Tag: Nashville charter schools

Nashville, School Choice

It’s The Final Week To Select A School For 2019. Do Or Don’t. It’s Your Choice.

You want a good school for your child, right? Something that is a good fit based on what you know your child needs? It’s tough. There are so many options out there, it can feel like you’re trying to navigate through a labyrinth. Lengthy application processes, hours of research, interrogating your friends and neighbors. Lucky for you, Nashville Metro Schools actually has a lot of … Continue reading It’s The Final Week To Select A School For 2019. Do Or Don’t. It’s Your Choice.

Vesia Hawkins4 Comments
Nashville, School Choice, Tennessee

Nashville Charter School Leaders: #WhyWeCollaborate

Not even this morning’s torrential downpour can dampen my mood. Before reaching (clamoring) for my first cup of coffee I checked my email. To my surprise, the first email is from a group of Nashville charter leaders letting us know they’ve been meeting on the down low for months and now they’re a thing. Charter leaders from the city’s highest performing schools representing more than … Continue reading Nashville Charter School Leaders: #WhyWeCollaborate

Vesia Hawkins1 Comment
Black Community, Nashville, School Choice

To Choose Or Not To Choose, The Greatest Non-Debate

Last weekend a friend tagged me in a high-octane, drawn out tweet-debate with some of the greatest minds in education. Mini-essays of no more than 280 characters flooded my mentions late Friday night and throughout Saturday. A big, fat battle line was drawn, one side choice and the other not so much. I was drafted to join TeamChoice to defend families rights to choose and … Continue reading To Choose Or Not To Choose, The Greatest Non-Debate

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Accountability, Nashville, School Choice

A Nashville Parent Shares Frustration Over School Board’s Mixed Messaging on Charter Schools and Expectations

After learning of the Nashville school board’s decision to renew the charter of a school that has failed to meet standards for several years, parent Aidan Hoyal took to Facebook to air her frustration and we were there for it.  We hear you, Aidan.  Can any of you local ed policy experts please help me understand this? The MNPS School Board on Tuesday 1/23/18 voted … Continue reading A Nashville Parent Shares Frustration Over School Board’s Mixed Messaging on Charter Schools and Expectations

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Accountability, Black Community, Nashville, School Choice, Tennessee

Reflecting on the Year’s Education Scene and Honoring Nashville’s #EdChamps2017

Volume and Light is dedicated to amplifying and illuminating education issues and stories traditionally unavailable to readers. The mission is to offer a point-of-view of education utilizing my lens as a former public school district staffer, parent, and student. This blog seeks to inform families of the good, bad, and wrong, and because of the toxic environment for parent choice, 2017 saw dozens of posts … Continue reading Reflecting on the Year’s Education Scene and Honoring Nashville’s #EdChamps2017

Vesia Hawkins3 Comments
Accountability, Black Community, Nashville, School Choice

Nashville’s Charters Sidestep Chatter and Run Up the Score

My grandmother would always say, “I can show you better than I can tell you.” It was a mantra she lived by, which meant, in practical terms, that if someone crossed her, she might not say much, but you could bet your bottom dollar swift and decisive action was sure to follow. I think the charter school leaders and parents might be taking a page … Continue reading Nashville’s Charters Sidestep Chatter and Run Up the Score

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Nashville, School Choice

Parent to School Board: “Please Stop The Disparaging Remarks Toward Our Families For Our Choice”

Contributed by KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School parent Camiqueka Fuller as read at the June 13, 2017 school board meeting. Because five of nine board members were not attendance, the parents featured in this series expressed grave concern about the cold shoulder extended to charter schools and their families at board meetings. They have a voice, please listen.  Good evening, my name is Camiqueka Fuller. … Continue reading Parent to School Board: “Please Stop The Disparaging Remarks Toward Our Families For Our Choice”

Vesia Hawkins1 Comment
Nashville, School Choice

Charter School Parent to School Board: ‘Please Understand My Choice’

Contributed by Stem Prep parent Mara Rivera as read at the June 13, 2017 school board meeting. Because five of nine board members were not attendance, the parents featured in this series expressed grave concern about the cold shoulder extended to charter schools and their families at board meetings. They have a voice, please listen.  Buenas tardes señores de la junta directiva. Mi nombre es … Continue reading Charter School Parent to School Board: ‘Please Understand My Choice’

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Black Community, Nashville, School Choice

After A Week of Angry Blogging, Time for Cooler Heads to Prevail – Zack Barnes

A few of us have spent the week responding to an article in The Tennessean that generously offers up space and ink to empty accusations and other witch hunt-like activities intended to eradicate charter schools from the Nashville landscape. Maybe not the most effective use of our time, but the kids, you know? Below, the very cool (and super smart) Zack Barnes of TN Ed Report curates a roundup … Continue reading After A Week of Angry Blogging, Time for Cooler Heads to Prevail – Zack Barnes

Vesia Hawkins1 Comment
Black Community, Nashville, School Choice

For LEAD Public Schools’ Class of 2017 Getting Into College Is Just the Beginning of the Story

Senior Signing Day 2017 is in the books and LEAD Public Schools knows how to throw a party for its students! LEAD’s communications director Jon Zlock launched the festivities with a pep rally of a lifetime. Each LEAD school performed a chant pumping up all within earshot before things slowed to serious. From the schools’ CEO Chris Reynolds to Governor Bill Haslam, the message to … Continue reading For LEAD Public Schools’ Class of 2017 Getting Into College Is Just the Beginning of the Story

Vesia Hawkins1 Comment