Tag: Bible in the Schools

Bible in the Schools Presents $2.3M Community Gift to Hamilton County Schools

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., August 7, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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Bible in the Schools, a longstanding Chattanooga organization committed to advancing Bible education for students in Hamilton County public schools, proudly announced today the delivery of a significant community contribution of $2,327,921 to Hamilton County Schools. This generous donation serves to reimburse the entire cost of the countywide elective Bible program in Hamilton County. The community gift presentation took place on July 30, 2024, and marked the 102nd year of the organization’s unwavering dedication to providing public school students with optional access to a Bible education.

Mrs. Cathy Scott, President of Bible in the Schools, together with Mr. Rob Huffaker, Chairman of the Board of Bible in the Schools, had the honor of presenting this remarkable gift on behalf of the organization. The check was received by Hamilton County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Justin Robertson, during a special ceremony held at the Hamilton County Schools Central Office. Mrs. Scott, who is in her ninth year as President of Bible in the Schools said, “It is an honor to give this gift from the community through Bible in the Schools, an organization that has stood true to its mission for 102 years. Thank you to all who have donated to this Bible program that enriches the education of modern day students and provides them with ancient wisdom, knowledge, and insights that encourage responsible citizenship.” The elective Bible program, made possible through the collaboration between Bible in the Schools and Hamilton County Schools, offers students an opportunity to engage with the Bible’s teachings in an academic setting. The program emphasizes critical thinking skills and encourages students to explore the historical, literary, and cultural aspects of the Bible, fostering a deeper understanding of its influence on society.

Expressing gratitude to the school district’s oldest community partner, Dr. Robertson stated, “We are sincerely grateful to Bible in the Schools for their continuing support of Hamilton County Schools and our students. The Bible in the Schools program enhances our curriculum by providing students with an optional course that includes unique educational experiences, encourages intellectual growth, and promotes cultural understanding. This generous contribution will allow us to further invest in opportunity by design for our students as part of our work to see all children thrive and experience a future without limits.”

The $2.3 million gift from Bible in the Schools serves as a testament to the organization’s ongoing dedication to investing in the educational experience of students in Hamilton County. The funds will support the continued success and expansion of the elective Bible program, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to engage with biblical teachings in an academic and intellectually stimulating environment. With the planned addition of a Bible elective at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences this fall, 33 public middle and high schools in Hamilton County will offer elective Bible courses for the 2024-2025 academic year.

About Bible in the Schools:

Established in 1922, Bible in the Schools is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among public school students in Hamilton County. Bible classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit elective Bible classes in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. All Bible courses align with the Tennessee Department of Education’s state academic standards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district electively studying the Bible at school. Through dedicated community generosity, Bible in the Schools fully funds Bible education in 15 Hamilton County ZIP codes. Approximately 5,300 students in grades 6-12 completed a Bible course during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Bible in the Schools is pleased to introduce its new website, offering more information at bibleintheschools.com.

Pictured L-R: Mr. Blake Freeman, HCS Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Sonia Stewart, HCS Deputy Superintendent; Dr. Justin Robertson, HCS Superintendent; Mr. Rob Huffaker, Bible in the Schools Board Chairman; Mrs. Cathy Scott, Bible in the Schools President

Photo Credit: Adison Lambert, Hamilton County Schools

Source: Bible in the Schools

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August 7, 2024
Bible in the Schools Presents $2.3M Community Gift to Hamilton County Schools

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., August 3, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Bible in the Schools, a longstanding Chattanooga organization committed to advancing Bible education for students in Hamilton County public schools, proudly announced today the delivery of a significant contribution of nearly $2.3 million to Hamilton County Schools. This generous donation serves to reimburse the entire cost of the countywide elective Bible program in Hamilton County. The community gift presentation took place on July 27, 2023, and marked the 101st year of the organization’s unwavering dedication to providing students with access to a Bible education.

Mrs. Cathy Scott, President of Bible in the Schools, together with Mr. Tom Glenn, Chairman of the Board of Bible in the Schools, had the honor of presenting this remarkable gift on behalf of the organization. The check was received by Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson during a special ceremony held at the Hamilton County Schools Central Office. Mrs. Scott, who is in her eighth year as President of Bible in the Schools, said, “It is with deep honor that we present this gift to Hamilton County Schools. The free gift of a public school Bible education is a result of 101 years of extraordinary community generosity through Bible in the Schools. Thank you to all who have invested in our mission.”

“We are very pleased to support Hamilton County Schools by reimbursing the entire cost of the countywide elective Bible program,” said Mr. Glenn. “For over a century, Bible in the Schools has been committed to fostering biblical literacy among students, and this contribution underscores our enduring commitment to that mission. We firmly believe that providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the Bible can enhance their cultural and historical knowledge.”

The elective Bible program, made possible through the collaboration between Bible in the Schools and Hamilton County Schools, offers students an opportunity to engage with the Bible’s teachings in an academic setting. The program emphasizes critical thinking skills and encourages students to explore the historical, literary, and cultural aspects of the Bible, fostering a deeper understanding of its influence on society.

Expressing gratitude for the substantial donation, Dr. Robertson stated, “We are sincerely grateful to Bible in the Schools for their incredible support and for making this impactful program accessible to our students. The Bible program enhances our curriculum by providing students with a unique educational experience, encouraging intellectual growth, and promoting cultural understanding. This generous contribution will allow us to further invest in opportunity by design for our students.”

The $2.3 million gift from Bible in the Schools serves as a testament to the organization’s ongoing dedication to enriching the educational experience of students in Hamilton County. The funds will support the continued success and expansion of the elective Bible program, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to engage with biblical teachings in an academic and intellectually stimulating environment. Bible in the Schools recently announced the public phase of their $7M Endowment Campaign to further preserve Bible education in Hamilton County public schools.

About Bible in the Schools:

Established in 1922, Bible in the Schools is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among students in Hamilton County. Bible classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit elective Bible classes in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. The Bible course curricular framework aligns with the Tennessee Department of Education’s state academic standards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible. Bible in the Schools fully funds Bible education in 32 public schools. Over 5,700 students completed a Bible course in the 2022-2023 academic year in grades 6-12.

For more information about Bible in the Schools, visit bibleintheschools.com.

Source: Bible in the Schools

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August 3, 2023
Bible in the Schools Presents $2M Community Gift to Hamilton County Schools

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Press Release
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updated: Aug 10, 2022

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., August 9, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Local nonprofit Bible in the Schools presented Hamilton County Schools (HCS) with its annual community gift of almost $2 million as reimbursement for the 2021-2022 countywide Bible elective course program. Bible in the Schools Board Chairman Tom Glenn and President Cathy Scott presented Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson with the nearly $2 million gift. Also present was Bible in the Schools’ board member Dr. Jill Hartness.

Dr. Justin Robertson stated, “We very much appreciate the support we receive from Bible in the Schools that provides an elective course opportunity for many of our students in grades 6-12. Thanks to the generosity of the group and its supporters, our unique partnership has been in place for 100 years, and we look forward to continuing our joint work to serve Hamilton County students in the future.”

Founded in 1922, Bible in the Schools provides elective Bible courses for public school students in Hamilton County. Celebrating its 100th year this year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 29 public schools and over 4,700 students in grades 6-12. Demand for Bible History continues to grow, as Bible in the Schools prepares to support 31 schools for the 2022-2023 academic year with an expected record enrollment of over 5,000 students. HCS data reveals that of all middle and high school students in the county, four out of five now have access to a Bible History class at school. Hamilton County Schools recently announced a partnership with Chattanooga State Community College that will begin this next school year. High school students who take Old Testament Survey will now have the option to receive a local dual credit through Chatt State, earning college credit while studying the Bible.

Bible courses are funded entirely by the generous supporters of Bible in the Schools. Board Chairman Tom Glenn stated, “It is our great privilege to present this gift to our public schools, as it represents the generosity of so many donors in this community. Such ongoing generosity has made the gift of elective Bible courses available to so many students in Chattanooga for the last 100 years. As we look to the future, we are eager to continue fulfilling our mission of advancing Bible education in Hamilton County public schools.” Because of the generosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community partner donation given to Hamilton County Schools in the 2021-2022 academic year.

President Cathy Scott stated, “The Hamilton County public school Bible program has been a daily dispenser of hope in this community and reflects the generosity of so many committed partners. Studying Bible courses in our public schools helps ground and awaken students to the rich cultural footprint that the Bible has had on history. We believe that a knowledge of the Bible is a key component to a well-rounded education that encourages students to not just be passive observers of society, but active contributors in a global world. Thank you to all who have donated generously to enrich Hamilton County Schools with a text that crosses all cultural, socioeconomic, and racial barriers while still enriching lives each day.”

Bible classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit elective Bible classes in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. The Bible course curricular framework is court-approved and aligns with the Tennessee Department of Education’s state academic standards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible. The program is currently celebrating its 100th year.

More information regarding participating schools and courses offered is available at bibleintheschools.com. Please direct any inquiries to info@bibleintheschools.com.

Source: Bible in the Schools

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August 9, 2022
Bible in the Schools Celebrates 100 Years of Bible History Elective Courses

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Press Release
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updated: Aug 12, 2021

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., August 12, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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As thousands of students return for another school year this August, local nonprofit Bible in the Schools (BITS) celebrates the start of the 100th school year that Bible History elective courses have been offered in Hamilton County’s public schools.

Since 1922, public school students in Hamilton County have taken Bible elective courses as part of their regular school day. A 100-year-old institution, Bible in the Schools is the byproduct of the vision of Dr. J. Park McCallie, founder of The McCallie School.

After observing the benefits of Bible History classes on McCallie School youth, Dr. McCallie was convinced that Bible classes are “altogether the most worthwhile courses we have.” He wanted all students, public and private, to have the opportunity to study the Bible at their school. In 1922, Dr. McCallie organized a group known as the Public School Bible Study Committee, later referred to as Bible in the Schools, and argued before the City Commission that Bible classes should be taught in the public schools.

“Today, we stand on the shoulders of one man who, in 1922, understood the academic benefit of the rigor required from students when studying such a complex text, but who also recognized that when students studied the Bible, it had a transformative impact in their lives as well as on the integrity and climate of the entire school,” said Cathy Scott, the current president of Bible in the Schools.

Bible History classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit non-sectarian Bible History elective classes in Hamilton County’s public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. Before 1980, elementary students throughout Hamilton County were eligible to take Bible courses; since the court ruling, the elective courses are only taught in middle and high schools.

The Hamilton County Bible History curricular framework is court-approved, taught from a historical and literary perspective, and aligns with the standards of the Tennessee State Department of Education. The Hamilton County Schools Bible History program continues to lead the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible.

Entering its 100th school year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 29 public schools and over 4,600 students. Demand for Bible History grows each school year: 2021 boasted the highest Bible History enrollment numbers since the program’s inception. Hamilton County Schools’ data reports that of the 19,006 students in the county who had access to Bible History in 2020-2021, approximately one in four students took and completed a course.

Bible History elective courses provide public school students with the opportunity to receive a viewpoint-neutral, foundational study — at no cost to taxpayers — of one of the cornerstone texts of world history. Courses like Bible History encourage responsible citizenship and contribute to a broad education. They develop cultural literacy in young minds and equip students to thrive in and contribute to a global world.

Bible in the Schools has provided public school students in Hamilton County with Bible History classes for 100 years, funded entirely by charitable community donations. Because of the generosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community-funded donation to Hamilton County Schools in the 2020-2021 academic year.

More information is available at www.bibleintheschools.com.

Please direct any inquiries to info@bibleintheschools.com.

Source: Bible in the Schools

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August 12, 2021