HughHarris

First leg underway! Way to early.

6:00 AM flights are great on the price but tough to get going this early. Headed to Charlotte & connecting on to JFK for a 3:50 pm flight on Air China. Meeting with the group from College Board.

November 7, 2012 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education | Leave a comment

Boarded in Charlotte- can we say full flight?

This flight is primed for a “bump”. Grieves me not to take advantage of one but can’t risk missing JFK departure.

November 7, 2012 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education | Leave a comment

Departing in the morning for China. Life long dream coming true. Here’s why:

I have the very distinct privilege of traveling to China with the College Board (these are the folks that develop and oversee the SAT exams) on their China Delegation to learn more about education in China, its culture, its people, and build relationships with educational institutions.

Here is the stated purpose from the College Board-

The delegation provides an opportunity to:

Visit Chinese K–12 schools and postsecondary institutions, meet with Chinese educators, observe classes and interact with students.  Establish meaningful partnerships with Chinese education institutions and network with U.S. colleagues
Attend presentations on best practices and gather resources to build and support Chinese language and culture programs
Experience China firsthand and marvel at the rich traditional culture set against stunning modern development.

Click on the link for more information regarding the program:

http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/chinese/bridge

One of the most amazing aspects of this trip is that the College Board is paying for the majority of it with the exception of a nominal fee.

I will fly out of Nashville at 6:00 am and travel to JFK to meet the rest of our group. Its my understanding that there will almost 200 traveling on the trip and we will be divided into 3 smaller groups of roughly 30 to go to various regions of China for more in depth visits with students and schools.

Yes we will do some cultural tours and learn about the country and its people. I will try to blog as much as possible. I’m venturing out on this trip with a new tool and taking a HP tablet to save weight and leaving my laptop behind. Stay tune for updates

November 7, 2012 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education | Leave a comment

China here I come. Departure Wed. Stay tuned. More to come.

I’m heading to China on Wed. so check back and watch for more posts on why and what’s going on.

November 6, 2012 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education | Leave a comment

TN School Voucher Plan Moving Closer To A Decision.

Its been almost 10 months since Gov. Haslam put on hold the final legislative decision for a school voucher program while a task force spent more time studying the idea and gave the TN educational world some breathing room while the dust settle from all of the reform that had taken place since he took office.

See the article from the Commercial Appeal for more details.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/oct/01/tennessee-planning-for-school-vouchers-nears/?partner=RSS

It looks like the plan will primarily be focused at low-income families being eligible for a partial voucher to be applied to tuition for private schools however how much, what counties, and many of the details are still up in the air. This task force is just making recommendations and the legislature still must vote. The voucher bill narrowly passed the Senate late last year and must go before the House before final approval and may see changes based on the task force recommendations.

Stay tuned. Educational market pressure and competition seems to be on the horizon for TN students and their families. We need these changes for our students to be assured of a top flight education. Rising tides raise all boats. Our tax dollars follow college students (Hope Scholarship) why can’t they follow primary and secondary students?

October 1, 2012 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education | Leave a comment

FCA Homecoming Week – Wow! Community Abounds.

What a week. The life and community of a school can really separate it from all the other educational options that are available to families in this area. This past week however was a real landmark for our school. Our students and parents have really demonstrated what it means to be a school committed to the community part of education.

Spirit week was great at FCA. Our students really stepped into the swing of things with the fun of dressing up for the various days of the week. Their support of the athletic teams and school spirit was at an all-time high.

Our Falcon Parent Association (FPA, new this school year) really demonstrated servant leadership. Thanks to Alexius Young, Kimberly Cook and all of the parents involved in the events this week including the grade parent coffees that met with teachers and staff to discuss various grade level issues and support for their children’s education.

Thanks to the FCA Crew and Colyer Robison for their servant leadership in support of our athletic teams this week and the homecoming festivities! From football gate, concessions, field setup, to announcing, to color guard, to spirit crew, pre-game meal, singing, you name it – The Crew was there to serve and support.

Thanks to our fall athletic teams – Coach Drew Robison and his staff Billy Borre, and Shaka Hill for their leadership of our football teams. Coach Chatoria Kent and the Cross Country team beginning a new sport and tradition at FCA. 6:30 am practices and all. Coach LaToya Brownlow, parent Stephanie Blair and the Girls Volleyball team for your dedication and improvement in this season. Our student/athletes are learning great lessons. In the face of great adversity and success they are learning the character, integrity, discipline and brother and sisterhood that will serve them their entire lives.

This past Friday night at the pre-game tailgate event at Honey’s Vintage Sweets it was great to see FCA Alum return and catch-up with old friends. Thanks to owners Marianne and Greg DeMeyers for hosting our pre-game AND post-game events at their new store. Everyone had a great time! Honey’s donated 15% of the proceeds back to FCA! Thanks again to the FPA for helping put on this event.

Then Saturday night to close out the festivities we danced the evening away at the FCA Hoedown sponsored by the FPA and held at the Fellowship Bible Church barn. Nena Grosse and Lisa Starwalt spearheaded this new event for FCA and it was a boot scootin success. Ms. Chatoria Kent was our rocking DJ and students and parents alike had a blast kicking up our heals in celebration of what God has done in our school. What a delight to see little brothers and sisters, siblings, students, friends,  parents and grandparents enjoying a great fall evening of dance and music! Thanks to Bill Jorgenson for capturing all of this weeks events in pictures. What a gift! Check out all his FCA pics at http://www.jorgensen.biz

What a great week! Families enjoying the life of a school. We are so blessed with an amazing, growing, thriving school.

Go Falcons!

September 23, 2012 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education | Leave a comment