"This tour opened my eyes to the industrial sector of Tuscaloosa".... "We need to have these tours every year...highlighting different industries each year"..... "It was great to hear that local industries hire high school graduates with opportunities for advancement"..... These are just a few of the comments we received from local secondary school counselors following the recent tours and meeting organized and sponsored by the Adopt-A-School Program.  

 

The Chamber, through the Adopt-A-School Program, recognizes the importance of keeping local school counselors informed and armed with the information necessary to educate our future work force and to guide the students as they develop the skills needed to succeed in an ever-growing and ever-changing technical workplace.  School counselors play an important role in directing our students as they choose courses and training to prepare for their future.  The advice and guidance the counselors offer on a daily basis shapes the future workforce of Tuscaloosa. 

 

 On October 22^nd the middle and high school counselors from both the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School Systems met to learn more about local industries and training opportunities available for area students.  During the opening lunch session, the counselors heard a presentation from Ryan Sabbagh, technical counselor from Shelton State Community College, concerning the programs available to high school students through dual enrollment and technical training.  Mr. Sabbagh also outlined programs specifically designed for preparing high school graduates for the workforce.  
Following the presentation, the counselors traveled to ZF Lemforder Corporation where they were greeted by Ron Davis, plant manager and Jim Phillips, human resources director for ZF.  Prior to and following a tour of the facility, counselors had an opportunity to ask specific questions regarding the skills, training and education needed for employability within industries such as ZF Lemforder.  Next, counselors traveled to RADICISPANDEX were they were greeted by Wendy Barrett and a host of engineers.  Before, during and after the tour of RADICISPANDEX, counselors had many questions regarding the training and skills needed specifically for an industry such as RADICISPANDEX.  Finally, the counselors had an opportunity interact with a panel of local business leaders and ask pertinent questions concerning opportunities for local students.  Facilitated by John Merrill, Tuscaloosa County Schools, counselors heard from Johnnie Aycock, The Chamber of Commerce; Terry Waters, Alabama Power Company; Gary Phillips, Premier Service Company; and Peggy Collins, AFFLINK. 

 

Through the Adopt-A-School Program we are proud to sponsor this opportunity to expose area counselors to our local industries and to afford them the occasion to interact with business leaders.  We plan to make this an annual event and we will highlight different local industries each year.   For more information about how your business can participate in future tours, contact Loo Whitfield at The Chamber 391-0563 or loo@tuscaloosachamber.com

In September, Dr. Joe Morton, State Superintendent and Discovering Alabama creator and host Dr. Doug Phillips kicked off discovering Alabama's 2007-2008 Project Community in Montgomery.  The event was especially meaningful for Bryant High School, one of the 12 model school in Alabama for Project Community because Discovering Alabama is their Adopt-A-School Partner. 

 

Project Community is a model educational program focusing on natural resources and providing Alabama's teachers with special training and instructional materials/resources to support state academic standards and requirements in science, particularly the natural science.  The project draws upon the interdisciplinary design of the Discovering Alabama public television series which promotes school involvement in exploring and studying the natural diversity of the local school community. 

 

Through Project Community and with the guidance of Adopt-A-School Partners, Discovering Alabama and the Alabama Museum of Natural History, Bryant High School is proud to promote conservation leadership in our schools and our community.  For additional information about Project Community and for teacher related links, visit www.discoveringalabama.org

Vance Elementary students are reaching their goals and learning to achieve their dreams with the help of Adopt-A-School partners, Southland International Trucks, Mercedes-Benz US International, Inc., and Vulcan Materials.  The adopters have participated in several partnership activities this fall, all of which are instrumental in enhancing the education of the Vance Elementary Students.   

 

The adopters provided numerous resources for Red Ribbon Week from buttons that read "Drug Free is My Responsibility" to activity books that not only taught students about problems that occur with drug use, but also how to be responsible and reach for their dreams. The students had a blast dressing up each day with themes such as "Put a Cap on Drugs" (caps) and "Fight Drugs" (camouflage). The whole week was lots of fun thanks to the support received from the Adopt-A-School partners!

 

Vance Elementary held their annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 27. The festival netted over $3,000.00 and proceeds from the festival are designated to help make the last payment on the Vance Elementary Gym.  Adopt-A-School partners, Southland Trucks International and Vulcan Materials donated funds to purchase activities, refreshments, prizes and other items necessary to ensure the success of the festival.   

 

In celebration of American Education Week and in recognition of good behavior, several Tuscaloosa Middle School students recently visited their Adopt-A-School partner, University Medical Center & School of Medicine.  One student from each sixth grade homeroom who had exemplified exceptionally good behavior and who had consistently modeled good citizenship was chosen by their teacher to attend event.  Students arrived at the School of Medicine just in time to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the staff.  They were joined by Dr. Gene Marsh, Dean of the School of Medicine, and other members of the medical staff for lunch and were seated at their own special table. 

 

Through the generosity and help of their Adopt-A-School partner, The Radiology Clinic, many "wishes" were recently granted to the Northridge High School faculty, staff and students.  In August, Northridge teachers were asked to make a "wish list" of funding, materials and supplies needed for the 2007-2008 school year.  Among the "wishes" granted were classroom sets of novels for English classes; a periodic table dry erase board for the science classes; and technology items such as an Interwrite School Pad, a digital camera and a Hitachi Data projector. 

 

In helping to support and promote the arts, The Radiology Clinic donated funds for materials for the Frederick Douglas exhibit scheduled for display at Northridge from November 26^th through December 19^th.  Funds were also provided for a field trip for some financially needy students to attend a musical performance in Birmingham.  In addition money was donated to the school nurse to purchase clinic items and to help fund the Jaguar Jamboree.  Because of their generous support and gifts, The Radiology Clinic proved to Northridge High School that "wishes really do come true".

Fourth grade students at Faucett-Vestavia Elementary School took part in extensive art projects funded and taught by their Adopt-A-School partners, Nancy & Company Fine Jewelers and Morgan Keegan.  The students participated in art lessons each Thursday during the month of October in which they designed and created artwork for the school with paint, glue, paper mache, and even chicken wire!  Not only did the children have fun, but the importance of the arts in education was emphasized.  Faucett-Vestavia thanks their partners for their support in this endeavor.  Without them, it would not have been possible!