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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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First day of school is important
As you know, a new school year is upon us. Classes begin next Monday, Aug. 20, and I want to urge parents to have their children in class on the first day. It is important that students be in school each and every day. Teaching and learning will begin Monday, and students who begin class later will already be behind their classmates. Having your children in school can also help their schools get or retain teachers. We have only a limited time to determine staffing needs at schools, and we cannot count students who aren't there. The state also uses attendance as a factor in determining whether a school has met its adequate yearly progress goals, or AYP. So there are several reasons why we need every child to be Ready Day One. I am asking parents to make sure your children are prepared for school Monday morning. Make sure they go to bed in time to get enough rest and are in class on time. We are looking forward to another great school year. We appreciate your support of Birmingham City Schools. Sincerely, Craig Witherspoon Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools |
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District makes adequate yearly progress
66 percent of schools meet all goals
As a district, Birmingham City Schools made adequate yearly progress (AYP) for the 2011-2012 school year.
Data released by the Alabama State Department of Education recently shows that 66 percent of schools, or 33 of 50 schools, met all of their AYP goals under the federal No Child Left Behind law.
"We are excited that the district is meeting the goals set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education," said Superintendent Craig Witherspoon. "We acknowledge there is still work to be done. However, a lot of hard work has already been put into the district's academic program."
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Board approves buying facility to consolidate operations
Departments in six facilities will move
The Birmingham Board of Education approved items on the agenda for its Aug. 14 meeting, including authorizing Superintendent Craig Witherspoon to negotiate to purchase a former Wells Fargo bank operations center at 6431 First Ave. North for $650,000. The board also agreed to spend $1.55 million to renovate it and purchase adjacent property.
The district will use state capital improvement bond funds for the purchase and renovations. The building will be used to consolidate departments that are located at six facilities across the city - the service center, transportation center, Southeast Lake Building, Dupuy Building, Green Acres Annex and Powell Annex. Witherspoon said that will save the district more than $300,000 in utilities alone the first year. Click here to read more. |
103 students earn diplomas
Summer commencement held
It may be summer, but many youths have been busy working on academics. A good example is the 103 who earned their high school diplomas this summer.
Summer graduation was held Aug. 16 at the Sportsplex.
Some completed their required credits in summer school, while others passed the Alabama High School Graduation Exam when it was administered in July. But the majority -- 57 -- are Dropout Recovery Program participants. |
Parent workshop scheduled Aug. 30
"All the things you need to know about Birmingham City Schools"
The Family Involvement Program will have its first parent workshop of the 2012-2013 school year Thursday, Aug. 30. Entitled "All the things you need to know about Birmingham City Schools," the workshop is set for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Davis Center, 417 29th St. South. A continental breakfast will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Parents will get information on a wide variety of programs and departments, including child nutrition, child health, curriculum, career academies, federal programs, special education, student support services, career-technical program and attendance. For information, call Mechelle Rice-Fields, 231-7965. |
Coming events
The Birmingham Board of Education will have a work session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place. |
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