⚽ Your Thursday School Report: A Learn-at-Home Day, a Salute for the Lady Indians, a New SmartLab in Jasper, Graduation Rates Worth Smiling About and a Five-Team Friday

Or: Sit Down at the Usual Time, Cheer the Soccer Girls, Peek Into Jasper’s Build Room and Bundle Up for Five Playoff Games

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, November 12, 2026

Good Thursday morning. It’s mostly cloudy at sunup, but the National Weather Service says the clouds should clear out for a sunny afternoon near 58, with a breeze out of the northwest.

Today’s news is like a good pot of vegetable soup. There’s a little of everything in it, and every spoonful is good for you. No bones to pick out, no surprises at the bottom of the bowl.

Here’s the roundup: Sequatchie County students learn from home today and Friday, and they’re back in the buildings Monday, Nov. 16. The school board gave the SCHS Lady Indians soccer team a well-earned salute after a 13-1-1 regular season, and we’ve got the other news from that meeting. Jasper Middle School opened a new SmartLab where students build and design with 3D printers. New state numbers show Tennessee’s graduation rate at 93.2%, with South Pittsburg High near the top of the state. Five Valley football teams play Friday night, three of them on Central time. Van Buren County is in the middle of World Kindness Week. And two school boards meet tonight. Nothing here is an emergency.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Today and Friday, Nov. 12–13: Sequatchie County students learn from home. Teachers send the assignments.
• Friday, Nov. 13: Bledsoe County students also have a virtual learning day, as the district announced last week.
• Mon., Nov. 16: Back to the buildings in Sequatchie County.
• Tonight: Grundy County school board (workshop 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m.) and Rhea County school board (6 p.m. Eastern = 5 p.m. Central).
• Friday night: Five Valley playoff games. All kick off at 7 p.m. local time. Low near 30, so bring the heavy coat.
• Saturday, Nov. 14: Indians basketball alumni games at the high school, 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

⚽ A Board Salute for the Lady Indians, Plus the Rest of the Meeting in Plain English

Local. The Dunlap-Tribune reports that the Sequatchie County High School girls soccer team was recognized at the Nov. 2 Sequatchie County Board of Education meeting. Coach Tommy Blevins thanked the board for its support. The Lady Indians finished first in the regular season, beating league rival CSAS, then lost the district tournament final by one goal and fell in the region to CSLA on penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie. They won events in Crossville and Gatlinburg and finished the regular season 13-1-1. “We had 10 shutouts in the regular season and five all-district players, with one of those the district player of the year,” Blevins said. Director of Schools Sarai Pierce added that the team is strong in the classroom, too: “They’re really outstanding young ladies.”

The Tribune also wrapped up the rest of the meeting:

• Bus garage roof: A $331,000 bid was not recommended. Facilities and transportation supervisor Scottie Holland said the district plans to re-bid.
• School audits: Finance director Sherry Johnson reported no findings in the internal school audits, so no corrective actions were needed.
• Property and a new road: The board approved an asking price of $125,000 for unused property at 76 Jones Drive and $35,068 in materials for a road at the new bus garage, which the county highway department will build.
• Next meeting: Monday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. at the central office.

What it means for you: Ten shutouts is like a garden fence that kept the rabbits out all summer. That’s steady, patient work, and these young women earned the applause. The clean audit is good news for every taxpayer, too. It means the money collected at the schools, from concessions to field-trip fees, is being counted the right way. Write “school board, Dec. 7” on the calendar if you like to keep up.

👉 Read more (The Dunlap-Tribune: Board recognizes SCHS Lady Indian soccer team)

🔬 Jasper Middle’s New SmartLab: 3D Printers, Microcomputers and “Nice Controlled Chaos”

Local, Marion County. Local 3 News reports that Marion County Schools opened a new SmartLab at Jasper Middle School, paid for by a state grant. Students use tools like 3D printers and microcomputers to discuss, design, build and create. Principal Dr. Heath Thacker said, “They love it. It’s their favorite class,” and teacher Ashley Johnson said students “flourish” when they own their projects. Eighth grader Hayden Barnes called it “an interactive kind of learning, you get to build things and learn from your mistakes.” The district plans another SmartLab at Whitwell Middle School soon, with a goal of a third at South Pittsburg Academy.

What it means for you: A SmartLab is a lot like Grandpa’s workshop out in the barn, just with a computer on the bench. Kids learn by trying, messing up and trying again, and that’s how most of us learned to fix things. At home: ask your middle schooler, “What did you build this week?” That question gets more than a shrug. For local businesses: these are tomorrow’s machinists, technicians and problem-solvers, and the district says it wants more partnerships with area employers.

👉 Read more (Local 3 News: New SmartLab at Jasper Middle School)

🎓 Graduation Rates, Explained: A Statewide High, and South Pittsburg Near the Top

Statewide, with Valley and regional notes. The Tennessee Department of Education’s yearly Report Card data for the Class of 2026 is out. According to Tennessee Firefly, a website that organizes the state’s Report Card numbers, the statewide graduation rate is 93.2%, up from the 92.3% record the department announced for the Class of 2025. On Firefly’s list, South Pittsburg High School shows a 98.9% graduation rate, ranking No. 8 of 328 high schools in the state and up 7 points from 2024. Nearby, Local 3 News reports that Hamilton County Schools hit a record 95.2% for the Class of 2026.

What’s a graduation rate? The state follows the students who start ninth grade together and counts how many earn a regular diploma within four years. Students who move away are taken out of the count, and students who move in are added.

What it means for you: A graduation rate is like counting how many of your spring tomato plants made it to the canning jar. It doesn’t tell the whole story of the garden, but it’s a good sign of steady care. Curious about your own school? The Tennessee Department of Education’s Report Card website lets you look up any school or district for free. Remember: one number is just one number. A friendly chat with a teacher tells you more about your child.

👉 Read more (Tennessee Firefly: Tennessee graduation rates by school)
👉 Read more (Local 3 News: Hamilton County Schools reach record-high graduation rate)
👉 Read more (Tennessee Department of Education: State Report Card)

🏈 Five Valley Teams, One Cold Friday Night: Where Everybody Plays

Local and regional. We’ve written about the Indians’ and Bledsoe’s long road trips. Here’s the full Friday, Nov. 13, second-round list for every Valley team, from the TSSAA bracket and Sports Illustrated’s high school roundup. Every game kicks off at 7 p.m. local time.

• Class 3A: Sequatchie County at Unicoi County (Eastern time, so 6 p.m. Central).
• Class 2A: Bledsoe County at Happy Valley (Eastern time, so 6 p.m. Central).
• Class 2A: Oneida at Marion County, in Jasper (Central time, 7 p.m.). The Warriors are unbeaten.
• Class 1A: Jellico at South Pittsburg (Central time, 7 p.m.).
• Class 1A: Whitwell at Cosby (Eastern time, so 6 p.m. Central).

Tickets for TSSAA playoff games are sold through the GoFan app.

What it means for you: Five games on one night is like five pies cooling on the windowsill at once. You can only get to one, but it’s nice knowing they’re all there. If you’re staying close to home, Jasper and South Pittsburg are the short drives. The forecast for Friday night is partly cloudy with a low around 30, so wear layers, a hat and gloves, and bring a blanket for the bleachers.

👉 Read more (Sports Illustrated High School: Tennessee playoff brackets for Nov. 13–14)
👉 Read more (TSSAA: Class 1A bracket)

💛 Van Buren County’s World Kindness Week Runs Through Saturday

Local, Van Buren County. Van Buren County Schools is celebrating World Kindness Week, Nov. 10–14, with a district-wide focus on five values: Be Kind, Show Respect, Include Others, Offer Help and Spread Positivity. The district says activities are planned throughout the week and invites families to join in. It ties into the district’s motto: “Small Schools, Big Opportunities. Big Hearts, Big Impact.”

What it means for you: Kindness is a lot like sourdough starter. A little bit, passed along, keeps growing. You don’t have to live in Spencer to join in. Pick one of the five values at supper tonight and ask each child how they could use it tomorrow.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Van Buren County Schools celebrates World Kindness Week)

🏛️ Tonight: Two School Boards, and a Saturday Night of Indians Hoops

Local and regional. Here’s what’s on the calendar:

• Grundy County, tonight: Public workshop at 6 p.m. and board meeting at 7 p.m. in the Grundy County High School cafeteria, according to the district’s board page.
• Rhea County, tonight: 6 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Central) at the Levengood Educational Center, 1385 Broadway Street, Dayton. The posted agenda includes the district’s five-year strategic plan for 2026–2031, an RCHS Chorus trip to the All East Choir Clinic at ETSU and a TVA Robotics Award among the budget items.
• Saturday, Nov. 14: The Sequatchie County Indians Basketball Alumni games are at the high school. The ladies’ game starts at 6 p.m. and the men’s game follows at 7:30, with concessions and new Indians gear for sale, according to The Dunlap-Tribune.

What it means for you: A school board agenda is like the church bulletin. You don’t have to read every line, but it tells you what’s coming. And the alumni game is a fine way to see old classmates without having to plan a reunion.

👉 Read more (Grundy County Schools: School board)
👉 Read more (Rhea County Schools: Nov. 12 board agenda)
👉 Read more (The Dunlap-Tribune: Community calendar)

✅ Your Thursday Checklist

• ✅ This morning: Sequatchie County students start schoolwork at the usual time. Same spot, same routine.
• ✅ This afternoon: Sunny and near 58. A good time for a walk or a game of catch after the lessons are done.
• ✅ Tonight: Grundy County board at 7 p.m. Rhea County board at 5 p.m. Central. A few sprinkles possible early, low near 32.
• ✅ Friday: Learning at home again in Sequatchie County, and a virtual day in Bledsoe County.
• ✅ Friday night: Pick your game. 6 p.m. Central for Unicoi, Happy Valley and Cosby; 7 p.m. for Jasper and South Pittsburg. Heavy coat and gloves.
• ✅ Saturday: Indians alumni basketball at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
• ✅ Monday, Nov. 16: Back to the buildings in Sequatchie County.

Rule of thumb: on a learn-at-home day, keep the school-day clock. Same start time, same lunch time, same quitting time.

— Dunlap.Today

📖 Plain-English Glossary

• Remote learning day: A school day when students do their lessons at home, with assignments sent by their teachers.
• Internal school audit: A check of the money each school handles, like concession sales, club funds and fees. “No findings” means no problems were found.
• Re-bid: Asking companies to submit new prices for a job when the first offers aren’t the right fit.
• SmartLab: A hands-on classroom with tools like 3D printers and small computers, where students design and build projects.
• STEM: Science, technology, engineering and math.
• Graduation rate: The share of students who start ninth grade together and earn a regular diploma within four years.
• Report Card: The Tennessee Department of Education’s free yearly website with numbers for every public school and district.
• Penalty kicks: A soccer tiebreaker where players take turns shooting one-on-one against the goalkeeper.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is there school in the buildings in Sequatchie County today?

No. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 12–13, are remote learning days. Teachers send the assignments, and students are back in the buildings Monday, Nov. 16.

When does the Sequatchie County school board meet next?

Monday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. at the central office, according to The Dunlap-Tribune.

What is the new SmartLab at Jasper Middle?

A hands-on classroom with 3D printers, microcomputers and other tools, paid for by a state grant. Marion County plans another at Whitwell Middle School.

Where can I look up my school’s graduation rate?

The Tennessee Department of Education’s State Report Card website has free numbers for every public high school and district.

What time are Friday’s playoff games on Dunlap clocks?

Unicoi County, Happy Valley and Cosby are on Eastern time, so those games start at 6 p.m. Central. Marion County and South Pittsburg games start at 7 p.m. Central.

How do I buy playoff tickets?

TSSAA playoff tickets are sold through the GoFan app. Check the host school’s posts for any gate details.

🔗 Other Resources

• The Dunlap-Tribune: Board recognizes SCHS Lady Indian soccer team
• The Dunlap-Tribune: Remote learning days Nov. 12–13
• Sequatchie County Schools
• Local 3 News: New SmartLab at Jasper Middle School
• Tennessee Firefly: Tennessee graduation rates by school
• Tennessee Department of Education: State Report Card
• Local 3 News: Hamilton County Schools record graduation rate
• Sports Illustrated High School: Tennessee playoff brackets
• TSSAA: Class 1A football bracket
• Dunlap.Today: Van Buren County World Kindness Week
• Grundy County Schools: School board
• Rhea County Schools: Nov. 12 board agenda
• NWS Dunlap point forecast

🏠 Keep Learning — Stay Calm

A quiet day of lessons at the kitchen table, a salute for a soccer team that kept the goal locked up, a build room full of happy middle schoolers, graduation numbers worth a smile and five chances to cheer on Friday night. None of it calls for worry. Keep the school-day clock today, grab the gloves for Friday and write “back Monday, Nov. 16” on the fridge.

For more calm, practical Valley news you can use, keep reading Dunlap.Today.