The Schools Foundation Hosts Legislative Breakfast

This week The Schools Foundation hosted a breakfast for our local legislators. Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools, and Madison County Schools leaders attended this event to discuss current issues surrounding education. Our three school systems and our legislators work well together to promote quality education in our area. 

The Huntsville City Board of Education has approved a new virtual school for the 2024-25 school year.

Artemis Academy will offer students in grades K-12 the flexibility to engage in teaching and learning virtually while also providing students the ability to receive additional support in-person. 

“The purpose of Artemis Academy is to successfully meet the needs of the 2024 student,” said Emily Elam, HCS Chief Information Officer. “Whether a family frequently travels, a student plays travel sports, or a student thrives in a virtual setting, our goal is to provide families with freedom and flexibility as we strive to meet the needs of all students.”

Students in Artemis Academy will be able to participate in athletics, band, choir, and extracurricular offerings at the school they are zoned to attend. Each student will be assigned a highly qualified teacher. Students will be able to attend open office hours and schedule meeting times with teachers.

“Artemis Academy will be a full-fledged school,” Elam says. “It will have its own principal, counselor, library media specialists, and offer special education services as required. This is just like any other school, but it will be in a hybrid and flexible environment rather than a physical, traditional classroom.”

MCS "HONOR" WALL GROWS WITH NEW NBCT INDUCTEES

The newest NBCT teachers with their "stars" at the MCS Central Office (2/08/2024)

New stars are being added to the honor wall at the Madison City Schools Central Office. The stars represent the 11 MCS teachers who just became National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) and the 16 that attained their required renewal every five years.

The latest installment raises the number of National Board Certified Teachers to105 in Madison City Schools - among the highest in the state regardless of school district size.

Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols congratulated the new NBCTs, saying they represent the "best of the best" in Madison City Schools. He likened the group to the top-notch status of pilots in Top Gun. "You have truly soared where few people have gone," he said.

A National Board Certified Teacher is the greatest gift we can give to a student, to a classroom, to our community. More than a decade of research from across the country demonstrates the positive impact that National Board Certified teachers have on student achievement.

Dr. Heather Donaldson, Chief Academic Officer for Madison City Schools, said studies show that students taught by Board certified teachers gain an extra 1-2 months of learning each school year, with the positive impact even greater for low-income students.

The National Board Certification process propels teachers to move through rigorous professional analysis, reflection, and intentionality with regard to their instructional practices.

Did you know that The Schools Foundation supports the National Board Certified Teacher process through the initiative Raise Your Hand? Raise Your Hand is a bold initiative to add 500 new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) to Huntsville City, Madison City and Madison County school systems. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.

HUDSONALPHA'S L.A.B.S. Program

EXCITING NEWS for Madison County! These amazing MCSS students wrapped up their first semester of LABS and proudly received their stylish lab coats! LABS, short for Launching Aspiring Biotechnology Scientists, is HudsonAlpha's fantastic after-school program that equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to stride confidently into the future of STEM-based careers.

L.A.B.S. is designed to equip rising 9-12th grade students with the basic skills and knowledge that are essential to take advantage of future STEM opportunities. You can find additional information, including the application, on the HudsonAlpha website. Students selected to participate will meet and work in the educational labs at HudsonAlpha weekly after school, completing this presiding program with 80+ contact hours in the lab. Meals and snacks are provided.

This incredible program empowers students to work independently in HudsonAlpha's state-of-the-art facilities, setting the stage for them to seize exciting laboratory opportunities down the road. Let's celebrate the achievements of these budding biotechnologists and #ThePowerOfUs shaping tomorrow's workforce! 

The Schools Foundation |theschoolsfoundation.org