In the Loop
August 26, 2022
District News
Strong Start for Trussville City Schools
For the first time in school system history, Trussville City Schools has surpassed the 5,000 mark in student enrollment. At the August meeting of the Trussville Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill announced the marked increase in enrollment for the 2022-2023 School Year over previous years. It was noted that enrollment spikes occur at all grade-levels, and new students enroll from families moving into the new housing developments in Trussville.
Dr. Neill was very pleased with the "excellent teaching and learning" she witnessed across Trussville City Schools during the first week of school. "Everything was in perfect order and it seemed that school had been in session for weeks instead of days". She thanked the administrators, teachers and all staff members for their expertise and attention to every detail that led to a strong start.
In conjunction with increased enrollment, the annual Capital Projects Plan was presented at the August Board of Education meeting along with the second reading of the FY23 Budget. Both items provide plans, pathways, and financial resources for future growth across the district, including the new C-Wing at the high school. It was also announced at the Board of Education meeting that all five Board of Education members had successfully completed School Board Governance Act Training Requirements through the Alabama Association of School Boards.
"Paws for a Cause" Gala Sets Fundraising Record
Relaunch: Neighborhood Bridges in Trussville
The Three "Rs" - Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Responsible
Sports Success: 1,000+ Student-Athletes Across TCS
With the return of school comes the return of sports. Football and volleyball have kicked off their seasons. The Huskies hold their first home game on August 26 against Gadsden City. Volleyball has been extremely strong out of the gate against multiple opponents. Trussville City Schools continues to build on each of its athletics programs - sports that prove popular picks for student-athletes. Roughly 1,000 of the school system’s 5,000 students participate in one or more athletic programs. If you break that number down to the two schools that offer athletics (HTMS and HTHS), that represents approximately 35% of secondary students who are involved in some form of junior varsity or varsity athletics. Last school year, middle and high school teams combined to participate in 1,044 competitions. See more on the success of HT Athletics on the District website.
Superior Ratings: TCS Annual Bus Inspection Scores
Trussville City Schools’ Transportation Department received superior ratings on its annual School Bus Inspection Exit Report by the Alabama State Department of Education’s Pupil Transportation Section. The report notes that inspection of 73 Trussville City School buses revealed:
A) Number of Buses with Major Deficiencies - 0
B) Number of Major Deficiencies total - 0
Dale Posey, Coordinator of Transportation, credits the success to his team, his team’s communicative culture, district support, and hard work, noting that "...keeping our students safe is a powerful motivator. When you consider the gravity of what each person in our department does to help us to achieve this I am impressed by them daily." See more on the bus fleet inspection.
One Dollar Per Day: Join the Pack!
Campus Notes
HTHS Alumni Spotlight: Katherine Spusta
(Author: Katherine Spusta) "I attended the International History Olympiad from July 25th to August 1st in New Jersey. The competition involved four different divisions: Elementary, Middle, Junior Varsity, and Varsity. I was one of thirty-one competitors in the Varsity division and the sole competitor from Alabama. The competition was extraordinary and offered me a great opportunity to prove my skills and meet people from across the country and world. The Hextathlon, a team event, was the first event I medaled in. The team I was placed in was composed of myself, from Alabama, Adithya from Tennessee, and Jack from Indiana, with our team’s name being Interstate 65. The Hextathlon had six components: Multiple Choice, Audio, Visual, Crossword, Map Quiz, and Fill in the Blank. Our team ended up winning 3rd that night and receiving a bronze medal. See more of Spusta's success with the International History Olympiad on the HTHS website.
Hewitt-Trussville Middle School Parent Chat Nights
During the week of August 15-19, HTMS welcomed students and parents for Parent Chat Nights. Each night Principal Jennifer Abney welcomed parents related to specific grade levels through informational sessions that included an introduction to the Three R’s (Ready, Respectful, and Responsible), an overview of school safety, and an introduction to teachers and staff. Afterwards, parents had the opportunity to visit their student’s classes and meet their teachers. We loved meeting everyone and having parents in our building again! -Submitted by Erin Piper
Magnolia Library Receives Student Donation
Zac Langford, fourth grader, recently donated two books to the Magnolia library. These books will benefit the library collection by highlighting for all students the gifts of inclusion, diversity, and kindness. The book, You are Enough, is inspired by Sofia Sanchez, a young model and actress with Down syndrome. According to the book's introduction, "This inclusive and empowering picture book...reminds kids how important it is to embrace their differences, be confident, and be proud of who they are." The book, Everyone Belongs, portrays the importance of making room for all people, no matter their differences, and giving every person a chance to shine. -submitted by Rebecca Bishop
Cahaba Elementary: Celebrating "Last First Day"
5th grade students recently celebrated their last *first day* at Cahaba Elementary. Parents and PTO organized a welcome breakfast for 5th grade students the first day all students returned to school. Students enjoyed breakfast food and reconnected with old friends after summer break. The breakfast culminated with a 5th grade walkthrough as their parents cheered them on. Students and parents savored every moment of Cahaba 5th graders' last first day of school. -submitted by Amy Prickett
HTHS Wind Ensemble Selected for Prestigious National Festival
The Hewitt-Trussville High School Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the 2023 Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, in Indianapolis, March 31-April 2, 2023. The HTHS Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mike Guzman, Jerry Adair and Shannon Moore, was selected following a rigorous application and audition process. The Music for All National Festival will host more than 55 high school and middle school ensembles from across the country at the 30th Annual Music for All National Festival, considered the nation’s premier non-competitive festival for scholastic instrumental music ensembles. See more on Music For All on the HTHS website.
Winn-Dixie Joins as TCS Community Partner
HTHS and HTMS have been chosen by the Winn-Dixie located at 465 Main Street in Trussville for Winn-Dixie's annual School Partnership Program. This program allows the Trussville Winn-Dixie to raise funds in support of TCS' two secondary schools. Beginning Wednesday, August 10, through Tuesday, August 30, Winn-Dixie invites our teachers, staff, students, families and community members to come shop and round up their purchases to benefit HTMS and HTHS. During this time, customers can also support education by purchasing a Community Bag with a Giving Tag. Each reusable bag comes with a $1 community giving tag, and our partnering schools will be the designated recipients of the donation for the month of August. Southeastern Grocers, parent company of the Winn-Dixie brand, is proud to partner with local schools to support the future leaders of our communities.
Tracking the Huskies: Everything HT Athletics!
- New HT Gear from Eighteen South
- Football Season Kickoff
- Volleyball Season Kickoff
- Student Athletic Passes
- Tryouts
- More!
Community Notes
Fall Sports: Trussville Parks and Recreation
Interested in archery or softball? Contact Trussville Parks and Recreation at (205) 655-9486 or view these links below:
https://trussville.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/fall-2022-archery-flyer.pdf
https://trussville.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/girls-softball-fall-2022-1.pdf
Important Resources for TCS Parents & Students
Shortcuts to important resources listed on the TCS District website:
The Mission of Trussville City Schools is to educate all students using high standards in a safe, nurturing environment fostering academic and career competencies that prepare them to be productive citizens.