Core Notes

Dear TCS Families,

Welcome back and Happy New Year! This newsletter includes recent news and happenings from across the Tuscaloosa City School District. The semester has only just begun but we are off to a running start.

Also, something to note, as weather can be unpredictable this time of year, clearly evident from last week's snow day. Please be up to date on our severe weather policies. There is very cold winter weather forecasted next week, so please stay tuned and aware.

Finally, there is no school on Monday, Jan. 20 due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We hope you enjoy the day with your friends and family and we can't wait to see students back on Tuesday, Jan. 21!

Mike Daria

TCS Superintendent

Three schools in the Tuscaloosa City Schools have been recognized for excellence by the Legislative School Performance Recognition Program- including Rock Quarry Elementary, which was named as a "top 25" school in Alabama. Southview and Woodland Forrest elementaries were also recognized in the "top 25 most improved" category.

The initiative, established by state law, rewards schools for excellence or significant improvement in annual rankings.

The top 25 performing schools were selected based on academic success based on the state’s grading system for schools and school districts. The top 25 most improved schools were highlighted for their significant grade improvement.

"We are incredibly proud that three of our schools were recognized as part of this program," said Tuscaloosa Superintendent Mike Daria. "There is excellence occurring in all of our schools, but Rock Quarry, Southview and Woodland Forrest are all examples of high expectations for every student and how we are moving the needle of progress forward."

The top 25 schools in each category are honored and provided a monetary award, totaling $250,000. Schools with the most improvement will receive larger sums.

Mackey pointed to the importance of rewarding improvement.

“There are some schools that are never going to be in the top 25%—we know that one is because we all know math well enough to know that 75% of schools will always be in the bottom 75%,” he said. “But even those schools that have challenges can see remarkable growth.”

Several schools in the Tuscaloosa City Schools saw significant progress on the state report card in 2024, but Southview and Woodland Forrest saw some of the biggest jumps in the state, both moving from "D" to "B." Southview Elementary moved from a 62 on the state report card in 2023 to an 81 in 2024. Woodland Forrest moved from a 68 in 2023 to an 83 in 2024.

Rock Quarry received a 99 in 2024.

"This is another sign that what we are doing is working and is a result of all of the hard work and effort being done by our teachers, students, administrators and families," Daria said.

The schools will be officially recognized at the Board’s February meeting.

On Tuesday afternoon there was an incident at Paul W. Bryant High School where a student brought a gun into the school. It was discovered, thanks largely due to a student notifying a teacher. The school's principal was notified, as was school resource officer and the Tuscaloosa Police Department, and the student was apprehended. While PWBHS and Eastwood Middle School nearby went under a state of heightened awareness that day, the situation was resolved quickly. While the incident is under investigation, we do not believe there were any plans for a school shooting.

However, it is one example of how critically important it is to "say something" if a student, parent or staff member sees something or hears something concerning. It can make a positive difference and helps keep our schools safe and can be the first step to saving a situation from becoming dangerous.

Please make sure you talk to your students about school safety and the importance of "See Something, Say Something!"

As a reminder, the Tuscaloosa City Schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Students from across the Tuscaloosa City Schools were recognized as winners of the first annual Superintendent's #BeAmazing Essay Contest. For the contest, each TCS student wrote a personal narrative based on a specific prompt for his/her grade level aligned to the overall theme of sharing about a special day or moment that had a big impact on his/her life.

Each school submitted the top 3 essays at each grade level, and a team of Central Support Team members reviewed submissions and selected the overall winners for the district.

Congrats to the following winners:

Kindergarten -Jaleen Wilkerson at University Place Elementary

1st Grade - Ryan McCabe at Rock Quarry Elementary

2nd Grade- Londyn Hayward at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary

3rd Grade- Juan Cortez-Mulul at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary

4th Grade- Taylor Napier at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary

5th Grade- Margaret Garrison at Rock Quarry Elementary

6th Grade- De’Niyah Coleman at Westlawn Middle School

7th Grade-Emerald Zhang at Northridge Middle School

8th Grade- Christian Arroyo at RASPA Middle School

9th Grade- Madison Lee at Northridge High School

10th Grade- Kennedy Cooper at Northridge High School

11th Grade- Aubry Peagler at Central High School

12th Grade- Steffan Thurman at Paul W. Bryant High School

The Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy will host its bi-annual "Mega Wow" open house and engagement event on Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m.. The public is invited to attend to discover what career pathways are available at TCTA, and to enjoy hands on activities and food. This is a great event, especially for middle and high school students, to discover classes that are taught at TCTA.

Pre-K registration started today, Jan. 15 and will go through February 28, 2025!

For more information, visit: https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/.../pre-kindergarten

Qualifications:

-must be 4 before September 1, 2025;

-must live in the Tuscaloosa City School zone: https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/.../enro.../zoning-map

This month is National School Board Appreciation Month. To say thanks to our board, schools across the system had having library books dedicated in the board members' honor, and banners hung at Tuesday's board meeting thanking them for all that they do. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Tuscaloosa City Schools!

TCS Summer Learning is returning in 2025 to all schools that have a federal 21st CLCC grant! Applications will open on March 17. The schools include:

Arcadia Elementary
Central Elementary
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary
Oakdale Elementary Elementary
Skyland Elementary
Southview Elementary
The Alberta School of Performing Arts (elementary grades)
University Place Elementary
Eastwood Middle
Westlawn Middle
Central High
Paul W. Bryant High

Programs run May 28th - June 27th. Watch for more details from your school soon!

We are also currently examining "paid" options for other elementary/middle schools in TCS not listed here.

It's important, especially at this time of year, that we are aware of procedures around severe weather. As you know, like last week, there are times that the Tuscaloosa City Schools may have to close due to inclement weather. TCS administrators keep a close watch on weather forecasts with constant updates from the national weather service. When school closures are needed, that decision is made following discussions with local meteorologists and often in coordination with the Tuscaloosa County School System.

Student and staff safety, including during severe weather, is always a top priority. Unfortunately, severe weather is an occurrence that picks up in the winter and spring, especially in Alabama. Please stay weather aware.

School closure announcements will be made via social media, phone and email when schools have to close. However, we may make up instructional time in-person if a full day of school is missed.

Check out our weather policies and terminology here: News / Emergency Communications (tuscaloosacityschools.com)

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.

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