Sevier County Parents,
With our first six weeks grading period behind us, I hope all of our students, staff, and parents have settled into a productive school routine that supports student learning. I want to thank everyone for getting school off to a strong start this year. Fall sports have begun, and the Kickoff Jamboree at SCHS was an event to be remembered! Many of you took advantage of online registration this year to speed and streamline that process, and we are grateful for your patience as all learned together. We are also pleased with the rollout of the new BusRight system, which we believe will improve transportation safety and provide parents with timely communication regarding buses after full implementation later this fall.
As the weather begins to cool, and we continue to head into fall, I want to remind you that many schools have scheduled parent-teacher conferences for better school to home communication. I urge you to take advantage of these opportunities to stay connected to your child’s teachers. If you haven’t downloaded ParentSquare, please consider learning about its features on the ParentSquare F.A.Q. webpage. Parents can message teachers via the app in an easy, convenient way that brings us closer to families than ever before. With fall events scheduled across our district, I hope you’ll come visit with us to see the exciting things we have happening in our schools soon.
Warmest regards,
Wendy Patterson
Interim Director of Sevier County Schools
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Amber McKinney, Seymour Primary School
Amber McKinney is in her 11th year with Sevier County Schools and currently teaches Kindergarten at Seymour Primary School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University and holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Before joining Seymour Primary, Amber spent nine years teaching Kindergarten and Developmental Kindergarten at Pigeon Forge Primary School.
Amber is a kind and positive person who is always willing to go the extra mile for others. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with her students and watching them learn, grow, and gain confidence. Math is her favorite subject to teach, and she loves finding fun and engaging ways to help students develop a strong mathematical foundation.
Amber also willingly shares her knowledge and expertise with fellow teachers across our county. We truly appreciate her hard work, caring spirit, and dedication to the success of her students!
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Ellie Cliff - 2nd grader at Sevierville Elementary
What’s your favorite thing you’ve learned so far this year?
"I loved learning about butterfly life cycles, and seeing caterpillars change into butterflies! I've liked learning to read, too! I even read some books at home."
What’s something that makes your classroom feel special or fun?
"We play fun math games, and cool games for sight words."
If you could be the teacher for one day, what would you do?
"I would make sure everyone could learn to read better."
What is the easiest part about starting school again? What is the trickiest part?
"The easiest part is getting to play on the playground! The trickiest part is having to wake up early again... especially when I'm having a good dream."
If your backpack could talk, what would it say about your day?
"It would say, "Well, hello, Ellie's mom! Ellie had a good day at school today!""
If school lunch could be any food in the world, what would you pick?
"I would pick crab with warm butter, real Japanese ramen, rice, oranges, zucchini bread, a big ice cream sundae with a brownie, and a coconut donut from The Donut Friar!"
Would you rather have recess all day or homework made out of candy? Why?
"Homework made out of candy! I like candy, and it's too hot outside anyway."
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📚 The Power of Reading and Talking Together! 📚 (Contributed by Dr. Stacy Plemons)
As the school year gets underway, one of the best ways to support your child’s reading growth is to make time for conversation about what they are reading and learning. You don’t need to be a reading expert or have all the answers—simply asking your child to explain their thinking can make a big difference!
As you read together, try asking:
“What are you thinking?” Give your child a chance to share ideas, questions, and predictions.
“What makes you think that?” Encourage your child to explain their thinking using details from the book.
“Can you tell me more?” Encourage your child to expand on their ideas and respond in complete sentences. Instead of accepting a one-word answer, try, “Can you tell me that in a complete sentence?”
“What was interesting, surprising, or new to you?” Help your child connect reading to what they already know and discover new ideas.
These conversations don’t have to happen only with books. Talk about something your child learned at school, an interesting fact you discover together, or a question that comes up during your day. Every conversation is an opportunity to build vocabulary, knowledge, comprehension, and confidence.
Thank you for partnering with us to help our students become curious, capable readers and thoughtful communicators!
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Practice for the 1st-3rd Grade math Challenge will begin soon! Each May, Sevier County schools compete for the honor of bringing home the “Traveling Trophy.” Families can help students prepare by practicing the following skills at home:
● 1st Grade & 2nd Grade: Addition and subtraction
● 3rd Grade: Multiplication
The winners of the 2025-26 Math Challenge are:
● 1st Grade School Wide Wearwood Elementary
● 1st Grade Teacher Samantha Gibson, Sevierville Primary
● 2nd Grade School Wide Caton’s Chapel
● 2nd Grade Teacher Kimberly Bevins, Caton’s Chapel
● 3rd Grade School Wide Caton’s Chapel
● 3rd Grade Teacher Amy Walker, Boyds Creek Elementary
Congratulations to those schools, teachers and their students. A lot of hard work and dedication went into earning those awards!
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Math is more than worksheets and memorizing facts—it is part of everyday life! When children enjoy practicing math, they build confidence, strengthen their skills, and become better problem-solvers.
Fun Math Practice for Grades K–3
● Play card or dice games to practice counting, addition, and subtraction.
● Count coins, toys, snacks, or household items.
● Practice math facts with sidewalk chalk, building blocks, or a deck of cards.
● Look for shapes, patterns, and numbers around the house or neighborhood.
● Let your child measure and count ingredients while helping in the kitchen.
Fun Math Practice for Grades 4–6
● Practice multiplication and division through card, dice, or board games.
● Compare prices, calculate discounts, or estimate the total while shopping.
● Double or halve recipes to practice fractions and measurement.
● Plan a pretend trip using distance, time, and a budget.
● Play strategy games, solve puzzles, or use math-based apps.
Math practice does not have to feel like work. Keep it short, playful, and positive—and celebrate effort, creative thinking, and improvement!
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Get ready for an exciting event! We are thrilled to announce the date for the annual Countywide Science Fair: February 11, 2027.
The Sevier County Science Fair lets students ask questions about science and find answers through their own experiments. Students collect information, look at what they found, and learn how science works in real life. This fair gives students more time than classroom experiments do, so they can work like real scientists. Doing a science fair project can make students curious about new things and might even help them decide to become scientists or engineers when they grow up.
Each school is invited to send up to 20 outstanding projects to be entered into the fair. We encourage all students with an interest in science to participate in their local science fair. There are some fantastic incentives for students who enter projects at the county level, and we can't wait to share them with our winners!
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September 17 through 23 is designated as Constitution Week across America. This year marks the 239th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. Constitution Week is an excellent opportunity for students and all citizens to learn more about this important document and celebrate the freedom it provides. |
Building strong habits and keeping an open line of communication are key to a less stressful, more successful school year.
● Plan & Set Goals: Know your daily objectives, use a planner, and tackle big projects early.
● Study Smart: Find a quiet space, limit phone distractions, and break your work into manageable chunks using notes and flashcards.
● Take Breaks: Short periods of rest keep your mind fresh. Remember, small daily habits yield big results!
● Stay Connected: Students and parents should regularly check Google Classroom for announcements and use email to connect with teachers directly. Partnering together is an important key to success.
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The ACT, PreACT, and PSAT are vital for measuring college readiness and unlocking future scholarships. All students in grades 9 through 12 have access to MasteryPrep, an ACT endorsed platform, via Classlink using their school email accounts. To perform your best, familiarize yourself with the test timing and question formats. You can also use official practice resources like MasteryPrep to strengthen areas of the assessment.
9/30/26: 8th Grade PreACT 8/9
9/30/26: 11th Grade ACT Predictive Assessment on MasteryPrep
9/30/26: 12th Grade Senior Retake
3/10/27: 9th Grade PreACT 8/9
3/10/27: 10th Grade PreACT
3/10/27: 11th Grade ACT State Assessment
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To continuously improve how we meet student needs, teachers across our district are currently engaging in the 4-question PLC (Professional Learning Community) cycle. By utilizing this collaborative cycle, our educators are equipped to provide exceptional mentorship and highly individualized support, making a dynamic impact on their students and our entire district community. |
This year, we launched the Student School Board Advisory Group to give students a direct voice with district leadership! Selected for their character, school involvement, and leadership, these representatives will meet with the superintendent to share valuable student perspectives.
Congratulations to our 2026-27 Student School Board Advisory Group Members:
Gatlinburg-Pittman High School
Cannon Coykendall, Junior
Emma Allen, Senior
Pigeon Forge High School
Jackson Smith, Junior
Ellery Garrison, Senior
Northview Academy
Harper Long, Junior
Kallen McElyea, Senior
Sevier County High School
Jane Morris, Junior
Sawyer Townsend, Senior
Seymour High School
Tucker Godfrey, Junior
Addyson Clark, Senior
We look forward to seeing the positive impact these students will make this year!
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September is National Literacy Month! Our district is committed to supporting every student’s reading journey by encouraging them to dive into the wonderful resources available at our school and local libraries.
● Spark Curiosity: Exploring a wide variety of genres and stories helps students discover new interests and fuels their creativity.
● Build Critical Thinking: Engaging with texts teaches students how to analyze information, make connections, and form independent and informed opinions.
● Set Up for Success: Establishing strong reading habits now equips students with the essential comprehension skills they need for academics and beyond.
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Early intervention is a crucial step in supporting your child's development. Asking for support early can make a massive difference in your student's educational journey. We are here to help every step of the way.
● When to Act: If you notice your child consistently struggling with reading, math, or social skills, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher and/or school counselor directly.
● How to Connect: You can email, call, or schedule a visit with your child’s teacher or counselor. They can provide valuable insights and recommend resources specifically tailored to your child's needs.
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Staying actively involved in your student’s education fosters confidence, responsibility, and a strong home-to-school partnership.
● Check In Regularly: Have consistent conversations about their schoolwork, short-term goals, and future plans.
● Create Structure: Provide a quiet, organized, and distraction-free environment for studying at home.
● Communicate: Maintain an open dialogue with teachers to stay updated on your student's progress.
● Show Support: Take a genuine interest in their extracurricular activities, celebrate their achievements (big and small), and offer steady guidance when they face challenges.
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Flu Shot Clinics hosted by the Sevier County Health Department will begin soon. Specific dates will be scheduled once the vaccines arrive.
This year, consent forms will be submitted online for both students and staff. As soon as our clinic dates are confirmed, we will share an explanatory letter containing the link and QR code for you to distribute on ParentSquare.
The Sevier County Cross Country Challenge for 4th through 8th graders will be held on Thursday October 1, 2026 at Walters State Community College. Detailed information has already been sent out to your PE teachers last week.
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With the school year off and running, students develop a routine and everything may seem like all is well. However, what if your child needs help at school with relationships, anxiety, academics? Who is your child’s school counselor and what can they do to help your child?
A school counselor is someone children can talk to when they need help with their feelings, school, relationships, or personal problems. School counselors can help children by:
● Helping them handle stress, anxiety, friendships, and emotions
● Supporting children who are having problems at home or school
● Helping with schoolwork, organization, and setting goals
● Teaching problem-solving and coping skills
● Helping children build confidence and positive relationships
● Working with parents and teachers to support the child
● Connecting families with additional resources or services when needed
Additionally, a high school counselor helps students prepare for graduation and life after high school while also supporting their personal and academic needs.
A high school counselor can support students by:
● Helping students choose classes and create graduation plans
● Assisting with college applications, scholarships, and financial aid
● Providing career and job-planning guidance
● Helping students deal with stress, personal problems, and relationships
● Supporting students who are struggling academically
● Helping with schedule changes, credits, and graduation requirements
● Connecting students with mental health or community resources when needed.
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Our Special Education Department is committed to ensuring that every student receives a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. We strive to provide individualized services tailored to meet each student’s unique strengths and needs while promoting inclusion, independence, and confidence.
We value the trust you place in us to care for and educate your child. Our team is dedicated to creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student can learn and achieve. Together, we can help your child reach their full potential.
If you have concerns about your child’s development or learning, reach out to the Special Education Department at 865-453-1036.
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Child Find is a legal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that ensures schools identify, locate, and evaluate children who may need special education services — from birth through age 21.
If your child is not meeting developmental milestones, struggling in school, or showing signs of a disability, Child Find is here to help.
This includes children who are:
● Not yet in school (ages 0–5),
● Homeschooled or in private school,
● Highly mobile (like those in military or foster care),
● Or not yet identified as needing support.
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