TCE TIGER TALK Newsletter

On one hand, we are celebrating a momentous achievement—a symbol of our students’ movement into the next new grade level. On the other hand, after serving as your Principal since June 2014, I will miss each and every one of you more than I can say. The kids and I are graduating into our next level together. This year marks the end of my twelve-year tenure at “The Creek” as I transition into retirement.

During my years at Tiger Creek I have learned that genius comes in many different forms. Often, we think of genius only as a physicist like Albert Einstein or a sports star like LeBron James. But I have come to see genius in the parent who never stops encouraging the student, the counselor who gives so much of themselves to the student, and the teacher who pushes the student to master their work. If you didn’t notice--it’s all about “the student.” The truest form of genius is taking the effort to cultivate the potential in others and serving those in our community who need help. Thanks to everyone for my years here at Tiger Creek, and I wish you all Godspeed!

Mr. David Beard,

TCE Principal

Recently, WDEF Channel 12 News visited Tiger Creek to showcase the Literacy Leader, Math Leader & John Hancock awards that we recently received. Several other CCPS schools received one or two of these awards but we were the only school in the county that received all 3! We have amazing students and staff at TCE! Click below to watch the WDEF Channel 12 segment!

TCE just found out that we have also received the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Gold Award! The Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) recognizes schools for high academic performance and growth through the Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS). We should receive a banner and certificate in a few weeks. Way to Go Tiger Creek! We have the BEST students, staff & admins!

If you have a child who will be 4 years old on or before September 1st, you may filled out the online application starting on April 6th, 2026 through the online registration platform at the CCPS website. The deadline to fill out the application is May 7th and the drawing of names to fill the spaces will occur through a digital drawing on May 8th.

I want to start by saying thank you for all of the kind words and congratulations that I have received after being named the new Principal of Tiger Creek Elementary. I know that I have big shoes to fill but I consider it an honor and a privilege to be asked to lead TCE into the future!

May is always one of the busiest times of the year—filled with graduations, celebrations, and special moments—and it’s easy to get caught up in the pace. As I pause to reflect on the close of this school year, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. Our students have grown in so many meaningful ways. I think back to August, when some were still finding their footing academically, and now I see confident learners ready to embrace new challenges. I remember when many of our new TCE students were adjusting to an unfamiliar environment, and now they are walking the halls with smiles, high fives, and hugs.

Over the course of the year, we have truly become a family, which makes this time of year both special and a little bittersweet. Thank you for helping make TCE such a wonderful place. We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with your incredible children and to be part of their journey.

I hope your summer is filled with joy, laughter, and well-deserved rest—especially for our dedicated teachers who have given so much this year. Until then, let’s make the most of these final weeks and finish the 2025-2026 school year strong!

Mrs. Jayme Dills,

TCE Assistant Principal

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up! TCE PTO and a few of the business partners have a few surprises and treats planned for our wonderful staff! We have the BEST Teachers & Staff and we want them to know how much we appreciate all they do day in and day out! We would love for students and their families to also recognize the teachers & staff. Below you will see some easy ways to show your appreciation, it is voluntary and you may choose to show your appreciation in a different way.

Mark your calendar now! Blood Drive at Tiger Creek on Monday, May 4th from 9:00AM - 1:00PM!

Scan the QR Code or link and sign up for a time to donate blood!

CCPS and the Georgia Department of Education are excited to provide you with resources to help protect your family online with Parent ProTech's on-demand platform at no charge!

Click here to Sign Up Your Parent ProTech access includes:

• A library of videos and guides to help parents make confident, informed choices about technology
• A complete K-12 digital citizenship curriculum for classroom use, meeting SB 351 requirements
• Tools that help families and educators make smart tech decisions to keep kids safe online

Mother's Day - Sunday, May 10, 2026

We want to wish all our Tiger Creek moms & grandmas a Happy Mother's Day!

To help with attendance, please schedule wellness, doctor, and dentist visits as well as travel plans as much as possible during non-school days to avoid unnecessary absences from school. Thank you for your help with this.

Day of the Tiger is an event held every year for upcoming 6th graders & their parents at Ringgold Middle School. You and your child will get to tour the school and learn all about 6th grade on May 11th at 6PM .

A HUGE thank you to Student Leadership members Peyton Wright, Carter Dedmon, Braxton Harrell, and Preston Wright for digging up the old stones from the lobby flower bed. Students from years past have painted the rocks and it's time to do it again! Ms. Dills and Ms. Miller plan to use the freshly painted rocks to create a decorative path in the front bed.

The Rexter hangs out with third grade student Harlow Vess! Students have enjoyed learning about a bearded dragon's lifestyle and habitat this school year. Students have started a small Dubia roach farm to learn more about the natural food chain and provide Rexie's favorite snack! Special shout out to Rexie's friend, Ms. Medina!

If you or your business would like to donate to the Children's Fund, please contact:

Danielle Pettyjohn. Her email is dpettyjohn@catoosa.k12.ga.us

You may also contact Gaby Bowen at gbowen@catoosa.k12.ga.us

TCE will send out 1 more Tiger Talk Newsletter for the 2025-2026 school year. It will be the summer edition and will have information about summer camps, Catoosa County & Chattanooga family/kid summer events, and Back to School info such as supply lists. It will be sent out around the middle of May.

TCE held the Spring Parent Advisory Council Meeting in April. This year we held an online meeting so that all parents could view and give their vote at a time that was convenient for them. This online presentation was posted on the website from April 8th through April 15th. It was also sent out to parents by text, posted in Class Dojo and a flyer with a QR Code was sent home. We had 85 parents & staff view the presentation. Of those 85, we had 19 participants that signed in & voted on the approval of the 2026-2027 Family & Parent Engagement Policies for both TCE & the Catoosa County District. All 19 participants did vote to approve & adopt the policies. You may click on the links below to see the adopted & approved policies for this coming school year.

The Spring PAC agenda, presentation, and minutes have been added under the Title 1Tab on the TCE Website @ https://tce.catoosa.k12.ga.us/

You may have a teacher-parent conference at any time during the school year. If you have any concerns, please let the teacher/school know as soon as possible. If you have updated medical info, or want more information on the way your child learns or learning standards contact your child’s teacher by emailing the teacher, calling the school at 706-935-9890 and leaving the teacher a voice message or by sending in a written request to the teacher. Your child's teacher will get back to you as quickly as possible.

We value your input on TCE Title 1 Components such as the Policy, Budget, School Improvement Plan, etc... Parents are welcome to contribute comments at any time. If you have any questions/concerns, please see Mrs. Sara Bridges, Parent Involvement Coordinator, or our Administrators: Mr. Beard, or Mrs. Dills.

Additional Title 1 Information & Resources:

2025-2026 TCE Title 1 Annual Meeting

Testing in Georgia

Components of a Title I Schoolwide Plan

Georgia Standards of Excellence

How to Communicate with Your Child’s Teacher

2025-2026 TCE Parent & Family Engagement Policy

2025-2026 CCPS Parent & Family Engagement Policy

Title 1 Input Card

Mrs. Sara L. Bridges

TCE's Parent Involvement Coordinator

Email: sbridges.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Click above to explore the Mother's Day Virtual Room!

Click above to explore the Memorial Day Virtual Room!

Click the virtual room to learn more how to identify, understand and manage your emotions.

This month our staff spotlight is showcasing our admins! Mr. Beard and Mrs. Dills are recognized for building relationships with families, ensuring campus safety, and driving instructional improvement. They spend the majority of their days dealing with daily operations, assisting students with behavior challenges, managing parent communication, and mentoring both students and staff. This is our last month with Mr. Beard as he is retiring and passing the future of TCE to Mrs. Dills. We should have our new assistant principal on board in the next few weeks. Mrs. Dills and the new AP will ensure that we continue to be THE BEST SCHOOL EVER!

Summer Packet Alert!

Keep an eye out—your child will be bringing home a Summer Packet soon! It's packed with fun activities to keep those brains sharp over the summer break.

Jill Bishop

TCE Academic Coach

Congratulations to Mrs. Pursley's 1st Grade classroom for selling the most popcorn and winning Mrs. Pursley a $100. Congratulations to Emi A. for selling $1,228.00 in popcorn and winning a $100

We are looking for parents who would like to become a PTO officer for the 2026-2027 School Year. The PTO does so much for our school. It does require volunteering throughout the school year but is so worth it. If you are interested or would like to nominate someone please email: pto.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us or Mrs. Bridges at sbridges.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Hello Parents, Students and Staff!

As we wrap up another incredible school year, I want to remind everyone to finish strong and stay safe! May is a super busy month, filled with celebrations, warm weather activities, and end of the school activities.

As summer approaches us, let us all keep in mind a few safety tips:

STAY FOCUSED: It’s easy to be distracted with so much going on around us, stay alert and be mindful of your instincts.

TRAVEL SMART: Always wear your seatbelt, use crosswalks when walking, when biking or riding ATVs wear helmets. Travel in pairs.

CELEBRATE SAFELY: Whether it be Prom, graduations, holidays throughout the summer- make good choices and don’t mix celebrations with inappropriate behavior.

AS ALWAYS IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!

You’ve all worked hard this year—now let’s make sure summer starts off safe and positive. Take care of yourselves and each other. We’ll see you back in August!

We greatly appreciate everyone's cooperation in helping us make our school zone a safe environment for ALL! Thank you for your continued support!

PLEASE REMEMBER:

You must have your ID to enter the building.

We are Ready!

We are Respectful!

We are Safe!

We help make our school TIGERRIFIC!

Scan the QR Code above to order your 2025-2026 Yearbook. The window to order will close on June 1st. Yearbooks usually arrive before Open House in August and will be handed out during the first week of school. For our 5th graders moving on to RMS, we will notify you to pick up your yearbook.

Each month, each homeroom teacher selects the student who has shown the most growth, whether it is academic growth, behavioral growth, social growth or any combination of these. They may also select their student who demonstrates the character ed trait of the month such as responsibility, trust, etc... Congratulations to these students for showing GREAT Character and Growth!

We are doing both April & May this time as the month of May just gets so packed with end of year items we wanted to make sure those students get recognized.

Field Day is Friday, May 15th! Activities will start at 9am and end at 11:30am. This year is going to be bigger and better than ever! The Book Fair will be open and popsicles will be on sale for a $1 each. Rotation schedule and Maps will be posted around the school to help you find your class. Students are welcome to check out following the completion of field day, please sign out with your classroom teacher.

NEW as of 2/23/2026 - PE Schedule by Homeroom right now:

Monday & Tuesday: McNair, Medina, Cross, Gray, Eberhart, & Stoner

Wednesday: Montoya, Collins, Kominczak, Saylor, Eaton, & Pursley

Thursday & Friday: Terry (Schmidt), Thomas, Vess, Helton, Cothern, & McClure

To prevent injury of themselves and others:

EACH STUDENT MUST WEAR TENNIS SHOES TO PARTICIPATE IN PE!

NO crocs, hey dudes, boots, flip flops, sandals or slides allowed!

Please see that your student is dressed appropriately for PE on their designated days. Students who do not have proper footwear will walk laps in the gym instead of participating in games.

Our 3rd-5th grade track & field team did a wonderful job representing TCE at the All Catoosa track meets. The track meets were held at Heritage High School & LFO High School. These athletes competed in throwing, jumping, and running events.

Nurse Sherri will be contacting parents as we get near the last day of school. Controlled medications are not allowed to remain at the school over the summer. Parents will have to come into the school and sign the log listing the student, the medication and the number count of the medication they are receiving.

If parents do not come in, the medication is taken to the Catoosa County Sheriff's office to be disposed of. EpiPens & seizure medication is allowed to stay at school as long as it is locked up for the summer.

Thank you parents for your help with this.

Click the tabs below to learn more about Resources Available to Catoosa/Georgia Residents

The Library at Catoosa offers a variety of services, such as monthly activities for all ages, an outstanding Genealogy collection, and over 100,000 items in print and audiovisual formats to check out. At the library, they provide free Internet, access to Microsoft Office programs, GALILEO, GADD, and so much more! Our Catoosa County Library is a member of PINES, a public library lending network of more than 300 libraries throughout Georgia. Click the link to see more of what is happening at your local Library!

https://www.catoosacountylibrary.org/

“See Something, Send Something” provides a platform to capture a photo of suspicious activity or send information with written text. Info received is sent directly to the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) where tips are evaluated and provided to law enforcement across the state as needed. The application is available at no cost for iPhone and Android phone users, as well as iPad users.

The service, provided by My Mobile Witness, Inc., uses privacy protection software to safeguard users’ personal information and the integrity of tips. The system allows citizens to engage with GISAC without tracking locations or storing any personal information. Submitted tips are immediately removed from the mobile device and purged from the My Mobile Witness system following delivery to GISAC.

NOTE: This system is NOT intended for emergency situations. For situations requiring an immediate response, call 911 or your local law enforcement directly.

To download “See Something, Send Something,” click the correct phone type below: