HCSS Administrators Selected to the Tennessee Rural Principals Network
Two HCSS Administrators were recently selected to participate in the Tennessee Rural Principals Network (TRPN). Ashley James, principal of Henry School, and Chris Coleman, assistant principal at Henry County High School, were selected to participate with other rural administrators in this year’s cohort of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network (TRPN).
Reflecting on being chosen for this program, Chris Coleman explained, “the biggest value of this program is the opportunity to collaborate with other rural administrators on building-level improvements. Being able to draw from each other’s experiences and build a network gives us a lasting sounding board to bounce ideas off fellow leaders who truly understand the work.”
TRPN is a state leadership initiative—partnered with institutions like Belmont University and WestEd—designed specifically for administrators in rural districts. It provides:
**Networked Collaboration: In-person and online professional learning communities with fellow rural leaders statewide.
**Targeted Coaching: Specialized executive coaching tailored to the unique resource, staffing, and community needs of rural schools.
**Leadership Development: Evidence-based practices focused on driving student achievement, school culture, and administrator retention.
James and Coleman will meet and work with other rural administrators throughout this school year to learn and develop strategies specific to rural schools.
Two HCSS Administrators were recently selected to participate in the Tennessee Rural Principals Network (TRPN). Ashley James, principal of Henry School, and Chris Coleman, assistant principal at Henry County High School, were selected to participate with other rural administrators in this year’s cohort of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network (TRPN).
Reflecting on being chosen for this program, Chris Coleman explained, “the biggest value of this program is the opportunity to collaborate with other rural administrators on building-level improvements. Being able to draw from each other’s experiences and build a network gives us a lasting sounding board to bounce ideas off fellow leaders who truly understand the work.”
TRPN is a state leadership initiative—partnered with institutions like Belmont University and WestEd—designed specifically for administrators in rural districts. It provides:
**Networked Collaboration: In-person and online professional learning communities with fellow rural leaders statewide.
**Targeted Coaching: Specialized executive coaching tailored to the unique resource, staffing, and community needs of rural schools.
**Leadership Development: Evidence-based practices focused on driving student achievement, school culture, and administrator retention.
James and Coleman will meet and work with other rural administrators throughout this school year to learn and develop strategies specific to rural schools.
Reminder...Fall Break is October 12-18.
Henry County School Board Meeting October 2026
The October meeting of the Henry County School Board was held at Henry School on Thursday evening. During the meeting, the following took place...
**The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Henry students Maddie Lambert and Brighton Price.
**The Student Board Representative for the 26-27 school year, HCHS Senior Hudson Massey (pictured), was introduced by Dr. Watkins and then shared about himself.
**Henry School's Kids Corner Director Velvet Lamb (pictured) spoke about UTrust staff recognitions. Bus Drivers were recognized in September and custodial staff will be recognized in October.
**Henry School's Principal Ashley James presented the Henry School presentation. During this, she shared...
--Henry School's Theme for the 26-27 school year: Make Your Mark!
--Projects and events this year that have focused on the theme, including postcards sent home, the reading of the book The Dot and associated activities, and the Legacy Ceiling Tile project (pictured).
--A gift was presented to board members by Henry Student Maddie Lambert. The gift (pictured) was drawn by local artist, PI contributor, and former HCHS basketball coach Mike Greer. Coach Greer, who is the father-in-law to Henry's Assistant Principal Monty Byars, has visited with the Henry Art 1 students to share his talents.
--A video was shared of students singing a song "Make Your Mark" while students shared how they make their mark through art.
**Additional topics during the meeting included: TISA Accountability Reports, Textbook Committee information, Budget Revisions, a Facilities Update, and Reports by the Chairman and Director.
**After the meeting concluded, board members and guests toured the Legacy Ceiling Tile hallway, designed by current 8th grade students. (pictured)
The next meeting of the Board will be held on November 12.
The October meeting of the Henry County School Board was held at Henry School on Thursday evening. During the meeting, the following took place...
**The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Henry students Maddie Lambert and Brighton Price.
**The Student Board Representative for the 26-27 school year, HCHS Senior Hudson Massey (pictured), was introduced by Dr. Watkins and then shared about himself.
**Henry School's Kids Corner Director Velvet Lamb (pictured) spoke about UTrust staff recognitions. Bus Drivers were recognized in September and custodial staff will be recognized in October.
**Henry School's Principal Ashley James presented the Henry School presentation. During this, she shared...
--Henry School's Theme for the 26-27 school year: Make Your Mark!
--Projects and events this year that have focused on the theme, including postcards sent home, the reading of the book The Dot and associated activities, and the Legacy Ceiling Tile project (pictured).
--A gift was presented to board members by Henry Student Maddie Lambert. The gift (pictured) was drawn by local artist, PI contributor, and former HCHS basketball coach Mike Greer. Coach Greer, who is the father-in-law to Henry's Assistant Principal Monty Byars, has visited with the Henry Art 1 students to share his talents.
--A video was shared of students singing a song "Make Your Mark" while students shared how they make their mark through art.
**Additional topics during the meeting included: TISA Accountability Reports, Textbook Committee information, Budget Revisions, a Facilities Update, and Reports by the Chairman and Director.
**After the meeting concluded, board members and guests toured the Legacy Ceiling Tile hallway, designed by current 8th grade students. (pictured)
The next meeting of the Board will be held on November 12.
The Henry County School System is hiring a mechanic for our transportation department. Apply Today!
Fall Break for HCSS students is October 12-16...Enjoy!
Symphonic Band Concert
You are invited to the HCHS Symphonic Band's Fall Concert on Friday, October 9th at 6:00 PM in the HCHS Gymnasium. (Cost: FREE)
The concert will feature the following:
**Gavin Lendt's Sunbloom
**Eric Whitacre's October
**A multi-movement work by Frank Ticheli Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs - a piece built around four different Shaker songs, most famously, “Simple Gifts.”
**John Philip Sousa's El Capitan
The full program will be around 45 minutes.
You are invited to the HCHS Symphonic Band's Fall Concert on Friday, October 9th at 6:00 PM in the HCHS Gymnasium. (Cost: FREE)
The concert will feature the following:
**Gavin Lendt's Sunbloom
**Eric Whitacre's October
**A multi-movement work by Frank Ticheli Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs - a piece built around four different Shaker songs, most famously, “Simple Gifts.”
**John Philip Sousa's El Capitan
The full program will be around 45 minutes.
National Principals Month Spotlight: Principal Ryan Muench
As part of October's Principal's Month, we want to take some time to spotlight our amazing principals! Today, meet Henry County High School's Principal, Coach Ryan Muench!
As part of October's Principal's Month, we want to take some time to spotlight our amazing principals! Today, meet Henry County High School's Principal, Coach Ryan Muench!
The Henry County School System is Hiring a One-on-One Personal Assistant at Henry School. If you have a love for helping and supporting students, appy today!
Help Spread the Word! Wear your RED, WHITE, & BLUE on THURSDAY!
Henry County Middle Lady Patriots Soccer is heading to STATE!
Congratulations to Coach Alex Hayes, Assistant Coach Raven Wyrick, and the Lady Patriots Middle School Soccer Team for securing a spot at STATE tournaments! The team will head to Murfreesboro on Thursday, leaving from Barton Field at 11:45 and then driving through the HCHS circle for a send off. They they will play Hillsboro Middle School on Thursday at 4:30 at the Richard Siegal Soccer Complex. The outcome of Thursday's game will determine game time and opponent for Friday. Go Big Red!
HCHS Golf is heading to STATE!
Congratulations to Coach Brian Welp and golfers Senior Harrison Steedly and Freshman AddiMae Glover, who each qualified as individuals for the TSSAA State Championship. They will compete on October 8th and 9th in Sevierville at The Sevierville Golf Club. Go Big Red!
Did you Know?
Band is offered to students in the Henry County School System in Grades 5-12.
We're proud of our musicians!
Band is offered to students in the Henry County School System in Grades 5-12.
We're proud of our musicians!
We would love your input!
If you've not already...Please take a few (3-5) minutes to share your thoughts of what qualities a graduate of the Henry County School System should be able to know and do.
Please scan the QR code in the attached picture or visit: https://forms.gle/qYSbEmWfc3jMNp5y5 . We appreciate your help!
Pictured: Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins speaks to the Paris Lions Club about the system's work in developing a "Portrait of a Graduate."
If you've not already...Please take a few (3-5) minutes to share your thoughts of what qualities a graduate of the Henry County School System should be able to know and do.
Please scan the QR code in the attached picture or visit: https://forms.gle/qYSbEmWfc3jMNp5y5 . We appreciate your help!
Pictured: Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins speaks to the Paris Lions Club about the system's work in developing a "Portrait of a Graduate."
Happy Instructional Coaches Day!
We appreciate the work of our Instructional Coaches, Mrs. Robin House and Dr. Melissa Rowlett!
National Principals Month Spotlight: Principal Ashley James
As part of October's Principal's Month, we want to take some time to spotlight our amazing principals! Today, meet Henry's Principal, Mrs. Ashley James!
As part of October's Principal's Month, we want to take some time to spotlight our amazing principals! Today, meet Henry's Principal, Mrs. Ashley James!
The October Meeting of the Henry County School Board will take place Thursday, October 8, at 5pm, at Henry School.
Link to agenda: https://www.henryk12.net/page/school-board-meetings
Link to agenda: https://www.henryk12.net/page/school-board-meetings
We appreciate our CARES Team!
Thank you to CARES Director Ms. Donna Varneke and her team for keeping our schools clean and friendly!
Thank you to CARES Director Ms. Donna Varneke and her team for keeping our schools clean and friendly!
CAREER EXPLORATION FOR GRADES 6-8
Career Exploration is an elective class for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at Harrelson, Henry, and Lakewood Schools. Students participate in personality and learning style inventories, learn about the programs of study at HCHS, learn about growing careers in our region and across the nation, and participate in hands-on activities that connect to job tasks and skill sets.
Pictured: During their Career Exploration Class, 8th grade students were given 30 sheets of copy paper, 3 feet of masking tape and 40 minutes to build a structure that was free-standing and big enough for one student to get under. This activity is a connection to the field of engineering. We learned how engineers do not always expect everything to work perfectly the first time, and hence, why the engineering design process exists. They all agreed that with more time, they would eventually find success.
Career Exploration is an elective class for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at Harrelson, Henry, and Lakewood Schools. Students participate in personality and learning style inventories, learn about the programs of study at HCHS, learn about growing careers in our region and across the nation, and participate in hands-on activities that connect to job tasks and skill sets.
Pictured: During their Career Exploration Class, 8th grade students were given 30 sheets of copy paper, 3 feet of masking tape and 40 minutes to build a structure that was free-standing and big enough for one student to get under. This activity is a connection to the field of engineering. We learned how engineers do not always expect everything to work perfectly the first time, and hence, why the engineering design process exists. They all agreed that with more time, they would eventually find success.
Earlier, we announced Mrs. Amber Ryan being named Tennessee Department of Education Principal of the Year Finalist. Tonight, she and other finalists were recognized at a Tennessee Department of Education event in Nashville. Thank you, Mrs. Ryan, for representing Lakewood School and the Henry County School System so well!
Earlier article from July:
Mrs. Amber Ryan, Lakewood School Principal, was named on Wednesday as a finalist for the Tennessee Department of Education's Principal of the Year.
“I am excited and honored to be selected as a 2026–2027 Tennessee Principal of the Year Finalist and to represent the Northwest CORE Region,” says Mrs. Ryan about the honor. “This recognition reflects the incredible work happening at Lakewood School and the dedication of our outstanding students, staff, families, and the Henry County Schools community. I am grateful and proud to represent our region and our school.”
Mrs. Ryan is beginning her 23rd year in education, all within the Henry County School System. She is beginning her seventh year as principal of Lakewood School and served the four years prior as assistant principal of Dorothy and Noble Harrelson School. Prior to administration, Mrs. Ryan taught in the middle school math classroom for 12 years.
More information about the Tennessee Educator recognition programs can be found by visiting the following website: https://www.tn.gov/education/news/2026/7/22/tdoe-announces-2026-27-tennessee-teacher--principal--and-supervisor-of-the-year-finalists--.html
EMPLOYABILITY COUNTS! October is PERSEVERANCE Month!
The Henry County School System is proud to partner with the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee to support employability skills for our young people. Throughout the year, students learn and practice important skills that will carry them far in life towards their careers. Each month focuses on a different skill. During October, our students across all schools are working to build PERSEVERANCE Skills.
The Henry County School System is proud to partner with the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee to support employability skills for our young people. Throughout the year, students learn and practice important skills that will carry them far in life towards their careers. Each month focuses on a different skill. During October, our students across all schools are working to build PERSEVERANCE Skills.
