The Bright School is dedicating several activities today to teach students about the life and legacy of Dr. King. Grades K-2 are spending part of the morning reading and discussing the book Martin's Dreams, and they will write what dreams they have for the community or world. Grades 3-5 were introduced to the book Martin's Big Words in morning meeting in the theater this morning, and they will create hand prints with a sentence using one of Dr. King's words like peace, equality or freedom. This afternoon, Mr. Eli Cameron from the Bessie Smith Cultural Center will speak at an all-school assembly about his time with Dr. King, and students will watch a portion of the "I Have a Dream" speech.

Re-enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year has begun. Families with children in grades JPK and PK were mailed enrollment contracts last week. Families with children in grades kindergarten through fourth were sent an email last Tuesday with information about re-enrollment, and these families do not need to take any action unless they are not returning. Visit our financial aid page if you need information about applying for financial aid for next year.

The parent portal is now open for scheduling parent-teacher conferences. Conferences take place on January 31 and February 1 for grades JPK-3. Grades 4-5 have conferences during the week of January 28. To access the schedule, click here for the parent portal. After you log in, click on student profile at the top. Then click on teacher conferences on the left side. If you have more than one child, you can use the pull-down menu on the right side to choose a child and schedule a conference. If you have trouble logging in or need other help, please contact Renee' Kropff at [email protected].

We offer childcare during parent-teacher conference days. If you would like your child to stay after dismissal at 11:30 a.m. on January 31 and/or stay all day on February 1, please fill out and return this form to the office by January 30.

If your child is coming to school with you during your conference time, you may drop off your child at the Early Childhood Center desk and return for pick up after the conference. There is no charge for staying 30 minutes during the conference.

The third annual fifth grade vs. faculty basketball game is Friday, January 25, and we are continuing the tradition of bringing one type of food item to donate to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

This year, we are collecting oats in the 42-ounce canister. This is a one-day food drive, so only bring oats on Friday. And only bring 42-ounce canisters! It can be any brand of oats.

Put the canisters in a bag or box labeled with your child's name, teacher and number of canisters. The students who bring the most canisters will get front-row seats at the basketball game and compete for a prize during the game.

Can't make it to the basketball game on Friday? Watch it live on Facebook! Tune in at 1:30 p.m.

Every other year, alternating with Bright Fit, we celebrate the various cultures present at our school through Bright World, a week-long event in April that culminates in Bright World Night on April 12.

At Bright World Night, we get to sample foods and cultures throughout the world represented by our Bright families. If you would like to volunteer to be a Bright World Ambassador for your homeland or favorite country, please fill out this form and return it to the office by January 28.

If you are missing a car line sign and need a new one, please place your order today. The signs are $5. Please bring to the office the money or check made out to The Bright School with a note saying it is for car line signs and your name. Car line signs are the large green signs with your child's last name that go in the dashboard of your car for afternoon car line. The last day to accept orders is Friday, January 25.

The Bright School has posted the position for a PE teacher to replace Coach Jan Connell, who is retiring after this school year. We are accepting applications now through February 1. Send cover letters and resumes to Assistant Head of School Renee' Kropff at [email protected]. Please share this information with interested individuals. Visit our employment webpage to read the job description.

Grades 3-5 are taking ERB tests this month. Fifth grade tests were last week. Fourth and third grade tests are this Tuesday through Thursday. Please remember your child needs a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast, and make sure your child arrives by 7:45 a.m.

Girls in grades 2-5 are invited to a lacrosse clinic at Bright on Saturday, January 26, from 2-4 p.m. This was rained out last week and rescheduled to this Saturday. Beginners and all skill levels are welcome to attend and try out lacrosse for the afternoon. No equipment or experience is needed. For more information, click here.

Dr. Darria Long Gillespie is speaking at GPS later this month, and we're pleased to have her visit Bright on March 5 at 8:15 a.m. to speak to parents. She is a 1990 graduate of Bright. Dr. Darria, as she is known, is an ER doctor, author, mother and appears frequently on national news shows.

You may order her book Mom Hacks for $10 through Bright. To order, please use this form and return it with payment to Bright by Wednesday, January 23. Dr. Darria will sign the books, and they will be available for pick up from the office on February 4.