On March 2^nd large red and white striped hats, pajamas and even green slippers were spotted in several local schools.   From celebrity readers to birthday cake, Adopt-A-School partnerships were proud to promote Read Across America Day in unique ways that best suited their partnership.

According to the National Education Association, "motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers."  The NEA annually sponsors "Read Across America" which is a reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on or around Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2^nd.

Through the Adopt-A-School partnerships members of the business community, volunteers and educators participated in activities to promote a love for reading.  Vance Elementary School's adopter, Vulcan Materials, donated Dr. Seuss books in honor or Read Across America Day.  Vulcan Materials guest readers spent time reading to the classes and students participated in the Book Character Parade.
Englewood Elementary students were delighted when athletes from their Adopt-A-School partner Shelton State Community College visited the classes and encouraged the young students to read.  Members of the Shelton State Softball team took time from their busy schedule to read to several of the third grade classes.  After reading selected books, the softball athletes gave the students book marks.  

Volunteers from The Junior League of Tuscaloosa spent the day with their Adopt-A-School partner, Holt Elementary School.  The students were treated to "Cat in the Hat" pencils and the sweet rhymes and riddles of the JLT members' favorite Dr. Seuss books.  Reading days are a JLT tradition at Holt Elementary and Dr. Seuss' Birthday is a special celebration for the students and their adopters.  

At Oak Hill School students gathered around Principal Suzanne Sterling who dressed for the occasion in her bright green "Grinch" slippers.  The students lounged on the bean bag chairs and particularly enjoyed the rhyming verses as Ms. Sterling read "The Cat in the Hat".  

Cadence Bank employees visited Northington Elementary on Read Across America Day.  Employees visited each of the classrooms, PreK thru 5^th grade, and read to the students.  After sharing a story with the class, the employees gave a brand new hardback book to each student and encouraged them to read throughout the year.  

Brookwood Middle School students celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday in a variety of ways.  Eighth grade students traveled to their Adopt-A-School partner, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. and read Dr. Seuss books to the daycare children.  Additionally, BMS students had green eggs and ham for breakfast, wore Dr. Seuss hats, participated in "Stop, Drop and Read" and enjoyed a birthday party complete with the "Pin the Hat on the Cat" Game. 

These are just a few samples of the business and education partnerships working together to promote literacy and encourage young readers.  Celebrating "Read Across America Day" is one vehicle through which Adopt-A-School partners promote reading programs and challenge students to make reading a lifelong habit. 

Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers and Westwood Elementary have been partners in improving education for students in the Coker community for five successful years.  Since the beginning of the partnership, Hudson Poole has sponsored the "Gotcha Gator" program, a program that recognizes students with outstanding character. 

 

The name "Gotcha Gator" reflects Westwood's mascot, the alligator. At the end of each month, Westwood teachers identify two to three students in their classroom who have displayed excellent citizenship traits.  These students are recognized for showing kindness to others, following rules, and showing respect for adults and fellow classmates.  Each month the names of the Gotcha Gator students are included in the school newsletter and placed on a special bulletin board in the school. 

 

However, what creates the most excitement in students is the opportunity to walk across Westwood's auditorium stage during PTO meetings to receive their award!  Krista Poole of Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers visits the school each month during the PTO meetings to pass out Gotcha Gator buttons to those deserving students.  Not only are the students recognized by parents and community leaders at the PTO meeting, but upon returning to school the next day they proudly wear their "Gotcha Gator Buttons" and inspire fellow students to display good citizenship skills.  Westwood is grateful for Hudson-Poole's involvement and emphasis on developing good citizens. 

On January 25, 2007, during 6^th period, the Brookwood Middle School Cafeteria "rocked" for the third time this school year, with music, strobe lights, and pizza, pizza, pizza!  Three hundred eighty six students were honored for their academic achievement during the third six weeks. 

 

Adopt-A-School partner Mercedes-Benz U. S. International, Inc. and Brookwood Middle School adopted a new academic incentive program this school year designed to motivate students to strive for grade improvement each six weeks.  To be invited to the Pizza Party students must make the all A or A-B Honor Roll; raise two core course grades one letter grade; or raise one core course grade two letter grades. 

 

The purpose of the program is to provide achievement incentives not only to strong academic students, but also to students who make significant progress in their core courses.  With effort and dedication, everyone is capable of making improvement!

Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa and their Adopt-A-School partner Holt High School joined together for two events last fall to support the community.  During October, employees of Nucor steel Tuscaloosa and the students and faculty of Holt High School donated over 80 coats to charity.  The coats were collected at designated drop areas in both facilities and then distributed to local charity organizations. 

 

Selected Tuscaloosa County High School students and Adopt-A-School partners from Shelton State Community College and Wachovia Bank visited RISE students on Friday, March 2^nd.  In honor of Read Across America Day the TCHS students and adopters read many of Dr. Seuss' great books to the RISE students. 

 

Shelton State and Wachovia also provided a birthday cake in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday.  The RISE students, the high school students, and adults had a wonderful time exploring the world of Dr. Seuss and eating the delicious birthday cake.

 

As a reward for demonstrating good character traits, students from Maxwell Elementary were pleased to eat breakfast in Comfort Inn dining area on February 8^th.  Selected students from kindergarten, first, and second grade enjoyed eggs, waffles, biscuits, pastries, and many other breakfast delights.  The tables were decorated with placemats made by other Maxwell students.  Students received a certificate and were commended for their achievement by Judy Barton from Comfort Inn and Carol Glass, Maxwell Elementary counselor. Comfort Inn hosts a breakfast for students who demonstrate great character each nine weeks. 

Each month during the academic year, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa recognizes a Holt High School Student as "Student of the Month".  Students are given a certificate and will be recognized with a luncheon and plaques at the end of the school year. 
 

Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa also recognizes all A and A-B Honor Roll students each six-weeks.  Certificates are awarded to students and the all A students receive movie gift cards.  Students appreciate the encouragement and generosity of their Adopt-A-School partner.  

 

Northington and Cadence Bank are dedicated to serving our community and our students.  We have worked effortlessly this year to further enrich our vibrant partnership.  Students have witnessed Cadence employees volunteering their time to meet the needs of every child.

 

As a motivator for fifth graders taking the Alabama Direct Writing Assessment, Cadence employees decorated paper sacks and filled them with water bottles, animal crackers and apples.  The students received their nutritious snacks in their good luck sacks the morning of testing.  After testing, the students had a Chill Out party sponsored by Cadence Bank.  They made super-sized sundaes to celebrate!

In keeping with the overall idea of helping the students of Tuscaloosa County be the best they can be in all they do, Bailey's TaeKwonDo of Northport and Flatwoods Elementary have developed a program for rewarding positive character traits in the academic classroom.  The TaeKwonDo Tenets provide an excellent basis for promoting good character. 

 

The TaeKwonDo Classroom is a place where children learn physical fitness and self-defense, but it also a place where they learn about becoming better people.  TaeKwonDo has seven tenets that the students study and recite daily.  The seven tenets of TaeKwonDo are Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Courage, and Community. 

 

The faculty at Flatwoods worked with Bailey's instructors and developed the "Tenet Leadership" program to reward Flatwoods students who demonstrate good character.  Each grading period the teachers observe their students and identify one student in their classroom who is exemplifying a particular "Tenet".  The students receive the "Tenet Leadership Award" for that particular tenet.  For example, on January 12^th awards were given to students whose behavior exemplified INTEGRITY and on March 22^nd awards were given to students who exemplified PERSERVANCE.  In addition to the award, the students also receive a t-shirt and a pass for a free week of TaeKwonDo lessons.