By Sally Absher

Kindergarten Round-up Tuesday, April 12

Kindergarten Round-up (registration/application) will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at all Knox County Elementary schools for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. At Kindergarten Round-up, parents receive important enrollment information about the upcoming school year. Children should be five years old by August 15, 2016, to enter kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year, and parents are asked to register their child at the child’s zoned school.

Note that Kindergarten is a full day program. The school day begins 7:45 am and dismisses at 2:45 each day. The first two weeks of school will be a staggered schedule for Kindergarten students. Students will attend one day each week during the weeks of August 8th and 15th, beginning a full day schedule on Monday, August 22.

If you are unable to attend Kindergarten Round-up, you can still enroll at your zoned school. For more information, call (865)594-1787.

Dine out for Education April 12

This Tuesday marks the 13th annual Dine out for Education event. Approximately 40 area restaurants with almost 70 locations will donate 10% of the pre-tax proceeds from April 12 sales to Knox County Schools. Let someone else do the cooking (and clean up!) for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Tuesday (or all three!).

Last year the day-long culinary campaign helped raise approximately $20,000 for the KCS Partners in Education (PIE) programs. This year, participating restaurants hope to raise $25,000. A complete list of participating restaurants and locations can be found at knoxschools.org, or look for the Dine Out for Education logo in the window of your favorite neighborhood eatery.

And new this year – in addition to many traditional restaurants, some of Knoxville’s most popular food trucks will gather to serve you from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Southern Railway Station. Vendors include: Jamamerican, Breezy Weenie Pub Grub, Holy Smokin BBQ, and The Lunchbox.

Money raised through Dine Out for Education helps support and fund PIE programs including Career Day, the Teacher Supply Depot, the PTA Clothing Center, Barney Thompson Scholarships, and teacher recognition programs.

 

Prom Season Kicks Off With Drunk Driving Awareness

As April showers yield May flowers and Prom, at least one local high school will be addressing the issue of teenage driving under the influence of alcohol, or DUI. Halls High School will be conducting a day-long observation of the dangers of DUI this Thursday, April 14th. Halls’ Prom is the following night. The school will be having an assembly for 11th and 12th graders at 11:00 a.m. in the gym.

 

Fourth Graders Attend Tennessee Smokies Health and Safety Day

On Monday, April 11, 4,332 fourth-grade students, teachers and parents representing 25 Knox County elementary schools will attend the 24th annual Smokies Health and Safety Day at the Tennessee Smokies ballpark in Kodak.

The event focuses on education that supports healthy decisions for drug-free lifestyles along with the development of overall good health and character. It is presented by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s Cares.

Students will have the opportunity to meet Smokies players, followed by an educational program that includes an anti-drug message, information on bike safety, and nutrition. The Smokies will play the Mobile BayBears beginning at 11:30 am.

The first pitch is traditionally thrown by the fourth grader who was the top seller during the KCS Coupon Book campaign, This year, that honor will be granted to Addison Brewer from Shannondale Elementary, who sold 261 books.

 

Tate’s School and Tate’s Camp Open House and Hayride

On Saturday, April 16, 2016 Tate’s School and Tate’s Day Camp will host their 7th Annual Open House. Come out and enjoy a hayride tour of the beautiful, tranquil 52 acre campus featuring 3 saltwater pools, zip lines, an archery range, climbing walls, a rappelling tower, a boating pond, and the unique rustic log classrooms that define the campus. New to the tour this year will be the 6th Grade classrooms opened in the fall of 2015. Plans are in place to expand the Middle School to include the 7th & 8th Grades by 2017.

Tate’s teachers will be in each classroom and will be hosting child centered activities across campus. Children can explore the Teaching Garden and learn more about the wonder of plant life and gardening. You are invited to enjoy lunch (provided free) with Tate’s Camp Counselors in the picnic area by the boating pond and play on the wonderful playgrounds around campus.  Chris Strevel, Executive Director of Tate’s Day Camp says, “Our weekly camp themes make each summer so very different and fun, year after year.” Camp themes are detailed on the Tate’s Camp website and feature a variety such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Wild Water.