Dr. Nikki Bullington | Principal

This year, our school-wide initiative is Committed to Kindness: You Belong Here. These three simple words represent the culture we are intentionally building every day. Throughout the school year, students and staff will participate in monthly themes centered around kindness and belonging, providing opportunities to learn, reflect, grow, and strengthen our school community. Our goal is for every student to feel seen, valued, included, accepted, connected, and safe. Kindness isn’t simply something we encourage—it is a commitment we make through our words, our actions, and the way we treat one another.

The focus on inclusion is especially meaningful to me because it is rooted in my own family’s journey. My son, Liam, is a child with autism, and he inspires me every single day. Watching the world through his eyes has strengthened my belief that every child deserves to be understood, accepted, and given every opportunity to succeed. He has fueled my passion for supporting families, advocating for students with diverse needs, and creating a school where every child feels welcomed, included, and valued. My hope is that every student who walks through our doors knows they belong exactly as they are and that they have adults who will believe in them, encourage them, and celebrate their successes.

This year, we are also excited to launch our Caught Being Kind initiative. Staff members will recognize students for their random acts of kindness by awarding kindness tickets throughout the school day. Students will have opportunities to redeem those tickets in our new Kindness Store, where they can shop for rewards while being recognized for making a positive difference in our school community. We hope this initiative encourages students to recognize that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.

Along with fostering a culture of belonging, we are excited to re-introduce an eight-period schedule that provides students with increased instructional support where it matters most. This new schedule allows every student to receive approximately 90 minutes of daily instruction in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, including opportunities for targeted intervention, remediation, or enrichment based on individual student needs. We believe this additional instructional time will strengthen academic achievement while ensuring every student receives the support and challenges needed to reach their full potential. We will also continue celebrating student accomplishments during our quarterly Community Days, recognizing the many ways our students demonstrate leadership, perseverance, growth, and kindness.

You’ll continue seeing me throughout the building with my mobile office, allowing me to spend more time in classrooms, hallways, and common areas connecting with students and staff. Building relationships remains one of the most important parts of my job, and I want every student to know they have a principal who is present, approachable, and invested in their success.

None of this would be possible without our outstanding teachers and support staff. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to students make Clarksville Middle School a truly special place.

As Generals, we have always taken pride in our traditions while continuing to grow and improve. This year, I invite every student, staff member, and family to join us in choosing kindness, embracing inclusion, and helping every member of our school community know without question:

You Belong Here.

I am excited for another incredible year of learning, growing, and celebrating together. Thank you for partnering with us as we work to make Clarksville Middle School a place where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to become the very best version of themselves.

Go Generals!

Warmly,

Dr. Nikki Bullington
Principal
Clarksville Middle School