We are very grateful to the United Way of South Central Tennessee and the community for the Stuff the Bus program. We have received more than 2,000 backpacks full of supplies — which is a record — and will now be distributed to our elementary schools to help those students who are in need.

Tennessee's 2026 sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 31 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2.

During this time clothing school supplies and computers may be purchased tax-free. Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business or trade.

What’s included?

General apparel priced $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.

School and art supplies priced $100 or less per item (binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pencils, etc.) and art supplies (glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paintbrushes).

Computers (laptops or tablets) for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less.

Complete details: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday/sth-traditional.html

The Rutherford County Schools has a core supply list available at https://www.rcschools.net/o/academics/page/core-school-supply-lists, but check your school's website for grade-specific lists and requests.

IT’S TIME!

Enrollment for 2026-2027 now under way. Returning families should receive an email July 22-23 with instructions about how to complete registration and verification information. New RCS families can enroll at www.rcschools.net/enroll, which contains all information families need to begin the enrollment and registration process.

www.rcschools.net/enroll

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SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS ENJOY 'CAMP WONDER' FOR SEVENTH YEAR

By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools

Camp Wonder — which was held last week at Riverdale High School — is the passion project of School Board Chair Claire Maxwell, who previously served as an education assistant for special education at Riverdale High School.

She started Camp Wonder as a summer-time event for high school special needs students. It is a joint venture with The Discovery Center, which provides staff and curriculum for the education portion of the camp.

Students participate in various activities throughout the week, including arts and crafts, visits from local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, and field trips to places such as The Discovery Center in Murfreesboro.

“It’s important for these kids to have a fun summer and have something to look forward to,” Maxwell said. “And I believe it’s also a time that the parents know their kids are having a great time and are safe and happy.”

The program does not use Rutherford County tax funding. Instead, it is made possible each year through generous donations from local businesses, churches and individuals, Maxwell said. Parents pay $50 per student. This year, the camp served 18 students, which is nearly capacity for the program.

The camp typically rotates each year to various high schools.

Our final group of interns traded the classroom for construction sites during the month of June.

--James King is a rising senior at Oakland High School pursuing the Construction pathway, with interest in agriculture mechanics and plumbing.
Assigned to T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc.’s project site for Wegmann Automotive in Murfreesboro, King plans to attend college or join the military after high school.


--Diego Baltazar is a rising senior at Smyrna High School pursuing the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) construction pathway.
Assigned to a T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc., building site in College Grove, Baltazar plans to pursue a career in welding after high school.

 --Yustin Hidalgo is a 2026 graduate of Smyrna High School. A member of the school’s soccer team, he pursued the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) construction pathway.
Assigned to a T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc., building site in College Grove, Hidalgo aspires to have a career in construction management.

--Frank Ndayambaje is a 2026 graduate of Oakland High School. A member of the school’s basketball team, Model UN and First Priority, he pursued the Construction pathway.
Assigned to T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc.’s project site for Wegmann Automotive in Murfreesboro, Ndayambaje Is considering various post-secondary options, including studies in concrete management, business, and psychology or volunteering with AmeriCorps.

Introducing our next group of summer interns!

These students are actively involved in their schools, leading and learning in a number of ways. Look for more intern profiles next week!

--Ethan Morrow is a 2026 graduate of Stewarts Creek High School, where he was involved in National Honor Society, SCHS Anglers and served as a drone pilot for the school’s football team.
Assigned to the Career and Technical Education Department at the district’s Central Office, Morrow aspires to work in sports broadcasting.

--Simon Soundara is a rising senior at Blackman High School, where he is a member of the Blackman Collegiate Academy. He is involved A/V Production and is Media Manager of the school’s Key Club.
Assigned to the Career and Technical Education Department at the district’s Central Office, Soundara is planning a career in video production with a focus on broadcast journalism.

--Grace Secker is a rising senior at Riverdale High School and is a member of the swim team, Student Council and the Honors College.
Assigned to the Summer Learning Camp location at Brown’s Chapel Elementary, Secker aspires to become an elementary school teacher.

--Isabella Padilla is a rising senior at Riverdale High School pursuing dual pathways in Health Science and Teaching as a Profession. She is a member of Skills USA, FCCLA and the Criminal Justice Club.
Assigned to the Summer Learning Camp location at Rockvale Elementary, Padilla aspires to become a pediatric nurse.

--Avi Patel is a rising senior at Riverdale High School pursuing dual pathways in Engineering and Business. He is a member of DECA, Beta Club and the tennis team.
Assigned to the Professional Development Center at the district’s Central Office, Patel plans to pursue a career in engineering after high school.

SF-1010 form will be unavailable due to our student information system's upcoming scheduled maintenance.

Any forms requested before 3 p.m. Monday, June 15, will be available for pickup after 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15.

Requests submitted after 3 p.m. on Monday will be available for pickup after 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22.

We're so proud of you, Ja'Kobe! #theRCSdifference

Meet Rutherford County Schools' summer intern Class of 2026!

We’re excited to welcome 15 outstanding students and recent graduates to work with district staff and community partners throughout the month of June, gaining hands-on experience outside the classroom.

Students were nominated by their teachers and participated in an interview process.

Meet our first group, with more to be introduced next week!

--Mahdia Amini is a rising senior at Smyrna High School and is involved in clubs such as DECA, Service Dawgs and International Dawgs.
Assigned to the Summer Learning Camp location at David Youree Elementary, Amini plans to double major in business and education in college.

--Isabella Chandler is a rising senior at Riverdale High School and is involved in activities such as choir, First Priority Club and FCA.
Assigned to the Summer Learning Camp location at Barfield Elementary, Chandler aspires to become a teacher or school counselor. 

--Kailynn Lupo is a rising senior at Smyrna High School involved in band, DECA and Purple Dynasty.
Assigned to the Summer Learning Camp location at Rock Springs Elementary, Lupo aspires to become a child psychologist/criminologist.

--Arini Girgis is a rising senior at Oakland High School and is involved in National Honor Society and FCCLA.
Assigned to the Summer Learning Camp location at Walter Hill Elementary, Girgis plans to become an educator.

 --Isabella Kever is a rising senior at Holloway High School involved in Beta Club, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Garden Club.
Assigned to the Summer Learning Camp location at John Colemon Elementary, Kever plans to complete Dual Enrollment studies through Motlow College during senior year and attend Belmont University as an elementary education major.

 --Josef Helle is a 2026 graduate of Siegel High School, where he was involved in wrestling, aviation and winter guard. Through Siegel’s Aviation Pathway, he successfully completed the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 exam, allowing him to fly drones commercially.
Assigned to the Communications Department as a drone pilot, Helle aspires to join the U.S. Air Force.