OUR SERVICE AREA
Colbert County, Florence City, Franklin County,
Haleyville City, Jasper City, Lauderdale County,
Marion County, Muscle Shoals City, Russellville City,
Sheffield City, Tuscumbia City, Walker County,
Winfield City and Winston County
Staff
Dr. Deanna Hollimon - Director for Professional Learning
Ms. Jennifer Bishop - Administrative Assistant
We are excited to be shining the spotlight on several of our school districts in Region 1 in our Smore Newsletters. We happily serve 14 school districts in Region 1. Each school district is unique in many ways, however, their number one focus is ALWAYS their students...and it shows!
Each school district was asked to complete a survey about their district so that we can learn more about them. We hope you enjoy learning about your colleagues across Region 1. We look forward to sharing about the other districts in our region.
“Pursuing Excellence…Impacting the lives of our students, our community, our world”
Russellville City Schools Overview
Russellville City Schools (RCS), led by Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn, serves approximately 2,500 students in the heart of Russellville, Alabama. The district reflects a diverse and growing community, particularly with a significant increase in Hispanic/Latino students. The student demographics are:
- Hispanic/Latino: 60%
- White: 30%
- African American and other ethnic groups: 10%
This diversity has positioned RCS as a leader in providing robust support for English Language Learners (ELL), making the district's educational experience unique and inclusive.
Schools and Enrollment
Russellville City Schools operates five schools, each serving specific grade levels:
- Russellville Early Childhood Center (Pre-K)
- West Elementary School (Grades K-2)
- Russellville Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
- Russellville Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Russellville High School (Grades 9-12)
District Mascot and Colors
- Mascot: Champ the Golden Tiger
- Colors: Black and Gold
Key Initiatives for Student Learning
Russellville City Schools has introduced several initiatives to enhance student learning, including:
English Language Learner (ELL) Support Programs: With a significant number of ELL students, RCS has developed tailored programs that offer:
- Dedicated ELL teachers and aides for language instruction.
- Professional development for educators to effectively teach ELL students.
- Parental engagement strategies for non-English-speaking families to support their children’s learning.
A+ College Ready Partnership: In partnership with A+ College Ready, RCS enhances college readiness by:
- Providing professional development for teachers to deliver Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-AP courses.
- Offering tutoring and resources to help students succeed in rigorous coursework.
- Expanding access to AP courses to a broader student population.
RCS Golden Tiger Core Value and Character Initiatives: These programs focus on promoting character development through:
- Teaching core values like respect, responsibility, and integrity.
- Recognizing and rewarding positive behaviors that align with district values.
- Encouraging a culture of character development alongside academic excellence.
Professional Growth for Teachers
RCS is dedicated to fostering the professional development of its educators through the following programs:
A+ College Ready Training: This program equips secondary teachers with advanced strategies to improve AP course instruction and student performance.
LETRS Training for Elementary Teachers: The Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) program provides teachers with the knowledge to implement evidence-based reading instruction, improving literacy outcomes in elementary classrooms.
Participation in the HOPE Institute: Teachers participate in a three-year leadership academy through the HOPE Institute, focused on character education and creating nurturing school environments. This program helps integrate character-building into the school culture, supporting students’ academic and personal growth.
Celebrations for 2023-2024
Russellville City Schools has achieved several milestones in the 2023-2024 academic year:
Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) Spotlight District: RCS was named an ARI Spotlight District, recognizing its outstanding commitment to improving literacy through evidence-based reading practices.
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence: Three RCS schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools, a prestigious national recognition for high standards in teaching and learning.
Advanced Placement (AP) Success: Russellville High School demonstrated impressive AP exam results, with a large percentage of students passing AP exams. This success reflects the district's commitment to providing high-quality, rigorous academic opportunities through its A+ College Ready partnership.
Notable Alumni
RCS is proud to call actress Sonequa Martin-Green one of its most notable alumni. Best known for her roles in The Walking Dead and Star Trek: Discovery, Sonequa's journey from Russellville High School to Hollywood is a source of inspiration. Her success highlights the exceptional talent cultivated within Russellville City Schools and showcases the district's impact on students who go on to achieve extraordinary things.
Russellville City Schools continues to build a supportive, academically rich environment for all its students, fostering growth both in the classroom and beyond.
For more information about Russellville City Schools, visit https://www.rcs.k12.al.us/
Empowering Students Through Academic Excellence
Empowering Students Through Academic Excellence
The Walker County School District, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Dennis Willingham, serves approximately 4,643 students. Located in Alabama, the district is characterized by a diverse student population, with 68% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, highlighting the district’s high poverty rate. In terms of demographics, the student body consists of 86% White, 6% Black, 6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2% identifying as other ethnicities.
Schools and Enrollment
The district is home to several schools, offering education from Pre-K through 12th grade. Below is a breakdown of the schools in the district, along with their respective grade levels and enrollment numbers:
- Carbon Hill Elementary/Jr High: Pre-K-8, 472 students
- Carbon Hill High School: Grades 9-12, 347 students
- Bankhead: Grades 5-8, 292 students
- Cordova Elementary: Pre-K-4, 342 students
- Cordova High School: Grades 9-12, 454 students
- Curry Elementary: Pre-K-4, 542 students
- Curry High School: Grades 9-12, 372 students
- Curry Middle: Grades 5-8, 342 students
- Dora High School: Grades 9-12, 475 students
- Lupton Jr High: Pre-K-8, 428 students
- Oakman High School: Grades 9-12, 287 students
- Oakman Middle: Pre-K-8, 633 students (recently divided into elementary and middle schools)
- Parrish Elementary/Middle: Pre-K-8, 325 students
- Sumiton Elementary: Pre-K-4, 707 students
- Sumiton Middle: Grades 5-8, 452 students
- Valley Jr High: Pre-K-8, 569 students
District Mascot and Colors
The Walker County School District does not have a district-wide mascot, but the district’s colors are Carolina Blue. Black, and White. Each school has its own mascot and school colors.
Key Initiatives and Achievements Academic Initiatives
The Walker County School District has focused on advancing student learning through the Marzano framework, a research-based model aimed at improving teaching practices. All schools in the district have achieved Level 1 certification in the Marzano framework and are now progressing to Levels 2 and 3. Here are a few other initiatives that are making a difference.
- Pre-K Expansion: The district has expanded its Pre-K program to 21 classrooms, ensuring early childhood education opportunities for all.
- Mental Health Support: Walker County Schools is one of the few districts employing Mental Health specialists in every school community, providing essential support to students.
- Math Coaching Program: Utilizing ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, the district employed Math Coaches before the state phase-in, helping to strengthen math instruction across the schools.
Teacher Professional Development
- Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS) Framework: This initiative guides most of the district’s professional development, helping teachers improve instruction through the NASOT (New Art and Science of Teaching) framework.
- Observation and Feedback: Teacher observation data has shown growth, with clear expectations set for instruction and student engagement.
- Instructional Growth: Professional growth has been evident as teachers have become more effective in the classroom through ongoing evaluation and feedback.
2023-2024 Celebrations
The 2023-2024 academic year saw several academic successes worth celebrating:
- Walker County students in Grades 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 met or exceeded the state proficiency percentages in English Language Arts (ELA).
- Students in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 demonstrated improvement in their proficiency percentages on the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) between Spring 2023 and Spring 2024.
- Walker County Schools, in partnership with Bevill State Community College and Jasper City Schools, has been growing robotics programs district-wide.
- More than 300 students have taken advantage of scholarships or ESSER funds to enroll in dual-enrollment courses last semester.
The district now qualifies for free lunches for all students and has used several funding sources to provide school supplies for all students over the past three years, with plans to continue.
Notable Alumni
- Dr. Julian Davidson (Oakman) – A NASA engineer, with a building named in his honor.
Read more - Greg Reed (Cordova) – A leading Alabama state senator and current President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
Read more - Jimi Westbrook (Dora) – Grammy award-winning artist, member of the band Little Big Town.
Read more - Drummond Family (Sipsey) – Founders of Drummond Company, a major corporation in energy production.
Read more - Tom Bevill (Townley) – U.S. Congressman and Walker County High School graduate.
Read more - George Lindsey – Award-winning actor and comedian, also a graduate of Walker County High School.
Read more - Matt Woods, a graduate of Oakman High School, is a member of the AL State House. Read more
The Walker County School District remains dedicated to improving student outcomes and fostering an environment where both students and educators can grow and thrive.
For more information about Walker County Schools, visit https://www.walkerschools.org/
Newly appointed administrators will gain insight into all aspects of the Alabama Teacher Growth Program (ATGP). Participants will leave the session with insights into applying the scoring rubric to accurately and consistently rate teachers’ instructional practice. Participants will also enhance their ability to provide focused, formative feedback to classroom teachers by correlating items in the Alabama Teacher Observation Tool (ATOT) with sub-standards in the Alabama Core Teaching Standards (ACTS).
Date: October 22, 2024
Time: 8:30-3:30
Location: UNA Regional Inservice Center, 1640 Tune Avenue, Florence, AL 35630
Presenter: Dr. Barry Wiginton
Register in PowerSchool using section #515718
**If you are a principal or assistant principal want APLDS credit, register using section #515733
This virtual session will provide an introduction to the 4 STEM competitions that will be held at Russellville this year. Topics will include Drone Soccer, Elementary Robotics, High School Robotics and Rocketry. If you are interested in finding out more, please join. Meeting link is included in the notes section of the PowerSchool section.
Date: October 24, 2024
Time: 4:00-5:00
Location: Virtual via Google Meet
Facilitator: Lee Brownell
Please register in PowerSchool using section #515591
The Science Textbook Caravan for the 2024-2025 school year is a joint collaborative event with Alabama's Regional Inservice Centers & Publishers' Warehouse, Alabama's textbook depository. The Textbook Caravan is an opportunity for school district delegations to rotate through scheduled presentations from each of the state-adopted publisher options for comprehensive instructional resources. The two-day event has one day geared toward elementary team members (K-6) while the other day is structured for secondary representatives (grades 6-12). Sixth grade teachers should attend whichever day works BEST for their district's grade span configuration. Lunch is provided at no cost, and there is no registration charge for participants. School districts are encouraged to send active participants who will collaboratively reflect & discuss the resources being previewed in order to help their district narrow down decisions for their local adoption. Guiding questions will be provided to assist district teams with these discussions.
ALL ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER IN POWERSCHOOL
Date: January 28, 2025
Time: 7:30-3:30
Location: UNA Regional Inservice Center, 1640 Tune Avenue, Florence, AL 35630
PowerSchool Registration: Section #515673
The Textbook Caravan for Science, 2024-2025 SECONDARY
Date: January 29, 2025
Time: 7:30-3:30
Location: UNA Regional Inservice Center, 1640 Tune Avenue, Florence, AL 35630
PowerSchool Registration: Section #515674
Looking for more information about becoming National Board Certified? Are you thinking about going through the National Board Certification process? Do you want to know more about the process and how to begin the journey? The University of North Alabama NBCT Support Program is here to help guide you through the entire process from beginning to end.
If your school district is interested in starting an NBCT Cohort in Region 1, please let us know. We can support your efforts. Just contact Dr. Deanna Hollimon at dchollimon@una.edu or 256-765-4888.
For more information on Alabama's NBCT, click this link, Alabama's NBCT.
Start your journey in becoming a prestigious National Board Certified Teacher today!
UNA-RIC will be offering National Board Certification support for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are interested in participating in NBCT professional learning and mentoring opportunities for this school year, please complete the following google form. We will then add you to our NBCT email list.
Email: amsti@una.edu
Website: www.amstiuna.org
Location: 1640 Tune Avenue, Florence, AL, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amsti.una.5
Twitter: @amstiuna
ATLAS is a resource designed for National Board Certification, but it can also be used by teachers for personal growth or incorporated into district teacher induction programs. This resource is open to our full-time, public school educators in Alabama. Please contact Dr. Hollimon at dchollimon@una.edu for an account.
The College of Education and Human Sciences offers a variety of programs including Counselor Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Instructional Leadership, Secondary Education, Special Education, Teacher Leadership, Exercise Science, Sport and Recreation Management, and more. There are approximately 900 undergraduate students and approximately 500 graduate students enrolled in the COEHS. The College of Education and Human Sciences offers over 50 degree programs, minors, and certificates across 3 departments.
Are you ready for the next phase of your journey?
UNA is proud to be a partner with several Alabama school systems. The LEAD partnership allows you to obtain an advanced degree, certification, and/or micro-credential via UNA Online program offerings at a reduced cost. Please find links and information concerning the UNA LEAD Partnership, current school system partners, and instructions on obtaining the discount by clicking this link.
Dr. Deanna Hollimon - Director
Website: www.una.edu/inservice
Location: 1640 Tune Avenue, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: 256-765-4228
Facebook: facebook.com/UNAinservice
Twitter: @UNAinservice
