Thursday, October 31, 2013

Remembering Drew

Family, friends and community members mourned the loss of one of its own this week.  Drew Bradley was a junior at Highland Home School.  She was an honor student who played both volleyball and softball.  She was an outstanding individual with an unmistakable smile.  As Youth Minister Dale Brown told members of a voluntary meeting Monday, if Drew had a 150 pictures on Facebook, they all contained a different person because she was friends with so many.  Drew will sorely be missed at HHS. Our prayers and thoughts will remain with the family and school.  A public memorial will be held Saturday, November 2, at 2 p.m., at the New Testament Christian Center on Highway 80 East in Montgomery next to Buckmasters.




Pulling Together

An overwhelming sense of pride comes of me as I watched the outpouring of love, compassion, dignity and solidity of our students this week.  I have said it many times, "We are so fortunate to live in Crenshaw County."  It is my understanding that each school is collecting funds for the family of Drew Bradley. An account has been established at First Citizens Bank, Highland Home, for anyone who like to contribute.
LHS Students Send Sign to HHS
HHS Students Respond with Thank You

Hall Hogging???

It was recently brought to my attention that there is a new fad among students who are 6' 8" and taller called "hall hogging." Hall hogging is where you put a foot on one wall and a hand on the other. We are not sure of the purpose of this other than to impress younger students.  If you recognize this person, please report him to the authorities.  (We have considered the wording on the back of the pull-over but have explained that notion away as we realized the student was in the "hall" and was hogging the "hall" and that is why the word "hall" is on the back. Furthermore, there is simply no way that Donta' would ever put his feet on the wall...he knows better than that.) 

iPads to 9th and 10th Graders

9th and 10th grade students will soon receive their iPads.  The following dates have been set:
  • December 2, 2013, LHS, 6 PM- 10th grade, 8 PM- 9th grade
  • December 3, 2013, BHS, 6 PM- 10th grade, 8 PM- 9th grade
  • December 5, 2013, HHS, 6 PM- 10th grade, 8 PM- 9th grade
    Parents and Students Attend iLearn Academy

HHS Juniors & Seniors Featured in StageofLife.com Essay Contest

Congratulations to the following 3 semi-finalists (of 19) and 69 honorable mention students(of 257) of Ms. Rebecca Sims’s 11th & 12th grade English classes at Highland Home School, who are featured online in the Stage of Life® August 2013 essay contest that asked, When have you succeeded or failed at a goal? Students voiced their opinions about what goals teens have accomplished, are working on, or failed to achieve.

Stage of Life® is an award-winning, international, educationally based blogging community of people ranging from teens to Baby Boomers who want to help make the world a better place through writing. Please join us in celebrating our HHS winners, who placed among the 700 essays submitted from high school students nationwide over the past four months. Their names and winning essays are listed below; please be encouraged to visit the website and read some of their thoughts!
Of the 19 Semi-Finalists (in no particular order):
3. JESSICA SEXTON, Senior -- Goal Setting: My Starting Line by Jessica Sexton (This teen was pushed to do better and reaped the rewards

7. ANDREW BROWN, Junior -- Goal Setting: All For Him by Abrown8093 (This teen plays baseball for his biggest fan, his grandpa)

9. EMMY KELLEY, Junior -- Goal Setting: Keeping Quiet by Emmy Kelley (This teen’s selective mutism has made life hard)

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
Kadi Faulkner
Dana Moore
Starla Wallace
JD Phillips
Suzie Kent
Arlissia Shepherd
Takia Moore
Heather Chesser
Kori Bell
Erricka Collins
Deangelo Stringer
Ariel Missildine
Mary Katlin Tarvin
Jade Stovall
Kyler Henderson
Courtney Stalls
Buddy Knighten
Miranda Nichols
Benita Pacheco
Brianna Means
Christina Castle
Octavia Stewart
Deonte Crenshaw
Brittany Hurley
Honesty Ripley
Adam Taylor
Shayla Allen
Austin Norris
Austin Dawkins
Adrienne Pouncey
Kristen McCullough
Ashlee Davis
Dalton Harris
Jessie Flack
Willie Smith
Kerri Middleton
Jonah Vitollo
Kadereka Huffman
Drew Bradley
Payton Frazier
Chase Mothershed
Brittany Harris
Daicha Palmer
Courtney Chandler
Dee Harris
Gabby Lee
David Rogers
Mariah Andaluz
Codie Williams
Will Morris
Maitlyn Barton
Billy Nance
Sherika Brown
Darrell Greene
Arthur Teague
Colby Seawright
Darryl Matthews
Easton Franklin
Steven Thompson
Jasmine Moore
Hayden Stacey
Morgan Tillman
Trey Higgins
Natea Bell
Brianna Pruitt
Latarica Robinson
Sarah Best
Amanda Nobles
Sarah Wood
Austin Sexton



Wednesday, October 30, 2013

CCBOE Receives Award for Blended Courses

Congratulations to Crenshaw County Board of Education as we are the recipient of a $50,000 award! Per agreement, CCBOE is partnering with Edgenuity (formerly know as E2020) to provide engaging online education solutions that propel success for every student, empower every teacher to deliver more effective instruction and enable schools and the system to meet the academic goals.  This program will be used via the system's 1:1 iLearn Initiative, and for other purposes such as, but not limited to: credit recovery, alternative school, homebound program and increase overall school improvement in the school system.

High school course offerings may include the following:
  • All core classes
  • Advanced Placement (AP) courses
  • Foreign language courses in Spanish (3 years), French (3 Years), Chinese (2 years), German (2 years), Latin (2 years)
  • Many career technical courses
Middle school course offerings may include:
  • Math grades 6-8 
  • English Language Arts grades 6-8
  • Foreign languages Spanish, French, Chinese, German and Latin.
Test prep that may be included are:  ACT, SAT, GED, and Compass.

Leadership will meet on November 14 to discuss which of the 36 courses the system will offer.  The initial understanding is that prior to taking a particular course, the student will take a pre-test to determine what standards the student has already mastered.  The computer-assisted program then develops a course of study specifically tailored for the student.  In other words, no longer must a student wait on the entire class to master content, they may move at their pace to the next standard and do so until the course is mastered.

We are most excited about this opportunity.

LHS Accelerated Readers Students Recognized


Congratulations to these students for meeting their 1st nine weeks Accelerated Reader Goals.  They were all presented a goody bag.
Thanks to Ms. Traci for honoring these students!
1st Grade
Jackson Ballard, Kent Barginere, Shatia Graves, Adison Lewis, Finley Marchand, Emely McManigle, Maggie Morgan, Barrett Morrow, 
Jayden Parks, Shagarya Stoval
2nd Grade
Tray Butts, Turner Claybrook, Wyatt Cornett, Sawyer Flynn, Breely Hayes, Mason Miller, Troy Pate, Nemi Poole, Carson Simmons
3rd Grade
Mackenzie Daniel, Bella Godwin, LaErykah Harrell, Jailen Jones, Aaron Kelley, Sophie Kelley, Jahdiya Lowery, Zoe Kathryn McManigle, Tucker Money, Jordan Parks, Terrence Smith, Walker Stephens, 
Ashley Tate, Jacob Wingard, Edgar Zaragoza
4th Grade
Noah Daniel, Hunter Defee, Shelton Higgins, Jayden Hokanson, Aniyah McGhee-Burnett, Elbread Roh, Owen Russell, Nick Stewart 
5th Grade
Jordyn Bagents, Elijah Brooks, Ethan Brooks, David Davis, Will Davis, Rachel Elliot, Kyla King, Lily Marchand, JaShon McKee, Kaylee Oswald, Hunter Reeves, Madison Reynolds, Emma Wetherbee
6th Grade
Dakota Brumit

HHS Celebrates Parenting Day

Scores of parents poured into Crenshaw County Schools this past Tuesday for Parenting Day.  We are most appreciative of our parents and all that they do to support their children and our schools.  Below are pics from HHS.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

BHS Celebrates Homecoming

Last Friday, October 18, 2013, Brantley School celebrated its homecoming.  The school and returning graduates enjoyed a fun day consisting of pep rally, assembly program, senior skit and parade.  This year's theme was:  "There's No Place Like Home."
Principal Dodd Hawthorne crowns Shayna Witherington
Homecoming Queen 2013
Football Sweetheart- Akia Pitts, Sophomore Attendant- Annslee Kilcrease, Senior Attendent- Kelsey Hall, Homecoming Queen- Shayna Witherington, Junior Attendent- Amahni Upshaw, Freshman Attendent- Alex Wilcox,
Football Sweetheart- Peyton Hill








Athletic Teams in High Gear

Friday is an important day for Crenshaw County Public Schools athletics.  Two volleyball teams will travel to Montgomery to participate in regional volleyball games and three football teams will attempt to lock up first round home games.  Good luck to all!

  • Brantley School Volleyball vs. Southeastern High School at 12:45 PM
  • Luverne School Volleyball vs. Mobile Christian at 5:30 PM
  • Highland Home Football vs. Elba (H) 7 PM
  • Brantley vs. Red Level (A) 7 PM
  • Luverne vs. New Brockton (H) 7 PM
2013 Brantley School Volleyball Team



Representative Newton Visits HHS

On Tuesday, October 21, 2013, the honorable Charles Newton visited Highland Home School.  Prior to the walk-thru and classroom demonstrations, supervisors and administrators discussed legislative topics pertinent to education.  CCBOE officials advocated for a continuation and expansion of College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS); discussed the new accountability plan, PLAN 2020 and its link to CCRS; discussed CCBOE's iLearn Initiative; and discussed the financial needs of the system.  During the walk-through, Representative Newton observed our use of technology via Mr. Josh Peter's and Mrs. Eva Russell's classrooms, a reading lesson per Mrs. Tara Bailey's room and a math lesson in Mrs. Tina McGough's room.  Representative Newton seemed most impressed with our initiatives and desire to continue to progress through College and Career Ready Standards. Kudos to the HHS administration and staff for being such gracious host.


Representative Newton observes Mrs.Tara Bailey's 2nd Grade reading class. 
Second graders read of sea turtles.
Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Ash observe pre-calculas students. 
HHS seniors Gabriel Lee and Kristen McCullough
plot fat and skinny parabolas using their iPads.
Commissioner Ricky McElwain and Representative Newton observe students using their minis.
Mrs. Sport, Mrs. Catrett, Mr. Fullington and Representative Newton watch 5th grade students in Mrs. McGough's room
correlate fractions of Froot Loops to a pie chart.

AP Courses Coming to Crenshaw

EARN COLLEGE CREDIT NOW!

The Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board offering college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. American colleges often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores above a certain number on the examinations. The AP curriculum for the various subjects is created for the College Board by a panel of experts and college-level educators in each subject. For a high school course to have the AP designation, the course must be audited by the College Board to ascertain it satisfies the AP curriculum. If the course is approved the school may use the AP designation and the course will be publicly listed on the AP Ledger.

AP tests are scored on a 1 to 5 scale as follows:[16]
  • 5 – Extremely well qualified
  • 4 – Well qualified
  • 3 – Qualified
  • 2 – Possibly qualified
  • 1 – No recommendation
Grading the AP exam is a long and complicated process. The multiple choice component of the exam is scored by computer, while the free response and essay portions are scored by trained Readers at the AP Reading each June. The scores on various components are weighted and combined into a raw Composite Score. The Chief Reader for each exam then decides on the grade cutoffs for that year's exam, which determine how the Composite Scores are converted into the final grades. During the process a number of reviews and statistical analyses are performed to ensure that the grading is reliable. The overall goal is for the grades to reflect an absolute scale of performance which can be compared from year to year.[17]

Some colleges use AP test scores to exempt students from introductory coursework. Each college's policy is different (see link below), but most require a minimum score of 3 or 4 to receive college credit.[18] Typically this appears as a "CR" grade on the college transcript, although some colleges and universities will award an A grade for a 5 score.[19] Some countries, such as Germany, that do not offer general admission to their universities and colleges for holders of an American high school diploma without lengthy preparatory courses will directly admit students who have completed a specific set of AP tests, depending on the subject they wish to study there.

In addition, completing AP courses helps students qualify for various types of scholarships. According to the College Board, 31 percent of colleges and universities look at AP experience when making scholarship decisions.[20]


Beginning with the May 2011 AP Exam administration, the College Board changed the scoring of AP Exams.[21][22] Total scores on the multiple-choice section are now based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are no longer deducted for incorrect answers and, as was the case before, no points are awarded for unanswered questions. However, scoring requirements have also been increased.

HHS Band Members to Huntingdon

Congratulation to HHS students who were accepted to participate in the Huntingdon College Marching Honor Band. They will perform with the Scarlet and Grey during the game on Saturday, October 26th.  Best wishes to all!

Samantha Askew - Colorguard
Maitlyn Barton - Clarinet
Kaylon Bell - Colorguard
Courtney Chandler - Colorguard
Cammeron Felder - Drumline
Jessie Flack - Clarinet
Kadereka Huffman - Drumline
Jessica Knighten - Colorguard
Hannah Mathis - Alto Saxophone
Kerri Middleton - Majorette
Sara Richards - Colorguard
Honesty Ripley - Alto Saxophone
Octavia Stewart - Drumline
Madison Tillman - Trumpet
Morgan Tillman - Baritone
Okieria Wade - Colorguard

College Career Fair Held

The Crenshaw County College Fair was recently held at LBW Community College in Luverne with several colleges participating.   Students received much valuable information to consider as they prepare for the next step in life.
Pictured are LBWCC instructors Scott Cooper, Toni Newton, and Mary Ann Hudson; Crenshaw County Superintendent Randy Wilkes; LBWCC student Cyle Ritzel of Florala; Highland Home High School seniors Adam Taylor (using the virtual welder) and Derrick Huffman; and LBWCC student David Gibson of Troy.
Sarah Driggers and Peyton Hill discuss their future with a recruiter.
Stephon King listens to a recruiter.