In the Loop

Upcoming Important Dates:

Monday, March 24 - Friday, March 29 - Spring Holidays

Friday, April 18 - Spring Holiday for Students/Teacher Collaboration Day

PARENTS, Be a HERO in your student's success...remember ATTENDANCE MATTERS!

The Hewitt Trussville Middle School Honors Choir was selected and invited to perform in the Capitol Tune Series this year.

HTHS Students of the Month for January

Faculty and staff were asked to nominate students from each grade level who illustrate characteristics of strong character, responsibility, academic achievement, or leadership.

Congratulations to the Students of the Month for January:

Freshmen: Ashlyn Cherry & Olivia Gay

Sophomores: Ben Reeves & Marshall Smith

Juniors: Jordan Coleman & Jaden Jenkins

Seniors: Caroline OKelley & Sarah Kate Smith

Fourth grade teacher, Anna Walker, recently hosted a gallery walk in her classroom and invited her students as well as the entire school to explore science in a hands-on way. According to Mrs. Walker, "A future Magnolia family and a Trussville alumni, Liz Bailey, brought an exciting display of stones, fossils, shark teeth, and more for students to explore, sparking curiosity and lots of learning. She created engaging notecards and pamphlets with important facts about each item, providing valuable insights for the students and teachers. With the help of a flashlight and magnifying glass, fourth grade students carefully examined the small details of each piece. Other classes also enjoyed a gallery walk of the collection, which is just a small sample of her vast assortment, including some rare finds from local places, like the Cahaba River and Cosby Lake. Her generosity in letting us explore such a unique and valuable collection made a lasting impact on all of us, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from her."

Students at Cahaba Elementary had a special literary treat when local author Traci Gyan visited to share her book, Adam & Elliot Go Outside. The beautifully illustrated story, brought to life by Rashad Davis, captivated kindergarten through second-grade students as Gyan read aloud and discussed the journey behind her book.

The story follows two siblings, Adam and Elliot, who are encouraged to step away from screens and venture outdoors. What starts as a simple suggestion soon turns into a neighborhood-wide game of kickball, highlighting the joys of community, creativity, and outdoor play.

In addition to sharing her book, Gyan also gave students a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process. She explained how an idea transforms into a published book, offering insight into brainstorming, drafting, and the collaboration with illustrators, editors, and publishers. The students were fascinated by the process and asked questions about how stories come to life.

With its heartwarming message about the value of community and outdoor fun, Adam & Elliot Go Outside left a lasting impression on Cahaba students. The visit was a reminder of the power of books to spark imagination and connection—both on and off the page.

Throughout the month of February, Paine Elementary School has proudly celebrated Black History Month by honoring the achievements and contributions of African Americans. Our students participated in various activities, including exploring books written by and about African Americans, researching and creating informative posters on influential black figures, and welcoming African American guest readers to share inspiring stories. We were honored to have distinguished guests join us: Mrs. Sherrye Tolbert, Trussville City Schools Board of Education and its current Vice President, and District Attorney Danny Carr, the first African American appointed as District Attorney for the Jefferson County Birmingham Division. In addition, we have had numerous parents and grandparents volunteer to share books and stories with our students, such as retired teacher, Mrs. Mary Shepherd and Ms. Sandy Moore. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents, teachers, and community members who helped make this celebration possible.

Mark your calendars for Parent Night on March 6th from 5:30–6:30 PM. This event is for parents of upcoming 7th and 8th graders.

Paine' s Read Across America Week

March 3 - 7, 2025

Monday 3/3: "Hats Off to Reading" - Wear your favorite hat!

Tuesday 3/4: "Hooray for Reading" - Wear a shirt with your favorite team or Paine shirt!

Wednesday 3/5: "Reading Makes us Shine" - Wear a neon shirt or a sparkly shirt!

Thursday 3/6: "Reading Colors the World" - Wear your favorite color!

Friday 3/7: "Reading Helps us Be Creative" - Wear crazy socks!

Cahaba Elementary School

Read Across America Week: Full Throttle Reading!

Monday, March 3 - "Rev Up with Real-Life Reads!"

Read Nonfiction Books

Dress-Up: Wear Animal Print

Tuesday, March 4 - "Fast, Funny and Full of Giggles"

Read Silly or Humor Books

Dress-Up: Wear silly or wacky socks

Wednesday, March 5 - "Once Upon a Racetrack"

Read Classic Storybooks or Fairy Tales

Dress-Up: Wear Pajamas

Thursday, March 6 - "Speed Into Seuss"

Read Dr. Seuss Books

Dress-Up: Favorite Dr. Seuss character or wear red and white

Friday, March 7 - "Finish Line Favorites"

Read Class Favorites

Dress-Up: Favorite book character (K-1)/Cahaba or Husky gear (2-5)

Magnolia's Read Across America

March 3-7, 2025

Monday, March 3: Hats off to Reading!

Wear a hat in honor of Dr. Seuss.

Tuesday, March 4: Hooray for Reading!

Wear a shirt showing your favorite team, college, or your Magnolia shirt.

Wednesday, March 5: Reading Makes Us Shine!

Wear a yellow, neon, or sparkly shirt.

Thursday, March 6: Reading Colors the World!

Wear a shirt that is your favorite color.

Friday, March 7: Reading Helps Us Be Creative!

Wear socks that are crazy or mismatched.

On February 13th, the 1st graders at Cahaba Elementary School dazzled their families with their "Love Bugs" performance, directed by Mrs. Tina Fortenberry. The students sang, danced, and played instruments to share the spirit of love and fun, while teaching us all what Valentine's Day is really about—love, friendship, kindness, and joy! The little "Love Bugs" danced, played instruments and sang their hearts out, sharing songs full of love and fun with the audience.

A special thank you to the parents who decorated the stage, creating a colorful and beautiful backdrop for the performance. We also want to thank Mrs. Fortenberry’s dad for capturing the magic on film, allowing parents to treasure this special memory forever.

It was an unforgettable evening, and the 1st graders shined brightly. A huge thank you to everyone who made it such a special night!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The health and well-being of our students are a top priority here at Hewitt-Trussville High School and we are excited to share an upcoming opportunity for our school community.

The HTHS Focus Club is partnering with two organizations, Heart for Athletes and The Kristoffer Larsen Big Heart Foundation, to provide free heart screenings for our students. The mission of these organizations is to prevent sudden cardiac death in our youth by providing free heart screenings and increasing awareness of preventive and life saving measures.

Consent and Participation:

Participation in the heart screening is entirely voluntary and will only be done with parent permission.

Date and Time of Heart Screening: (at this time we are only able to offer screenings to the first 400 students to sign up)Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 7:30am-3:00pm in the Small Gym (a few days before the event you and your student will be given a schedule with the times for each student to be screened during that school day)

Benefits of Heart Screenings:

· Early Detection: Identifying potential cardiac issues early allows for timely intervention and treatment.

· Prevention: The screenings contribute to preventing sudden cardiac events, helping to ensure the safety of our students during physical activities.

· Peace of Mind: Parents can have peace of mind knowing that their child’s heart health is being proactively monitored.

Cost:

Thanks to our collaboration with Heart of Athletes and the Kristoffer Larsen Big Heart Foundation, there is no cost for the heart screening, making it a convenient and accessible option for our school community.

What to Expect From the Screening:

· Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) – This test is performed while the student is at rest. Electrodes (small patches) are placed on the surface of the skin. The test maps the rate, rhythm and functions of the heart, and prints a tracing for physician review and interpretation.

· Physician review – A board certified pediatric cardiologist will review the EKG and recommend follow up if a problem is suspected.

· CPR/AED demonstration – Each student will participate in a hands-on CPR demonstration and learn how to use an AED.

We believe that the well-being of our students goes beyond the classroom. Initiatives like this contribute to a safer and healthier school environment. We look forward to a successful heart screening event!

Respectfully,

Dana DePew, Lead Nurse

Aaron King, Principal

Trussville Public Library set to host 2-day comprehensive ACT Prep Class and practice test on Saturday, March 8th (10:00AM) and Sunday, March 9th (1:30PM). Registration is required for this event!

The Hewitt Trussville Mountain Bike Team kicks off their season this weekend in Pensacola at the University of West Florida. Check out the schedule and join us for a race. HTMS races on Saturdays and HTHS races on Sundays.

The Trussville City Board of Education will hold its February monthly meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 5:00pm. The livestream link to the meeting will be published on the TCS website (www.trussvillecityschools.com) at 4:45pm March 17, 2025.

March 17, 2025 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

April 21, 2025 - Board Retreat

April 21, 2025 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

May 19, 2025 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

June 9, 2025 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

All Meetings will be held in the Boardroom of Central Office.

The Board Meeting livestream link will be posted on the TCS Website (www.trussvillecityschools.com) 15 minutes before the meeting start time

on the day of the meeting.

Resources at Railroad

A Community Mental Health and Wellness Fair

Tuesday, March 18th

4:00 - 6:00PM

Railroad Park

Food Trucks, Door Prizes, School Performances, Yard Games, 95.7 JAMZ and MORE!

Sponsored by School Mental Health Coordinators from Birmingham Area School Districts

Trussville Youth Cheerleading Association

Cheer Registration

Fall 2025 Football Season

Upcoming 1st - 6th Graders

Registration: NOW - March 15

Cost: $450

Late Registration (March 16 - March 22): $500

For more information - email: trussvillecheer@gmail.com or visit their social media pages listed above

Trussville Parks & Recreation

Trussville Miracle League

Trussville Parks and Rec is proud to begin our inaugural Miracle League!

Cost: $25

Start: April 2025

Ages: 5 and up, regardless or ability

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Lawrence English at (205) 508-0358 or email him at lenglish@trussville.org

Trussville Parks & Recreation

Rec Runners

Join us to learn the basics of Track & Field

Interest Meeting: February 11, 2025 6:00PM at the Trussville Civic Center

Team Registration: NOW - February 29, 2025

Cost: $120

Ages 5-14 are welcome!

For more information: contact Kela Leatherwood at kela.leatherwood@trussville.org or

(659) 444-3928

Trussville Parks & Recreation

Spring Flag Football Registration Information

Registration: January 6 - February 28

Cost: $125 + $30 jersey fee

Who Can Participate: 6u - 14u (co-ed)

Evaluations will be the first week of March

Games will begin in April

For more information: contact Zach Manning at zmanning@trussville.org or (205) 508-0779

Trussville Spring T-Ball

Registration: Open December 1 - March 16

Cost: $100.00 per person (jersey not included)

Practices will start the week of March 31. Games will start the week of April 21. Final games will be held on May 17. There will be one or two games a week. On weeks with one game, a practice will be scheduled.

For more information: contact Ben Dawkins at (205) 508-0629 or by email to ben.dawkins@trussville.org.

Shortcuts to important resources listed on the TCS District website:

• TCS Bullying Reporting Form
• Special Education - Parent Rights (Section 504)