One early spring day, I had the pleasure of riding with students on a Fairyland Elementary School bus on their afternoon journey home from school. Dispelling any preconceived notions of rowdy shenanigans and paper airplanes whizzing overhead, the scene inside this Walker County bus can only be described as orderly, quiet and downright relaxing. The students were well behaved and sat in assigned seats, some chatting with a friend, others reading a book or looking out the window. As we traveled along, wending and winding our way around the gentle curves of Lula Lake Road at an easy but steady pace, I occasionally had to remind myself that I was riding a public school bus as I took in the scenic views and early springtime colors, thoroughly enjoying the entire experience.
​
The Walker County Schools Department of Transportation is a well oiled machine, made up of a highly conscientious, professional and cohesive team of drivers and supervisors who are “committed to providing the safest, (and the most) consistent and reliable transportation possible,” according to its mission statement posted on the website. Overseeing 6,000 bus riders, 87 daily routes and over 1.2 million miles each year, the Walker County Department of Education sees its buses as “extensions of the classrooms… [and] an integral part of the education of all students within the school district.” 

  Like a pair of bookends, the Walker County bus system provides sturdy support and serves as the first and last student interface of each day. That is quite a meaningful connection in the life of a child, and demonstrates that while bus safety is paramount, the passengers are equally important, valued and respected. And nowhere is this professional code of ethics more alive and well than on board Walker County buses No. 40 and No. 72 serving Fairyland Elementary School.

Corey Smith and Fran Rhodes are responsible for shuttling approximately 20 percent of Fairyland’s total enrollment of 269 pupils to and from school every weekday. Cory Smith, employed by the Transportation Department of the Walker County School District for over 16 years, has operated a bus for every school in Walker County. In recent years, however, Cory, a resident of Lookout Mountain, has driven the FES route exclusively, which conveniently enables him to deliver and retrieve his son, Jack, a fourth-grader at Fairyland School. Prior to working for Walker County, Corey drove an armored truck. An entrepreneur at heart with a head for business, he founded two companies with his father until they became a casualty of the 2008 financial crisis. The opportunity to drive a bus meshed with his previous driving experience and allowed him to drive his daughter to and from school each day.

Before becoming a bus driver eight years ago, animal lover Fran Rhodes worked at a kennel. Like Corey, the opportunity to be on her daughter’s school schedule was a factor in her decision to pursue a job as a bus driver.

Watching Corey and Fran interact with the students at FES, it is plain to see that they thoroughly enjoy their jobs, which Fran describes as “very rewarding, interesting and never dull.” They make personal and warm connections with the students and families on their routes. Not only that, Fran and Corey are highly trained professionals who regard the safety of their students with the utmost seriousness and attention to detail. In addition to following to the letter every federal law and regulation regarding the safe operation of a bus, Walker County imposes additional safety regulations that must be strictly upheld by all Walker County bus drivers. Both Fran and Corey maintain orderly and well behaved conduct on their routes and regularly instruct students on the precise procedures regarding bus stop safety. They also conduct monthly drills to review emergency exits, such as back hatches and windows, and the proper operation of the emergency break. Additionally, an older student is permanently assigned to count and lead younger students to an open door in the case of an emergency. 

Fran and Corey, full time employees, start their day between 4 and 5 a.m. and, depending on the traffic and weather, make their first pick up a little after 6 a.m. and their final afternoon drop-off between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Between their morning and afternoon routes, Corey works in the transportation office where he arranges all of Walker County’s student field trips, while Fran trains new hires and drives Walker County students on field trips. Both drivers keep their buses at their home properties when they are not driving students during the workday. 

Fran’s route serves students living in the southern part of Walker County located south of Nickajack Road to Menlo, Ga. Corey Smith’s route covers the northern part of Walker County above Nickajack Road. However, those route descriptions barely skim the surface. To provide a more accurate picture of the intricate routes and the complex schedules they follow would require the aid of elaborate spreadsheets, labyrinthine flow charts and 3-D logistics renderings. This, of course, is an exaggeration but the truth is not far off.

The bus routes and driver schedules of not only Fran and Corey, but of all Walker County bus drivers, have become increasingly complicated in recent years as the result of significant and pervasive understaffing of at least 30 bus drivers. Although Covid-19 has been a variable, other factors have contributed to the driver shortage, such as a significant number of drivers retiring simultaneously and an especially rigorous and time-consuming hiring process. Consequently, with fewer drivers than routes, being able to move over 6,000 Walker County students between their homes and school in a manner that ensures their safe, timely and comfortable transport is a daunting task that would require a team that demonstrates vision, patience, and creativity and is able to enlist the collaboration of bus drivers, administration, teachers, students and families. Fortunately, Walker County Schools Department of Transportation has such a team. 

The transportation office, known as the Bus Barn, is managed by Dena Renfro, transportation supervisor, Debi Madaris, transportation manager and William Murphy, fleet manager. Like air traffic controllers at the airport, this stellar trio is the brain power responsible for the entire fleet of Walker County school buses, all driver routes and schedules and ultimately, the safety and well-being of the passengers. While the shortage is unresolved, the Bus Barn team has implemented a host of creative solutions such as restructuring and combining routes and driver schedules (recorded weekly in a notebook nicknamed “the Bible”), establishing community stops in place of individual home stops and offering stipends to those drivers who take on extra routes. 

As much as Corey and Fran enjoy their jobs, like any occupation, being a bus driver has its challenges. Fran explains that driving in the fog can be stressful, but she relies heavily on the center white lights. Fran has experienced fog so thick that she has trouble determining whether she is going up or down the mountain. She also cited as problematic the random deer, armadillo, rattlesnake and other unexpected animal that runs (or slithers) in front of her bus. Corey said that when students are not met at their drop-off point by a parent or guardian is considered to be among the most challenging issues facing all bus drivers. This poses not only a safety issue, but it also results in a trickle down series of delays, impacting other buses. In Walker County, only students who are 9 or older, have a key and whose homes are visible from the road can be dropped off without an adult present. He stipulated, however, that even if those conditions are met, it is up to the discretion of each driver to make decisions regarding drop-off, based on unusual situations.

“If I see something weird … out of the ordinary, I can say no, I’m not letting [the student] out here.” He emphasized however, that such scenarios are not common on the Fairyland bus routes.

Among all the federal and county bus safety laws and regulations, none are regarded with more importance than those governing bus pick-up and drop-off stops. According to statistics and backed by Corey Smith, “the most unsafe part of riding a school bus is the drop-off and pick-up danger zone … where all the accidents occur.” The stringent laws addressing these stops apply to bus drivers, students and all vehicular traffic. In fact, the state of Georgia created “Operation Stop Arm” a public awareness campaign designed to educate drivers about those situations when cars are required to stop for a school bus, which is essentially anytime a bus is stopped with its arm down. Breaking these bus stop laws “can result in court appearances, hefty fines and other penalties,” according to the Walker County Schools website.

The buses themselves are also designed for safety, incorporating new, low and high-tech devices and solutions. Corey and Fran agree that a new passenger seat design with higher cushioned backs (creating a padded enclosure of sorts for the students in the event of a collision) is a huge safety improvement. Vital to the safe operation of the transportation system is being able to communicate all bus related updates and information, which is accomplished via a radio system that constantly broadcasts Bus Barn conversations to every Walker County bus and school office.

Additionally, Fran explained how modern buses are designed in such a way that, upon collision, the top section where the passengers are seated, will break apart beneath the floor, thus separating the students and driver from the combustible engine below. Advances in technology have contributed greatly to school bus safety. Most Walker County school buses are equipped with six cameras located both inside and outside of the bus. Also, the buses’ computer systems monitor and record practically every driver action taken, confirming proper use of lights, doors, brakes and speed. An especially unique safety device is one that forces the driver to walk to the rear of the bus to disengage an alarm before being able to exit. This visual sweep ensures that that no sleeping students are left on the bus.

The Walker County Department of Education provides a superior transportation program, and both the management and the drivers are fully committed to the wellbeing and safety of Walker County students. Most of all, FES is especially fortunate to have Fran Rhodes and Corey Smith oversee the safe delivery of its students. They are sharp-eyed, knowledgeable and discerning, yet kind, devoted and respectful. Fairyland students are transported to their destinations safely and always with smiles on their faces. 

Sally Burke
Fairyland School ​

At the start of this school year, Lookout Mountain School was honored to be designated an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Secretary of Education.  National Blue Ribbon distinction was achieved by only 297 schools across the entire country and by only six schools in the state of Tennessee. Honors like this certainly deserve to be celebrated, and recently students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members came together to do just that.       
​
Blue Ribbon Week included four days of fun activities for LMS students to show school spirit about their accomplishment. The week began with students dressing in red, white, and blue to signify the national scope of their award. Since it was also Tennessee Tuesday, they got to enjoy MoonPies as a special snack. The next day was Wacky Wednesday, which allowed students to balance all their hard work with a little silliness. Laughter rang out as students arrived wearing giant beads and mismatched or backwards clothing; Halloween costumes got another wear, socks were used as hair bows, and students enjoyed a celebratory cake after lunch to cap off the wacky day. Thursday gave students the chance to get cozy and relax for a schoolwide pajama day. The weather was rainy and grey, which was fitting for the comfy attire, and, as a special treat, students enjoyed breakfast for lunch!

Friday was the culmination of the week’s events, and students were surprised and delighted when they got to walk a “blue carpet” complete with velvet rope, balloons, yard signs, and fun music as they entered school that morning. Teachers, Principal Ruth White, and the LMS Lion mascot cheered each student by name as they walked up the front stairs, and when they arrived in their classrooms, each child received a special blue T-shirt with Lookout Mountain School’s name encircling the Great Seal of the United States. They wore these shirts later in the day for the Blue Ribbon Celebration, a schoolwide assembly in the LMS gymnasium with some very special guests.

The ceremony opened with the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 203 Color Guard presenting the American and State of Tennessee flags. Mrs. White welcomed everyone who had gathered, and LMS fifth graders Alex Faler and Emma Mixon led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lookout Mountain School Pledge. Mr. Randy Boyd, University of Tennessee System president, congratulated the students and faculty on their award. He jokingly asked for a show of hands by students who planned to attend the University of Tennessee for college, and he was met with quite a few takers! He said earnestly that if kids kept up the kind of hard work and dedication they had shown in receiving this award, that any number of schools would be proud to have them as students one day. Next, guests watched a lovely short video about LMS, in which Mrs. White led viewers around campus while speaking about her love of the school and her admiration of the students, faculty, parents, and community that make it such a special place.

Mr. Weston Wamp, Hamilton County mayor, spoke next, recognizing women as a driving force in the success of Lookout Mountain School and sharing a story from his own time in elementary school, which assured LMS students that they would always remember their school receiving this award. Dr. Justin Robertson, Hamilton County Schools superintendent, asked students to raise their hands if they were happy to come to school each day, and he was pleased to see all the students in the gym shoot their hands into the air. He encouraged them to keep that enthusiasm and drive, and he presented the Blue Ribbon plaque to Principal White. Final remarks to the guests were made by Mr. Walker Jones, mayor of Lookout Mountain, Tenn. He shared that even though he had graduated from LMS 50 years earlier, he could still close his eyes and know in a moment from the distinctive smell that he was in the LMS gym, and he told the students that they would carry that same sense memory with them along with all their fond memories of LMS, no matter how long they were away. Music teacher Katie Huffine led first grade students in singing “Keep On Keeping On,” as an encouragement to all attendees to continue striving for success, and Beth Wingfield photographed the students and guests to officially capture the day.

Lookout Mountain School students will indeed carry the memory of this day and the feeling of pride in their hard work for years to come. The fun they had in the week leading up to Friday’s ceremony and the encouragement from the many special speakers at the assembly will spur them to continue their dedication to high academic achievement throughout the course of their education.  Congratulations on your excellent work, LMS Lions!
   
by Meredith Brown

Emily Haney has been named Principal at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. She has served as Assistant Principal and Early Intervention Program (EIP) Teacher at Rossville Elementary School in Georgia since January. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Principal and EIP teacher at Fairyland School in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

“I am so excited to join the Lookout Mountain School community,” Haney said. “I am eager to meet and develop relationships with each child, their families, and our teachers as we embark on a new journey together. I look forward to working alongside the school community as we continue honoring the longstanding traditions and academic excellence of Lookout Mountain Elementary with every student.”

Haney previously served as an Academic Coach, EIP Teacher, and Classroom Teacher at Fairyland School (2010-16), EIP Teacher and fifth grade regular education Inclusion Teacher at McGarity Elementary School in Hiram, Ga. (2003-10), and as a second grade self-contained EIP Teacher at Kingston Elementary School in Kingston, Ga. (2002-03). She holds a B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Educational Leadership, both from Kennesaw State University.

“Being an educator has brought me so much joy,” Haney said. “Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to be a part of so many very special students’ lives. I truly believe that what starts in elementary school can change the world, and it is such an honor to be a part of something that powerful.”

Commissioner of Education for Town of Lookout Mountain expressed her enthusiasm with the new appointed principal, “We are thrilled to have Ms. Haney at the helm of Lookout Mountain School, “and added that “Karen Welborn, chairwoman of the Lookout Mountain School Board is equally as pleased.”
​
Our current beloved principal, Mrs. Ruth White, announced her retirement earlier this year after serving in education for over 30 years. Mrs. White will be celebrated for her valued service at the end of this school year.

If the Fairyland School were a human body, the front office, the hub of communication and decision making, would be the brain. The students, sources of boundless energy and movement, would be the muscle. But the heart? The heart of Fairyland School is the cafeteria.

Smelling of bacon, buttery biscuits and all things right with the world, the cafeteria is a bright, cheerful space, with windows on three sides and student art adorning the walls. While other areas of Fairyland are designed to encourage thought, creativity and collaboration, the cafeteria is a respite from the day’s trials and tribulations, a room that refuels and re-energizes its visitors, and like the human heart, pumps life into those who enter. Unlike the rather bland fare of generic “school lunches,” the Fairyland School cafeteria provides delicious, homemade meals that are prepared with attention to detail, a devout adherence to strict dietary standards and served with a nurturing kindness that is not typical of institutional food service.

Behind the scenes of the Fairyland School breakfast and lunch program is a stellar team, made of three highly professional, dedicated, hardworking individuals: David Myers, Susan Foster and Diana Kilgore. Considering the scope of their service, it’s hard to conceive that a mere three people are able to manage the preparation of two daily meals (breakfast and lunch) that are consistently appealing to children, varied and nutritious for up to 278 students. Not only that, Susan, Diana and David also oversee the care, cleanliness and operation of the entire kitchen facility and its many appliances and moving parts, all the while following a stringent set of federal dietary and sanitation regulations. And, most impressive of all, they accomplish these duties with the efficiency, precision and synergy of a surgical team and the warmth and hospitality of a weekend at Nana’s. 

Like all public school systems, the Walker County Department of Education enforces the USDA’s recently updated nutrition guidelines for school meals, referred to as “MyPlate Guide to School Lunch and School Breakfast.” In accordance with these new guidelines, all school breakfasts and lunches must consist of one cup of fruit, one cup of vegetables, one serving of grains, one serving of protein and one serving of dairy. Equally rigorous are the government imposed sanitation regulations. For example, the temperatures of the various food storage items, such as steamers and ice wells, are monitored several times a day to make sure they are at the proper temperature to protect against foodborne illnesses. The steamers, heated pass-throughs and bun warmers must be maintained at a temperature of at least 165 degrees, and the refrigerated pass-throughs and ice wells on the line must be at least 40-45 degrees to prevent spoilage and bacteria.

Susan, Diana, David wash their hands frequently and at regulated intervals and wear hairnets and gloves, which are changed often. In cleaning the kitchen and its contents, all pots, pans and serving pieces must be washed in the dishwasher. Furthermore, after being washed and rinsed, these items, as well as all surfaces, including the dishwasher itself, the counters, the sinks, the stationary appliances, the floor and all components of the cafeteria line must be rinsed in a water-based sanitary solution which is strip-tested for its chemical accuracy and changed twice a day. To optimize hygiene and cleanliness, the kitchen itself, a separate room behind the line, is off limits to everyone except the team and the custodial staff, and all its doors are locked when Susan, Diana, David are not present. 

With 21 years of combined work experience in food service, the Fairyland cafeteria team of three is a well oiled machine, and to be sure that the students receive meals that are healthy, according to standards, and on time, Diana, Susan and David must follow a precise daily protocol. 

Waking up as early as 3:45 a.m. to travel from their homes near and far (Fort Oglethorpe, La Fayette and Chickamauga), they are among the first to arrive at Fairyland School between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. each morning. Upon arrival, with over an hour until breakfast, the first order of business is to turn on the many kitchen appliances, specifically the ovens, bun warmer, dishwasher, skillet, tilt skillet and several pass-throughs (easily accessible warming or refrigerated shelves located between kitchen and cafeteria line). Due to their fastidious planning and foresight, the trio is always operating at least one to several days ahead of schedule, having completed the majority of the food preparation for the current day’s meals in advance. Working ahead of schedule makes for a less hurried schedule and ensures the team that upcoming meals will be served without shortages, delays or similar unforeseen problems.

Next, on “the line” where the food will be plated and served, they must fill the wells with ice for storage of cold food items and fill the steamers with hot water for storage of hot food items. Then, between 7:30-8 a.m., roughly 90 to 130 hungry and often sleepy students arrive in search of a hearty meal. According to Susan, the most popular breakfast entrees are sausage biscuits, Pop Tarts and cereal. Other breakfast choices are waffles, pancakes, bagels, yogurt parfait, Canadian bacon and cheese or egg and cheese croissants, cinnamon toast, and chicken biscuits. All breakfast entrees are served with fresh fruit, 100 percent fruit juice and three choices of milk. Meanwhile, back in the homerooms, students choose one of the two lunch entrees posted on the monthly menu. Their selections are tallied and delivered to the cafeteria by 8:15 a.m. so the team can plan accordingly for the lunch meal.

After cleaning off breakfast pans and leftovers, the crew makes final lunch preparations, simultaneously planning and prepping for future meals, such as cutting vegetables for soups or making sauces. It is important to point out that while Susan, Diana and David each have distinct tasks and chores and assignments to complete, they operate as one, coordinating their efforts and working in unison. It is clear that they are a very strong, synchronized team who share a mutual fondness and respect for each other and see the operation of the cafeteria as a shared responsibility. 

Relevant to this, the team and cafeteria program at Fairyland coordinates with and is supported by the cafeteria program at Ridgeland High School, also a Walker County school. While all Walker County meals are made on school premises, with a larger facility and staff, some items (such as several soups, chili and spaghetti sauce) are more easily prepared at Ridgeland and then delivered to Fairyland. Additionally, the Ridgeland staff manages the purchase of miscellaneous food items and ingredient needs from local food distributors such as Gordon Distributors and USDA as well as milk (and occasionally ice cream), which they order from Mayfield Dairy. An interesting bit of data regarding milk consumption at Fairyland School is that a typical weekly order from Mayfield consists of  100 cartons of skim milk, 250 cartons of one percent milk and a whopping 800 cartons of chocolate milk!

Starting at 10:30 a.m., with the exactitude of a Swiss watch, the daily lunch process begins whereby approximately 150-200 Fairyland students purchase a midday meal. Organized by homeroom, 15 groups come to the cafeteria at staggered intervals and are warmly greeted by David, Susan, or Diana, and gently but efficiently nudged down the line as they select their food items, pay and sit down to eat. According to Susan, the most popular lunch entrees are chicken nuggets, pizza and the “country meal.” Also known as “Cracker Barrel” lunch, the country meal entree is a veritable feast consisting of macaroni and cheese, pinto beans or black-eyed peas, okra, coleslaw, corn bread, fresh fruit, a milk choice AND ice cream! Other lunches on the menu are lasagna, barbecued pork, chicken on a whole grain bun, nachos, hotdogs with chili, cheeseburger on a whole-grain bun, sliced pork with gravy, quesadilla, and tacos. Lunch side dishes include such items as steamed or raw vegetables, salad, sweet potato or potato fries, fresh fruit and a choice of milk.

By 12:30 p.m., the students are back in the classrooms and the finely tuned clean up process begins. The components of the line are broken down, leftover food is refrigerated or frozen and pots and pans, serving utensils, countertops and floors are washed and sanitized. Pausing briefly to enjoy lunch themselves, the conversation immediately turns to upcoming meals as the trio is already on to the next day as they prioritize and divide a list of tasks to be completed. 

At precisely 2 p.m., the doors to the kitchen are locked, the tables are clean, and the benches are up. The Fairyland School cafeteria is quiet and still. Passing by, some claim to hear the far away sound of a heartbeat. But it’s probably just their imagination. 
​
Sally Burke
Fairyland School ​

Dr. Josh Yother took over Skyuka Hall School in 2014, when the student body had shrunk to about a dozen students and was nearly out of money. Based at Rivermont Presbyterian Church, the school was known as Scenic Land School. The school then moved to Four Squares Business Center and is now housed at Eastgate Town Center.

Today, Skyuka Hall School has more than 120 students and serves students in grades first through twelveth. I recently had a chance to sit down with Dr. Yother to talk about the school’s vision for 2023 and how this unique type of learning environment is attracting students from all over.

Jed Mescon: How do you describe Skyuka Hall to prospective parents?
Dr. Josh Yother: This school has truly become my fourth child. We are double certified, and our diplomas carry the same amount of weight as any other private school in this area. We want our graduates to leave this school prepared to go out and live a productive life. Skyuka Hall’s focus is singular and progressive. The school is the fastest-growing private school in Tennessee and encourages teachers to be pioneering so that unique learners discover their potential.

JM: You use the words unique and special when you talk about a Skyuka Hall student.
JY: These words are not code words for a child being inadequate or having a disability. Society has unfortunately placed students who are neurodiverse in their learning into a category where many people view these kids as disabled. Whether it is dyslexia, autism, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, when you take the time to really get to know these kids and form an individualized plan for those students, you quickly see that the disability was not there as much as the ability to think and create in a unique way. We are missing some of the most brilliant minds in the world who thankfully are choosing a school like Skyuka Hall where they get a student-teacher ratio of 10:1.

JM: Why do some parents get embarrassed sending their child to this type of school?
JY: The media has done a horrible job [depicting] what a perfect child is supposed to look and act like. My question to anyone who asks is, who determines what that person looks like? When we go through the admissions process, I will ask a family if they think we are here to fix their child. If the answer is yes, we are in trouble. We do not think there is anything wrong with your child. Our job is to celebrate your child just the way they are. We are here to build upon a child’s strengths, and they will grow naturally. Teaching confidence, courage, and conviction can help a child grow socially, academically, physically, and spiritually. We can then tell parents the school did it because of our learning institution and not despite of it. Is not that what school is all about?

JM: You are attracting families from all over the world.
JY: We have welcomed kids from California, Massachusetts, and even England. I always ask parents how they heard of little Skyuka Hall School in Chattanooga, Tenn. I have determined that if you light a fire bright enough, people will want to come to it and watch it burn. And because of the amazing transformation that has taken place in this school with extremely limited resources, our community is being positively impacted by a school that no one had heard of about nine years ago.

JM: The name Skyuka has a lot of people asking about its meaning.
JY: A board member came up with the name several years ago. At the base of Lookout Mountain near the banks of Lookout Creek is where you will find Skyuka Springs. You can easily reach the springs by either hiking or mountain biking. This board member said the peace and tranquility that he feels at this incredible piece of nature makes him just want to go back time after time. He said the scene improves your mood like never before. That is the same feeling I want for every kid who goes to Skyuka Hall. Where each child feels that same peace and has a reason each day to wake up knowing there is someone at school who is willing to love, respect, and appreciate you.
​
by Jed Mescon

Despite the challenges they have faced over the past two years, Lookout Mountain School students, faculty, and staff have remained resolutely dedicated to learning. Students have thrived in this environment, steadily making gains academically and socially in a school community that nurtures them and prepares them for successful next steps. In September, LMS was honored to learn that this hard work was being recognized in the form of two significant awards.

First, the U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D., notified Principal Ruth White that LMS had been named a 2022 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School. Lookout Mountain School was one of only 295 schools in the entire country - and one of just six schools in Tennessee - to receive this honor.  In recognizing the school’s overall academic performance, Secretary Cardona wrote to Mrs. White, “The U.S. Department of Education acknowledges your unwavering commitment to the well-being of every child and the possibilities that you create for the next generation.” He goes on to say, “Congratulations on your accomplishments. Your school is truly an inspiring example of students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, families, and community leaders all working together through challenging circumstances to prepare our nation’s students to succeed.” Mrs. White has been invited to attend a ceremony held next month in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the National Blue Ribbon schools and receive the award for LMS.

The second recognition comes from the Tennessee Department of Education, as LMS was once again named a Level 5 Reward School this year. Reward School acknowledgement is based on a school’s Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) and Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) performance. Level 5 status is conferred upon schools that earn the top rating for academic growth and show “significant evidence that their students exceeded the state growth standard” in several vital subjects including literacy and numeracy. Representatives from the Hamilton County Department of Education visited LMS in mid-September to present the award banner and take a school-wide photo with students, faculty, and staff. Recognizing the Hamilton County Reward Schools, HCS Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson said, “We are pleased to see the continued growth of students … Level 5 recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students and teachers throughout the 2021-2022 school year. We are honored to be able to celebrate this achievement of students’ success.”

Clearly, there is much to praise at LMS! The faculty, staff, parents, PTA, and entire Lookout Mountain community should feel very proud of the school for these accomplishments, and the LMS students should feel exceedingly proud of themselves for the time, effort, and determination that went into these successes. Principal Ruth White shares, “Lookout Mountain School’s mission is to create a learning community that allows all students to achieve success by providing them with research-based instruction in the areas of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and integrity.” She says that at LMS, “we believe the foundation of lifelong learning for all students should be enhanced through the teaching of related arts, integration of enrichment resources, and development of a strong academic core.” Mrs. White feels like this recognition is “a feather in the cap for all of our community and will last for generations to come” and she “applauds everyone for your part in supporting our school!”
​
by Meredith Brown

Each year, the middle of October marks the end of fall break, the start of cool weather, and the return of the annual LMS Carnival! This beloved event is one of the top highlights of the entire school year and is enjoyed by students, teachers, families, and community members alike! The weather this year was particularly cold, but it did nothing to chill the spirits of the LMS students parading from school to the Commons for an afternoon of fun.

At the front of this parade were LMS Principal Ruth White and the Carnival King and Queen George Monroe and Zoe Lusk. Kindergartener George and second-grader Zoe had earned their titles by being the top-selling boy and girl during the Hamilton County Kids First Coupon Book sales campaign this year. All of the LMS students worked hard to reach and exceed their sales goal, totaling over 1,000 books sold in all. The funds they raised will support technology needs throughout the school, and they earned a school-wide pajama day as a reward!

Heading up this year’s Carnival efforts were co-chairs May Burke and Anna Williams with wonderful support from assistant chairs April Goebeler, Hannah Harrell, and Kari Pollard. Their team began planning many weeks in advance to make sure that everything was ready to go once the students arrived, filing in behind their class banners starting with the fifth grade Carnival veterans and ending with the kindergarten first-timers. May commented, “As a child, it is a magical day, and you are unaware of all the work it entails. Now, as a parent and a member of the Carnival planning committee, you experience first-hand the efforts from all facets of the community - Lookout Mountain School, parents, volunteers, and local businesses.”

A festive balloon arrangement designed by PepperPot Party adorned the Commons gates, and booth after booth covered the field inside. Returning favorites like the Carnival Jail, bouncy houses, costume corner, jamboree jars, face painting, stuffed animals, hair-color spray, fake casts, and silly string tents were as popular as always, and there were several fun new additions to the booths, including a huge inflatable basketball game, as well as a Halloween-inspired bean bag toss designed by Greer Campbell of Cheers with Greer. Carnival goers feasted on Chick-fil-A, Mr. T’s pizza, Good Dog hotdogs, and Clumpies ice cream. May said she was surprised to see that despite the cold, the kids consumed just as much ice cream as always! And for future feasting, families took home selections of casseroles, soups, and baked goods from the Carnival Kitchen tent. Lynn Brown was in charge of it this year, and she spent weeks securing amazing food donations from parents and community members to ensure the success of this vital part of the Carnival fundraising!

There were pops of color throughout the Carnival, none more so than at the Marketplace and Spirit Wear tent. In the Marketplace, parents could buy mugs featuring beautiful murals created by each of their children’s classes under the direction of LMS art teacher Ryan Patterson. These mugs are highly sought after each year, as many parents add to their growing collection! This year’s Spirit Wear featured beautiful new designs from Tickled Ink’s Emily Johnson. You have probably already seen mountain goers sporting these stylish LMS shirts, hoodies, and hats - and if you look closely, you will see her new LMS stickers adorning laptops and water bottles around the community!

As Carnival day came to a close, freezing parents and somehow-unfazed-by-the-cold kids shuffled home tired, happy, and with new treasures in hand. Behind the scenes, the organizers were happy to see their efforts had panned out so successfully, knowing that the funds they had raised would help LMS continue to be the wonderful place it is for our children. As Burke puts it, “The Carnival is such a testament to our extraordinary community.” She and the whole Carnival team are thankful for the sponsors, volunteers, and the entire LMS community that made Carnival such a wonderful day.
​
by Meredith Brown

We welcomed the 2022 school year in at Fairyland Elementary School with a new staff member in STEM/computer, Ms. Taryn Yorba. She came to us from California, and is a world traveler and a dynamic teacher. Here is a summary of what they’ve covered this year, directly from Ms. Yorba:

“This past year in STEM we worked primarily on beginning STEM practices - working together, thinking through problems, and basic engineering processes. We learned how to be effective partners in groups, how to really listen to other’s ideas, how to learn from our mistakes, and that hot glue guns are hot!

“Some projects that we worked on were: building vegetable stands to go along with the story “Tops and Bottoms;” building bridges; growing flowers; discovering aerodynamics through paper airplanes; building bird houses; designing mandalas; making solar ovens; creating tower replicas; and so many more!”

The excitement and engagement in the studies and activities Ms. Yorba led could be heard through the walls into the library next door. We are so lucky to have her and are thankful for her great work with our students!
​
by Melissa Cairns

The last weeks of the school year at Lookout Mountain School are, without a doubt, the very most fun of all! Summer bucket lists are being created, tests and projects are all being finished, clothes and water bottles are being unearthed from deep within the lost-and-found, and extra recess is a must in the sunny, warm weather. A student even gets to sit in as Principal for the Day! This year, Gabriella Hanson took on the role and made sure that there was plenty of fun on schedule to close out 2022.  The end of the school year traditions at LMS certainly check that box, and they also take time to honor and celebrate all of the students who make the school such a special place.

Early May brought the return of Roxaboxen, a beloved LMS activity based on a book by Alice McLerran about a group of kids who use rocks and discarded boxes to create an imaginary town.  In years past, this has been an activity that first-graders take part in with their fourth grade buddies, but since COVID-19 considerations cancelled the event for the past few years, grades first through fifth got to all take part this year, dividing into groups, bringing in boxes, and setting up storefronts to create their town. First grade teacher Amy Thatcher joked that it was like a cardboard food court, with many stores selling snacks, but there was also a hill slide, a bank, and a games station.  Teachers shared that it was fun to see the kids working together to plan their spots, and they hope the larger version of the event can become an annual tradition. To end the event, and as a library reward for all the students, the Kona Ice truck delivered snow cones to the whole school!

On the final Friday before summer break, the LMS field was abuzz with the excitement of Field Day. Kindergarten through second grade participated in relays and games in the morning, and grades three through five took the field in the afternoon. Classes danced and sang along to music provided by emcee Ryan Patterson as they rotated through stations including water games, volleyball, relay races, hula-hoop rock-paper-scissors, and kickball. There was a whole lot of fun (accompanied by a whole lot of sun!) as kids faced off in fun competition with their classmates. The most hotly contested events of the day were the tug-of-war battles, with one class from each grade emerging victorious! As is tradition to end the day, the Lookout Mountain Fire Department raised the ladder hose of a firetruck high over the LMS field and let loose a downpour on all the students.  Not a square inch of the students was left dry after this drenching, and they could not have enjoyed it more, running from end to end of the field jumping in puddles with their friends.

The next celebration was Awards Day, which took place in person this year for the first time since the spring of 2019! Miss McKenna awarded certificates to students in all grades who had earned perfect attendance during the year. Mrs. Huffine announced that third-grader Carter Pierre, fourth-grader Eloise Sewell, and fifth-graders Mary Ellen Mixon and Wylie Shumate won the Outstanding Effort in Music award for their grade levels. Coach Crownover announced fitness awards for students in all grades who achieved award levels in the seven fitness tests administered in both the fall and spring.  Mrs. Fessler announced the Accelerated Reader awards, recognizing the top 20 point earners throughout the school, with Harper Wakefield topping the list with an astounding 1,044.1 AR points. Mrs. Avans selected Wylie Shumate as this year’s recipient for Outstanding Achievement in Science, and Mrs. Patterson announced that the Art Awards went to kindergartener Ezra Roebuck and fifth-grader Evie Stewart. Mrs. Inman presented the Redwood Award, which recognizes “exponential growth in fifth grade,” to Joseph Bastone, and Mrs. Cain presented the Susan Frankenburg Writing Award to Harper Wakefield.   

Rainy weather forced this year’s graduation ceremony indoors, but the bad weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of the fifth-graders, who had worked so hard to accomplish this milestone!  Friends and family of the class of 2022 celebrated the achievements and dedication of this year’s graduates, including 16 students who had earned recognition as Presidential Academic Scholars.  Allie Wakefield led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and the LMS School Student Pledge. Nathan Eriksen voiced the students’ appreciation of parents, and Caroline Carr spoke on their appreciation of the faculty. Evie Stewart presented the class gift, a lovely new outdoor table in memory of beloved LMS teacher Betsy Bookout. Several special graduation awards were also presented. Adelaide Gerwin gave the class address. Mrs. Cain announced that Nathan Eriksen was the recipient of this year’s DAR Good Citizenship Award. Principal White presented Mary Ellen Mixon with the Christy McBryar Faculty Award.  Caroline Carr received the Nancy Caulkins Scholarship, which was presented by Caroline Bentley.  After an introduction by Ellie Gervin, LMS alum Alice Martin spoke to the assembly, offering advice to the new graduates. We congratulate everyone on this special day, and we see nothing but clear skies ahead for this exceptional group of students!    

This year was not without its challenges, but LMS students proved once again what spirit and determination they possess. They have been supported beautifully by Principal Ruth White, LMS PTA President Mandy Hickey, and all the exceptional teachers, faculty, parents, and volunteers within our community!
​
by Meredith Brown