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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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More students taking AP exams
Our high schools students have been busy recently taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams. This is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their mastery of various AP courses offered in our high schools. Such courses may range from environmental science to government to literature. While all of our high schools offer a number of AP courses, five schools are a part of the A+ College Ready program that provides additional support and incentives to students and staff in support of the AP course offerings and the passing of AP exams. Students receiving scores of 3 or better on a five-point scale receive college credit for those courses. Over the past three years, BCS has increased the number of test takers from 200 to more than 700. Moreover, BCS contributed to the statewide increased of AP test takers that earned Alabama national recognition in 2011. Our goal locally is to continue this growth in students and course offerings, while increasing the number of qualifying scores. To that end, we have implemented the "Laying The Foundation" program that helps our teachers and staff increase the rigor in the core curriculum at the middle school level, so that students are prepared for the rigors of AP classes in high school. We appreciate the commitment by our students and staff, as well as the partnerships of A+ College Ready and the Birmingham Education Foundation, as we all work together to ensure our students are indeed globally competitive as they enter the world college and career ready. Sincerely,
Craig Witherspoon Superintendent Birmingham City Schools |
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Dropout Recovery Program holds graduation
100 students receive their diplomas A big cheer went up in the Boutwell Exhibition Hall about 11 a.m. May 17. The clapping and congratulations occurred as Superintendent Craig Witherspoon pronounced the 100 black-gowned young people who had completed the Dropout Recovery Program high school graduates. All 100 graduates -- ages 17 to 21 -- had left school for one reason or another. When they learned of the Dropout Recovery Program, they decided to enroll. They attended school at three churches across the community and, through computer-based program, earned the credits they needed to complete high school. "We love you. We have nurtured you. We have taught you. We have consoled you," said Dr. Maxine Pijeaux, the program's director. She said the program staff has done everything from providing bus tokens and giving students rides to giving them clothing and meals so they could continue in the program. "The tassel is worth the hassle," said Rev. R. Paul Hollman, guest speaker at the ceremony, referring to the tassels on the graduates' caps. "Your tassel hasn't been given to you, You have earned it." |
High school graduations set May 23-25
All ceremonies will be held at Fair Park Arena
All seven high schools in the Birmingham City School System will have their 2012 graduation ceremonies at Fair Park Arena Wednesday, May 23, to Friday, May 25.
The schedule is: - Ramsay High School -- 3 p.m. May 23
- Parker High School -- 5 p.m. May 23
- Jackson-Olin High School -- 7 p.m. May 23
- Carver High School -- 3 p.m. May 24
- Huffman High School -- 3 p.m. May 25
- Wenonah High School -- 5 p.m. May 25
- Woodlawn High School -- 7 p.m. May 25
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Schools name valedictorians and salutatorians
List includes set of twins
Four years of hard work are coming to an end for all high school seniors in the Birmingham City Schools, but 15 of them are receiving special accolades as valedictorians and salutatorians. The list for the class of 2012 includes a set of twins who took the two tops spots at Ramsay High School.
The valedictorians and salutatorians for 2012 are:
- Carver High School -- Catherine Underwood, valedictorian, and Salome Smith, salutatorian
- Huffman High School -- James Deese, valedictorian, and Akira Miller, salutatorian
- Jackson-Olin High School -- Whitney Armstead, valedictorian, and Beau Hankins, salutatorian
- Parker High School -- Eddie Jackson, valedictorian, and Jasmyne Powell, salutatorian
- Ramsay High School -- Mark Elliott Ballard, valedictorian, and Martha Elaine Ballard, salutatorian
- Wenonah High School -- Naomi Wallace, valedictorian, and Kia Jenkins, salutatorian
- Woodlawn High School -- Lauren Parker, valedictorian, and Deonica Diltz and Aaron Dixon, salutatorians
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Post office posts career day photos
North Birmingham and Gibson events featured The U.S. Postal Service Alabama District has posted a gallery of photos from career days at North Birmingham and Gibson elementary schools. Click here to view the photos. You will need to scroll down on the page to find them.
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Huffman High concert on cable
Event available on demand
Fans of music -- particularly of the Huffman High School choir -- can watch the group's spring concert on Bright House Cable.
Choral Director Chipper James says the cable network recorded the May 8 concert to air later. It is now available on demand on channel 1040. |
Students win poster contest
Birmingham Pledge winners get cash prizes Students from three schools in the Birmingham City School System won prizes in the recent 2012 Birmingham Pledge Poster Contest. A team of five students at Daniel Payne Middle School -- Oreon Johnson, Jemarcus Pullins, Virgil Sears, Cameron Carter and Bria Browning -- won first place and a $250 prize. Teacher Lucenia McElroy received $250 for her classroom. Phillips Academy student Chynna Gordon came in second and received $150. Teacher Christopher McClendon won $150 for his classroom. Smith Middle School students Timese Cobb, Ashlyn Perry and Kierra Hutchins won the $100 third-place award. The $100 classroom award went to their teacher, Marshae Black. Honorable mentions went to Jakyn Charley, W.J. Christian K-8 School, teacher Deborah Cammack; Na'Trice Trimble, Marquittia Bimbo, Tre Lamar, Shaunteria Gilber and Destiny Terrell, Daniel Payne, teacher Lucenia McElroy, and Paris Henderson, Putnam Middle School, teacher Shannon Weaver.
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Jackson-Olin senior gets scholarships from Phi Delta Kappa
Local chapter and international group give awards
Tonisha Gallimore, a senior at Jackson-Olin High School, got some good news recently from Phi Delta Kappa, the professional association for educators.
She has received a $500 scholarship from Birmingham Chapter #1317 and a the J. Arnold Webb Scholarship of $550 from Phi Delta Kappa International.
Jinger Cartwright is the chapter scholarship chairperson,. Dr. Larry Contri is the chapter advisor.
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Coming events
The Birmingham Board of Education will have a regularly scheduled meeting at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place. |
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