Valedictorians and salutatorians

GLENCLIFF HIGH SCHOOL In 2006, it was Joseph Mikhail. Last year, it was Demiana Abdallah. This year, it's Ann Hanna. For three years in a row, Glencliff High School's salutatorians have been students from Egypt. Demiana's family came here because of religious persecution. Ann said her family, which came to the U.S. in 2004, simply came for better opportunities. Ann's family is Coptic, as is Demiana's. In fact, the girls are friends and they both attend St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church on McMurray Drive. Ann's sister, Mira Hanna, is a junior at Glencliff. Ann said she's hoping Mira will break from tradition next year and be the school's valedictorian instead of salutatorian. Glencliff High School will have its graduation at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Valedictorian: Andrew Lo GPA: 3.97 College: Middle Tennessee State University Salutatorian: Ann Hanna GPA: 3.93 College: University of the South, Sewanee LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL As tension grew stronger toward the end of the school year, the Class of 2008 at Lighthouse Christian School was still left wondering about who would be its valedictorian and salutatorian. The announcement came just a week before graduation. And the winners are … Sarah Rodriguez-Sawao and Shannon Dennis, respectively. Sarah plans to study forensic science in college, and Shannon is trying to decide between nursing and theater as a major. Lighthouse Christian School will have its graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the school's auditorium. Valedictorian: Sarah Rodriguez-Sawao GPA: 4.0 College: University of Mississippi Salutatorian: Shannon Dennis GPA: 3.94 College: Lipscomb University EZELL-HARDING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Each year at graduation, a school's list of honors goes far beyond its valedictorian and salutatorian. A student may be a National Merit Scholar or a Ned McWherter scholar, for example. That was certainly the case this year at Ezell-Harding Christian School. Not only is the school's salutatorian, Kara Beaty, a National Merit Scholar, but so is senior Todd Osborne. Todd is also a Ned McWherter scholar. The Ned McWherter scholarship is offered to high school seniors who have high school GPAs of at least 3.5 and have scored in the top 5 percent on the SAT or the ACT. National Merit Scholars are chosen based on their scores on the PSAT/MNSQT as well as on academic record, leadership, school recommendation and an essay. Ezell-Harding Christian School will have its graduation at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at the school. Valedictorian: Kara Beaty GPA: 4.0 College: Harding University Salutatorian: Danielle Schlappi GPA: 4.0 College: University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Metro, state work to correct schools

Meeting addresses district's deficient status By NATALIA MIELCZAREK • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • May 4, 2008 How much will the Metro Nashville school district allocate next year to boost achievement among special education students? What will the system do about professional development for its 5,000-plus teachers and principals? Connie Smith, executive director of accountability for the state Department of Education, told the Metro school board and administrators Saturday that they must address these and other issues if they want to succeed. She suggested they use these questions as guidelines to tailor the district's proposed $614.1 million budget and target funding at areas of deficiency under a federal education law, including reading and math. The 75,000-student district's in terim director Chris Henson said he welcomed the state's help. "We're very open to the state's suggestions, and we've been working closely with the state," he said. "Changes have been made; we've totally reorganized our federal programs office. There's no hesitancy on our part. We're looking at things differently." Smith is scheduled to meet with the school board June 7 to go over the proposed budget allocations and see whether the district has taken into account her recommendations. Only then, Smith told the group, will the district get off an unflattering list of failing systems under the federal No Child Left Behind law. The school board is ex pected to present its proposed budget to Metro Council June 9. 'You can't have inertia' "We want to see targeted funds to meet the priorities that have been identified. That's what will get you off the list," Smith said. "My mission is to make this public school system competitive with any private school. This summer big plans need to be made for next year. You can't have inertia." Smith said she wasn't sure whether the sense of urgency about the seriousness of Metro's predicament under No Child Left Behind has been communicated across the district. She also said she expected some staff reassignments next academic year to ensure that competent people are in charge of appropriate duties. Metro and Robertson County last summer moved into so-called "corrective action" status under the No Child Left Behind law for not showing enough progress among pockets of students for four consecutive years. Some already speculate Metro will miss this year's achievement because the goals are higher than last year's expectations. If that happens, Metro would receive more directives from the state about its daily operations, including use of funding. It would also have to prepare a plan for alternative governance of the district and possibly face a state takeover. Board seeks direction Several school board members asked Smith specific questions regarding future im provement: how to effectively schedule professional development or how to ensure that the new superintendent — most likely to be selected this fall — will hit the ground running. "I agree with you, Dr. Smith, that principals create a climate for the school, and I'm glad you say we need that kind of professional development," board member Ed Kindall said. "The culture in our schools that comes down from principals is key, and that we're going to treat every child the same, that they all can learn. Some of these things are not about money. They're about how we think."

RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-255

A resolution recognizing and congratulating Caroline Bartlett, on being chosen the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools 2008-2009 “Teacher of the Year” for Una Elementary. WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett, educator at Una Elementary, has devoted her career to providing the highest quality education for Tennessee’s students and is well deserving of this recognition; and WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett was selected by her colleagues as “Teacher of the Year” at Una Elementary, an honor most befitting her outstanding tenure as a teacher as it recognizes the positive influence she has on so many young lives; and WHEREAS, she received her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University; and WHEREAS, she has served with distinction as the Visual Art Teacher with Una Elementary since 2002; and WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett brings enthusiasm and energy to her students, has an excellent repertoire of teaching strategies, creativity, innovation, and vision that has brought invaluable assets to not only the classroom but to Una Elementary; and WHEREAS, a dedicated and passionate educator, Caroline Bartlett gives of herself outside the classroom in numerous capacities including serving on a number of professional organizations including Metro Nashville Education Association, Tennessee Education Association, National Education Association and the Nashville Institute for Visual Arts Education; and WHEREAS, no stranger to accolades, Caroline Bartlett is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for her many outstanding accomplishments in the field of art; and WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett is an extremely talented and compassionate educator who works assiduously to motivate her students to reach their full potential, both as scholars and as citizens; and WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes and congratulate, Caroline Bartlett on being named the 2008-2009 “Teacher of the Year” for Una Elementary and commend her for her exceptional service to her students, and saluting her professional expertise while wishing her all the best. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY: Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing and congratulating Caroline Bartlett, on being chosen the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools 2008-2009 “Teacher of the Year” for Una Elementary. Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Mrs. Caroline Bartlett, Visual Art Teacher at Una Elementary. Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it. Sponsored by: Vivian Wilhoite