Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga will celebrate the grand opening of its new facility, the Warner Mentoring Hub at 2015 Bailey Ave., on Friday, Feb. 24.
The new structure will allow the agency to serve an estimated 400 children in 2023, with the goal of serving 600 children per year by 2025.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.
The Warner Mentoring Hub will provide space for training, activities for mentors and mentees, family events and academic support for youth. Staff moved into the new building in early 2023.
The previous facility, which housed the agency for 53 years, could accommodate only 12 staff members. This full remodel and addition will allow BBBS’ growing team of 17 to expand and enhance programming.
Artech Design Work and New Blue Construction aimed to support BBBS’ team growth and improve programming through the addition of a learning lab, training room, outdoor space and more office space.
Nonstop flights route to Miami returns in June
The Chattanooga Airport will resume nonstop service to Miami with American Airlines on Saturday, June 3.
The route between Chattanooga and Miami will include Saturday-only service, with passengers departing Chattanooga at 7 a.m. and arriving at Miami at 9:15 a.m., and leaving Miami at 7:35 p.m. and arriving in Chattanooga at 9:55 p.m.
Book a flight from the Chattanooga Airport at www.chattairport.com.
Hamilton Schools hiring for new positions
Hamilton County Schools is recruiting applicants for 250 new student-serving positions in local schools for the start of the 2023-24 school year.
HCS is investing $25 million in its next budget to support student well-being, literacy, behavior and elementary related arts.
According to HCS Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson, the new positions are a response to input received from stakeholders across Hamilton County over the past year.
“As we progressed through our strategic planning process, we heard several concerns as we talked with various groups across the district,” Robertson says. “We were told students need more wellness supports and that teachers and schools need more support and flexibility for addressing student behavior.
“We know there are students with significant needs in every school, and the investments we’re making in these new student-facing positions will help us meet those needs. The key to being effective is hiring the right individuals.”
As part of the focus to provide enhanced student support, every school will receive a teacher that will coordinate response to intervention programs at the school to help students meet their academic goals.
A social, emotional and academic development coach will also be assigned to each school to work across the school community and with individual students to implement positive behavior supports. Just over 100 employees will be hired to fill these two roles.
Additional student support positions to be filled include 32 social workers, 10 school counselors, 35 English as a new language and English as a second language teachers, 26 exceptional education teachers, 26 elementary related arts teachers and 10 career and technical education teachers.
Additionally, HCS will continue to recruit and hire classroom teachers for the coming school year.
Individuals interested in being candidates for these positions can learn more at careers.hcde.org.