TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Departments of Education and Health are proud to announce Tennessee is among the 10 best states in the percentage of schools that did not sell less nutritious food and beverages last year, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WHAT: The Tennessee Textbook Commission conference call

WHEN: Thursday, October 15 at 3:30 PM CDT

NASHVILLE  – Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed October 12-16, 2009, as National School Lunch Week in Tennessee in recognition of the crucial role school meal programs play in supporting student learning. School systems across the state will provide fun and educational activities to educate Tennessee’s children about healthy, nutritious meals.

"Healthy meals give students the fuel they need to succeed in school and help establish good eating habits," Gov. Bredesen said. "The school lunch program is one component of a much larger school nutrition program dedicated to graduating healthy students."

This year’s school lunch theme is “All-Star School Lunch”, an NBA inspired campaign featuring five “basketball teams” each comprised of healthy school lunch menu items (sample items below) and coached by a current or former NBA/ WNBA player.

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Department of Education has been awarded a $3.4 million grant through the United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs to improve the lives of special education students through instructional services.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education announced today that 40 Obion County school students’ personal information was inadvertently disclosed during a data systems training in August 2007. The information was displayed in a PowerPoint presentation used for the training that included a computer “screen shot.” The presentation remained posted on the Department’s Career and Technical Education Division’s Web site after the training.

NASHVILLE – Janice Womble, currently principal of Deery Eakin Primary School in Bedford County, has been named Tennessee’s 2009-10 Principal of the Year. Connie Campbell, Director of Assessment and Curriculum Grades 6-12 for Jefferson County Schools, was awarded the honor of 2009-10 Tennessee Supervisor of the Year. Both administrators were recognized at an award ceremony Monday night, during which the grand division winners were also announced.

WHAT:            2009 Tennessee Department of Education LEADership Conference for          

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education is proud to announce that six Tennessee schools have been chosen as 2009 No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon Schools. The award is given by the U.S. Department of Education each year to schools helping students achieve at a high level and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

“Receiving this designation is an outstanding accomplishment and evidence that these schools are doing the right thing in educating our children while still meeting intense federal benchmarks,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “Teachers, parents and students should be very proud of themselves and their schools.”

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen, Education Commissioner Timothy Webb and the Tennessee Department of Education launched the 2009-10 Middle and High School Reading Summit beginning today with a spotlight on promoting reading success.

“Reading is the key to a successful education,” Governor Bredesen said. “While we have made reading a priority with early learning initiatives like Books from Birth, it’s now time to apply that same level of focus to keep reading on the forefront for middle and high school students as we increase standards this year.”

NASHVILLE – Each year, the Tennessee Department of Education recognizes outstanding administrators with the Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards. The finalists below were selected by fellow principals and supervisors and represent the nine field service. The winners will be named at the annual Tennessee Educational LEADership Conference in October.