Core Notes
February 2, 2022
Safety is Our Priority
TCS Families,
Safety remains a high priority for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. This month's Core Notes serves to keep you informed on the school system processes for keeping our schools safe. We believe an important strategy for keeping our students safe is to have open and ongoing communication. As you are aware our See Something, Say Something campaign is in place so that we can be made aware of anything that could pose any potential threat to a student or a school. This ongoing communication allows us to be proactive in resolving potential conflicts.
Your child's school has a set of prevention plans and response plans for school safety. Listed below are some of the school system actions in place in all of our schools. We ask that you discuss these safety processes with your child (ren) and send any specific questions to your principal.
We thank you for your support of our schools and for our collective efforts in making sure all of our schools are safe places for our students and staff.
TCS Students Have Record-Setting United Way Campaign
The annual Tuscaloosa City Schools student drive presentation for the United Way of West Alabama had all the makings of a big-time celebration. Thumping music greeted guests and thunderous applause from the audience rained down as students revealed what coin drops, hat days, and snack sales yielded for this worthwhile fund drive. The total nearly doubled the $11,000 dollars earned in 2020 as TCS schools brought in more than $20,000.
Southview Elementary School students led the way with more than $3,000 as students donated money to wear hats and pajamas. The school also sold pickles and snowcones.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Daria praised the selflessness of students and talked about the importance of everyone doing their part to help those who are in need.
"Because of young people like yourselves, doing the work that you are doing, you are demonstrating, not only with your money but with your enormous hearts, how kindness matters the most." He said. " I could not be any prouder of the Tuscaloosa City Schools and the students for demonstrating kindness day in and day out."
The function of the United Way of West Alabama is to provide needed money that funds services to local agencies.
Mask Policy Expires Nov. 19 if Positivity Rate Remains Low
Last month, the Tuscaloosa Board of Education approved an extension of the masking policy that expires next Friday on November 19. Under the plan, the system would move to "masks optional" for students, staff and guests as long as the two-week student reported average for COVID-19 is below 1%.
If this average remains below 1% on close of day on November 19, TCS will be "masks optional" upon the return from Thanksgiving Break on Nov. 29. This decision is not subject to review by the board.
Look for communication next week on the district's positivity rate.