The 901: Memphis-Shelby County Schools earns top growth score from state
Good morning, Memphis, where Cummings K-8 Optional School students will return to class at a different school building after its library ceiling collapsed yesterday.
But, first, new data citied by Memphis-Shelby County Schools shows improvements students have made since the pandemic, our Laura Testino reports.
The district earned a top growth score from the state, which is known as a Level 5 on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System. Most of the district's schools also earned the top growth score, MSCS said.
Over the last five years, the district earned the lowest improvement scores.
"We understand not all students start at the same place," the district said. "Significant growth, as characterized by a Level 5, means our students are rebounding from the negative impacts of the pandemic, our teachers are effectively helping students to reach academic goals, and our curriculum plan is getting results."
Cummings K-8 students relocate as MSCS evaluates building
Monday, Cummings K-8 Optional School students were evacuated from the school to a nearby Metropolitan Baptist Church after the school’s ceiling collapsed in the library, Laura and our Lucas Finton report.
Three staffers were taken to the hospital in non-critical condition, according to the Memphis Fire Department.
The ceiling collapse did not involve the structure of the roof, according to MFD spokesperson Lt. Hunter Smith. John Barker, acting co-superintendent and deputy superintendent over operations, confirmed the collapse involved the library's drop ceiling.
Students will now return to class Tuesday at nearby LaRose Elementary School while the building undergoes a structural assessment, Memphis-Shelby County Schools officials announced.
Higher home sale prices, inflation create hurdles for potential homebuyers in Memphis
Memphis-area housing inventory is at its highest peak in nearly two years after rising for five consecutive months, our Omer Yusuf reports in his story for subscribers.
In the past few years, local inventory remained low and often declined month over month. That contributed to an extremely competitive housing market.
While the news of additional inventory would be welcome for homebuyers, it doesn’t mean the Memphis area will immediately become a buyer's market. Other factors like rising interest rates, higher home sales prices and inflation create significant hurdles for potential homebuyers.
Elvis Presley fans from around the world honor the King at candlelight vigil
Thousands of Elvis fans crowded Elvis Presley Boulevard last night for the annual Graceland Candlelight Vigil to mark the 45th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, our John Beifuss reports.
Graceland officials said they expected anywhere from 5,000 to 25,000 people to show up to the event, which was expected to last well past midnight and into the morning.
Read John’s story to hear the stories of what drove them out to Graceland last night, and see the images from the vigil.
NBC’s ‘Young Rock’ to film at Graceland; set to be built in exhibition center
During the Conversations on Elvis panel, Elvis Presley Enterprises majority owner Joel Weinshanker teased the possibility of a variety of projects in the coming year, our Bob Mehr reports.
These include an “Elvis on Tour” live tour, a series of Elvis exhibitions in Europe, and an expanded four-hour version of Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” biopic. But the bigger local news from Weinshanker came when he said NBC television series “Young Rock” would not only film in Memphis, but actually at Graceland.
Officials with Elvis Presley Enterprises confirmed that the production would be building a set in the Graceland Exhibition Center.
Germantown community mourns coach, hero Will Drennan
The Germantown community mourns the death of Will Drennan, who died last week when he went after a child who fell into an open storm water drainage ditch in the city during a heavy storm, our Gina Butkovich reports.
"He was such a hero, and what he did, that's such an afterthought to me, and it shouldn't be, but it's such an afterthought because it's like, of course, he did that," Lifelong friend Matt Young said. "That's the kind of guy he was. He jumped in with no hesitation. He saw the danger in it, I'm sure. I wasn't there on the scene, but he saw that little boy that was not in good shape, and he jumped in without hesitation and took the ultimate sacrifice."
A celebration of life will immediately follow the funeral arrangements at Christ United Methodist Church on Poplar Ave. in Memphis this afternoon.
Read Gina’s story to hear about Drennan’s legacy and his contribution to the Germantown community.
The ripple effect of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s foot injury explained
Minutes before the beginning of NBA free agency last month, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent a procedure on his right foot to address a stress fracture injury.
Damichael Cole interviewed Dr. Kenneth Jung, an orthopedics doctor who specializes in foot and ankle fractures, to get more clarity on Jackson's injury.
Read Damichael’s story to understand Jackson’s injury and the impact it could have on the player and for his team.
The 901 is written by Ray Padilla, digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: Memphis-Shelby County Schools earns top growth score
