By Sally Absher

Emerald Academy Begins Week Two

While most Knox County School students begin their final week of summer vacation today, 126 kindergarten and first grade students at Emerald Academy are beginning the second week of school.

Knoxville’s charter school welcomed the inaugural group of students on July 27.  The school, approved by the previous School Board last year, is located in the historic Moses School Building, in the Mechanicsville neighborhood. Two grades will be added in years two through four and a final grade added in the fifth year when the school will serve grades K-8 with a capacity of approximately 540 students, or “scholars” as Emerald Academy attendees are known.

The early start was necessitated by Emerald Academy’s extended school year (190 instructional days versus 180 for the rest of KCS). The school day is also longer for Emerald Academy students, who are in school from 8 am to 4 pm four days a week and 8 am to 2:30 on Wednesdays.

6th, 9th Grade Orientation August 7

On Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, 8 a.m.-noon, the Knox County Schools will hold student orientations for rising sixth and ninth graders to help transition those students into middle and high school. Orientations will be held at all middle and high schools where the students are based. Bus service will be provided.

During orientation, transitioning students will have the opportunity to become acclimated to their new school environment, meet friends and review schedules and other information while being in a small-group setting prior to the return of the entire student body.

Students officially return to Knox County Schools on Monday, Aug. 10, which is a half-day for students.

Superintendent Announces School Visits

Dr. McIntyre will be making a number of visits to selected Knox County Schools during the first three weeks of the 2015-2016 school year. Board of Education members, as well as “other elected officials and stakeholders,” are invited to join him as their schedules permit. The School Visit schedule for the FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL is listed below:

Monday Aug 10 (1/2 day):

8:00 – 8:45 am – Green Magnet Academy

9:15 – 10:00 am – Bearden Middle

10:30 – 11:15 am – West High

Tuesday August 11:

8:00 – 9:00 am – Sterchi Elementary

9:30 – 10:30 am – Inskip Elementary

11:00 – 12:00 noon – Whittle Springs Middle

Wednesday August 12:

8:00 – 9:00 am – Pleasant Ridge Elementary

9:30 – 10:30 am – Karns Elementary

11:00 – 12:00 noon – Karns High

Friday August 14:

8:00 – 9:00 am – Sequoyah Elementary

9:30 – 10:30 am – West Hills Elementary

11:00 – 12:00 noon – Bearden High School

During Week 2, Dr. McIntyre will be visiting Gibbs Elementary, Rita Elementary, Carter High, Cedar Bluff Elementary and Pre-School, West View Elementary, Vine Middle Magnet, Farragut Primary, Farragut Intermediate, and Farragut High. Check this column in next week’s Focus for the dates and times.

During Week 3, Dr. McIntyre will visit Brickey-McCloud Elementary, Halls Elementary, and Halls High; and New Hopewell Elementary, Bonny Kate Elementary, and South-Doyle Middle.

Want MORE KCS News? “Like” them on Facebook! Knox County Schools has established a Facebook account to provide an additional method for parents, students and teachers to receive information on the Knox County Schools. The address is:  www.facebook.com/knoxschools. Simply “like” the page to begin receiving information.

And while you’re at it, be sure to check out the SPEAK (students, parents, educators across Knox County) Facebook page.  For, as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story…