From the arts to revitalizing history, a certain group of Elizabethton High School students have put in significant labor during the 2017-18 academic year.

Elizabethton City Schools recently announced students currently participating in the inaugural Bartleby Program will host an open house Thursday, Dec. 7, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – Elizabethton.

Throughout the morning hours, students and teachers will provided presentations about the program while showcasing the various projects currently underway in Elizabethton and Carter County. Attendees will have the opportunity to view different exhibits and learn how they can get involved near the conclusion of the event.

ECS invites community and business leaders, along with parents, educators, elected officials and regional school leaders to take part in the event. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP with Bartleby Director Terry via email – terry.smith@ecschools.net – or by calling (423) 547-1551.

According to information provided by the school district, Thursday’s public exhibit will “give students an opportunity to showcase how they are changing the educational landscape by applying state academic standards in real-world projects.”

During this semester, 17 students have taken part in the Bartleby Community Improvement Class, the first year the class has been offered, and identified several community needs and developed proposals for projects, while taking in guidance from different community leaders.

Throughout this portion of the academic year, students have combined for a total of more than 3,000 hours on projects, which include downtown murals, revamping the Elizabethton Walking Tour, Tweetsie Trail litter pickup, club engagement at T.A. Dugger Junior High, revitalization of Kiwanis Park, along with a host of others.

Over the past year, the EHS has experienced a whirlwind of notoriety after being placed with 12 other high schools as national winners for the Super School Project offered by XQ America. With the accomplishment, the system received the Student Leadership Award and $200,000 to “rethink high school and develop an innovative education model that could function in public schools across the country.”

While focusing on community needs, the success of the Bartleby Program allowed the school district to create two classes, Community Improvement and Entrepreneurship. Another addition thanks to the award was the creation of a student liaison position to the City Board of Education. Cory Fitzsimmons served as the inaugural liasion last year while Hannah Roaten in the 17-18 position holder. The goal of the position is to bring student needs to the BOE, which has been a welcomed addition, according to Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour.

Individuals wanting to learn more about Bartleby can visit ecschools.net or check out the Bartleby Program on Facebook or Twitter.