Announcements
Welcome!
The T. A. Dugger faculty, staff, parents and students have reason to celebrate the many accomplishments during this school year at TAD.
ACADEMICS:
The students and teachers dedication to learning the state standards in Language Arts and Math have really paid off substantially. One of many luxuries at TAD is the small student/teacher ratio. Evidence of this is observed from the State mandated test scores such as Writing Assessment and TCAPS. This year’s State-mandated Writing Assessment boasted an average of 4.705, (on a scale from 1-6)! Eighth grade math students that took the State-mandated Algebra Gateway Exam yielded 100% advanced and proficient in all areas! In addition, the 8th grade EXPLORE/ACT produced results that exceeded all State and National Benchmarks for high school readiness in every category, level and sub-level. During a 5 year period, attendance at TAD has yielded a 2.3% increase for the 2nd quartile of the 2007-2008 school year. In addition, attendance was 100% during the entire week of TCAP testing, which is another indicator of the value that is placed on being dedicated, respectful, and responsible at TAD. Free after-school tutoring in math, science, language arts, and social studies is offered during the school year for any student needing assistance above and beyond the classroom. In addition to one full time counselor, TAD contracts with Frontier Health to offer additional counseling services.
CLUBS & EXTRACURRICULAR:
TAD offers many clubs and extra-curricular activities of which students may take advantage. Some of the clubs include the Eco Club, Chess Club, Junior Civitans, Scrabble Club, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and the Tech Ed Club. Also, the Jr. Cyclone Band, theater arts, in-school & out of school dances and ballgames give an even greater variety for those who are interested. Expeditions & field trips abound all year, examples: TAD students visited the Natural History Museum at Gray Fossil Site and learned first hand about Paleontology. Other trips have been to the Bays Mountain Nature Park and Planetarium in Kingsport, the 8th Grade trip to Washington D.C. and the OverMountain Victory Trail hike in the fall.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
More quality opportunities exist for community interaction such as PTO meetings and luncheons, Open House, Orientation, Food for the Multitude, Second Harvest Food Bank, Backpack Program, Earth Day activities, and numerous other service projects. Every fall the PTO sponsors a Bean Supper Fundraiser; this year’s secured state of the art technology for the computer lab and teacher’s classrooms. The Fine Arts program collaborated on the school play, Mulan and the annual Art Show, in addition to raising money for leukemia patients by collecting plastic caps. The TAD Student Council raised $400 for the Red Cross to aid and assist tornado victims in West Tennessee, and the FCA raised $540 to help build schools for underprivileged children in Northern Uganda. Several TAD students were selected to the prestigious People to People Ambassadors to Australia and Europe program.
ATHLETICS:
A diverse assortment of sports is offered for interested students at TAD, including: track, football, swimming, boy’s & girl’s basketball, baseball, cheerleading and softball. In addition, 2008-2009 will find the 6th grade students being allowed to participate in athletics, and a new athletic warehouse for storage and dressing rooms.
There is much to celebrate at T. A. Dugger Junior High School this year!