Sulphur Springs Elementary School

August 8, 2025

Gamecocks are Empowered to Solve Problems!
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Sulphur Springs Header

We continue working towards creating an environment where EVERY student is successful. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing our students with the very best learning experiences and opportunities. We recognize that our children must be prepared as they transition to each grade level PreK-12 and beyond. In order to best serve our students, we provide everyone in the building with high expectations for their learning and deep engagement in every classroom.

Vision: Sulphur Springs STEAM Leaders are Empowered to Solve Problems.

Daily Actions: We are Respectful, Confident, Encouraging and Kind.

Alignment: PreK-12 Connections

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Message from Mrs. Krissi McInturff

Krissi McInturff Reading

Dear Sulphur Springs Families,

What a wonderful first week back! I’ve had the pleasure of visiting classrooms across the school each day, and it has been incredible to see so much learning already underway, and just as many smiles.

Our dedicated faculty and staff continue to amaze me with the care and passion they bring into our building each day. I’m equally grateful for the support from you, our school community. Together, we truly are a team, and I’m so excited to see all that we will accomplish this year.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything we can do to support your child and family.

Go Gamecocks!

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PreK-3rd Highlights

4th-8th Grade Highlights

1 Music Key
Gamecock Family Open House & Band

🎵 Music classes showcase the power of collaboration!

As one student searched for a missing key, others used their voices to provide guidance—soft notes indicating being not being very close and louder ones signaling the student on the right path.

Celebrating teamwork and creativity!

Gamecock Family Pride!

At SSES, we take immense pride in the accomplishments of our current and alumni students. Our SSES cheerleaders and dance team showcased their talents as they welcomed our students and families for Open House. Additionally, it was wonderful to see some former students as they rocked the gym with the DBHS Band!

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CTE/STEM Lab/ Computer Science News

Library MindCave News

CS Lego Boss Builder

🧱 Be the Lego Builder Boss in Computer Science!

Excellent detailed writing and illustrations provided a successful outcome for the Boss Builders and Mrs. Barnett!

MindCave

🌟 Exciting project alert! The 6th grade Computer Science students took on the challenge of becoming Lego Instruction Masters. They designed models using exactly 10 Lego pieces and crafted detailed step-by-step instructions to guide their peers. The success of this initiative highlights the importance of clear communication and creativity in technical writing.

Mrs. Yarber launched 1st grade’s first Library MindCave class with creativity, curiosity, and a whole lot of Lego magic! Students brought their dream libraries to life, one brick at a time! #BackToSchool #LibraryMindCave #GamecockPride #CreativeMinds

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Athletics

Football (All home games will be played at Ridgeview)

August 14: Home vs Greeneville 6:00 pm

Volleyball

August 14: Home vs Happy Valley

Girls Soccer (All home games will be played at Ridgeview)

August 11: Home vs TA Dugger 6:00 pm

August 14: @ Sullivan Central 5:30 pm

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Save the Date

  • August 19, 2025: Middle School Parent Meeting 6-7 pm

  • August 19, 2025: Girl Scout Interest Night @ Ridgeview 6-7 pm

  • September 1, 2025: Labor Day Vacation Day

  • September 4, 2025 Fall Pictures

Important Sulphur Springs Policies

important school policies

🚫🥤 No Energy Drinks at School! 🥤🚫
To keep our students safe, focused, and feeling their best, energy drinks are not allowed on campus at Sulphur Springs School.

⚡️ Why? These drinks often contain extremely high levels of caffeine, taurine, and other stimulants that can cause:
• Headaches 😣
• Jitters & anxiety 😬
• Trouble focusing 🌀
• Energy crashes 😴

📌 What to know:
✅ Energy drinks will be confiscated and disposed of if brought to school.

🚫 Examples: Red Bull, Monster, Bang, Celsius, etc.
✅ Better boosts: Water 💧, Fruit 🍎, Sleep 😴, Movement 🏃‍♂️

Let's work together to keep Sulphur Springs students healthy, happy, and ready to learn!

📵 Cell Phone & Device Policy 📵
To keep our classrooms focused and distraction-free, Sulphur Springs School follows Tennessee State Law and WCDE policy on student device use:

🔒 Before School Starts:
• All devices must be powered OFF before 8am.
• Applies to:
 📱 Cell Phones
 ⌚ Smartwatches
 💻 Tablets
 🎮 Gaming Devices
 🔊 Any personal tech used for communication or entertainment

📚 During the School Day:
• Devices go in the assigned pocket as students enter each classroom.
• Devices remain stored throughout the day and may only be retrieved at the end of class.
• Devices must stay powered off and out of sight until the student is dismissed to the car line or bus.
• Unauthorized use = not allowed.

🚨 Consequences:
1️⃣ First Offense: Device is confiscated and taken to the office. A parent/guardian must pick it up.
2️⃣ Second Offense: Same as above + student must check their device into the office each morning and retrieve it at dismissal.
3️⃣ Third Offense: Same as above + student may no longer bring the device to school.

Let’s work together to help all Sulphur Springs students stay focused, respectful, and ready to learn!

🩺 Doctor’s Note Reminder for Absences 📄

To ensure accurate attendance records, please remember:

✅ Doctor’s notes must excuse a full day if the student is out all day.


⏰ Notes that list specific appointment times (e.g., “seen from 8:30–9:30 AM” for dentist or orthodontist) will only excuse that portion of the day—not the full day, need to use a parent note to excuse full day.

🚫 Open-ended medical notes (e.g., “seen in office today” or “may return when feeling better”) will excuse the student for the day of the visit and day after.

📌 All notes must clearly state the specific date(s) the student is excused from school.

📆 General Attendance Reminders
✅ Each student is allowed 5 parent-excused days per school year.
📨 All excuses (parent or medical) must be turned in to the school within 5 days of the student’s return.
🚨 A student is considered truant once they reach 5 unexcused absences and will be placed on an attendance contract.

⏰ TARDY & EARLY DISMISSAL REMINDERS ⏰
Let’s start the school year strong by being on time and ready to learn! 💛💙

📌 Important Guidelines for Sulphur Springs Students & Families:

🚪 BE ON TIME!
• Students must be IN CLASS by 8:00AM to avoid being marked tardy.
• Tardies without a medical excuse = unexcused.

🏃‍♂️ LEAVE EARLY = UNEXCUSED
• Signing out early without a medical excuse counts as an unexcused early dismissal.

⚠️ CONSEQUENCES
• 5 unexcused tardies and/or early dismissals =After School Detention until 4:00


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children playing

Important Links

School Website

Parents and Students Page

Lunch Menu and Free and Reduced Lunch Form

We need to reflect an increase in our Title 1 Status for Federal Programs. Please fill out even if you do not think you qualify. We thank you as your effort supports grant writing and funding initiatives district-wide.

Find Us

Sulphur Springs Elementary School

Website: https://www.wcde.org/o/sse
Location: 1518 Gray Station-Sulphur Springs Road; Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: 423.753.1140

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are school start and end times?

A: The first bell rings at 8:00. The dismissal bell rings at 3:00.

Q: What school supplies will my child need to provide?

A: Supply lists are posted on our website.

Q: Can my child ride a bus to school?

A: Yes! We have bus routes for SSES which can be found on our district website. Please contact our director of transportation, Tony Roberts, for any questions or for more information at 423.753.1172.

Q: What kind of technology will my child have access to?

A: All students at SSES will have access to their own Chromebook. Grades 6-8 are allowed to take their Chromebooks home with them. Students must submit a completed Chromebook permission form to receive a Chromebook.

Q: I didn't see my question here, who do I ask?

A: You are always welcome to call our office at 423.753.1140. You are also always welcome to reach out to our school principal, Mrs. Krissi McInturff via email (mcinturffk@wcde.org) and she will get back to you as soon as possible.