As the school year winds down, parents need to know about two major changes to the Code of Student Conduct that are being considered by the Birmingham Board of Education.

The board had first reading of the changes at the May 22 meeting and is expected to vote on them at the June 12 meeting.

If the board approves, all students will have more color options, and most restrictions on footwear will be removed. Students in all grades would be allowed to wear black, khaki or navy blue bottoms and shirts that are white, any shade of blue, black or khaki. Students would be able to wear "appropriate" footwear that would include boots but not open-toe shoes, steel-toed boots, shoes with lights and sneakers with wheels built into the soles.

Click here to view a draft of the proposed uniform policy.

The other major change would be a change in the policy on electronic devices, including cell phones, which are now against the rules. Students would be allowed to possess cell phones, MP3 players and other electronic items but would be required to have them turned off and keep them out of sight during the school day.

Click here to view a draft of the proposed electronic device policy.

The Birmingham Board of Education will have a special called meeting at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 29,  in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place. 

The agenda will include policy revisions, a presentation by the Alabama State Department of Education team led by Dr. Ed Richardson and personnel items.

The Birmingham Board of Education approved all items on the agenda for its May 22 meeting, including  purchase of classroom libraries.

Click here to read more. 

Jackson-Olin High School opened as Western-Olin High School in 1952 with Amos "Flash" Gordon as its band director. Gordon held the position until 1977. Donald Crawford directed the band from 1977 until 2011.

A new permanent band director has not yet been named, which means Gordon and Crawford are the only two people to have that title in the school's 60-year history.

Future generations of JO students will know about the two because school district officials dedicated the school auditorium in their honor May 25. The Gordon-Crawford Auditorium got its new name at a ceremony in which Crawford participated. The late Gordon's son was in attendance.

Students, faculty, administrators, band members, alumni, civic leaders and music legends  participated.  

Donald Crawford helps unveil the new name of the Jackson-Olin auditorium

Wenonah High School art student Kendra Taylor has been selected to work with the Sloss Furnaces Youth Apprenticeship program this summer. She was chosen from 25 applicants for the summer job.

The selection process for the program is based on evaluation of application, portfolio, work performance during an iron casting workshop and an interview.

During the summer apprenticeship, Kendra will learn the process of casting from professional artist. Kendra looks forward to learning a new way of expressing her artistic talent through forging, welding and casting. The opportunities she will gain from the apprenticeship include individual growth artistically, increased work ethic, ability to work with others and learning to follow precise directions from her instructors.

The internship is a paid position that will being June 4 and last eight weeks.