In the Loop

Upcoming Important Dates:

Friday, December 20 - Noon Dismissal (End of First Semester and 2nd Nine Weeks)

Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 - Winter Holidays

Tuesday, January 7, 2025 - Students Return

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

One of the primary reasons Trussville is so special is the love our community has for our schools. Whether you've been here a few years, or all your life, more than likely you value the school that has helped your child learn, develop, and grow. And now, we're asking for your help! Your feedback is important to us as we navigate through matters regarding branding and identity among our Trussville City Schools. We have partnered with Knight-Eady to complete a branding project for our district. The end goal is to have a brand guide that represents our schools and district, as we make uniform and continue to activate our current brand.

If you would like to participate, please take a moment to complete this short survey. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Please follow the link below to place your nomination for the 2024-25 TCS Bus Driver of the Year! Nominations will be accepted until 3:00PM on Friday, December 13.

It's December, and the latest episode of The Husky Howl Podcast is ready to go! This time, we're on location at Paine Elementary School, where we're joined by Paine Reading Specialist Jenni Peters and TCS Supervisor for Elementary Teaching and Learning, Kelly McGough. We also welcome a couple of Paine 5th graders, who share their favorite parts of the holiday season.

There's so much happening in our schools this month, so listen in and discover all the exciting events and activities for December. Don't miss the December Husky Howl Podcast!

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 October:

Freshmen: Ann Shepard Murray & Emma Womack

Sophomores: Leah Anderson & Sarah Doss

Juniors: Zach Benedict & Angie Ruiz

Seniors: Kennedy Roddam & Kennedy Vincent

HTMS Beginning Band Christmas Concert

Tuesday, December 10 6:30PM

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School Gym

HTMS Band Christmas Concert

Including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Honors Band

Sunday, December 15 3:00PM

Hewitt-Trussville High School Performing Arts Center

Cahaba Elementary partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project in November to learn more about their mission, "To Honor and Empower Wounded Warriors, "and what it means to serve our country through various activities. Students focused on words such as Country, Service, Duty, Honor, Courage, Commitment, and Integrity. These activities also partnered with the students' writing of the annual Veteran's Day Essay Contest. Kindergarten through third grade students were given the topic, "Explain how we can show appreciation to veterans for the sacrifices they have made." Third, Fourth, and Fifth graders could choose from- "Describe a veteran who inspires you and explain why," "How can we support and honor wounded warriors in our community?" or "What does Veterans Day mean to you?"

On Thursday, November 21st, Cahaba students were visited by Jake Norotsky, a US Army veteran who works with the Wounded Warrior Project. He spoke with the students about what it means to love and serve others, be a good friend, and thank those who choose to serve others in all aspects of their lives. He also presented the essay winners with a Wounded Warrior Project service coin to recognize them for a job well done.

The essay winners are Ellington Walls, Addy Crenshaw, Reese McDonald, Charlie Ann Sheppard, Abram Johnson, Hazel Richardson, and Anna Grace Sharit.

Magnolia students recently participated in a Math Iron Bowl, a day filled with engaging and challenge football-themed math activities!

Congratulations to Burke Braswell for winning the Cahaba Elementary School Selling Bee! Burke’s hard work and dedication shone brightly as he secured the top spot in a thrilling competition. A big round of applause also goes to Carson Windham, who earned an impressive second place, and Dean Mills, who captured third. All participants displayed remarkable skill and perseverance, making this event one to remember. Well done, Burke, and congratulations to all!

Alabama teachers who earned National Board Certification in 2023 were honored by Governor Kay Ivey with a reception at the Alabama Governor’s Mansion on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Check out our very own HTHS AP Physics teacher, Melanie Dimler, directly behind Governor Ivey in the group picture. Congrats to all Nationally Board Certified teachers!

Two of our HTHS students, Eli Hollingsworth and Stella Shipman, have been named this year's male and female Outstanding Choral Students from AVA (Alabama Vocal Association) District III. This is a distinct honor, as District III includes all schools and school systems within Jefferson and Walker Counties and is one of the largest and most competitive districts.

Eli and Stella were chosen after a review of their resumes, essays, letters of recommendation, interviews, and vocal auditions. This spring, they will compete for State Outstanding Choral Student against the winners from the other six districts.

Additionally, the following students auditioned and were selected by the Alabama Vocal Association to participate in the 2025 Alabama All-State Choirs. This is one of the highest honors available to choral students in the state of Alabama.

Justice Andrzejewski

Jillian Benson

Sara Buttram

Lillianne Campbell

Kelsey Dudley

Alex Fisher

Riley Godfrey

Katie Harris

McCord Haynes

Eli Hollingsworth

Wesley Miller

Murphy Peterson

Kylie Royster

Callee Self

Stella Shipman

Kennedy Sing

Third graders at Magnolia recently studied the book, Balloons over Broadway, by Melissa Sweet. According to teachers, "This book tells the true story of Tony Sarg, the creator of the balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and how this beloved tradition began. Students have used this book throughout the week to guide their Reading, Social Studies, and Science lessons. To finish the week, students brainstormed, planned, created, and tested their very own balloons to parade through hallways of Magnolia. We enjoyed sharing our hard work with everyone!"

Cahaba Elementary was recently very successful launching a cereal drive to support a local non-profit organization. One enrich class offered at Cahaba Elementary is Hospitality Heroes. This class empowers students to plan, organize, and engage with non-profits as well as plan for many other events throughout the year. Recently, our students created impressive advertisements and wrote commercials that aired during announcements, encouraging their peers to contribute cereal boxes for Serving You Ministries. We are thrilled to share that we collectively gathered over 900 boxes! As a reward for their hard work, the top class will enjoy a field trip to a local non-profit organization. Additionally, the students creatively demonstrated the impact of our efforts by setting up the cereal boxes like dominoes, symbolizing how we can knock out hunger when we work together. We are proud of our students at Cahaba and excited about the positive change we are fostering in our community!

Magnolia students recently participated in a spelling bee. The contestants were fifth graders Reed, Sophia, and Townley. Congratulations to the winner, Sophia, who will represent Magnolia in the district spelling bee.

Special thanks to the following for making the spelling bee a success:

Dr. Phyllis Faust, Magnolia Principal - Spelling Bee Master of Ceremonies

Kimberly Hendrick, Fourth-Grade Teacher - Spelling Bee Coordinator

Erin Piper, Exceptional Education Collaborative Specialist - Spelling Bee Pronouncer

Rebecca Bishop, Librarian - Spelling Bee Judge

Dewayne Jackson, TCS IT Network Manager - Spelling Bee Judge

Dale Posey, TCS Coordinator of Transportation - Spelling Bee Judge

The Trussville City Board of Education will hold its December monthly meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 5:00pm. The livestream link to the meeting will be published on the TCS website (www.trussvillecityschools.com) at 4:45pm December 16, 2024.

Congratulations to the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club Student and Teacher of the Month!

This month, we are proud to recognize Ann Shepard Murray, a freshman at Hewitt-Trussville High School, and Kristie Stone, an exceptional educator at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School.

Student of the Month: Ann Shepard Murray

Ann Shepard exemplifies leadership, service, and compassion. She has been actively involved in programs such as MUSH Mentors, Ambassadors, NJHS, and serves as an assistant adaptive P.E. coach, working daily with life skills students.

Teacher of the Month: Kristie Stone

Mrs. Stone teaches the self-contained life skills class at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School and has been a guiding light for her students. Ann credits Mrs. Stone with helping her achieve her goal of caring for children with special needs.

Mrs. Stone's incredible dedication has transformed the lives of her students, showing remarkable progress in just a few months. Ann shared a heartfelt testimony about how Mrs. Stone’s compassion extended beyond the classroom, including attending Ann’s little sister’s funeral to provide comfort.

Please join us in celebrating Ann Shepard and Mrs. Kristie Stone for their exceptional achievements and dedication to making a difference!

Shown in the photo (l. to r.): Club President Brad Wideman; SOM/TOM Coordinator Fran Aldridge; Ann Shepard's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Murray; Ann Shepard Murray; and Kristie Stone.

December 16, 2024 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

January 27, 2025 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

February 24, 2025 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

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.

Trussville Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 14 at 2:00PM

2024 Parade Theme:

"The Spirit of Christmas"

For more information, visit trussvillechamber.com

Trussville Parks & Recreation

Spring Baseball 2025

Registration Dates:

Early Registration - November - January 19 - $130.00

Registration - January 20 - February 2 - $150.00

Late Registration - February 3 - February 6 - $220.00

Last Day of Registration - February 6

Evaluations: Begin February 10

Key Points:

*Join us for the inaugural season at the baseball complex!

Opening Day Parade and Festival

Spring Tournaments

All Stars

For more information, contact Lawrence English, Director of Baseball at (205) 508-0358 or by email to LEnglish@trussville.org

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.

Come here from HTHS Career Coach, Mrs. Lisa Smith on Thursday, January 23 as she discusses financial planning tools in preparation for your student's post-graduation plans!

Shortcuts to important resources listed on the TCS District website:

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