THE BCS REPORT DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

Building Leaders, Impacting the World BCS BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES PLAN FOR UPGRADES AND RENOVATIONS AT SEVERAL SCHOOLS

Proposed stadium and field house at Woodlawn High School Several will receive much many outstanding student-athletes over the years, but needed upgrades and additions in a five-year road map they have had to play home games at other locations, for capital improvements approved by the Board of because the facilities are not designed to accommodate Education on Dec. 8. School districts are required to competitive athletics. submit their plans to address current and future needs in In addition, Huffman Middle School will receive some their districts. Changes can be made to the plans as the major renovations – including a new gymnasium and an years progress, depending on school system needs, said expanded cafeteria. Dr. Matthew Alexander, Operations Officer for BCS. Other schools on the list for a variety upgrades and “These plans are in keeping with the needs in the improvements include Barrett Elementary, Smith Middle district and the wishes of the communities we serve,” School, Minor Elementary, Ramsay High School, Alexander said. “Although this is a five-year plan, we are Phillips Academy, , Carver High looking to begin preliminary work on some of these School, South Hampton Elementary, Avondale projects right away.” Elementary, West End Academy, Glen Iris Elementary, Major projects in the plan include a new football stadium Central Park Elementary, Princeton Elementary, and field house at Woodlawn High School. The historic Norwood Elementary, Bush Hills STEAM Academy, W.J. school has produced Christian and Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School.

WWW.BHAMCITYSCHOOLS.ORG BIRMINGHAM CITY SCHOOLS BHMCITYSCHOOLS BHAMCITYSCHOOLS

1 DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Superintendent Speaks

In just a couple of weeks, we’ll As you reflect on this holiday ring in a new year and leave 2020 season, I hope you share a sense behind. pride in the accomplishments we

This year truly has been one have made together, as well as the with lots of lessons and learning – ingenuity and strength we have and not just for our scholars. employed personally and collectively in 2020. Let us join We’ve all learned to adjust and together in hope that the adapt because of this global pandemic’s end is near. Meanwhile, pandemic. Although none of us stay safe, wear your masks and wished for the challenges we have wash your hands frequently. faced, they have made us stronger. They have shown us different I wish you all a very Merry approaches for reaching our Christmas and Happy New Year! goals. Together, we are BCS STRONG!

At the end of the day, we want our scholars to learn and grow to Dr. Mark Sullivan their full academic potential. We In just a matter of months, we want all of our faculty and staff to were able to get thousands of be safe and healthy as they propel electronic devices in the hands of the school system with their energy all our scholars.

and creativity. When we began offering Most of all, we want every blended learning, an abundance of student and every employee to personal protective equipment was experience a sense of available and distributed to accomplishment every day. students, teachers and support

Our scholars, parents, faculty staff. and staff have risen to the Our transportation department occasion. They have embraced and our child nutrition staff technology. They have made worked together to ensure our sacrifices, AND they have certainly scholars had access to hot meals been flexible. and a continental breakfast every

As Birmingham City Schools school day. District Dates superintendent, I am thankful to all That’s teamwork in action! It’s • Winter Holiday – Dec. 23- Jan. 1 of you. I find great joy in reflecting just another example of how we • Professional Development – Jan. 4 on the hard work we’ve seen this collaborate for our scholars in • Class Resumes – Jan. 5 school year on every front. Birmingham City Schools. • M.L.K. Day – Jan. 18

2 DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Barrett Elementary Receives Web Cams

Christmas came early for Barrett Elementary School. On Dec. 2, Truist Financial Corporation member Jared Henderson and his team donated web cams for each classroom teacher’s desktop computer and extra adapters, along with voice amplifiers.

The much-needed gifts are part of the company’s Lighthouse Project program. The Lighthouse Project is a long-standing BB&T now Truist tradition that allows teammates to support local nonprofit Barrett Elementary Principal Tikki Hines, center, receives donations from Truist. Birmingham Fire and Rescue members delivered the items. organizations on projects to address critical community needs.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue members delivered the items, and they were received by Principal Tikki Hines and Media Specialist Lavinia Starks-Smith. “We are very grateful to Mr. Henderson and Truist for all the donations,” Hines said.

“My team works for Truist across the -Florida market,” Henderson said. “We have 19 members on our team and we each Principal Tikki Hines had $75 and 8 hours of volunteer Other items Barrett received time to give in November for the included: rolling carts for the Lighthouse Project and we selected library and technology department, Barrett,” he said. “And a special candy, fidget toys, and LED thank you for the amazing support bracelets. “These will be used for Lavinia Starks-Smith thanks Truist Member Jared from the fire department that Henderson for the donations. the PBSI (Positive Behavioral delivered the wish list items.” projects, serving more than Interventions and Supports) Store,” Since 2009, BB&T (now Truist) 700,000 volunteer hours and Smith said. The PBIS Store is used teammates have completed more impacting the lives of more than 18 to improve our school safety and than 12,000 community service million people. promote positive behavior.

3 DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 HELP FOR ETHAN'S HEART Ethan Hill, a fifth-grade honor student at Phillips Academy, continues to think of others, especially during this holiday season. He is the founder of “Ethan’s Heart,” a mission to help support the homeless population in Birmingham.

“It’s just hard for everyone this year and we are just doing the best

we can,” Ethan said in an interview Ethan Hill receives $5,000 from Trussville Academy Sports store for essential items for homeless. this week. said Ebony Hill, Ethan’s mother. “He wanted to provide sleeping bags For four years, Ethan, 10, has that would protect between 10 to 0 collected items and donations to degrees in an attempt to save provide care packages, sleeping someone from possible death,” she bags, snacks and hygiene items to said. “They answered the call with the homeless during winter months. assistance to help.” “Ethan started his mission after $5,000 check to assist him in obtaining more essential items. seeing so many homeless on his Ebony Hill said her son never way to school. It really bothered “The Trussville location has expects anything in return when doing for him,” his gifted teacher, Tamara been very helpful to Ethan over the others, but in addition to King-Sharpe said. past four years to ensure he has Academy Sports’ generous gift, the This week, Academy Sports in everything he needed to be a company is sending Ethan to the Trussville presented Ethan with a blessing to others,” SEC Championship Game.

BCS ATHLETES SIGN NATIONAL INTENT LETTERS

Ramsay High School Ramsay High School Ramsay High School Parker High School Parker High School Tim Keenan III Jeremiah Williams Kam Thomas Jekovan Rhetta Demarcus Smith University of Florida Austin Peay State University University of Alabama Ole Miss

4 DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 WOODLAWN SENIOR FIRST IN CLASS AND JUNIOR AT UAB

Destiny Nelson-Miles has not allowed challenges to stop her from reaching her goals. The Woodlawn senior is graduating as class valedictorian with a 4.3 GPA and she’s well on her way to completing college at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

As a member of the Woodlawn High School Early College Program Destiny, 17, has earned 49 hours of college credit from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has a 3.81 grade point average at the university. An accomplishment like

this take dedications even when Woodlawn Senior Destiny Nelson-Miles challenges arise and Destiny, the People can learn to escape hardship Woodlawn as a member of the youngest of five siblings, know this by being motivated, encouraged, cheer squad, Youth Leadership first-hand. and willing to be pushed towards Forum and National Honor Society. greatness, Destiny said. She was recently recognized as a “Hardships have taught me to Rising Star on WBRC Fox 6 and value every opportunity that I Mrs. Dana Wright-Marshall, will compete for the related encounter because I may not be Woodlawn’s Early College Program scholarship. presented with that chance again,” Coordinator, said Destiny is she said. “For instance, I started by hardworking and studious. “She is Other accolades include serving obtaining my driver’s license to mature and dedicated to the pursuit as a senior farmer and intern at ensure I have transportation and of excellence. The greatest Jones Valley Teaching Farm and ranked number one in my class challenge in describing Destiny is winning first-place in the every year so that I qualify for the feeling that I am under Birmingham City Schools’ District scholarships. I complete minor describing her character, ambition, STEM Fair. steps to achieve major milestones.” and academic prowess. She is kind, In addition to the University of compassionate, and enthusiastic. Destiny plans to major in Alabama at Birmingham, and with She has a clear sense of purpose Business Finance with hopes to a 27 ACT score, Destiny has been and direction.” become a financial adviser. “I accepted to: the University of would like to open a business that Destiny began the Early College Alabama in Huntsville, University specializes in helping people program as a 9th-grader. She will of South Alabama, University of overcome poverty. I strive to do this enter UAB classified as a junior. Dayton and the University of because if others around me are not Additionally, Destiny represents Alabama. succeeding, then I have also failed.

5 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4 WEST END ACADEMY TEACHER GETS A+ FOR VIRTUAL SPACE

COVID-19 has challenged educators across the county and forced most to move beyond traditional classrooms to virtual spaces. Mellina Singleton, a first- grade teacher at West End Academy, found just the right space – at home.

Singleton, in her 33rd year of teaching, has converted her home’s two-car garage into her virtual classroom. Her teaching space is outfitted with all the makings of an in-person classroom. It’s creative, colorful and engaging. There’s even an

old-school student desk and a Mellina Singleton is teaching her first-graders virtually from her garage.

lime green sofa. wild and tamed animals, she turns

Singleton has earned high to her screen, and calls on students marks from colleagues, friends one-by-one. As they give answers, and even her neighbors. She’s she turns and writes them down on tapped into her creative juices and her makeshift board.

letting them flow. “We have a lot of grandparents “I want my babies to feel like who are helping daily with my it is ‘school at home’ because our students because parents are classroom is their home away working. I just try to make it from home,” she said. “I don’t enjoyable. We are in class and we need all the technology, but I use are making the best of it,” she said.

it. I can teach anywhere, -- all I Singleton got her start in need is a blackboard and some Vestavia after earning her second chalk. would rather be in the bachelor’s degree at Miles College. classroom, but we can’t, so this is Mellina Singleton has been an educator for 33 years. She earned a business the best I can do.” “I’m just old-school and I love administration degree from Singleton said she always to write,” she said as a display of Alabama A&M and her master’s wants her classroom to be fun colorful charts and oversized post- from Alabama State. “I love our and energetic and the pandemic it notes dangle on her garage walls. HBCUs and I am a proud product of won’t stop that. As she covers the day's lesson on three of them,” she said.

6 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4

BIRMINGHAM PROMISE GIVES BCS SCHOLARS PROMISING FUTURE

This story is reprinted with permission from UAB. By Alicia Rohan UAB News

Students from all seven Birmingham City high schools Ramsay High School graduate Morgan Rankin-Taylor make up the first Birmingham our offices of the Provost, Student the state to become partners of Promise class of freshmen at the Affairs, Advancement and so many Birmingham Promise, which is now University of Alabama at others from across the institution a standalone nonprofit.”

Birmingham. The scholarship step up to make a meaningful Morgan Rankin-Taylor, a program provided 68 students with difference for these students.” Ramsay High School graduate, the opportunity to pursue their UAB was the first academic began her freshman year at UAB as bachelor’s degree with a full-tuition institution in Alabama to partner an engineering major with hopes to scholarship through a partnership with the City of Birmingham and be a materials engineer. The full- with Birmingham Promise, Inc., at Mayor Randall Woodfin to offer tuition Birmingham Promise UAB. the Birmingham Promise scholarship allows Rankin-Taylor

More than 50 percent of the scholarship to Birmingham City to focus on her studies. Birmingham Promise scholars self- Schools graduates. The scholars “When Mayor Woodfin identify as first-generation college receive tuition, as well as resources announced the scholarship students and receive supportive from UAB that include student program, my mother and I saw services through the program to housing, laptops, peer mentors and opportunities and doors open that help them achieve a four-year a dedicated advisory team. we never imagined,” Rankin-Taylor degree. “UAB was the first to offer a said. “Receiving this scholarship “Education is the path to one-to-one scholarship match,” shows the commitment the city has prosperity,” said UAB President Woodfin said. “Because of to our generation’s future. It is an Ray L. Watts. “So we are working President Watts’ and his entire opportunity for my dreams to come alongside Birmingham Promise team’s enthusiastic commitment to true. With the help of the scholars every day to help them this next generation of scholars, scholarship, I can stress less about navigate obstacles and provide the our students have seen tremendous money and focus on the tools they need to accomplish their early success. These results schoolwork.” goals. I have been touched to see encourage other institutions across Read the full article here. 8 DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Christmas Comes to Hemphill Elementary

Hemphill staff and volunteers with donations for students. The gym at R.C. Hemphill Elementary School looked The Pi Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma more like Santa’s workshop earlier this month. Bicycles Fraternity also donated more than 100 coats. and bags filled with toys were spread about the floor, Classroom teachers, parents and guardians worked and the faculty and staff carried arm loads of goods to together to develop lists of needs and wants for the awaiting parents. scholars. On Dec. 9, parents pulled up to the gym during Several community partners fulfilled the Christmas the Christmas Drive-thru. wishes of more than 300 scholars at Hemphill, said “It was heart-warming to see the response from the Principal Kristin Booker. The partners providing toys families,” Booker said. “They all were very appreciative this year included Urban Ministries, Temple Emanu-El, of our partners. We are blessed to have great support and Trinity United Methodist Church. for our Hemphill scholars.”

include Huffman.” Ragland spoke HUFFMAN VIKINGS APPAREL with the store’s leadership and a AT PUBLIX CLAY-CHALKVILLE supplier and they moved forward with moved forward with stocking Shoppers at the Publix the store with Huffman items, he supermarket in Clay-Chalkville who said. follow the Huffman High School A portion of the proceeds Vikings can now support their from sales of merchandise will go to school while shopping. Huffman, and Ragland also was

Publix recently began carrying able to negotiate a higher percentage the orange and green paraphernalia for the school. The sales are of Huffman High, thanks to an reviewed quarterly, and the school arrangement negotiated by Dr. will receive 17 percent of the Douglas Ragland, the District 1 proceeds, based on orders for gear representative on the Birmingham such as hooded sweatshirts, caps, Board of Education. Ragland “We are proud of Huffman High socks and sweatpants, Ragland said. discussed a relationship between the School,” Ragland said. “The store “So far, the merchandise is supermarket and Huffman during a carries merchandise promoting selling well,” Ragland said. “We recent Echo Highlands other schools in the area, and we want our community to continue Neighborhood Association meeting. thought it would be good to also supporting Huffman.”

7 DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Barrett Names Teacher of the Year Mrs. Della Sheehan is the collaborative special education teacher for 4th- and 5th-grades and the technology teacher at Barrett Elementary. She is in her eighth year at Barrett. She graduated from Jacksonville State University in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Collaborative Education. She also College and is currently working has an associate degree in on her National Board Computer Programming from Certification in Literacy. Jefferson State Community Submit your good news to [email protected].

Assistant Principal Raynetta Wiggins Phillips Assistant Huffman Robotics Program Wins AMSTI Grant Congratulations to Huffman Principal Gets High School's Terence L. Marzette, department chair of the Academy Board Certification of Architecture & Construction. Congratulations to John Herbert Marzette recently was awarded Phillips Academy Assistant a $1,500 AMSTI Robotics grant to Principal Raynetta Wiggins on benefit his school's program. attaining her National Board Huffman was the only BCS school Certified status. “ National Board selected. The funds will be used to Certification is a voluntary, help the program host a Robotics advanced teaching credential that Tournament/Competition in order goes beyond state licensure. The to expand its program. The National Board for Professional competition will be designed to Terence L. Marzette Teaching Standards (NBPTS) challenge the cognitive and

certifies teachers who successfully analytical skills for students to Nikki Seaborn complete its rigorous certification complete tasks and challenges. E d i t o r process.” Wiggins also has served The participating grades will be Randi Wilson Graphic Designer as a math teacher, math 10th - 12th. The subject areas will instructional coach and curriculum be architecture, drafting, Sherrel Wheeler Stewart Executive Director, Strategy coach at JHPA. She holds a degree engineering and robotics. There and Communications

in middle grades mathematics and will be a total of 7 teachers Dr. Mark Sullivan graduate degrees in secondary participating and 50 students will Superintendent mathematics education and be directly impacted. The BCS Report will be distributed monthly. Please submit story instructional leadership. ideas to Nikki Seaborn at [email protected], by the 10th day of each month.

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