Sevier Schools Update - November Edition

Our homes and classrooms are buzzing with growing readers and thinkers—thank you for being such an important part of that growth! The daily moments you spend reading, talking, and wondering together truly make a lasting impact.

This month, you are encouraged to focus on building comprehension and curiosity during

your reading and conversations:

Predict and wonder. Before turning the page, ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or

“What makes you think that?”. Follow with- “Why do you think that?”

Notice details. Encourage your child to describe what they see or hear—whether it’s a

picture in a book or something happening around you.

Talk about big ideas. Discuss the lesson or message of a story: “What did this character

learn?” or “What could we learn from this?”

Every time you prompt your child to think deeply and express ideas in their own words, you’re helping them grow as both readers and critical thinkers. Together, we’re building not just strong students—but lifelong learners who love to read, talk, and explore the world!

Our 2nd grade and 5th grade students had an opportunity to participate in exciting new district wide field trips for the first time this year thanks to some great community partners.

I would like to thank the American Eagle Foundation for their work on the county wide 5th grade field trip to the American Eagle Foundation where students were able to interact with the science standards. Students learned about birds of prey, dissected owl pellets, learned about food webs, toured the AEF aviary, and got to have recess on the Eagle Playground at AEF.  This was a new district wide field trip this year and thanks to AEF, it was a big success.

I would also like to thank our Fire Chief David Puckett, all of our firefighters, EMS, Sevier County Electric, Tennessee Department of Forestry, Land Air, EMA, UT Agricultural Extension, the Master Gardeners, the volunteers and all of the associates of these organizations that helped to provide an informative, standards based, educational field trip for our 2nd grade students to the Wildfire Expo. Students were able to experience activities developed around fire safety with Tennessee state science standards in 7 different stations. Thanks to these amazing aforementioned Sevier Countians, this field trip was also a big success.

Sevier County teachers have been working hard to promote active student engagement in the classroom. Engagement is especially important in elementary math because it builds the foundation for all future mathematical learning. When students are actively involved—talking about their thinking, exploring new ideas, and solving problems—they develop a deeper understanding of math concepts.

Across the county, classrooms are coming alive with the use of vertical whiteboards, giving students opportunities to collaborate, discuss, and share their strategies. This hands-on approach has led to a noticeable increase in participation and excitement for learning. Students are becoming confident problem solvers and are beginning to see math as enjoyable, relevant, and achievable.

Our goal is to help every child develop a love for math and move away from the “I’m not a math person” mindset—because in Sevier County, we’re all developing mathematicians!

"On the upper end. I am doing well. Last year, I thought 6th grade was a scary grade that I wouldn’t do well in, but I am adapting. I like to challenge myself and remember what I did each day."

"I like learning about Social Studies the most. I have Mr. Holden. He is very calm and understanding but his teaching style is also VERY energetic. Every Friday we do a find-it Friday. He puts a location on the board and we try to figure out where it is at. So we started in Mesopotamia, which is modern-day Iraq, and now we are learning about Egypt. The mummification process is a fascinating thing to learn about."

We are proud to recognize our secondary science teachers for their commitment and hard work as they dig into their new textbooks and instructional materials this year. They have embraced the challenge of learning new resources while thoughtfully planning engaging lessons that bring science concepts to life for students. Their dedication to growing in their practice and ensuring high-quality instruction is making a positive impact in classrooms across the district.

Secondary students from area schools are participating in educational field trips to the King Family Library to explore the new traveling exhibition, Americans and the Holocaust. This powerful exhibit, presented by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association, is on display in the library's Grand Reading Room through November 5, 2025. Library officials, who actively partnered with local schools for the visits, noted the exhibit challenges visitors to examine the varied responses of the American public to Nazism, war, and genocide during the 1930s and 1940s.

Classroom learning this semester has focused on building strong skills, applying concepts in meaningful ways, and preparing students for future success. Completing assignments and staying engaged in daily work are essential for students to fully benefit from these opportunities. We encourage you to talk with your child about what they are learning and remind them of the importance of staying on top of their coursework. Your support at home makes a significant difference in helping students stay motivated and accountable.

We encourage you to check in on your child’s academic progress. One such way to do this is through Skyward. Skyward provides up-to-date information on grades, assignments, and attendance, allowing you to monitor performance and support your student’s success. Regularly reviewing Skyward together can help identify strengths, address concerns early, and celebrate progress. If you have questions about specific grades or assignments, please reach out directly to your child’s teachers.

As we move into the last part of the semester, students in grades 9 through 12 will begin preparing for final assessments. These assessments provide an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout the term. Encouraging your child to review notes regularly, complete practice activities, and ask questions when they need help will make the preparation process more manageable. Establishing consistent study habits now will help reduce stress and set them up for success at the end of the semester.

An important part of student success is developing a growth mindset—the belief that effort, practice, and perseverance lead to improvement. Encourage your child to view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles. Remind them that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and can help strengthen understanding. Praising effort, persistence, and problem-solving, rather than just final outcomes, can help students stay motivated and resilient when facing difficult tasks.

Our physical education teachers have been working hard from the beginning of the school year until now to improve each student’s core skills.

Individual fitness activities such as: stretching, cardio exercises, anaerobic exercises, core strength exercises, and balance activities have been taught during the first two six weeks. Those core skills will continue to be reinforced throughout the school year.

As the students improve on those skills, various games are introduced to reinforce those skills. The games also lead to other important learning opportunities such as: following specific rules for the game, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Various games that practice these skills through the winter months are: Indoor Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Floor Hockey, Star Wars, Zone Dodge Ball, Gaga Ball, Dance/Rhythm, Badminton, Sideline Soccer, Tchouk Ball, and Various Holiday Themed Games.

Your child is learning so much at this time of the year. How can you help them retain the

information and/or improve their study skills. Study skills are the techniques and strategies

that help you learn, understand, and remember information more effectively. They make studying more efficient and improve academic performance.

Here are some key study skills that can help improve your child’s habits which in turn can

reduce some of their stress and anxiety surrounding their many subjects:

● Organizational Skills

● Time Management

● Note Taking Skills

● Reading and Comprehension Skills

● Test Preparation Skills

● Concentration and Focus

● Memory Techniques

● Collaboration Skills

● Critical Thinking

● Self-Motivation and Reflection

Supporting your child starts with knowing their rights, and yours.

1. Right to notice: You will always be informed when the school proposes or refuses

special education services.

2. Right to consent: The school must have your written permission before evaluating

your child or providing services.

3. Right to participate: You are a key member of your child’s IEP team and decision-

making process.

4. Right to access records: You can review and request copies of your child’s

educational records.

5. Right to disagree: If you disagree with the school, you can request mediation, a due

process hearing, or file a complaint.

6. Right to Independent Evaluation: If you disagree with the school’s evaluation, you can

request an independent evaluation.

Your school’s special education teacher can provide a full copy of the procedural safeguards.