Hamblen County Department of Education-OFFICIAL

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of three new principals for the upcoming school year. While they might have new titles, they are definitely not new to our community. All three leaders are stepping up from within our own district, bringing years of local dedication, passion, and proven leadership to their new campuses.

Join us in celebrating:

Dr. Alvin Sanders – Taking the helm at West High

Courtney Miller – Leading the way at Alpha Elementary

Jessica Schaus – Stepping up as principal at Lincoln Heights Elementary

We are incredibly incredibly proud to watch our own leaders grow, and we can't wait to see the amazing impact they will continue to make on our students, staff, and families in these new roles.

Thank you for the incredible turnout at our meal distribution sites! We are grateful to serve so many children in our community. We also apologize to those we were unable to accommodate. Due to program limitations, we are restricted in the number of meals available for distribution.

As a reminder moving forward:

✔️ Bulk meal distributions are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

✔️ Meals may only be picked up for children who reside in your household.

✔️ If requesting meals for a larger number of children, you may be asked to provide verification of household composition. If verification cannot be provided, the amount of meals distributed may be limited or denied.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure meals are distributed equitably and reach the children they are intended to serve in accordance with program guidelines.

🍎 C is for Career and Technical Education! 🛠️🐾

Did you know that the CTE program in Hamblen County is setting our students up for major success before they even cross the graduation stage?

Whether they are in middle school just starting to explore their interests, or in high school narrowing down their passion, Hamblen County CTE provides hands-on, real-world opportunities in a massive variety of industries.

Our students aren't just reading from textbooks, they are diving headfirst into high-demand careers, including:

🩺 Medical Science – Training the next generation of healthcare heroes.
🚜 Agriculture & Animal Science – Learning sustainable farming and veterinary basics.
🏭 Manufacturing & Welding – Sparking creativity and building the future.
💇‍♀️ Cosmetology – Mastering the art and business of style.
🍳 Culinary Arts – Whipping up professional-grade culinary creations.
..and so many others!

From the classroom to the workforce, CTE gives our students the skills, certifications, and confidence they need to thrive. We are so proud of the incredible work being done by our students and dedicated instructors!

Hamblen County Special Services Dept would like to honor one of their own, Mrs. Leigh Ann Mills. She has been named 2026 Special Olympics Coach of the Year!

👏 Congratulations to Leigh Ann Mills of Hamblen County, named the 2026 Special Olympics Tennessee Coach of the Year!

Through her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to athletes, Leigh Ann has made a lasting impact both on and off the field of play. She embodies what it means to be a Special Olympics coach by creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping athletes discover their full potential every day.

Thank you, Leigh Ann, for the countless lives you continue to inspire across Special Olympics Tennessee.

Area 10 - Hamblen County Special Olympics

☀️ Hamblen County Families! ☀️

The SUN Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids is offering bulk meal pick-ups this June to keep our students healthy and fed all summer long! Each bag includes 7 days worth of meals for anyone under the age of 18.

Check the details below to find your nearest site and pre-register!

📍 Pick-Up Locations
West View Middle School
Whitesburg Elementary
Witt Elementary

⏰ Pick-Up Time
Tuesdays from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

🗓️ Pick-Up Dates
June 2
June 9
June 16
June 23
June 30

📝 Pre-Registration is Recommended! Scan the QR code in the image to pre-register your child for summer meals or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYKGzfi1-ScOCEWGdJeY6GXDSHboLMPZN16NbAA1PRksanRg/viewform

📞 Questions? Call School Nutrition at 423-581-3027 for more information.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Dorian Carpenter has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholar!

Selected from a talent pool of over 15,000 elite Finalists, Dorian represents the top tier of academic excellence in the nation. This prestigious honor recognizes Dorian’s hard work, leadership, and exceptional potential for success in college and beyond.

Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement! 🏆🎉

Due to the weather forecast for tomorrow and the inability to secure an adequate alternate location to safely accommodate competitors, parents/guardians, and guests, the Elite Fitness Competition was originally canceled.

However, after speaking with participating schools, it became clear that students still wanted the opportunity to compete, given the hard work and preparation they had put into this event.

As a result, a modified Elite Fitness Competition will take place tomorrow.

• Large elementary schools will compete at Manley Intermediate
• Small elementary schools will compete at Union Heights

Due to limited seating and facility capacity, attendance will be limited to participating athletes and school staff previously scheduled to support the event.

Parents/guardians and other guests will not be admitted.

We understand this is not how we would normally host this event, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to provide students the opportunity to compete in the safest and most feasible way possible under the circumstances.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.

B is for Bus Drivers 🚌
The journey to excellence starts with a safe ride! 🌟 Our Bus Drivers are the unsung heroes of the school day, greeting our students with a smile every morning and ensuring a safe journey home every afternoon.

From the early morning routes to the final stops of the day, we are incredibly grateful for your dedication, patience, and the care you provide in keeping our community connected. Thank you for being the steady hands behind the wheel and the friendly faces our students can count on! 💛🛣️

🎨 A is for Art: Celebrating Our Creative Students!
We are kicking off our A-Z Year in Review series, and "A" is naturally for Art! From the halls of our elementary schools to competitive regional showcases, our students have spent the year proving that creativity knows no bounds. 🖌️

Check out these incredible highlights from across the district:

Award-Winning Talent: Celebrating our participants and winners from the Rose Center Middle and High School Art displays.

Community Impact: Carol Rouse’s Art I students designed stunning pieces for Hola Lakeway’s "Chronicles of the Deep Ocean" micro-theater, while our 3rd graders took over Panther Creek State Park for their annual contest.

Innovation & Advocacy: Our students showcased their skills in the Trane Light Switch contest and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger’s Congressional Art Competition.

We are so proud of how our students are shaping Hamblen County’s future, one masterpiece at a time! 🌟