Eating bugs may not be very tasty, but if it makes kids laugh and reach a goal that helps the community - - it is well worth it.

Rutherford County School Resource Officer Chad Dodson and Lascassas Elementary School Principal Randall Uptain (above video), both ate bugs during a school assembly this past Wednesday. Evidently, the bug eating took place because because the duo promised the students that they'd eat the little critters in front of them, if they were able to collect at least 10,000 canned food items for those in need.

The students, faculty and staff cashed in on their promise and the canned food was donated to local non-profit Greenhouse Ministries.

Scroll down for more on Principal Uptain, who took the reins at Lascassas earlier this year...

 

 

More on Lascassas Principal Randall Uptain

Earlier this year in July, Director of Schools Bill Spurlock named Uptain the new principal of Lascassas Elementary School. Uptain succeeds Kim Marable, who recently took a position as the district’s new accountability and assessment specialist.

He previously worked as an assistant principal splitting his days between Smyrna and Lascassas elementary schools from July 2016 to June 2018 before spending the past three school years as an assistant principal at Rockvale Elementary.

His administrative experience, especially his familiarity with Lascassas, gave him an edge for the position.

Scroll down for more...

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“We were fortunate to have two superb finalists for the Lascassas principal position,” county school director Bill Spurlock said. “Mr. Uptain’s previous experience at the school and his performance as an assistant principal at Rockvale Elementary School make him the ideal person for the job. He knows and understands the community and the high standards the parents have for their children’s education.”

Having been at Lascassas Elementary under former principal Tamera Blair, approximately 50 percent of the staff are the same from when Uptain was last there three years ago.

Uptain's first plan at the start of the school year in August was to build and foster relationships.

“That’s my number one priority,” Uptain said, “the relationships with the school, the community, foster close relationships with the Central Office and earn their trust and let them know I’m there to stay and I’m there for that community.”

Lascassas is a school with a proven record of high achievements.

“There should be high expectations at all of our schools,” Uptain concluded, “so, yes, there is a pressure to continue to have high achieving students and to continue to grow those students and help them meet their highest potentials.”