“THIS IS a banner year for Bedford County Schools,” according to Assistant Superintendent Tim Harwell. He was explaining the impressive improvement seen in the 2020-2021 TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) testing results. Out of 14 schools, nine achieved the highest rating of Level 5. Additionally, 36 teachers in the district also achieved a Level 5 rating. This means that the majority of students in that school, or in that classroom, achieved significantly higher than expected improvement in their academic skills.
Each year teachers and administrators are given detailed feedback on students’ previous year TCAP results. As teachers create lesson plans, they make ad- justments to support the growth individual students need. This requires a great deal of commitment from the educator, students, and parents to create this kind of improvement. Congratulations on a job well done!
READING
The Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation supports early elementary students developing a love of reading and lifelong learning. With a partnership from Scho- lastic, they have provided a box of books to every first grader and first-grade teacher in the district.
Bedford County Schools Pre-K – 5th Grade Instructional Supervisor Xavier Hamler encourages parents to explore books with their children on a daily basis. He suggests that parents try the following activities:
. Talk to your child about what they read and why.
. Have your child read signs as you drive down the street or the cereal box at the breakfast table. Help them to see the necessity of reading in everyday activities.
. Have your child read to you as you drive, fold laundry, or take care of other household chores.
. Have your child read to the family pet or their stuffed animal. This helps children who may read more slowly to not feel rushed
or pressured.
. Ask your child to tell you about the story they read and to explain the plot and characters. This supports reading comprehension.
. Have your child “echo read” where you read a sentence and they read it after you. This encourages confidence in reading, especially if a child is feeling challenged.
. Have your child “choral read” where you and your child read simultaneously. This too can encourage confidence in reading if a child has difficulty finding joy in reading.
RESOLUTIONS
Football season is wrapping up the playoffs in early December. All three public high school coaches expressed a lot of pride in their players’ drive and determination to do their best in each play through each game. As high school coaches, they recognize the importance of preparing their students for life beyond high school. When asked for suggested New Year’s resolutions for their players to consider, these were their top suggestions:
COACH TYRE, CASCADE: “Focus on being the best you every day. Academics first, sports second.”
COACH PUCKETT, CENTRAL: “Be good people; be of service to others and create a great school climate.”
COACH GROOMS, COMMUNITY: “Take the ACT as soon as possible. Be part of something bigger than you; be part of the community.”
All three coaches appreciate the support their teams received from the local community throughout the season. Fingers crossed for Central as they won their first playoff game. –GN
