Student with his PENCIL Reading Partner in an MNPS Reading Clinic

More than 200 volunteers worked with close to 300 students this past fall. Almost all of these folks are participating again this spring, but we need more! PENCIL is committed to recruiting 100 ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS to infuse Churchwell and Buena Vista Elementary Schools with much-needed support in 2017. 

MNPS Reading Clinic staff provide a 90-minute engaging training session and PENCIL provides each volunteer with a free background check and ongoing support. If you need any assistance, please contact Nikki Baker. 

It's easy, just click the button below to sign up!  

Patron Party Chairs Announced and Location Set

PENCIL is excited to announce the 2017 Patron Party Co-Chairs - Allen DeCuyper and Steve Sirls!  
DeCuyper and Sirls will host this year's Patron Party Monday, February 13 at their historic Craighead House and gardens.

The history of Nashville's Craighead House is long and complicated, involving a 200-year-old house, a garden, marriages, deaths and branches of Nashville's founding-families tree. The Federal-style home was built around 1810 for John Brown Craighead, the son of an early settler. John Craighead married Lavinia Robertson Beck, the daughter of Nashville founders Charlotte and James Robertson, in 1823. With deaths and remarriages, children born, leaving home and returning, the house expanded. Gardens were planted and changed.

The house has had 12 owners over the years. Sirls and DeCuyper bought the structure in 1998 when it was already on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1999, they received an architectural award for the restoration and addition that updated and expanded the size of the house.

Recognized by Smithsonian Institute's Archives of American Gardens, the nineteenth century home will serve as a beautiful backdrop for the 13th annual Patron Party where guests will enjoy superb refreshments provided by DKates Catering and surprise entertainment from up-and-coming artists discovered by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

For tickets to the Patron Party and A Little Night of Music, contact Kaylan Goodwin. 

SAVE THE DATE: A LITTLE NIGHT OF MUSIC WILL BE FEB. 22

Academies of Nashville Celebrates 10 Years!

The Academies of Nashville launched in 2005, allowing students more flexibility in what and how they will learn. With more than 40 different academies within the 12 zoned high schools in MNPS, Academies offer a practical, hands-on approach to learning in a field that interests students, ranging from engineering to healthcare. 

The goal of the Academies is to prepare students for college and ultimately to chase after their dream jobs. To accomplish both of those goals, students need to have some control over what they want to learn. The Academies are designed to give students a good look into what future careers are actually like so that they can make timely, informed decisions and discover their true passions.

To hear students from each of the Academies of Nashville schools discuss how the academies have helped them pursue their college and career goals, click here. 

10 Year Celebration & Partner Recommitment Event
On January 31st, the Academies of Nashville will celebrate 10 years of successful Academy Partnerships and toast many years to come during a Recommitment Ceremony. Each Academy PENCIL Partner will receive two complimentary tickets to this event. Additional tickets can be purchased in advance for ten dollars each. 

If you are an Academy Partner and you want to learn more about the January Celebration, please email Nikki Baker or reserve your tickets here.