The Progress Report
Huntsville City Schools News & Updates: Sept. 23, 2022
E-Learning and Fall Break Information
- Sept. 30: E-Learning Day & End of First Nine Weeks
- Oct. 3-7: No School for Students & Teachers
- Oct. 6-7: All Schools & Offices Closed
- Oct. 10: Classes Resume
Report cards will be available Friday, Oct. 14 with grades from the first nine weeks.
Dates & Deadlines
View the HCS Calendar for a complete listing of district-level dates and to learn more about each event.
- Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
- 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 (No School for Students/Teachers)
- October 6-7: Fall Break (All Campuses/Offices Closed)
- October 10-14: National School Lunch Week
- October 13: BOE Work Session
- October 14: Report Cards Go Home
- October 20: Impact Aid
- October 25: Board Meeting
Huntsville City Board of Education approves Heather White as the new Principal of New Century Technology High School.
District Announcements
Free & Reduced Meal Application Deadline Today
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!
School Meal Service for E-Learning Day Friday, Sept. 30
The Child Nutrition Program Department will be serving both breakfast and lunch meals for students who are present in the building during meal service times. Supper meals will not be served as there are no after-school enrichment activities scheduled for that day. HCS CNP staff will be present at each school site.
Please review the following parameters of service for Friday, Sept. 30:
• Head start meals will not be served
• Meals must be consumed on site
• Curbside meal service will not occur.
• Multiple meals cannot be served.
• We are operating under the National School Lunch Program regulations NSLP (Serving breakfast & lunch)
Serving times:
-Breakfast 9:00am – 10:00am
-Lunch 11:00am – 12:00pm
-No supper or snack meals will be served.
-Only one meal per child will be served.
HCS Launching Survey on Parent University
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. Fall Break program sites were selected based on AlphaBest staff availability at each location.
For more information, contact Timothy Griffon at tgriffin@alphabest.org or 256-309-1868.
HCS Changemaker: Mrs. Necia Jenkins from Providence Elementary
Congratulations to Mrs. Necia Jenkins, a first-grade teacher at Providence Elementary School, who has been selected as an HCS Changemaker!
Mrs. Jenkins knew that she wanted to be a teacher since she was eight years old due largely to the positive impact and inspiration she received from her own second-grade teacher, Ms. Ratcliff. She says that her former teacher would always greet them with a smile and a warm hug, and their classroom was always active and inviting. She’s worked hard to carry that same positivity and energy into her own classroom.
“Mrs. Jenkins is fantastic,” says Providence Fourth-Grade Teacher DeMeacus Ray, “she brings an energy to the classroom unlike any other.” He adds that she is always highly interactive, engaging, and just loves to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Read more at huntsvillecityschools.org.
Schools Foundation Presents HCS with $40,000 to Support Cyber Initiatives
HCS thanks The Schools Foundation, Publix, and local shoppers for supporting the “Tools for Back to School” campaign! TSF Executive Director Stephanie Kelley presented Superintendent Christie Finley a $40,000 check to benefit STEM and cyber initiatives.
Superintendent Christie Finley and the HCS Board of Education presented resolutions to National Merit Semifinalists!
Ten 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.
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.
100% Attendance Challenge
Magnet Program Hosting Virtual Lunch & Learn and Student Shadow Days
Interested in your student having an opportunity to attend a magnet program? The Office of Magnet Programs will be hosting a Virtual Lunch and Learn conversation on Oct. 11 to provide information regarding the magnet application for the 2023-2024 school year. Please join us to hear a brief overview of the magnet application process. Space is limited, so RSVP now!
- 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.
Celebrating the Arts in HCS Magnet Programs
The month of September designates two weeks to celebrate the Arts! Huntsville City Schools has two Magnet Programs that are dedicated to fostering the arts in students daily. However, the arts are important in all magnet locations no matter the theme. View the “Artists in Residence” Teachers serving students in all Magnet locations!
See the Arts offerings in HCS’ two magnet arts themed programs below.
The Creative and Performing Arts Magnet Program at Lee High School (www.leemagnet.org) has nine concentrations in the Arts.
· Dance
· Theatre
· Technical Theatre
· Media Arts: Film and Video
· Media Arts: Creative Writing
· Performance Arts: Instrumental
· Performance Arts: Vocal
· Visual Arts
· Photography
The Academy for Academics and Arts (P-8) provides an opportunity for students to have exposure in the following art disciplines:
AAA Elementary (www.whyaaa.org):
· Dance
· Visual Arts
· Strings
· Music
· Choir
· Theatre
AAA Middle School Art Pathways (www.whyaaa.org):
· Dance
· Visual Arts
· Creative Arts
· Voice and Instrumental
· Theatre/Tech Theatre
· Variety of Arts Electives
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.
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