An initiative to propel students in Cullman City Schools into the 21st Century by issuing a laptop to every student in Grades 7-12

Phase I –2005-2006 Phases IV-VI • During the 2005-2006 school year, teachers at Cullman • These phases will be essentially the same with all grades Middle School were trained to work in this new learning (7-12) completing the transition at the beginning of the environment. 2010-2011 school year. • The facilities at EES, WES and CMS were improved to support the initiative. What will be done differently? • Two laptop carts were purchased for EES and WES to • Authentic and collaborative learning will be accomplished support the 5th and 6th grade students. across the curriculum. • Textbooks and remediation software will be loaded onto the Phase II -2006-2007 hard drives of the computers, enabling students to learn at • In August of 2006, all 7th and 8th grade students will be home. issued a laptop for their use in the classroom and at home. • All laptops will have wireless Internet access throughout the • 9th grade teachers will be trained to teach in this new schools. learning environment and 9th grade classrooms will be improved. What will it cost? • The cost per year will be approximately $300 per student. Phase III –2007-2008 • 9th grade students will be issued laptop computers. • 10th grade teachers will be trained to work in this new Lions Club President learning environment and the 10th grade classrooms will be Clark Rainwater presents upgraded to support the initiative. a $7000 donation to Dr. Harris for the 1:1 Initiative.

Elementary school students work with Wachovia Banker Don Hubbard laptops in the presents a $5000 grant to Dr. Harris classroom. for the 1:1 Initiative.

“This is just one example that shows that Cullman City Schools are NUMBER ONE!” —Mary Yates, Teacher, CMS

“This is the most exciting initiative ever undertaken in Cullman City Schools.” —Phil Parris, Teacher, CMS

Colby Murray, CMS Student Do not judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins. — Native American Saying Message from the Superintendent

Due to the teamwork and dedication displayed by all, it has been a successful year. Our students continue to amaze me because of their community service, academic accomplishments and athletic achievements. Master teachers, instilling a love for lifelong learning, communicate daily that learning is our number one priority. Board Members fully support the educational process along with other elected leaders.

I am inspired by the community support that is constantly revealed to our students through financial sponsorships and atten- dance at all of our students’ events. I commend those teachers who went a step above the minimum expectations and sponsored a club, academic team, or coached a sport. Your extra work is appreciated.

This year began with all schools achieving Adequate Yearly Progress. Our students were greeted with well-maintained buildings, new paint, and other facility/campus improvements. Each teacher created a Course Syllabus to share with parents and students. Our curriculum/reading coaches created Student Learning Objectives. All schools shared a common Character Education Plan; this plan was communicated along with other important information in the Superintendent’s Weekly Calendar throughout the year. We began the first Aspiring Administrators Academy that yielded eight graduates. An Emergency Notification telephone system was successfully installed and activated. Additionally, we began the 1:1 Laptop Initiative. Laptop carts were provided along with wireless internet access at both elementary schools. CMS teachers immersed themselves into intensive laptop technol- ogy training. Professional Development opportunities improved this year with increased financial allocations.

The cyclic nature of education enables me to feel a sense of completion and anticipation at this year’s end. I look forward to next year and am excited about plans already in the making by our school leaders. It is a joy for me to serve as your superintendent and a pleasure to work with the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Cullman City Schools.

Dr. Jan Harris

2005-2006 40th Day Attendance Report CCPS: 424 students EAST: 482 students WEST: 532 students CMS: 466 students CHS: 817 students TOTAL: 2721 students 2005-2006 Average ACT Scores No.Tested English Math Reading Science Composite CHS State CHS State CHS State CHS State CHS State CHS State 171 32,860 21.7 20.3 20.9 19.5 22.4 20.6 21.7 20.1 21.8 20.2

2005-2006 CHS Advanced Placement Scores Summary AP Calculus Chemistry Econ-Mac English English Govt & Pol US Total Grades Percentage Total # Grade AB Lang/Comp Lit/Comp US History Reported of Total of Students 5 1 2 3 3.5 4 4 2 1 1 10 18 21.0 3 1 4 9 4 15 33 39.0 2 1 5 5 1 10 22 26.0 1 1 2 1 5 9 10.5 Total 2 14 2 18 6 1 42 85 100% 56 Notes of Note... Cullman City Schools received the United Way Pacesetter Award and was recognized as one of the Top 12 Contributors. Cullman City Schools Teachers of the Year: Jane Neal (WES) and Paige Raney (EES). Ms. Neal was also chosen as Alabama Alabama Best Practices selected CMS Teacher of the Year Aimee VFW Teacher of the Year. Ms. Raney also received the 2005 Smith to be one of ten 21st Century Fellows. Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship. CHS Geometry Team finished first at the state competition. National Board Certified Teachers: Lori Andrews, Sue Freeman, The Algebra II Team finished 2nd in the state. Susan Sapp, Tina Towers, and Mary Yates. Every CHS athletic team went to the playoffs. In the state, boys Graduates of the Inaugural Aspiring Administrators Academy: soccer finished in the Final Four, boys cross country finished Tricia Culpepper, Mike Dean, Helen Dunn, Kim Hall, 2nd, and baseball finished 2nd. CHS girls and boys basketball Ernest Hauk, Leah Keith, Kathy Miller, and Sharon Windham. teams, both 5A Area 11 Champions, made it to the Sweet 16. The Academy was sponsored by Traditions Bank, Compass CHS student Adam Witcher was 5A State Tennis Champion. Bank, Merchants Bank, and Premier Bank. Seth Thompson, president of the Cullman City Schools Five CMS students and one CHS student attended All-State Foundation, presented grants to teachers in the amount of Choir in March, 2006. $14,629.82. CCPS students raised $461.30 for the St. Jude Children’s Forty-four CHS graduates earned Career Tech Completer Status Research Hospital and $165.03 for Children for Christmas. – each eligible for six college credit hours, equivalent to over $30,000 in scholarship funds. CCPS’s Thanksgiving Food Drive provided dinner for 40 of our families and CCPS sponsored 128 children for Christmas. The Southerner yearbook staff received a rating of excellent from the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. Chelsea NeSmith of CMS placed 1st in the State Holocaust Writing Competition. CMS 8th grade English students won all Head Start became accredited by the National Association for six categories in Jacksonville State University's 2006 Imagining the Education of Young Children. the Holocaust creative writing contest. EES won 2nd place in the People Against a Littered State All schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress. CCPS, EES, & (PALS) Clean Campus program; CMS won 3rd place. CHS are listed on the State Department of Education Honor CHS German Language students received awards in Poetry, Roll for the second consecutive year. EES received a “Gap Song, Speaking, Art, and Spelling Bee at their annual Closer” award in the amount of $2,950 for their efforts in competition. closing the achievement gap. Adopt-A-School Partners: The CHS Band and Symphonic Regions Bank - Head Start, Band received all superior ratings. Cullman-Jefferson Gas - CCPS, The Alabama Scholastic Press Traditions Bank - EES, Premier Association awarded the Hilight Bank - WES, 1st Federal - CMS, newspaper a superior rating for and Wachovia Bank - CHS. the second consecutive year. Cullman City Board of Education members (L-R): Brenda Howell; WES math teams placed 1st in Mark Bussman, President; Dr. Jim Hoover; Dr. Jan Harris, four tournaments. WES CMS Scholars Bowl won 1st Superintendent; Suzanne Harbin, Vice-President; Kaye Donnelly. place in the district and placed Scholars Bowl placed 1st in two 5th in the state. competitions. CHS Scholars Bowl advanced to the EES math team placed 2nd at the state finals for the third consecutive year. Muscle Shoals tournament, and 3rd Daniel Hollis, National Merit Finalist, place in two additional tournaments. was the top scorer in the state CMS math teams placed 1st at the tournament. Auburn tournament. Seventh grade CHS Teacher Susan Boyd received a finished 2nd in the state in the $1,000 "One Class at a Time" grant AL-LA-MS contest. sponsored by CBS 42. Cullman Chamber of Commerce Beautification Award receipients: EES students raised $1,061.08 for the The PE students at WES donated $8,411 to the March of Dimes. American Heart Association during Jump Rope for EES-2nd place and CMS-3rd place. Heart activities. CMS Student Natalie Johnson won the Cullman County Spelling Bee while Andy Crowder (WES) was runner-up. CHS Eagle Scout recipients include Shawn Cecil, Briant Lopez, Ernesto Romero, Cesar Lopez, and Juan Moreno. CHS students brought home the following titles: CHS cheerleaders won the Alabama 5A State Britney Thomas-Cullman County Fair Queen, Samantha Championship. Reynolds-Miss Alabama Teen, and Kristin Brown-Cullman County Junior Miss. Caleb Clay helped lead the Cullman Bearcats to their 4th state title game in 5 years. Caleb signed EES Scholars Bowl with the Boston Red Sox after Team placed 2nd in the getting drafted in the 1st round of 5th Annual Brindlee the MLB baseball draft. Mountain Scholars Bowl Tournament.

CCPS “Board Members” conducted a Mayor Donald Green addressed mock board meeting. teachers at Professional Controversial agenda Development Day. item: adding more ice cream to the menu. The motion passed Governor Riley met with CCS Board with a 3-2 vote. President Mark Bussman, CCS Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris and Cullman County Superintendent Dr. Nancy Horton to discuss the facility needs for our schools.

WES Principal Dr. Elton Bouldin looks on as students are greeted by Senator Zeb Little and Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley. Cullman City Primary School East Elementary School West Elementary School Grades K-1 Grades 2-6 Grades 2-6 900 Hoehn Drive 608 Fourth Avenue SE 303 Rosemont Avenue SW Cullman, Alabama 35055 Cullman, Alabama 35055 Cullman, Alabama 35055 Tricia Culpepper, Principal David Wiggins, Principal Dr. Elton Bouldin, Principal 256-775-0234 256-734-2232 256-734-4271 Alabama Reading Initiative - ARI; Alabama Reading Initiative - ARI; Alabama Reading Initiative - ARI; Positive Discipline; Gifted Education; Extended Day; Gifted Education; Extended Day; Music Program; Accelerated Reading; and Accelerated Reading; Alabama Math, Science Accelerated Reading; and Extended Day Program and Technology Initiative – AMSTI; and Music & Art Program www.ccps.cullmancats.net Music & Art Program www.wes.cullmancats.net www.ees.cullmancats.net

Cullman Middle School Cullman High School Central Office Grades 7-8 Grades 9-12 301 1st Street NE 800 Second Avenue NE 510 Thirteenth Street NE Cullman, Alabama 35055 Cullman, Alabama 35055 Cullman, Alabama 35055 256-734-2233 Jayne Barnett, Principal Lane Hill, Principal Fax 256-737-9621 256-734-7959 256-734-3923 Dr. Jan Harris, Superintendent 1:1 Laptop Initiative 203 Graduates in 2006 Bobbi Burmester, Student Services Coordinator Middle School Concept $4,081,492 in scholarships offered Anita Overturf, Support Services Coordinator Alabama Best Practices 21st Century Average ACT Score 21.8 (State avg. 20.2) Alan Pass, Technology Coordinator Schools Initiative; Alabama Math, Science Advanced Placement Courses; Russell Raney, Director of Finance and Technology Initiative - AMSTI; Science in Motion; Sharon Windham, Federal Programs Coordinator Arts & Music Program; and Performing Arts & Band; and www.cullmancats.net Health & Wellness PE Program 29 Athletic Teams www.cms.cullmancats.net www.chs.cullmancats.net

Cullman City Schools - Home of the Bearcats System Snapshot: Ethnicity: Website: www.cullmancats.net Asian...... 0.5% Teacher Qualifications: 6.6% - 6 year-Doctorate, African American ...... 0.7% 50% - Masters, 43.4% - Bachelors. Hispanic ...... 4.3% All schools are accredited by the Southern Association of White ...... 94.5% Colleges and Schools. All schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Enrollment: ...... 2721 students per No Child Left Behind requirements. Attendance: ...... 96.0% Cullman City Schools surpassed national and state averages Per Pupil Expenditures: . . . . $7,161.02 on all assessments making our system one of the Top Ten Dropout Rate: ...... 2.31 of 133 systems in Alabama. No person shall be denied employment, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination in any program or activity, on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, national origin or age.