Core Notes

Dear TCS Families,

We are about halfway through the fall semester already, and there are some amazing things going on in the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Please read below to find out more. There's a lot to be proud of.

Also, I want to thank all of you again for your interest and your support of the Tuscaloosa City Schools as we embarked on our referendum on Sept. 24 for future funding for TCS. While we are disappointed that the results weren't different, the fact that we lost only by 5.6% is a sign of the support of public education in our city. As a system, we will be making the required cuts to our budget over the next two years, but that does not change our mission or our drive to make real, tangible progress in moving the needle forward. We remain as committed today to our students as we were at the start of the school year. That will not change.

Thank you again for choosing the Tuscaloosa City Schools for your student(s).

Mike Daria

TCS Superintendent

Students from the Tuscaloosa City Schools were recognized by the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education Tuesday for their graduation of the English as a Second Language program. The milestone means the students are now proficient in English and have passed the ESL exam, which asses listening, speaking, reading and writing.

"This milestone does not just represent language, it represents resilience, determination, and triumph over challenges," Kristi Garcia, TCS Administrator of English Learners and Bilingual Family Engagement told the board. "We are extremely proud of these students."

As part of the celebration, and in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Tuesday's recognition ceremony was held in both English and Spanish. Congratulations, students!

Be sure to celebrate the dedication and hard work of all our school principals this month, recognizing their vital contributions to the success of students, schools and communities!

Do you want to send a thank you to your child's principal? Click the link below and a thank you card will be printed and sent to them at the end of the month! https://survey.k12insight.com/r/principalappreciation

THANK YOU for all that you do, TCS principals!

The date for TCS graduations has been set for May 9, 2025! We are thankful to The University of Alabama for allowing the Tuscaloosa City Schools to have our graduation ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum again.

TCS High School Graduations:
Friday, May 9, 2025

Paul W. Bryant High School: 3 p.m.
Central High School: 5:30 p.m.
Northridge High School: 8 p.m.

All three high schools will dismiss at noon on May 9 due to graduations. Check our graduation page on the TCS website for more information:
https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/for-families/graduation

October is Hispanic Heritage Month and our students are celebrating in many of our schools, from a parade in the halls of Skyland Elementary, to a cultural event at Arcadia, to the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy, where culinary students made foods rooted in Hispanic culture.

Watch the video below from the Skyland Elementary event.

Eric Guyotte, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Middle, and James Mayeux, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Elementary, both physical education teachers, recently received some very kind words from the parent of one of their students. Here is what she said:

"Coach Tres’ and Coach Guyotte go above and beyond the expectations of a traditional elementary school physical education to make sure all of the kids feel included and learn how to keep themselves healthy. As a parent of a child with a physical disability, I always dreaded PE for him. I wished it would not be a requirement because I knew he had previously felt excluded during PE. Since he has been at TMSE, every year PE has been one of his favorite parts of the day. They make PE fun for him and have built his confidence up so much. I am so, so thankful to these wonderful coaches."

Submit your own "Everyday Amazing" shoutout about a TCS employee making a positive impact: https://survey.k12insight.com/r/everydayamazing

If you see a threat on social media, especially coming from a student or relating to a school, report it. Let law enforcement, school resource officer, a teacher or school administrator know as soon as possible. Reposting doesn't help, but reporting it can. Remember if you see something, SAY SOMETHING! Parents, please speak with your child(ren) about how important it is to report.

The Tuscaloosa City Schools has been accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a national network of school districts that connects and supports the most forward-thinking leaders in education. The League is organized by Digital Promise, a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner by bridging solutions across research, practice, and technology.

"We are excited to be chosen to be part of this League, as it highlights innovative practices and forward thinking among the best school districts in the country," said TCS Superintendent Mike Daria.

TCS was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to equity and excellence, innovative vision for learning, key achievements, and collaborative spirit.

Since 2011, the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools has spearheaded innovative learning and leadership practices and accepts new members through an open application process once per year.

“As teaching and learning rapidly evolve amidst the advent of new technologies, the League’s mission to connect innovative education leaders is more vital than ever,” said Jillian Doggett, director of network support at Digital Promise. “Through its network of forward-thinking leaders, the League provides school districts with opportunities to leverage research-backed approaches for addressing complex challenges; stay at the forefront of cutting-edge educational practices; and implement innovative solutions that meet the needs of all students.”

Working with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities, the League of Innovative Schools equips superintendents and district leaders to help shape the future of teaching and learning through hands-on opportunities to collaborate, connect, and learn. League members have access to unique opportunities to co-create, pilot, and scale innovative practices, apply learnings to their own districts, and identify and promote promising practices to other districts across the country.

The full list of members can be found at digitalpromise.org/districts.

Congrats to the SEVEN Northridge high school students who are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program! Northridge High School has more National Merit semifinalists than any other high school in West Alabama! Congrats to these students.

Students from the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International exchange program reported to the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education Tuesday about their 2024 trip Narashino, Japan. Approximately 20 students from TCS participated in the exchange in June.

"I learned a lot, and it was one of the best experiences of my life," said Jada Childs, a junior at Central High School. "When I went to Japan, I was amazed at how much people cared about their education, and how much they cherished it. I realized we are more alike than we think."

During the meeting, Superintendent Mike Daria thanked Lisa Keyes, who leads the sister cities program for the city, who is retiring.

Next year, the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International program will take a group of TCS high school students to Shorndorf, Germany.

Congrats to TCS Superintendent Mike Daria, who has been named a "Centennial Scholar" by The University of Alabama Graduate School as part of the school's 100th anniversary. Graduate School Centennial Scholars are defined as those with master’s or doctoral degrees who bring “distinction to UA’s graduate programs through their professional accomplishments.” Congrats, Dr. Daria!

BSN Sports has set up online "swag stores" for our schools where any student, faculty or parent can buy school branded gear. This was a desire that was expressed by students during the Superintendent's student advisory meetings at the high schools last school year.

The "swag" on these sites include a variety of price points, brands, and are in men's, women's and children's sizes, plus they have cups and other items as well. On the main page, they also have gear per sport.

There is also branded gear for the elementary and middle schools, too! To see the middle school and elementary options, on the desktop website, once you have clicked on the type of item to browse, you can go to the sidebar where it says "campus" and then select feeder school, where the items will pop up with other school names. Select the school that you want.

Each feeder zone will receive 10% back of all purchases in the form of a store credit/rebate that can be used for future branded purchases by the school(s). So, support your school and show school pride!

Northridge feeder zone store: NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL JAGUARS - TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Sideline Store - BSN Sports

Central feeder zone store: CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FALCONS - TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Sideline Store - BSN Sports

Bryant feeder zone store: PAUL W BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL STAMPEDE - COTTONDALE, Alabama - Sideline Store - BSN Sports

It is important to remember that if you or your child see or hear something concerning, please report it to your school's principal. It can be the first step to saving a situation from becoming dangerous. Again, "See Something, Say Something!"