Class Notes: PEF honors Robert Siskin, awards CCA grad the Robert Siskin Scholarship and more education news

The Public Education Foundation of Chattanooga recently honored Robert Siskin for 19 years of service on the organization's board of directors. Siskin, left, and his wife, Pris Siskin, right, presented a scholarship named in his honor to Jaylon Atkins, a recent graduate of Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts. Photo courtesy of PEF. Contributed Photo/Times Free Press
The Public Education Foundation of Chattanooga recently honored Robert Siskin for 19 years of service on the organization's board of directors. Siskin, left, and his wife, Pris Siskin, right, presented a scholarship named in his honor to Jaylon Atkins, a recent graduate of Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts. Photo courtesy of PEF. Contributed Photo/Times Free Press

PEF honors Robert Siskin, awards CCA grad scholarship

The Public Education Foundation recently recognized Robert Siskin for his 19 years of service on the organization's board of directors by awarding the Robert Siskin Scholarship to Jaylon Atkins, a 2019 graduate of Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts.

On July 17th, Siskin presented the scholarship to Atkins.

"Jaylon is an outstanding young man and I look forward to seeing him make many great contributions to our community and country," Siskin said in a news release.

Atkins will be starting at MTSU in the fall, where he plans to pursue a computer science degree. The $500 scholarship presented by Siskin can be used to purchase books for classes.

"I am thankful to be supported by my family, PEF, and strong community members like the Siskins," Atkins said in a statement.

In 2018, Atkins' participated in the foundation's Camp College at the University of the South, and he recently participated in its STEP-UP program, working in a paid internship at Baker Donelson.

He was selected for the scholarship by Siskin himself, based on his academic success and commitment to the Chattanooga community, according to a news release.

"PEF is delighted to recognize Robert Siskin for his service to our board and to public education," said Dan Challener, president of the foundation, in a statement. "In his 19 years on PEF's board, Robert has made many important contributions, including chairing the committee that revised all of our human resources policies and serving on our investment committee. He and his wife, Pris, have also been loyal and generous donors to PEF."

Before retiring, Siskin served as executive vice president at Siskin Steel and Supply.

Bradley schools' Cash to speak at Lee commencement

Linda Cash, director of Bradley County Schools, will address Lee University students at the summer commencement ceremony on July 27, at 10:30 a.m. in the Conn Center.

"Since she came to Cleveland to direct our county schools, Dr. Cash has distinguished herself as a creative and tireless leader in K-12 education," said Lee President Paul Conn, in a statement. "She has become a good friend of Lee University and our graduates, and we know she will have something important and interesting to share with the summer graduates and their families."

One hundred sixty-four students will receive degrees at the university's summer commencement ceremony.

During the event, five student speakers will share brief stories about their time at Lee. The hooding, commissioning and commencement ceremonies are ticketed events. For those who wish to view the events online, live streaming will be available at https://livestream.com/leeu.

Online K-12 school to hold info session

Tennessee Connections Academy (TNCA), an online public school for students in grades K-12, is holding an information session for parents and families in Chattanooga on Tuesday, July 23.

The event is an opportunities for parents to learn about the free school. Tennessee Connections Academy was authorized by Robertson County Public Schools to begin serving students for the 2019-20 school year, according to a news release.

Students participate in online classes, but TNCA community coordinators arrange field trips and extracurricular activities for students across the state.The school provides curriculum materials and assigns each student a professional teacher to oversee their learning progress.

The information session is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2343 Shallowford Village Drive. For more information, visit www.connectionsacademy.com.

If you have news about local schools you'd like included in Class Notes, email Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com.

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