Second Graders at Rhea Valley Elementary took their classroom lesson to the Art room, and created clay maps of the Native American Regions. The multi-level process involved carving a line drawing of the United States in the clay and marking off the Native American Regions. Students also built up the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains by pinching the clay. Second grade teachers,(Mrs. Smith, Ms. Akers, Mrs. Blevins and Mrs. Sizemore) collaborated with the Art Teacher (Mrs. Compton), to create a color code to represent each region. The children painted the Eastern Woodlands region green, the Plains region yellow and the Southwest region red. The Great Lakes, the Mississippi, the James and the Rio Grande were all painted dark blue. Clay projects are always a favorite in the Art room. The second graders couldn't wait to take them home.

Happy Bear visited Mrs. Alexander's preschool classroom at Abingdon Elementary! The students were very happy to see him! He was a little shy at first, but we welcomed him, and he quickly warmed up to our smiling faces. Happy Bear, along with Ms. Marcia, talked to us about his school day - and it sounded a lot like ours! Happy Bear helped us to know the difference between a wanted touch - like a hug from mom or a friend and an unwelcome touch - like when someone hits you on the playground. Happy Bear offered each student a high five or a hug at the end of the lesson! We really enjoyed meeting Happy Bear and hope to see him again! This program was presented by the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol/Washington County, Virginia. Contact them for Happy Bear to visit your classroom or for more information.

At Watauga Elementary School members of the GATE program have been exploring music across the curriculum with the help of Mrs. Bare (1st grade) and Ms.Cupp (music) Students had the opportunity to make homemade instruments using items donated from students and faculty, paint expressively to music, learn sign language to songs, and learn about as well as have the opportunity to play instruments from various countries. The students have also had a chance to learn how to play hand bells to various song selections. The students have really enjoyed learning all the different techniques in playing hand bells and with each student responsible for a different “pitch” bell, they are able to come together and learn what it is like to perform as an ensemble and create music. The students will have an opportunity to perform and display their work to their parents on December 16th.

The Holston High School Cheerleading Team was recently notified that they had received a coveted American School Spirit Award. The award was given by the prestigious Universal Cheerleaders Association. The organization, which was founded in 1974, sanctions training and provides local cheerleading squads with links to resources and competition.

The team received the “Building Spirit Award” because of their commitment to the community. The HHS Cheerleaders provided over 200 sandwiches to needy community members during the Thanksgiving Holiday period. The Association also mentioned how the team had grown in size since being coached by Gina Thomas. The squad has grown in size from four to sixteen members and the school now also has a junior varsity squad.

Holston High School salutes Ms. Thomas and her high-achieving team.

Patrick Henry High School freshman, Emma B., will be featured on a Fuel Up to Play 60 brochure. This brochure is an advertisement for Fuel Up to Play 60, which is a joint effort between the National Dairy Council and the NFL (National Football League), to help students become active and eat healthy. It will reach over 71,000 schools nationwide. Emma’s picture will appear on the brochure along with a quote from her about how she works with her school to make it a healthier place. Emma is currently a National Student Ambassador for Fuel Up to Play 60.