What's new at Nashville schools?

By Andy Humbles • THE TENNESSEAN • August 5, 2009 Does your school have a new principal, new technology in the classroom or a change to standard school attire? Here's a back-to-school update on some schools in the area. MCGAVOCK HIGH SCHOOL Address: 3150 McGavock Pike Phone: 885-8850 Principal: Robbin Wall Web site: http://www.mcgavockhs.mnps.org/site13.aspx What's new for 2009-10: • School begins with a half-day Friday, Aug. 14. • Wall comes in from Texas following a national search. He replaces Karl Lang, who was brought in the second semester last school year after Mildred Saffell-Smith resigned. Lang was assigned to Whites Creek. • Enrollment projections are 2,600-3,000 students, Wall said. • McGavock's Freshman Academy will have 150-175 students split into four teams, with six to eight teachers. The smaller learning academy concept is designed to create smaller, more personalized learning environments and ease the transition into high school. • Students in grades 10-12 can join one of five Career Academies focusing on various careers. • McGavock cut 40 teachers who weren't fully certified. Of those positions, 28 aren't being replaced because of budget cutbacks. The other 12 are being replaced with certified teachers. Mascot: Raiders School colors: Red, blue, white Standard school attire uniform: McGavock will adhere to Metro standards with the allowance of any solid color polo shirts with a collar. Slacks, skirts and shorts can be navy, black and khaki. WHITES CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Address: 7277 Old Hickory Blvd. Phone: 876-5132 Principal: Karl Lang Web site: http://www.whitescreekhs.mnps.org/site137.aspx What's new for 2009-10: • School begins with a half-day Friday, Aug. 14. • Whites Creek has been designated a "fresh start'' school, which is a designation that includes rehiring leadership and staff. • Lang was named new principal. He comes in after finishing the 2008-09 year as interim principal for most of the second semester at McGavock High. Lang was appointed to McGavock from the Central office when Mildred Saffell-Smith resigned. Lang has also been an interim assistant principal at Stratford, principal at Baxter Alternative, assistant principal at Hillsboro High, principal at Cameron Middle and principal at Hillwood High. • Whites Creek is tentatively projected for about 1,000 students. • All teachers and staff at Whites Creek last school-year had to reapply. Lang estimated 35 percent of teachers and staff from last year are returning. • An emphasis on increasing the incorporation of technology and developing more interaction with parents and the community are among areas Lang wants to emphasize, he said. • About $6,500 worth of new weight equipment is expected through a grant, football coach Anthony Law said. Mascot: Cobras School colors: Red, white and blue Standard school attire uniform: Collared shirts of any color will be allowed. Shirts will be sized appropriately and tucked in. Sweaters without hoods will be allowed. Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts can be navy, black or khaki. Pants cannot be fleece, denim or see through material. Logos cannot exceed two inches. School authorized Whites Creek spirit wear will be allowed. MAPLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Address: 401 Walton Lane Phone: 262-6770 Principal: Julie Williams Web site: http://www.maplewoodhs.mnps.org/site121.aspx What's new for 2009-10: • School begins with a half-day Friday, Aug. 14. • Several renovation projects are ongoing at Maplewood. They include a new gymnasium, and it is expected to be completed by the winter break. Six new classrooms; a new office suite; new band, art and choral rooms; renovations to the library; and a breezeway to connect buildings are among other aspects of the renovation work. Much of the work is hoped to be finished by the time school starts. • A peer mediation program is being launched to enable students who are trained to help them counsel other students. triggerAd(3,PaginationPage,25); • About 1,000 students are projected, about normal for Maplewood. • The school made adequate yearly progress for the second straight year to put Maplewood in good standing. • Two new assistant principals. Eugene Sewell comes from from Whites Creek and Stephanie Adams from Hunters Lane. Sewell will serve as the new athletic principal. Mascot: Panthers School colors: Gray, maroon and white Standard school attire uniform: Metro dress requirements will be adhered to, with the modification of students being allowed to wear any solid color shirt with a collar. Slacks, skirts and shorts can be navy, black and khaki. GOODPASTURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Address: 619 Due West Ave. Phone: 868-3700 Web site: www.goodpasture.org President: Ricky Perry What's new for 2009-10: • Classes start Aug. 12. • Students can earn up to 42 hours of college credit before graduation with several new dual credit and AP courses. • An increase in the number of Smartboard computers, ceiling mounted projectors and student remote systems. Those are now in 43 classrooms. • A gymnasium project began last year with new paint and new eco-friendly lighting. This school year, upgrades included re-mounting the basketball goals and redoing the gym floor with varying shades of stain. • The Little Red School House that is home to Goodpasture's kindergarten program has been renovated with a repainted exterior and renovations to the interior carpet, ceiling tile and floor tile. • Renovations of ceiling tile and restrooms in the foyer of the school's 1,100 seat auditorium. • Approval was granted to put in a new digital school sign on Due West in August. The new sign is a memorial for Gilbert Drake, Goodpasture School's former president. • A new Spring Sports Facility that will be used is a 1,600-square-foot as a multi-sport complex that will include dressing areas for girls softball and girls soccer with public restrooms, a concession area and spring sports storage. • Expecting approximately 950 students, including an estimated 112 new students. Mascot: Cougars Colors: Royal Blue and Gold Tuition: K-12 $6,996 (plus $195 supply fee)