In the spring of 2019, the Cookeville High School Dance Department began to raise money for a new dance studio, which was installed over the summer -- just in time for the beginning of this school year.

Since 1998, instructors have taught dance classes in the upper east gym, which caused a host of problems. Through the opening of former Fine Arts teacher Mrs. Faye Watts’ room, along with the support of students, administration and community members, dance instructor Merry Flatt can now provide an authentic dance studio for her students.

Mrs. Watts’ retirement last school year left room 159, previously Clay Arts, empty, prompting other Fine Arts teachers to suggest that Ms. Flatt take the room. Ms. Flatt had some reservations about the decrease in size and the cost of renovating the room, but support from colleagues and students indicated the opportunity was not one to pass up.

Fundraising began almost immediately, and by the time administration approved the transition in mid-June, the dance department had the funds to begin installing flooring and mirrors.

“I lived and breathed this all summer,” said Ms. Flatt of the renovation process.

At 900 square feet, the newly installed dance studio is marginally smaller than the portion of the gym that housed past dance classes. However, a decrease in size also comes with a decrease in instructional time wasted by distractions.

“It’s so much more convenient,” said Ms. Flatt.

Noise from P.E. classes echoing off the walls, prolonged trips to the bathroom and to water fountains, injuries resulting from dancing on a concrete-based floor and other disruptions are now eliminated.

As a result, Ms. Flatt can better monitor students’ progress. Posters and reference materials no longer seem out of place on her walls, as they did in the gym. Fine Arts teachers have welcomed Ms. Flatt and her students, allowing them to share dressing rooms for the students’ use. With these accommodations and the absence of common interferences that clouded focus in the gym, students can now concentrate on dancing in a place that feels meant for just that.

“It’s ours,” Ms. Flatt said, “and I think that’s the biggest thing -- my kids have a home.”

Mrs. Bowman’s duties include assisting with graduation, attending Individualized Education Program meetings for the specialized programs, coordinating special needs testing and leading the Personalized Learning program, an educational framework that tailors each student’s educational experience to meet his or her needs, strengths, and goals. She, along with other administrators, has the job of supervising during lunch and aiding with bus duty.

Mrs. Bowman has worked in the Putnam County school system since 2006. Starting out as an assistant at North East Elementary School, she worked through college, became a teacher for special education and obtained her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University.

Mrs. Bowman’s inspiration for teaching students with special needs comes from personal experience with her niece, who was born with Down Syndrome. She wants to help people like her niece who others may look at and think “they can’t.”

“They can, it’s just going to look different,” said Mrs. Bowman.

Administration for the special education department calls to Mrs. Bowman because of her leadership skills and care for students.

Mrs. Bowman said, “In this position, not only can I help the 25 or so students that I had on my caseload in my classroom, but I feel like I can make a positive impact on a lot of other students and be just a positive person that they come across everyday.”

Mrs. Bowman is striving to help students grow. She desires to see students and teachers working together and a shift to a positive morale. Her expectations of the students is for them to take ownership of their education, be accountable for themselves and make an effort.

Some students were surprised on August 1 when they heard a weather report on the morning announcements for the first time in Cookeville High School history. Since then, weather on the announcements has been shared daily.

David Hewitt, a freshman, is CHS’s weather reporter. Hewitt has been interested in weather since March 1, 2017, when two tornadoes causing moderate damage touched down in Putnam County. These tornadoes and severe thunderstorms moved rapidly across the county, sparking his interest in meteorology.

In seventh grade, Hewitt began announcing weather at Prescott South Middle School. Since many students thoroughly enjoyed the reports, he continued to share it for the remainder of his time in middle school.

On his first day of high school, Hewitt asked for permission to do weather everyday with the morning announcements. Yet again, Hewitt’s weather has been a success, with many teachers and students agreeing they enjoy the addition to the morning announcements.

Hewitt feels reporting the weather is important because “it’s something everyone needs to know.”

Every morning, Hewitt checks the forecast, writes it down on a sheet of paper and reads the weather after the pledge of allegiance. He informs the school of temperature, humidity and chance of rain for the day and for the rest of the week.