Friday Thoughts
April 26, 2019
Did you know?
- I am most grateful for your love and support for our students and colleagues. This month has been full of sadness. However, we serve a mighty God!!! Don't stop believing.
- Testing season is over (a few make-ups) Thank you.... thank you.... thank you!!
- CHHS and CCHS will be traveling to Disney World for competition and 5-6 graders will be traveling to DC.... prayers for traveling grace and mercy are appreciated!!
- Funny..... I have lost 30 lbs simply by walking on my treadmill. I have not had any type of surgery. :) I don't have time...... LOL
#teamcolbertcounty
2019 Student of the Year Dinner and Presentation
Congratulations to Chelsey Thorne - 2019 "Student of the Year"
Healthcare Watch
2019 Autism Month
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental disorders.
These disorders are characterized by problems with communication and social interaction. People with ASD often demonstrate restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped interests or patterns of behavior.
ASD is found in individuals around the world, regardless of race, culture, or economic background. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism does occur more often in boys than in girls, with a 4 to 1 male-to-female ratio.
The CDC estimated in 2014 that nearly 1 in 59 children have been identified with ASD.
Career/Technical Education Spotlights
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Colbert County High School:
Heather Lansdell,
Aleia Kelsey,
Caitlin Staggs,
Isabella Gonzalez,
Angela Juarez
Colbert Heights High School:
Paisley Armstrong
Joel Rocha
Destiny Hairrell
Zach Brown
Savannah Berryman
Timothy Gipson
Cameron Davis
Isabella Meadows
Terah Jackson
Lexxi Powell
Ashlee Inman
Colbert County Schools' Fine Arts Department
3rd Annual Colbert County Schools Fine Arts Festival
We are also looking for sponsors for this event, private or business. If you or someone you know would be interested in sponsoring the festival and supporting our fine arts' students, please contact Nicholas Tyler, ntyler@colbert.k12.al.us, or Kayla McKinney, kmckinney@colbert.k12.al.us.
More information coming soon!
Saturday, May 4, 2019, 10:00 AM
Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Tuscumbia, AL, USA
Colbert Heights High School
2019 Earth Day
Cherokee Elementary
"Show Me The Money"
1st Annual Car Show Cherokee Youth Football
Registration starts at 8:00 a.m.
$20 to enter
for more information: CHerokeeindiansyouthfootball@gmail.com
Saturday, May 4, 2019, 08:00 AM
Cherokee Elementary School, North Pike, Cherokee, AL, USA
ESL Edge - Ashley Harris Teacher
ESL students and families celebrated their success with learning English at a special event! Students showed family members how to do writing activities at fun stations. It was a great opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with families. I am so proud of my students!!!
Colbert County High School
Shoals Spark
2019 FBLA Conference and Competition Winners
1st Place Word Processing, Kerigan Mardis
All students have qualified and been invited to the FBLA National Leadership Conference this summer in San Antonio, TX!
2019 Girls Go CyberStart Program
CCHS has a team for the 2019 Girls Go CyberStart Program. The all girl team will showcase their aptitude for cybersecurity and computer science by trying to solve a series challenges. Governor Kay Ivey encouraged young women in Alabama high schools to participate to promote girls in STEM fields.
CCHS team members:
Ashlee Jones
Ashlyn Brown
Kara Johnson
Honesty Stanley
Aubrey McCravy
Betsy Gonzalez
Jaidyn Quillen
Team Captain:
Charnell Reynolds.
Faculty advisor is Juanica Baugh and team sponsor is Sara Kennedy.
2019 FBLA Conference and Competition Winners
2nd Place Hospitality Management, Chelsea Phifer, Ashley Young
All students have qualified and been invited to the FBLA National Leadership Conference this summer in San Antonio, TX!
2019 FBLA Conference and Competition Winners
4th Place Insurance & Risk Management, Jadelyn Trice
- 3rd Place Insurance & Risk Management, Rodnesia Goodloe
All students have qualified and been invited to the FBLA National Leadership Conference this summer in San Antonio, TX!
SkillsUSA State Competition Scoring - FIREFIGHTING
Scorecard from the Firefighting competition. His final score was a 965 out of 1000 points, which was good for 8th in the State. Out of all competitors, he scored the HIGHEST on the NFPA written test.
SkillsUSA State Competition Scoring - PREPARED SPEECH - Kelly Kenney
Kelly Kenney's scorecard from Prepared Speech. She placed 6th in the state with 819 points out of 1000 possible.
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 current 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.
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
Family Medical Leave Act
PEEHIP members and covered spouses enrolled in PEEHIP’s Hospital Medical Group #14000 Plan have access to a 24-hour nurse line provided by ActiveHealth. Members can speak with a registered nurse 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. To reach the nurse line, call ActiveHealth at 855.294.6580.
PEEHIP Premium Assistance Program
PEEHIP can provide some assistance to its members by giving a discount on Hospital Medical premiums based on (1) family size and (2) total combined household income. To apply for this discount, PEEHIP members must submit the Premium Assistance Application and provide a copy of your current year filed Federal Income Tax Return Transcript when you send the application to PEEHIP. Find complete information on our Premium Assistance page.
Legislative Update Local/National
Legislative Update
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (HB339 by Ledbetter) This bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Education Policy Committee. It proposes to amend existing state law that requires schools to give students in grades K-12 the opportunity to voluntarily recite the pledge every day. The bill would change the law to say the pledge “shall be conducted” at the beginning of each school day. Sen. Steve Livingston has the Senate companion of this bill (SB258)
TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION (HB77 by Baker) This bill received a favorable report with ALL committee members voting for it. Rep. Poole and Rep. Baker did a great job in framing the issue on why the bill was needed and solid financial data to demonstrate that the current and future ETF costs would not be excessive. As substituted and reported by the Committee on Ways and Means Education, this bill would enact the Tier III Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act by establishing a new defined benefit retirement plan for any public employee who is first hired on or after October 1, 2020, by an employer who participates in the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) or for any Tier II Plan member of the TRS who became employed on or after January 1, 2013, and prior to October 1, 2020. The bill allows Tier II members to opt out of Tier III membership on or before June 1, 2021. In addition, the bill provides that for pay dates beginning on or after October 1, 2020, Tier III plan members shall have 7.5% deducted from their salary. According to the actuary for the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA), this bill could increase the total TRS employer contributions by an estimated $16.7 million for FY 2021 (based on current payroll data), with approximately $9.8 million being paid from the Education Trust Fund appropriations to agencies/entities; and the respective estimates would fluctuate (increase/decrease) annually thereafter. This bill would increase the employer contribution rate for Tier II members by 0.64%, with the conversion of Tier II members to Tier III increasing the unfunded liability rate, for both Tier I and Tier II) by 0.07%.
Alabama State Department of Education
Colbert County Reporter
- There's a sale going on...... everyone likes a sale!!
- May I encourage you to renew your subscription because students from our district will be writing and editing for each distribution?
- Please support our kids and our local paper!!!
Another great partnership!!
Student Support Services
Character in Action
- Elijah Brown - 5th Grade (CES)
- Alanna Dickson - 6th Grade (CHES)
- MJ Satchel - 12th Grade (CCHS)
- 56 nominations from our teachers and administration! All 56 students will receive a certificate for great character from the CPC on their awards day.
High School Scholars Bowl
- Overall Winner - Cherokee High School
- Science Winner - Dalton Myrick (CHHS)
- Math Winner - Thomas Roden (CHHS)
- Language Arts - Mark Jones (CHS)
- Social Studies - Allen Haley (CHS)
- All- Star - Allen Haley (CHS)
Pre-K Completion Ceremony
Sunday, May 19, 2019, 02:00 PM
Highland Park Baptist Church, South Wilson Dam Road, Muscle Shoals, AL, USA
Academic Competitions
Valedictorian/Salutatorian Luncheon
Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 11:30 AM
Rhoda P's Restaurant & Catering, North Montgomery Avenue, Sheffield, AL, USA
Colbert County Honor’s Night
Thursday, May 16, 2019, 06:00 PM
Highland Park Baptist Church, South Wilson Dam Road, Muscle Shoals, AL, USA
The Bicentennial Recall LaGrange
Friday, May 3 will be School Day for educational tours, hay rides.
The park will open at 9 am on Friday for School Day.
Reservations: 256-702-9799 or call Colbert County Tourism 256-383-0783
Friday, May 3, 2019, 10:00 AM
Lagrange College Road, Leighton, AL, USA
Education Foundation/Grant Opportunities
Belk Charity Sale
25% off rarely discounted designer brands....the education foundation will earn $5 for every ticket sold. We get 100% of the profit....
Do the math:
If every student sold/purchased a $5 ticket, $13,000 would be earned.
If every employee sold/purchased one $5 ticket, $2,000 would be earned.
Let's do this....
Belk Charity Sale
Saturday, May 4, 2019, 07:00 AM
Belk, Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, AL, USA
EDUCATION FOUNDATION NEXT-STEPS:
"Show Me The Love" Payroll deduction is still available. Did you know if EVERY employee donated $5 per month, the foundation would earn $25,000 per year? Guess what? the funds go directly into the classrooms.....no exceptions!!!
Names of new and current payroll deductions will be put into a drawing for $500 classroom drawing...The drawing will be held at Honor's Night, May 16th at CCHS.
Please contact Nancy O'Connor for payroll deduction. :)
#teamcolbertcounty
University of North Alabama
UNA Homecoming 2019
Saturday, Sep 28, 2019, 03:00 PM
University of North Alabama, Harrison Plaza, Florence, AL, USA
Next Level of Instruction:
Financial Literacy
Business Highlight
2019 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
Non-Profit Support with H & R Block
In order to be awarded the additional grant funds, the top schools must reach $500, LES and CCHS you got it!!
1st place an additional $2000
2nd place an additional $1000
3rd place an additional $500
Please contact Lydina South Bennett (CCHS Alumni)
Master Tax Advisor
Muscle Shoals
256-353-8211
Important Dates
Graduation Dates and Times
Colbert County High School
Thursday, May 23, 2019, 06:00 PM
Colbert County High School, High School Street, Leighton, AL, USA
Cherokee High School
Friday, May 24, 2019, 06:00 PM
Cherokee High School, High School Drive, Cherokee, AL, USA
Colbert Heights High School
Friday, May 24, 2019, 07:30 PM
Colbert Heights High School, Woodmont Drive, Tuscumbia, AL, USA
Love Notes
- Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all those who are celebrating in the month of April!!
- 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...
- Aubrey Kimbrough.... please him and wife family in your thoughts and prayers.
- Louis Delbert.... fighting hard every day with a smile!!
- Sandra Cooper (CCHS)...... at home and gaining strength
- Beth Brickner (HES).......Please send prayers her way!!
- Mrs. Meade (LES)..... is recovering from surgery.
- Laura Peden - (CES) and her husband are expecting their baby boy!!
- Karly Herring (LES) & Adam Herring (CHES) are expecting their second boy!!
- Ashley Isbell - (HES) and her husband are expecting their second boy!!
- Natalie Abrams - (LES) and her husband are expecting a baby boy!!
Dr. Gale Denise Story-Satchel
One Team...One Goal....Our Legacy!!
#teamcolbertcounty
"Let's walk by faith and not by sight."
Email: gsatchel@colbert.k12.al.us
Website: www.colbert.k12.al.us
Location: 425 U.S. 72, Tuscumbia, AL, USA
Phone: 256-386-8565