In the Loop
March 18, 2022
District News
Spring Break 2022!
Save the Date: TCS Tax Renewal April 12, 2022
This coming April 12, 2022, we need your help. Your support of Trussville City Schools will help us preserve outstanding programs and continue to provide excellent opportunities for our students. Five important points to remember:
- A local school tax is expiring in 2022.
- This school tax has been in existence since 1992.
- The $4,000,000 generated from this local tax supports programs which receive zero state funding.
- Examples of outstanding TCS programs not funded by the state are band, athletics, clubs, and all other extracurricular activities, plus 25 locally funded teachers above the state minimum program.
- This is a tax renewal, not a tax increase or new tax.
Gaston Appointed to Inaugural Leadership Trussville Board of Directors
TCS Public Relations Supervisor Jason Gaston has been named as Vice-Chair of the inaugural Board of Directors for the newly-formed Leadership Trussville (LT). LT's objective is to identify leaders who love Trussville and have a desire to help build a stronger and better community. This will be done by engaging themselves with others to identify ways that keep us moving forward with new ideas and initiatives that will make a difference for Trussville. According to Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat, who helped Leadership Trussville become a reality, "Our people are our best resources and with LEADERSHIP TRUSSVILLE we will discover those strengths that will continue to make Trussville a better city to live, work, play, and worship." Lori Leonard serves as the new Executive Director of Leadership Trussville. See more about LT on the organization's Facebook page.
ACAP Summative Testing Schedule
TCS will soon release a Special Edition of In the Loop will a detailed overview of the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program - better known as ACAP. The ACAP Summative is a standards-based criterion-referenced assessment designed to provide students, parents, teachers, administrators, and Alabama citizens with information regarding students’ progress toward mastery of the Alabama Course of Study Standards.
The Alabama Course of Study Standards delineate the knowledge and skills the general population of students are expected to know and be able to do at the given grade within an academic content area (i.e., English Language Arts, Math, and Science). View this ACAP resource PDF on the TCS website for more information.
Campus Notes
Magnolia Library Debuts New Entrance
Magnolia Elementary School's library now sports a new colorful and inspiring entrance thanks to art teacher Callie Ward, who designed and painted a show-stopping mural. The mural, which showcases several well-loved books, encourages an appreciation of reading and brings smiles to students' faces as they enter the school's library. In the words of a teacher, "The mural's creativity has made my students more excited about getting new books to read."
HTHS Students: Winners of "Aspirations in Computing Award"
Students Jia Jones and Sarah Self have both been named recipients of the 2022 NCWIT (National Center for Women and Information Technology) Award for Aspirations in Computing. This prestigious award recognizes leadership skills, exceptional academic standing, and innovative thought processes - along with a passion for computing and technology. Self and Jones will be honored at the 2022 NCWIT Aspirations Award Ceremony on April 30 at the University of Alabama/Department of Computer Science. See more on this award via the Aspirations in Computing website.
HTMS Band Receives Superior Ratings and Accolades
HTMS congratulates its bands for great performances this week at the State Band Assessment (MPA) in Vestavia Hills. The Concert Band performed on Tuesday and received an overall Superior Rating; the Symphonic Band performed on Wednesday and received an overall Superior Rating; and the Honors Band performed on Thursday and received all Superior Ratings. Additionally, other students were named to All-State Bands and District Honor Bands. For the full list, visit the HTMS school website.
HTHS Vocalists Shine at All-State Choral Festival
Hewitt-Trussville High School was well represented at the recent Alabama All-State Choral Festival at the BJCC. Twelve vocalists comprised the SATB and SSAA choirs that staged a concert on March 12 in the BJCC Concert Hall. These talented young vocalists practice and perform throughout the school year under the direction of Allen Gillespie, Director of HTHS Choirs.
Cahaba Teacher Named Finalist for PAEMST
Cahaba Elementary administration was recently notified that teacher April Smith was selected along with just two other nominees from Alabama to be considered a national PAEMST honoree for 2022. PAEMST - or the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching - is widely considered the nation's highest honor for teaching in mathematics and science, including Computer Science. The intense application process requires multiple hours of work, including the recording of classroom instruction for evaluation. Smith should know later this year whether her standing advances to the national level. See more on PAEMST.
HT Leadership Survey: Your Input Requested
Do you enjoy green spaces? Do you utilize city parks? What are your thoughts regarding the Cahaba River? Students in Leadership Hewitt-Trussville want to know! Leadership Hewitt-Trussville (LHT) is a collaborative, leadership-building class coordinated among the City of Trussville, the Trussville Chamber of Commerce, and Hewitt-Trussville High School. The student group is currently seeking input regarding a proposed project...a sitting area next to the Civitan Park Green Bridge. Data gathered from your input will inform students as they engineer a proposal for city leaders. Students in LHT experience an extraordinary partnership which offers students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain knowledge of business management, city government, and community service, and to apply these skills within the Trussville area. Submit your survey response today!
HT Athletics
Tracking the Huskies
- AHSAA Winter Sports Alignments Announced
- Girls Tennis Wins McGill-Toolen Invitational
- Taylor Burt: 300 Career Wins
- Outdoor Track & Field: King of the Mountain Recap
- More.....
See all the latest news in this edition of Tracking the Huskies!
Community Notes
Trussville Spring Carnival
The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce wishes to announce the upcoming dates of the annual Trussville Spring Carnival: March 31-April 3. The carnival will be held at 90 Parkway Drive (across from Trussville City Hall). For more information, visit trussvillechamber.com
Important Resources for TCS Parents & Students
Here are a few shortcuts to important resources listed on the TCS District website:
PreK-12 district preparing students to compete globally via rigorous education.