In the Loop
May 6, 2022
District News
Trussville Veterans Committee Presents American Flags to TCS
Registration for Rising 11th and 12th Graders
ACAP Summative Testing Reaches Successful Conclusion
ACAP (Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program) Summative testing for Grades 2-8 concluded this week. As a district, a total of 17,077 tests were administered covering the areas of ELA (English Language Arts), Mathematics, and Science. This year’s standardized testing overall went very smoothly, according to District Test Coordinator Mrs. Stephanie Rosetta. Many ask the question – why so much testing? End-of-year testing provides a summative assessment of how far students have grown academically from the start of the school year in August. See more insight on testing and when to expect your child's test results.
Ribbon Cutting Follow-Up: A "Thank You" to Our Supporters
The Trussville City Schools Central Office Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was last week, and I want to personally thank everyone who attended and celebrated with us. Support from the Mayor, City Council, local, state and national government, along with the community-at-large means the world to us. On behalf of the Trussville City Schools Board of Education, we thank you for helping us maintain a level of success that continues to be among the top school systems in the state. Our new building is a reflection of our excellence in education. Working together means winning together! -Dr. Pattie Neill, Superintendent (Photo gallery of ribbon-cutting)
Campus Notes
Academy of Craft Training Honors HTHS Students
Hewitt-Trussville High School students continue to shine at the Academy of Craft Training (ACT). Zayden Davis and Ryan Carr were selected as ACT’s March/April Employee of the Month for Building Construction and HVAC. They scored the highest based on ACT’s employability scale. McKinlee Lewis was selected as February's Employee of the Month for Building Construction. He scored the highest score based on ACT’s employability scale.
All employees of the month receive special, on-site recognition and gifts from ACT industry partners. With a capacity of 250 students, the Academy of Craft Training is a public/private partnership between the commercial construction industry and the State of Alabama’s K-12 Career and Technical Education System. Its mission is to recruit, educate and guide high school students for educational and employment opportunities in the construction industry.
Paine Celebrates Adaptive PE Spring Fling
Magnolia Celebrates Autism Awareness Week
Students and staff at Magnolia Elementary recently celebrated Autism Awareness Spirit Week. This week was the grand finale to Autism Awareness month, a time set aside to increase understanding, acceptance, and appreciation for people with autism and to build a diverse, accepting and kind learning community. During Magnolia's Autism Awareness Spirit Week, the following days were observed: 1) Magnificent Mind Monday: Students and staff wore fun hats or wild hair. 2) Neurodiversity Tuesday: Students and staff wore rainbow or tie-dyed colors to school. 3) What's Your Passion Wednesday: Students and staff dressed to represent things they love. 4) Autism Acceptance Day: Students and staff wore blue, red, or gold to show acceptance. 5) Sensory Friendly Friday: Students and staff wore their most comfy clothes. In the words of Fran Box, teacher, "The week was a great way to promote awareness and diversity!" - Submitted
Paine Students Honored by AL Center for Architecture
Paine Elementary students Devon Hawthorne (3rd grade) and Reese Walkenbach (5th grade) were both honored at a special ceremony on May 5 at Children's Hospital for their artwork submitted to the Alabama Center for Architecture's 2022 "dreamARCHITECTURE" Design Your Dream Hospital Contest. Hawthorne earned 3rd place overall (3rd grade category) and Walkenbach earned Honorable Mention (5th grade category) among more than 2,000 entries submitted by students across metro Birmingham. Artwork by Hawthorne and Walkenbach will be on display for one week at Children's Hospital. Mrs. Angela Santiago teaches art at Paine Elementary School and helped facilitate this process.
Cahaba Kindergarten Debuts "Under the Sea"
Kindergarten students at Cahaba Elementary presented their first music program Thursday, April 28th. The musical theme was Under the Sea. Students dressed in ocean themed costumes and sang many nautical numbers under the instruction of music teacher, Tina Fortenberry. The night was concluded by a magical black light presentation that transported parents and friends under the sea. Congratulations to all the kindergarten students for a job well done! -Submitted
New Arrivals Hatch at Paine Elementary
It’s no secret that Paine’s enrollment continues to grow. That enrollment has increased by a few just this week with the arrival of baby chicks in Mrs. Heather Cates’ Kindergarten class. It's all part of a study of habitats and life cycles – one in which the students have profound interest. Prior studies included those of plants, butterflies, rainforests, oceans and more. Now, the habitat/life cycle study has pivoted to chickens. See more on this exciting, project-based learning. See more on the Paine Elementary School website.
HTHS National Art Honor Society Annual Service Project
The HTHS National Art Honor Society recently completed its annual community service project. Students in the Honor Society collaborated with Serving You Ministries (SYM) to provide art supplies and crafts to low-income students and families. According to its mission, "SYM serves the Birmingham community and areas in need through a Christ-centered and sincere attitude, SYM provides hope to families through sustainable solutions assisting in education, child care, job readiness, safe and affordable housing, health and nutrition, and crisis relief through partnerships with volunteers and other nonprofits." -Submitted
HT Athletics
Tracking the Huskies
- Softball Hosts Area Tournament
- Baseball Advances to State Quarterfinals
- Boys Soccer Set for Playoff Game
- Outdoor Track and Field: Sectional Recap
- Girls Golf Competes at Sub-State
- More!
See all the latest news in this edition of Tracking the Huskies!
Community Notes
Leadership Trussville Inaugural Class
The newly-formed Leadership Trussville seeks applicants for its inaugural class. Those interested in learning more about the application process and all the time commitments Leadership Trussville entails may visit Leadership Trussville's official website. According to its mission statement, "Leadership Trussville [exists] to encourage and educate an annual class of qualified and highly motivated individuals who want to strengthen their leadership skills, deepen their sense of civic involvement, and be more involved with ideas and initiatives to better our community while learning first-hand about the issues and needs in Trussville." Leadership Trussville is a non-political, non-governmental, independent 501(c)3 nonprofit governed by a Board of Directors. Jason Gaston, Public Relations Supervisor for Trussville City Schools, serves as Vice-President for Leadership Trussville on the Board of Directors.
YMCA Afterschool Childcare Program
YMCA Afterschool Childcare Program registration for the 2022-23 School Year opened on April 18. The YMCA of Greater Birmingham offers its Afterschool Childcare Program on-site at all TCS elementary schools. Details and contact information for the program are listed below. The YMCA Afterschool Childcare program is designed to help children succeed developmentally and academically. At the Y, children cultivate the values, skills, and relationships that lead to better achievement in the classroom, positive behaviors, and enhanced social skills. Learn more about the YMCA's Afterschool program on this website. For more information on specific sites and programs, please see the following:
Cahaba: Elizabeth Robertson | Site Director | erobertson@ymcabham.org
Magnolia: Fred Hatcher | Site Director | fhatcher@ymcabham.org
Paine: Jailyn Hale | Site Director | jhale@ymcabham.org
Briana Williams | Area Director | bwilliams@ymcabham.org
Ben Moffatt | Associate Executive Director | bmoffatt@ymcabham.org
Billing & Online Account Questions | childcare@ymcabham.org
General questions? childcare@ymcabham.org
It's Time to Talk About Mental Health: Trussville Public Library
May 12, 6-8pm Teens only - We will watch a NAMI presentation called "Ending the Silence" and then counselor Christa McCrorie will talk with us about stress management and mental health in general. Info on the Trussville Public Library website. Check our events calendar on our website for further details. -Submitted by Trussville Public Library
Youth Football Camps: Registration Now Open
2022 Youth Football Camp – Monday, July 25th – Wednesday, July 27th
The Hewitt-Trussville Youth Football Camp is a three (3) day camp. It will be divided into groups by grade to receive as much individual instruction as possible. Designed for kids to improve in the fundamentals of their position and have fun! All kids entering K – 6th are welcome. Cost is $110/camper paid online ONLY using link provided on this registration form. https://forms.gle/beLRjgqqd38zq4a3A
2022 Elite Passing Academy - Monday, June 20th – Wednesday, June 22nd
The Elite Passing Academy is designed to give athletes the opportunity to work with coaches who have expertise in their position. We will work on fundamentals for each position in the passing game – Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Receivers, and Tight Ends. All kids entering 4th – 8th grades are welcome. Cost is $110/camper paid online ONLY using link provided on this registration form.
Trussville Racquet Club 2022 Summer Tennis Evening Clinics
Visit this PDF link for more information on how to become involved in Trussville Parks and Recreation's 2022 Summer Tennis Evening Clinics, in partnership with the Trussville Racquet Club.
Important Resources for TCS Parents & Students
Here are a few shortcuts to important resources listed on the TCS District website:
PreK-12 district preparing students to compete globally via rigorous education.