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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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Save the date for district-wide open house
There are great things going on across the Birmingham City School System -- in elementary, middle, K-8 and high schools, in neighborhood schools and magnet programs, literally everywhere you go.
We want our stakeholders to know about them, and that is why we are planning the third annual district-wide open house as part of American Education Week celebrations next month. Mark you calendar for Wednesday, Nov. 14, and plan to visit one or more of our schools. I believe you will like what you see.
We have wonderful teachers and bright, capable students in all of our schools. Teaching and learning occur in all of them every day, and you will see that.
For the first two open houses, we asked schools just to welcome visitors but not plan anything special for the day. This year, we are doing it a little different. We are asking schools to have special events and activities that showcase their schools, teachers and students.
The activity can be anything from an interesting science experience to a student performance. One of our newer schools is even planning a dedication ceremony for that day. More details will be forthcoming closer to the event.
We hope you come out to support our schools and learn more about them Nov. 14.
Sincerely,
Craig Witherspoon Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools |
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Wenonah inducts students in academy
Program includes demonstration, tour of Sheraton
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Chef Clayton Sherrod demonstrates cooking for students in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism |
Wenonah High School is one of six high schools in the Birmingham City School System that opened career academies this school year. The Wenonah Academy of Hospitality and Tourism held an induction program for the approximately 45 sophomores Oct. 10 at the Birmingham Sheraton. The program included demonstrations by Chef Clayton Sherrod of Chef Clayton's Catering, Chef George Sarris of The Fish Market, Tara Walton of the Birmingham Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hank Ponder of Artistic Concepts. Students also were given a tour of the Sheraton. |
School will be in session Friday, Oct. 19
Teacher work day is Friday, Oct. 26
The parent planner provided by the Family Involvement Program contains an error that says Friday, Oct. 19, is a professional development day with no students. That is not the case. School will be in session Oct. 19.
However, a teacher work day is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26. There will be no school for students that day. |
Board approves items on Oct. 9 agenda
Naming Tuggle project, planning for redistricting included
The Birmingham Board of Education approved items on its Oct. 9 agenda,including naming the new school that will house the consolidated Tuggle and Hill elementary schools Carrie A. Tuggle Elementary School and contracts with companies that will help the administration plan for redistricting of school zones.
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Carver Rambots win robotics award
Team competes in Blazer BEST event
The Carver High School 44-member robotics team, known as the Rambots, worked hard for six weeks preparing for the Oct. 6 Blazer BEST robotics competition at Bartow Arena. The Rambots didn't come home as the overall winners, but they did win the "Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape" award for their efforts. "You would be amazed to see what they start with to end up with a robot capable of not only picking things up, but also climbing a 10-foot pole," said Dr. Marjorie Hyatt, one of the faculty sponsors. The Rambots were featured in an article in Weld for Birmingham. Click here to read the story. |
| Library sponsors Halloween events
Ghouls' Ball for teens promises fun
The Birmingham Public Library is ready to scare up some Halloween fun this month with decorated pumpkins, costume contests and more.
Back for another year will be the Ghouls' Ball, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at the downtown Birmingham library, 2100 Park Place.
The event, which is for ages 13 to 18, will include music, dancing, food, treats, balloon sculptures, animals, a photo booth, free books and Wii tournaments.
The event is free. However, tickets are required and must be picked up in advance at the downtown library and branches.Call 226-3655 for more information.
To read about other events, click here.
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Transportation Department gets award
Inspections revealed few issues
The Birmingham City Schools Transportation Department recently received a certificate from the Alabama State Department of Education Pupil Transportation Section for having a level of less than 10 percent major deficiencies during bus inspections in 2011.
The certificates are awarded annually to school systems with exemplary school bus inspections and to recognize the school system employees who work diligently to achieve this level of performance.
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Boys' Breakfast Club meets at Ossie Ware Mitchell
Cedric Sparks provides words of wisdom
 | | Cedric Sparks Sr. speaks to members of the Boys' Breakfast Club at Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School |
Boys at Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School had a good reason to get to school early Oct. 11. The Boys' Breakfast Club was meeting at 7:20 a.m., and Cedric Sparks Sr., executive director of the the Division of Youth Services of the Mayor's Office, was the guest speaker.
Sparks is known as being a lively and inspirational speaker, and he provided the boys with pure words of wisdom.
The purpose of the Boys' Breakfast club is to provide students leadership skills necessary for leadership as they transition through their middle school years. Faculty members encourage and work with boys to develop those character trait skills that they will need and ultimately utilize at school, in the community and at home.
Sparks spoke with the boys about standing out and standing up even when it's not popular to do so. He encouraged them to put their listening and thinking skills into action, as well as to be smart respectful, responsible and resourceful in their daily walk at school and among their friends and peers. |
Congratulations to middle school volleyball teams!
Putnam and Hudson are top teams Congratulations to members of the Putnam Middle School volleyball team! They are the BCS district middle school champions for 2012-2013.
Hudson K-8 School's team was first runner up.
The two teams came out on top during the district tournament held Oct. 2 and 3 at Hayes K-8 School.
No consolation game was played, but W.J. Christian K-8 School and Wilkerson Middle School would have been third and fourth. |
Let's Move After-School gets equipment grant
$14,000 used to buy balls, other equipment
The Let's Move After-School Program provides fourth- and fifth-graders the opportunity participate in physical activities after school. The Community Education and Physical Education departments are working together to support the Michelle Obama initiative, Let's Move In School. Let's Move After-School emphasizes basic skills instruction while encouraging a positive, fitness-oriented after-school program. The schools are divided in the five community education zones and participate in kickball, basketball, softball, baseball and soccer. There are boys and girls teams for each activity. Kickball, softball and baseball are played at George Ward Park. Basketball is played at elementary schools in each zone. Soccer will be played indoors at elementary schools. The program got a major boost recently with the arrival of new basketballs, baseballs, softballs, gloves, bats, batting tees, bases, kickballs and soccer balls. The equipment was purchased with a $14,000 grant from the Health Action Partnership. |
Coming events
The Birmingham Board of Education will have a work session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the auditorium of the Administration Building, 2015 Park Place. |
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