Thursday, March 21, 2019

Grassy Fork Elementary School is honored
Grassy Fork Elementary School in Cocke County was honored by the community Wednesday after being selected as an ESEA(Elementary and Secondary Education Act) National Distinguished School for the 2018 school year. “This is a very prestigious honor, especially since only two schools were selected from Tennessee and only 68 across the United States," says Kathy Holt, ESSA Federal Programs Supervisor for the Cocke County School System. The other distinguished school in Tennessee is Andrew Johnson Elementary in Kingsport. The designation was based on student achievement, and Grassy Fork is one of only 26 nationally recognized for achievement. The school has received state recognition as a Tennessee Department of Education Reward School each year since 2015. Nearly twice as many students at Grassy Fork scored "On Track or Mastery" on the 2018 TnReady test as students statewide. “ Grassy Fork is an extremely high performing school in academic achievement and academic growth,” adds Holt. Grassy Fork is a small, community school. In 2016-17, the school had an enrollment of 87 students in grades K-8, but has seen enrollment increase over the past two years to a current 122 students. The school also boosts a very low absentee rate. During the Wednesday program, Holt and Gary Holt, Title 1 Coordinator, presented the ESEA Distinguished Schools plaque to the Grassy Fork Student Council. Principal Dr. Judy Webb said she frequently is asked what makes Grassy Fork Elementary School great. "To God be the glory. We are so blessed to have this strong support of the community. Our students set goals, and last year we had five students who didn't miss a question on the TCAP, out of a total of 11 students in all of Cocke County," Webb told the packed gymnasium of the school. She also recognized school personnel and community members who she said were instrumental in the success of the school. Director of Cocke County Schools Manney Moore applauded the strong support of the Grassy Fork community for it's school. "Every single person who is here today, and those who couldn't make it are important to what this school does. And the school appreciates everybody. We talk about parental and community involvement and about a culture of caring; if anyone wants to see a culture they can come here and see it in every aspect."


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