The Progress Report
Huntsville City Schools News & Updates: Sept. 27, 2021
Student ACAP Results to be Released This Thursday
What is the ACAP?
ACAP, which stands for the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program, is an online assessment designed to provide families with information regarding student progress toward mastery of the Alabama Course of Study Standards.
Who took the ACAP?
Elementary and middle school students across the state of Alabama took the ACAP for the first time in the spring of last school year.
What does the ACAP cover?
Students in grades 2-8 take assessments covering English language arts and math. Students in grades 4, 6, and 8 are also tested in science.
When will families know their student’s ACAP results?
Parents and guardians will be receiving a report that contains assessment results for their student on September 30, 2021.
Supports for Elementary and Middle School Students
- Summer Learning Academies
- Alabama Literacy Act tutoring
- After-school academic tutoring
- Focused learning time ("zero period" in middle schools)
- Formative assessments: Star in grades K-8, DIBELS in grades K-3
- Student data notebooks
- school-based parent-teacher conferences following Fall Break
- Intentional small group instruction
- ACAP tools and strategies training
- School specific goals set using ACAP data
Supports for High School Students
- Summer Learning Academies
- After-school academic tutoring
- ACT prep materials, ACT online prep, ACT bootcamp, and ACT bell-ringers
- PreACT for 10th grade
- Practice ACT for 11th grade
- Focused learning time ("zero period")
- Formative assessments: Star in grades 9-12
- Student-led data conferences
- School specific goals using ACT data
Website and Videos
- Superintendent Christie Finley and members of her team explain the ACAP in the latest edition of Supe to Go.
- Dr. Cathy McNeal, HCS Chief of Strategy and Innovation, discusses how families can use ACAP results to understand academic strengths and weaknesses for your student.
- Learn more by visiting huntsvillecityschools.org.
Upcoming Events
View the HCS Calendar for a complete listing of district-level dates and to learn more about each event.
- Thursday, Sept. 30: Title I Workshop, Work Session
- Friday, Oct. 1: First 9 Weeks Ends
- Monday, Oct. 4 - Friday, Oct. 8: Fall Break (no school for students)
- Monday, Oct. 11: Second Nine Weeks Begins, Title I Workshop
- Thursday, Oct. 14: Title I Workshop
- Friday, Oct. 15: Report Cards
Twelve Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists
BOE Approves Mental Health Therapists
The HCS Board of Education approved an agreement with Wellstone Behavioral Health, which will provide each school with access to a mental health therapist. Each therapist is masters-level trained.
Child Find Services for Students with Suspected Disabilities
Parents or professionals in the greater Madison County area who suspect that a child may have a disability may request a free special education evaluation through their local school district’s Child Find process.
Parents may request the evaluation by contacting the special education department of their school system in Huntsville City, Madison City, or Madison County. Children ages birth to age 21 are eligible, including students in private schools and home schools, as well as homeless or migrant children.
For more information about Child Find, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Long, Director of Special Education for Huntsville City Schools - 256-428-6872, Dr. Susan Zinkil, Director of Special Education for Madison City Schools - 256-464-8370, and Mary Stump, Director for Special Education for Madison County Schools - 256-852-7073.
Services for children ages birth to age 3 are identified through the Early Intervention Program. For information about these services, contact Wendy Pittard at 256-650-1727 or Jackie Criswell at 256-650-1723. You can also contact the toll-free number 1-800-543-3098.
Warning about Social Media Trend
HCS Hosting Title I Meetings
Highlands Elementary Wins National PTA Award
HCS Changemakers: Alissa Beck
Highlighting HCS Child Nutrition Program
Job Alert: Now Hiring Teachers, Custodial, Child Nutrition, Bus Drivers, and More
HCS is working with Spur Staffing to hire for campus security, custodial, maintenance, clerical, school nutrition, instructional aides, special education positions, and more. Get started right away by viewing details and applying online at spurstaffing.com/pr/hcs.
Apple Bus Company is seeking bus drivers and other positions. Apply online with Apple Bus.
HCS Now Hiring Bus Drivers
Apple Bus Company is hiring school bus drivers and mechanics. Apple Bus Company offers paid CDL training, paid holidays, flexible driver schedules, and benefits, in addition to sign on bonuses that can be up to $2000. Contact Apple Bus Company at 256-361-0919 and apply online by visiting https://applebuscompany.com/careers.
City of Huntsville Hiring Public Safety Aides
ETV Game of the Week: Huntsville versus Grissom Volleyball
How to Watch ETV:
- On Air: Over-the-air channel 25.5, Comcast channel 17, WOW channel 3
- Online: huntsvillecityschools.org
- Social Media: facebook.com/huntsvillecityschools
- Apple TV or Roku: Download the Livestream app, search by account for "ETV"
September is Attendance Awareness Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 - Oct. 15
SAIL Anti-Bullying Week is Sept. 27 - Oct. 1
SAIL is the district's "Safe and Inclusive Leaders" program, which is a comprehensive anti-bullying program that aligns with the district's strategic plan. You can always report bullying by visiting the homepage of your school website.
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Huntsville City Schools
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