Faculty Advisor: Melonie Pack
2016-2017 Student Editors: 8th Grade-Carter Cook; 7th Grade Micah Deams |
Smyrna Middle School
712 Hazlewood Drive Smyrna, TN 37167 |
Construction and Renovation Begin
by Micah Deams and Brittany Wilkerson
SMYRNA,TN --October 30, 2016, a new phase began at Smyrna Middle with renovation and construction. New ideas were revealed--like new roads, an annex hall, and an addition, and even the construction of a new school named Rocky Fork--in an interview with Assistant Principal Crutchfield.
According to Mr. Crutchfield, the renovation process began more than a year ago. During the spring of 2015, the Rutherford County School Board met, developed the project idea, and gained the necessary approval. Not only is Smyrna Middle getting this opportunity, but also David Youree Elementary will undergo a renovation.
This project at SMS is both an adding-on and a rebuilding and includes the addition of 18 classrooms, a library, rebuilding the cafeteria and a new annex hallway. The current front office area will be renovated and will no longer be office space. "We hope that the office area will be like the newer schools in Rutherford County," says Mr. Crutchfield.
Mr. Crutchfield shares that the end goal for the gym is hopefully a new floor with the facility being freshened up and repainted. However, its the cafeteria where the most improvement is needed. Having the cafeteria doubled in size, adding new serving lines and increasing seating are parts of the project that may possibly be completed by next summer.
Grade level hallways are a concern for students. Mr. Crutchfield indicated that plans for grade level hallways are something that the SMS administrators are considering and are working on but have not been determined at this time.
The renovation prompted questions about the effects on our sports teams. Mr. Crutchfield replied that throughout the construction and renovation, sports should not be affected in any major way. Softball and boys' soccer may have some minor inconvenience due to changes in traffic patterns.
Photos are courtesy of School Resource Officer Rigsby who has been involved with the safety aspects of the project and hopes to be able to provide photos from a "drones'-eye-view soon.
SMYRNA,TN --October 30, 2016, a new phase began at Smyrna Middle with renovation and construction. New ideas were revealed--like new roads, an annex hall, and an addition, and even the construction of a new school named Rocky Fork--in an interview with Assistant Principal Crutchfield.
According to Mr. Crutchfield, the renovation process began more than a year ago. During the spring of 2015, the Rutherford County School Board met, developed the project idea, and gained the necessary approval. Not only is Smyrna Middle getting this opportunity, but also David Youree Elementary will undergo a renovation.
This project at SMS is both an adding-on and a rebuilding and includes the addition of 18 classrooms, a library, rebuilding the cafeteria and a new annex hallway. The current front office area will be renovated and will no longer be office space. "We hope that the office area will be like the newer schools in Rutherford County," says Mr. Crutchfield.
Mr. Crutchfield shares that the end goal for the gym is hopefully a new floor with the facility being freshened up and repainted. However, its the cafeteria where the most improvement is needed. Having the cafeteria doubled in size, adding new serving lines and increasing seating are parts of the project that may possibly be completed by next summer.
Grade level hallways are a concern for students. Mr. Crutchfield indicated that plans for grade level hallways are something that the SMS administrators are considering and are working on but have not been determined at this time.
The renovation prompted questions about the effects on our sports teams. Mr. Crutchfield replied that throughout the construction and renovation, sports should not be affected in any major way. Softball and boys' soccer may have some minor inconvenience due to changes in traffic patterns.
Photos are courtesy of School Resource Officer Rigsby who has been involved with the safety aspects of the project and hopes to be able to provide photos from a "drones'-eye-view soon.
New Rocky Fork Middle affects SMS zoning
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by Saliana Chanthavong and Mu Hsihsi
SMYRNA, TN Rocky Fork, a new middle school being built in our county, is located near I-24 on Rocky Fork Road, halfway between Almaville Road-Exit 70 and Sam Ridley Parkway-Exit 66. Board members approved the building of this new middle for overcrowding issues.
Rocky Fork will fit approximately 1,100 students. It has a similar design and format to both Stewarts Creek Middle School and Rockvale Middle School. Rocky Fort will affect the student populations at Smyrna Middle, Stewarts Creek Middle, and Rock Springs Middle. There is a possibility teachers from SMS will go to Rocky Fork if they apply to work there. Zoning meetings were held in September and October with parents, principals and school board members to determine the new Rocky Fork Middle School zone.
According to the Daily News Journal report, 243 students from SMS were originally rezoned for Rocky Fork. The Rutherford County School board will meet Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. to finalize the RFM zone. The zoning plan is available at the RCS homepage.
SMYRNA, TN Rocky Fork, a new middle school being built in our county, is located near I-24 on Rocky Fork Road, halfway between Almaville Road-Exit 70 and Sam Ridley Parkway-Exit 66. Board members approved the building of this new middle for overcrowding issues.
Rocky Fork will fit approximately 1,100 students. It has a similar design and format to both Stewarts Creek Middle School and Rockvale Middle School. Rocky Fort will affect the student populations at Smyrna Middle, Stewarts Creek Middle, and Rock Springs Middle. There is a possibility teachers from SMS will go to Rocky Fork if they apply to work there. Zoning meetings were held in September and October with parents, principals and school board members to determine the new Rocky Fork Middle School zone.
According to the Daily News Journal report, 243 students from SMS were originally rezoned for Rocky Fork. The Rutherford County School board will meet Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. to finalize the RFM zone. The zoning plan is available at the RCS homepage.