July 3, 2020
As we celebrate Independence Day this weekend, please be safe with your loved ones and celebrate the freedom, patriotism, and liberty we have by living in this country. We’re grateful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Education.com has provided a plethora of July 4th related resources, guided lessons, online games, printable worksheets, exercises, and activities for students grades pre-K to 5th grade.
For teachers and parents, TeacherVision has provided background on our nation’s history, educational videos, lesson plans, and activities around Independence Day that you may find helpful at home with your children or for future planning.
ICYMI: The voter registration deadline for Tennessee’s primary election is July 7. Are you registered to vote? Not sure? Find out and get the information you need on our Civic Action Center here.
At Tennesseans for Student Success, we believe in informing voters on how their elected officials vote so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box. It’s important to learn about the candidates who are running to represent you and the issues they care about. Take advantage of everything our Civic Action Center has to offer to make the best decisions for the future of Tennessee kids.
At the end of our Tristar Reads summer reading competition, three hard-working readers will win a $1000 scholarship for their 529 college savings account. A 529 account is designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs and yields a fantastic return on your investment. 529 Plans are open to everyone and offer special tax advantages.
Learn more about how to set up an account, the benefits of saving for college through a 529 account, and more about TSS’ commitment to college and career readiness during a short and informative 30-minute webinar on Thursday, July 9th, at 3:30 pm CT/4:30 pm ET.
Who: Parents, teachers, those involved in helping students save for college.
What: 30-minute webinar on college savings through a 529 account with TNStars and Tristar Reads.
When: Thursday, July 9th at 3:30 pm CT
Where: Online! After signing up, you will receive a zoom link with a calendar invite.
Evaluating legislators openly and honestly helps voters better assess how local officials are working to improve the future of Tennessee’s one million students.
The SuccessCard offers clear and concise information on how members of the General Assembly voted to support the policies that have led to Tennessee twice becoming the fastest improving state in the nation.
Sign-up to be the first to get our release of the 2020 SuccessCard in late July!
Last week, we challenged students to write a review about the best book they’ve read so far this summer to give other students and parents book ideas. Below are a few submissions from individuals who are participating in Tristar Reads this summer.
From Karsyn Rhoades:
The best book I’ve read this summer is Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone. The book follows Sam, a popular girl with purely obsessional OCD. Sam fears that if she tells her friends about her mental illness they will label her as a freak, so she keeps it a secret. Then one day, Sam meets Caroline, who introduces her to Poet’s Corner, a club where students can safely, and secretly, share their poetry. At first, Sam is skeptical, but then she begins to make friends, and she starts to feel like she belongs. But as her illness gets worse, she starts to fear she may never truly belong anywhere.
This book perfectly captures mean girls, feeling like an outcast among friends, and the power of writing as an escape. I would highly recommend this book to any of my fellow teens.
From Brianna:
