The Cheatham County School District will continue to offer its successful Cheatham Achievers after-school program during the 2017-2018 school year.
 
The district offers the program in the three middle schools through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. 
 
In 2014, the district was awarded the three-year, $600,000 grant to implement the program at Cheatham, Harpeth and Sycamore middle schools.
 
The district was recently notified that it has received a grant extension of $202,000 to continue the program in the new school year.
 
Emily Staggs, who supervises the program, said, “We are looking forward to another productive and exciting year with this great program. The district has enjoyed much success since we started the program, and many students have benefitted from the academic, artistic and cultural enrichment activities that are provided.”
 
The program offers opportunities for students to explore, develop and strengthen their academic skills.
 
In addition, students participate in art, music and recreation programs, character education programs and field trips to reinforce and complement the regular academic program. Guest speakers are also invited to speak to the students on a wide range of subjects.
 
Students receive a daily snack and are provided with transportation home each day. 
 
The district is working on the details for the new year and plans to start the program in September.
 
Families who are interested in participating in the program can contact your zoned middle school (CMS at 792-2334; HMS at 952-2293 and SMS at 746-8852). Applications will also be available at each school’s open house.

The Cheatham County School District has named Amy Castleberry as the new academic specialist at Pegram Elementary School.
 
Castleberry, a longtime Pleasant View Elementary School teacher, replaces Dawn Wenning, who is the new principal at Kingston Springs Elementary School.
 
Castleberry is a 1997 graduate of Cheatham County Central High School and a 2002 graduate of Austin Peay State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education.
 
She began her teaching career in 2003 at PVES. She taught second grade for eight years and first grade for six years.
 
Castleberry was a member of the school district’s Aspiring Administrator’s Academy in 2016.
 
In 2017, she graduated from Capella University with her master's degree in Educational Leadership.
 
“I am very excited to begin this journey and developing new relationship at Pegram. I will deeply miss Pleasant View Elementary School because it has been my home since 1986, but I am thankful for the opportunity to become the academic specialist at Pegram,” she said.
 
Castleberry lives in Chapmansboro with her husband, Jeff, and two sons, Dillon and Preston.

There is no doubt that Chonda Pierce is very much loved, adored and admired by her Cheatham County Central High School Cub family. 
 
Chonda is an amazing, big-hearted alumnus, and the school is so grateful for her support and love. 
 
Chonda, an Emmy-nominated and best-selling comedian, has been making audiences laugh for more than two decades with her winning combination of fierce wit and Southern charm.
 
For the past two springs, Chonda has volunteered to host comedy shows for CCCHS for the sake of helping the school raise money for its students.
 
In fact, out of sheer compassion, Chonda hosted two shows in one night in April.
 
What fundraiser? The annual CCCHS Steak Dinner hosted by Coach Jimmy Harden, Principal Steve Wenning and wonderful folks, like Lauren Street, Susie Kephart, Vicki Presson and Kim Caldwell, just to name a few. 
 
So why the sudden fuss? Well, Chonda just keeps opening her heart. 
 
As you can see, Lauren proudly shows off a shadow-box which displays pictures of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Jr. on the set of “I Love Lucy,” as well as an original hat worn by Lucy, herself--historical and beautiful.  
 
Chonda obviously has an on-with-the-show spirit and wanted to make sure this artifact landed in a place where students of theatrics can be inspired. 
 
Chonda is one smart lady. Well, of course she is … she is an alumnus of CCCHS.  And, CCCHS not only adores her but thanks and appreciates this incredible lady.

​The Cheatham County School District officially broke ground Monday on the much-anticipated paving project at Pegram Elementary School.
 
School and county officials came together to commemorate the start of the project.
 
The district is making some much-needed traffic and parking improvements at the school.
 
To help eliminate the ongoing traffic buildup along Highway 70 and Dogwood Lane when students are being dropped off in the mornings and picked up in the afternoons, the district will construct a new paved car rider lane around the front field along Highway 70.
 
When the project is complete, car riders will use the new lane during arrival and dismissal.
 
The district will also expand the current car rider lane area on Dogwood Lane for additional parking and for future bus arrival and dismissal.
 
In addition, the district will address the drainage in the back of the school to help reduce flooding that occurs during heavy rains.
 
The project is scheduled to begin in a few weeks.
 
“The school district is excited about this project because it will help alleviate the traffic congestion at Pegram Elementary School. We also appreciate the support of the Cheatham County Commission, which approved the funding for the project. By working together, we expect great results,” said Director of Schools Dr. Cathy Beck.
 
Once the project begins, additional information will be communicated to Pegram families.

​Students from Cheatham County Central High School, Harpeth High School and Sycamore High School will enjoy new cafeteria furniture when school opens in August.
 
The School Board secured funding earlier in the year to purchase the new furniture.
 
The new tables, booths and chairs were delivered last week.
 
Many of the tabletops feature school logos.
 
“The new furniture gives the cafeterias a more modern look with a café-style design,” said Director of Schools Dr. Cathy Beck. “We wanted to make the environment more appealing for our students, and we believe this will give them a greater sense of belonging.”

Our schools have announced their open houses for the new year. Here's the complete schedule:
 
Ashland City Elementary School
 
Thursday, Aug. 10, 5:30-7 p.m. – Grades 1-4
Monday, Aug. 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Kindergarten
 
East Cheatham Elementary School
 
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 5 p.m. – Third Grade
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m. – Fourth Grade
Thursday, Aug. 3, 5 p.m. – First Grade
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m. – Second Grade
Monday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m. - Kindergarten
 
Kingston Springs Elementary School
 
Monday, Aug. 7, 5-6:30 p.m. – Grades 1-4
Monday, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. – Kindergarten
 
Pegram Elementary School
 
Thursday, Aug. 3, 5 p.m. – First and Second Grade
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m. – Third and Fourth Grade
Friday, Aug. 11, 5 p.m. - Kindergarten
 
Pleasant View Elementary School
 
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 5 p.m. – Third Grade
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m. – Fourth Grade
Thursday, Aug. 3, 5 p.m. – First Grade
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m. – Second Grade
Monday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m. – Kindergarten
 
West Cheatham Elementary School
 
Thursday, Aug. 10. 6:30 p.m. – First and Second Grade
Monday, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m. – Third and Fourth Grade
Thursday, Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m. - Kindergarten
 
Cheatham Middle School
 
Thursday, Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m. – Fifth Grade
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Grades 6-8
 
Harpeth Middle School
 Thursday, Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m. – Fifth Grade
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6:30 – Grades 6-8
 
Sycamore Middle School
 
Monday, July 31, 6:30 p.m. – Sixth and Eighth Grade
Tuesday. Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m. – Fifth and Seventh Grade
 
Cheatham County Central High School
 
Thursday, Aug. 10, 5-7 p.m.
 
Harpeth High School
 
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 6-7:30 p.m.
 
Sycamore High School
 
Tuesday, Aug. 8, 5-7 p.m. – Freshmen students and parents
Thursday, Aug. 17, 5 p.m.

The Cheatham County School District will be closed on Monday, Aug. 21, the day of the total solar eclipse.

Originally, the district had planned to be open and host viewing events for students and staff members in the Pleasant View area.

"One of the prime viewing areas for the solar eclipse is in Middle Tennessee, including Cheatham County. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit the area that day to seek the best possible view,” said Director of Schools Dr. Cathy Beck.

After consulting with the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security and Tennessee Highway Patrol, the district made the decision to close due to potential safety issues among students and the anticipation of increased traffic on local roadways throughout the day.

“The safety of our students is our top priority,” Beck said. “The unprecedented nature of an eclipse of this magnitude leaves many questions unanswered, and the unique and unfamiliar nature of the day is out of our control.”

The district also notes that several Middle Tennessee school districts that are in the direct path of the eclipse have decided to close that day as well.

Even though school will not be in session, the district will embrace this learning opportunity and the science phenomenon with excitement in the classroom leading up to the eclipse.

In addition, every student will receive solar eclipse glasses that are being recommended to wear while viewing the eclipse. The district will educate its students on the importance of wearing the glasses to ensure they will have an optimal and positive experience in viewing this phenomenon.

The district will use one of its 13 stockpile weather days to account for the day out of school.

The district’s daycares will be open that day, while the central office will be closed.

After-school activities, such as athletic practices and games, will continue as planned.

Cheatham County students and families are invited to watch the eclipse together at one of the many viewing events planned in the county:

• Lunch Under the Stars, Pleasant View Community Park, Pleasant View, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Dark in the Park, Riverbluff Park, Ashland City, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
​
• The Town of Kingston Springs will host a viewing party at L.L. Burns Park. Details are still being finalized.