Bristol Tennessee City Schools will be closed to students on Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher inservice day scheduled on Election Day.

Students will return to school on their regular schedule Wednesday, November 4.

For the full 2026–2027 school year calendar, visit btcs.org/calendar.

At Fairmount Elementary School, Principal Trey Arrington has a heart as big as his personality! He loves his students, knows them by name (and often by a nickname he's given them!), and never misses an opportunity to have a little fun.

Mr. Arrington leads with kindness, understanding, and a genuine love for his school community. He believes that strong relationships with students, families, and staff are at the heart of a successful school. Whether he's sharing a laugh with students, bringing families together for special events, or encouraging everyone to "row the boat" toward success, he makes sure the people around him know how much they matter.

Thank you, Mr. Arrington, for the love, laughter, and dedication you bring to Fairmount every day. We're proud to celebrate you during National Principals Month!

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, and we’re proud to celebrate a big accomplishment!

Last month, in partnership with the Sullivan County Health Council, Bristol Tennessee City Schools trained more than 1,300 students, staff, and community members in Hands-Only CPR!

Knowing CPR can make a lifesaving difference in an emergency.

We would like to thank everyone who helped make these trainings possible, including our HOSA students who played an important role in helping others learn this life-saving skill!

Together, we’re helping make our community safer and better prepared to respond in an emergency when every second counts.

For Tennessee High School Principal Kim Kirk, Viking pride runs deep, and so does her commitment to the students and families she serves.

A proud THS graduate, Ms. Kirk brings tremendous school spirit, a caring heart, and a strong belief that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. Whether she's listening to a student's concerns, standing up for someone in need, or finding a reason to celebrate, she wants every student to know they belong. She works hard to make sure their high school years are filled with opportunities, meaningful experiences, and memories they'll carry long after graduation.

Thank you, Ms. Kirk, for the pride, passion, and heart you bring to Tennessee High School. We're proud to celebrate you during National Principals Month!

🚌 As National School Bus Safety Week comes to a close, we're sharing this year's national poster contest winner, a colorful reminder that school bus safety is everyone's responsibility!

From stopping for school buses to watching for students at bus stops, the small actions we take each day make a big difference in keeping our students safe.

A special thank-you to our BTCS bus drivers for the care, patience, and dedication they bring to every route. You are everyday heroes, and we appreciate all you do to get our students safely to and from school!

🚌 It's National School Bus Safety Week!

Keeping our students safe is everyone's responsibility. When a school bus stops and extends its stop arm, drivers must stop and remain stopped until the arm is retracted and the bus begins moving again.

A few moments of patience can make all the difference in protecting our students on their way to and from school.

🧡 Together for kindness!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and yesterday, schools across the country celebrated Unity Day by wearing orange to stand against bullying.

At Haynesfield Elementary School, counselor Ms. Combs helped spread the message by presenting orange Haynesfield T-shirts to students selected in a special drawing!

Every act of kindness makes a difference. Together, we can create school communities where every student feels safe, valued, and supported. 🧡

🚌 Stop Today. Protect Tomorrow.

October 19–23 is National School Bus Safety Week! At Bristol Tennessee City Schools, the safety of our students is everyone's responsibility.

We encourage all drivers to stay alert, slow down near school buses, and always stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. A moment of patience can make a lifetime of difference.

Let's work together to keep our Vikings safe on their way to and from school!

At Avoca Elementary School, Interim Principal Beth Light certainly lives up to her name! She brings warmth and a bright spirit to everything she does.

Whether she's encouraging students, supporting her staff, or dressing up as a Christmas tree to spread a little holiday cheer, Ms. Light is always ready to jump in and make school a special place. Her genuine care for others shines through in every interaction, and her willingness to have a little fun along the way makes her a joy to be around.

Thank you, Ms. Light, for the kindness, creativity, and enthusiasm you bring to Avoca every day. We're proud to celebrate you during National Principals Month!

🔔 See you tomorrow!

We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful fall break! We're looking forward to welcoming our students and staff back to school tomorrow, Monday, October 19.

Let's make it a great week!

At Tennessee Middle School, Principal Dr. Luke Douthat is always looking for new ways to help students and staff learn, grow, and succeed.

A forward-thinking leader who recognizes the strengths of those around him, Dr. Douthat encourages his teachers and students to explore new ideas and take on opportunities for growth. Under his leadership, initiatives like Viking Valor and Odin’s Hall of Champions are helping students build character, develop meaningful connections, and discover their potential. His commitment to innovation and empowering others helps create a school culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you, Dr. Douthat, for leading Tennessee Middle School with vision, encouragement, and a commitment to bringing out the best in others. We're proud to celebrate you during National Principals Month!

At Anderson Elementary School, Principal John Sproles believes that being part of a school family means caring deeply about students while challenging them to be their very best.

Mr. Sproles brings a competitive spirit and high expectations to his work, but he knows that strong relationships are the foundation for student success. He works hard to create a school community where students are encouraged to achieve, staff support one another, and families know they belong.

Thank you, Mr. Sproles, for leading Anderson with determination, high expectations, and a heart for your school family. We're proud to celebrate you during National Principals Month!

Family engagement is an important part of the Coalition for Kids (C4K) after-school program, and a recent Bristol Family Night brought students, families, and C4K staff together for an evening of fun and connection!

These special events give families opportunities to spend quality time together, build relationships, and strengthen the sense of community that makes C4K such a valuable part of our schools.

Through our partnership with Coalition for Kids, Bristol Tennessee City Schools offers a FREE after-school program at each of our elementary schools, providing homework help, enrichment activities, physical activity, and more.

Interested in C4K for your child? Learn more about the program and complete the parent interest form here: www.btcs.org/afterschool.

🍂 Fall break is here!

Wishing all our BTCS students, families, and staff a wonderful week to relax, recharge, and enjoy a little fall fun!

As a reminder, schools will be closed October 12–16. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, October 19! 🍁

At Holston View Elementary, Principal Kayla McMeans is at the heart of a school community that feels like family.

Ms. McMeans leads with a steady hand, a caring heart, and a deep commitment to doing what's best for her students and staff. She's a strong advocate for the people she serves, leading with fairness, thoughtfulness, and conviction.

Thank you, Ms. McMeans, for the heart you put into your work and the community you help create every day. We're proud to celebrate you during National Principals Month!

When students and staff at Tennessee Online Public School need support, they can count on Principal Keith Parker to be there.

Thoughtful, organized, responsive, and always willing to jump in wherever he’s needed, Mr. Parker is the kind of leader who makes being a team player look easy. His steady support helps create a school where students receive the personalized instruction and individual attention they need to thrive.

Thank you, Mr. Parker, for being someone your students, staff, and BTCS colleagues can count on. We’re proud to celebrate you during National Principals Month!

Congratulations to Anderson Elementary School art teacher Autumn Roe on being selected for a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award for the 2026–27 cycle!

Autumn is among approximately 2,500 U.S. citizens selected to teach, study, and conduct research abroad this academic year through the Fulbright Program, an international educational exchange program of the U.S. Department of State.

Through the program, Autumn will have the opportunity to learn alongside educators internationally, explore innovative educational practices, and bring new ideas and perspectives back to her students and colleagues at BTCS.

Autumn will learn in December which country will be her Fulbright destination! We can’t wait to find out where this experience will take her.

Please join us in congratulating Autumn on this outstanding achievement! 🌎

Today, we celebrate the dedicated custodians who help make our schools and facilities clean, safe, and welcoming places to learn and work. 🧹✨

Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is seen and felt every day across BTCS. From caring for our buildings to supporting students and staff in countless ways, our custodians are an important part of the BTCS team.

On National Custodian Day, we say a heartfelt thank you to our incredible custodial teams for all you do!