I have just started my third year with Central Elementary. It is really 3-1/2 years. All the employees are so nice. That includes the principal, office staff, teachers, custodians, and lunch room employees. We have two teachers that are here 1/2 of the year. Mrs. Crabtree teaches art and after Christmas she will be going to another school. Ms. Kay Palham will be coming on Thursday and Friday to teach music after Christmas.

There is always something going on, like plays and things, getting the students interested in learning.

This year Central will be participating in Box Tops for Education to raise money for the school. Everyone has seen food such as cereal and pastas labeled General Mills that didn't know what to do with the tops. You can drop them off at Central Elementary and they will really appreciate them.

We started off the year with open house on Sun. Aug. 3rd with many parents attending, this was a big success. Then on Aug. 4th was the day to come in and register. There were 27 mor here than last year and they had to have another class and another teacher. She is Sherry (Morgan) Massey. She had always taught at Westside. She told me she has taught 22 years. She went on and told me how much she enjoyed being here.

When I left the Senior Citizens Center I thought I would die, but as time went on I was pleased at Central Elementary. I thought about what Shirley Brawner had told me. She said that when a door closed another one would open. I went from Senior Citizen to second and third graders. I really love those little children. I don't know many of the second graders yet, but I will before school is out next year. Unconditional love is the best love of all. I was at Wal-Mart yesterday and someone walked up beside me. It was a new fourth grade student that had been a special friend for the last two years. I was really glad that he had remembered me and came over to see me. That little person was Ricky Taylor. He is the kind of person that smiles all the time and his eyes smile too. I met a new second grader at the doctor's office this week and another one at Weight Watchers.

The kitchen staff is always doing something for the students. Before Thanksgiving they will have a Thanksgiving feast for the students and parents. Then at the end of school, Ms. Kristy Meador, the supervisor, will have a cookout just for the students. I asked her one time why she did this and she said she just wanted to do something for the students. This is when the men teachers get to show off their talents by cooking steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.

My life here at Central has been a happy time and I'm hoping I will get to have this job as long as I'm able. Thanks to Mr. Woods and UCHRA (Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency) for giving me this job.

Central Elementary School

By Principal David Woods

Central was built in 1964. It was a 5-8 at one time. Then it became a 3-5. At the present time it is a 2-3 school. This year there are 378 students in the school. The 2nd grade has 11 classes and the 3rd has 10 classes. There are 21 regular classroom teachers, a P.E. teacher, 2 Sp. Ed. teachers, a librarian, 2 Title1 teachers and an art teacher. The faculty and staff work hard to make the school friendly and safe. We are in the process of developing a computer lab with 21 computers. Every classroom has at least one computer, and most 2 or more. We believe in challenging the students to prepare them for the challenges of life. Central has been recognized by the state for its superior performance in certain areas. We received $5,164.24 for this accomplishment and will use the money to upgrade the playground.