HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL ARE READY!!!

HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL ARE READY!!!
By TERESA N. SETTLE
Tennessee Express News Writer

*Houston County school employees kicked off the year with their traditional
“Recognition Ceremony” last Friday, Aug. 6 at Houston County High School. After
that, it was officially back to school to gear up for the new year.
*The event started as usual with a brunch of delicious snack foods and punch
from 8 to 9 a.m.
*Teachers, educational assistants, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance
workers, school staff, administrators, and central officer employees all
mingled together in the commons area, chatting about their summers and their
plans for the new year.
*As brunch ended, everyone converged in the auditorium to enjoy a PowerPoint
presentation of various pictures submitted from each school of activities held
during the 2003-04 school year. Many photos brought laughter from school
employees as they reminisced about the variety of fun activities.
*This year marked the first official welcome by the “new” director of schools,
Cathy Harvey, who was appointed to replace Mark Beal who went to the State
Department of Education this past summer.
*Harvey welcomed everyone and added that there have been a “few” changes.
*“I’m glad to be here,” she said. “I think someone needed to appreciate our
past,” referring to her appointment as director of schools.
*“I also knew this would be a learning experience for me,” she continued.
“We’ve had a good past, and that sets the stage and the tone.”
*Harvey referred to the several positive changes in the past 15 years,
including the fact that test scores in Houston County have greatly improved,
along with the building program and the new high school.
*With that said, she introduced the various departments, which in turned
introduced their new employees, beginning with: transportation,
custodians/maintenance/groundskeepers, cafeteria/food service, central office,
alternative school, Erin Elementary School, Houston County Middle School,
Houston County High School, and Tennessee Ridge Elementary School.
*When HCHS Principal David Bell introduced his new staff members, he
reiterated that there were only seven new teachers this year, contrary to
rumors out in the community that there were more than that. Four of the new
teachers will be teaching math, while there is a new science teacher and a new
English teacher.
*After all the introductions, Harvey also recognized School Board Member Bro.
Mitchell, then she made a brief inspirational speech. She said as a teacher at
the beginning of a new year, she used to tell her students three things:
*1. Accept the responsibility that you’ve got.
*2. You have to be here; you can’t learn sitting at home; and
*3. Be respectful of the things we have.
*She said these three things were true for every employee of the Houston
County School System, too. No matter what your job–driving a bus, teaching,
whatever–accept the responsibility you have been given and just do what you’re
supposed to do. Also, when employees are not here, the school day does not
operate as smoothly as it could, so be here when you can. And finally, be
respectful of the people you work with, especially the students, the parents,
and the community.
*Harvey ended by saying all of the various departments working together make
teamwork.

*TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
*Next it was time to announce awards for the 2003-04 school year. Jeff Rye of
Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative assisted with this because MLEC gives a
monetary award to the teachers, who are elected by their schools.
*Receiving Teacher of the Year for Erin Elementary School was Joyce Pryor, who
teaches kindergarten.
*Beth Abrams, assistant principal and fourth grade teacher, received the award
for Tennessee Ridge Elementary.
*Susan Williams, who teaches seventh and eighth grade language arts, got the
award at Houston County Middle School.
*At Houston County High School, Teacher of the Year was awarded to Marilee
Moore.
*The teachers also received a plaque.
*Support Staff awards went to Billy Weaver, Bethany Meadows, and April
Norfleet at EES, and to Charles McClain at HCMS.
*School Beautification awards went to Bobby and Phyllis Stone at TRES and
Curtis Gant at HCHS.
*Finally, the inservice committee was recognized for their work on the
modified school calendar, and Harvey reminded everyone that they would be
finalizing their look at the year-round school calendar this year if anyone
wanted to give their input.
*Members of the committee were: Chairman Malcolm Jernigan, Robin Hammer, Ann
Hagler, Pat Davis, Elaine Hewitt, Gloria Finch, David Bell, Martha Falls,
Darlene Bentley, Judy Stephen, and Barbara Ungetheim.

*2004 SERVICE AWARDS
Employees of long service were also recognized. Receiving awards were:
*10 YEARS: Orville McCollough, Pam Stanfill, and Shelly Taylor;
*15 YEARS: Faye Bryant, Susie Mahoney, Kris McAskill, Nancy Nave, and Barbie
Taylor;
*20 YEARS: Judy Anderson, Susan Lewis, Sherry Nolen, Beth Patterson, and Gay
Robinson;
*25 YEARS: David Bell;
*30 YEARS: Malcolm Jernigan, Barbara McClain, and Bonnie Rye; and
*40 YEARS: Faye Schmidt .

*HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT
*Our school system will provide a quality, progressive education in a positive
learning environment.

*HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS VISION STATEMENT
*Our school system envisions a learning community that inspires and supports
all students to:
*- Excel, discover, and create;
*- Contribute responsibly to a civil society;
*- Enjoy learning throughout their lives.

*If you have Houston County news or want coverage of local events, e-mail Teresa Settle at redwriter@hctn.net.

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