School Calendar Proposals

It is apparent from the survey on this blog that the respondents want a March spring break and a week off for Thanksgiving. We firmly believe that our employees cannot support a calendar that eliminates the preparation of the week prior to testing, so we removed the following possible spring break dates from our calendar proposals.

• AHSGE Prep Week-  March 11-18 
• ARMT+ Prep Week-  April 1-5

Please click on this link to view the proposed calendars.  We welcome your feedback. 

2012-2013 Testing Dates Released

We have just received testing dates for 2012-2013. The dates are as follows:

• AHSGE-  July 9-13, 2012
• AHSGE-  September 17-21, 2012
• EXPLORE-  October 17-24, 2012
• PLAN-  October 17-24, 2012
• AHSGE- December 3-7, 2012
• ACCESS for ELLs-  February 18-March 29, 2013
• AAA-  March 4-22, 2013
• AHSGE-  March 18-22, 2013
• ARMT+-  April 8-19, 2013

School Calendars: What Others Are Doing

The Autauga County Board of Education approved last Thursday a calendar for the 2012-13 school term that had already been pre-approved by local educators. Click here to read the full article.

System's Mock ARMT+ Dates Set

Here are our tentative plans regarding the mock ARMT+:

• All counselors will receive test training prior to the mock ARMT+.
• All teachers and administrators will receive test training prior to the mock ARMT+.
• Tests will be developed by specialists and coaches.
• Tests will be secured at Central Office.
• Supervisors will deliver tests on the date of administration.
• Tests will be disseminated to teachers from the counselor's office on the day of the test.  
• Tests will be administered by homeroom or as it would be on the actual test date.
• IEP accommodations are in effect and will mimic the actual test.
• Tests will be returned to the counselor’s office.
• Supervisors will return tests to Central Office for review.
• Test results will be used to develop a curriculum map that culminates prior to testing.
• Professional development will follow.
• Note:  To our best of knowledge, parts are not designated as reading vocabulary,  reading comprehension, math procedures, and/or math problem solving.
• Note:  We will add a link to regarding the amount of time allowed per part.
• Note:  Mock dates are in normal font and type. Tentative ARMT+ are highlighted.

1. Wednesday, February 22, 2012 (April 10)
1. Mock ARMT+ Math Part 1 and Part 2-  Administered to Grades 4-7
2. Mock ARMT+ Math Part 1-   Administered to Grades 3 and 8
2. Thursday, February 23, 2012  (April 11)
1. Mock ARMT+ Math Part 3-  Administered to Grades 4-7
2. Mock ARMT+ Math Part 2-  Administered to Grades 3 and 8
3. Tuesday, February 28, 2012 (April 12)
1. Mock ARMT+ Reading Part 1-  Administered to Grades 3-8
4. Wednesday, February 29, 2012 (April 17)
1. Mock ARMT+ Reading Part 2-  Administered to Grades 3-8

Governor Bentley's Plan for Education

Governor Robert Bentley announced this morning four bills to be introduced in the coming legislative session that he says will help reform education in Alabama, including charter schools and tying teacher evaluations to student achievement.Click here for the full article.

LHS Coaches Participate in First Pitch

Coach Parks and Bobby Valentine

On January 24, 2012  LHS Coach Andre Parks and Coach Bob Williams attended the 3rd Annual "First Pitch" Dinner at the RSA Activity Center in Montgomery. The emcee for the event was Dee Jackson, WAKA-CBS TV Sports Anchor and the Guest Speaker was Bobby Valentine, Manager Boston Red Sox. Coach Parks is pictured in the photo with Bobby Valentine and Coach Williams is pictured giving a

testimonial.  

Coach Williams Addresses the Audience

In attendance were several current and former major league players and scouts, high school and college coaches/players and representatives from the AHSAA.

The purpose of the dinner was to raise funds in support of programs that serve high school players.

The Alabama Baseball Coaches Association http://www.alabca.org/ headed by Barry Dean, President/Executive Director, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization for the betterment of amateur baseball in Alabama.

School Closing

Thank you to all for your assistance in letting school out early.  We are thankful that the troublesome weather did not materialize.

Congratulations Clint Kilcrease

Clint Kilcrease, a senior at Brantley High School, has been selected as the Class 1A Area 3 Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete winner.  He will now compete with others in Class 1A Region 2 competition. The winner will be announced on February 1.  Congratulations Clint!

School Start Age Bill in the Works

Some powerful groups are backing a bipartisan bill in the 2012 legislative session that would lower the mandatory school-start age for children from 7 years old to 6 years old.  To read more click: Bill reintroduced to lower mandatory school-start age from 7 to 6 (Gadsden Times © 01/24/2012)

Poetry In Motion

Kudos to Ms. Rebecca Sims and her students.  They participated in the FALL 2011 CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS PoeticPower.com poetry contest and had 29 students selected to be published in the “A Celebration of Poets: South: Grades 4-12: Fall 2011” book this year.  Because more than HALF of their entries were published, they will again be ranked as a Poetic Achievement Honor School.  This feat will put them in the running for a Creative Communications Language Arts Grant ($250) to further develop writing in their school. Winners included:

Carroll,Erica

Cauthen,Brandy

Clayton,Destiny

Curry,Davintez

Davis,Lauren

Davis,Nikki

Dorman,Jenna

Dunn,John

Frazier,Phillip

Gafford,Caitlyn

Givens,Brenda

Graham,Kasi

Harris,Simon

Kelley,Kase

Martin,Haley

McGhee Jr.,Darren

Powell,Brandon

Roll,Jordan

Shepherd,Jerika

Shepherd,Khadijah

Spann,Nick

Sport,Kristy

Taylor,David

Walpole,Kyle

White,Nikki

White,Shara

Whitehead,Jenna

Young,Ashley

Think You Know It All...

...or if you wished that you did, click on  http://www.wolframalpha.com/.

BHS Girls Unchanged, LHS Boys Slip a Notch

GIRLS CLASS 1A 
1. R.A. Hubbard (12-1)
2. Holy Spirit (21-1)
3. McIntosh (14-0)
4. Brantley (14-4)
5. Lynn (17-1)
6. Geneva County (12-3)
7. Collinsville (14-8)
8. Fruitdale (16-4)
9. Woodville (14-5)
10. Jefferson Christian (12-3)
Others nominated: Akron (14-7); Cedar Bluff (10-9); Marengo (10-2); Pleasant Home (8-4); Valley Head (9-8).


Boys CLASS 3A 
1. Clarke County (17-1)
2. Greensboro (16-3)
3. Luverne (18-3)
4. Madison Academy (12-9)
5. Holly Pond (19-4)
6. Piedmont (14-7)
7. Handley (12-4)
8. Daleville (14-4)
9. Montgomery Academy (13-6)
10. Pisgah (14-6)
Others nominated: Carbon Hill (13-7), Hokes Bluff (15-6), Trinity (14-5).

iBooks-Textbooks Released

I am stoked....and it is not often that I get this way, but Apple has teamed with The McGraw Hill Company to create textbooks for the iPad.  I just downloaded an Algebra I textbook and have highlighted text, defined words via the glossary, internet and wikipedia, manipulated charts and graphs, highlighted texts, and participated in a personal tutor video regarding the slope formular (y=mx+b).  The personal tutor consisted of video and audio instruction that resembled a classroom white board.  It allows you to stop, rewind, pause and fast-forward the instruction.  All of this and more for just $14.99 (plus and iPad at $499). For more information click on the links.
http://www.apple.com/education/ibooks-textbooks/  http://m.ctv.ca/topstories/20120119/apple-textbook-ipads-ibooks2-120119.html .  I forgot to mention that I watched an "across the curriculum" video of the manatee.

Best Wishes to Mallie Alford

As Crenshaw County’s Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) representative, Mallie Alford will participate in the state program in Montgomery on January 21-22, 2012. The state winner will advance to the national program, held in the program's birthplace of Mobile, Alabama.

Mallie was honored with a send-off reception sponsored by Jean Sims and the Crenshaw County DYW Board at Luverne High School on January 12, 2012. Over 100 guests turned out to share well wishes with Mallie.  

Mallie plans to attend Auburn University in the fall and pursue a degree in Agricultural Communications.

Welcome New Employees

Please welcome the newest Crenshaw County Board of Education employees:

1. Ms. Daniele Butts,  Elementary Guidance Counselor, Highland Home School
2. Mr. Dee Crittenden,  Maintenance Worker, CCBOE
3. Ms.  Leann McKenzie, Bus Driver, Brantley School

Board Member Recognition Month

Local schools honored members of the Crenshaw County Board of Education at its Regular Meeting Tuesday night.  

We are very fortunate to have sincere and honest members who have children's best interest at heart.  Thank you Board for all that you do!

Math Textbook Committe Approved

The following textbook committee members were approved during last night's Board Meeting:

1. Carol Floyd
2. Doug Bailey
3. Shelley Hughes
4. Gary Simmons
5. Greg Evans
6. April Hall
7. Mandy Hobbs
8. Charlie Dawkins
9. Lisa Turner
10. Marietta Stroud
11. Connie Upshaw
12. Michelle Williamson

WAKA visits HHS 6th Grade

Mr. Eiland reported that Micah Harris from WAKA visited Mrs. Katy Elliot's classes today for a special lesson on weather patterns and to help initiate her introduction of the AMSTI unit, Catastrophic Events.  The students, teachers and principal had a great time and became novice meteorologists.  

HHS Essay Contest Winner Recognized at UA

Cassidy Balkcom, a junior in Mrs. Rebecca Sims’ English Honors class at Highland Home School, was selected as one of many statewide honorees invited to attend the University of Alabama’s tenth annual To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Contest awards luncheon ceremony on Friday, January 27, 2012.

The Honors College at The University of Alabama instituted this contest following Harper Lee’s 2001 induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor. Alabama public, private, and eligible home-schooled students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit 600-750 word essays reflecting their perceptions regarding why -- 50 years since its publication -- To Kill a Mockingbird remains an iconic work of American fiction. Each participating school chooses a winning entry, and a monetary prize is awarded to these winners; additionally, a statewide student winner is chosen by a panel of judges from the UA Honors College to receive $500, and $500 will also go that student’s school. The contest is co-sponsored by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Andy Andrews

I am excited that Andy Andrews will be the closing speaker at our Superintendents' Conference in February!  His most recent book is a “wake-up call to become informed, passionate citizens who demand honesty and integrity from our leaders…or suffer the consequences of our own ignorance and apathy.”  Click here to read more.

Please share with us your favorite read of late.

Charter Schools

Charter schools will be priority for Alabama lawmakers House Speaker Mike Hubbard says changes also coming to state's immigration law. To read the news story, click here.

Chances Are

Mr. Eiland thought he caught me shooting dice this past Wednesday.  He did catch me in a game of chance with Mrs. Carol Floyd's students.  The study of probability of rolling even or odd was most interesting, though  I did not win.

The Magic Word Is Not Please

We visited HHS this past Wednesday and observed many exciting classes.  Notably, Mrs. Sandra Kilpatrick, 4^th grade math teacher, did a superb job with a word problem that required an open-ended answer.  Students used a variety of techniques in demonstrating a solution.  The articulation of students was amazing.  We hope that all teachers, grades 3-8, will develop a “Magic Word” wall and supply students with ample open-ended questions.

BHS Girls Ranked Number 4

CLASS 1A
1. R.A. Hubbard (10-0)
2. Holy Spirit (19-1)
3. McIntosh (12-0)
4. Brantley (13-4)
5. Lynn (15-1)
6. Fruitdale (16-2)
7. Geneva County (11-2)
8. Valley Head (8-6)
9. Collinsville (11-8)
10. Woodville (12-5)
Others nominated: Addison (9-4); Akron (10-7); Cedar Bluff (9-8); Marengo (8-2); Spring Garden (10-8).

LHS Boys Move to Number 2

CLASS 3A1. Clarke County (13-1)
2. Luverne (16-3)
3. Greensboro (13-3)
4. Madison Academy (10-8)
5. Holly Pond (16-4)
6. Piedmont (12-7)
7. Elkmont (12-5)
8. Handley (10-4)
9. Daleville (12-4)
10. Trinity (12-4)
Others nominated: Bayside Academy (11-7), Carbon Hill (11-7), Montgomery Academy (11-6), Pisgah (12-6).

Business Certification Review Receives Highest Marks

The Crenshaw County Public School’s Career Tech Department recently participated in a state review of  its Therapeutic Services Program  and were deemed 100% compliant!  Kudos to Ms. Becky Stubbs, instructor, and all others who assisted!

Kindergarten Attributes

Mrs. Lowery’s kindergarten class worked collaboratively with attribute blocks disseminating various shapes polygons and colors.   Pictured here are Elli Knighten and Nick Odom.

Fish Eyes

Ms. Kelley's first grade class incorporated the book Fish Eyes into their math lesson this past Monday.  The objective was to accurately measure various lengths of fish, thus determining the keepers.  She incorporated science and geography into the lesson by mentioning the types of fish and their typical location (i.e. alewife, mackerel, and perch, not catfish, bream and bass.

Student Success Starts With the Schedule

Creative scheduling is being utilized in various locations.  BHS elementary has alternated their morning and afternoon classes whereas if a student received reading and math in the afternoon first semester, they are now receiving math in the morning and reading in the afternoon.  HHS grades 7-8 are utilizing a modified block schedule.  On certain days of the week, students receive two consecutive hours of math or reading instruction.  Additionally, students receive one additional remedial class per week.  HHS is also utilizing special grouping of core classes.  More regarding this out-of-box scheduling is forthcoming

It Is All In the Timing

Various timers are being utilized to increase structure and maximize instruction and  learning.  When the timer sounds, teacher quickly transition to the next phase of the activity.  Seen here is timer software used in Mrs. April Hall's room.

Math Scores Continue to Improve

In review of the most recent math post test data verses 7-year trends, we are pleased at our gains in mastery of content.  Gains range from 4% to over 30%,  which is double the mastery in some cases.

Math Wiz Wednesdays

We have begun Math Wiz Wednesdays with a focus on ARMT specs.  Grades K-5 have designated at least 30 minutes per week while grades 6-8 will utilize as much as a full class period.   Though outside resources are being utilized (i.e. Buckle Down and Coach books), inquiry-based instruction and effective questioning techniques are being utilized.  Much emphasis is being given to open-ended questions and gridded answers.

Fourth Graders Measure Range

On Tuesday, we visited LHS campus and saw many wonderful classes.  Most noted was the use of technology.  Pictured here is Mrs. Bowen’s class who were using customary units of length to measure their height.  In turn, these fourth graders were to measure first graders' height and compare the range of data.

HHS Alabama History Projects

Shown here are HHS Alabama history projects.  Great Job!

Crimson Cool-Aid

In case you did not know, the Crimson Tide demolished the LSU Who Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game this Monday night.  In reference to my memo regarding the fact I don’t drink the Crimson Cool-Aid, but if Bama won you could wear your t-shirts, I have attached a photo demonstrating that I can drink the cool-aid.  Might I add, ‘tis better than eating crow.  Pictured are Mrs. Debra Pippin, the jug and Yours Truly.