol, sing for House

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Mark LeNoir Tennessee House Jan 12 2017

Mark Lenoir, Oak Ridge High School Ensemble member, led the Tennessee House of Representatives in the Pledge of Allegiance on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge High School Choral Ensemble, conducted by Amanda Ragan, impressed the Tennessee House of Representatives as they performed “God Bless America” and “The Star Spangled Banner” in the House Chambers on Thursday, January 12, in Nashville, a press release said.

The ensemble students experienced a full day on the Hill, complete with meeting Governor Bill Haslam, debating the upcoming Tennessee gas tax issue in a mock Senate Session led by Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally of Oak Ridge, and touring the Capitol Building with Representative John Ragan of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

CHS athletic facility gets green light from BOE

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Information from WYSH Radio

On Thursday, the Anderson County Board of Education approved construction of a multi-use facility at Clinton High School, a project estimated to cost around $1.2 million. Ground could be broken as early as March 1 with a targeted opening in August.

The new facility will allow sports teams as well as band members, dance team members, cheerleaders, and others to have a dedicated practice space instead of having to use hallways or the school cafeteria. The facility will also be used by the CHS Robotics team.

Initial plans called for a state-of-the-art sound system throughout the facility as well as men’s and women’s showers and locker rooms. [Read more…]

Anderson County, Clinton schools closed Tuesday; Roane opening two hours late

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Anderson County Schools will be closed Tuesday, January 10, due to icy conditions on county back roads and buses that aren’t able to run routes safely. The Central Office will follow the inclement weather procedure.

Clinton City Schools will also be closed Tuesday, January 10, due to weather conditions.

Roane County Schools will be operating on a two-hour delay. The Central Office will report at the normal time.

Anderson County Schools closed Monday

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Anderson County Schools will be closed Monday, January 9, due to icy conditions on back roads in the county.

The school’s Central Office will follow the inclement weather procedure.