Roane County School District

**Notice**

📱 Research on Kids and Phone Addiction
Recent studies consistently show that phone addiction in children and teens is a growing mental health issue, affecting emotional well-being, sleep, relationships, and academic performance.
🔍 Key Findings:
Half of kids aged 9–13 already show signs of addictive phone or social media behavior, not just high usage but compulsive habits like needing to check constantly or feeling anxious without a device.
- Addictive phone behaviors are linked to a 2–3× higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, more so than the total number of hours spent on devices.
- Heavy phone users report more sleep problems, irritability, loneliness, and trouble focusing in school.
- Brain studies show early, excessive screen use affects areas of the brain tied to impulse control and emotional regulation.
🛑 What Experts Recommend:
* Focus less on daily screen limits and more on recognizing compulsive behaviors like: checking without reason, distress when separated, or neglecting real-world activities.
* Encourage offline activities like journaling, reading ,sports, exercise, and face-to-face friendships.
* Limit device use during meals, family time, bedtime, and school hours.

**Notice**

📱 Less Screen Time, More Real-Life Growth! 🌱

Reducing phone time creates space for:
🎨 Creativity | 🤝 Connection | 📚 Learning | 🧠 Problem-solving

🧠 Did You Know? Less screen time can lead to:
✔️ Better memory
✔️ Improved focus
✔️ Lower anxiety
✔️ Stronger relationships

Tip: Try a tech-free hour each day or swap evening screen time for a book!

🎆 Happy 4th of July from Roane County Schools! 🎆

Today, we celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave. As we gather with family and friends, let’s take a moment to honor those who have fought for our freedoms and to be thankful for the community we share here in Roane County.

Wishing our students, families, and staff a safe and joyful Independence Day filled with pride, gratitude, and celebration! 🎇❤️💙

📱💡 A Simple Screen-Time Reset Can Make a Big Difference
A study in Denmark found that when kids (ages 6–17) cut back to just 3 hours of recreational screen time per week for two weeks, and used basic phones instead, they showed:
✅ Fewer social struggles with peers
✅ More kindness, empathy, and cooperation
✅ Stronger friendships in just 14 days!
Tip: Try a “screen-free evening” once or twice a week—play a board game, go for a walk, or cook together. Small changes can lead to big social growth!
📚 Source: PsyPost – Screen Time & Social Skills
#LessScreenMoreLife #StudentWellbeing

Congratulations to our graduates! Four Roane County Schools graduates completed the East Tennessee Apprenticeship Readiness Program, taking an exciting first step toward successful careers in the trades. We are so proud of these students and look forward to seeing the positive impact they’ll make in our community! 👏 Cloa Copeland – Midway High School 👏 Lukas Taylor – Harriman High School 👏 Addison Haggard – Harriman High School 👏 Dominic Jones – Oliver Springs Academy Your future is bright, and Roane County is cheering you on! 🌟 #RoaneCountySchools #ApprenticeshipReadiness #CareerReady #ProudOfOurGrads

Our great teachers never stop learning! Today, some of our Roane County educators participated in professional development on small group instruction, finding new ways to connect, support, and challenge their students.

Ridge View Elementary students had a bright time during RCS Summer Learning this week! A guest from the National Museum of Science and Energy stopped by to teach us all about solar energy. Our rising 2nd graders put that knowledge to good use by making their own solar s’mores! What a fun (and tasty) way to learn about renewable energy! #RCSSummerLearning #STEM

Summer Learning fun at Dyllis Springs Elementary! Our students had some special visitors this week! The Roane County Animal Shelter stopped by to share about the important work they do in our community, and brought along some furry friends! We also welcomed Brad Daugherty and Byron Franklin from TWRA who taught students about local wildlife, conservation, and outdoor safety. Thank you to all our community partners for making Summer Learning memorable for our students! #RoaneCountySchools #RCSProud #SummerLearning2025 #CommunityPartners

Roane County Schools is committed to school safety! This week, our dedicated School Resource Officers along with Assistant Director of Schools & Safety Coordinator Tony Clower are attending the Tennessee School Resource Officer (TNSRO) State Conference. They’re taking part in valuable training and collaborating with safety professionals from across the state to continue strengthening safety measures for our schools. Thank you to our SROs and leadership team for your commitment to keeping our students and staff safe! #RoaneCountySchools #SchoolSafety

🚨 Exciting News for Roane County Schools! 🚨 We’re proud to announce that Roane County Schools is a recipient of the High School, Education, and Apprenticeship Program Leading to Transformative Healthcare Careers (HEALTH) grant through THEC! This four-year initiative will build a powerful pipeline for students in rural communities, from high school to graduate school, leading to high-demand careers in the healthcare field. Thanks to this grant, Roane County Schools will partner with UT Knoxville, Roane State, and Covenant/Roane Medical Center to support career pathways through dual enrollment, work-based learning, paid internships, and mentorships. Students will also have the opportunity to pursue UTK’s planned medical sciences degree and may even receive guaranteed interview consideration for UTHSC’s College of Medicine. 💡 Year One (2025-26) will focus on planning, with big opportunities ahead. 💬 "By working together, we will demonstrate and deliver a model for rural healthcare education that serves all Tennesseans," said Deborah Crawford, UT’s Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development. We are excited to play a role in shaping the future of healthcare in Tennessee and beyond! #RoaneCountySchools #HEALTHGrant #FutureHealthcareLeaders #WorkBasedLearning #RuralEducation #CollegeAndCareerReady

Exciting News from Roane County Schools! We’re proud to announce that Rockwood High School has been selected as one of the 2024-25 Tennessee Educator Survey Grant Recipients! The Tennessee Educator Survey (TES) is a vital tool used across the state to amplify educator voices and shape decisions that support teaching and learning. This year, over half of Tennessee educators participated between February 24 and April 14, 2025. Thanks to the incredible commitment of Rockwood High’s staff, with a participation rate of over 90%, the school has been awarded a $5,000 Staff Appreciation Grant! We are grateful to our educators for taking the time to share their insights and for the amazing work they do every single day for our students. #RoaneCountySchools #TES2025

**IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT SUMMER MEALS ** 1. These meals are for ALL kids 18 years and younger. You do not have to sign up. It is not based on need. Any child 18 years and younger can take advantage of this opportunity. 2. If your child is attending summer school, you cannot pick up the meals on Wednesdays. We will be sending home a weekend meal bags for your child. 3. Last year our numbers increased significantly. We have increased our starting numbers based on our average numbers from last year.

Roane County Schools Senior Stats: Behind the Tassels - The Class of 2025 was more than just caps and gowns — they completed college courses, earned industry credentials, committed to military service, and secured impressive scholarship awards. #RoaneCountySchools #FutureReady

School might be out for students, but Roane County CTE teachers are hard at work! Today, they’re learning how to design meaningful, hands-on Project Based Learning experiences for next school year. 🚀📚 #RoaneCTE #PBLinAction

As the school year draws to a close, we want to give a heartfelt thank you to our amazing school nurses! From celebrating milestones to comforting students through tearful goodbyes, you've been there with compassion, care, and dedication every step of the way. Here's to the joy you bring to our schools every day!

We’ll see you next school year for another exciting year of learning, growing, and achieving together!

Out of an abundance of caution due to approaching storms, we will be holding buses at Dyllis Springs and Oliver Springs Academy until weather conditions improve.

🎉 May School Board Meeting Highlights 🎉 We had a fantastic evening recognizing the outstanding achievements of our students and schools! Here’s a look at the highlights: Recognitions & Presentations: • 🎣 RCHS Fishing Team – celebrated for their dedication and success on the water! • 🩺 Aaron Summerall (RHS) – honored for his leadership in HOSA and commitment to student leadership initiatives. • ⭐ Kendal Davis (HHS) – recognized as a National Beta Leadership Ambassador for outstanding leadership and service. • 🎨 RCHS Art Students – recognized for their creativity and accomplishments in the arts. • 🏅 MHS Students Layla Harrison & Kaylie Stair – awarded Hero Awards for their exceptional character and actions. • 🚑 Life Saver Award to Makayla Harrison (BES) – for quick thinking and courage in a critical moment. • 🏫 STEM Designation – congratulations to RHS and OSHS for earning this prestigious recognition! A special thank you to Alyvia Bitterly for serving as our Roane County Schools Student Representative for the 2024-2025 school year. We appreciate your voice and leadership on behalf of our students! Thank you to everyone who came out to support our students and staff — we’re proud of the incredible things happening in Roane County Schools!