April 6, 2020
As our schools, economy, and life in general moves at a rapidly different pace than one month ago, TSS is keeping our finger on the pulse of education-related COVID-19 changes and want to keep you as up-to-date as possible. We are doing what we can to connect people with their elected officials, improve communications, and help solve problems. Please fill out this form to send an email to your legislator regarding issues your school, students, or community are experiencing because of COVID-19.
Effective April 2, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 23, which requires Tennesseans to stay at home unless they are carrying out essential activities. This order is in effect until April 14, 2020.
Currently, Tennessee public schools are closed until April 24th.
To receive further guidance from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), read their School Closure Toolkit for families here.
Additionally, the Tennessee State Government has recently released a public survey for the CARES Act, which provides one-time relief funds for education. This survey seeks input from Tennesseans on the most effective ways to prioritize these funds. Please take advantage of this opportunity to use your voice by filling out the survey here.
With learning now at-home for the next several weeks, we know that parents want trusted resources that will help keep kids engaged and learning while still inside the comfort of their own home.
Each week, Tristar Reads will be sending out a newsletter with helpful resources and the most up-to-date news on all things COVID-19 as it pertains to education and education-related updates. You don’t want to miss out on all the resources that Tristar Reads is making available to you and your family, sign up today!
Beginning last Thursday, April 2, Dolly Parton began reading books from her Imagination Library for a 10-week series called, “Goodnight with Dolly.” This series will run every Thursday night at 7 pm ET in an effort to provide “comfort and reassurance to coping kids and families during the shelter-in-place mandates,” as stated in a release announcing the series.
Be sure to tune in to Tennessee’s sweetheart as she reads bedtime stories to our kids each week.
Beginning TODAY, PBS will offer two hours of high-quality instructional content daily from 10 am – 12 pm ET for Tennesseans. The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) partnered with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to ensure students would have access to daily learning opportunities during this unprecedented pandemic.
“This new partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education will work to meet our shared mission of ensuring every child is inspired and educated, regardless of their circumstances,” said Becky Magura, President & CEO, WCTE Cookeville.
Be on the lookout for this content on Tennessee’s six PBS stations — WNPT Nashville, East Tennessee PBS, WCTE Upper Cumberland, WKNO Memphis, West TN PBS, and Chattanooga WTCI.
April 6-10, 2020, marks National Assistant Principals Week, and while we’re not physically in our school building, it’s important to take a moment to recognize the role assistant principals play in overall student achievement across our state. This month, we would like to honor our assistant principals, but we need your help!
Please take a moment to nominate an Assistant Principal that has made an impact in your school community. We will choose a few winners, highlight their work on your social media, and send them a gift in the mail!
Last week, the State Board of Education announced a special electronic convening on April 9th at 2 PM to discuss and vote on emergency rules regarding K-12 graduation requirements for Tennessee’s high school seniors in response to the public health crisis.
In addition to graduation requirements, the State Board will also address teacher licensure candidates as current rules require teachers to have 15 weeks of classroom teaching time. School closures across the state have prevented many teachers from reaching the required number of weeks to complete their educator preparation programs this year.
According to the TDOE, additional information, including meeting materials and information regarding the virtual special called meeting will be posted on the State Board website as it becomes available at www.tn.gov/sbe.