Sevier County Families,
As the cold days of winter lengthen for the coming of spring, now is a great time for teachers and parents to redouble their efforts to keep the lines of communication between school and home wide open. Each school will be scheduling parent/teacher conferences that are advertised on their websites. These conferences are a great opportunity to have a sit-down conversation where everyone can dig into grades and other metrics that explain student performance. Teachers are also available via school system email for quick questions and reminders. Directories are available for staff members on individual school webpages.
I’d also like to give a kindly reminder about ParentSquare, the platform that makes these newsletters possible. ParentSquare is more than just a means for sharing important school and district news. In times of weather or other emergencies, ParentSquare keeps parents up to date on closures, delays, and security updates through alerts, emails, and text messaging. ParentSquare also serves as a platform for direct messaging between parents and staff, providing an even more convenient means of communication, especially for shorter exchanges.
If you haven’t yet taken advantage of ParentSquare and would like to learn more about its features or are having trouble and need a question answered, check out the ParentSquare FAQ webpage on our website with some more information. When school and home work together, our students win!
Stephanie Huskey, Director of Sevier County Schools
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It has been an honor to be an educator in the Sevier County School System for 36 years. During this time, I have taught first grade at Pigeon Forge Primary. I am married to Mike Tinker, who has also been a coach and educator in the school system for many years. I have been blessed with 2 wonderful daughters, Lacee Jenkins (Austin) and Macee Tinker, and a precious 2 year old granddaughter, Lanna Rayne.
I have a passion for teaching young children. First graders love their school and friends, but especially love their teachers. They make it easy to pour love and kindness into learning as they work their hardest for me. My favorite part of teaching is helping students grow into their own unique selves. Their willingness to learn, help others, and sweet “I love yous” make each day special. Watching learning take place each day inspires me to continue giving my very best.
Most of my students are aware that I like pigs. Each year, I tell my first graders that they are “The Pick of the Litter”. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to love, teach, and cheer on so many little “litters”. Each litter is different, as each child is a blessing.
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When you look back on this year so far, what is the one specific moment (or person) that has made you feel the most supported, happy, or proud of yourself?
"My friends Weston and Lio- because Lio is leaving our school on Friday. If there were times that I didn’t want to play outside, Lio would talk to me. If I wasn’t playing anything, Weston would invite me to play what he was playing. "
If you were allowed to make one new rule that only the teachers had to follow, but the students didn't, what would the rule be?
"Students could stay outside all day.
Lunch for students would be two hours and lunch for teachers would be 45 minutes. "
If this school year was a video game, what would the 'Final Boss' level be, and what special power-up would you need to beat it?
"Boss level - You would have to escape Dr. Huffaker and all of his teachers.
Special Power Up- Super Speed and Never Ending Stamina"
What is your favorite part about New Center Elementary School?
"My mom works here, we have a good police officer, and we are really good at basketball. "
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Thank you for continuing to make reading and conversation a meaningful part of your daily routine. The time you spend talking about books with your child is helping them grow into confident readers and thoughtful learners.
This month, we’re focusing on encouraging children to take a more active role in reading conversations while also supporting clear communication and strong language use. When children explain their thinking using complete sentences and rich vocabulary, they deepen comprehension and build confidence as speakers and readers.
Try these conversation starters during and after reading:
Invite your child to ask questions.
Encourage curiosity by asking, “What are you wondering about?” or “What questions do you have about the story?”
Encourage complete sentences.
Gently prompt your child to expand their ideas: “Can you tell me that in a full sentence?” or “Can you explain your thinking a little more?”
Build strong vocabulary.
Pause to notice interesting words in the story. Ask, “What do you think that word means?” or encourage your child to use new words when sharing their ideas.
Make predictions and reflections.
Ask, “What do you think might happen next?” or after reading, “What part was the most interesting or surprising? Why?”
These simple conversations help children express their ideas clearly, strengthen vocabulary, and take ownership of their learning—skills that support success across all subjects.
Thank you for partnering with us to nurture confident communicators and enthusiastic readers. We look forward to continuing to grow and learn together!
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We are excited to share that our students are making great progress as we continue moving through our math curriculum! Across all grade levels, our focus is not just on getting the right answer, but on developing students who are investigators, analyzers, and innovators of math.
In our classrooms, students are exploring math through discussion, models, problem solving, and real-world connections. They are learning to ask questions, explain their thinking, and try multiple strategies—skills that build strong mathematicians and confident problem solvers.
How You Can Help at Home
➕➖ Addition & Subtraction
You can support addition and subtraction naturally in everyday life:
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Talk it out: Ask your child “How did you figure that out?” or “Is there another way?”
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Use real objects: Count snacks, toys, coins, or steps. Group items to show adding and taking away.
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Play math games: Card games, dice games, or board games that require counting and moving pieces are great practice.
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Estimate together: Ask questions like, “About how many?” or “Is that answer reasonable?”
✖️ Multiplication
Multiplication is all about groups and patterns:
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Look for equal groups: “We have 4 bags with 5 apples in each—how many apples total?”
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Skip count out loud: Count by 2s, 5s, and 10s during car rides or while walking.
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Use arrays: Arrange objects in rows and columns (like Legos or cereal pieces) and count them together.
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Celebrate strategies: Let your child show different ways to solve—even if it’s not how you learned!
Fractions, Decimals & Percents
These concepts come alive in real life:
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In the kitchen: Talk about halves, thirds, and fourths when cooking or sharing food.
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Money matters: Use coins and dollars to connect decimals to real values.
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Shopping talk: Discuss discounts and percents—“50% off means half the price!”
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Visual thinking: Draw models, shade parts of shapes, or use everyday items to show parts of a whole.
One Last Tip
Mistakes are part of learning! When students struggle, they are often doing important thinking. Encourage effort, curiosity, and persistence by saying things like:
- “I love how you kept trying.”
- “Tell me what you were thinking.”
- “That was a great strategy—even if it didn’t work this time.”
Thank you for partnering with us to grow confident, capable math thinkers. With school and home working together, our students will continue to thrive as mathematical investigators, analyzers, and innovators!
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The Science Fair is coming February 12th! We can’t wait to see the incredible projects from Sevier County Students again this year. We hope that we will have students who qualify at the District to choose to pursue the Regional Level at the University of Tennessee. We are grateful for our generous sponsors, Nora Clabough at PFJH, and everyone that helps make this a special event for our students.
How can I practice social studies at home and make it fun?
- Find something your student is interested in.
- Then trace the origin story of how it came to be.
- Ask questions for your student to research such as:
- Where did this begin?
- Who started it?
- How did it gain popularity?
- How did it change over time?
- How does geography affect this topic?
These searches can be quite fun, informative, and still execute the process of research!
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With the clean slate of a new semester, we have a unique opportunity to help our students move beyond "doing better" and toward intentional growth. In the secondary grades, goal-setting is a vital executive function skill that bridges the gap between a student's aspirations and their daily habits.
To make these goals stick, we are encouraging students to move away from vague intentions and toward SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Instead of a student saying, "I want to get better at math," we are coaching them to say, "I will attend two after-school tutoring sessions and complete all practice problems this month to raise my quiz average by 10%."
How to Support Goal-Setting at Home
The best goals are "student-owned but adult-supported." Here is how you can help your student navigate this process:
- Focus on Process, Not Just Outcomes: While an "A" is a great goal, focus on the actions that lead there—like using a planner daily or proofreading essays before submission.
- The "One-Thing" Rule: To avoid overwhelm, encourage your student to pick one academic goal and one personal or extracurricular goal.
- Normalize Pivoting: If a goal proves too easy or unexpectedly difficult, talk about how to adjust it. Flexibility is a hallmark of a resilient learner.
Career and Technical Education highlights
Career and Technical Education (CTE) has evolved into a high-tech launchpad for the modern workforce. By blending rigorous academics with hands-on experience, our students aren't just learning—they’re doing. Whether it’s practicing sports medicine or exploring sustainable engineering, CTE pathways provide students a competitive
edge for both college and the job market.
The CTE Edge:
- Industry Certifications: Students can earn professional credentials (like CompTIA or Certified Patient Care Technician) before graduation.
- College Credit: Many pathways offer dual-enrollment opportunities, saving families thousands in future tuition.
- Purposeful Learning: Connecting algebra to engineering or biology to healthcare keeps students engaged and motivated.
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Spring Testing: Preparation Without the Pressure
As we move into the spring semester, students in grades 7–12 are preparing for a series of important benchmarks, including state assessments and the ACT. While these dates often bring a bit of "test jitters" we view them as a chance for students to showcase their growth and for our schools to ensure we are providing the best possible instruction.
For our juniors, the March 11, 2026 ACT date is a major milestone. We are also preparing for state administrations, where students can take these exams in a familiar environment. Remember: while these scores are important for college and career pathways, they are just one data point in your student’s rich academic story.
You may find testing information, including test dates, on www.sevier.org -> Curriculum & Instruction -> Testing & Accountability
Mastering the ACT: 2026 Strategy Guide
As we approach the March 11, 2026 test date, we want our students to feel prepared and empowered. The ACT has seen several updates recently—including a shorter core testing time and an optional Science section—making strategic preparation more important than ever.
Rather than "cramming," we encourage students to focus on consistency and familiarity. Understanding the rhythm of the test is often just as important as knowing the content itself.
Three Pillars of 2026 Test Prep
- Take a Diagnostic Test: Use a full-length, timed practice test to identify strengths and weaknesses. It's the most efficient way to see which sections need the most attention.
- Master the "Enhanced" Format: The 2026 ACT features shorter reading passages and only four answer choices in the Math section (down from five). Familiarizing yourself with these changes can save valuable time on test day.
- Build Stamina: The ACT is a mental marathon. Practicing in one sitting helps students maintain focus during the final sections when fatigue typically sets in.
Official practice may be found on ACT.org. There you will find real, retired questions from the test-makers.
Pro-Tip: Remind your student that there is no penalty for guessing. They should never leave a bubble blank! If they run out of time, picking a Letter of the Day for remaining questions can actually boost their score.
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This February, we join the state of Tennessee and the rest of the nation in celebrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. From our cosmetology labs to our health science wings, our CTE teachers are the bridge between classroom theory and 2026 industry standards. They don’t just teach; they mentor, certify, and open doors to high-demand careers.Our Sevier County CTE teachers are unique because they bring years of industry experience directly to our students. This month, we want to highlight the vital roles they play:
- Industry Insiders: Many of our instructors come from backgrounds in nursing, engineering, and the trades, ensuring students learn exactly what the modern workforce requires.
- Certification Champions: Last year, our teachers helped our students earn over 1500 industry-recognizedcredentials, giving them a head start on their careers and college applications.
- Community Partners: Our staff works tirelessly with local county businesses to create Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities, letting students test-drive their futures.
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In Sevier County, excellence doesn't stop at the classroom door. This quarter, we are bursting with pride as we recognize the incredible achievements of our students who have reached the pinnacle of their fields: the Tennessee State Championships.
Whether on the field, on the stage, or in a competitive academic arena, these students have demonstrated the grit, discipline, and mountain tough spirit that defines our community. Representing the Smokies at the state level is a grueling journey that requires hundreds of hours of practice, and seeing our students bring home hardware to Sevier County is a win for us all.
While every season brings new accolades, we want to highlight the diverse ways our students are leading the state:
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Athletic Excellence: Congratulations to our student-athletes who competed in the TSSAA State Championships. From the wrestling mats in Franklin to the track in Murfreesboro, your sportsmanship and skill represented your schools with honor.
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CTE and DECA: Our Career and Technical students recently dominated at the state leadership conferences, proving that Sevier County has the best future business and marketing leaders in Tennessee.
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The Arts: A special round of applause to our fine arts students. Earning a "Superior" rating or a podium finish at a state-sanctioned festival is a testament to your creative dedication.
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Over the next few weeks, health services will be focusing on Asthma Screenings at selected schools. With parent permission, selected schools will be completing asthma screenings over the next few weeks. Health Services partnered with Children’s Hospital to provide this important service. Early detection of Asthma can help the child in various areas such as: attendance, academics, and athletics. Approximately 1,000 students will take advantage of this screening at those schools. With this partnership other schools will be given this opportunity in the future. |
As the parent, you are the expert on your child. You know your child’s strengths and areas of vulnerability. Communicating on social media is an area that can play on your child’s vulnerabilities. Helping them navigate this journey is an important process.
A child’s brain is developing through early adulthood. During the phase of adolescence, the brain has an increased desire for attention from peers. Social media may be especially concerning since it is centered around the desire for attention. Keeping our children safe is a priority.
Here are some tips from the Department of Homeland Security on how to keep your children safe on social media:
- Explain to never share passwords, addresses, or personal information online.
- Create steps to tell parents or trusted adult if they see inappropriate content.
- Warn not to trust people meet online.
- Teach how to be respectful of others online. Tell if they feel disrespected online.
- Discuss permanency of online data.
- Set privacy controls and restricting location access to help avoid online predators.
- Tell safe adults won’t ask to keep secrets and disrespect boundaries.
- Tell that minors shouldn’t share sexual abuse materials because it is illegal.
- Discuss cyberbullying (e.g., harassment, spreading online rumors, posting embarrassing pictures) and to tell parents or trusted adult.
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What Are Related Services?
When a student qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), they may also receive related services. These services provide additional support to help a child benefit from their special education program.
Related services are not separate from learning. They are designed to help students access instruction, build skills, and participate fully in school.
Examples of Related Services May Include:
Speech-Language Therapy: Supports communication skills, such as articulation and language development.
Occupational Therapy (OT): Helps students with fine motor skills, visual motor, handwriting, sensory needs, and daily skills that impact the school environment.
Physical Therapy (PT) : Supports gross motor development, mobility, and physical access to the school environment.
School-Based Counseling: Provides support for emotional regulation, behavior, coping skills, and social development to help students successfully participate in the school environment.
Special Transportation: When specialized transportation is necessary for a student to attend school.
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