Bryant Bulletin
Parent & Student Newsletter
October 10, 2021
We are at the end of our 9 weeks grading period. Report cards will be distributed to students on October 14. Please help us support students by meeting with our team as often as needed. There is no better time to connect with your child's teacher than on October 19 (Parent Visitation Day) during the teachers' planning period and by appointment only. Please contact your child's teacher, counselor, or administrator to schedule a conference.
In addition to parent conferences, we need your help to ensure that students arrive at school and their scheduled classes on time. The decision to arrive at class on time gives your student an opportunity to settle into the classroom, prepare their materials and focus their minds on the lessons to come. Introductions to new lessons and concepts occur at the beginning of class. So, students who show up late miss out on important details. This may cause your student to be unprepared for future class activities or key learning concepts. Students who show up on time to school every day develop the habit of being punctual with important commitments, which is a lifestyle trait needed in all phases outside of high school.
Arriving on time for school ensures that your child does not miss out on important learning activities.Help set your child up for success by making sure that he/she arrive at classes on time daily.
Sincerely,
Lydia Edwards, Principal
WE NEED YOUR HELP?
Have you checked the contact information listed in PowerSchool lately? Can we contact you in case of an emergency? Does your current village of supporters know the process for checking your student out of school if you give permission? Are your contacts/guardianship up to date? Any address changes?
We need your help to update your student and family information in PowerSchool, our student information data system. Paul W. Bryant High School still has many students/families who need to update their information in the system by registering through PowerSchool. The accuracy of this information is critical so that parents/guardians can be contacted in the event of a safety crisis or medical emergency. Accurate information ensures that we may reach you during a crisis, share COVID exposure updates, or share great news about your student.
To register your student in PowerSchool please do the following:
- Go to www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/enrollment
- Click on the appropriate PowerSchool Registration Button on the right side of the page.
- Enter your student’s Snapcode (this is a 15 character code sent, via email, this summer by the Tuscaloosa City Schools)
- If you do not know your student’s Snapcode, an email was sent from the Tuscaloosa City Schools this summer with this information. Please check your email account to see if you received an email from the Tuscaloosa City Schools with this information.
- If you no longer have access to that the email with the information about the Snapcode, you may contact Ms. Quandra Carter at Paul W. Bryant High School at 205-759-3586 or email Ms. Carter at qcarter@tusc.k12.al.us
Thank you for helping to ensure the safety of your student while they are at Paul W. Bryant High School.
PSAT/NMSQT on October 13
The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered on October 13, 2021 at Paul W, Bryant.
Tuscaloosa City Schools E-Learning Days
TCS has an e-learning/PD da scheduled on October 18, 2021 and April 8, 2022. Please place these dates on your calendar and arrange for childcare as needed. On these days, students will not attend school in person and will participate in asynchronous learning activities planned and provided by their teachers.
On E-Learning Days, the expectation is for student learning experiences to be as follows:
Standards-based with specific learning targets.
Reflective of innovation and exciting opportunities for learning.
Asynchronous with no live/in-person components.
Provided in Schoology with clear labels and directions.
In alignment with district screen time recommendations (20-45 minutes).
Consistent with district expectations for high quality, engaging learning experiences.
The ACT (American College Test) is the leading college entrance exam that measures what you have learned over all grade levels to determine your readiness for college. The ACT is America’s most widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The multiple-choice tests cover skill areas that include the following: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing. See our 11th Grade Counselor, McKiva Wilson, for deadlines and to find out if you are eligible for a fee waiver.
WORKKEYS On October 25-29. Required For ALL SENIORS
[Content shared here was pulled from act.org]
ACT WorkKeys® assessments are the cornerstone of ACT workforce solutions. All 12th Graders at PWBHS are scheduled and required to test during October 25-29. This test will take place in our computer labs, located on 2nd floor in Rooms 208, 210, and 230.
The assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance. WorkKeys assessments are:
Each assessment offers varying levels of difficulty. The levels build on each other, incorporating the skills assessed at the previous levels. For example, at Level 5, individuals need the skills from Levels 3, 4, and 5. The complexity increases as the quantity and/or density of the information increases. Assessments are web-based and are offered in both English and Spanish.
Students who successfully complete the three WorkKeys assessments-Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents-earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (WorkKeysNCRC®), a valuable credential for students and job seekers seeking to verify foundational workplace skills.
Red Ribbon Week
Let us dress up to help show case that Drug Free is The Way to Be!
Students who take pictures of themselves or a group socially distancing themselves in their dress up attire can submit the picture to Mrs. Lauderdale at elauderdale@tuscaloosacityschools.com ONLY to receive a goody bag filled with great prizes and treats. Please email me your name and your zero period teacher to receive the bag the next morning
Monday- Thursday there will be a Drug Trivia Question. You will hear information on the intercom of a drug each day and a question will follow. The First 30 students that email Mrs. Lauderdale at elauderdale@tuscaloosacityschools.com ONLY with the correct answer will win great prizes. Please email your name and your zero period teacher to receive the bag the next morning.
Monday October 25th - Thursday, October 28th – Peer Leaders will sell “BOO” Grams before school, after school, and during lunch shifts. Send a friend or teacher a “Boo” Gram to help “Boo” Away Drugs. The cost is $1.00 and will be sent to their Zero period class on Friday October 29th .
Good Luck and Thanks in advance for supporting!
Mrs. Lauderdale and Peer Leaders
Chamber of Commerce Best College Scholarships 2021
Parent Access to PS-SIS to monitor grades and attendance
Parents can no longer access grades and attendance in the iNOW Parent Portal. We are working to get you access to a convenient home monitoring system. In fact, Parent Access to PS-SIS launched in TCS on September 17! We distributed letters that tell parents how to access PS-SIS to view grades and attendance. Thanks for your patience as we continue to transition to PowerSchool in TCS. Please contact our school Registrary, Quandra Carter, with any login problems or to seek support with how to log in.
We Endorse SEE SOMETHING- SAY SOMETHING on our campus because we all have a role in safety…
Please help us support students by ensuring that we all understand the TCS Code of Conduct Agreement. Behaviors such as skipping class, failure to arrive to classes on time (tardiness), fights, unauthorized use of cellphone, possession of e-cigarettes, and vaping are a concern at this time.
We ask that parents/guardians and students contact us by reporting information face-to-face or by calling the office phone at 205.759.3538 to report anything that administrators need to know in order to keep a safe and conducive learning environment at PWBHS.
What to Do If You Believe That Your Child Experiencing Bullying?
Know the Definition of Bullying!
- The intentional act of aggression that may be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual or electronic
- Committed over an extended period of time
- Characterized by repeated acts of aggression or having the potential for repetitiveness
- Characterized by a real or perceived imbalance of power
- Compounded by technology
- Refer to Anti-bully Policy 6.25 for complete bullying definition
Report Daily Experiences Immediately
To report a bullying incident, please visit the school or contact us via phone. You may also use the link ( https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/Page/2264 )to provide all the information you know, which can help staff members deal with the issue including where the incident(s) took place; dates; times; names of those involved, as well as the type of behavior being reported. Please include as much detail as possible so that we can assist you.
If you want a response, be sure to include contact information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions: Does TCS Have A Universal Mask Requirement In ALL Schools?
Answer: Yes. Masks are required on all TCS buses AND Masks are required inside all TCS buildings. Mask must be worn correctly (over the nose and mouth).
Question: Who is required to wear masks?
Answer: All students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors must wear masks inside all TCS buildings. Masks should be worn over the nose and mouth at all times. Students may remove their masks while seated in the cafeteria and eating.
Question: Whom specifically should parents contact if their child has COVID or has been exposed to someone with COVID?
Answer: Parents/Guardians should contact our School Nurse, Amber Blackwell or Building Principal, Lydia Edwards. You may call the school at 205.759.3538 to speak with our team or to get the email address needed for contact.
Question: If a parent decides to keep their child home because of exposure, whom should they contact? What should the student do?
Answer: Parents/Guardians should contact our School Secretary, Kimberly Shipman, or our School Nurse, Amber Blackwell when you need to inform us that your child is a close contact and will quarantine for 10 Days. . You may call the school at 205.759.3538 to speak with our team or to get the email address needed for contact.
Answer: Students who are quarantined by a parent, guardian, or your medical doctor due to close contact must contact each of your teachers immediately. Teachers will ensure that you have access to all work in Schoology. Teachers will upload resources as often as needed to ensure that learning expectations are supported and met throughout the duration of a student’s quarantine period.
Remember, Schoology is our platform for students who have an excused absence to access daily work.
Question: Am I eligible for Virtual School Option?
Answer: The option for virtual school requests is closed. Applications made due to medical reasons are no longer accepted. for consideration.
Question: Does PWBHS Use Seating Charts
Answer: We utilize seating charts in every class to identify potential close contacts. Please help us reiterate to our students that it is important to sit in the assigned seat daily and to share lunchtime with the same group of students at the same table daily. This will certainly help all of us identify close contacts.
Questions: Do students have access to water?
Answer: Yes.
Students should bring refillable water bottles and/or water in any bottle/canister to school.
We have refill stations. We offer a water bottle as requested by students/faculty.
Question: Are visitors/volunteers allowed on campus?
Answer: Parents are permitted to come to the main office using standard health procedures. Volunteers are permitted in a limited capacity.
Question: How do I request a Device for my student at PWBHS?
Answer: Contact our Resource Manager, Tamela Terry, by calling the front office.
Question: How Do I Return Devices that are broken or need repair?
Answer: Students may bring their broken device on campus and report the damaged technology to our front office staff. The device will be collected and passed on to our Resource Manager to have a work order submitted.
Question: Who do I talk with about my student's grades?
Answer: Speak with your child's teacher first. If the concern is not resolved, contact your child's grade level counselor.
Letters of Recommendation
Safety and Future Ready is Our Goal
STAMPEDE 2021 Virtual School Store is now open! Find items that we picked out specifically for our team.
There is also spirit wear available for your family and friends. Check out the shop details below.
OUR SHOP DETAILS
- Shop Now: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/m9DHSJ
- Virtual Store Open 24/7
Pledge of Allegiance
Alabama Code 16-43-5 requires all schools to conduct the pledge of allegiance and to provide students the opportunity to voluntarily recite it "each school day".
Schoology Learning Platform
Virtual ReCONNECT Time on the 1st Friday Monthly
Join me for Parent and Family virtual office hours on the first Friday monthly. Parents/Guardians/Students are welcome to attend Family Hour for conversation and answers to frequently asked questions regarding student academic and social experiences on campus! These drop-in office hours will provide a virtual space for you to ask questions, chat with the Principal, and connect with fellow Stampede Families who may have similar questions.
November ReCONNECT time is on November 5 at 12:00-12:30 p.m and 4:00- 4:30 p.m.
Connect with your School Counselor
Wanda Williams: 9th Grade and 10th Grade last names Q-Z
McKiva Wilson: 11th Grade and 10th Grade last names H-P
Gisela DeLoach (Candace Young): 12th Grade and 10th Grade last names A-G
Connect with Administrators
Click on the link below to connect with your child's administrators:
https://forms.gle/5pjg7PjqHSJQ2fUN9
Henry Snider, Assistant Principal: Grades 10 and 12
Lydia Edwards, Principal: All Grades
Paul W. Bryant High School
Email: ledwards@tusc.k12.al.us
Website: https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/Page/27
Location: 6315 Mary Harmon Bryant Drive, Cottondale, AL, USA
Phone: 205-759-3538
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PWBHS
Twitter: @bryantstampede