In the Loop

Spring Break - March 25 - 29, 2024

Remote Learning Day - April 26, 2024

Degrees/Education?

How many years in education/and in Trussville City Schools?

Too many math problems ago!/Eight years with Trussville City Schools

I got a few months jump start on my career actually in Tuscaloosa, AL when I took over for my mentor teacher during my student teaching clinical as her baby arrived early. I hold a BS Honors Degree in Secondary Education- Mathematics from the University of Alabama. I am looking forward to my upcoming pursuit of a MS Degree in Instructional Leadership with the Samford Cohort Program.

I was part of the faculty in the beginning years of Clay-Chalkville High School’s existence. Family is so very important to me and view it as the foundation for my vocation as a teacher. I took time off from teaching when we started our family to raise our three children before returning to the field of education.

Hobbies and Interests outside of teaching?

I love arts ‘n crafts, laughing with family and friends, listening to people’s stories, dancing, shopping- Patrick says walking the aisles of HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby, plays, and musicals.

I love any chance I get to watch my kids perform- Go Huskies and Roll Tide!

My interest includes designing things and solving problems and puzzles. Also, keeping up with current happenings in Education.

What do you love most about teaching in Trussville City Schools?

Trussville has been our home for Patrick and I for almost twenty-five years now. We took our oldest to the Open House for the new HTHS when it opened in October 2008 to show him where he would be attending school when he got bigger. He was four years old at the time and the school was massive to him. All of our children’s life memories have been here and their success has been because of the dedication and love from their teachers in sharing their talents and knowledge to them. So, to be able to now have some of these teachers as my colleagues that for years we witnessed not only the difference they have made in our own three children’s lives, but the impact they made and continue to make on a daily basis in the lives of the students in our system is pretty special. That specialness is backed by the unending dedication and relationships from staff members and other TCS personnel in our system as well.

Best memory from your years in Trussville City Schools?

During the years I was home raising our children, I participated in a lot of volunteer opportunities with our school system and especially with the elementary Parent Teacher Organizations. To be a part of the reopening of the building that was originally opened in 1938 as Hewitt High School will always be special because as an educator, any opening of a school and what it could mean to a child is special to me.

Family information...husband/children/pets, etc?

I have known my husband now for even more years of solving math problems! Really for multiple decades now. He has always been supportive of my career choice and has done his fair share of volunteering in the community and sharing his passion for our school system to be great with others too.

Our son John Patrick is a junior at the University of Alabama studying Finance and Accounting. Our daughter Kaylin is a freshman at the University of Alabama studying Pre-Physical Therapy. Our youngest Lillianne is a junior at HTHS.

First graders at Cahaba Elementary just completed a 7-week author study and writing unit centered around the works of Eric Carle. Throughout this unit, students explored a variety of writing styles. They learned how to organize and write summaries of books that they have read. They learned how to retell a story in order. They also learned how to write opinions with reasons to back them up. They completed several research projects about seahorses, caterpillars, ladybugs, hermit crabs, chameleons, and plants. Students collected their writings in a portfolio to share with their families at Open House. Students loved learning about the life and art of Eric Carle and became fascinated with how Eric Carle creates his illustrations. Using a variety of mediums, they completed many art projects in response to the literature. These projects were displayed for their families at our Open House.

Ms. Maggie Rasberry's 9th grade world history classes created radios and advertisements for inventions of the Second Industrial Revolution. Students were assigned a specific invention to research so they could write an advertisement that included: the invention’s purpose, the inventor, the target audience and where it could be purchased for a certain price. The persuasive ads had to reiterate why the invention was significant in progressing the global society forward. Using Makey Makey technology, students recorded their advertisements so they could “play” out of student-created cardboard radios. This mini project was a neat way to combine history and computer science while exposing students to the world of coding. They used the second day to carousel around the library so students could listen to their peers’ assignments and complete a graphic organizer about the inventions.

Paine first graders enjoyed a class challenge! Mrs. McCormick's class read the book, "If I Built a School" and designed their dream school. Students brainstormed, designed and built (with STEM bins) their schools. They even used 2D or 3D shapes to construct their creations! Students completed the assignment by describing their dream school in a writing project.

HTMS Curriculum Fair

When: March 14th

Time: 5:30-7:00PM

Where: HTMS Gymnasium

Who: Upcoming 7th and 8th Grade Students

There will be a presentation by HTMS Counselors at 6:00PM in the Auditorium about advanced courses.

Due to the tremendous generosity of Magnolia parents, the school's PTO was able to purchase equipment to make the Magnolia playground even more inclusive for every student. A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held to commemorate the installation of this equipment.

Dive into the underwater world of "Finding Nemo Kids" with the students of Cahaba! Join us for a delightful production featuring Nemo, Marlin, and Dory as they embark on an unforgettable journey. Our Musical Theater and Set Design enrich students are eager to share their excitement with you. Don't miss out! Entry is $10 per person (cash or check only)

Catch the show at Cahaba on March 15, 18, and 19th at 6:00 . See you there!

Paine Kindergarten students are learning all about weather! They are focusing on types of weather, weather tools and weather hazards. James Spann shared important weather safety tips, and the students were able to ask questions as well. Thanks to Mr. Spann for sharing your knowledge with our Paine students!

Our brilliant team showcased their skills at the Regional Science Olympiad at the University of Alabama, earning medals in 6 events & securing 4th place overall!

Now, the team will prepare for the 2024 State Competition at Auburn University on March 23rd!

Special congrats to our winners:

Anna Morris & Sadie Benson - 1st in Chemistry Lab

Lily Johnson & Sadie Benson - 1st in Geologic Mapping

Trace Barlok & Aubrey Payne - 1st in Write It Do It

Clarissa Davidson & Parker Lybrand - 1st in Air Trajectory

Krish Patel & Kathryn Ann Waller - 3rd in Fermi Questions

Clarissa Davidson & Solveig Sugden - 3rd in Scrambler

This week, Mr. Eli Pinhas, from the Alabama Holocaust Education Center, spoke to the HTMS sixth grade social studies classes on his family's experience in Salonica, Greece during the Holocaust. Students were able to ask questions following his presentation. Our students were very attentive and we are thankful that they had the opportunity to hear and learn from Mr. Pinhas!

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

Congratulations to the Students of the Month for January!

Freshmen: Lauryn Holley and Riley Morris

Sophomores: Richard Mickwee and Nathan Mullinax

Juniors: Tristan Atwood and Christina Walker

Seniors: Jenna Stalls and Tracylyn Wright

Under the direction of physical education teacher, Coach Ronda Chrisenberry, Magnolia Elementary students and families recently participated in the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge. 110 parents attended this event and jumped rope with their students during their p.e. times, raising $12,501.93 to benefit the American Heart Association.

Cahaba students had great success at their GATE Marketplace. They learned to sell their creations, aiming to learn marketing and business skills firsthand. This hands-on venture enabled them to develop products, set prices, conduct market research, and engage with customers. Through this experience, they gained practical insights into entrepreneurship while fostering creativity and collaboration. It was a valuable lesson that prepared them to become future business entrepreneurs of Trussville!

Monthly Board Meeting

The Trussville City Board of Education will hold its March monthly meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm. The livestream link to the meeting will be published on the TCS website (www.trussvillecityschools.com) at 4:45 pm March 18, 2024.

The Hewitt Trussville Middle School Mountain Bike Team had a fantastic kick off to the 2024 season. The Time Trial was February 24th at Munny Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.The following riders placed Top Ten in their division. Race #1 is this Saturday, March 9th at Blakely State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

8th Grade Girls Division

Evelyn Lolley –1st place

8th Grade Boys Division

John Green - 9th place

7th Grade Girls Division

Isabelle Garver –1st place

Lily Neal - 10th Place

7th Grade Boys Division

Lenwood Jones - 1st place

Lleyton Sharp - 3rd Place

Jude Lolley 4th Place

Abe Cox - 6th Place

6th Grade Boys Division

Sawyer Smalley - 9th place

The Hewitt Trussville High School Mountain Bike Team had a successful Time Trial to kick off the 2024 season. The Time Trial was February 25th at Munny Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.The following riders placed Top Ten in their division. Race #1 is this Sunday, March 10th at Blakely State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

Varsity Boys Division

Conrad Jones – 2nd Place

Noah Clark - 3rd Place

Alex Davis- 5th Place

JoshuaWalker - 8th place

Junior Varsity One Girls Division

Shazie Bryant – 4th Place

Mary Ann Dukes - 8th place

Junior Varsity One Boys Division

Davis Sharp – 4th Place

Junior Varsity Two Girls Division

Evelyn Murphree – 5th place

Junior Varsity Two Boys Division

Evelyn Murphree – 5th place

Aiden Wordell - 6th Place

Nicholas Davis - 7th place

Tyler Steele - 10th place

Freshman Boys Division

Lelan Neal – 1st Place

DATE:

Monday, March 18, 2024

* 5:00 pm Board Meeting

Monday, April 15, 2024

* 5:00 pm Board Meeting

Monday, May 20, 2024

* 5:00 pm Board Meeting

Monday, June 10, 2024

* 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.

The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce annually awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors to help them further their education. The 2024 application period opened January 24 and closes April 3. Submit your application today!

Save the Date!

Huskies Together

Featuring Stephanie Galbreath

on Vaping among Teens

April 22, 2024

6:00PM

Trussville Public Library

The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) will present the annual Taste of Trussville, on Thursday, May 9, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the Trussville Civic Center. Taste of Trussville features food samples from area restaurants and bakeries, with live entertainment provided by Cashmere Williams. More than 20 restaurants and bakeries are expected to participate, and ticketholders can enjoy food from each and every one.

Guests will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite vendor. The event is sponsored by TurnerBatson. Tickets will go on sale March 25, and can be purchased on the chamber website www.trussvillechamber.com, or can be purchased at the chamber office, 400 Main Street, Trussville, AL.

Taste of Trussville also serves as a kickoff for Trussville Restaurant Week, May 10-26. Hosted by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce along with presenting sponsor Trussville To Go. TRW is designed to give restaurants an opportunity to showcase signature dishes and offer special deals and discounts, the event will also feature Restaurant Bingo. Patrons can get a Bingo card at Taste of Trussville or at participating restaurants. Get a stamp on your card by making a purchase at participating restaurants. Bingo cards can be turned in to participating restaurants or the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, to be entered into drawings for prizes.

Restaurants wishing to participate in Taste of Trussville or Trussville Restaurant Week should call the chamber office at (205)655-7535. For general information about both events, visit www.trussvillechamber.com or the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page. Event proceeds benefit the TACC scholarship fund, community events and other chamber activities throughout the year.

Shortcuts to important resources listed on the TCS District website:

• TCS Bullying Reporting Form
• Special Education - Parent Rights (Section 504)
• BE READY, BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE EVERYDAY!