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.
