Williamson County Schools (WCS) are calling on its residents to help name two of its new “virtual campuses.” The online schools are a part of more than 50 such internet-based learning initiatives approved as a result of legislation passed in 2011. With many parents choosing online schooling due to COVID, Tennessee now has a total of fifty seven virtual schools.
“As we head into the new school year, educators and school and district leaders throughout the state are focused on ensuring student achievement and serving the needs of all students in their communities,” said Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn in a statement announcing the approval of 29 new online schools in July.
“Last school year,” the commissioner continued, “districts responded to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing additional operating models and learning formats to ensure that families had options and students could continue learning with their classmates and teachers when out of school buildings. While research shows that students benefit most from in-person classroom instruction, districts are ensuring families who prefer a virtual education setting for their students have those options and can continue to make the best choices for their children.”
The two online schools in Williamson County are asking residents help pick the schools’ new names in a new way. All residents are encouraged to send in school name ideas, and then those ideas will be reviewed and chosen by the school board.
This is different from the naming process used last year, since the school names were chosen based on school zones and family addresses.
School officials were unsure about how many students would return to the classroom, so the decision was made to launch the naming process until after the school year began. WCS Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leigh Webb said that since the school year has begun, they’re excited to begin the naming process; “once the school names have been recommended and voted upon by the WCS School Board, the two schools will begin the process of selecting school colors and mascots.”
A search of area school districts found that WCS is the only school system asking residents to have a say in the naming their online school. The school board is hoping to be able to chose a new school name by their November school board meeting.
To submit a name suggestion, email the naming committee at [email protected] through October 18.
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Morgan Nicole Veysey is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
