The Coalfield School story was filled with the Christmas Spirit this final week of the first semester along with academics and athletics. Our Intro to Business students organized a gofundme account for Mr. Paul Brown which has done fantastic. Our student body and teachers also participated in a “break dress code day” where they would donate $1 to wear pajamas to help support Mr. Brown…they donated a total of $510.00.
Some staff, volunteers, former students, and others volunteered their time to go Christmas shopping for students in need. Thank you to all the churches, businesses, and community members who supported this initiative financially. Thank you also to all those who volunteered their time and energy to stay out late shopping and then come in the next day to help sort all the gifts for specific students. There is a lot that goes into this enormous, but special event. Mrs. Dee Dee Harrison Wallace does a wonderful job organizing and overseeing it all from beginning to end. Our staff had their pot luck Christmas dinner this week as well.
A huge thank you to Aubrey’s Restaurant for donating the much coveted “Golden Tickets ” for our entire staff. This ticket provides a full course meal from anything on the menu for two people. That’s two appetizers , two entrees, and two desserts. It is a phenomenal gift for our staff.
All Corp students joined Ms. Dee Dee and Mrs. Pamela Fears Lay for lunch to celebrate their achievements. These ladies also were able to get the TNReady Top Achievers names on the elementary banner. Beth Jones Roberts’ students finished their Christmas projects. Staff members helped judge the projects and declare winners for each grade level. Coach Jones’ STEM students presented their woodworking ideas. These projects will be created and sold in an auction to raise funds to offer continued support to Mr. Brown in his battle with cancer. The presentations were a “Shark Tank” style format. Ms. Shelia Harvey and I were the sharks that determined which projects might have the best chance to produce the most profit. Each group did a great job and had wonderful ideas but only three could be chosen from each class.
Buddy the Elf, aka SRO D Michael Kruggel, made an appearance in the dismissal traffic. Buddy was a hit with parents and students. Mrs. Jessica Neeley’s class practiced plotting on a coordinate plane by creating Christmas posters on grid paper. Mr. Mike Smith’s class dissected frogs as a Christmas gift from Mr. Smith. I dropped in on Mrs. Paula Jones Melhorn’s class to find her busy teaching during this crazy week before Christmas break. I also was able to drop in on Mrs. Jenice Pearson’s class to find her busy teaching about the water cycle. Mr. Peyton Tinker led another God Squad with high school and Pastor Corey Jones, Arron Leslie, and Misty Kring lead another God Squad for middle school. Mrs Melanie McKinney and Pleasant Grove hosted Bible Release for elementary students as well.
Our basketball teams were very busy this week as well. The middle school teams played the E2 Christmas tournament. Each team recorded nice wins and the boys team came away with the championship.
Our high school teams played this past week as well. Our boys played a hard fought game at Wartburg coming up a bit short at the end. Our girls had some nice wins against Wartburg and Powell in the same day and finished the week by beating annual powerhouse Clarkrange to win the 5Star Prep Tournament at Anderson County. I’m thankful for the time and effort our studen-athletes and coaches give for their school and community.
Please continue to pray for our students, staff, and their families. Merry Christmas to each one of you!