The Progress Report
Huntsville City Schools News & Updates: Sept. 16, 2022
HCS Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists
Ten seniors in Huntsville City Schools reached the semifinals of the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program.
These students are among 16,000 students nationwide who have the opportunity to continue in the competition for roughly 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million offered in the spring. The program, which is marking its 68th year, rewards students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability. These seniors represent less than one percent of all high school seniors across the country. Students from HCS are as follows:
Grissom High School
- Erin Howard
- Danielle Kim
- Hannah Lemons
Huntsville High School
- Ian Burch
- Daniel Coffman
- Joseph McCallion
- Elizabeth Sierzego
- Nake Singh
- Payton Wessells
New Century Technology High School
- Ella Duus
Read more and see interviews with students at huntsvillecityschools.org.
Dates & Deadlines
View the HCS Calendar for a complete listing of district-level dates and to learn more about each event.
- September 20: BOE Meeting
- September 22: 2023-24 Academic Calendar Survey Closes
- September 23: Free & Reduced Meal Application Deadline
- September 29: 100% Attendance Challenge
- September 30: Gifted Referral Window Closes
- September 30: E-Learning Day & End of First Nine Weeks
- October 3-7: AlphaBest Fall Break Program
- October 3-7: Fall Break (Students/Teachers)
- October 6-7: Fall Break (All Campuses/Offices Closed)
- October 13: BOE Work Session
- October 14: Report Cards Go Home
- October 20: Impact Aid
- October 25: Board Meeting
District Announcements
AAA Recertified as Magnet School of Distinction
Huntsville City Schools and the Magnet Programs department is proud to announce that the Academy for Academics and Arts (AAA) has successfully completed all components of being reauthorized as a magnet school of distinction from Magnet Schools of America. This newly minted authorization will be in place until August 2026!
A brief reception was held Thursday in the Academy for Academics and Arts Theatre Lobby to commemorate the accomplishment.
AAA Middle Principal Kitrise Torain said, “It’s a huge deal. When you’re talking about Magnet Schools of America, that’s not just Huntsville Alabama or just Alabama. You’re talking about magnet schools around the United States.”
Read more at huntsvillecityschools.org.
2023-24 Academic Calendar Survey Open
Huntsville City Schools is seeking your input on the development of the 2023-2024 academic calendar. In order to maximize time for teaching and learning, parent/teacher conferences, and teach collaboration, the district is considering two possible calendars.
Please complete this Panorama survey by September 22, 2022.
HHS Student Earns National Recognition
Congratulations to Huntsville High School senior Eva Aubel, who is one of the students across the country to earn academic honors from the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program!
The recognition program is one of four such programs which grant students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them stand out during the admissions process. Colleges and scholarship programs use these honors to identify students from specific groups through College Board’s Student Search Service.
Eva is also actively involved in one of the first Space Force JROTC programs where she holds leadership roles, serves as a theater “tech” for the many productions of the Fine Arts Department, and is also a leader in the state-recognized cybersecurity program at Huntsville High School.
HCS Announces New Partnership with Local Community Colleges
Representatives from Huntsville City Schools, Calhoun Community College, and Drake State Community & Technical College met at Grissom High School to announce a new partnership which will benefit Career Technical Education (CTE) students after high school graduation.
The initiative, Graduate Ready with Opportunities to Work (GROW), provides CTE graduates with an opportunity to earn a total of twelve scholarships which will cover education and tuition costs for a year at both Calhoun and Drake State Community Colleges.
“It is imperative that we continue to work together to set the community vision for meeting the needs of both our graduates and our workforce,” said HCS Superintendent Christie Finley, adding that the partnership “is a win-win for all involved.”
Read more at huntsvillecityschools.org.
Magnet Program Student Shadow Days
- Academy for Academics and Arts: Shadowing offered by request beginning the week of September 12th- March 2023. Please contact asia.hester@hsv-k12.org and elizabeth.moore@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
- Academy for Science and Foreign Language: Shadowing offered by request beginning the week of September 12th- March 2023. Please contact jennifer.mason@hsv-k12.org and keitra.payne@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
- Academy for Gifted and Talented: Please contact Fisher.Hedgman@hsv-k12.org or Marquetta.Gradford-Hope@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
- Columbia High IB Programme: Fall Shadowing Dates (9/13-14; 10/11-12; 11/8-9; 12/6-7) limit 3 students per day. Please contact morgan.mccants@hsv-k12.org or karlton.lecompte@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
- College Academy at Jemison High School: Fall Shadowing Dates (9/19-23; 10/17-21; 11/14-18) limit 2 students per day. Please contact tyrone.jones@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
- Performing and Creative Arts at Lee High School: Fall Shadowing Dates (9/13-14; 10/18-19; 11/15-16) limit 3 students per day. Please contact megan.carroll@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
- New Century Technology High School: Shadowing offered by request beginning the week of September 19th- March 2023. Please contact Chris.Sims@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
AlphaBest Offering Fall Break Program
Will run from 7:00AM - 5:30PM daily beginning Monday, October 3rd and ending Friday, October 7th. Morning and afternoon snacks provided. Please send your child with a sack lunch and water bottle each day.
For rates and online registration, visit the AlphaBest website.
For more information, contact Timothy Griffon at tgriffin@alphabest.org or 256-309-1868.
September is Attendance Awareness Month
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Strong attendance is crucial to student achievement. The Student Welfare and Social Services Department serves the students, families, and staff of Huntsville City Schools. The department includes student support in the areas of attendance, discipline, truancy, and social services.
City of Huntsville Holding School Instrument Drive
Got an old musical instrument that’s collecting dust? To celebrate Huntsville Music Month, the City is holding an instrument drive to benefit local music education programs.
Through Sept. 30, The Fret Shop and Maitland Conservatory will accept donations of instruments as well as new reeds and mouthpieces. The drive is a collaboration between the Huntsville Music Office, Huntsville City Schools, Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation and Maitland Arts Initiative. Learn more on the City of Huntsville website.
Alabama DHR Announces Rollout of Summer P-EBT Benefits
Summer Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits are rolling out to families with children who receive free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. Qualifying households will receive $391 for each participating student to purchase SNAP-eligible food at stores that accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The benefits cover the summer months retroactively. Alabama is among the first states in the country to start issuing Summer P-EBT benefits for 2022. View story.
Free & Reduced Meal Application Deadline Next Week!
If your child attends one the following Huntsville City Schools, you can complete a Free or Reduced School Meal Application for the 2022-23 school year:
- Challenger Elementary/Middle
- Goldsmith Schiffman Elementary
- Grissom High
- Hampton Cove Elementary/Middle
- Huntsville High
- Jones Valley Elementary
- Monte Sano Elementary
- Mountain Gap Elementary/Middle
- Weatherly Heights Elementary
Apply Online Now!
The deadline is Friday, Sept. 23rd, so don't delay!
Athletics Protocols for Fall
- Spectators may be subject to metal detectors upon entering venues.
- Clear bag policy will be in effect.
- Spectators are asked to purchase tickets through GoFan.
View bag restrictions and other protocols at huntsvillecityschools.org/athletics.
Pre-K Applications Reopened
HCS is Now Hiring
Huntsville City Schools
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Twitter: @HSVK12