By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–In the midst of uncertain times, the mission hasn’t changed for Union City Schools faculty and staff.
“We want to provide our students with the best education possible – no matter the circumstances,” UC Schools Director Wes Kennedy told teachers and administration on the first day of in-service training Wednesday.
Kennedy and assistant director Michael Paul Miller spoke to the staffs at all three Union City School campuses, addressing a variety of topics and plans. They were accompanied by Director of Teaching and Learning Rene Flood and Director of Special Populations Laney Rogers.
While noting the challenges of beginning school during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Kennedy shared his own personal feelings before then encouraging personnel with a heartfelt message.
“I’m excited. I’m a little apprehensive. But most of all, I’m ready to get started – no matter which level we start at,” the top UC Schools administrator said. “We have a lot of work to do and it’ll certainly be both a challenging and a different type of school year.
“Our students and their parents are looking to you for direction, though. Be somebody’s sunshine on one of these dark days. Be happy. Be encouraging. Be available physically, mentally and emotionally.
“We have a lot of work to do and a lot of new things to explore, but it’s going to be a good year.”
Kennedy included COVID-19 pandemic procedures, social media policies, race relations and his goals and visions for the immediate future and beyond in his address to each of the three school campuses.
He also informed the groups that every employee had gotten some form of a raise to help offset a 2 percent insurance rate hike that will happen in January. Kennedy said, too, the system was still planning to pay “85 or 86 percent” of those premiums.
He then surprised school personnel with a $500 bonus for each classified employee and $300 for every non-classified worker. He also notified each staff member that they would have $100 deposited in their school lunch account. Every employee also received a triple insulated Swig travel cup that features a UC logo and a pair of masks with “UC” and “Golden Tornadoes” featured.
In-service sessions will continue the rest of this week and next week for the UC staff and will include numerous workshops, departmental practices and procedures, guest speakers and morale/team building activities.
Kennedy closed his sessions Wednesday with another set of encouraging words.
“Take precautions. Take care of yourselves. And take care of others,” he said.
“Mask your face if you feel the need and want to. But don’t mask your heart.”