Looking back over the past weeks, as the school year has progressed into full swing, we have much to celebrate around the halls of Lookout Mountain School! From academics, to athletics, to community support and fundraisers, the good news is plentiful!
Starting with academics, LMS met and exceeded expectations last year, maintaining both Level 5 and Reward School status from the Tennessee Department of Education based on 2020-2021 Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVASS) scores. Level 5 schools show the highest level of academic growth in subjects like literacy and numeracy, exceeding the state growth standard. Reward schools achieve multiple high ratings across all students, and this designation is considered the highest honor for school accountability measures in Tennessee. We are so proud of the commitment to learning shown by our LMS teachers and students!
Moving next to athletics, the good news came from an extremely successful cross country season by the LMS Flying Pigs. Be sure to check out the article in this edition from Coach Vicky Caughman for more details on the fast feet and school spirit these talented runners demonstrated this year!
Even more good news came from our community, as the amazing organization Quarterboards for a Cause donated $1,000 to LMS this fall! This nonprofit organization was founded by Lookout Mountain resident (and former LMS parent) Linda Kitzman, who says that she “loves the giving part of this community … we give back to each other and make it a better place.” Along with her husband Mike, Ted and Kelly Alling, Rich and Kate Boschi, and Cameron and Hannon Doody make up the board of directors of Quarterboards for a Cause, and they are making good on their commitment to the Mountain. Since incorporating in 2019, they have supported the Lookout Mountain Police Department, both LMS and Fairyland Elementary, and the Lookout Mountain Rec Board. And beyond their philanthropy, their beautiful and unique quarterboards, which are crafted by Bob Guth and painted by his wife, Vicki, add a whimsical charm to many houses in our community. We are so thankful for their support of our school!
And, we have some wonderful news from the first big LMS fundraiser of the year. The Hamilton County Kids First Coupon Book sales took place for two weeks in September. Parent volunteer Jennifer Mixon chaired the fundraiser this year, and she says, “I definitely know almost every name in the school now, and I really enjoyed the communication with some of the new parents I hadn’t had the chance to meet yet due to COVID-19 last year.”
Jennifer set up an Olympics theme around the sales this year, and kids jumped at the chance to sell enough books to win gold medals and other prizes! The students met the initial goal of selling 1,000 books, and they sold all but a handful of the additional 400 books added in the last days of the event. Every classroom met or exceeded its 35 books/class goal, and many classes sold over 100 books each! No class could top Mrs. Cook’s kindergarten, however, as it secured the title of top-selling class this year. Fifth-grader Findley Beasley sold over 80 books and earned the title of top-selling student overall. Second place went to Winston Hostetler, and third place went to Jones Walston. The top-selling girl was Turner Allen; she and Findley will reign as King and Queen of Carnival this year as a reward for their efforts! Jennifer says, “I am so grateful for all the parents and PTA board members who stepped up to help … the whole community (both Tennessee and Georgia) was eager to help make this a success, and I am so grateful for our children that we live in a community where they can skip from door to door or hop on their bikes and ride around selling coupon books for their school.”
This truly is a wonderful community, and we are happy to see LMS thriving with its support! Thank you to everyone who puts their time and talents toward the academic, athletic, and financial support of our school!
by Meredith Brown
Starting with academics, LMS met and exceeded expectations last year, maintaining both Level 5 and Reward School status from the Tennessee Department of Education based on 2020-2021 Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVASS) scores. Level 5 schools show the highest level of academic growth in subjects like literacy and numeracy, exceeding the state growth standard. Reward schools achieve multiple high ratings across all students, and this designation is considered the highest honor for school accountability measures in Tennessee. We are so proud of the commitment to learning shown by our LMS teachers and students!
Moving next to athletics, the good news came from an extremely successful cross country season by the LMS Flying Pigs. Be sure to check out the article in this edition from Coach Vicky Caughman for more details on the fast feet and school spirit these talented runners demonstrated this year!
Even more good news came from our community, as the amazing organization Quarterboards for a Cause donated $1,000 to LMS this fall! This nonprofit organization was founded by Lookout Mountain resident (and former LMS parent) Linda Kitzman, who says that she “loves the giving part of this community … we give back to each other and make it a better place.” Along with her husband Mike, Ted and Kelly Alling, Rich and Kate Boschi, and Cameron and Hannon Doody make up the board of directors of Quarterboards for a Cause, and they are making good on their commitment to the Mountain. Since incorporating in 2019, they have supported the Lookout Mountain Police Department, both LMS and Fairyland Elementary, and the Lookout Mountain Rec Board. And beyond their philanthropy, their beautiful and unique quarterboards, which are crafted by Bob Guth and painted by his wife, Vicki, add a whimsical charm to many houses in our community. We are so thankful for their support of our school!
And, we have some wonderful news from the first big LMS fundraiser of the year. The Hamilton County Kids First Coupon Book sales took place for two weeks in September. Parent volunteer Jennifer Mixon chaired the fundraiser this year, and she says, “I definitely know almost every name in the school now, and I really enjoyed the communication with some of the new parents I hadn’t had the chance to meet yet due to COVID-19 last year.”
Jennifer set up an Olympics theme around the sales this year, and kids jumped at the chance to sell enough books to win gold medals and other prizes! The students met the initial goal of selling 1,000 books, and they sold all but a handful of the additional 400 books added in the last days of the event. Every classroom met or exceeded its 35 books/class goal, and many classes sold over 100 books each! No class could top Mrs. Cook’s kindergarten, however, as it secured the title of top-selling class this year. Fifth-grader Findley Beasley sold over 80 books and earned the title of top-selling student overall. Second place went to Winston Hostetler, and third place went to Jones Walston. The top-selling girl was Turner Allen; she and Findley will reign as King and Queen of Carnival this year as a reward for their efforts! Jennifer says, “I am so grateful for all the parents and PTA board members who stepped up to help … the whole community (both Tennessee and Georgia) was eager to help make this a success, and I am so grateful for our children that we live in a community where they can skip from door to door or hop on their bikes and ride around selling coupon books for their school.”
This truly is a wonderful community, and we are happy to see LMS thriving with its support! Thank you to everyone who puts their time and talents toward the academic, athletic, and financial support of our school!
by Meredith Brown