Oak Ridge Today

ORAU awards $20,000 in education grants to 26 local teachers

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ORAU Grant Awards Ceremony Sept 10 2019

More than 25 teachers from Anderson County schools received new teaching materials and supplies at ORAU’s Education Grants program on Sept. 10, 2019, walking away with a total of $20,000 in grant funds. (Photo by ORAU)

 

More than 25 teachers from Anderson County schools received new teaching materials and supplies at ORAU’s Education Grants program on Sept. 10, walking away with a total of $20,000 in grant funds.

Now in the program’s 18th year, ORAU has awarded more than half a million dollars to Clinton City, Oak Ridge, and Anderson County Schools in its mission to enrich science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs.

And each year, teachers find more creative ways to incorporate STEM learning into their classrooms, a press release said. [Read more…]

Criminal case pending against man accused of crashing into school playground

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Charles Eric Harmon

Charles Eric Harmon

 

A criminal case is pending against a Claxton man who was allegedly intoxicated when he crashed through a chain link fence into a playground at an elementary school in Clinton and almost hit two officers with three school-aged children, Anderson County court records said.

Charles Eric Harmon, 59, had a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about his breath and person,” and he told officers he was intoxicated and had “shot up heroin” earlier in the day and shouldn’t have been driving, Clinton Police Department Sergeant Scott Gregory said in affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. Harmon has been charged with driving under the influence and five felony counts of reckless endangerment.

The crash was reported on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at Clinton Elementary School on North Hicks Street. Harmon has a pre-trial conference scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, July 30, 2018, in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Clinton.

Affidavits filed by Gregory after the crash in October said a vehicle driven by Harmon had traveled through a chain link fence into the Clinton Elementary School playground and uphill into a tree. The Clinton Police Department and Clinton Fire Department both responded. [Read more…]

Loaded pistol found in parking area at Clinton Elementary

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A teacher found a loaded pistol in the upper parking area at Clinton Elementary School at about 6:50 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

The school contacted the Clinton Police Department, and officers arrived to ensure the weapon was made safe, a press release said.

“The weapon hasn’t been reported stolen, and we will be taking measures to ensure it isn’t tied to any criminal activity,” the CPD said.

The rear parking area of the building is open to the public after hours. Friday night, the school hosted a fundraiser, and it is possible that the weapon accidentally fell from a vehicle that evening, the press release said. [Read more…]

ORAU awards $36,000 in education grants to local teachers

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Teachers representing 14 schools in Anderson County received STEM teaching tools, new technology, and grant funds worth $36,000 on Sept. 11 at the 2017 ORAU Education Grants Award Ceremony & Reception in Pollard Technology Conference Center. (Submitted photo)

Teachers representing 14 schools in Anderson County received STEM teaching tools, new technology, and grant funds worth $36,000 on Sept. 11 at the 2017 ORAU Education Grants Award Ceremony & Reception in Pollard Technology Conference Center. (Submitted photo)

 

ORAU awarded 38 teachers from 14 East Tennessee schools more than $36,000 on Monday at the 16th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony.

Educational materials and equipment purchased with the grant awards—such as iPads, computer software, robotics kits, and more—will help teachers continue to meet state-wide curriculum standards and enhance the learning experience of their students in STEM subjects, a press release said.

“ORAU is proud to support schools in Anderson County by helping local educators obtain the resources and tools required to engage students of all ages in STEM subjects while enriching their education,” ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page said. “These educators never fail to demonstrate their dedication to student success.”

Since beginning the Education Grant program in 2002, ORAU has provided more than $487,000 to area schools to fund educational projects that complement its mission of enriching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, the press release said. [Read more…]

Clinton teachers, principal of the year honored

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton City Schools Director Kelly Johnson recognized the school system’s teachers of the year and principal of the year during the Clinton City Council meeting on Monday night.

Leslie Goins of North Clinton Elementary School, Abbey Kidwell of South Clinton Elementary School, and Kimberly O’Dell of Clinton Elementary School were voted teachers of the year from their respective schools by their peers.

Leighann Bonesteel, principal of South Clinton Elementary, earned principal of the year honors.

A banquet will be held on April 11 at First Baptist Church in Clinton to recognize these individuals as well as the educators of the year from the Anderson County school system.

ORAU awards $32,000 in education grants to area schools

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Clinton City Schools and ORAU Education Grants 2015

Clinton City Schools education grant winners are pictured above. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

 

ORAU awarded 28 teachers from nine East Tennessee schools more than $32,000 in grant money during the 14th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony.

The grant money will be used to purchase educational materials and equipment—such as Chromebooks, microscopes, meteorology kits, and more—to help teachers continue to meet rigorous, state-wide curriculum standards, and enhance the learning experience of their students, a press release said.

Since beginning this program in 2002, ORAU has provided more than $410,000 to area schools for projects that complement its mission of enriching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, programs.

“ORAU is honored to support our community by helping our schools secure the tools they need to capture and maintain students’ attention on these critical subjects,” ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page said. “These educators continue to show an impressive dedication to teaching, and we welcome the opportunity to show them how much we appreciate their dedication and hard work.” [Read more…]

CPD investigates report of stun gun at school

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Information from WYSH Radio

On Monday, the Clinton Police Department investigated a report that a 12-year-old boy was bringing a stun gun to class at Clinton Elementary School.

No stun gun was found, but the student reportedly admitted that he had brought it to class in the past. That student was suspended, and his parents told police they plan to get rid of the stun gun.

The investigation turned up no evidence the device had been used at school, but officers did speak with another student who told them that the stun gun had been used on him at his request because he wanted to see what it felt like.

ORAU awards $39,000 in education grants to East Tennessee schools

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ORAU Education Grants

Oak Ridge Associated Universities awards 27 teachers from 17 East Tennessee schools more than $39,000 during a recent grants ceremony. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities awarded more than $39,000 to more than two dozen teachers in 17 schools in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, and Anderson County in a recent grants ceremony.

It was the 12th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony, and 27 teachers received awards, a press release said.

The grant money can be used to buy educational materials and equipment such as microscopes, iPads, robotics kits, and computers that will help teachers “continue to meet rigorous, state-wide curriculum standards and enhance the learning experience of their students,” the release said. [Read more…]

Glenwood, Clinton elementary schools among state’s best-performing

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Two schools in Anderson County were recognized as reward schools by Tennessee officials on Monday, meaning they are among the best-performing in the state.

The two schools are Glenwood Elementary School in Oak Ridge and Clinton Elementary School in Clinton. They are among a group of 169 reward schools that rank in the top 5 percent of schools in Tennessee for annual growth and academic achievement.

[Read more…]