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Letter from the Executive Director
As we close out 2023 and the first semester of school this year, I have reflected on the magnificent work our educators, students, and parents have completed throughout our community. I am so thankful for a community that is focused on advancing education. I hope all of you have a well-deserved break. Take time to relax and enjoy the season.
Happy Holidays!
Jeanne Baird Greer
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HCS Groundbreaking for New Central Office
and Tecnology Center
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On December 7, 2023, Huntsville City Schools hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its upcoming Central Office and Career Tech Facility.
The 40,000 sq. ft. Central Office will serve as the administrative center for Huntsville City Schools. It will feature a boardroom and dedicated offices for the Superintendent and HCS staff.
“By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, we are investing in the limitless potential of our students,” Dr. Clarence Sutton, HCS Superintendent said. “Our commitment to excellence is not just about constructing buildings, it’s about constructing opportunities, opening doors, and lighting the way for generations to come right here in Huntsville.
The 81,000 sq. ft. Career Tech Facility is designed to “elevate career technical education to new heights.” According to district officials, many of the district’s 20 CTE programs, which are currently housed at high schools across the district, will be relocated to the new building.
The building will have classrooms and specialized labs for: welding, precision machining, building construction, advanced manufacturing, culinary arts and cosmetology. The district is also planning to add new CTE classes such as automotive, industrial technology and advanced health sciences.
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HCS to Install Turf Fields | |
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Athletic facilities are set to receive major upgrades across Huntsville City Schools. The Huntsville City Board of Education approved an owner-architect agreement to convert the grass fields to artificial turf at baseball and softball stadiums at all five high school campuses across the district.
The $12 million project is expected to save on long-term costs by cutting down on current expenses in maintaining the grass fields. Additionally, the new turf fields will promote equitable facilities at all of the high schools.
"Converting to turf fields would certainly bring up the quality of baseball and softball fields throughout the district," said Ryan Renaud, HCS Board President and District 4 Representative. "The new fields will also give student athletes a competitive advantage by helping them acclimate to playing on turf surfaces, which are used at many collegiate stadiums across the country."
Construction on the fields is expected to begin in May 2024 following the bid process. The fields will be installed in two phases based on an assessment of current fields.
Phase 1 construction will include two high schools between May 2024 to January 2025. Construction on the remaining three facilities will occur during Phase 2, which is expected to take place between Spring 2025 to January 2026.
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MCS LAUDED FOR HANDLE WITH CARE
Madison City Schools - in partnership with the National Children's Advocacy Center and city first responders - is piloting a program that provides sensitivity-tailored care to students who may have experienced or been exposed to a traumatic event.
Handle With Care was first launched in West Virginia in 2013 and is now used in 40 states.
Madison City Schools and Madison 1st responders did a soft launch of HWC that has already yielded good results in schools that encounter students distressed by a traumatic experience or event.
The HWC program operates on a simple premise. When first responders like fire or police encounter a child during a potentially traumatic event or crisis, they notify the child's school with a confidential statement, Handle With Care.
This discreet notification lets educators know, without being given specific details, that the child may need additional support. By doing so, schools can create an environment attuned to the child's needs, offering appropriate resources and assistance. The goal of Handle with Care is to reduce disciplinary issues in schools while increasing student success and graduation rates.
"As educators, we know that traumatic experiences can impact student learning from lack of sleep, difficulty concentrating, changes in behavior or being unprepared for class," said Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols in a prepared statement. "Through the HWC initiative, schools are better able to address the needs of these students by offering extra care to help them succeed."
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New Hope High School Receives
Prestigious Award
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Promising Practices Professional Learning Community at Work
The faculty and staff at NHHS are happy to announce that New Hope High School has been recognized as a Promising Practices Professional Learning Community at Work School!
Promising Practices schools demonstrate a commitment to the PLC at Work process, implement the concepts for at least one or two years, present clear evidence of student learning and explain the culture, practices and structures of their school.
Teachers participating in the PLC process work in collaborative teams to answer the following questions:
- What do we want our students to learn?
- How will we know when students learn it?
- What do we do when students don’t learn it?
- What do we do when schools have learned it?
Earning the Promising Practices designation is the initial step in becoming a Model PLC at Work School.
| Mt. Carmel Elementary Accepts National Award | |
Principal Dr. Norton and Mt. Carmel Elementary administrators traveled to Washington D.C. to accept their National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education.
Being a National Blue Ribbon School acknowledges the hard work our students, teachers, staff, and administrators have put in to make Mt. Carmel the best school in Alabama,” stated Dr. Norden. “National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools nationwide."
“We are incredibly proud of the Mt. Carmel family. As district administrators, we challenge our schools to raise the bar in classroom education. This national recognition affirms our dedication to closing the achievement gap among our diverse student population,” said MCSS Superintendent Ken Kubik.
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School Pride with "Whiskers the Wildcat"
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Mt. Carmel Elementary, located in Huntsville, Alabama, believes strongly in nurturing students to be responsible, orderly, attentive and respectful! Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade learn through developmentally appropriate, whole-child practices. High performance on state assessments contributes to a state report card score of 94%. Teachers commit to using effective strategies and monitor student progress data regularly with the help of two instructional coaches and an interventionist.
This team provides grade-level interventions based on individualized needs in reading or math domains. At the center of learning is the library, which operates a flexible schedule. The Media Specialist promotes reading for pleasure and student ownership of learning using engaging programming designed to increase participation. Mt. Carmel maintains a peaceful outdoor classroom featuring multiple learning stations in the center courtyard.
Other campus-wide strengths include effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), fiscal responsibility, embedded instructional support for teachers, and high community engagement. Families speak highly of the staff, and community attendance is high at dances, festivals and other events. The Parent-Teacher Organization works closely with school administrators to plan meaningful, inclusive events that build school spirit and support the school financially. When faced with challenges, Mt. Carmel implements a team-approach to develop solutions.
Stakeholder surveys indicated a need to increase student engagement and leadership opportunities during and after school. The Community Advisory Group responded with high interest after-school clubs, such as theater and math, and the opportunity for students to lead morning announcements or serve as ambassadors.
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ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE
Alabama Literacy Act and Pathway to Promotion
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