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New Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn, on the job for 14 days, talks with reporters Thursday afternoon at Dobyns-Bennett High School after a student roundtable there. She said students want better transitions from middle school to high school and high school to careers.
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Penny Schwinn

Education commissioner visits Kingsport for student roundtable

“I hear the same things said differently and framed differently” across the state, Schwinn said of students wanting to be happy, healthy and safe. The 20 D-B students at the Thursday roundtable specifically suggested better transitions from middle to high school and high school to careers.

Today at 5:00 PM
Sullivan North High/Middle School reopened Monday after remediation of "black mold" found in air samples in four rooms. All told, nine spores were found before remediation but none after it.
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featured

Kingsport school officials monitoring North mold situation

Kingsport City Schools officials are watching the “black mold” developments at Sullivan North/Middle School closely, with an eye toward the day when the city system is to take over the building for which it already has paid $20 million.

Today at 7:30 AM
Center, Long Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Christopher Columbus essay winner Peyton Minnick, a junior from Sullivan Central High. Left is Jane Musick of DAR, right is teacher Kristy Sproles.
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Daughters of the American Revolution

Daughters of the American Revolution chapter gives student awards

Students from St. Dominic Catholic School, Sullivan Central and Sullivan East were among the winners.

Yesterday at 3:00 PM
Students at Gate City High School, shown here, received five biology lab kits.
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education

Mountain Empire Community College donates biology lab kits to local schools

Kits were presented to teachers Ashley Burke at Gate City High School, Amanda Horton at Lee High School and Denise Carter at Thomas Walker High School. A total of 15 kits were donated – five to each school – for use in dual enrollment biology classes.

Yesterday at 11:49 AM
Sullivan County Director of Schools Evelyn Rafalowski Wednesday afternoon released a community letter to parents of students in the Sullivan North High/Middle School on "black mold" and mold retesting.
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black mold

Sullivan officials not commenting on North mold lawsuit

Sullivan County officials have released more details of follow-up mold tests at Sullivan North/Middle School, but are not commenting on a $21 million lawsuit filed by a former teacher over alleged  “black mold” that sickened him.

Yesterday at 9:52 AM
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Healthy Kingsport

New partnership aims to improve health across 21-county region

The Accountable Care Community is a joint effort of Ballad Health, Healthy Kingsport and the United Way of Southwest Virginia. More than 150 organizations from the region already have signed on as stakeholders and others are invited to join in.

Feb 20, 2019 at 8:47 AM
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Rogersville City School

Rogersville City School closed for rest of week due to illness

Rogersville City School announced Tuesday evening it will be closed for the rest of the week beginning Wednesday due to extensive illness and the need to scrub down the school with disinfectant.

Feb 20, 2019 at 5:41 PM
Former Sullivan North High School teacher Michael Upchurch has filed a $21 million lawsuit against Sullivan County Schools, alleging toxic "black mold" at the school sickened him to the point of being admitted to a hospital.
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Sullivan North High School

$21 million lawsuit filed over alleged North black mold; Tuesday test results show no more airborne spores

Follow-up tests at Sullivan North High/Middle School turned up no airborne black mold spores where they had been found last week, according to the Sullivan County director of schools. However, a former North teacher says he has filed a $21 million lawsuit against the school system for mold exposure he alleges put him in the hospital.

Feb 19, 2019 at 6:09 PM
A Hawkins County school bus driver is rescued from her bus earlier this month off Spruce Pine Road after heavy rains sparked flooding through- out the county.
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Tuesday Trivia

Tuesday Trivia: The wettest and driest places on earth

If the wet weather has you wondering about rain, here are some Tuesday Trivia quick facts

Feb 19, 2019 at 3:30 PM
Consultant Wayne Qualls talks with Sullivan County school board members Monday about the director of school's search to replace Evelyn Rafalowski, a nearly 42-year employee retiring June 30 after four years as director.
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Sullivan school board seeking public input on director's search

A 10-part “profile” is to be used for an online public survey on things important in choosing a new director of schools for Sullivan County. Evelyn Rafalowski will retire mid-year after nearly 42 years with the school system, including four as director.

Feb 19, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Former Sullivan County school board member Larry Harris, announcer for Sullivan South High School football and basketball for whom the Sullivan South High School football press box was named in 2016, has died.
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Larry Harris

Veteran Sullivan South sports announcer, county school board member Harris dies

“I don’t think I ever encountered Mr. (Larry) Harris that he didn’t have a wide smile, a big pat on the back and much encouragement,” said Sullivan County Director of Schools Evelyn Rafalowski, a nearly 42-year veteran of the school system and friend of Harris and his family. “He was a good guy.”  

Feb 18, 2019 at 9:00 PM
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Civics 101

Survey says most Americans can't pass civics test used for naturalization of immigrants

Tennesseans came in just under the national average, with 38 percent of respondents receiving a passing grade of at least six in 10 questions answered correctly.

Feb 18, 2019 at 6:00 PM
Coeburn Middle School Principal Deidre Church, school bookkeeper Christa Holmes, Assistant Principal Matt Dysart and school Resource Officer Lindsie Stacy have found that a simple metal Help Box has helped buiild trust and rapport between adults and students.
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education

Help boxes lead to ‘climate change’ at Coeburn Middle

A metal box on the wall outside Coeburn Middle School’s main office is building stronger relationships between students and school staff.

Feb 17, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Sullivan County Department of Education logo.
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Sullivan County schools

Sullivan school system honors top teachers, principal

The Sullivan County Department of Education has honored three Teachers of the Year and one Principal of the Year for 2018-19, Director of Schools Evelyn Rafalowski announced Monday.

Feb 17, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Northeast State Community College student Samantha Parrish is one of eight Achieving the Dream (ATD) 2019 DREAM Scholars selected from across the country.
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Northeast's Samantha Parrish named Achieving the Dream Scholar

BLOUNTVILLE — Northeast State Community College student Samantha Parrish has been named one of eight Achieving the Dream (ATD) 2019 DREAM Scholars selected from across the country.

Feb 16, 2019 at 12:00 PM
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