JCS Community Newsletter (June)

This newsletter will be distributed on the Friday following the monthly Board of Education meeting. If you have suggestions for content in this newsletter, please send them to Collin Brooks at BrooksB@jcschools.org.

• First Day of School (Monday, August 4, 2025)

2025-2026 School Calendar

Johnson City Schools is bringing books to life this June with the return of the JCS Book Mobile, a traveling library designed to keep young minds engaged and growing all summer long.

Rolling through neighborhoods and parks across Johnson City, the Book Mobile is making it easier than ever for students to access free books and fuel their love of reading—even while school’s out. The program runs through the end of June, with stops at various community locations.

Monday, June 9

Memorial Park Community Center (9 AM-12)

Tuesday, June 10

Carver Rec. Center (9 AM to 10)

Woodland Elementary (11 AM to 12)

Wednesday, June 11

Kiwanis Park (10 AM to 12)

Thursday, June 12

North Side Elementary (9 AM to 10)

Fairmont Elementary (11 AM to 12)

Friday, June 13

Boys & Girls Club (9 AM to 10)

Coalition for Kids (11 AM to 12)

Follow Johnson City Schools on Facebook or visit this link for updated schedules.

The next regularly scheduled Johnson City Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, August 4 starting at 6 p.m. inside the Board Room at Central Office (100 E. Maple Street). Board meetings can be viewed on the Johnson City Schools' YouTube channel.

Science Hill senior, Sophie Young, earned Academic All-American Honors from the National Speech and Debate Association.

The Science Hill Showstoppers came away with 5 state titles at the Tennessee High School Speech and Drama League State Championship Tournament at the end of April.

The winners by category are:

1st Place in Interpreter’s Theatre
Aubrey Christie

Kendall Chapman

Rylei Foster

Sawyer Franklin

Avery Gillert

Fritz Hagemeier

Carrie Ledford

Spider Smotherman

Carrie Ledford

Haley Hadden

Sawyer Franklin

Congratulations to the Science Hill’s Girls Tennis Team! They earned a runner-up finish in the state championship. The girls team included: Ensley Baker, Madison Berry, Lilly Fleenor, Amelia Irizarry, Maren Jordan, Lizzy Luna, Sofia Markson, and Audrey Price. They were led by head coach Erin Williams and assistant coaches Annette Clemons and Ana Gerbasi.

Congratulations to the Science Hill’s Boys Tennis Team! They earned a runner-up finish in the state championship. The boys team consisted of Kenan Al-Khateeb, Grayson Collins, Joe Luna, Mustafa Malik, Brantley Owen, Shreeyan Papireddy, Newton Raff, Neel Reddy, and Cooper Weems. They were led by head coach Kelly Lane and assistant coaches Ricky Pelton and Thomas Richardson.

1. The following Johnson City teachers have been named by ETSU as Outstanding Mentor Teachers of the Year 2025. They include (right to left): Amber Vaughn (South Side Elementary School), Hannah Barnett (Woodland Elementary School) and Allison Russell (Indian Trail Middle School).

The Johnson City Schools' Communication Department is looking for suggestions for features stories to share with our community. This could be anything you think parents, students or the public want or need to know about can be good features. We're talking student achievements, teachers doing cool things in their classrooms, school programs or offerings that could benefit from a little awareness, clubs... Anything. If there's a visual component – something or someone I could photograph to go along with it – it will be even more engaging. We would love to hear your ideas!

Please reach out to Nathan Baker or Collin Brooks with your suggestions.

Johnson City Schools is proud to announce Dr. Josh Simmons as the next principal of Woodland Elementary School, following the retirement of Dr. Karen Reach at the end of the summer.

Dr. Simmons brings eight years of strong, student-centered leadership from Towne Acres and a rich history of service within our district. He began his teaching career in Unicoi County before joining Johnson City Schools in 2005, later serving in roles at North Side, Towne Acres, Fairmont, and Mountain View.

Read more

Johnson City Schools is proud to announce Dr. Josh Carter as our new Secondary Supervisor!

With 26 years of dedicated service at Science Hill High School—as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal—Dr. Carter brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student success across our district.

Read more

Johnson City Schools is pleased to announce that Richard Hutson will be the new Principal of Towne Acres Elementary School!

Mr. Hutson brings 26 years of experience in education, including the past six years as principal of Cherokee Elementary. He steps into the role previously held by Dr. Josh Simmons, who will now serve as principal of Woodland Elementary.

Read More

Johnson City Schools is excited to announce that Dr. Yecenia “Jesse” Cigarroa has been named the new principal of Cherokee Elementary School! Dr. Cigarroa brings nearly 20 years of experience in education, including 13 years in the classroom at North Side Elementary and leadership roles at both Mountain View Elementary and Science Hill High School. Her passion for student success, commitment to inclusive education, and strong background in instructional leadership make her a fantastic addition to the Cherokee Elementary family.

Read more

Visit the Johnson City Public Library's website here.

Johnson City Public Library Calendar

Need a library card? Follow this process to get one.

Funky beats + handmade instruments = a morning your kids will talk about all summer!

Children’s musician Billy Jonas is bringing his high-energy, upcycled sound to the King Commons Natural Adventure Area on Tuesday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Billy’s recycled instruments bring rhythm, creativity, and fun for the whole family!

Visit the Johnson City Parks and Recreation website here

Johnson City Parks and Recreation Calendar

🎭 ACT. ALL. OUT!! 🎬

A Theater Summer Camp Experience

The Johnson City Community Theatre and Johnson City Parks and Recreation are teaming up to present “ACT. ALL. OUT!!” — a dynamic three-week summer camp introducing youth to the exciting world of theater and live performance!

Campers will:
✨ Create their own play
🎭 Learn acting, improv, singing, and dance
🎨 Explore tech, lighting, costumes, props & make-up
🎉 Perform for friends and family at the end of camp!

📅 Camp Dates & Ages
• Ages 6–10: June 9–27
• Ages 11–16: July 7–25
🕘 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
📍 Location: Fairmont Elementary Auditorium
💵 Cost: $150 per person

Register here for Ages 6-10: https://loom.ly/UYxc2CE
Register here for Ages 11-16: https://loom.ly/JaIzvUc

👟 Wear comfy clothes and bring water + snacks! Let your creativity shine on stage this summer!

Get ready for another exciting season!

🏈Football
• Practice begins: July 7
• Season starts: August 9
• Ages: 5–11, with teams grouped by:
✔️ Ages 5–7
✔️ Ages 8–9
✔️ Ages 10–11
📍 Register here for football: https://loom.ly/3VtA1vc

📣Cheerleading
• Open to ages 5–11
• Practices begin the week of July 21
• Uniforms, bows, and pompoms provided!
📍 Register here for cheerleading: https://loom.ly/3VtA1vc

💲 $50/resident | $60/non-resident

Let’s gear up and go all out this season!

Kick off the season with Johnson City Parks & Recreation’s Youth Soccer League, where kids ages 3–16 can learn, play, and grow through the game of soccer! 🌟

👶 Coed teams for ages 3–5
⚽ Separate divisions for ages 6–7, 8–9, 10–11, 12–13, & 14–16
🏃‍♂️ Focused on fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a fun, supportive environment!

💲Cost: $35 (residents) | $45 (non-residents)
🚨 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 $𝟮𝟬 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟴

📍 Register online https://loom.ly/3VtA1vc or in person at Beeson Hall, 403 Harrison Street
🗓️ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭
📞 Call 423.283.5822 or ✉️ email kbaines@johnsoncitytn.org for details

Let’s play, learn, and have a blast this fall!

Come celebrate with Johnson City Parks and Recreation at the Pete Zannis Tennis Center during the Pepsi Independence Day Fireworks Celebration!

Bring the whole family and stop by our Kids Zone for:
🎯 Carnival games
💦 A fun water play area
🎁 Awesome prizes

🕓 Open from 4–8 p.m. — Don’t miss out on the fun before the fireworks begin!

The Johnson City Police Department is excited to announce the return of the JCPD Junior Police Academy. The three-day program is designed to give teens a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement.

The academy will take place July 15-17 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Police Training Facility, 899 Riverview Drive (Bull Rowland Boulevard). Lunch will be provided. The program is free to all participants.

The academy is open to students ages 14 to 18 who are interested in law enforcement. The program will provide a unique opportunity to explore all aspects of police work, including K-9 operations, SWAT, patrol, investigations, crisis negotiation, and more. The curriculum includes a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on experiences led by officers from various divisions within the department.

The Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) invites families to join members of the JCPD Bike Team as they host June’s Community Roundtable with a special focus on bicycle safety for kids. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are encouraged to bring the children – and their bikes and helmets – for an entertaining and educational event that will help keep young riders safe this summer.

The event kicks off on Thursday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Langston Centre, 315 Elm St. Officers will present a brief safety course designed for young cyclists. Afterward, kids will head outside, pick up their bikes and helmets, and practice smart riding habits alongside JCPD officers.

Kids of all ages are welcome to participate, but helmets are required for the riding portion of the program.

The Community Roundtable strives to foster a positive relationship between the JCPD and the residents it serves. Meetings take place every other month on the second Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Langston Centre.