Rita McDonald's Blog

ONE NASHVILLE Celebrates School Volunteers

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

ONE NASHVILLE set out to fuel the fire for volunteerism in Metro Nashville Public Schools nearly four months ago, on January 28. The primary goal of our call to action was to emphasize the vital role volunteers play in our schools. The call to action added an extra benefit to ...

Two MNPS High Schools Receive National Acclaim

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:51:42 GMT

At the Chamber, we often say that Middle Tennessee has one of the strongest business climates and best qualities of life in the nation, and we keep a close eye on national rankings that help us back up those claims. This spring, we've been excited to see rankings rolling in ...

Congratulations to Our 2013 Academies of Nashville Awardees

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:32:17 GMT

Last night, more than 300 educators and business volunteers gathered at Rocketown to recognize excellence within the Academies of Nashville. The Academies are Metro Schools’ effort to prepare every Nashville student for college and career in the district’s 12 zoned high schools. This concept, which has become a national model, ...

Volunteer With ONE NASHVILLE for Your Chance to Win!

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:08:26 GMT

The ONE NASHVILLE call to action that began January 28 to encourage people to volunteer within Metro Schools is in the home stretch. The final day of the initiative is May 1; only a week remains!

We hope you have had a great experience working with Metro Schools. Volunteering and ...

Congratulations to the 2013 Academies of Nashville Award Nominees

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:51:35 GMT

The Academies of Nashville Awards, now in their third year, are presented by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the outstanding teachers, administrators, schools, programs and business partnerships that are making a difference in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Last week, the Academies of Nashville Awards nominating committee officially ...

Get Involved and Support Nashville's Students

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Volunteering with Metro Nashville Public Schools is one of the most important and rewarding community involvement opportunities in Nashville. As if that wasn't motivating enough, through May 1, ONE NASHVILLE is encouraging individuals, businesses and schools to log volunteer hours for a chance to win prizes!

Volunteer hours must be ...

Academies of Nashville Partnership Councils Wrap Up 2012

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:24:51 GMT

Community support is one of the most important ingredients schools need to succeed. To spur business involvement in Metro Nashville Public Schools, the Chamber coordinates five Academies of Nashville Partnership Councils with volunteer participation from more than 100 area companies.

Over the past several weeks, we've completed meetings for all ...

Freshman Career Fair Is Right Around the Corner

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:58:41 GMT

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, the Convention Center will welcome nearly 5,000 freshmen from all Metro high schools for the annual "My Future, My Way" Career Exploration Fair.

Over the past two weeks, the Chamber convened meetings for the five Academies of Nashville Partnership Councils (Arts, Media & Communications; Business, Marketing ...

A Look Ahead to the 2012-2013 School Year

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Tomorrow morning, a fleet of yellow school buses will shuttle thousands of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) students to elementary, middle and high schools all over the city for the first day of the 2012-2013 school year. Whether it's the first day of kindergarten, the first day of senior year ...

ONE NASHVILLE Wraps Up 2011-2012 School Year

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Though Metro's 2011-2012 school year is over, ONE NASHVILLE wants to keep the momentum going over the summer. More than 5,000 people have officially joined our campaign, and we have had more than 10,500 unique visits to our website. You can join our movement by volunteering, donating and advocating for ...

Congratulations to Our 2012 Academies of Nashville Awardees

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

On Monday, 300 educators and business volunteers gathered at Rocketown to recognize excellence within the Academies of Nashville. The Academies are Metro Schools’ effort to prepare every Nashville student for college and career in the district’s 12 zoned high schools. This concept, which has become a national model, enables students ...

Community Support Is Key to Student Success

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:46:59 GMT

The Academies of Nashville are Metro Schools’ innovative approach to redesigning its 12 zoned high schools, impacting 15,000 students with the goal of preparing every graduate for college and an eventual career. Since their implementation in 2008, the Academies of Nashville have aligned local and state initiatives to provide a ...

What's Ahead for ONE NASHVILLE in 2012?

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

It may be a new year, but ONE NASHVILLE's resolution remains exactly the same: Increase community involvement in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

As we look to the months ahead, we have some exciting activities planned. First, we'll be participating in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Day March next ...

Academies of Nashville Partnership Councils Commit to Student Success

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:04:25 GMT

Last week, the Academies of Nashville Partnership Councils for Arts, Media & Communications; Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology; and Business, Marketing & Information Technology held their third meeting of the 2011-2012 school year.

Members of each of the three partnership councils debriefed and shared their thoughts about the third annual ...

Academies of Nashville Plan for Annual Career Exploration Fair

Rita McDonald - Public Education — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:05:49 GMT

Over the past two weeks, the six Academies of Nashville Partnership Councils have continued planning for the annual "My Future, My Way" Career Exploration Fair.

On Thursday, October 27, the Convention Center will welcome nearly 5,000 freshmen from all Metro high schools. Three hundred volunteers from Nashville’s business community will ...