Our School's Instructional Program

     Our school year is comprised of 200 days for teachers, of which 180 are for student

instruction.  Students attend school seven hours daily and teachers attend seven and one-half

hours.

     Students participate in physical education, music, and library classes on an average of twice

weekly.  Children have access to the library for additional materials daily.  The librarian also

conducts expository classes to all students consisting of:  art, drama, literary skills, social

skill activities, etc.)  Since our school is a School-wide Title I School, all students reap the

benefits from the Title I funding.  Title I has funded the Title I teacher's salary,

instructional materials, technology equipment, some teacher in-services and supplies for

students.   The Title I teacher runs a new computer lab which serves the entire student

body.  Recently Hickerson Elementary received a early literacy grant called Sequoyah

Literacy/OpenBook Literacy, which is used by the students in the computer lab.

     Teachers use professional journals, instructional materials, and literature for classroom use

which are housed in the library.  Additional materials are also available at a system-wide

teacher center.  The Coffee County Parent Center, also funded by Title I, provides a great

resource for instructional materials for teachers, parents and students.

     Co-curricular activities available to students include: 4-H, D.A.R.E., Pop Stars, Girl

Scouts, Boy Scouts, Coffee County Beautification Association Recyling Program, Earth

Day, Science Fair, and Accelerated Reader Program.  Programs for special needs students

include:  Magnet Accelerated Class for gifted students (MAC), Special Olympics, Title I

Reading, Title I Math,  resource, speech therapy, and guidance.  There is a preschool program

for at-risk students.  In addition, an Extended School Program (ESP) provides care for

children whose parents work after school hours.  A morning breakfast program is also

available to all students.  At the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year, a Tutoring Program

was established at Hickerson Elementary.  Under the guidance of a Career Ladder teacher,

through extended contract, students in Grades 2nd-5th may participate in these morning and

afternoon tutoring sessions.  The students to be tutored must be referred by their classroom

teacher and have parental consent.  The Tullahoma and Manchester Kiwanis members

volunteer to tutor these selected students.

     Additional events to enhance the curriculum are field trips, Field Day, Earth Day, Science

Fair, School-wide Talent Show, guest speakers, school-wide assembly programs, and a

school-wide/week long cross curricular theme.

     Academic and self-esteem incentives are provided for improvement in grades and

conduct each six weeks.  These include the B.U.G. Roll (Bringing Up Grades), Principal's

Roll, Honor Roll, "A" in Citizenship Roll.  Students who have an "A" in citizenship may

participate in a fun event for that particular six weeks.