Core Notes

Dear TCS Families,

It's hard to believe, but the end of the school year is here as next week is our last week of school. We have had an incredible school year of successes and progress worth celebrating. I want to take a moment to thank you, our TCS families, for entrusting your children with us, and for your support.

Below you will find some important reminders and news about things going on from around the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Please take a moment to read through the information below.

As a reminder, school will operate full day on Monday and Tuesday, next week, May 20-21. Wednesday and Thursday will be half days for students. There will be no school for students on Friday, May 24.

School will return for the 2024-25 school year on Wednesday, August 7.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer. If your child isn't participating in TCS Summer Learning, then we look forward to seeing you next school year!

Mike Daria

TCS Superintendent

A total of 675 seniors graduated from Tuscaloosa City Schools high schools this week during ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum at The University of Alabama. That included 172 graduates at Central High School, 278 graduates from Northridge High School, and 225 from Paul W. Bryant High School.

Congrats to all the 2024 seniors. We know their future is bright and know they are prepared and ready for life and career success.

To watch the graduation ceremonies, click the links below.

Longtime educator and former Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education chair Shelley Jones passed away on May 10.

"Ms. Jones made a such a lasting impact on the Tuscaloosa City Schools and to the broader Tuscaloosa community through her career and dedication to education," said Mike Daria, superintendent of the Tuscaloosa City Schools. "Ms. Jones wanted to ensure the best education possible for every student, and that commitment to Tuscaloosa's children never wavered."

Ms. Jones earned M.A., The University of Alabama, in 1956 and Elementary Education and B.A., University of Kentucky, in 1961. She began her educational career as an elementary school teacher in 1961 and taught at Northington Elementary School before becoming principal at Woodland Forrest Elementary in 1974.

During her tenure as principal of Woodland Forrest Elementary, she worked relentlessly to foster a lifelong love of learning by providing student with unique and interesting opportunities such as extra-curricular and after school classes in foreign language, Karate, gymnastics, computers and chess. Ms. Jones was noted by the Library of Congress as Alabama’s 1993 recipient of the National Distinguished Principal’s Award. Which recognizes innovation and a commitment to seeing each new school year as an opportunity to elevate instruction to a new level of excellence. It was certainly a challenge that she met year after year. Shelley Jones retired in 1995 as principal of Woodland Forrest Elementary after 34 years in public schools.

Although retired, Ms. Jones continued to advocate for education in her community and in Alabama. She was selected for Leadership Tuscaloosa (1989), Leadership Alabama (2003) and later asked to serve on the Board of Leadership Alabama. Her service on numerous boards that served the community such as Tuscaloosa Education Foundation Board, the Community Foundation of West Alabama, Hospice of West Alabama, Mayor’s Task Force Pre-K Program Planning, Elevate Tuscaloosa, and the Tuscaloosa Bicentennial Committee are just a few. She taught in the Honor’s College at The University of Alabama in 2010.

Shelley Jones was inducted into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame in 2010; as a pillar of the community by the Community Foundation of West Alabama in 2007. She was recognized as Tuscaloosa County Citizen of the Year in 2006, State PTA Outstanding Elementary Principal of the Year in 1989 and received the Tombigbee Girl Scouts Outstanding Educator Award in 1990, among other awards throughout her educational career. Shelley and Tom Jones were selected as deTorqueville Society of the United Way of West Alabama’s Family of the Year in 2017. The award was based on both Joneses longtime focus in education; Shelly as a teacher in education, principal of 20 years and Tom as a professor and then as dean at The University of Alabama School of Law.

In 1997, Ms. Jones was appointed as a City Board of Education member. When the Legislative Act allowing the Tuscaloosa City residents to elect their Board of Education members passed, Shelley was overwhelmingly elected by the voters as the at-large chairman of the Board. She became the first female to chair the Board of Education in its 119-year history. She served eight years as the chairman of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education. She continued to support board members that followed her always encouraging them to reach for the stars and to always place students first in decision making. Shelley said it best, “Sharing our blessings only makes room for more.”

The funeral service for Shelley Jones will be at 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa.

After more than four years in planning and donations from community partners, Central Elementary celebrated the official opening of its newest outdoor space on May 10 with a ribbon cutting.

The project took what was previously a blank, empty courtyard and turned it into an innovative space that classes can use for instructional purposes. The space includes a landscaped appearance, shade structures and picnic tables and other seating options, along with brightly colored murals on the walls.

"It was a vision of mine to build something lasting for students to have class in a learning environment outside where there is sunshine, we can hold celebrations such as our benchmark parties," said Central Elementary Principal Jerry Collins.

The $185,000 project was made possible through funding from The Strickland Foundation, John Wayne Plumbing, The Chance Grant from the Alabama Department of Education and federal funding.

"Our outdoor learning lab means a lot to our students," Collins added. "They have started to use it already."

Ultimately, Central Elementary hopes to install sustainable plantings in the space, a butterfly garden, herb garden or raised beds with containers, Collins said.

"We will also include an outdoor art & science center. More seating in various areas to encompass more students and community members. In phase 3 of the learning lab, we will complete the graphics on the wall space to be more colorful to continue the positive culture and climate of CES inside and out."

The top 10 graduates from each high school in the Tuscaloosa City Schools and Tuscaloosa County School System were recognized in a ceremony May 8 at the Tuscaloosa Rivermarket in a ceremony sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Education Foundation. To watch the top 10 graduates from the city schools, check out the video below. Congrats, graduates!

The Hank Poore Foundation is donating books about disabilities to all libraries in the Tuscaloosa City Schools.

On Wednesday, the first donation was made to Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, including about a dozen children's books. Hank Poore, a Northridge High School graduate with cerebral palsy who is founder of the nonprofit, was also on hand to present the books. The donation will provide easily accessible resources for all TCS students that promote understanding and inclusion, helping to foster connection between disabled and non-disabled students.

“Our donation of books about disability to every TCS school library will not only educate non-disabled students about different disabilities and inclusion of the disability community, but it will provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to read about people like them,” said Ashley Ferry, executive director of the foundation. “Making these books available in TCS libraries will open the doors of possibility and inspiration to all TCS students.”

Dr. LaTonya Williams-Collins, principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary school, said she appreciated the donation because it is important that students with special needs be able to see themselves in library books, but also for other students to learn more about people with disabilities.

"It is a great opportunity for our students in general education to learn about others, and learn about things others go through," Williams-Collins said. "Just because they have disabilities or differences, doesn't mean they are someone for our students to be afraid of. I think these books will bring a lot more knowledge and acceptance to our students."

The Hank Poore Foundation exists to provide opportunities and experiences for people with disabilities, and disability education is one way it fulfills this mission. The organization will donate about 250 books to the TCS libraries, and then hopes to donate books in the Tuscaloosa County School System and other regional school districts.

“The Hank Poore Foundation considers education about disability and inclusion one of our priorities,” said Executive Director Ashley Ferry. “Adults and children alike often make assumptions when they see someone in a wheelchair or a person who uses a speech device. Knowledge is a way to break down those assumptions and stereotypes about our neighbors with disabilities.”

Cynthia Huff, the current assistant principal at Central Elementary School, has been named the new principal of the school for the 2024-25 school year. The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education voted on the hire last night. Huff said she is excited to take the helm of a school that she already loves so much.

"I am honored and overwhelmed with excitement as I embark on this new journey as the new principal of Central Elementary School," Huff said. "I will continue to pursue excellence while developing positive relationships with students, teachers, families, and community members. My focus will be to improve academic achievement scores in reading and math and to carry on the tradition of being a "Science of Reading" Spotlight School."

Paul W. Bryant High School senior Estefhania Marquez Zamora was recognized by the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education May 7 for receiving a scholarship from Curriculum & Associates.

Zamora, who won the scholarship through an essay contest, intends to pursue a degree in education and will enroll in Shelton State this fall. She plans study education in order to be a teacher and told the board she wants to come back to teach in the Tuscaloosa City Schools after she graduates! During the meeting she was presented the scholarship from Christy Sanders of Curriculum & Associates, the program sponsor.

At Tuscaloosa City Schools, we take pride in employing the best and brightest educators to serve our students. Ensuring educator excellence remains a top priority in the Tuscaloosa City Schools, both now and in the future.

However, with the current challenges posed by inflation, TCS needs to seek additional revenue to continue attracting and retaining exceptional educators. This will enable us to sustain our current level of programs and services while also expanding offerings to position our school system as the premier choice for our community.

This fall, voters in the city of Tuscaloosa will be able to vote on whether to increase the ad valorem rate to support the Tuscaloosa City Schools. If approved, the increase would generate around $17.25 million per year for TCS, starting in 2025. The last time local tax rates were increased to support the district was in 1986.

For more details on the referendum, please visit www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/referendum.

Arcadia Elementary student Mariah Coleman said art and the teachers are two of the things she loves most about her school!

Calling all TCS families! 📣

Registration for the 2024-25 school year has officially begun! Make sure to find your "infosnap" codes and complete your child's registration via PowerSchool. Secure your child’s spot early to ensure a seamless transition!

Register now and let the excitement for the new school year begin! 🍏✨

Attendance is critical to future success. Please make sure your child is at school, on time, each and every day!

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!"