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Students at two schools send cards of appreciation to ACSD for 9/11

Posted at 1:57 pm September 21, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

ACSD 9/11 Cards

Students at Linden Elementary School and St. Mary’s School in Oak Ridge sent cards of appreciation to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department for 9/11. (Submitted photo)

 

Students at two schools in Oak Ridge sent cards of appreciation to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department for September 11, 2015, the 14th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington, D.C., and an airplane that crashed in Pennsylvania.

“Our thanks to the students of Linden Elementary and St. Mary’s School for their cards of appreciation for September 11, 2015,” ACSD Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said. “We certainly appreciate them!” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Police and Fire Tagged With: 911, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Linden Elementary School, Mark Lucas, September 11 2001, St. Mary’s School, terrorist attacks

Education Foundation grant takes English language learners on Titanic voyage

Posted at 12:11 pm May 4, 2015
By Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation Leave a Comment

Glenwood Elementary Ice Water Experiment

Students test the icy cold waters as they study the Titanic voyage and the sinking of the ship in a project developed for English language learners. (Submitted photos)

 

English language learners in Oak Ridge’s four public elementary schools are becoming experts on the Titanic as they conduct science experiments to learn about icebergs, build boats with straws, and explore the historic event as they read history and fiction.

The first- through fourth-graders are taking “A Titanic Voyage for English Language Learners,” a project helping them become more confident in their English skills through a variety of learning experiences. The four English as a second language, or ESL, teachers received a $1,544 grant from the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation last year to buy materials needed for the multi-school project.

The grant will also make possible a field study on May 5 at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, where students will draw on their studies to have discussions and ask questions as they build on their knowledge of the Titanic and of English.

“They are getting science, social studies, and all the language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing,” said Cherie Adcock, ESL teacher at Woodland Elementary School. “Their response has been great, and they are excited.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, K-12, Slider Tagged With: A Titanic Voyage for English Language Learners, Cherie Adcock, English, English as a second language, English language learners, ESL, ESL teacher, Glenwood Elementary School, grants, icebergs, Leah Henry, Leandra Hill, Linden Elementary School, Making the Critical Difference, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, Oak Ridge Schools, Titanic, Titanic Museum, Willow Brook Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School, Yi-Ching "Kat" Sakovich

Elementary students in Oak Ridge receive bike helmets as part of safety program

Posted at 6:48 pm April 27, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Michael Swigert and Helmet Fitting

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Michael Swigert fits a third-grader from Linden Elementary School with a bicycle helmet. (Submitted photo)

 

Every two minutes, a child is treated in an emergency medical department for an unintentional bicycle-related injury. This year, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is working to change these statistics through partnership with the “Kohl’s Cares” Helmet Safety Program, which promotes safety events in which educational materials and bicycle helmets are provided to local school children.

Approximately 2,000 helmets are distributed through this program in the 16 counties that are serviced by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. This year, two elementary schools from the City of Oak Ridge were chosen to partner with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and were the recipients of child bicycle helmets. On March 27, students of the third-grade class at Glenwood Elementary School received 80 helmets, and on April 22, Linden Elementary third-grade students were presented with 150 helmets.

Members of the Oak Ridge Police Department and Oak Ridge Fire Department assisted with the distribution of educational material and provided individualized fittings of each helmet.

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, Health, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: bicycle, bicycle helmets, bike helmet, child bicycle helmets, City of Oak Ridge, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Glenwood Elementary School, Kohl's Cares, Kohl's Cares Helmet Safety Program, Linden Elementary School, Michael Swigert, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department

Breakfast Rotary, Altrusa award more than $20K in literacy grants

Posted at 3:33 am April 1, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotar and Altrusa International

Pictured from left to right front row are Ann Mostoller (Altrusa), Lisa Buckner, Kay Hall, Alana Hunsaker, Rhoni Basden,Gwen Harrell and Beck Hook. In the second row are Christina Young (ORBRC), Judy Trimble (Altrusa), Ginger Adams, Sheila Michaels, Terry Peck, Jill McMaster, Trudy Wideman, Liz Herdses, and Austin Lance (ORBRC). (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club and Altrusa International of Oak Ridge recently presented grant awards from the Literacy 4 Lunch Grant Award Program.

Lack of literacy skills continues to be a serious problem in the lives of many of our East Tennessee neighbors and for many throughout the world, a press release said.

“Non-readers and below-grade readers cannot realize their full potential in life, which in turn adversely affects our local and national economies and society in general,” the release said.

To address these needs, the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club and Altrusa International of Oak Ridge co-sponsor an annual fundraiser, Lunch 4 Literacy. Proceeds from the March 2014 event that featured Denise Kiernan, author of “The Girls of the Atomic City,” provide the financial basis for these grants. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: ADFAC, Altrusa, Altrusa International, Altrusa International of Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Breakfast Rotary, Denise Kiernan, Emory Valley Early Learning Center, Girls Inc., Glenwood Elementary School, Linden Elementary School, literacy, Literacy 4 Lunch, Literacy 4 Lunch Grant Award, literacy grants, Lunch-4-Literacy, Midtown Elementary School Library, Norris Middle School, Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club, Roane County, Roane Imagination Library, The Girls of the Atomic City, TORCH, Willow Brook Elementary School

Education Foundation grants support robotics, Lego learning projects

Posted at 12:57 pm March 23, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Jefferson Middle School Master Builders

Two members of the Jefferson Middle School Master Builders team are preparing their robot to solve missions at a FIRST Lego League mission table. (Photo by Yvonne Dalschen)

 

At Linden Elementary School, Lisa Buckner’s third-graders are building robots and Lego floats representing continents in a months-long project aimed at engaging them in learning, problem solving, and creative and critical thinking.

The 38 members of Oak Ridge High School’s Secret City Robotics team are solving real-world problems as they build and program a 120-pound robot to enter FIRST Robotics Competitions as an extra-curricular activity.

Teachers view robots and Lego sets as tools giving Oak Ridge students opportunities to collaborate, design, build, and solve problems as they learn engineering, science, and technology skills, both inside and outside the classroom.

The Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation supported these activities with $18,700 in grants last year to teachers at the Oak Ridge High School, Jefferson and Robertsville middle schools, and Linden Elementary School. The grants included a UT-Battelle donation of $10,000 directed to FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Lego League teams, all extra-curricular programs at the high school and middle schools. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Atomic City Invitational, Atomic Eagles, David Hundermark, FIRST, FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, FLL, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, Gordon Williams, grans, Janie Shanafield, Jefferson Middle School, Jessica Steed, JMS Master Builders, LEGO, Lego League, Lexie Scott, Linden Elementary School, Lisa Buckner, Making the Critical Difference, Master Builders, Ninjineers, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, ORHS Engineering and Robotics Academy, Robertsville Middle School, robots, Rodney King, Secret City Robotics, Secret City Wildbots, Secret City Wildbots FIRST Robotics, Tech Challenge, UT-Battelle, Woodland Elementary School, Yvonne Dalschen

Oak Ridge Schools only need to make up two snow days

Posted at 11:02 pm March 12, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools used nine snow days this year but only needs to make up two, an official said Thursday.

“As we have gone through the process of examining our snow day allocation, we discovered that, in addition to the three extra student instructional days we had built into our calendar, we were also entitled to three stockpiled snow days because of our longer school days as compared to state minimum requirements,” said Chris Marczak, assistant superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools. “The state acknowledged on March 9 that these three stockpiled snow days were due to Oak Ridge Schools for this school year and for future school years. We therefore have six total possible snow days, rather than three.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Chris Marczak, Glenwood Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School, Linden Elementary School, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Schools, preschool, Robertsville Middle School, snow days, Willow Brook Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School

Oak Ridge Schools announces three teachers of the year

Posted at 2:55 pm February 2, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools has announced three teachers of the year.

The three building-wide teachers of the year are:

  • Amelia Bell, Glenwood Elementary School;
  • Amy Fuqua, Linden Elementary School; and
  • Lisa Meidl, Willow Brook Elementary School.

In a press release, school officials said they will soon announce the selection of the system-wide Teacher of the Year, selected from one of these three candidates. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, Honors and Spotlight, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Amelia Bell, Amy Fuqua, Glenwood Elementary School, librarian, Linden Elementary School, Lisa Meidl, Oak Ridge Schools, outstanding teachers, Pearl Goins, Roger Ward, Sherrie Fairchild-Keyes, teacher, Teacher of the Year, Willow Brook Elementary School

Oak Ridge elementary schools’ Hour of Code blends learning, mentorship

Posted at 9:06 pm January 11, 2015
By Roane State Community College Leave a Comment

Hour of Code

Roane State webmaster Jeremy Pulcifer mentors second-graders during Hour of Code at Glenwood Elementary School. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Learning to code teaches students more than they realize, and they have fun at the same time.

That is why the week-long Hour of Code campaign last month was a valuable experience for elementary school students in Oak Ridge.

“Kids learn best with games,” said Aleshia Wensell, K-4 technology teacher at Glenwood Elementary School. “When they can have fun with learning, they learn faster and have a deeper understanding. That’s what code does. Students are doing a process of elimination. They are doing higher thinking skills. All of this is important for their math or reading comprehension. Code helps in all aspects of their education.”

Glenwood, Linden Elementary School, Willow Brook Elementary School and Woodland Elementary School hosted activities for Hour of Code, a nationwide initiative to excite children about computer science. Code.org, a nonprofit organization that promotes computer science education, provided Hour of Code resources for educators. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News, K-12 Tagged With: Aleshia Wensell, code.org, computer science, DOE, elementary school children, Glenwood Elementary School, Hour of Code, Linden Elementary School, Oak Ridge, ORNL, Roane State, Roane State Community College, U.S. Department of Energy, Willow Brook Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School

Oak Ridge elementary schools participate in ‘Foodie Fridays’

Posted at 12:32 am December 4, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Adrianna King and Abbie Cary

Linden Elementary School second-grader Adrianna King and University of Tennessee Extension Outreach Coordinator Abbie Cary pose for a picture in front of a broccoli poster on Foodie Friday. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

This year, each elementary school throughout the Oak Ridge Schools district will participate in Foodie Friday. Foodie Friday is made available through a partnership between Oak Ridge Schools Coordinated School Health, food service provider Aramark, and the University of Tennessee Extension Office, a press release said.

Each Friday, volunteers from the UT Extension Office and the Anderson County Health Department prepare healthy samples, provided by Aramark, to sample during elementary school lunch periods. The students talk about the foods, see how it is prepared, and share their thoughts on how they taste, the Oak Ridge Schools release said.

Linden Elementary School is the first school of the year to participate in the program. The students have sampled red peppers, grapes, broccoli, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and apples. Educational nutritional information is also provided to the teachers and students through the UT Extension office.

Foodie Friday will return after winter break at Glenwood Elementary School starting January 16, Woodland Elementary School on March 6, and Willow Brook Elementary School on April 10. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12 Tagged With: Anderson County Health Department, ARAMARK, elementary school, elementary school lunch, food, Foodie Friday, Glenwood Elementary School, Institute of Agriculture, Linden Elementary School, nutritional information, Oak Ridge Schools, Oak Ridge Schools Coordinated School Health, University of Tennessee, University of Tennessee Extension Office, UT Extension Office, Willow Brook Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School

Glenwood Elementary wins $10,000 for teaching kids how to code

Posted at 1:20 pm December 3, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools LogoAll 368 students at Glenwood Elementary will participate in one of the largest CODE education events in history. The Hour of Code will be held December 8-14, and Glenwood Elementary is the only school chosen in Tennessee to receive $10,000 from Code.org to buy technology for bringing these critical skills to students.

Google, Microsoft, Apple, President Obama, Bill Gates, Shakira, and Ashton Kutcher have all backed the Hour of Code, an Oak Ridge Schools press release said. More than 100 partners are coming together to support this global movement. So far, 47 million students have tried the Hour of Code. The Hour of Code movement is aiming for 100 million students.

On Tuesday, December 9, at 2:30 p.m. Oak Ridge Schools Assistant Superintendent Christopher Marczak will present the $10,000 prize and speak on the importance of bringing computer science into the schools. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Christopher Marczak, Glenwood Elementary School, Hour of Code, Keith Jackson, Linden Elementary School, Oak Ridge Schools, Roane State Community College, STEM, Willow Brook Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School

 Oak Ridge Schools celebrates International Walk to School Day on Wednesday

Posted at 6:37 am October 7, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools Logo

Various Oak Ridge Schools will join schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 8.

Students from Jefferson Middle School will be walking to school along with parents, teachers, and some very special guests from a local restaurant.

The JMS event will begin at 6:50 a.m. with kids, parents, and community leaders meeting at National Fitness Center. Walkers will meet at NFC and will walk via sidewalks to JMS.

Other special activities associated with the walk include a visit from the Chik-Fil-A Cows. Chik-Fil-A is also donating coupons for all the participants of National Walk to School Day at JMS. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12, Recreation, Sports Tagged With: Chik-Fil-A, International Walk to School Day, Jefferson Middle School, Jennifer Laurendine, JMS, Katie Saxe, Linden Elementary School, National Fitness Center, Phil Cox, Robertsville Middle School, Walk to School Day, Woodland Elementary School

Parents protest expanded 1.5-mile walk zone for students

Posted at 1:34 pm July 11, 2014
By John Huotari 12 Comments

Oak Ridge School Buses at the Central Services Complex

Parents are protesting a June 23 decision to expand the walk zone for students to 1.5 miles to help reduce a $1.25 million budget deficit. The expanded walk zones mean that bus service won’t be offered to students who live within 1.5 miles of Oak Ridge schools.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:20 a.m. July 12.

Parents concerned about student safety are protesting a recent decision by Oak Ridge Schools to expand the student walk zone to 1.5 miles.

In the past two days, they’ve started a petition and Facebook group to oppose the June 23 decision, and they’ve organized a protest, rally, and walks through the expanded walk zones at several schools.

“We’re serious about this,” said Daniel Morgan, who has two sons at Linden Elementary School and a daughter who starts at Robertsville Middle School this fall. “The citizens are concerned about the safety of the children.”

The expanded walk zones mean that bus service will no longer be available to students who live within 1.5 miles of Oak Ridge schools. The change could affect 1,800 students. The new bus stops have been posted on the Oak Ridge Schools website. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Ashley Paine, bus service, Change.org, Daniel Morgan, Facebook, Illinois Avenue, Laurie Paine-Feeny, Linden Elementary School, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Preschool, Oak Ridge Schools, Oak Ridge Turnpike, parents, petition, protest, rally, Robertsville Middle School, STOP Oak Ridge Walk Zone, student walk zone, walk zones, Willow Brook Elementary School

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Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

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AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

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