admin, Author at CMC Education Foundation

Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robots

Michelle Winters, a kindergarten teacher at Carmel Elementary, received a Great Idea Grant to purchase Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robots.

“Coding is the future for today’s students,” she said. “Lighting that coding spark for some of our youngest learners can now open countless doors of opportunity for new hobbies, interests, and even potential careers.” In kindergarten, students learn how to collaborate and work together to accomplish a goal. Ms. Winters knows these robots will encourage students to work as a team to solve a problem, build determination, and enhance creativity.

Books for Behavior

Amanda Wilson, the school librarian at St. Bethlehem Elementary, received a Big Idea Grant to purchase books for “Books for Behavior” as an incentive that combines a love for literacy and encouragement to make positive choices.

Through a grant from the CMC Education Foundation, Amanda Wilson and Megan Cunningham, academic coach, purchased over 900 books to go towards the program. Students are rewarded with tokens when they display exemplary behavior and support St. B’s STRONG focus (Service, Tenacity, Responsibility, Organization, Notice, Growth). On average, 80 books are distributed each month. Studies have shown that increasing literacy rates also improve grades, attendance, and behavior.

Math-Based Escape Room

Kendra Poszywak, a math teacher at West Creek High School, received a Great Idea Grant to design original escape rooms for her students.

Although digital escape rooms are great, she wanted to allow for hands-on components so that the project reaches more students in their learning styles. Through a Great Idea Grant, she created a math-based “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego” themed escape room. Students solve complex problems to find locations on the map and finally discover where the treasure is hidden. Initiatives like this encourage students to persevere through a problem instead of just guessing or quitting. The escape room allows students to apply their understanding of a variety of math topics, including polar math, vector math, and trigonometry. The more students are engaged in the learning, the more the students will retain and be able to apply concepts to a variety of applications.

National School Nurses Day

We can’t even begin to thank our healthcare workers for all they did to keep us healthy and safe during the 2020- 2021 school year.

As the district celebrated National School Nurses Day on May 12, we wanted to make sure each of the nurses who take care of our children every day knows how much we value their commitment.

As a small token of our appreciation, the Foundation gifted each person on the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System school nursing staff and the Onsite Employee Health and Wellness nursing staff a custom tumbler and a gift card from Golly G’s Coffee, Ice Cream & Sweets. Golly G’s also donated several of those gift cards to our nurses!

Welcome Back Teachers and Staff

Because of the generous donation by our presenting sponsor, McDonald’s, the Foundation delivered over 4,700 biscuits to our Clarksville-Montgomery County School System teachers and staff during the week before school kicked off.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the annual employee Convocation was canceled. This served as an opportunity in the past for employees to come together and re-energize for the upcoming school year. The Foundation felt it was important to offer a token of appreciation to our employees to let them know how grateful we are for their commitment to our students.

13th Annual Wyatt Johnson Automotive Pass and Go Event

Each year, CMCSS sophomore, junior, and senior students who have passed their AP exams with a 3, 4, or 5 are invited to participate in Pass & Go.

Students receive numbered tickets and are eligible for prizes ranging from gas cards to a brand new car. Rowan Carey stood in stunned silence after learning he won a new car at the 13th annual Wyatt Johnson Automotive Pass and Go event. Carey, a Northeast High School junior, was speechless after his key started the Hyundai Accent on Sat., Aug. 7. “I’m just shocked. I didn’t expect anything,” he said. There were over 600 CMCSS high school students who qualified for the event, hosted by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation. Carey was randomly selected as the ultimate winner.“It is very important for this company to give back to education,” said Senator Bill Powers. Powers has been actively involved since the creation of the event 13 years ago. He has been a strong community advocate ever since. “I appreciate everybody and their hard work.” Over 25 students walked away from the day with various prizes, including gift cards to Domino’s Pizza, gas cards from Beach Oil, a Google Chromebook, an iPad, and Apple AirPods.

Join Us for Vision to Reality 2017

Each year the Foundation hosts a Fundraiser Banquet and Auction to provide funding for scholarships as well as support to all the programs initiated by the Foundation. These programs help to increase student achievement in Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools.

The funds raised from this event will support programs such as:
Great Idea Teacher Grants, STEM Initiatives, CMC Teacher Warehouse, Academic Awards Program, Career Academies, Student Scholarships, Leadership CMCSS and much more.

Click here to donate a basket or item for the Vision to Reality Silent Auction.

Vision to Reality 2017 will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3 at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. Tickets are $100 each. Table sponsorships (8 seats) are $750 each and Presenting Table Sponsorships (10 seats) are $1,000 each.

Thank you for helping us Stuff the Bus!

This year, the Education Foundation once again partnered with 5 Star Media Group to host the annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign benefiting the CMC Teacher Warehouse.

Volunteers were on-site to collect donated school supplies for Clarksville-Montgomery County teachers from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on July 29 at the Walmart located 2315 Madison Street as well as the Walmart located 1480 Fort Campbell Boulevard. “Stuff the Bus” continued on Sunday, July 30, from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Walmart located at 3050 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. Cash donations were also be accepted at all locations.

Volunteers also helped “Unstuff the Bus” (unload donated items) from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on July 31 August 1 at the CMC Teacher Warehouse, located at 1312 Highway 48/13.

During Stuff the Bus 2017, 49,729 items were collected for CMCSS teachers at a dollar value of $13,987.09!

This event would not be successful without the support of the community, sponsors and volunteers. The Education Foundation is thankful for each and every person who took part in last year’s initiative.

Please contact the Foundation office at 931-920-7928 to learn more about supporting this effort.

Volunteer with us during Stuff the Bus 2017!

The Education Foundation is currently seeking volunteers to assist with this year’s “Stuff the Bus” campaign benefiting the CMC Teacher Warehouse. Once again, the Foundation will partner with 5 Star Media Group to host the successful event.

Volunteers will be on-site to collect donated school supplies for Clarksville-Montgomery County teachers from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on July 29 at the Walmart located 2315 Madison Street as well as the Walmart located 1480 Fort Campbell Boulevard. “Stuff the Bus” will continue on Sunday, July 30, from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Walmart located at 3050 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. Cash donations will also be accepted at all locations.

Volunteers will also be needed to “Unstuff the Bus” (unload donated items) from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on July 31 August 1 at the CMC Teacher Warehouse, located at 1312 Highway 48/13.

Use the links below to sign up as a volunteer during “Stuff the Bus” or “Unstuff the Bus.”

Saturday, July 29, Madison St. Walmart location

Saturday, July 29, Fort Campbell Blvd. Walmart location

Sunday, July 30, Wilma Rudolph Blvd. Walmart location

Monday, July 31 and/or Tuesday, August 1, Unstuff the Bus at CMC Teacher Warehouse

Please contact the Foundation office at 931-920-7928 to learn more about supporting this effort.

Leadership CMCSS Class of 2016-2017 Graduation

The Education Foundation and CMCSS celebrated the 2016-2017 Leadership CMCSS Class Graduation in a ceremony at Central Office on May 2.

Leadership CMCSS is designed to build better community understanding of school system challenges and successes and to enhance public school system advocates. The goal of the program is to help improve citizen knowledge about our local education system practices. Each year community leaders are encouraged to apply for membership. Classes of up to 25 members are accepted.

Leadership CMCSS 2016-2017 Class:

Anyolina Valentin – Tropicana Restaurant, Owner
Brandi Whitfield Bryant – APSU, Director of Athletic Business Operations
Courtney Berlyak – Sango Village Florist, Owner
David Graham – Leidos, Program Manager/Site Lead
DeWayne Olive – F&M Bank, EVP/CFO
Dorothy Austin – Premier Medical Group,
James Matthews – CMC Industrial Development Board, Economic Development Coordinator
Jerry Allbert – Montgomery County Government, Parks Director
Jimmy Terry Jr. – Centry 21, Agent / Clarkville Fire Department
Joshua Beal – Bestway Rent-to-Own, General Manager
Kasey Hempel – Legends Bank, Vice President Treasury Management
Mary Cooper – Retired – Owner/Operator UPS Store
Norman Quirion – City of Clarksville – Marketing Coordinator
O’Bee O’Bryant – Progressive Directions Inc., Director of Development
Price Hopson – Mann Smith Cummings Insurance, Producer
Ryan Bowie – Roxy Regional Theater, Executive Director
Shannon Manzella – MMTC, Director of Education
Sharyn Hancock – Workforce Essentials Inc., Disability Resource Coordinator
Tammy Phillips – CDE Lightband, Meter Department Manager
Tim O’Brien – Zaxby’, Franchise Owner
Tom Creech – Nave Funeral Homes, Partner
Una Smith – The Leaf Chronicle, Advertising Executive
Yvonne Chamberlain – Tree of Life Center

CMC Education Foundation is participating in The Big Payback!

The Big Payback annual giving day is returning on Wednesday, May 3, and the CMC Education Foundation is excited to take part in this monumental event for the third time.

The Big Payback, hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is a community-wide giving day that celebrates Middle Tennessee’s spirit of generosity and supports the life-changing work of area nonprofits.

Kicking off at midnight on Wednesday, May 3, the 24-hour online giving day helps organizations, like the CMC Education Foundation, raise much-needed funds and bring awareness to pressing needs in our community.

Gifts made to participating organizations during The Big Payback are amplified by incentives and awards and may help us qualify for special prizes and bonuses throughout the day.

Since its inception in 2014, Middle Tennessee’s annual day of giving has raised more than $6.75 million for nearly 800 area nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions.

We hope you’ll support the CMC Education Foundation and our mission to promote student achievement on Wednesday, May 3 during The Big Payback.

For more information, contact us or visit www.TheBigPayback.org. Thank YOU for your support!

28th Annual Academic Awards banquet honors 239 students

The CMC Education Foundation and CMCSS will hosted the 28th year of student academic award recognition on the night of March 10, 2017. This year, 239 students were honored at the event for maintaining a 93 grade average with no grade lower than 85 in any one subject for three consecutive years. Additionally, over 961 students will receive awards for the first or second year at ceremonies held in their schools in the coming weeks.

The Academic Awards Banquet began as an initiative of Dr. Charles Lindsey, former CMCSS Director of Schools in 1989. Later, the Education Foundation took over the funding of the banquet.