Cheatham Achieves

UPDATE: Sycamore High School will host its football Homecoming on Thursday, October 1 and the War Eagles will play Fairview at 7 p.m. Due to the forecast of rain, this year's parade has been cancelled as the game was moved from Friday, October 2 to Thursday, October 1. Additionally, due to the weather, Harpeth High School's football Homecoming game has been moved to Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m. and the Indians will host Huntingdon. The parade will be held on that day at 4 p.m.

October is National Principals Month, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing principals who lead our schools. Their dedication, passion, and commitment shape the educational experiences of our students and foster positive school cultures. Every day, our principals inspire teachers, staff, and students to strive for their best. They navigate challenges with grace and create environments where every student can thrive. This month, join us in recognizing and thanking these remarkable leaders. To our principals, thank you for all that you do. Your leadership and tireless efforts make a profound difference. Let’s all take a moment to #ThankAPrincipal and show our appreciation for their invaluable contributions to our schools and communities.

National Custodian Day is Friday, October 2, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our amazing custodial team from our vendor, TMA. Their dedication, hard work, and care help create spaces where students can learn, teachers can teach, and families feel welcome. Though much of their work happens behind the scenes, their impact is seen and felt every day. Pictured is Nicol Munguia, one of our East Cheatham Elementary School custodians. Thank you for all you do to keep our schools shining bright!

Free groceries will be available at 24 Church in Pleasant View on Saturday, October 3 for anyone in need. No paperwork necessary. The giveaway starts at 9 a.m., enter by Pleasant View City Hall, and come with an empty trunk to be filled. It will run until about 10:30 a.m. or until all food is given out.

Our high school seniors will have an opportunity in October to boost their scores on the ACT college entrance exam. The senior ACT retake test date is Tuesday, October 6. Our high schools will provide additional information to seniors and their families.

A reminder for our high school families: Our next Acceleration for All schedule change is Wednesday, October 21. As part of the Acceleration for All initiative from the Tennessee Department of Education, we are providing extended planning and collaboration opportunities for our teachers across the district. This collaborative effort with our general education, English Learners, and Special Education departments helps ensure our instructional planning best meets the needs of all students. These extended planning sessions allow teachers to work together during this dedicated time.

Please note the following schedule changes for our high schools on October 21:
• Classes will begin at 9:45 a.m. (two-hour delay)
• Bus transportation will run on the normal schedule
• Students may choose to arrive at 7:15 a.m. as usual, and staff members will be available to supervise and assist with work and assignments
• Students may also choose to arrive at 9:45 a.m. when classes officially begin

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour on this date and enjoy your extra hour of sleep!

We will hold Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meetings will be scheduled throughout the day. Each school will notify their families on how they can sign up or attend a meeting so please watch for that communication. There will be no school for students on this day.

We will be closed on Tuesday, November 3 for Election Day. Four of our schools – East Cheatham Elementary School, West Cheatham Elementary School, Sycamore High School and Harpeth High School – are used as polling sites.

The Cheatham County School Board met with the 2026-2027 Student Board representatives for the first time this year at its September 24 work session. The representatives are Alex Campbell and Jacob Binkley of Cheatham County Central High School, Rilee Anderson and Paizli Moore of Harpeth High School, and Garrett Foutch and Taylor Weakley of Sycamore High School. Students from each high school are chosen to serve on the board, and the School Board meets with them on a quarterly basis to consider their ideas and viewpoints of what’s happening in the school district.

We are excited to announce our district-level Teachers of the Year! These exceptional educators inspire learning every day through their dedication, creativity, and commitment to student success. By encouraging growth, fostering confidence, and creating meaningful learning experiences, they help students discover their strengths and reach their full potential.

• Elementary school: Amy Gupton is a first-grade teacher at West Cheatham Elementary School. She has worked in education for 28 years – all at WCES.

• Middle school: Kathryn Penzo is an eighth-grade World and U.S. history teacher at Sycamore Middle School. She has worked in education for 12 years – all at SMS.

• High school: April Williams teaches the Jobs for America’s Graduates program at Harpeth High School. She has worked in education for 27 years and previously taught math at Sycamore Middle School, Harpeth Middle School and Harpeth High School.

The three will now go on to compete for Teacher of the Year in their respective grade bands in the Tennessee Department of Education’s Mid-Cumberland region

Get ready for fall with a handcrafted fire pit built by the talented students in the Cheatham County Central High School welding program! Under the direction of instructor Corey Walker, students are putting their skills to work by designing and fabricating quality fire pits while gaining valuable, real-world experience in the welding bay. This hands-on project allows students to apply industry skills in a practical setting, helping prepare them for future careers in skilled trades. Even better, every purchase directly supports the welding program, providing resources and opportunities that enhance student learning. To place an order or learn more, contact Walker at corey.walker@ccstn.org.

The Tristin Franklin Foundation will host its annual 5K and 1-mile run on Saturday, November 7 at Pleasant View Community Park in Pleasant View. The foundation was created to honor the memory of Franklin, who was a student at Sycamore High School when he died in August 2024. He was a member of the school’s cross-country team. The foundation has been able to give multiple scholarships to Cheatham County student athletes. The first two scholarship recipients this year were 2026 SHS graduates Emily Williams and Hicks Hunter. The end goal is to raise money to build a running track in Cheatham County for all athletes and residents in the county and surrounding areas to use in Franklin’s name. Check out the graphic for complete details. For more information, click HERE.

We are always looking for substitute teachers! We partner with ESS, and they are responsible for recruiting, scheduling, hiring, placing, and managing all substitute teachers in the district. ESS has increased daily rates for both non-certified and certified substitutes so start your application today. For questions, contact Carly Moore at cmoore@ess.com, follow ESS on its Facebook page at "ESS Cheatham County, TN" or visit www.ESS.com.

Email: info@ccstn.org
Website: cheathamcountyschools.net
Location: 102 Elizabeth Street, Ashland City, TN, USA
Phone: 615-792-5664
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Twitter: @CCBOE

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