Thursday, May 23, 2013

Forecast for 2013-2014 and Summer Plans

As we close out the 2012-2013 school year, our attention has already turned to the upcoming school year. Below is a glimpse at  the exciting plans that we have for our system.

Curriculum
The Alabama State Department of Education recently approved a one diploma option for incoming 9th graders and Crenshaw County Public Schools is in the process of finalizing its plan to present to the Crenshaw County Board of Education in June.  We anticipate presenting an honors endorsement with an additional component(s).

iLearn
Orders have been placed for iPad Minis and covers.  Electronic books have been discussed and the list will be finalized in the near future.  Dates to train our seniors and juniors, along with parents have been established.  We are so excited about this wonderful opportunity.

Professional Development
Crenshaw County will have a tremendous presence at MEGA Conference this summer.  Staff members have been diligently working on our presentation. Additionally, staff members will attend numerous sessions and bring that information to the system for dissemination. We are looking forward to representing and learning from others.

The Board did the system a tremendous good in approving the most recent calendar in that we are able to "front load" all of our professional development.  Also, the early releases will assist in that effort.  

Assessment
Next year's seniors will be the last group to take the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. Passage will be required in order for them to graduate. End of the course exams will be given in the areas of English and math. Grades 3-8 will take the ASPIRE.  All juniors will take the ACT with writing.  Wow! Enough said!

Summer Renovations
Much needed restroom renovations will transpire this summer.  The line-up for make-overs is as follows:  Highland Home School's Office Building, Primary Building and Library Building; Luverne School's Junior High Building and 5th and 6th Grade Building;  Brantley School's High School and 5th and 6th Grade Building restrooms.

Rekeying
All doors in the system will be rekeyed.  One grand-grand master will fit every door in the system. One grand master on each campus will unlock all doors on that campus.  Each classroom will have two keys of which one will remain in a new metal cabinet in the office.  All keys are proprietary  meaning that the local hardware stores cannot make a copy.

Surveillance Cameras
An additional 105 cameras are to be strategically located throughout the system.  Coverage areas include, but are not limited to:  all elementary halls, common areas, building entrances, parking areas, and drives.

Cosmetics and Miscellaneous
All exterior doors will be refurbished.  Brantley School's north wall will be repaired.  BHS's white building will receive much needed ceiling and floor repair.

Floor Machines
New floor machines have been purchased for all schools and the new procedure will not include stripper or water.  The process will involve moving furniture to one side while restoring the empty side.  This should eliminate items being moved to the hall.

Copier
To many a teacher's disappointment, the copier lease expires this June and we must lease new machines.  The new machines: posses the capability of reading two sides at once, have a 200 page document feeder (verses the former 150 page document feeder), have scan to email capability (the former  did not), have computer to copier print capability (the former did not),  can print a blazing 75 pages per minute (the former was faster than most at 55 ppm). We are in hopes that each school will assign someone to periodically stock the machines, knowing this will reduce our maintenance needs.



2012-2013 Year In Review


As we approach the end of the school year, let me thank each of you for your commitment to the students of Crenshaw County Public Schools. Please reflect with me on the many wonderful accomplishments of this past year.

AYP
All schools made adequate yearly progress.  Many people do not realize what an accomplishment this is for an unit school, as all aspects, (graduation rate, ARMT scores, attendance, etc.…) is applicable.  Not so long ago, I reviewed a former Crenshaw County report that showed us making 60% of our goals.  Today, the bar is higher and the goals more numerous.  Congratulations, one more time, for making 123 goals out of 123!

Graduation Rate
To be figure in the upcoming year's school status, whatever that may be, is our system's graduation rate of 90%. This is 16% higher than that of the state's.  Way to go Crenshaw County!

Monitoring
AdvancEd, Compliance monitoring and audit personnel have all come and gone.  Minimal responses were required for AdvancED and Compliance Monitoring reports.  Yet-to-be released audit reports will be superb!!!! More information will be released after the June Board Meeting.  Pre-kudos to all who touch the money!

Diversified Curriculum
We have had much success with many of our new course offerings.  The art, drama, choir, foundations of health, etc.… classes have afforded our students opportunities never experienced before.  Unexpected was the near instant success of students receiving scholarships. 

Championships
Brantley School athletics experienced a banner year in bringing home “Big Blue” in the areas of football and girls basketball.  Near misses were experienced by the BHS boys and LHS basketball teams.

Coaches of the Year
Coach Andrew Kilcrease, Coach David Lowery and Coach Richard Dorsey all received Coach of the Year awards. Great job coaches!

Extra-Curricular
We are proud of all organizations and know that each experienced much success.  Highlighting the year were:   “HOSA goes to Nationals” and "BHS FFA Named Top 5 in the State.”  Great job to all!

Blog News
Yes, we keep data on everything.   The blog has proven to be an excellent means of communicating with stakeholders.  Best of all, it is free.  We have had nearly 72,000 hits in almost 1.5 years. The number one blog this year was about a sixth grader who saved his family.  Thanks to all who supply the information.

Academic Competitions
We love to compete!  Kudos to all who helped with the math, science, spelling and gifted competitions!  We look forward to expanding these events in the near future. 

Facility Improvements
We have almost forgotten that prior to this year, two gymnasiums did not have air conditioning.  How nice it was to sit in a cool facility and enjoy events this past year. 

Doing More with Less
In the first “Commitment,” I mentioned a loss of  $1 million in salary and benefits by way of Federal stimulus funds, the increase in the classroom divisors, and the fact that we were exiting three consecutive years of proration.  Though we have traveled noticeably lighter over the past few years, we have still accomplished all of the aforementioned and so much more.

Again, thank you all for a job well done. Per your efforts, our students will better prepared for life than before.  I hope you all have a great summer.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Elementary Students Rewarded


Sixty Luverne Elementary students were rewarded for their hard work in Accelerated Reader with a Fun day at Turner Park.  Students enjoyed the Bounce house, Sports Maze and many other activities.  They enjoyed Pizza for lunch and ice cream sundaes for a snack before returning to school.




Friday, May 17, 2013

School Calendar Approved

At its Regular Meeting, the Crenshaw County Board of Education approved the 2013-2014 school calendar as seen below.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

After School Programs Still Moving Strong


The 21st Century Community Learning Center's after school programs are winding down another successful year.  Much thanks to the many volunteers and personnel who helped to make this year such a success.  
Mother’s Day Crafts at Tiger Institute with Kathryn Tomlin.
BHS After School Arts and Crafts
Lights On After School Recognize Impact


HHS's Soar High Academy

HHS Students Working on Enrichment Activities
BHS After School Program 

Luverne Elementary Honors Students


Elementary students at Luverne School were recognized for their academic achievement at 2 awards ceremonies, May 16th.  

Students in 1st-3rd grades were recognized for perfect attendance, A & B Honor Roll, and All A Honor Roll for the year.  Each grade level also recognized students with “Good Citizenship” awards.

Students in 4th-6th Grades were also recognized for perfect attendance, A & B Honor Roll, and All A Honor Roll for the year.  Awards were given to the top 10 students with the highest average in each subject.  An achievement award was given to the student with the highest overall average and the second overall average on each grade level.  “Good Citizenship” awards were given to a male and female on each grade level.

Honor Club Students in 4th-6th grades received medals for years in the club; 1 year—bronze, 2 years—silver, 3 years—gold.

6th Grade Honor Students were presented with an “Honor Graduate” medal and the Valedictorian and Salutatorian were given their medals.  Jayden Carlos is Valedictorian and Conner Morrow is Salutatorian. 

Students at Luverne School have worked extremely hard this year and this was evident in the Awards ceremony.

Pictured: 
1-Award’s Day—Elementary Honor Club
1st Grade Good Citizenship—Carson Simmons, Wyatt Cornett, Ariel Phillips, Marissa Jackson, Jahyia Oliver, Taylor Hermeling, Javiin Thigpen (not pictured—Malik Wilson)
2nd Grade Good Citizenship—Logan Wetherbee, Mackenzie Daniel, Hannah Burgans, Austin Cooper
3rd Grade Good Citizenship—Kara Gomillion, Erin Stephens, Ann Ngyuen, Ellieaishia Harris, Ashton Gallimore, Tyler Johnson, Leighanne Higgins, Brenna Reeves
Good Citizenship—6th grade—Erick Zaragoza, Hollan Helms; 5th Grade—Austin Boswell, Aaliyah Harris; 4th Grade—Will Davis, Demetria Riley
2nd Grade Perfect attendance—Emmanuel Andrews, Jacob Wingard
3rd Grade Perfect attendance—Leighanne Higgins, Aniyah McGhee-Burnett, Ann Ngyuen, Jacob Smiley
Overall Highest & Second Highest Averages—6th Grade—Bryant Rushing, Jayden Carlos; 5th Grade—Riley Marchand, Sang Wook Roh;  4th Grade—Cailey Taylor, Emma Wetherbee












HOSA Video Released

HOSA members Morgan Taylor, Amanda Fang and Mallory Jones recently made a two-minute video that describes how HOSA and Health Science are preparing them for a future as a health professional. To view the video click LHS HOSA Trio.

Also, sponsor Becky Cornelius wishes to thank all for assisting in their  fundraising efforts! They met their goal of  $5,000.00 and can now support a trip to Nationals in Nashville.  

Air Force Visits HHS


A unit traveling from the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida  to Goodwater, Alabama, made an impromptu stop outside HHS's primary building. Preschool, first grade and Ms. Gayla's class all greeted members of the unit next to fence. Afterwards, the unit returned with nutritional snacks for our students :).

We are always appreciative of our military men and women and are appreciative of their thoughtfulness in visiting with our students.





Baseball and Softball Round Up

Our softball and baseball teams concluded their seasons this past weekend with strong showings in each tournament.

The BHS Boys Baseball Team advanced to the semi-finals and finished the season with a 21-15 record.  The BHS Girls Softball Team went deep into the Regional Tournament before losing to Pleasant Home. The LHS Girls Softball Team also played well at the Regional Tournament before losing out to Central Hayneville.
Pictured Above the 2013 Lady Bulldogs Softball Team

To Be, or Not to Be: That is the Question

And Highland Home School Juniors were, that is were dressed up as characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  Seen below is a culminating project of a 9-week read.  Can anyone pick out an Horatio or Claudius?  

BHS FFA Top 5 in STATE!

Congratulations to the Brantley School Future Farmers of America and sponsor Mr. Mark Andrews! They were notified this week that they have been selected to receive one of the Top 5 FFA Chapter Awards in Alabama. Way to go!

Monday, May 6, 2013