Valerie Sceals named Haywood Elementary Teacher of the Year

Valerie Sceals

Haywood Elementary teachers chose Valerie Sceals as their Teacher of the Year. She is a 13-year teacher who taught 10 years in second grade, one year in the computer lab, and the last two years in the first grade.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in learning foundations and a master’s in education degree, both from Union University. She has been a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority since 2000.

“I felt God calling me to become a teacher after working at Brownsville Baptist Child Development Center and at West Jackson Development Center while going through college,” Mrs. Sceals said. “I enjoyed working with children, and knew I could make a difference in the lives of children. I wanted to teach in Haywood County where I had received my education,” she added.

Her husband, Barry, works at Haywood Company, and they have two children, Anne Marie and Alex, both students in Haywood County Schools. She is an active member of Woodland Baptist Church.

“Valerie Sceals has the ability to make a lesson simple even when it is complicated,” Haywood Elementary Principal Jean Wills said. “She sets high expectations for herself and her students. This combination equals success!”

Two win bikes at HES awards program

HES held a first semester awards program on Friday, January 16, to celebrate student success for the semester.

Haywood Elementary School has initiated a new program called, “Exercise Wall of Fame,” to motivate students to get up and moving outside of the school day.

The Haywood Elementary Healthy School Team and the Coordinated School Health Program worked together to come up with this program.

If a child is “up and moving” for 15 minutes per day, the child can color in the star on their calendar for that particular day and has the parent/guardian initial that the exercise was performed.

At the end of each semester, each child that qualifies will have their name put in a drawing for a bicycle. One first grader and a second grader received the bikes. William and Lauren were the lucky winners in the first drawing.

First State Bank is partnering with the school to provide activities such as jumping blow up castles to keep the children motivated throughout the year.

HES students to benefit from free dental program

Ms. Terri Archer visited Haywood Elementary on Thursday, January 15, to inform the students about a Tennessee Department of Health, school-based Dental Prevention Program. This program provides free dental exams, dental sealants, and referrals for children grades K-8. Ms. Hatcher explained that a “dental exam office” will be set up in our school where students’ teeth will be examined and the sealant applied. This barrier will protect the teeth from cavities and identify problems students may have with their teeth. This program is free - parents simply need to complete the form their children bring home and return it to school. What a great opportunity to protect children’s teeth!
 

HE students compete in art contest

Haywood Elementary students in Ms. Mary Marcantel's art classes participated in an art contest sponsored by the National Bird Dog Foundation, located at Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, Tennessee. At the school level, artwork created by first graders Christian Alvarado, Carson Pittman and Jackie Robinson were selected as well as second grade entries from Jamya Douglas, Tyler Hudson, Katelyn Jones, McKenzie Kelly, Dylan Milton, Ellie Riddle, William Sigler, Isaiah Singleton and Julian Willis. Good luck to these students as their entries advance to the next level of competition.

ESL students improve skills

ESL students meet with Ryan Diffee, Donnie Bailey and Mrs. Aurora Sanchez during the school day and after school to improve their skills. Students receive assistance individually and in small groups to ensure their needs are met.

Haywood Elementary student displays creativity

Over the Christmas vacation, Bernard, a first grader at Haywood Elementary, visited Chicago and began building his ideal community. Bernard is shown with his mother, Ms. Davidson, and his utopia, which includes his home, a gas station, a bank and an airport. This young man has shown a great deal of creativity in his choice of materials and buildings. Maybe we have a future city planner on our hands!

 

Haywood Elementary receives Exxon grant

Mr. David Hooper, representing Exxon Corporation, visited Haywood
Elementary School this week and presented a check in the amount of $500.00 to Principal Jean Wills (center), and Assistant Principal Carolyn Caldwell. Exxon provides Educational Grants to deserving schools to purchase instructional materials.

“We certainly appreciate their support of our students and teachers who continue to make HES a place ‘Where Great Things Happen,’” Principal Wills said.