Trussville City Schools’ (TCS) “Making Each Day Count” initiative has been recognized by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) as a model to successfully increase local student attendance and community awareness about the importance of regular school attendance. The TCS initiative joins three other programs across Alabama recognized by ALSDE during the month of September, which is Attendance Awareness Month. See more about Attendance Awareness Month.

Trussville City Schools (TCS) is pleased to report that its Exceptional Education Services Department has met - and surpassed - Alabama State Department of Education's (ALSDE) annual compliance monitoring thresholds for Part B of the IDEA (Individuals With Disabilities Act). ALSDE pulls random files from each Alabama school system as a part of compliance monitoring. A spectrum of areas is checked for adherence ranging from Early Childhood Transition to Child Find efforts. The positive review indicates that TCS meets all IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) and provides exceptional services to students with disabilities. State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey, in his report to TCS, stated in part "...you are to be commended for your efforts to meet the timelines, requirements, and purposes of Part B of the IDEA as you continue to work to improve educational results for students with disabilities."

The TCS Board of Education approved a Remote Learning Day for all 9th grade students. The Remote Learning Day will be Wednesday, October 6, 2021. This will allow 9th grade students the opportunity to complete their classwork remotely using their Chromebooks and/or logging into Schoology during what will be a testing day for their classmates in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

On October 6, 2021:

• 9th grade students will complete classwork at home or at another remote learning location of their parent’s choice.

• 10th grade students will take the Pre-ACT test at school

• 11th grade students will take the Mock ACT test at school

• 12th grade students will either participate in WorkKeys testing at school or take the day as a “College Day” in preparation for next year. Senior students not taking the WorkKeys test have the option to participate in a college visit, complete their college applications, complete their FAFSA applications and/or research college, military or other career path options.

On October 6, HTHS school personnel will be assigned as proctors or test administrators to meet test security requirements. If you have questions, you may contact HTHS at 205-228-4000.

Hewitt-Trussville High School is excited to announce this year's National Merit Semifinalists: Juliana Eberhardt and Judson Upchurch and National Merit Commended Scholar: Madeline Mann. These exceptional scholars join an elite club: there are only 215 National Merit Semifinalists in Alabama (including Eberhardt and Upchurch) and only 141 Commended Scholars (including Mann). The HTHS trio joins some 16,000 Semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program for 2022. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Approximately 95% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. *more photos/information in next edition of In the Loop

Cahaba Elementary raised more than $4,000.00 for its library at the Annual Cahaba Fall Book Fair. The PTO and school staff collaborated to host a sidewalk sale on Tuesday, September 17th. Families were invited to shop the sale that afternoon and enjoy dinner at the PTO-provided food trucks. It was a great family night to support the school library and local businesses.

HTMS students that participated in the Summer Reading Bingo Challenge recently celebrated with a popsicle party and a drawing for the grand prize basket which included a variety of great books, yummy snacks, and a $25 Visa gift card. Students worked hard and read many great books this summer. Congratulations to Sydni Williams for being the winner of the grand prize basket! HTMS encourages students to #KeepReading

Magnolia Elementary School this week launched its first "student-led" yearbook team. Interested students applied for - and were selected to be a part of - this new team. As the team's title suggests, these students will launch a collective effort to create this school year's yearbook for Magnolia Elementary School. Librarian Rebecca Bishop will serve as Faculty Sponsor, under the direction of Principal Dr. Phyllis Faust. Students convened in the library this week for their first meeting where they met with TCS PR Supervisor Jason Gaston who advised the group on storytelling, photography, and other points of interest necessary to document a school year in a medium such as a yearbook. Mrs. Bishop and Dr. Faust led the meeting and gave the students a broad overview of the scope of work expected - impressing upon the students how they were the first such group in Magnolia history to embark on this specific endeavor.

In this week's Tracking the Huskies, numerous announcements were made including:

• Homecoming 2021 details.
• Volleyball's success in the annual "Husky Challenge."
• Tryout deadlines.
• HTMS football and volleyball news.
• More...

See all the latest in the September 21, 2021, Tracking the Huskies!