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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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Budget reflects new focus
We have been busy the last several months preparing the budget for the 2013 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The process is now complete, and it is time for budget hearings.
The hearings are set for 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place.
This budget takes into account Phase 1 of the implementation of the Financial Recovery Plan. In this plan, an effort was made to align the district personnel resources away from central office and into schools. In addition, the plan is designed to ensure that personnel resources are more in line with similar districts. As a result, we will be able to improve our financial standing and be in a better position to address instructional areas of focus.
Our strategic plan focuses on instructional programming and improved student outcomes. Those efforts include career academies, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and pre-K classrooms.
Other efforts include increasing the number of qualifying scores for student taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes, improving the district's average ACT score, continued increases in the instructional rigor K-12 and student achievement at all of our schools. We will accomplish these goals through our Professional Learning Community (PLC) district-wide processes with a budget designed and aligned to make this happen.
Effectiveness and efficiencies will help us achieve these goals within our financial boundaries. That requires changes in priorities and direction. Our students will benefit from our efforts.
On behalf of the students of Birmingham City Schools, we appreciate the support of all stakeholders in this process.
Sincerely,
Craig Witherspoon Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools |
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Students win millions of dollars in scholarships
Awards offered on the spot at college fair
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Seniors talk to a college representative at the Birmingham College Scholarship and Career Fair |
Seniors from all seven high schools in the Birmingham City School boarded buses to Boutwell Auditorium Sept. 19. Many of them returned to school with much more than they had when they left -- scholarship offers from colleges and universities participating in the Birmingham College Scholarship and Career Fair. Approximately $37 million worth of scholarship offers were awarded to students on the spot. Because students from several schools outside of BCS also participated, there is no count of how many of those scholarships went to BCS students. Seniors took copies of their transcripts, ACT/SAT scores and letters of recommendation with them to the fair. College representatives reviewed the information, admitted students and offered them scholarships. A number of students were offered scholarships that will pay all of their expenses for four years. Some received multiple offers or smaller amounts. Students also were able to visit booths where they could get information on careers in crafts, trades and the military. |
NBA and BBVA Compass spruce up Center Street
Work included painting, landscaping, computer lab
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NBA legend Felipe Lopez, right, helps label books donated by the NBA |
All but a handful of students at Center Street Middle School went on a field trip the afternoon of Sept. 19. The few who remained on campus put on special blue T-shirts provided by NBA Cares and BBVA Compass,
That is because NBA and BBVA Compass had teamed up for a Team. Works. In Schools project to spruce up the school. Some 200 bank employees were joined by several NBA legends in the effort, which included painting walls and murals, landscaping, refurbishing the teachers' lounge and work room and creation of a computer lab, cyber cafe and reading nook.
The NBA also donated books for the Center Street library, and volunteers were busy labeling the books so they could be shelved.
Hallways were full of volunteers painting murals and paw prints on walls and building furniture for the computer lab and teachers' lounge. Outside, new trees, bushes and other plants were being planted on the front lawn.
"It's exciting to see the tangible impact of this initiative in schools ... because, when we make a difference in a school, we make a difference in the lives of its students," said Alan Register, president of BBVA Compass Birmingham. "Teaming up with the NBA on this initiative underscores our shared commitment to education and the importance of teamwork every day -- whether in school, at the office or on the court."
"We are grateful to the volunteers for investing in Center Street Middle School and the Titusville community," said Superintendent Craig Witherspoon. "Through the NBA Cares program and BBVA Compass' joint initiative, it's clear that the spirit of community is alive and well. Our students, faculty and community will benefit for many years to come."
NBA legends Felipe Lopez, Otis Birdsong and Muggsy Bogues, as well as WNBA legend Chamique Holdsclaw, participated.
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Schools prepare for robotics competition
BEST is set for Oct. 6 at UAB  | | Members of the Carver Rambots brainstorm while preparing for the BEST robotics competition |
Visit any high school in the Birmingham City School System between now and early October, and chances are you will find students preparing for a robotics competition -- the Blazer BEST even set for Saturday, Oct. 6, at Bartow Arena.
All seven high schools and Phillips Academy were given the necessary materials and a corporate volunteer from Alabama Power Co. Each school has a team and faculty sponsores who are busy getting ready for the event.
At Carver High School, for example, sponsors Marjorie Hyatt and Maia Lake are working with the 40-member Carver Rambots, a team of students from all grade levels.
Students not only have to build a robot for the competition but also design a team T-shirt and prepare for other side events.
"We definitely want to invite everyone to come out ... to cheer on the Carver Rambots or their favorite team," Dr. Hyatt said. "It's an exciting day of not only robots competing, but there are also student displays, games, school bands and so forth."
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Glen Iris partnering with Jones Valley Urban Farm
Students will run weekly farmers' market
First Lady Michelle Obama has brought a lot of attention to the need to teach children about healthy eating -- and growing healthy things to eat. Students at Glen Iris Elementary School will be getting a lot of experience in those areas, thanks to the school's new outdoor classroom and gardens and a partnership between Glen Iris and Jones Valley Teaching Farm and PNC Bank.
The farm will be working with the school on several projects that integrate the outdoor classroom into the curriculum. "We are approaching this from the health and environment viewpoint with fresh food and how to grow it and prepare it for meals,"said Principal Michael Wilson. "We will be working with our students, parents and community." Perhaps the most visible element will be a farmer's market, which will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 25. Fifth-graders will learn math and science skills while while developing a sense of finance as they form a business plan, marketing plan and profit\loss plan for the farmers' market, which they will run. Jones Valley Teaching Farm is providing the produce for the market, which will include items grown in the school gardens later. |
Coming events
The Birmingham Board of Education will have budget hearings at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place.
The Birmingham Board of Education will have a work session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place. A special called meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. |
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