The Nashville Area Chamber, Metro Nashville Public Schools and Greater Nashville Association of Realtors kicked off this school year’s series of Middle Prep VIP Tours in September with a visit to Oliver Middle.
More than 50 attendees, including Rep. Jason Powell; school board member Jo Ann Brannon; Vice Mayor-elect David Briley; Freddie O’Connell (Metro Council District 19); and Davette Blalock (Metro Council District 27); were welcomed by student ambassadors, as well as Principal Jeanna Collins and school staff. Guests were then treated to a spirited rendition of the national anthem, performed by the school band.
Another favorite moment on this tour included a performance of “The Unbirthday Song” from the Disney movie Alice in Wonderland, which several guests praised as “extraordinary.” The tour groups also saw a reenactment of Battle of the Books, a school-wide team reading competition. VIPs were able to sit in on an advanced math class and observe students working on art projects ranging from painting to mask-making.
There are three remaining VIP tours planned for the 2015-2016 school year:
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., West End Middle Prep
- Wednesday, Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., McKissack Middle Prep
- Wednesday, April 6, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Creswell Middle Prep School of the Arts
All business and community leaders are invited to join one of these upcoming tours for a firsthand look at the exciting progress being made in our MNPS middle preps. To RSVP, please contact me at rmcdonald@nashvillechamber.com or 615-743-3152.
A student performance of “The Unbirthday Song” was one of the highlights of the VIP tour.
Chamber Education Report Card Committee member Derrick Free and Metro Councilmember Freddie O’Connell share a laugh with a student ambassador during their tour of Oliver Middle Prep.
