---

May 27, 2013

Memorial Day is the time we remember all of those soldiers (and anyone in the Armed Forces) who gave their lives in the defense of American freedom. In war and peace, they made the ultimate sacrifice, and because of them we are privileged to live the American Dream.

Once a year, we honor them, their sacrifice, and those they left behind. Here are some activities to help students understand the import of this day:

1. Folding the American flag
2. In Flanders Field–poem
3. Memorial Day Maze
4. Memorial Day Messages, Speeches, Oaths, Poems, Anthems,  and images
5. Memorial Day Poems
6. Memorial Day Poetry–poems
7. Memorial Day Prayer
8. Memorial Day puzzle I
9. Memorial Day Puzzle II
10. Memorial Day Quiz
11. Memorial Day Word Search
12. Patriotic numbers coloring pages
13. Primary source recollections of War
14. Quotes about Memorial Day/Wars
15. Remember our Warriors
16. Who you are remembering–Americans killed in action

 

---

---

---

Moving from Good to Great takes hard work, dedication, commitment, and sacrifice.  I appreciate all members of the Loudon County team as we constantly reflect on ways we can work together to continue to move our district forward always keeping students the center of our focus.  As my college football coach once said, " The best teams make adjustments to their game plan after analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.  Those teams are the teams that win championships."  As educators and administrators, we must regularly reflect on best practices and be willing to change as needed to ensure the success of our students.  I am excited to announce some changes to our district level leadership that will continue Loudoun County Schools on the path to excellence for all students.

 Mike Casteel will serve as the principal at Greenback School.  Mike's proven leadership skills from North Middle School will benefit the Cherokee's as they continue their pursuit for academic excellence.    

 Matthew Tinker will return to North Middle School in the role as principal.  Matthew's hard work and commitment to student achievement will contribute to the Stars' high achieving culture.

 Christie Amburn will take the helm as principal at Fort Loudon Middle School.  Christie's instructional leadership abilities will encourage the Braves as they continue to move forward academically.

 Marvin Feezell will assume principal responsibilities at Steekee Elementary School.  Marvin's dedication to student achievement through data will continue the Scouts' quest of moving from Good to Great.  

 Stephanie Smallen will serve as an assistant principal at Loudon Elementary School.  Stephanie's ability to analyze data and make instructional decisions will contribute to the Redhawks' academic success.

 Tonya Cope will assume assistant principal responsibilities at Steekee Elementary School.  Tonya's ability to model research based instructional strategies to improve instruction will move the Scouts forward academically.

 Jeremy Lorenz will serve as an assistant principal at Loudon High School.  Jeremy's dedication and commitment to student achievement will benefit the Redskin Nation on their drive for excellence.

 As we move forward as a team , I am reminded of a conversation I had with my daughter this weekend which changed my perspective.  We must make each moment we are given a memorable one.  Every opportunity provided, no matter how great or small, we must give our best as a child is always impacted.  

  

Respectfully,

Jason Vance

---

Don't let your kids forget all they have learned this school year.  Discover how to stop the summer brain drain and make learning a fund part of your everyday routine.  Enjoy this "virtual beach bag" of activities to stay busy all summer long!

10 Awesome Outdoor Summer Learning Ideas

48 Ultra-Cool Summer Sites for Kids and Teachers

 Summer Learning Tips from Edutopia

School & Family Education Summer Activities

Read, Write, Think Summer Learning Resources

Summer Learning Units from Cybraryman

Roll Out Those Lazy Crazy Days of Summer

PBS Super Why Adventures

Reading Rockets:  Get Ready for Summer! Ideas for Teachers to Share with Families

20 Educational Activities for Kids in Summer

National Summer Learning Association Activities

What's Summer? Hands-On Learning Time for Teens!

50 Summer Sites for Kids and Teachers

Age 1-12 Summer Learning & Book Lists

Week-by-Week Activities for Summer

Great Schools 68 Summer Learning Activities

Have an A+ Summer from Scholastic

Family FUNdamentals Pre K-3 Learning Activities

Keep Kids Skills Sharp with Summer Learning

How to Raise a Reader this Summer - Article

10 Simple Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe Online this Summer

---

 

---

Feathery Fatouse Wins the LHS Video Game Contest
by Kris Peterson

This week the first Video Game Design Class accomplished a huge goal; build an original video game with a team of 4 classmates, present it to the student body during lunch for playing and encourage players to vote online for your game. Well the results are in and it was a close one. On Thursday it was a 3 way tie between Feathery Fatouse, Kiddie Kingdom and Zelo's Dark Descent. On Friday more people played and voted to make the final choice and the winner is "Feathery Fatouse". The game team who built it are Program Manager, Dustin Littleton, Art Director, Shaye Berry with assistants Jacob Lynn and Dustin Littleton and Programmer, Devin Johnson.


Dustin, Shaye, Poster holder Daryl, Jake and Devin

This event came about due to the students hard work and a new computer lab that was put in place in October of this school year. CTE Director Tom Hankinson labored diligently to write a grant for $90,000.00 made available thru the Federal Carl Perkins fund to purchase the lab for the new class. The first Video Game Design class was offered this Spring of 2013. Below are photos of the other teams and the evolution of the Graphic Arts classroom. Thank you Loudon County Schools for your support and encouragement. Our students are very happy and excited about learning how to build video games.




You can still play our new games by clicking on the picture below. Thanks for playing and voting!

---

FREE

Energy Quest Day Camp

For

Loudon County & Lenoir City students in grades 3-5 (2012-2013 school year)

Presented by:

The Loudon County Health Improvement Council, Lenoir City & Loudon County Schools Coordinated School Health, The Loudon County Education Foundation, Tate & Lyle, Lenoir City Parks & Rec, & Loudon Parks & Rec

June 10-15, 2013

Two locations: Lenoir City Park & Loudon Municipal Park

Cost = FREE *(conditions apply)

Each camp is limited to 50 participants

Click here to download a camp brochure

Click here to download a camp application

---

Be sure to visit the new website www.PLAYLoudon.com for great resources and family friendly events right here in Loudon County!  PLAY stands for Physically active, Living healthy, Adults, & Youth of Loudon County.  We hope this website becomes a one-stop shop for healthy living resources and family friendly events in the Loudon community.  PLAYLoudon is a project organized by the Loudon County Health Improvement Council’s Obesity Task Force.  Visit PLAYLoudon often and follow us on Twitter @PLAYLoudon for the most recent healthy, fun, & family friendly happenings in Loudon County!

---

---

As Loudon County Schools begins to implement Common Core Standards in Reading/Language Arts and Math, resources are being collected and posted at this link.  Interested parents and students are also welcome to join us as we head down the Common Core path together. 

---

---

---

Each year, Education Consumers Foundation takes the value-added performance data provided by the state of Tennessee and presents it in the form of charts for elementary and middle schools in the state. This format allows parents and others to easily compare the performance of schools in their district or region.  Overall, Loudon County Schools rank high on these measures.