CAMDEN, Tenn. (March 8, 2023) – Briarwood Elementary School’s fifth graders performed their musical program on Feb. 28, 2023. The show,*On the Radio,*is a show by John Jacobson highlighting various songs important to America's culture in the decades between the 1930s and the 1980s.

Every student in the fifth grade participated in the show during the school day performance. Approximately 80 fifth-graders performed in the evening production for the community and parents.

“Students learn about how music and the radio played a role in the daily lives of people,” shared Briarwood Elementary School music teacher Emily Knight. “They are exposed to several important styles of music.”

This annual event features classic songs such as, “Ain’t We Got Fun,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Hound Dog,” “Footloose,” and “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about the fifth graders performance, contact Briarwood Elementary School at (731) 584-4257 or email Emily Knight at emily.knight@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Feb. 28, 2022) – Camden Central High School and Big Sandy High School are taking care of students who have clothing needs through their Clothes Closet program.

“Our Clothes Closet program originated from a desire to be able to provide students with appropriate school clothes,” said Pamela Myrick, librarian and RTI coordinator at Camden Central High School. “The Clothes Closet is open to Camden Central High School and Big Sandy High School students while they are at school.”

Myrick shared that the program focuses on three purposes. The Clothes Closet is meant to help students who have general clothing needs, students who need appropriate school attire, and students needing help with special occasion clothing for graduation, prom, award banquets, and other similar formal events.

“One of our primary concerns is that all our interactions with students are discreet and confidential,” noted Myrick. “We never want a need for clothing to be a factor that limits the students in our building, and we also never want them to feel singled out because of it, either.”

The schools have developed a Google form so that teachers and staff can refer a student to the Clothes Closet without drawing attention.

“Our school nurse, our guidance department, and our office staff are also good references in identifying students with needs,” Myrick explained. “Sometimes students approach us because they realize they have come to school with a stain on their clothing. We are helping students stay at school and miss less class time than they would if they had to return home to change.”

Maintaining the Clothes Closet is time-consuming. Myrick partners with Sarah Comuzie and Mary Beth Combs, who teach Work-based Learning in the school. Senior teachers' assistants and the students in the Work-based Learning classes help organize and manage the project. Students assist in sorting clothes that might not be school appropriate and arranging the clothing by sizes.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about the Clothes Closet, contact Pamela Myrick, Camden Central High School librarian, at (731) 584-7254 or email pamela.myrick@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Dec. 6, 2022) – Camden Elementary School’s first graders will be performing their musical program on Dec. 15, 2022. The show, Baby Beluga: A Musical Revue Featuring Songs by Raffi will be performed in the gymnasium following the PTO meeting.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these amazing kids,” shared Crystal Nelson, music teacher at Camden Elementary. “There’s a lot of young talent in this group. All of them have worked incredibly hard at making sure this program is fun and filled with joy.”

The first-grade music program will focus on the music of Raffi, a famous children’s music artist. Raffi has recorded nine albums, including his 1980 release Baby Beluga.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about the Baby Beluga first graders' performance, contact Camden Elementary Schools at (731) 584-4918 or email Crystal Nelson at crystal.nelson@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Nov. 3, 2022) – The Benton County 4-H Club has 38 in-school clubs for all Benton County students in grades 4-8. These programs reach more than 800 youths in all of the Benton County Schools. The program also offers opportunities for 4-H members to continue being active in high school level.

“The Benton County 4-H program has had such great support from the Benton County School Board, Benton County Schools, and all of our school administrators, staff, and students,” shared Crystal Floyd, Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development. “We wouldn’t be able to reach so many youths in the county without these strong partnerships, and for that we truly thank them.”

Four-H uses a hands-on approach to foster and develop life skills such as confidence, independence, resilience, and compassion using experiences rather than instructions. Students who participate are empowered with these skills and encouraged to lead for a lifetime. The 4-H motto is “Learn by Doing,” a concept fully embraced by the Benton County 4-H Club program.

The Benton County 4-H Clubs meet monthly, using the meetings as experiences to learn how to conduct a meeting, to write meeting minutes, and to report on what has been done in the club. They also learn communication, responsibility, teamwork, and STEM skills based on on the 4-H’er’s grade level and Tennessee standards.

During November, the Benton County 4-H Clubs are focusing on communication and public speaking. These lessons are building toward a local public speaking contest between all 38 4-H Clubs throughout the county. Winners in each club advance to the County Public Speaking Contest that will be held on January 19 at Briarwood Elementary School. County-level winners then advance to a multi-county competition.

“Public speaking is the number one fear in the world,” said Floyd. “Learning to speak effectively and confidently in front of an audience is important. Many careers call for public speaking, and 4-H can help youths become more comfortable and confident in presenting.”

The Benton County 4-H Club has several other programs students may be interested in participating in. They have recently received the Health Rocks! grant, a healthy living program to bring youth, families, and communities together to reduce tobacco, alcohol, e-cigarette/vaping, and drug use. During the three-year grant period, the Benton County 4-H Program will have the opportunity to partner with the Camden Central High School Student Drug Alliance to aid in “Teens as Teachers” for younger grades, providing high school students with training and leadership roles.

In December, Benton County 4-H will have a county-wide poster design contest to create a poster that promotes the club. The winner of the county poster contest will have their poster printed on our 4-H Summer Camp Shirts. Money management lessons, life skills, and career planning experiences are also coming in the Spring.

For more information about how students can get involved in Benton County 4-H Clubs or the programs they offer, please contact Crystal Floyd, Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development ,at (731) 584-4601 or email cryrfloy@utk.edu.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about these award nominees, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Nov. 2, 2022) – Camden Central High School Cross Country runner Will Douglas was named a Heisman High School Scholarship School Winner by the Heisman Trophy Trust.

As a school winner, Douglas will continue on for the chance to become of the scholarship’s State Winners, National Finalists, or National Winners. State Winners receive a $1,000 college scholarship, National Finalists receive a $2,000 college scholarship, and one male and one female National Winner will each receive a $10,000 college scholarship.

Douglas was selected from an applicant pool of thousands of high school scholar-athletes graduating with the class of 2023. More than 5,700 have been named School Winners in the Heisman High School Scholarship competition awarded by The Heisman Trophy Trust.

“I’m very proud of Will for getting this recognition,” said Mark Florence, Director of Schools for Benton County. “He’s a tremendous athlete and demonstrates his leadership on and off the track.”

The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of the college Heisman Trophy award through a charitable mission to support amateur athletes and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. To learn more about the Heisman High School Scholarship, contact Tim Henning, Associate Director attim@heisman.com.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about these award nominees, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Nov. 2, 2022) - The Tennessee Association of School Nurses named Kayla Mills as the School Nurse of the Year. Mills is Benton County Schools Lead Nurse.

The School Nurse of the Year award is a peer-nominated award given by the Tennessee Association of School Nurses (TASN). Nominations are accepted from members of the association across the state before the TASN executive committee reviews the nominations and selects the winner.

Mills received the majority of nominations and was awarded the School Nurse of the Year award at the annual Tennessee Association of School Nurses Conference on November 3, 2022.

In addition to her regular school nursing duties, Mills oversaw the development of the Benton County Schools Health Clinic, located on the Briarwood Elementary School campus. The clinic is a partnership between the school system and West TN Healthcare and is now open to all Benton County School students, staff, and the immediate families of staff.

“It is always a wonderful honor when one of our team members is recognized for their dedication to our education community,” said Mark Florence, Director of Schools for Benton County. “Kayla has done incredible work leading our school system’s nursing staff and helping to see the Benton County Schools Health Clinic become a reality.”

The Tennessee Association of School Nurses is a nonprofit organization that promotes, improves, and maintains quality-comprehensive student health services by advancing the professional practice of school nursing.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2022) – The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program selected Benton County Schools to receive $790,000 in rebates for the purchase of two new electric school buses from Cumberland International Trucks, Inc.

“I’m very excited that Benton County received this award,” said Mark Florence, Director of Schools for Benton County. “Modern and reliable school buses are an integral part of the childhood education services we provide, and these new buses will be a tremendous asset.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 authorized the EPA to offer $5 billion in rebates over five years to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models to reduce harmful emissions from older, dirtier buses. This program prioritized high-needs school districts, including school districts with more than 20% of students in poverty, rural school districts, Tribal school districts, and districts in underserved and overburdened communities.

School buses travel over four billion miles every year, transporting more than 25 million American students to and from school every day. The diesel exhaust from these buses contributes to air quality problems and has a negative impact on human health, especially for children, who have a faster breathing rate than adults and whose lungs are not yet fully developed.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about these award nominees, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Oct. 3, 2022) – Benton County Schools is hosting a college fair for local students on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at Camden Central High School.

The college fair will be held in the cafeteria of Camden Central High School from 8:30-10:30 a.m. There will be approximately 20 institutions present, including two and four-year colleges and universities, as well as branches of the military. In addition, the Ayers Foundation will be participating.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about the college fair, contact Emily Pierce, guidance counselor, at emily.pierce@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Sept. 13, 2022) – The Tennessee Department of Education has announced the finalists for the 2022-23 Tennessee Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards. Kristie Wilson, principal of Camden Elementary School was one of nine principals nominated for Tennessee Principal of the Year. Brandy Milner, supervisor of instruction, 6-12, for Benton County Schools was nominated with eight others for Supervisor of the Year.

As finalists for these awards, Wilson and Milner represent the West Tennessee Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) region in the state.

“We are blessed to have these two education leaders on our team in Benton County,” said Mark Florence, Director of Schools for Benton County.

The Tennessee Principal of the Year award is awarded annually to a school leader for outstanding service in education and exceptional leadership that drives overall improvements in his or her school. To qualify, candidates must have a minimum of one year of experience as a principal and a minimum of three years of experience in public schools. In addition, all nominees must have a proven track record of exceptional gains in student learning.

“Kristie Wilson is the principal of Camden Elementary school and is one the most energetic and dedicated educators I have ever had the privilege to work with,” said Florence. “She is always looking for different ways to push her students and staff to grow, while always making sure their enjoying the journey.”

Each year an outstanding public school supervisor earns distinction as the Tennessee Supervisor of the Year. To qualify, candidates must demonstrate a record of implementing innovative programs and managing and motivating students and faculties. Additionally, the nominees must have a minimum of three years' experience as an administrator and a minimum of five years' experience in Tennessee public schools.

“Brandy Milner works tirelessly to make sure the students and staffs in Benton County have what they need to be successful,” Florence said. “She has high expectations of herself, and her goal is for all students in Benton County to reach their full potential.”

Principal and Supervisor of the Year finalists will proceed to an in-person interview that will be held in the coming weeks where each will meet with a panel of interviewers made up of department staff and other education leaders.

Winners for each Grand Division and the Tennessee Principal and Supervisor of the Year will be selected from this group and announced at the Tennessee Principal and Supervisor of the Year Celebration held later this fall. To learn more about the Tennessee Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year Awards, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/teaching-in-tennessee/educational-recognition.html.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about these award nominees, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Sept. 13, 2022) – Benton County Schools will be recognizing all of their school bus drivers on Thursday, Sept. 15.

“Our team of bus drivers in Benton County are invaluable,” said Mark Florence, Director of Schools for Benton County. “Getting our kids to school on time safely every day of the school year is an enormous responsibility. Benton County School system bus drivers are hard-working, dedicated individuals, and we are proud to recognize their contribution to our educational team.”

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Sept. 13, 2022) – Benton County Schools Health Clinic is now open. Located on the Briarwood Elementary School campus, this partnership between the school system and West TN Healthcare is now open to all Benton County School students, staff, and the immediate families of staff. Telehealth is available for Holladay and Big Sandy Schools.

The clinic is located at 169 Briarwood Street in Camden and is open during school hours, from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sick visits, immunizations, sports physicals, school entrance exams, and other services are available. The registration desk can be reached at (731) 325-5231.

“Since opening on July 18, we have seen 369 patients,” said Kayla Mills, Benton County Schools Lead Nurse. “Every day we are seeing a positive impact the clinic is having on our students and staff.”

Students benefit from a school health clinic because they have direct access to healthcare during the school day, enabling them to miss less class time for appointments. Students also have access to healthcare regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Having a clinic at the schools allows parents to take less time off of work and reduced transportation issues to bring their child to healthcare. Early intervention and promotion of healthy lifestyles is another benefit.

All of these have been found to increase graduation rates and decrease student and staff absenteeism.

The plan to open a clinic originated in 2019, when nurses from Benton County Schools were attending a conference and learned about similar programs in other districts. Tennessee data published in January 2021 showed Benton County ranking in the bottom half of the state in child well-being. A school clinic would help address the issue.

“Every year, our school nurses are seeing an increasing need for healthcare in our students,” said Mills. “Families are having increasing difficulty getting access to healthcare. Some of the obstacles include transportation, finances, inability to take time off work, or difficulties affording and having insurance.”

Mark Florence, Director of Schools for Benton County, was excited about the idea. With the school board’s blessing, a partnership was formed between the school system and West TN Healthcare to make the clinic a reality. Construction began in October 2021.

Tara Roberts, a Family Nurse Practitioner with West TN Healthcare accepted the position to staff the clinic. Roberts has been in healthcare for 15 years and is a local resident of Benton County. Her husband, Dave, has worked and coached for the school system for nine years, so Benton County Schools are important to her family.

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about the Benton County Schools’ Health Clinic, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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CAMDEN, Tenn. (Aug. 22, 2022) – HALO safety sensors were installed in Benton County Schools earlier this year as part of their continuing commitment to providing a safe learning environment for students and staff.

HALO is a multi-sensor device with 12 different detection sensors. It is capable of vape detection, smoke detection, THC detection, and sound abnormalities like gunshots and shouting in areas a camera cannot be placed. The HALO sensors alert school administrators to these incidents.

Analysis of the data collected by HALO devices helps school administrators identify areas and times that may need additional attention. Schools have already seen a reduction in the number of incidents being detected.

“Every year, our Safety Specialist and I meet with state and local law enforcement administrators and city and county officials,” said Mark Florence, Director of Schools for Benton County. “We meet every quarter to review security protocols and plan for continued improvement.”

Currently, there are two School Resource Officers in the district, one provided by the Camden Police Department and the other from the Benton County Sheriff’s Department.

Access doors to school campuses are locked and visitors are screened before allowing entry using the Raptor Technologies visitor management program. This checks visitors against the sex offender registry and other banned-entry qualifiers, and helps schools know and document precisely who is or has been on campus.

A visitor vestibule was installed at Camden Elementary School in 2020-21, with plans to add new vestibules at Camden Junior High School and Briarwood Elementary School in the future. Additionally, surveillance camera systems have been expanded and upgraded at all schools and on all school buses. The school system is also in the process of installing and implementing TransFinder bus routing software, with GPS capabilities on all buses.

"All of our schools conduct multiple safety drills throughout the school year,” said School Safety Coordinator, Stephen Phelps. “These provide safety awareness and preparedness for our students and staff in a lot of different scenarios.”

Benton County Schools also utilizes the STOPit mobile app that empowers any student to anonymously report any school safety concern. This app is available to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“We love all of our students and staff,” added Florence. “Nothing is more important than making sure everyone in our schools is safe.”

Benton County Schools operates six schools and the Benton County Career and Technical Center. For more information about the safety measures in place at these schools, contact Mark Florence, Director of Benton County Schools, at (731) 584-6111 or email mark.florence@bcos.org.

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