ACT reschedules April national test date due to coronavirus spread
ACT has rescheduled the April 4 national ACT test date to June 13 in response to concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
ACT will communicate directly with all students currently registered for the April 4 test date, according to a press release.
All students registered for the April 4 test date will receive an email from ACT in the next few days informing them of the postponement and instructions for next steps.
"ACT is committed to making every effort to help those students impacted by this test date change, particularly those high school seniors who are facing deadlines for fall 2020 college admission," said ACT CEO Marten Roorda, in a statement.
For more information and additional national test date options, visit: www.ACT.org.
Hamilton County school board cancels meeting, reschedules discussion
The Hamilton County Board of Education canceled its monthly agenda session Monday and moved a facilities discussion planned for the meeting to its regularly-scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday.
"Out of an abundance of caution and concern for the health and safety of employees, board members, media, etc. the work session scheduled for tonight [Monday, March 16] has been cancelled," said Sherrie Ford, the board's executive secretary in an email Monday. "The facilities discussion will be added as an amended item to the regular agenda."
The board also avoided district administration's request to change its calendar, thanks to an announcement by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Monday morning.
"Information regarding the calendar was sent out earlier by the communications team," Ford said. "There will be no change in the date for spring break."
The meeting on Thursday is scheduled to begin with a budget work session at 4:30 p.m. followed by the board's regular session at 5:30. Meetings will take place in the Hamilton County Department of Education's board room and will be livestreamed online.
Center for Creative Arts senior awarded Mercer University scholarship
Representatives of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, visited Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts (CCA) on March 11 to award Eliza Moore, a senior at the school, with a full-ride scholarship. The Mercer representatives presented Moore with a Stamps Scholar Award that includes full tuition, room and board, an iPad, and a $16,000 enrichment stipend to be disseminated over four years. Moore can use these funds to study abroad, for undergraduate research, internship opportunities, conference fees, and travel.
The Stamps Scholars Program emphasizes the students' initiative, from engaging in philanthropic efforts worldwide to conducting research and demonstrating a passion for improving local communities. Mercer's Stamps Scholars embody both academic achievement and effective leadership, according to a press release.
Moore was selected by committee after an extensive interview process.
Lee University students motivate Prospect Elementary School students
Last month, students from Lee University's Lifespan Development class delivered "star bags" to elementary students at Prospect Elementary School.
The goal was to connect Lee University students with individual elementary school students and create a personalized goodie bag celebrating each student.
"This event gave my students the opportunity to interact with children in a very intentional and personal way," said Susan Ashcraft, a professor of psychology and human development at Lee, in a press release. "Our goal was to celebrate each kid because they are all stars and sometimes they need to be reminded of that. It was a phenomenal time for making new friends and shining a light of love into a young child's life."
Ashcraft assigned each of her students from the Lifespan class to an elementary student. The Lee students then prepared and delivered a goodie bag to the child. The bag also had a personalized homemade card with each child's name.
"The students and staff were greatly encouraged by the simple act of kindness from Dr. Ashcraft and her students," said Michele Dunkle, a counselor at Prospect Elementary. "Some students said they had never been a part of anything like this, it meant so much.
If you have news about local schools or about something impacting local students that you'd like included in Class Notes, email Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com.