DNA, chromosomes, vacuole, mitochondrion, nucleus......what do these terms have in common with quilting?  Just visit Davis-Emerson Middle School and talk with the students in Mrs. Judy Gudgen's seventh grade life science class and you will see the connection!

 

After attending an Adopt-A-School Coordinator meeting in January and learning about the "Year of the Arts", Mrs. Gudgen decided to initiate a unique method of combining science and the art of quilting.  "I have always wanted to have my students produce a quilt and the "Year of the Arts" seemed like a good time to do it", stated Ms. Gudgen.

 

Learning about the parts of an animal cell is a major content standard for all seventh grade life science students and the seventh grade students at Davis-Emerson now have a visual reminder of the cell parts.  The animal cell "Cell-Abration Quilt" is the end result of their hard work.  Groups of the students were assigned different parts of the cell.  Each group colored a specially prepared muslin quilt square illustrating one part of an animal cell.  Cell parts were colored-coded to distinguish all the specific details and the student groups shared with their classmates the functions of each cell part. 

 

The Teddy Bear and Doll Clinic is one of many projects on which DCH Regional Medical Center and Hillcrest High School work together throughout the school year. DCH held its annual Teddy Bear and Doll Clinic February 27^th where over 800 first grade students from Tuscaloosa County brought their teddy bears and dolls as "patients" to DCH.

 

Hillcrest Ambassadors and Health Science students helped with the various stations that make up the clinic. They bandaged the "patients" brought into the clinic, took lab work and overall helped ease fears children may have of the hospital. 

 

Katy Wallace, DCH Adopt-A-School Coordinator, helped coordinate the event.  "The Teddy Bear and Doll Clinic was a huge success thanks to the wonderful help these students provided," Wallace said. "Their energy and smiles really made the children feel welcome."

 

There is no question that Buhl Elementary School students, teachers and staff are proud to have three great adopters.  There pride is evidenced in the large banner hanging on the backstop near the school.  Adopt-A-School partners, The Radiology Clinic, Tuscaloosa Music Club and Radicispandex Corporation all have a special place in the hearts of the Buhl Elementary students and staff. 

 
Buhl students who have perfect attendance each nine week grading period can also be seen proudly wearing their "PERFECT" attendance t-shirts provided by the adopters.  Each Adopt-A-School partner is listed on the back of the t-shirts.  Students and teachers who do not miss a day of school each nine week grading period receive the brightly colored t-shirts.  Each nine weeks the t-shirts are a different color and several students are proud to have several different color shirts!

Woodland Forrest Elementary students from Mrs. McDaniel's fifth grade class recently enjoyed a morning of "Job Shadowing" at Thompson Tractor Company.  Thompson Tractor is the local caterpillar dealer for Alabama and the panhandle of Florida and the Adopt-A-School partner for Woodland Forrest Elementary School. 

 

Students spent the morning at Thompson Tractor and were able to work with employees in the parts, service and rental departments.  However, the biggest thrill for many students was the opportunity to ride with a Thompson employee on some of the large caterpillar equipment.  The students learned first hand about the skills needed to maneuver the large equipment. 

 

The event was coordinated by Buddy Fordham, the Adopt-A-School Coordinator for Thompson Tractor.  According to Buddy, "Everyone from the students to the employees had a great time.  I couldn't do it by myself.  I really appreciate the help I received from Debra Elmore, Tracey Stith and Felix Lavendar."

Job shadowing at Thompson Tractor has become a tradition for the Woodland Forrest fifth grade students.  Each spring they look forward to visiting Thompson Tractor and learning about work in the "real world'.

The Leadership Tuscaloosa Alumni Association and employees from the Northport Fire Department, Northport Medical Center and the Bank of Tuscaloosa encouraged 5^th graders at Flatwoods Elementary to begin developing the skills needed for a future career.  No, they didn't teach them how to put out a fire or give someone a shot or even how to loan money but they did offer advice on the characteristics that are important in good employees.  They discussed honesty, integrity, listening, being on time and organized, initiative, communication, work ethic, and the list goes on.  Participants related to students the need to work on these characteristics now and not wait until later.  The teachers appreciated the discussion.  Mrs. Bynum commented, "The Career Day at Flatwoods was extremely successful.  The presenters discussed various ways to succeed in the job field, not only with higher education but also with character, a strong work ethic and initiative." 

 

Throughout the school year, outstanding Englewood Elementary students receive special awards based on citizenship and achievement.  Adopt-A-School partners, The People's Bank and Trust and Shelton State Community College join Englewood Elementary in awarding the students.  One student from each classroom is chosen every grading period for each of the awards. 

 

Adopt-A-School partner, the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, sponsored Northside High School's 16^th annual Academic and Scholarship Banquet. Parents, students and teachers attended the May 7^th event at the Northport Civic Center.  Twenty-eight seniors received scholarship awards and sixty-seven students received certificates for maintaining a ninety or above average in all of their academic classes.

 

Colonial Bank and The Radiology Clinic encourage academic achievement and reward Northridge High School students for diligence in the classroom.  Each grading period the Adopt-A-School partners sponsor an A and A/B Honor Roll Party for qualifying students.  In conjunction with the honor roll students, Colonial Bank and The Radiology Clinic also sponsor the JAGS Award.  Each grading period teachers select students to receive the JAGS Award.

 

On Friday, April 20, 2007, Oak Hill School celebrated Earth Day with a full day of activities.  Many students sported face paintings inspired by nature.  Students planted trees, participated in a nature scavenger hunt and enjoyed lunch in the great outdoors.  Ricky the Racoon visited with the students to promote recycling and conservation.  A special presentation was made for the Lowe's Outdoor Classroom Grant, which will fund a pond project for the students. 

 

On April 12^th the University Medical Center teamed with Tuscaloosa Middle School in efforts to support the Tuscaloosa Adopt-A-School program.  As part of the inaugural program, several members from The University of Alabama's peer health educators, Project Health, visited sixth grade science classes and provided information to the students regarding diet and physical activity.  This topic was chosen in response to the recent national obesity epidemic. 

 

Northport Medical Center hosted an appreciation dinner to honor all of the faculty and staff from Flatwoods Elementary School.  The teachers and staff were rewarded for all of their hard work and dedication.  Northport Medical Center recognizes the contributions that they make to our community. 

 

On February 13, 2007, Arcadia Elementary School was buzzing with excitement.  It was the day of the Science Fair.  All students worked very hard to make sure that their science project was the best that it could be.  Mrs. Kathy Chapman, the Enrichment teacher, stressed the importance of adhering to the Scientific Method.  The steps of the Scientific Method are purpose, hypothesis, materials, procedures, collect data from trials and tests, results, and conclusions.

 

Kindergarten through third grade completed class projects.  The fourth graders could complete individual or paired projects.  The fifth graders were required to complete individual projects.  Parents were encouraged to help their child with the process of a science project.