Plus, new vintage and toy store in NorthShore.
 
12.11.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

54º | Rain | 99% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:49 a.m. | Sunset 5:46 p.m.
 

📚 Not your regular after-school programming

Chattanooga 2.0 introduces the Family Reads Program
NOOGAtoday | Table of books
Read it to believe it — this program hopes to increase literacy county-wide. | Photo provided by Chattanooga 2.0
Chattanooga 2.0, an organization that works to create a thriving and inclusive economy in Hamilton County, recently launched its Family Reads program to increase literacy + access to books.

Why? According to Brandon Hubbard-Heitz, director of literacy and student strategies, there’s a pretty tight correlation between the number of books in a household and kids’ future literacy. He hopes this program gets books directly to students, encouraging those educational values outside of the classroom.

Family Reads is currently in its pilot stage — focused on testing for proof points, and assessing sustainability of the program going county-wide. Here’s a peek into this stage.

Pilot school

Soddy Elementary School will serve as the program’s first activation site. Chosen for its strong home-school partnerships + because it doesn’t yet have a publicly-funded library system, students and families will be given access to books at home.

The school will receive 550 books each quarter. The first installment arrived in November, with the next coming in January. Alongside each book, families get an activity sheet sent home to help bridge the learning gap.

NOOGAtoday | Family Reads activity sheet

Family Reads will work to ensure children have access to books and families have access to guidance + support for early-learning development.

|

Activity sheet provided by Chattanooga 2.0

Think: Working on phonics, practicing decoding + word skills, and more.

“It gives families a window into what their kids are learning, whether it’s word recognition or topics and units they’re learning,” said Hubbard-Heitz.

Data collection

To get an understanding of the program’s progress, literacy will be monitored through:
  • State + school assessments to see if students are reading and writing on grade-level standards
  • Feedback from students + families on how Family Reads is working for them
“We want to see students with a deeper love of reading. We want to see families feel more supported,” Hubbard-Heitz said. “We want to foster more authentic connections between school and home as well as give teachers more outlets to support student learning.”
Asked

Do you (or did you) have resources to help your kiddos read at home?
A. No, they read what they can/could at school
B. A little bit
C. Yes, we have/had a lot of books in our home
Let's learn together
 
Events
Monday, Dec. 11
Tuesday, Dec. 12
  • Tap & Talk | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Craft Axe Throwing, 619 Camp Jordan Pkwy., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | Connect with business professionals in the area while axe throwing + enjoying craft brews.
  • Holiday Party | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | The Edney Innovation Center Building, 1100 Market St., Chattanooga | Free | Celebrate the holidays with the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild during a potluck dinner, open mic, book exchange, and Lit Pictionary.
Wednesday, Dec. 13
  • Page-Turners on the Patio | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Wanderlinger Brewing Co., 1208 King St., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | Enjoy a drink + social hour with the community, followed by a silent reading hour.
Thursday, Dec. 14
  • Ice Ice Baby | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Ice on the Landing, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | $25 | Join The Girls for ice skating, dinner, and hot cocoa at this event to connect with women in the community.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Shop

Add to cart is the best part 🎁
SM-H23-BestSellers-970x545-V1.png
Graphic by 6AM City
Jingle bells might be ringing, but the clock is also ticking to snag one (or all) of our best-selling items from our online shop Six & Main.

So, what products are flying off of our virtual shelves? Take a look for yourself…
  1. The Savvy Oak Dough Bowl Candle is unique and smells amazing.
  2. Holiday parties just got better with the savory Appalachian Trail Mix.
  3. Glassware featuring our city’s skyline is a festive way to toast to the holidays.
  4. Celebrate the city and state we all love with artwork great for any home or office.
  5. Perfectly curated gift sets are excellent go-to presents for the holidays.
Don’t leave these items in your cart for too long — order by 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15 for delivery by Monday, Dec. 25.
Get the good stuff
News Notes
Development
  • After a recent appeal was approved, FEMA will revalue the cost of rebuilding Grace Baptist Church and Academy, which was significantly damaged during a tornado in 2020. The approval has overturned FEMA’s initial granted amount of $30 million. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Opening
  • Electric Crocodile Vintage + Green Door Toys will host their grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come by the shop located at 607 Cherokee Blvd. for giveaways, vendors, and food trucks.
Cause
  • The deadline to drop off gifts for Salvation Army Chattanooga Area Command’s annual Angel Tree Program is Wednesday, Dec. 13. Gifts may be donated to Hamilton Place + Northgate Malls, participating Walmart locations, or Salvation Army’s main office at 822 McCallie Ave.
Community
  • The 2023 Neighborhood Roundtable Series will host its series finale on Monday, Dec. 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Family Justice Center. The public is invited to connect with their local communities + hear a presentation on Chattanooga’s neighborhoods. (Chattanoogan.com)
UTC
  • UTC has officially become the first academic institution to be connected to EPB’s Quantum Network. The network, powered by Qubitekk, will be used to “advance experiential learning in quantum technology” as part of UTC’s ongoing Quantum Initiative. (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)
Outdoors
  • The Geminids meteor shower is predicted to peak on Wednesday, Dec. 13 + Thursday, Dec. 14. According to NASA, this dazzling annual shower is considered “one of the best and most reliable.” Read up on where and when to catch the cosmic light show. (NASA)
Plan Ahead
  • Early bird registration is now open for the Ascension Leadership Conference on Wednesday, April 3. The conference, hosted by Hinton & Company, aims to foster leadership skills among “mid-career professionals and emerging leaders.” Learn more.
Wellness
Retail
  • Shop unique + standout styles from head to toe this holiday season at Embellish. From exclusive footwear to designer jewelry and handbags, you’ll find stylish selections for even your best-dressed friends. Visit Warehouse Row Downtown to explore Embellish and more.*
Eat
  • Bon appétit. Start planning the ultimate foodie getaway to Greenville, SC. Choose from 200+ restaurants in downtown Greenville, a quarter of which are international dining destinations.*
Featured Deal
 
Awards

ULGC spotlights local leaders and advocates

Local leaders and advocates recognized by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
NOOGAtoday | Folks standing on a stage holding checks at an award ceremony
Local leaders and advocates were honored for their work within the community. | Photo provided by Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC) recently held its 41st annual Equal Opportunity Day, showcasing local leaders and advocates.

Awards recognized various efforts supporting inclusion, justice, social + civic involvement, and sustainable impact within the community.
  • Inclusion by Design Award | City of Chattanooga
  • Community Impact Award | The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award | Valoria Armstrong
  • Warren E. Logan Scholarship Awards | Chazmin Hinton, Wendell Patillo + Trinity Williams
  • Spirit of the Movement Award | ULCG Young Professionals Auxiliary
  • Board Emeritus | Judge Curtis Collier + Dorothy Grisham
During the event, ULGC also recognized recent graduates of its leadership program designed for women + people of color.
    Inclusion by Design's class of 2023
    The Buy

    The Buy 12.11.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
    A stocking stuffer from this unique collection. Think: sleep mist, beard combs, satin scrunchies, and specialty seasoning packs.
    Share NOOGAtoday
     
    ReferralGIF1-NOOGA.gif

    Share the good news. Get rewarded.

    Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

    {{profile.vars.rh_reflink_19}}
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

    {{profile.vars.rh_totref_19}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
    Claim your rewards
     
     
    The Wrap
     
    Haley Bartlett.png

    Today’s edition by:
    Haley Bartlett
    From the editor
    I hope everyone had a safe and dry weekend from the storms we saw pass through. If you’re like me with loved ones in the Middle Tennessee area, you’re probably wondering what you can do to offer support after several areas got hit with tornadoes.

    Lucky for us, our sister market NASHtoday has put together a helpful resource guide.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Become a Member     ›
    Advertise     ›
    Shop     ›
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY