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BCS News & Notes
A newsletter for parents, students, staff and community |
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P.O. Box 10007
Birmingham, Alabama 35202
(205) 231-4610
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Academy planning progressing
We are coming to the end of a year of planning for the career academies being developed in six of our high schools.
Each school has developed detailed plans and strategies to address the areas of academy development, advisory boards, curriculum and instruction and work-based learning.
Students have another couple of weeks to make application to the academies, and cohorts should be established by the end of the month. Those groups will remain together for the remainder of their high school years, taking classes in the career areas of engineering, hospitality and tourism, architecture and construction design, urban education, health science and business and finance.
We are working closely with the National Academy Foundation to ensure that we have completed all the steps necessary to successfully launch the academies in August. Next week, administrators, school personnel and selected community representatives will take part in a series of meetings with NAF to make sure the academies will be ready to launch next school year.
This summer, teams from each school will attend professional development and a "graduation" ceremony for the career academies with NAF in Washington, D.C.
At the same time, the high schools have begun planning additional academies to come on line in 2013. This may include duplicating some of the existing academies that are in other schools. In addition, an Academy of Law and Justice is being considered for Wenonah High School for 2013.
I appreciate tremendous about of work that has been done by the school design teams, advisory committees and our staff. We are confident our students will benefit by participating in programs that will prepare them for the world of college and careers in this community and beyond.
Sincerely,
Craig Witherspoon Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools |
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Superintendent schedules community update meetings
Sessions set May 7, 14 and 15
Superintendent Craig Witherspoon has scheduled three community update meetings to inform stakeholders about programs, plans and progress being made in the Birmingham City Schools. Topics of discussion will include career academies, the International Baccalaureate program, professional learning communities and the capital improvement plan.
The meeting schedule is:
- 6 p.m. Monday, May 7, at the Birmingham Crossplex, 2331 Bessemer Road. Mayor William Bell will participate.
- 6 p.m. Monday, May 14, at the Davis Center, 417 29th St. South
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Don Hawkins Recreation Center, 8920 Roebuck Blvd.
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Glen Iris principal hits the roof to raise money
Michael Wilson asks for donations for outdoor classroom
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Michael Wilson arrives on the Glen Iris roof |
Dr. Michael Wilson, principal of Glen Iris Elementary School has been slimed, pied and dunked in recent years to motivate his students to read thousands of books. This weekend, though, he's trying to motivate parents and the community to support his school's efforts to build an outdoor classroom and garden.
Wilson held a press conference at 1 p.m. Friday, May 4, and then climbed a ladder onto the roof of the school as the student body cheered. He plans to remain there until 5 p.m. Saturday, May 5.
People can visit Glen Iris and make donations, not only to the outdoor classroom project but to the food banks and clothes closets at Southside Baptist Church and Greater Birmingham Ministries.
Saturday will feature a variety of other events, including a farmers market, garage sale, food vendors and blow up slide for children.
Wilson planned to sleep in a chair under a tent on the roof. He said he had everything he needed, including food, water and a fan.
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Vote to help Epic Elementary win $50,000
Contest winner will get $50,000 beautification award
Epic Elementary School is one of 14 schools in Alabama and many more across the nation vying for votes in a contest sponsored by Rack Room Shoes. The entry rules required the participant to upload a photo of the school being nominated, along with a description of some of the things that might be accomplished with the $50,000 prize. Parent volunteer Mattie Rogers nominated Epic. The public can vote through Monday, May 7. To vote, click here.
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W.J. Christian chess team wins championship
School also has top individual player
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The W.J. Christian chess team with its trophy and coach |
Some might say W.J.Christian K-8 School is developing a chess dynasty.
The school's chess team, which is coached by Charles A. Smith of Magic City Chess U, has won the Alabma State Scholastic Junior High Chess Championship. The team -- LeeAngelo Groves, Gerardo Soto, Will Bruner and Donnie Teague -- went undefeated to claim the title at the Alabama State Scholastic Team and Individual Chess Championship event last weekend in Bessemer.
This is the second consecutive year that Christian has captured the state title.
LeeAngelo Groves also was recognized as the top chess player in the state in the junior high division. This is the fourth year in a row that a Christian student has captured that title.
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Martha Gaskins students read bullying books
Police sergeant adds perspective
Alicica Washington's reading classes at Martha Gaskins Middle School read the Bluford Series
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A Martha Gaskins student with his bullying project |
Books: "The Bully" and "Payback" by Paul Langan. Then they engaged in designing anti-bullying posters, creating models and writing essays and poetry. In addition, Sgt. John Tanks from the Birmingham Police Department was guest speaker as he discussed bullying and the importance of staying in school. The purpose of the visit was to give students exposure to the significance behind bullying and how an official from the local police department interprets the logistics of harassment and its relation to the criminal system. Overall, students were captivated by the presentation and understood that they should have a moral obligation to be successful. Sgt. Tanks was informative, inspirational and right in tune with what students needed to hear in order to set their goals and aspirations in the proper perspective. |
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Students win "Words on the Wind" essay contest
Essays focus on the power of tornadoes
Everyone who was in Alabama on April 27, 2011, remembers the horrible tornadoes that roared across the state. Those in Birmingham remember the destruction of areas of Pratt City.
Students in the Birmingham City Schools were given a chance to write about the power of tornadoes in the "Words on the Wind" essay contest. The winners were honored at a ceremony on the anniversary of the storms.
Winners included:
- Grades 3-5 -- NiKyria Guinn, South Hampton, first place; J'Eron A. Pruitt, South Hampton, second place, and LaJarvis Kimble, South Hampton, third place
- Middle school -- Alondria Daniels, Daniel Payne, first place; Andrea Washington, Daniel Payne, second place, and Morgan Moss and Roderick Williams, Daniel Payne, third place
- High school -- Alexia Terrell, Ramsay, first place; Naomi Wallace, Wenonah, second place; and Undrea N. Rice, Wenonah, and Kayln McMillan, Jackson-Olin, third place
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W.J. Christian student wins regional oratorical contest
Jarian Lee bests juniors, seniors from three states
 Just call Jarian Lee an orator extraordinaire.
The seventh-grader at W.J. Christian won the Optimist Club State and Regional Oratorical Competition held April 28 in Starkville, Miss. It would be commendable if Jarian had beaten other middle school students from across Alabama. But that's not the case. He actually defeated high school juniors and seniors from Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. |
Coming events
The Birmingham Board of Education's Ad Hoc Committee on District Growth and Student Population Stabilization will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, May 7, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place.
The Birmingham Board of Education's Ad Hoc Committee on District Growth and Student Population Stabilization will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, May 7, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place.
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