I recently had the honor of participating in the Principal for a Day program at Glenview Elementary School. Glenview serves more than 600 students in kindergarten through 5th grade. The school boasts a diverse population of students and is a staple of the Miro Meadows/Patricia Heights neighborhood. This unique initiative, organized by Metro Nashville Public Schools, allows community leaders to experience a day in the life of a school principal. It’s an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of running a school while fostering connections between our schools and the broader community.

As Principal for a Day, I had the privilege of walking alongside Glenview Elementary’s dedicated staff and witnessing the incredible work that goes into creating a thriving learning environment. From observing classroom activities to engaging with students and teachers, it was clear how much effort and care go into every aspect of the school day. Teachers were using innovative techniques to keep students engaged, and it was inspiring to see the kids collaborating, problem-solving, and showing excitement for learning.

Beyond the classrooms, I also had a glimpse into the complexities of school leadership. Principals wear many hats, balancing administrative duties, resource management, and community engagement—all while fostering a welcoming and safe space for students to grow. It’s a challenging job, but one that’s critical to the success of our public education system.

This experience reinforced for me the importance of supporting our schools, educators, and students. It also highlighted how essential community involvement is in helping our schools thrive. Programs like Principal for a Day remind us that we all have a role to play in shaping the future of our children and our community.

There are several ways you can support our neighborhood school including donating snacks for after-school programs, providing holiday gift baskets for school families, providing transportation for students receiving after-school assistance through Catholic Charities, sponsoring the school's diaper donation program, and more. If you are in a position to donate gifts of time, energy, or funds, please reach out to Glenview directly at shunta.parrish@mnps.org

Thank you to Principal McGill, the staff, and the students at Glenview Elementary for your warm welcome and for giving me a firsthand look at the incredible work you do every day. It was a privilege to walk in your shoes, even for a day!

Recently Russ has been getting calls and emails about a halfway house popping up in the community. He wanted to provide some information about these types of homes.

The term "halfway house" originally referred specifically to re-entry homes for individuals leaving incarceration, serving as a transitional space between prison and society. These homes were designed to help ex-felons reintegrate gradually into their communities. Over time, the term has expanded to include various types of shared housing facilities, primarily for people facing similar challenges. Many residents may be transitioning out of drug or alcohol treatment, experiencing homelessness, or unable to afford their apartments. Today, "halfway houses" serve as an umbrella term for affordable shared housing.

Group homes, including halfway houses, can be a contentious issue, particularly for homeowners in more affluent neighborhoods or those within homeowner associations. These residents often worry about the potential negative impact of new neighbors who may be residents of these facilities. Concerns such as the fear of individuals congregating in front yards or participating in undesirable behaviors, like smoking, fuel the anxiety that these homes could devalue properties or attract undesirable elements to the neighborhood.

This resistance has led to the rise of the term "NIMBY" — "Not In My Backyard" — reflecting the reluctance of some communities to accept group homes. However, research indicates that these concerns are often based on misconceptions. Studies show that properties near halfway houses, including those that provide housing for individuals with criminal backgrounds or those recovering from addiction, do not negatively impact property values. Property values have continued to rise in areas near these facilities. A study by George Washington University found that crimes are more likely to occur in areas like shopping centers than in halfway houses. The need for a balance between addiction or criminal history and full reintegration into society is clear.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing, ensuring that individuals cannot be denied housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. Drug and alcohol addiction is recognized as a disability under the Act, as it substantially limits one or more major life activities. Most importantly, any attempt to prevent specific groups of people from living in certain neighborhoods violates the Federal Fair Housing Act. Under state law, group homes are generally limited to eight residents and three caregivers, and they are regulated by the State Department of Health.

Providing affordable housing is a responsibility of every community, though government efforts often fall short. In these cases, private and nonprofit organizations step in to meet the need. Halfwayhouses play a crucial role in this, offering a necessary service at a time when economic challenges and public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the demand for affordable housing. Whether someone is recovering from addiction, re-entering society after incarceration, or facing financial hardship, halfway houses serve as a lifeline to many in need.

If you receive a letter from Metro Water, you may want to pay closer attention. That letter might be telling you your water lines contain lead.

In compliance with new lead and copper rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Metro Water began sending out letters Friday, according to a statement from the department.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of lead exposure. The primary source of lead in drinking water is pipes, which increases the risk to the health of children and adults.

"Regulatory compliance and the health of our customers is the highest priority for Metro Water Services and the quality and safety of Nashville’s drinking water has not changed," the department said. "In response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, MWS has taken multiple actions to better protect communities from lead in drinking water and improve communication."

Customers with lines containing lead, unknown materials, or galvanized and marked for replacement will get a notice in the mail, the department said.

The letter includes information regarding the risks, sources, and health effects of lead exposure, as well as ways to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.

If you received one of these letters and have questions, don't hesitate to contact Metro Water or me at russ.bradford@nashville.gov.

• RS2024-873: A resolution urging the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure to increase traffic enforcement.

• BL2024-584: An ordinance establishing a program for the purpose of providing assistance to low-income elderly residents of the Metropolitan Government for Fiscal Year 2025.
• BL2024-592: An ordinance authorizing The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to abandon existing public water mains, fire hydrant assemblies and easements, and to accept new public water mains, fire hydrant assemblies and easements, for property located at 1 Terminal Drive, also known as BNA - HCA and SFA Hangars (MWS Project No. 24-WL-32 and Proposal No. 2024M-117ES-001).

• 11.19 - Metro Council meeting, 6 PM, Historic Metro Courthouse
• 11.28 - Thanksgiving Holiday, Metro Offices Closed
• 12.3   - Metro Council Meeting, 6 PM, Historic Metro Courthouse