Friday Thoughts
January 25, 2019

Did you know?
Angie Datuin, CNP Director, with more than 25 years in the nutrition field is still serving our students, staff and teachers on a daily basis.
Angie is expecting her first grandson in April and her son is getting married in October...... To say she is excited is an understatement!!
Mrs. Datuin is an athlete. She played basketball on scholarship at Martin Methodist College and the University of Alabama. Angie has game.....
#teamcolbertcounty
One Team....One Goal....Our Legacy!!
Faculty and Staff Shout outs
Healthcare Watch
Scale Back Alabama
Monday, Jan. 21st, 4pm to Sunday, Jan. 27th, 6pm
425 U.S. 72 Alternate
Tuscumbia, AL
January Health News
Scale Back Alabama Weigh-In week is until this Friday. If you are interested in participating please contact myself or your school nurse.
Participation is in teams of two. The only completing qualification is to lose 10 pounds individually.
"Sassy Girls" (Gale and Angela) weighted in Tuesday....... We are ready!!!
Career Coach - Mrs. Emily Crisler
Tech Trek Camp for Rising 8th Grade Girls
Tech Trek Camp for Rising 8th Grade Girls
Monday, Feb. 4th, 9am
This is an online event.
Please forward this email and the attachments to your 7th-grade science and math teachers. Tech Trek is held every June at UAH to provide encouragement to promising rising 8th-grade girls who have shown interest in and an aptitude for subjects in the STEM fields.
Last year, there were about 150 girls nominated from Alabama and the region, and about 60 were chosen. Lauderdale and Colbert Counties had 1 girl each to attend the camp.
The American Association of University Women, which sponsors the camp along with UAH, encourages teachers to consider qualified girls who may have fewer chances to participate in an enrichment opportunity like this, which could build confidence, help the young person articulate goals, and set her on the path to greater academic achievement and a career in a STEM field.
If the $50 fee for the one-week camp is out of reach for a student who may be selected from your school, there are scholarships available..
The deadline for nominations is February 4.
Contact:
Peggy McCloy
American Association of University Women, Shoals Branch
256-766-7599 (h)
256-740-1616 (c)
2019 GEMS Expo
Reminder! I sent this out early last fall!!!
2019 GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) Expo is approaching. Alabama Department of Education has partnered with Girls Who Code to offer curriculum for GEMS clubs as an option. The clubs are for grades 3-5 and 6-12. See link for more information.2019 Colbert County Schools College Signing Day
Thursday, March 21st, 5pm
425 U.S. 72 Alternate
Tuscumbia, AL
We are planning on having a HUGE college signing day on March 21st. This would be county-wide for all seniors that are going to college. Please encourage your students to apply to college. Finally, this grand day is for ALL students accepted into college NOT just students who are receiving scholarships. #teamcolbertcounty
One Team...One Goal...Our Legacy!!
ESL Edge - Ashley Harris Teacher
Here is the ESL Edge for this week:
Students at English Learner Level 3 - Developing:
Understand academic English with less difficulty
Speak using a variety of sentence structures and grammar
Use newly acquired vocabulary to experiment with English
Great choices for level 3 support are:
Graphic organizers
Tiered instruction
Build on prior knowledge
Alabama DECA State Career Development Conference, February 20 - 21
CHHS DECA received Honor Roll statue. The article was written in the Colbert County Reporter during the Christmas Holiday. The DECA members are awesome! "I think this a great achievement and honor for CHHS, and the Colbert County School District." Mrs. Teresa Billingsley
The HOSA Students - Selling First Aid Kits
The HOSA students of the Colbert County School System are selling First Aid Kits to help support their trip to the Alabama HOSA State Conference where they will compete in several events. We are hoping with this fundraiser that this will help some of the financial burden of the trip. I am attaching the brochures for the first aid kits that we are selling. The inside brochure explains the contents of each kit. I am going to send some flyers to the elementary schools to send out to parents of students that may want to purchase them. The HOSA students will receive 50% of sales that will go towards expenses of this trip. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to purchase a first aid kit. The checks should be made payable to CHHS.
Cherokee High School
CORONATION: Monday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Faculty is expected to attend. Senior sponsors, don't forget that you are responsible for the cleanup! The students will vote during 2nd block on Tuesday, Jan 22.
SENIOR NIGHT: for basketball and cheer is Thursday, January 31. Games begin at 5:00. Recognition will be between the varsity games (around 6:00)
May 9th - Spring Concert
Fire College
Here you have 2 students who passed all Fire College requirements and will receive their Firefighter 160 Certification upon graduation.
Congratulation to Kaleb Zills and Ben Taylor....... Both are juniors!!!

Hatton Elementary School
Great Kindness Challenge coming Jan. 28-Feb. 1
HATTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TAKES THE GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE
Leighton, AL- Hatton Elementary School in Colbert County is excited to announce plans to participate in The Great Kindness Challenge Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, 2019. This is the third year for the school’s participation. The Great Kindness Challenge is a positive, proactive bullying prevention initiative which reaches millions of students during the last week of January each year.
In an effort to create a consistent, positive message throughout the school and community, Hatton is implementing a week of kindness activities involving community leaders, staff, parents, and students. From a community kindness tunnel on Monday, January 28 at 7:10 am to welcome students to school to kindness stations in PE where students will complete an act of kindness for staff, other students, or community members. Hatton Elementary School will place a large focus this week on kindness activities. Students will also have a checklist containing 50 acts of kindness to complete by the end of the week. During this special week, Kind Coins will be collected to raise money for the American Cancer Society and The Healing Place.
Research on kindness initiatives in schools show an increase in student well-being, peer acceptance, trust in the school environment, and academic success. The Great Kindness Challenge was created by Kids For Peace to provide schools with a tool to create a positive school environment. Over ten million students participated in the program in 2018 and performed over 500 million acts of kindness. Kids for Peace is a global non-profit organization that provides a platform for young people to actively engage in socially conscious leadership, community service, arts, environmental stewardship, and global friendship.
Leighton Elementary School
Community Support
Valley Grove Church has provided a great ministry to our students by donating $1125 to assist with lunch balances. We are blessed with wonderful churches and community members!
Highland Park Baptist will be ministering to LES by conducting a community service project on Feb. 16. They will be painting the pre-K building restrooms, sidewalk paint projects, and cleaning debris of the parking lot.
Grading Policy Reminder
It is important to remember that board policy states that graded assignments should be entered into the grade book and returned to students within 5 days of the assignment. Also, 6 grades per 9 weeks are required in each subject.
Please stay occur with your grades..... parents are more active and they want to see current grades. Thank you for our help in this next level of communication!!
Attendance - -Everyday is a day of Learning!!
Please continue to encourage attendance of all students everyday. I assure you that Ms. Cagle is doing all she can to get them here. When you consider the State School Report Card, nothing is more important than attendance. Yes, chronic absenteeism only counts for 15% of our score, but absenteeism is likely the largest factor in academic growth and achievement.
"They cannot grow or achieve academically when they are grocery shopping with grandma." Principal Nathan Fuller
Technology Professional Development
Casie Barksdale - Dirctor of Technology & Integration Specialist
We have completed Google Productivity. I know the digital transition is new for the majority of faculty but they have embraced it well. The several teachers show stronger confidence in their Google knowledge and could be ready for the Level 1 Google Certification if they are willing.
If you were recommended for additional Google Level Certification, please do not hesitate to speak with your principal regarding next steps.
Human Resources & Business Office
W2
Off-Site Counseling Appointments
Are you thinking of retiring? If you are within three years of retirement, an individual counseling appointment will provide many important answers to your retirement questions. Please view the 2019 appointment schedule to see when a counselor will be in your area.
12th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest
The 12th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 11 am until 5 pm in Wilson Park, Florence.
Attached is the information and form for the 12th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest Official T Shirt Design Contest.
All Colbert County School students in grades 4-12 are eligible. FYI: A NBES student won last year!! :)
For more information about our group please visit:
Colbert County Reporter
- Every Friday, our students and staff are the paper..doing something awesome!! Check them out!!..
- Please, please, please check out your local hometown paper…..
- May I encourage you to renew your subscription because students from our district will be writing and editing for each distribution
Another great partnership!!
Student Support Services
Resources for Suicide Prevention
Crisis Services of North Alabama (Huntsville) Phone: (256) 716-1000 Toll Free: (800) 691-8426 Hours of Operation: 24/7
Lifelines/Family Counseling Center of Mobile Phone: (251) 431-5111 Toll Free: (800) 293-1117 Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CST) Monday-Friday
Academic Competitions
Junior High Scholar’s Bowl
Thursday, March 7th, 8:30pm
850 High School Drive
Cherokee, AL
High School Scholar’s Bowl
Thursday, April 11th, 8:30pm
2200 High School Street
Leighton, AL
Valedictorian/Salutatorian Luncheon
Monday, May 13th, 11:30am
312 North Montgomery Avenue
Sheffield, AL
Colbert County Honor’s Night
Thursday, May 16th, 6pm
503 South Wilson Dam Road
Muscle Shoals, AL
Pre-K Completion Ceremony
Sunday, May 19th, 2pm
503 South Wilson Dam Road
Muscle Shoals, AL
2019 Pre - K Pre-registration
The Registration numbers for Prek are as follows;
CES-14 Slots Available: 36
CHES-44 Slots available: 54
HES-13 Slots available: 18
LES-27 Slots available: 36
NBES-23 Slots available: 18
Help us give our youngest citizens a great start to their future........
First Class Pre-K Education!
Students are not required to live in our school zone.
Saturday Day School
Saturday, Jan. 26th, 8am
425 U.S. 72 Alternate
Tuscumbia, AL
School Board Members: Work Session
Monday, Feb. 4th, 5pm
425 U.S. 72 Alternate
Tuscumbia, AL
Education Foundation
Fall 2018 Payroll Deduction Fundraiser
- Winner of the $500 classroom fee will be announced on Thursday, December 20th at the school board meeting, at the central office.
- Thank you everyone who are participating....
- I'll see you there....
Education Foundation Inserts - Sheffield Utilities
I am happy to say that we have completed a full cycle of the Colbert County Board of Education mailers and are getting some response. Special thanks to CCEF members for setting this up.
University of North Alabama
UNA vs Lipscomb Basketball Game: Saturday, February 2, 2019
Alumni Association Board Members,
The UNA Lions will face off against the Lipscomb Bisons on Saturday, February 2, 2019. UNA Athletics has partnered with the Nashville Alumni Club to host a pregame tailgate on the Lipscomb campus at Noon.
We need your help to spread the word to everyone you know. The pregame tailgate will be in the Ezell Center in Room 301.
#myuna
#roarlions
2019 Homecoming
Northwest Shoals Community College
UNA Homecoming 2019
Saturday, Sep. 28th, 3pm
1 Harrison Plaza
Florence, AL
Next Level of Instruction:
World Read Aloud Day
World Read Aloud Day is next Friday, February 1st and I have included a link with authors that you can “Skype” with lessons and activities to go along with them as well. Enjoy!
Thank you Mrs. Young
Be Healthy School Grant 2019 - 2020
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
This is the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Be Healthy Grand application. If awarded the schools receive $10,000. Blue Cross awards 20 grants statewide. AlabamaBlue.com/schoolgrant.
The grants are for the implementation of school-based health and wellness programs that emphasize increased exercise, nutrition education and parental involvement during the school year. Applications can be completed on our website at AlabamaBlue.com/schoolgrant. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, March 22, 2019. Each selected school will receive a grant of up to $10,000, and schools will be further recognized with a Blue Cross Be Healthy School banner. In April 2020, students who successfully complete their school’s program will be presented with Be Healthy awards by Blue Cross.
Explorer Challenge Application
The Human Journey
National Geographic opportunity for social studies teachers.
The current theme is The Human Journey. That means all participating explorers work on topics related to world cultures, human migrations, or anthropology. Learn more and sign up here!<http://tinyurl.com/hjchallenge-educators>
National Geographic 2019 Summer Institute - Applications
Summer Institute
In 2019, the National Geographic Society will be hosting a Summer Institute for middle school teachers from across North America. The National Geographic 2019 Summer Institute will be held Monday, July 15 - Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Jackson Campus of the Teton Science Schools in Jackson, Wyoming.
During the institute, National Geographic will train selected educators to be facilitators of in-person outreach and professional development for National Geographic Educator Certification<https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/professional-development/educator-certification> and the Geo-Inquiry Process<https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/programs/geo-inquiry/>. Throughout the week educators will spend time reviewing adult learning principles, learning more about National Geographic Society’s educational values, and becoming expert facilitators.
National Geographic will cover the cost of all food, accommodations, and transportation for educators teachers during the institute. Participation in the summer institute is the first step in a partnership with the National Geographic Society. For the commitment to National Geographic and this initiative, each educator will receive a $600.00 stipend paid in installments over the course of the 2019-2020 academic year.
Prior to applying for this opportunity, please review this document<https://www.dropbox.com/s/ngllst8kx9jmxy5/2019%20National%20Geographic%20Summer%20Institute%20Overview.pdf?dl=0> to understand the expectations associated with participation. To be considered for final selection, please complete this application form<https://nationalgeographiceducation.submittable.com/submit/f525ab0f-46ca-4af2-a015-486cbe9ec4a3/2019-national-geographic-summer-institute-application> by January 28, 2019. If you have any questions regarding the National Geographic 2019 Summer Institute please reach out to the Educator Network at educatornetwork@ngs.orgmailto:educatornetwork@ngs.org.
Business Highlight
Corporate Sponsors
Special thanks to our community partners for supporting professional development and for believing in our school system:
Gold Partner:
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Anderson
Medical Associates of the Shoals
Silver Partner:
First Metro Bank
Bronze Partner:
J.T.Ray Company
Terminix
North Alabama Gas District
Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, P.C.
Valley Credit Union
Legal Shield
Community Sponsor:
Cherokee Auto Part
Wittichen Supply Company
Lewis Electric Supply Company
David Clark - -ALLState Insurnace
The David Clark Allstate Agency
The David Clark Allstate Agency is awarding one
lucky Shoals Area teacher with a $500 classroom grant.
ENTRY TO WIN IS SIMPLE:
One Quote Referral = One Entry
Complete form below, snap a picture of the referral form and
email it to us at david.clark@allstate.com
Be sure and let them know we will be contacting them for a
FREE insurance quote!
OR, just have them call us at 256-367-2420 for a quote and
mention your name!!!
UNLIMITED ENTRIES!! David Clark Allstate Agency
Facebook.com/allstatedavidclark
Important Dates
Graduation Dates and Times
Colbert County High School
Thursday, May 23rd, 6pm
2200 High School Street
Leighton, AL
Cherokee High School
Friday, May 24th, 6pm
850 High School Drive
Cherokee, AL
Colbert Heights High School
Friday, May 24th, 7:30pm
6825 Woodmont Drive
Tuscumbia, AL
Love Notes
- Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all those who are celebrating in the month of January !!
- Unspoken prayer request for students, faculty, and staff.
- Please continue to keep the following staff members lifted: If your heart desires, please send a card. Invite your students to send a card...
- Joyce Clements - Will get her port in this week..... prayers appreciated.
- Marilyn Caldwell - continued prayers for the family
- Charlie Bee - Continued prayers for the family. (retired deputy from the county)
- Willie Bates - arrangements unknown at this time (retired janitor at CCHS)
- Larena Harrell - Recovered from both surgeries. She will start chemo treatments this week, for precaution purposes.
Dr. Gale Denise Story-Satchel
One Team...One Goal....Our Legacy!!
#teamcolbertcounty
"The tie it always right to do what is right." Dr. Martin Lurther King, Jr.