Core Notes

Dear TCS Families,

We've only had students back for a full three days of school, year, but it's already a great start to the 2024-25 school year. There is nothing better than seeing the happy, smiling faces of students who are excited to be back and are ready to learn.

Below we have some important reminders and updates for the start of the school year. One thing to note is that families will not receive a paper copy of the 2024-25 Parent/Student Code of Conduct, because we have gone digital. You can access it on our TCS website, although paper copies will be available upon request.

Also, please note the important reminders about our cellphone policy and our dress code. While we do allow cellphones in the buildings, they can be a distraction and not conducive to learning, which is why we do not allow them to be used in the classrooms. Please talk to your children about this and the importance of being engaged in classroom instruction.

Thank you again for choosing the Tuscaloosa City Schools for your student(s). It is going to be an amazing year.

Mike Daria

TCS Superintendent

Are you on Facebook? If so, make sure you are following the TCS Facebook page and check out our First Day of School photo album. We took first day of school photos at all 21 of our TCS schools. Welcome back, students!

Tuscaloosa Bd of Ed on Facebook

You may have noticed that students have not come home with a paper version of the TCS Code of Conduct and Resource guide yet this school year. That is because we are going "paperless."

A PDF copy of the 2024-25 Parent/Student Code of Conduct is available for download through the following link: TCS Code of Conduct. If you prefer to still have a paper version, they will soon be available upon request from your child's school office.

The Tuscaloosa City Schools cellphone policy remains unchanged for the 2024-2025 school year. However, it's important for both students and parents know what that means. Cellphones are allowed in secondary schools, but should NOT be used in classrooms. Earbuds and headphones are also not allowed during the school day.

In high schools, students may use their cellphone in the gym before classes start, in the cafeteria during lunch or in between classes only. For middle school students, cellphones cannot be used at any time during school hours. They must be turned off and out of sight.

Research has shown that cellphones cause a major distraction and that students perform better academically when they do not use their cellphones in school. While we do not currently have a policy banning cellphones, it is important that students follow current TCS policy.

Below is a reminder for parents and for students about the TCS Dress Code, which is found in the TCS Student Code of Conduct:

The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents or guardians. The following rules concerning dress and grooming are mandatory for all students attending Tuscaloosa City Schools. Students who fail to follow these rules will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in Code of Conduct 1.13, “Non-conformity to Dress Code.”

Section 1: Students "Must" Wear:

• Shirts: Must be opaque fabric. Must cover midriff and not be low cut in front or back.

• Bottoms: Pants, sweatpants, joggers, shorts, skirt, dress, leggings. Must be opaque fabric. Dresses and skirts must be fingertip length. Shorts, including athletic shorts, are allowed, but may not be less than a 3” inseam. Genitals and buttocks must be covered at all times.

• Shoes: Activity-specific shoes are permitted (for example for sports or TCTA classes.) Shoes that are secured to the foot and do not easily fall off are highly encouraged for safety reasons.

Section 2: Students "May" Wear:

• Hoodie sweatshirts, although hood cannot be worn over head.

• Fitted pants, including leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans” are allowed as long as it meets requirements in section 1.

• Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed, and rips are not above fingertip length.

• Tank tops, as long as underwear or midriff is not exposed.

• Athletic attire, as long as it meets requirements in Sections 1 and 3.

• Clothing with commercial or athletic logos provided they do not violate Section 3 below.

Section 3: Students May NOT Wear:

• Garments that reflect violent language or images.

• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or the use of same.

• Hate speech, profanity, pornography.

• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class.

• Clothing where underwear is exposed. Undershirts/camisoles cannot be worn alone as shirts.

• Spaghetti straps, or strapless tops, unless otherwise covered.

• Bathing suits.

• Hats or head coverings except as a religious observance or as allowed on special days or for certain athletic or class requirements.

• Pajamas, except when allowed on special days.

• House slippers or shoes intended for indoors only.

• Sunglasses (indoors.)

• Metal-spikes on shoes or metal-toed shoes, except for when needed for a class such as at TCTA.

In TCS, we want to continue our academic progress, continue our current programs, and offer the best education possible for our students. That means providing more opportunities to become a premier school system for Tuscaloosa. However, additional funding is required. It has been since 1986 since ad valorem rates have increased to fund the Tuscaloosa City Schools. While revenues have increased, they have not kept up with inflation or rising school costs.

On Tuesday, September 24, the Tuscaloosa community will vote on a proposed 11.5 mill increase to the ad valorem rate. If approved, it would mean guaranteed pre-K for all, the expansion of art and music to year-round in elementary schools, plus driver's ed in high schools, investment in school safety, and more. If the referendum fails, it means TCS will have to make difficult budget cuts that will impact every school.

For more information, watch the video and visit www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/referendum.

A special election will take place on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, asking Tuscaloosa residents to consider an increase in ad valorem rates to support the Tuscaloosa City Schools. In order to vote in that election, you must be a registered voter and have lived in the city of Tuscaloosa at least 30 days.

If you are not a registered voter but would like to participate in the referendum vote, you must register to vote by Sept. 10. You can confirm your voter registration status and learn more about voting on Alabama’s election website.

Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on election day (Sept. 24). A valid ID is required. To find your district and polling location, please visit the City of Tuscaloosa’s election website.

Paper absentee applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office in Tuscaloosa City Hall (2201 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL) or can be downloaded online. Applications are due by Sept. 19 at 4:30 p.m., and ballots are due by September 23 at 4:30 p.m. Emergency absentee ballots can be applied for and voted on until September 23.

Ballots may be delivered by hand to the City Clerk’s Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or mailed. If mailed, they must be postmarked by September 23 and received by 12:00 p.m. on election day (September 24).

TCS has partnered with United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama to give job opportunities to students as well as buy local produce to serve in our schools. UCP held a ribbon cutting on an all-new greenhouse earlier this month. This hydroponic greenhouse is a joint project between Del Ray Farms and UCP of West Alabama. Alabama ONE Aspire Foundation and DCH Health System are also partners in this endeavor! Watch the video below to learn more.

A huge thank you to parents, staff and students who took the K12 Insight "Culture" survey this spring. Results shows that the majority of parents, staff and students say the quality of education provided in the Tuscaloosa City Schools is "excellent or good."

At least 89% of students say they have at least one friend at their school, 92 percent of parents/guardians say their child's school is safe, and 98% of staff say there is a staff member present in their school to whom a student can go to for help.

The Tuscaloosa City Schools uses this annual survey to improve upon our schools and the student experience. While it helps us know what we are doing well, it also highlights areas we can improve.

To request a more in-depth report of the district's results, click HERE.

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!"