For the first time in the history of Putnam County Schools, we have six students who recorded a perfect score on the ACT. Congratulations to Cookeville High seniors Trace Anderson, Jonathan Hill, Peter Goodman, Brayden Gallagher, Samuel Canfield, and Katherine Smith for scoring a perfect score of 36 on their ACT. What an accomplishment!

On Thursday, some of our students had an opportunity to participate in the Third Annual Community Heroes for the Holidays shopping spree held recently at Academy Sports. PCSS students got to shop with a community hero, gathering gifts for themselves and loved ones this Christmas. Nissan of Cookeville and Academy Sports sponsors the annual event. We appreciate everyone involved in this special event.

Landon Earnest, a junior at Upperman High School, was elected as the Tennessee State Beta Club President during the annual Tennessee State Beta Convention held recently at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Landon, along with thirty of his fellow students, participated in the yearly convention and campaigned for Landon's presidency. The election was open to the over 4,000 Beta students attending the convention. His term will begin in July 2025 after the National Beta Convention. Landon also has the opportunity to run for National President this summer in Orlando, Florida. Congrats to Landon!

The PEP Foundation is collecting food again this year at Christmas in the Park. All families are invited to participate in the spirit of giving by bringing non-perishable food items to the City of Cookeville Tree Lighting Ceremony at Dogwood Park on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. The food will help restock food pantries throughout the Putnam County School System, which will help serve our students and families experiencing food insecurity this holiday season and throughout the winter months.  

We used our first snow day of the school year this week. Putnam County Schools were closed on Tuesday due to hazardous weather conditions caused by snow and ice in the higher elevations of Putnam County. Whenever we consider closing schools, we work closely with our transportation department and the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency. The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority whenever we consider closing for inclement weather. Once we decide to close, we will use the ParentSquare communications platform to send emails, text messages, and voice calls. Please ensure you have a ParentSquare account to get the school closing notifications.

This week on the PCSS Connection Podcast, Buddy Pearson, our communications and marketing supervisor, interviews Landon Earnest about being the newly elected Beta Club President for the state of Tennessee and Cookeville carpentry teacher Randy Mansell about the recent donations from Milwaukee Tools and Cookeville Heating and Cooling. There is also a video of our students shopping with local EMS responders during Community Heroes for the Holidays at Academy Sports. Check out the latest episode at https://youtu.be/ZW375aPAhmw?si=Uz_8UvsFyG01F2Dt.

Have a great weekend, and stay warm during this first taste of winter.