Sevier County Families,
We are well and truly in the home stretch these last few days of May as school winds down, summer vacation begins, and we undertake the process of resetting and refreshing for a new school year to start in the fall. I want to say a huge “thank you” and "congratulations" to all our students, parents and staff for all the hard work they did this year. Just a few quick reminders as we sprint toward May 29:
- Summer learning camps will be in session at a few consolidated schools around our district beginning June 1 and running Mondays through Thursdays throughout June.
- As many schools will be utilizing online registration this fall, we ask that you take a moment to reach out to your child’s school to ensure that all contact information, including telephone numbers and email addresses, is up-to-date.
- As our secondary schools have been realigned to transition 9th grade back to high schools, we are also adjusting band programming to begin in 6th grade rather than 5th as we anticipate an eventual adjustment back to the 6-8 middle school model.
- Early registration for students new to the district or to their school for next year is scheduled for Thursday, July 9. Remember that open enrollment is only for a limited time at the beginning of the year (concluding August 12), so summer is an ideal time if you’ve moved or are considering a transition.
- The first day of the 2026-2027 school year for students will be Friday, August 7. Please check individual school websites for information regarding open houses, orientations, and supply lists.
Finally, I’d like to offer my personal thanks to all of the students, staff, and parents all around the district that I was able to meet and work with during my time as Director of Schools. As you likely know, I’ll be retiring this summer, and it has truly been a privilege to serve the families of Sevier County both at SCHS and here at the district office. I will miss learning from our students and staff members, and I look forward to volunteering as often as I am able to continue to be a part of the educational process in our community. Thank you and enjoy your summer!
Regards,
Stephanie Huskey, Director of Sevier County Schools
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Thank you for continuing to make reading and conversation such an important part of your daily routine. Through the shared efforts of home and school, our students are growing not only as readers, but as thoughtful thinkers who can share and explain their ideas with confidence.
This month, you can continue supporting your child by encouraging them to think more deeply about characters and ideas in the stories they read. When children learn to support their thinking with reasons and examples, they strengthen both comprehension and communication skills.
Try these simple ways to deepen conversations at home:
🔍 Support thinking with evidence.
After your child shares an idea, ask, “What makes you think that?” or “Can you show me where you saw that in the story?”
💭 Think about character choices.
Ask, “Do you agree with what the character did? Why or why not?” This helps children form opinions and explain their reasoning.
🔄 Imagine different possibilities.
Encourage flexible thinking by asking, “What might have happened if the character made a different choice?”
🧠 Reflect on the big idea.
Talk about the message of the story: “What is this story really about?” or “What lesson can we learn from it?”
These small but meaningful conversations help children move beyond simply understanding a story to thinking critically about it. Over time, this builds strong readers who can analyze, question, and communicate their ideas clearly.
Thank you for partnering with us to grow curious, confident, and capable learners. Your time and conversations truly make a difference!
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We are excited to celebrate the outstanding classrooms who rose to the top in this year’s Math Challenge! The top winners are:
1st Grade School Addition/Subtraction - WEARWOOD ELEMENTARY
1st Grade Individual Teacher Addition/Subtraction - SAMANTHA GIBSON - SEVIERVILLE PRIMARY
2nd Grade School Addition/Subtraction - CATON’S CHAPEL ELEMENTARY
2nd Grade Individual Teacher Addition/Subtraction - KIMBERLY BEVINS - CATONS CHAPEL
3rd Grade School Multiplication - CATON’S CHAPEL ELEMENTARY
3rd Grade Individual Teacher Multiplication - AMY WALKER - BOYDS CREEK ELEMENTARY
The winning schools will have the honor of hosting the MATH CHALLENGE TRAVELING TROPHY at their school for the year - a symbol of excellence and a job well done! We cannot wait to see it proudly displayed!
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dave Andrews at Soaky Mountain Water Park for generously providing waterpark passes to our 3rd grade winning school and individual class. Your support helps make this achievement even more memorable for our students.
THANK YOU, TEACHERS & STAFF!
A heartfelt thank you to our teachers and staff for the countless ways you support our students each and every day. Your encouragement, dedication, and commitment during the Math Challenge—and throughout the entire school year—help inspire confidence, growth, and success in every child. We are grateful for all you do to make a difference in the lives of our students!
THANK YOU, FAMILIES!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our parents and caregivers. Your partnership plays a vital role in student success. By encouraging, supporting and working alongside your child, you help them grow and achieve at their highest level. Together, we are building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
As summer begins, we encourage families to continue finding fun ways to practice math together in everyday activities. Whether counting, measuring, shopping, cooking, or playing games, every little moment helps strengthen math skills and confidence. Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s learning—we look forward to continuing to work together in the upcoming school year to ensure every child’s success!
Happy Summer !
Lynn Lucas, K-6 Math Supervisor
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Science: Curiosity and Observation
- The "Kitchen Chemist": Cooking is one big science experiment. When baking, talk about how liquid batter turns into a solid cake. Ask your child: "What do you think the baking powder does?" or "Why did the butter melt?"
- Nature Scavenger Hunts: During walks, look for signs of the changing seasons or different types of ecosystems (like a fallen log or a garden patch).
- The "I Wonder" Journal: Encourage your child to keep a small notebook. If they ask a question like "Why is the sky blue?" or "How do ants breathe?", write it down together and look up the answer later that evening.
Social Studies: Small Citizens, Big World
- Map Your World: Next time you’re driving to the grocery store or the park, let your child "navigate" using a physical map or by identifying landmarks. This builds spatial awareness and basic geography skills.
- Family Oral History: Have your child interview a grandparent or neighbor. Questions like "What was school like when you were my age?" help them understand continuity and change over time.
- The Grocery Store Economy: Use shopping trips to discuss "Needs vs. Wants." Explain how we trade money for goods and why some items cost more than others. This is a foundational lesson in economics.
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I returned to college in 2005, when I was 40 years old. I earned my B.S. in Special Education in 2009; my M.A. in Elementary: K-6 in 2011, and my Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction in 2013. I earned certifications in English 7-12 and ESL, as well as Reading Specialist. From 2009 - 2015, I taught Read 180 and English 1, 2, & 3. In 2015, I moved to ESL and have never looked back. I won Teacher of the Year in 2017 and 2023. In 2016, I realized many Latino students did not attend post-secondary education due to lack of information and lack of opportunity. In the next 3 years, I helped 3 students attend and graduate from TN College of Applied Technology, 2 students apply and win the Equal Chance for Education and 1 student received the Golden Eagle Scholarship. I began the Latino College Club in 2022, partnering with Centro Hispano and RHita from Walters State Community College, to help students with post-secondary opportunities, regardless of their status. Since that time, SCHS has had 1 student attend TN College of Applied Technology; 6 students receive the Equal Chance for Education Scholarship, and 2 students receive the Golden Eagle Scholarship. This month I attended the graduation ceremony of 2 of those students. This year one student has received the Equal Chance for Education Scholarship and will be attending Maryville College. These academic goals and achievements are important; however, I believe the most important thing I have accomplished is creating a culture of belonging and making my classroom a safe space. My goal has always been to show every student what they are capable of and to help them reach their full potential, while knowing they are loved and supported.
I am completing 28 years of service with the Sevier County Board of Education, including 17 years teaching. My greatest achievement has been the lasting relationships I have made with my students and their families. I am still in touch with my first students (and their children) and continue to advocate and tutor outside of the classroom. There is something very special about seeing former students and being remembered in a positive way or meeting new students whose family members I have taught. Apart from my family, teaching has been the greatest achievement of my life.
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Encouraging summer reading and learning
- While summer is a well-deserved time for rest and relaxation, it is also the perfect opportunity to let curiosity guide your learning outside the classroom. We strongly encourage all students to dive into new books, explore local libraries, and embark on imaginative adventures through reading. Whether you are planting a garden or visiting a local museum, keep your minds active and let your personal passions lead the way to new discoveries over the break.
Tips to avoid the “summer slide”
- To ensure a smooth transition into the next grade and avoid the dreaded "summer slide," integrating just a little bit of practice into your daily routine can make a world of difference. Try setting aside just twenty minutes a day for reading, playing math-based board games as a family, or keeping a summer journal to practice writing skills. Incorporating these small, fun, and engaging educational activities into your regular summer schedule helps keep those hard-earned academic skills sharp without ever feeling like traditional homework.
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We are incredibly proud of the resilience, teamwork, and enthusiasm our teachers have shown in overcoming challenges and embracing new ways of learning. We have shared countless moments of joy, collaboration, and breakthrough understanding that will define this year's legacy. As we look ahead to next year, our goal is to build upon this strong foundation, continuing to foster an inclusive, innovative environment where every student feels empowered to take academic risks, ask big questions, and achieve their highest potential. |
As we look back on this remarkable year, we are continually amazed by the incredible accomplishments of our students. From earning academic honors and shining in extracurricular competitions to demonstrating profound personal and social growth, every single student has reached new milestones. Whether it was mastering a challenging subject, showing exceptional kindness to a peer, or bringing home a well-deserved award, your dedication and perseverance have truly set a standard of excellence for our community. We are incredibly proud! |
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We want to extend our deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to all our students and their families for your unwavering support, partnership, and enthusiasm throughout the year. To the students: thank you for bringing your energy, curiosity, and unique talents to our classrooms every single day. To the parents and guardians: your involvement, patience, and encouragement from home have been the bedrock of our success. We truly could not have achieved such a phenomenal year without you as our co-pilots, and we wish you all a safe, happy, and restful summer! |
As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close, our Physical Education teachers have been busy preparing for field days across the county for our elementary and middle school students. Health Services also helped with the planning of County Wide Track and Field Days for our 5th to 8th grade students. Another successful activity planned by Health Services that took place recently was Fun and Fitness Day. Fifth grade students who passed the Presidential Fitness Test could go on a Field Trip with their school to the Gatlinburg Community Center/Rocky Top Sports World to participate in various physical activity games. Physical Education teachers across the county came to Gatlinburg to help with the games. This year, there were 214 fifth graders who were eligible to participate in this event.
As the summer break approaches for our students, it is important to remain active through the summer months before the next school year. It is recommended that everyone needs at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week. Finally, we hope you have a great, active summer!
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Summer can be a great opportunity for students to rest, grow, and focus on themselves. Taking care of mental health through positive habits and meaningful activities can help students return to school feeling confident and refreshed.
Here are some practical ideas students can use over the summer to help maintain good mental health:
Stay Social
- Spend time with friends and family regularly.
- Join a summer sports team, club, or community group
- Volunteer locally to stay connected and purposeful
Keep a Flexible Routine
- Wake up and go to bed around the same time each day
- Balance free time with productive activities
- Set small weekly goals to create structure
Get Outside
- Take walks, hike, swim, or bike
- Spend time in nature to reduce stress and improve mood
- Limit staying indoors all day on phones or gaming systems
- Replace screen time with hobbies or in person activities
Stay Physically Active
- Exercise a few times each week
- Try sports, dancing, yoga, or gym workouts
- Physical activity can improve energy and reduce anxiety
Practice Self-Care
- Get enough sleep
- Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated
- Practice mindfulness or deep breathing
- Listen to music, watch favorite movies, go for walks, call a friend, journaling
Learn Something New
- Read books for fun
- Learn a language or skill online
- Take a summer class or explore a personal interest
Talk About Feelings
- Check in with trusted friends, family members, or counselors
- Don’t ignore stress, loneliness, or anxiety
- Asking for support is healthy and important
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As the school year comes to a close, summer offers a time for rest, fun, and family connection. It can also be an important opportunity to help your child maintain the skills they’ve worked hard to build throughout the year. With a few simple strategies, families can support continued growth in a relaxed and meaningful way. |
Learning doesn’t have to look like schoolwork. Everyday activities provide natural opportunities to build skills:
- Reading together or listening to audiobooks
- Cooking and following simple recipes
- Practicing math during shopping or budgeting
- Playing games that build problem-solving and communication
- Maintain Simple (and Flexible) Routines
While summer schedules may be more relaxed, maintaining a basic routine can help children feel secure and successful. Consider:
- Consistent wake-up and bedtime routines
- A predictable structure for meals, play, and rest
- Visual schedules or checklists to support independence
- Practice Social and Emotional Skills
Summer is a great time to strengthen social skills and emotional regulation by:
- Practicing sharing, turn-taking, and communication during play
- Talking through feelings and problem-solving together
- Using calming strategies such as deep breathing or taking breaks
- Use Supports That Work at School
Many strategies used during the school year can be helpful at home, including:
- Visual supports (schedules, first/then boards)
- Clear expectations and consistent routines
- Positive reinforcement for effort and progress
- Stay Connected and Plan Ahead
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By partnering together, families and schools can ensure that students continue to grow, build confidence, and stay connected to their learning, even during the summer months. |
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