December 19, 2008
| |
|
|
|
Corporate Sponsor
|
|
| |
|
|
|
.gif)
Have a Safe & Happy Holiday Season!
From Loo Whitfield
& Carolyn Tubbs
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
On November 22, approximately 70 brothers from Lambda Chi Alpha of the University of Alabama performed a community service project for Holt Elementary. One of Lambda Chi Alpha’s core values is service and stewardship, and they were happy to be able to help the children out at one of their community schools. The guys cleaned up the basketball court to make it much more playable and prepared it to be resurfaced. Also, they cleaned up some of school’s grounds including the outdoor classroom area to make it safer for the students to enjoy class on a pretty day.
According to Alex Cohn, Lambda Chi Fraternity member and organizer for the event, “Lambda Chi Alpha has always put community service at a high priority, but we have never done anything with a school since I have been at the University of Alabama. The Brothers thought it would be great to be able to help out some of the children of the community, and we were thrilled that we were able to give those students a better basketball court and another venue to have class. I hope we will continue to help Holt Elementary and other surrounding schools in the future.” |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 On Thursday, November 20, a group of new “educators” arrived at Flatwoods Elementary. Thursday was “Educator for a Day” in conjunction with American Education Week. The goal for the day was to inform the students about the importance of continued education. The teachers at Flatwoods wanted to give their students a fresh perspective on the importance of always continuing to learn. Each classroom was taught a lesson about an interesting career and the prerequisite skills necessary for that job. Adopt-A-School partners Leadership Tuscaloosa Alumni Association and Northport Medical Center provided the speakers for the classrooms. The speakers ranged from nurses and engineers to pharmacists and administrators. The students at Flatwoods were taught about the importance of skills such as math, language, writing, organization and manners.
Kindergarten students learned the importance of being good listeners in order to learn a new dance from Lowanda James. Mrs. Boozer said, “The kids were really interested in what she had to say”. Mrs. Stripling, fifth grade teacher, had wonderful comments about Dr. Samory Pruitt, from the  University of Alabama. “Mr. Pruitt was the perfect speaker for our students. He is an excellent role model for the students, especially the boys.” The new teacher for the day for the third grade students was Cornelius Joe, a specialist in agriculture at Shelton State. Mrs. Shelton, third grade teacher said, “Our speaker was wonderful. The students loved learning about agriculture. He was a wonderful speaker and invited us to visit Shelton State on a field trip. He told the students all about his farm and all the activities that take place there. They were fascinated about raising cattle.” Mrs. Tullis’s first graders were engaged and interested by their speaker from the Radiology Department at Northport Medical Center. The hands-on materials kept the student’s attention and encouraged the students to become lifelong learners. All of the teachers and students at Flatwoods agreed that the day was a success. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Alabama Credit Union employees enjoyed providing materials and prizes for Rock Quarry Middle School during American Education Week. Monday all the students received pencils from Alabama Credit Union. Tuesday they provided construction paper, markers and stickers for all of the students to they could make cards for their parents. Wednesday all the teachers received a special treat and on Thursday several employees toured the school and gave three $10 awards per grade to the students with the most school spirit. “We are thankful for this chance to show our appreciation to the teachers for all that they do and to show our support for all of the great kids at Rock Quarry Middle,” stated Michele Harris, HR director for Alabama Credit Union. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 On November 5th, B.F. Goodrich employees gathered at Cottondale Elementary School to give their Adopt-a-School Partner a real treat. The employees brought their favorite hobbies to share with the students. Carolyn Maddox and George Montgomery presented their motorcycles and shared information about repairing them. They brought a beautiful copper Lady Cruiser, an orange antique Chevelle, a bright yellow Harley Davidson, and a red Iron Horse with red flames licking the surface. They also brought magazines that they explained were sources of great information. They stressed how reading and paying attention were important in keeping equipment in good working order.
The students had an opportunity to learn about three different sporting hobbies. Lonnie Gant brought his golf clubs to show the students. He reminded them that Tiger Woods listened to coaches, teachers and parents to get where he is today. He showed them the differently-sized clubs for different distances. “You’ve got to practice!” he told them. Orlando Harris and Deandre Kimbrough brought a bass boat. Mr. Harris made it clear that teachers are important in the lives of students. Students must study, learn to read maps and navigate, and be able to follow a GPS – a global positioning system. They also need to make good grades to get a good job and to be able to afford a nice boat ant the proper equipment. Adam Webster showed the students some soccer techniques. “You must practice to be good, and keep trying,” he reminded them. He demonstrated and let them practice hitting the ball with the insides of their feet for control, and hitting the ball with their heads.
Sam Calvin, a noted poet, brought some of his poetry to share with the students, along with several of his awards. He also held a poetry contest and gave three very generous prizes to the students. He stressed the importance of a good education. Dropping out, he told the students, is a ticket to jail or death. Robert Beams, Archie Milligan, Brent Smalley, Paul Bryant Bush, Grover Griffin, and Wayne Smalley brought artillery (cannons) and other equipment from Civil War days. Dressed in authentic uniform, they had students “form ranks,” standing in straight lines – then in military style turning to the front. They shared with students that they had to go to Civil War Re-enacting School to learn proper techniques.
The Cottondale Elementary students enjoyed learning about the hobbies that were shared by the Goodrich employees and wrote notes of thanks for the enjoyable experience. All of the hobbies were popular and interesting, and all the employees stressed the importance of staying in school and sharpening academic skills. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
On Friday, November 21, Vance Elementary celebrated the Iron Bowl Rivalry with the Alabama/Auburn Jamboree. Students attending the jamboree participated in several activities including fun jumps, football toss  competition, a sports apparel store where students bought Alabama/Auburn team apparel and a photo booth where students could have their picture made in front of their favorite team background and mascot. The students had a blast and the festivities helped “kick off” Iron Bowl Week.
Adopt-A-School partners Mercedes-Benz U.S International, Vulcan Materials and Southland International Trucks contributed funding to provide the activities for the jamboree. Because of their donations, over $2,300 was generated for the school. The money will be placed in the schools general fund and will be used to purchase items that the school would not otherwise be able to purchase. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 Buhl Elementary welcomed Adopt-A-School partners, Tuscaloosa Music Club, RadiciSpandex, and The Radiology Clinic to its annual Christmas program on December 10th. The adopters enjoyed Christmas carols performed by the Buhl Elementary School choir and hand bell performances by kindergarten and first grade classes. The Christmas program is an annual event held in honor of the adopters and their support of the school.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Students from Huntington Place Elementary made Christmas ornaments and decorated Pritchett-Moore's Christmas trees for the Holidays. Snowmen, angels and reindeers now adorn the trees. Lin Moore, Chairman of Pritchett-Moore, Inc., stated, "We are thrilled with the Adopt-A-School program and we feel very privileged to have partnered with Huntington Place Elementary. The students have adopted us too and continue to bring great joy to our office."
Since the beginning of the school year Huntington Place Elementary students have drawn pictures of all of the employees of Pritchett-Moore and have provided pictures of their dream homes. Pritchett-Moore continues to provide motivational awards for perfect attendance, reading rewards and will provide lunch for the teachers when they return to school in January.
Everyone is invited to stop by Pritchett-Moore, Inc. to catch the Christmas spirit and to check out all of the artwork provided by Huntington Place Elementary students. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 Santa and his helpers came a little early this year to Duncanville Middle School. On Wednesday, December 10, Adopt-A-School partner, James Bailey’s TaeKwonDo, helped make Christmas possible for several Duncanville students who might not otherwise have a Merry Christmas.
The criteria used by the staff to select students who received the Christmas gifts were based on the TaeKwonDo tenant “community”. The students were chosen because they have continued to be successful in academics and have positive attitudes despite situations at home. James and Kelly Bailey and several TaeKwonDo staff members delivered the gifts to the school and then joined the faculty and students in the lunchroom for the holiday meal. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Vance Elementary would like to say a BIG “Thank You” to Adopt-A-School Partner, Vulcan Materials. Vance Elementary received a $1,500 grant from their Vulcan Foundation. The money will be used to continue “The Star Card Store” that promotes positive behavior in the school. Students earn “Star Cards” for good behavior in their classroom and around school and then use their star cards in “The Star Card Store” to purchase items of their choice such as scented pencils, notepads, and other goodies. This store has helped instill responsibility and resourcefulness in the students. Thanks again Vulcan Materials for your ongoing support of Vance Elementary School. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
In November, the Adopt-A-School partner for NorthportElementary School, The Credit Union of Alabama FCU, formerly BFGoodrich Credit Union, helped the school host “Crazy Hair Day”. This event allowed the school’s students to pay one dollar in order to come to school with the craziest hair possible. Prizes were given to the students with the craziest hair in each grade level. The money raised from this event provided a happy Thanksgiving for a family in need. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 The students at Taylorville Primary School, along with their Adopt-A-School partners, First United Security Bank and James Bailey’s Taekwondo South, held an Alabama versus Auburn canned food drive. Students and business patrons contributed canned goods and placed them either in the red “ROLL TIDE” box or the orange “WAR EAGLE” box. A contest was held to see which fans could collect the most canned goods. A total of 567 cans were collected and the “home team” won the contest by a huge margin! At the end of the contest, the “ROLL TIDE” box had 507 cans and the “WAR EAGLE” box had 60 cans. However, the big winners were the local charities and families to whom the food items were donated. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Tuscaloosa Environmental Services Department will be holding its annual phone book recycling contest within the City and County schools again in 2009. The competition will begin December 15, 2008 and run until January 31, 2009. All types of phone books will be accepted and the winning school will be chosen by the number of books collected per enrolled student. The schools will compete for a share of $4,000 in cash prizes provided by AT&T. Last year over 22,000 phone books were collected, almost double the amount collected from the year before.
Adopt-A-School partnerships are encouraged to participate. Businesses and organizations who do not currently have and Adopt-A-School partner should call Tuscaloosa’s Environmental Services Department at 248-4900 for a list of competing schools. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization that teaches life skills such as financial literacy, marketing, and workforce readiness. The program is available for all students, grades K-12, in the Tuscaloosa City and County School Systems. The curriculum varies and is developed with age appropriate activities. The length of each grade level curriculum also fluctuates, but each typically contains five, six or seven lessons. Each lesson is scheduled for approximately 30-45 minutes. The Junior Achievement Program is available to schools at no cost and is presented by volunteers from the community.
Kimberly Tucker, District Program Manager for the Tuscaloosa area is currently recruiting volunteer presenters and additional classes for the spring semester. Anyone interested in learning more about Junior Achievement, volunteering to teach a class or interested in having the program presented in a school, should contact Kimberly Tucker, 759-3576 or ktucker@tusc.k12.al.us |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
We Have the Best Community Calendar Around
Please do check out our online calendar at www.tuscaloosachamber.com to see what’s going on in the area and remember to utilize the interactive feature to add your own listing.
Hit Your “Forward” Button to Share Chamber News
All employees and associates of Chamber-member firms are members, too. So, please simply hit your forward button to share this issue with all team members in your business/organization. Thanks a lot! |
|
|
Top
|
|
