Murfreesboro City School’s 13th elementary school is slated to open for the 2019-20 school year. The official groundbreaking was held on Tuesday, July 17 at 5:00 p.m. The school site is located at 3275 St. Andrews Drive, just off Veterans Parkway.
The two-story school will be designed for up to 1,000 students and will utilize the same plan and general layout as Overall Creek Elementary. It will be constructed on a 25-acre campus with an estimated cost of construction at $27.8 million.
“The three schools that serve the communities west of I-24 are at capacity. So we are very, very grateful to all who are working so hard to ensure the school opens by next year,” says Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Schools.
This fall, a school naming committee will be appointed to seek names from the community and staff. The committee will present a slate of names to the City School Board for final approval. Until an official name is adopted, the school shall be referenced as Southwest Elementary.
A geotechnical investigation found the land suitable for geothermal heating and cooling. Overall Creek and John Pittard Elementary are also geothermal schools which save thousands of dollars each year in electric bills.
With its unique focus on pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade learning, Murfreesboro City Schools is creating a vision that embodies the highest levels of collaboration, professionalism, and excellence. The district strives to meet the needs of the whole child and is committed to the personal and academic success of each child within the district.

Dr. Linda Gilbert is proud to announce the appointment of Nina Bowie and Erin Phillips as Assistant Principals for Bradley Academy and Cason Lane Academy respectively.

Nina Bowie most recently served as the Dean of Instruction for Thurgood Marshall Middle Prep School in Cane Ridge. She has over nine years’ experience as a teacher and instructional coach in the greater Nashville area.

“Nina is committed to the whole child and is dedicated to the continued growth and development of students,” says Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Murfreesboro City Schools. “Her experience in numeracy and literacy will be an asset to Bradley and to the district.”

Bowie received her Master’s in Education Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University and her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Memphis. She has received certifications in Integration of Technology in the Classroom, Crisis Prevention Intervention, and Critical Friends Group Learning. Bowie also serves as a Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM) evaluator.

Erin Phillips has been named Assistant Principal at Cason Lane Academy. Phillips rejoins MCS after serving two years with the Tennessee Department of Education as a South Central Reading Coach Consultant. Previously, Phillips served for eight years as a classroom teacher and Academic Coach at Hobgood Elementary.

“We are thrilled to welcome Erin back to Murfreesboro City Schools,” says Gilbert. “Her leadership skills, knowledge and personality will make her an inspiring administrator as she serves the Cason Lane community.”

Phillips received her Educational Specialist Degree (EdS), Masters and Bachelors from Middle Tennessee State University as well as her certification in Gifted Education.

These leaders will join the existing leadership team of Murfreesboro City Schools as the district moves forward in creating an environment of success for each of our 8,800 school children.

Additionally, two assistant principals, Natalie Hopkins and Sia Phillips, are transitioning to new schools this school year. The school administrative teams for the 2018-2019 school year are:

• Black Fox: Tiffany Strevel and Beverly Johnson
• Bradley: Jenny Ortiz and Nina Bowie
• Cason Lane: Shavon Davis-Louis and Erin Phillips
• Discovery: Kristina Maddux and Sia Phillips
• Erma Siegel: Emily Spencer and Crystal Farris
• Hobgood: Tammy Garrett and Quinena Bell
• John Pittard: Adam Bryson and Christy Robinson
• Mitchell-Neilson: Robin Newell, Terrance Haynes, and Christa Campbell
• Northfield: Gene Loyd and Julia Williams
• Overall Creek: Don Bartch and Raeshon Torres
• Reeves-Rogers: Cherrye Robertson and Natalie Hopkins
• Scales: Maria Johnson and Kevin Templeton

Registration is now open for the Back to School 5k/10k Dash scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 beginning at Overall Creek Elementary.  The certified run, sponsored by The City Schools Foundation, will begin at 7 a.m. with options to compete in either the 5k walk/run category or the 10k run only category.

The USATF certified course starts and finishes at Overall Creek Elementary School. 5K Race participants will run from Overall Creek to the predominantly flat Veterans Parkway and back. 10K participants will begin at the same point and will continue the run-on Mooreland Lane.

The rate to participate in the race is $30 (5k) and $35 (10k) until Sept. 1.

To register or sponsor the Back to School Dash, access the RunSignUp link by visiting Back to School Dash. Once registered, participants will receive a timing chip, race bib and t-shirt.

The MCS Nutrition Department will sponsor the Summer Food Service Program at twenty-four locations from May 29-July 27.

In addition to designated school cafeterias, Patterson Park, The Den Community Center and Discovery Center will serve as summer feeding sites for breakfast and lunch. The CHOW buses will act as mobile dining rooms and serve meals to areas of Murfreesboro that are not in walking distance of a permanent site. The summer food program provides easy access to healthy and nutritious meals for students age 18 and under during the summer break.

“The school year isn’t the only time children get hungry,” says Sandy Scheele, nutrition supervisor for Murfreesboro City Schools. “The summer food service program allows us to effectively reach our students all year.”

This will be the fourth-year meals are provided via the CHOW Buses and the 16^th year for the MCS Summer Food Service Program. The program will run May 29 through July 27.  For a complete list of participating locations, dates and times of meals, click the link below.

2018 CHOW Summer Feeding

Children do not have to register in advance, simply stop by one of the locations at the designated times to enjoy a healthy meal.  Murfreesboro City Schools is a district of twelve schools committed to the academic and personal success of each child.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services administers the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Free meals will be available to children 18 years of age and under without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap.

 

The third annual camp for students with special needs, Camp BORO, is being held at Scales Elementary thru June 7.  Fifty-six children, in first through sixth grade, are participating in a week filled with square dancing, country critters and all things wild West.

Students are assisted by more than 30 volunteers including high school students, parents, educators and administrators. With no cost to families, through the help of sponsors and private donors, this camp allows children with special needs to enjoy a week designed for their enjoyment.

Each day covers specific activities and themes based on the country lifestyle including pony rides, square dancing, lasso lessons and meeting a variety of farm animals.

Not only will the children get the full experience of being a true cowgirl or cowboy, but they will gain hands-on lessons that will prepare them for future tasks. By enhancing their fine motor and communication skills, the children at Camp BORO will gain more than good times and laughter. Interactive activities going on during the week allow campers to participate in karate, bandana art, making horseshoe clay, and a field trip to Miracle Field for a romping, stomping good time!

With the individual student needs in mind, campers are given the opportunity that other camps may not be able to provide. Camp BORO makes it a priority to keep the children in mind and offer them the ability to expand their horizons of knowing that they can do anything they set their heart to. With the help of the volunteers, the children grow, engage and produce memories that will last a lifetime.

Dr. Linda Gilbert is proud to announce the appointment of Tiffany Strevel and Cherrye Robertson as principal of Black Fox Elementary and Reeves-Rogers Elementary respectively.

Ms. Tiffany Strevel will assume the role of Principal of Black Fox Elementary following the retirement of Joe Thompson.  Strevel has been with Murfreesboro City Schools for eleven years, most recently serving as Assistant Principal of Cason Lane Academy. Strevel also served as Assistant Principal of Mitchell-Neilson Primary and has eleven years of classroom experience teaching at Scales and Overall Creek Elementary in Murfreesboro as well as at Beaumont Elementary in Knoxville.

“I am honored to be the new instructional leader at Black Fox Elementary,” says Strevel. “Black Fox is a school with strong traditions, a dedicated faculty, and a history of producing leaders in education.”

Strevel received her Bachelor’s Degree from Tennessee Technological University and her Masters from Lipscomb University. Strevel holds the TN Employment Standard for Gifted.

“I believe parent and community involvement are essential to a successful school and classroom environment,” says Strevel. “I look forward to continuing the strong collaborations that are part of the Black Fox experience as well as building new partnerships.”

Dr. Cherrye Robertson has been appointed Principal of Reeves-Rogers Elementary replacing Dr. Kimberly Osborne who has assumed the role of MCS Coordinator of Instructional Effectiveness and Assessment.  Robertson served as the Assistant Principal of Bradley Academy during the 2017-18 school year. Robertson joined MCS from Hamilton County Schools where she served as principal for Calvin Donaldson Academy since 2013.  During her teaching career, Robertson performed in the roles of assistant principal, literacy coach and classroom teacher.  Additionally, during her tenure in Hamilton County Schools, Dr. Robertson mentored other principals and facilitated professional development.

“I believe that every student can and will learn in a supportive school environment where all stakeholders are engaged,” says Robertson. “Every student and teacher deserve an academic environment conducive to the learning process where hands-on learning is made visible and fun to include rigorous activities.”

Robertson received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Carson-Newman University. She earned her Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) and Masters from Lee University and her undergraduate degree from University of Tennessee Knoxville.

“School should be a place where students, teachers, parents, and the community feel invited and want to be engaged,” says Robertson. “I look forward to working with the Reeves-Rogers students, staff, parents and overall community.”

“Ms. Strevel and Dr. Robertson are incredible leaders.  They have a passion for students and are committed to excellence,” says Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Murfreesboro City Schools.

Additionally, Natalie Hopkins will assume the role as assistant principal for Reeves-Rogers Elementary and Sia Phillips will transition to the role of assistant principal for Discovery School.

Murfreesboro City Schools is a district of twelve schools committed to the academic and personal success of each child.

Approximately 600 Murfreesboro City School third-graders from six schools experienced MTSU farm life during a field trip on Wednesday. The field trip is the culminating event for third grade as part of the Farm to School curriculum.

About half of the Murfreesboro City Schools third-graders learned about the MTSU gardens while the rest took in the dairy portion of the university’s Experiential Learning and Research Center. Unfortunately, weather conditions prevented the remaining schools to attend the farm field trip

The student experience included learning about cows, calves and other farm animals, drinking chocolate milk from the MT Dairy, making crafts out of dried beans, churning butter and learning, the necessity of honey bees, as well as about farm equipment and many aspects of the working farm located in Lascassas, Tennessee.

“The field trip is only one part of the Farm to School program that spans throughout the year,” says Darla Sampson, MCS Coordinated School Health Coordinator. “Our program includes gardening, classroom curriculum, Chef Academy and more activities for learning throughout the year.”

MTSU students and professors shared information about the dairy, the garden and life on a farm. The farm was divided into educational stations including tractor and equipment safety, dairy production, educational crafts, garden areas, grain production, honey bees, and making butter.

“Farm to School programs are a great way to get students excited about healthy eating and learning about food production,” says Sandy Scheele, MCS Coordinator of Nutrition.

Farm to school enriches the connection students and communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers. Students gain access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips.

Farm to School field trip is a partnership with MTSU and MCS. Volunteers from Farm Credit Mid America and the Rutherford County Health Department participated in the education stations. The Farm Bureau Ag Simulator was a new aspect of the event this year.
Murfreesboro City Schools is a proud district committed to the academic and personal success of each child. With its unique focus on prekindergarten through sixth grade learning, Murfreesboro City Schools is creating a vision that embodies the highest levels of collaboration, professionalism, and excellence.

Murfreesboro City Schools honored its Employees of the Year at a special ceremony this week. Forty-six staff members received recognition as support staff of the year and departmental employee of the year.  Support staff from each school and departments were nominated by their peers or supervisor for this recognition.

“This recognition was a great opportunity to celebrate the work of these individuals as they continuously demonstrate the best instructional and support practices for students,” says Ralph Ringstaff, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and ESP.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Black Fox Principal Joe Thompson. Mr. Thompson began his teaching career in 1975 and joined MCS in 1980.  He has served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal during his tenure.  During his leadership, Black Fox has received numerous awards and accolades including the Value-Added Achievement Designation.

Ernest Victory received The Helping Hand Award for his years of using his skills in woodworking to create and design numerous projects throughout the district. Mr. Victory has built bookcases, cabinets, trophy cases and library shelves along with many other specialized pieces for schools during his years of service.

“It is an honor to celebrate the people who form the foundation of Murfreesboro City Schools. It is through their hard work, high expectations and positive mindsets that children and the future are being forever changed,” says Dr. Linda Gilbert. “We are indeed grateful for their dedication and leadership in meeting the needs of our students.”

Other Distinguished Employee of the Year nominees:

Educational Assistants of the Year:

Sharon Robeson – Black Fox

Leinaala Bautista – Bradley Academy

Sheba Cantrell – Cason Lane

Susan Barrett – Discovery

Jean Sanders – Erma Siegel

Riley Clark – Hobgood

Mark Parsley – John Pittard

Maria Rosales – Mitchell-Neilson Primary

Felecia Ruse – Mitchell-Neilson Elementry

Julie Glinn – Northfield

Malinda Perdzock – Overall Creek

Amanda Ring – Reeves-Rogers

Ashley Kaus – Scales

Special Education Assistants of the Year:

Wanda Robbins – Black Fox

Jennifer Smith – Bradley

Kim Creager – Cason Lane

Shontay Woods – Erma Siegel

Bre Carpenter – Hobgood

LuAnn Fox – Mitchell-Neilson Primary

Debbie Pulido – Mitchell- Neilson Elementary

Jennifer Wallace – Northfield

Marsha Chapman – Reeves-Rogers

Alyssa Miracle – Scales

Departmental Employees of the Year:

Tayana Fish – Maintenance

Mike Prater – Maintenance

Jerry Neely – Substitute Teacher

Travis Simmons – Technology

Rosa Castellon – Custodial Day Shift

Kristian Smith – Custodial Night Shift

Irma Ramos – Black Fox Cafeteria

Hope North – Bradley Cafeteria

Monica Evans – Cason Lane Cafeteria

Sheila Powell – Discovery Cafeteria

Karen Jones – Erma Siegel Cafeteria

Nancy Martinez – Hobgood Cafeteria

Jack Sawyers – John Pittard Cafeteria

Angela Greer – Mitchell-Neilson Cafeteria

Suhaila Elayah – Northfield Cafeteria

Jennifer Dawson – Overall Creek Cafeteria

Melanie Whitaker – Reeves-Rogers Cafeteria

Diane Holmes – Scales Cafeteria

Teresa Davenport – Cafeteria Manager

Teresa Crouch – Bus Driver

Cedric Whitfield – Bus Assistant

Jennifer Lanier – Nurse

McKala Rollins – ESP

Teachers of the Year as well as thirteen retirees were also honored at the Wednesday night program.  The program was designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for staff members at Murfreesboro City Schools.

Overall Creek Elementarywas named a Tennessee Designated STEM School by the State of Tennessee during the STEM Innovation Summit in Nashville on May 8.  The Tennessee STEM School Designation denotes that a school meets the highest standards of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) instruction and is a model for schools across the state. Overall Creek was one of only 15 schools to receive this designation by the Tennessee Department of Education.

STEM education is a unique approach to teaching and learning that fosters creativity and innovative thinking in all students. STEM is focused on building critical and creative thinking and analysis skills by addressing how students view and experience the world around them.

“I’m extremely proud of our students and staff members,” says Don Bartch, Overall Creek Principal. “This designation took the vision and hard work of a dedicated group of teachers.  They worked tirelessly to complete the process and tell the Overall Creek STEM story.”

Overall Creek integrates STEM curriculum with project-based learning across all subject areas and programs both inside and outside the classroom. To receive this momentous designation, Overall Creek successfully completed the designation rubric including five focus areas: infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement, and community and post-secondary partnerships. As a part of the process, schools were required to submit a plan of action for implementing and sustaining STEM education for the next five years. From this process, a total of 15 schools received the Tennessee STEM School Designation.

Strong STEM teaching and learning opportunities rest on inquiry, technology, and project-based learning activities and lessons that are tied to the real world. It is a diverse, interdisciplinary curriculum where activities in one class complement those in other classes.

The Overall Creek STEM team is led by Principal Don Bartch, Assistant Principal Raeshon Torres, Assistant Principal and teacher leaders Cathrine Gordon, Mallory Eaton, Katie Nanney, Erin Nunley, Cherry Ross, Tara Hatchell, Shelby Jones, Elizabeth Owens and Lea Bartch.

“I am very excited about Overall Creek receiving this well-deserved honor.  The school is engaged in experiential, real-world learning, with full connections across content areas, linking today’s STEAM learning to tomorrow’s workforce,” says Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Schools.  “STEM learning at Overall Creek extends to each child from kindergarten through sixth grade, fully integrating project-based learning into all subjects throughout the day, and allowing students to be exposed to different STEM professions at an early age so they can see all possibilities.”

The Tennessee STEM School Designation was developed to provide a “roadmap” for schools to successfully implement a STEM education plan at the local level. The Tennessee Department of Education and Tennessee STEM Innovation Network developed tools and resources to define the attributes of a comprehensive STEM learning environment for students. Schools that receives the Tennessee STEM School Designation are recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education for their use of STEM teaching and learning strategies and serve as a model from which other schools may visit and learn. All K–12 schools serving students in Tennessee are eligible.

Overall Creek opened in 2014-15 school year and boasts over 1,000 kindergarten through 6^th grade students. With its unique location, adjacent to a creek and woodland area, Overall Creek features two outdoor classrooms and a successful Farm to School program. Murfreesboro City Schools is a district of twelve schools committed to the academic and personal success of each child.