Part II of the financial recovery plan was presented to the Birmingham Board of Education Feb. 26. The plan and supporting documents are available on the district website. Click here to read about the plan and view the documents.

Community meetings regarding the plan are scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Carver High School and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Huffman High School.

Current zone maps, proposed feeder patterns and proposed school zones also are on the website under Site Shortcuts.

Bush Middle School students recently celebrated Black History Month by performing an original play written and produced by Kimberly Edwards, the Drama Club sponsor.

The play, entitled: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," is about an elderly church couple, Sister Edna Jenkins, who is very active in the church, and her husband Deacon George Jenkins. Sister Jenkins, who has no children of her own or any family members in town, still prepares an outrageous dinner every Sunday and always has a house full of guests over to eat.

After a black history program on this particular Sunday, some very extraordinary guests arrive at Sister Jenkins' famous Sunday dinner. As always, Sister Jenkins welcomes them all with open arms and some good down home soul food, fellowship and discussions about the issues affecting African-Americans today. But no one is prepared for one guest who arrives: Trayvon Martin.

Some of the other guests, played by students, included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X, Betty Shabazz, President Obama, Michelle Obama, Angela Davis and Oprah Winfrey. The guest speaker for this year's program was State Rep. Juandalynn Givan. The Bush band, choir and praise dancers also performed.

Sophomore and juniors in D'Antranett Stewart's social studies classes at Huffman High School did something different for Black History Month. They participated in the Huffman High School Black History Safari Hunt.

Stewart's classes traveled throughout the city to find the clues that would lead them to several historical sites. The safari started at the school and ended at Vulcan Park.

The students will use the documentations and information from the Safari Hunt to create a book on their experiences.

Michaelle Chapman and Michael Wilson were honored

Two Birmingham City School Sytem employees were honored at the Alabama School Communicators Association seminar held March 1 in Alabaster.

Chapman, director of communications for the school district, received the Communicator of the Year award.

Eighth grade students from Center Street Middle School traveled to the University of Alabama in Huntsville recently to participate in the Regional Alabama Future City Competition sponsored by National Engineers Week. The competition was held on the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Teams of middle school students built models of future urban cities and presented them to a panel of judges. The Center Street Jaguars were accompanied by teachers Jennifer Gilbert and Tommy Lyas, who teach eighth grade mathematics and science, and parent sponsors Glenn Crear and Carolyn Williams.

The theme for the 2012-2013 competition was "Rethink Runoff -- Design Clean Solutions to Manage Storm Water Pollution." The students had to research the topic of storm water pollution. They used SimCity 4 Deluxe, a complex simulation software application, to help them design a futuristic city. The cities had to address issues such as pollution, crime, safety, traffic, unemployment, power consumption, taxes, zoning and water systems.

The faculty and staff of West End Academy recognize the importance of preparing students to become prepared graduates. They are taking every opportunity the have to prepare for implementation of  Plan 2020 of the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards into the curriculum.

One recent Saturday, reading coaches from West End, Jones Valley K-8 School and Jackson Elementary School  presented a professional development workshop to facilitate College and Career Ready Standards.

Approximately 70 faculty members from West End and Jackson, including principals Elaine Cooper-Young and Tavis Sloan.

 Choctaw County High School students have returned to classes after a fire destroyed part of their school earlier this month.

Choctaw County Superintendent Sue Moore sent thanks by way of email to other districts that came to the district's rescue by sending desks, tables, chairs and books. Birmingham City Schools sent 171 books.

Moore wrote, "We are all so thankful to so many for helping us and continuing to help us! ... We still need books, but these books made a great dent in our needs Thanks and God bless!!"