Ramadan in MNPS
💸 Overton accommodates Muslim students during Ramadan · TN bill penalizing judges who obstruct ICE advances · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Overton accommodates Muslim students during Ramadan... TN Senate advances bill penalizing TN judges who obstruct ICE… And much more!
Terrorism in America Join us Thursday, April 16th for a discussion with domestic terrorism expert Kyle Shideler as we dig into the federal government's response to the Charlie Kirk assassination and what it means for us here locally. (Buy Ticket)
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your councilmember, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
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Accommodations for Muslim Students During Ramadan Grow
From Davis Hunt
The Nashville Banner published a glowing story yesterday about how John Overton High School is handling the religious demands of its Muslim students during Ramadan. Over the course of the annual, month-long Islamic holiday, Muslims fast from sun up to sun down and rigorously follow the daily prayer schedule.
According to the report, the school reserved a place on campus for afternoon prayers and adjusted the bell schedule to work around prayer times. Ten teachers turned their classrooms into “food free zones” where Muslim students could sit during lunch so as not to be tempted by food in the school’s cafeteria.
After the story was published, I reached out to MNPS asking for clarity on the bell schedule modifications. MNPS communications director Sean Braisted replied, “Overton did not change its bell schedule during Ramadan. Students were provided accommodations, as needed, during prayer times so they could briefly leave class. Similar accommodations would be considered for students of other faiths based on individual needs and circumstances.”
The Banner story was updated soon after with a similar statement from MNPS on changes to the school’s bell schedule, emphasizing that the bell schedule was not changed for the whole school and that the “activities referenced … were student-led and voluntary.”
Overton is frequently cited as among the most diverse public schools in the state. Though bordering the wealthy and predominantly white suburb of Oak Hill and sitting just outside Crieve Hall, the student body is 48.4% Hispanic, 23.1% White, 20.5% Black, and 6.4% Asian.
The Overton Muslim Student Association, which has grown from 10 members to 70 members over the past two years, successfully negotiated with the administration for various accommodations during the annual holiday with help from a member of the school’s support staff and the American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC).
Late last year, the Banner published another story about the treatment of Muslims in Nashville schools, detailing the results of a report from the AMAC. In that story, they also detail how another Nashville charter school, Valor College Prep, accommodates Muslim students with a special bell that announces prayer times.
The AMAC report alleged that 46 percent of Muslim students in the state reported being bullied or harassed, double the national rate, and that 73 percent provide religious accommodations for them. AMAC makes template letters available on their website to request various accommodations.
One of these letters was sent to MNPS outlining a list of requested accommodations around dress code, prayer, and allowances during Ramadan which include excusing fasting students from strenuous physical activities, setting up separate lunch areas so they don't have to sit next to students eating, and asking teachers to incorporate Ramadan-themed books and activities into their classrooms for all students.
✹ TERRORISM IN AMERICA
Domestic Threats to Americans Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration declared its intent to counter domestic terrorism and organized political violence.
These efforts have been ongoing and recently bore some fruit, including major federal convictions and an upcoming international summit focused on countering the left-wing movement Antifa and other groups.
Join us to learn from an expert in the field on domestic threats to the American people, Kyle Shideler, and what the Trump administration's efforts mean for Nashville.
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
BLURBS
🚫 No Parking Here A story in WKRN details the struggles of East Nashville staple Cumberland Hardware and how parking changes in Five Points have negatively impacted their business. Owners John and Sheila Varallo have operated the business for 43 years, but told the news station the parking situation is "killing them." The Hardware store is across the street from another Nashville-staple going six feet under in June, Margot Cafe. DAVIS HUNT
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your councilmember, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 💧 Mayor Freddie O’Connell disappointed with council’s rejection water/sewer credit. “At a time when people are hurting from higher prices everywhere coupled with winter storm damage costs, this council couldn’t see fit to return $26 to every Nashvillian,” O’Connell said in a statement after Tuesday’s council meeting. “Metro has tightened its belt multiple times, and Water assured us they could, too. This is an incredibly disappointing outcome after a devastating weather event.” (WPLN)
- 🪪 English-only driver’s license bill delayed because of unknown costs. Legislation creating an English-only driver’s license in Tennessee is being delayed in the Senate until lawmakers can figure out the cost and decide whether to fund it. On Tuesday, the Senate finance committee opted to postpone consideration of Senate Bill 1889 until they adopt a budget, likely within the next two weeks. (Lookout)
- ⚖️ TN Senate advances bill penalizing TN judges who obstruct ICE. Lawmakers in the Tennessee Senate voted to advance a bill that could subject judges who obstruct federal immigration enforcement to discipline, including removal from office—does not define what obstruction by a judge could entail. (Lookout)
- 🌱 Tennessee House votes to ban kratom, bill now moves to Senate. State representatives voted Wednesday to approve legislation that would outlaw all forms of the substance, including a more potent derivative known as 7-OH. (Fox 17)
- 🔵 Youth-Focused Democratic PAC throws its weight behind TN-5's Chaz Molder. Future Forum PAC, a political action committee aimed at boosting young Democrats for congressional seats, has endorsed a pair of challengers taking on Republican incumbents in “key Democratic pickup seats” organizers believe can be flipped. This includes Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbus, Tennessee, running against Rep. Andy Ogles in the state’s 5th Congressional District. (NOTUS)
DEVELOPMENT
- Jim Reed's former Broadway dealership site is back on the market (NBJ)
- Sazerac Co. launchesl Tennessee whiskey operation in La Vergne (NBJ)
- Tervis acquires Nashville drinkware company (NBJ)
- Nashville Yards entertainment complex Hooky set for April 29 opening (Post)
- Contour flight to connect Nashville to Missouri city (Post)
- Update sought for east side site eyed for project (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎻 Guerrero Conducts Pétrouchka @ Schermerhown Symphony Center, 7:30p, $29+, Info
🥁 Live Jazz: Parker James, Paul Defiglia & Anson Hohne @ Vinyl Tap, 7p, Free, Info
🎸 Brad Stank @ The Blue Room, 7p, $26, Info
🪕 Po Ramblin' Boys @ Station Inn, 9p, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Open Mic @ Fox & Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.