The Weekly Buzz

Last week, the administration at Corner High School shared with their students and families the news that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has begun the enforcement of a decade-old piece of legislation called "Taylor's Law." In 2002, David Taylor was killed by another teenage driver who was determined to have been under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

His family worked with legislators to enact a standard for individuals seeking to earn the right to get a permit or license to operate a vehicle, motorcycle, or vessel that was connected to their behavior while enrolled in school. We want to share this information with students and families at Corner Middle School because the points begin accumulating while students are enrolled in grades 6-8.

Points begin accumulating the year a student turns thirteen (13) impacting the date the student will be eligible to obtain a permit or license. In some students' cases, that could be as early as the sixth grade. One might begin the process of seeking a motorcycle or boating license at the age of fourteen (14).

When one begins the process, he or she must have the appropriate form completed by the local school. It looks like this (and can be found in a PDF file below for your review) . . .

The section each Alabama middle or high school must complete in order to apply for the permit or license look like this . . .

We must complete the section in the yellow box listing the points that a student who is aged 13 or older has accumulated due to disciplinary infractions for which he or she has been referred to the office. That set of points is tabulated in Power School. Simply put, when a student gets in trouble in middle school, his or her ability to get a permit or license is delayed. In addition, once a student receives the permit or license, poor behavior in high school can lead to the suspension of the privilege to operate a vehicle. The specifics of the law are listed below.

2012 Code of Alabama
Title 32 - MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.
Chapter 6 - LICENSES AND REGISTRATION.
Section 32-6-7.4 - Disciplinary point system - Age of student eligibility.

Universal Citation: AL Code § 32-6-7.4 (2012)

Section 32-6-7.4Disciplinary point system - Age of student eligibility.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each student over the age of 12 years who is enrolled in a public or private secondary school shall be subject to a disciplinary point system for an infraction committed on school property to determine the age at which the student shall be allowed to apply for a learner's permit, motor driven cycle operator's license, driver's license, or any license required by the State of Alabama for the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel. The disciplinary points imposed for a disciplinary action shall be as follows:

(1) One day in-school suspension - 1 point.

(2) One day out-of-school suspension - 2 points.

(3) Alternative school placement - 6 points.

(4) Expulsion - 20 points.

(b)(1) The points shall accumulate on a yearly basis, beginning with the school year including summer school in which the student turns 13, and accumulate each year until the student is eligible to apply for a driver's license under the imposed point system. Each accumulated point shall add one additional week to the age at which the student is eligible to be issued a learner's permit, motor driven cycle operator's license, or driver's license.

(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1), the age at which a student may apply for a license or permit shall not be extended by Act 2009-713 beyond one year from the date the student initially applies for a learner's permit, motor driven cycle operator's license, driver's license, or any license required by the State of Alabama for the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel.

(c) The following subdivisions are contingent upon the technical capability of the student data management system to track, manage, and coordinate the data:

(1) Points shall be accrued on a school-year basis.

(2) Points may not accrue for the first three days of in-school suspension in any school year; however, beginning with the fourth day of suspension in any school year, all days, including the first three, of in-school suspension shall be counted in determining the points.

(3) Points may not accrue for an initial out-of-school suspension of two days or less in any school year; however, the days of the initial suspension shall be used to determine the points after a second out-of-school suspension in any school year or all days will be used to determine points if the initial suspension exceeds two days.

(4) Accumulated points shall be reduced by one-half if the student has not received additional accumulated points for one school year. If no additional points are received for two years, all records of the accumulated points shall be removed from the student's records at the school.

(Act 2009-713, p. 2095, §1.)

Finally, the local school must also document chronic absenteeism in the same enrollment form which may prevent a student from getting his or her permit or license in the semester in which he or she is eligible. In the red box in the picture above, students and parents should note that when a student accumulates 10 consecutive or 15 accumulated unexcused absences, the school must identify the student as "Not in Compliance."

Last week, the story was covered in a central Alabama news story. The link to this story is

https://www.wtvm.com/2023/01/13/alabamas-teen-drivers-license-law-enforcing-new-stricter-system/

If a family wishes to know how the enforcement of Taylor's Law may impact your middle school student, please feel free to give us a call at the school.

Monday, January 16, 2023

• School Closed for MLK, Jr. Holiday

• CHS Wrestling at Jefcoed County Tournament at McAdory

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

• Administrator Association Meeting at COB 7:30

• iReady Middle-of-Year Diagnostic - Reading

• District Power School Scheduling Workshop - Day 1

• 5th and 6th Grade Robotics Practice 3:00

• CMS Debate Team Practice 3:00

• CMS Yearbook Staff Meeting 3:00

• 7th and 8th Grade Robotics at North Jefferson Competition

• Pleasant Grove at CMS Basketball 4:30 / 5:30 / 6:30

• CHS Wrestling at St. Clair County Duals

• CHS Basketball at Oak Grove 4:30 / 5:30 / 7:00

• CHS Marching Band Dance and Auxiliary Parent Meeting 7:30

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

• First Priority in CMS Library 7:30
• Principal Mentor Meeting at COB 7:30
• Principals Meeting with Dr. Gonsoulin at COB 8:00

• District Power School Scheduling Workshop - Day 2

Thursday, January 19, 2023

• District Power School Scheduling Workshop - Day 3

• CMS Basketball at McAdory 4:30 / 5:30 / 6:30
• CHS Bowling at Region Seeding (Tuscaloosa)
• Cleveland at CHS Basketball 4:30 / 5:30 / 7:00

Friday, January 20, 2023

• Winter Lead Mentor Institute
• CMS Math Team Practice 3:00
• CHS Bowling at Region Seeding (Tuscaloosa)

Saturday, January 21, 2023

• Jefcoed Middle School Basketball Tournament at P. Grove (See Brackets)

• 5th and 6th Grade Robotics Team at Cordova Competition

• 7th and 8th Grade Science Olympiad Competition

• CHS Wrestling at Jasper Invitational

• Enjoy Your Day Doing Something for Yourself, with Family and Friends, at Home . . . or Do Nothing at All!
• Corner Community Park Activities

Sunday, January 22, 2023

• Enjoy Your Day Worshiping, Relaxing, and/or Having Fun with Family and Friends!

In order to assist you with your planning, please make note of the following dates. Remember, however, dates for all events/activities are subject to change due to inclement weathers, health restrictions, or other events which may force cancellation or re-scheduling.

Monday, January 23, 2023 7th and 8th Grade Robotics Practice

Monday, January 23, 2023 Jefcoed Middle School Basketball Tournament at P. Grove

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 CMS Debate at Samford University Debate Competition

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 5th and 6th Grade Robotics Practice

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Jefcoed Middle School Basketball Tournament at P. Grove

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 CHS Wrestling at Springville Duals

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Sumiton Christian at CHS Basketball

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 First Priority in CMS Library

Thursday, January 26, 2023 5th & 6th Grade Robotics Team at North Jefferson Competition

Thursday, January 26, 2023 Jefcoed Middle School Basketball Tournament at P. Grove

Thursday, January 26, 2023 CHS Basketball v. Fultondale at Tarrant High School

Thursday, January 26, 2023 CHS Bowling at State Seeding at Gadsden

Thursday, January 26, 2023 Shelby County and Hayden at CHS Wrestling

Friday, January 27, 2023 CHS Bowling at State Tournament at Gadsden

Friday, January 27, 2023 CHS Basketball at Carbon Hill

Saturday, January 28, 2023 CHS Wrestling Host Ken Gleaton Duals

Saturday, January 28, 2023 Miss CHS Yellow Jacket Pageant

Monday, January 30, 2023 ACCESS for ELL Test Administration

Monday, January 30, 2023 7th and 8th Grade Robotics Team Practice

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 ACCESS for ELL Test Administration

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 5th and 6th Grade Robotics Practice

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 7th and 8th Grade Robotics Team at North Jefferson Competition

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 Hanceville at CHS Basketball

Friday, February 3, 2023 Miss CMS Beauty Pageant Practice at CHS

Saturday, February 4, 2023 Miss CMS Beauty Pageant at CHS

Monday, February 6, 2023 CMS Cheerleading Tryout Clinic

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 CMS Cheerleading Tryout Clinic

Wednesday, February 8, 2023 CMS Cheerleading Tryout Clinic

Thursday, February 9, 2023 CMS Cheerleading Tryout Clinic

Friday, February 10, 2023 CMS Cheerleading Tryouts

Our Mission

Corner Middle School is committed to empowering our students as they build a foundation for college, career, and community success in a nurturing environment.

Our Vision

Our vision at Corner Middle School is to ensure our students are academically, emotionally, and socially prepared for challenges they may encounter in the next phases of their lives.

Our Beliefs

Corner Middle School believes we will accomplish our Mission and Vision in serving our community of learners by:

- Loving, encouraging, and inspiring our students and each other in our daily interactions.

- Utilizing highly-effective instruction and a challenging curriculum.

- Meeting the needs of diverse learners in order to prepare them for college and entry into a career pathway.

- Partnering with the community.

- Cultivating student leaders.

- Integrating technology into all areas of learning.

Email: mmanning@jefcoed.com
Website: https://cornerms.jefcoed.com
Location: 10005 Corner School Road Warrior, Alabama 35180
Phone: (205) 379-3230
Facebook: facebook.com/CornerMS
Twitter: @CornerMiddle