Even in the pandemic we are experiencing, Austin-East Magnet High School had a very successful Freshmen Orientation on August 20, 2020. A total of 67 students attended: 63 in-person and four virtually. A total of 36 parents attended: 32 in-person and four virtually. Orientation began outside the school with a live DJ! In keeping with […]

We are several weeks into the 2020-2021 academic year and are very excited to have the opportunity to be back in schools serving our students. This academic year has presented new and exciting challenges regarding support to virtual students. Despite the changes this year brings, our determination to best serve our students is unwavering. We […]

Due to all the changes that have taken place since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have all had to adjust and do things differently. Project GRAD is no exception. However, instead of seeing the need for change as an obstacle, we have decided to view it as a great opportunity. We have been hard at […]

As we prepare for the late start of a new school year, our minds are reeling with ideas as to how we best serve students and families during a pandemic. The playbook for our current state of events is ever changing. We proceed with hopeful plans, tentative plans, plan A, plan B and plans C […]

The 2020 Project GRAD WATE laptop Telethon held on July 22 was a huge success raising over $75,000 from generous donors within and beyond our community. These funds were earmarked to purchase laptops for Project GRAD scholarship recipients from the Class of 2020 (Austin-East and Fulton high schools). Special thanks to Lori Tucker WATE for […]

The 2020-2021 postsecondary school year is about to begin, but this year, things are happening under unusual circumstances. COVID-19 has swept across the world, changing the way we live in a matter of months. The new “normal” requires us to wear a mask anytime we are out in public, maintain a distance of six feet […]

The Austin-East Project GRAD team is thankful to be back in the building. We are deeply committed to learning about and using multiple virtual platforms to connect with students and families. Discovering additional ways to serve students during this challenging time with COVID-19 has been eye-opening. So far, our Austin-East team has received training in […]

In the last week, all school-based staff have returned to their respective buildings to plan in full force for the 2020-2021 school year! Staff are all following the KCS policies (temperature checks each morning at arrival, masks required at all times, physical distancing and regular sanitation, etc.). Although you can’t see everyone’s full faces, it […]

Project GRAD, like most organizations, is trying to navigate COVID-19 while developing strategies to continue student, family and school supports. Knox County Schools has revealed a plan to move forward with two options for families. One option would be a physical presence in the building while the other is a virtual learning environment. The task […]

An extended blog post by Vrondelia Chandler, Project GRAD Knoxville Executive Director Over in Tennessee, in the City of Knoxville/County of Knox, in the midst of a historic COVID19 pandemic, an explosion was heard. It was the sound of uncontainable love and support for young people from two inner city Knox County Schools public high […]