April 28, 2009
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Roundtable Discussion
COORDINATOR MEETING
April 28, 2009
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Central High School
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Corporate Sponsor
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The Adopt-A-School Sustainer Drive is winding down, but it is not too late to become involved. The Adopt-A-School business-education partnership program is completing its twenty-fourth year of success in Tuscaloosa; however, tax-deductible monetary support is essential to the continued success of this program
Adopters and Sustainers are the livelihood of the Adopt-A-School program. Adopters give support through donated time, expertise, and financial commitments. Sustainers provide the financial support necessary for the coordination and administrative function of the entire program.
Businesses and organizations may participate in the Sustainer program at the Board, Superintendent, Principal, Teacher, or Mentor levels of support. At all levels of participation a Sustaining partner provides a donation to the West Alabama Chamber Foundation, Inc., an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.
To help the Adopt-A-School Program face the challenges ahead in the 2009-2010 school year, indicate your level of commitment on the Sustainer Commitment Form and return it to the Adopt-A-School office today! For additional information about participating as a sustainer or adopting a school in the Tuscaloosa City or Tuscaloosa County School Systems, contact Loo Whitfield at 391-0563 or loo@tuscaloosachamber.com. |
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Can you remember what it was like to be a student in Middle School? Chances are it never occurred to you how important it is to understand managing a personal budget and using credit to your best advantage. How different might your life have been if, in Middle School, someone helped you think about pursuing a career that matched your skills, interests, and values?
On May 6, 2009 you can help students at Davis-Emerson Middle School think about these very things at JA in a Day.  Junior Achievement of Tuscaloosa County is looking for additional volunteers to help with this event. Volunteers will enjoy spending the day at the school presenting hands-on activities to a classroom of students. Junior Achievement will provide all the materials needed and training as well. All we need is your enthusiasm, life experience, and a willingness to teach children about how you took chances and reached for the stars!
JA training will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Davis-Emerson Middle School. Volunteers may bring their lunch or purchase lunch from the school cafeteria for $3.00.
To volunteer contact: Rosemary Gustin, 888-879-9310 x110 rgustin@hiwaay.net or Loo Whitfield 391-0563 loo@tuscaloosachamber.com For additional information about Junior Achievement visit www.ja.org and follow the “volunteers” link to the informative video. |
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The Tuscaloosa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., new partner for Martin Luther King Elementary School, has had a busy year. On November 18, 2008, Delta Sigma Theta attended MLK’s PTA meeting and presented a program on “The Importance of Education”. The chapter distributed information from Sallie Mae’s Upromise Program, State Farm, and H & R Block to parents and students. The chapter also made donations to Martin Luther King Jr.’s SOARS program. SOARS stands for Super, Outstanding, Achieving, Responsible, Student. The names of students observed performing the 3 R's (Respectful, Responsible or Resourceful) are placed in a special drawing for prizes.
 On January 16th Delta Sigma Theta Sorority attended an adoption ceremony for the new partnership. The students performed songs, dance, poetry, and speeches for the adopters and parents. On February 3rd several students from Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary participated in a job shadow program with their adopters. One student shadowed Samyra Snoddy at Stillman College and was introduced to the world of Enrollment Management. She met the Registrar, the Admissions and Financial Aid Staffs and observed some of the duties that are performed on a routine basis in each office.
On March 2nd Delta Sigma Theta Sorority participated in “Read Across America” Day. Members from Tuscaloosa Alumnae, Lambda Zeta (UA) and Epsilon Eta (Stillman) participated and enjoyed interacting with students. MLK students loved the stories that were read and some students interacted with the “storytellers” On March 28th Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary held a “Testing Rally” designed to help mentally prepare the students for testing. The chapter donated monies and prizes for the event. |
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Mercedes Benz, Southland International Trucks and Vulcan Materials were all involved in Read-Across-America Day on March 2nd at Vance Elementary. Each student in the school received a bookmark and pencil  compliments of the partners. The adopters also provided popsicles for the classes who won the “Dr. Seuss Bingo” game. The cafeteria at Mercedes Benz baked a huge birthday cake honoring Dr. Seuss and each student in the school had a slice of the cake.
Not only did the partners supply goodies to make the day extra special, but they also supplied volunteers from their businesses to read to the students. The students enjoyed having guest readers from each business partner. Other celebratory activities of the day included a book character parade in which the students dressed as their favorite book character, a lunch buffet of green eggs and ham and a visit from selected Brookwood Middle School students who read to the elementary student. The day was filled with activities focused on reading and celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday. |
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The second Friday of each month Barnes & Noble employees bring story time to life for their University Place Elementary School students. The employees not only read to the students, but  also provide a “special guest” each month related to the selected book. During the month of March, “Clifford” the Big Red Dog visited the students. A representative from Barnes & Noble read the book “Clifford Takes a Trip” to all kindergarten through third grade students and students greeted Clifford by petting the furry dog with giggles and timid excitement. Story time is part of the Barnes & Noble initiative to support reading aloud in local classrooms. |
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In addition to the display at University Mall, several partnership activities were held during Adopt-A-School week at Englewood Elementary.  West Alabama Bank donated two baskets of books to the Englewood library in celebration of "Read Across America Day." Shelton State donated 800 pencils for the students to use during spring testing. Englewood Elementary recognized the partnerships by displaying a special banner outside the school and with a special “thank you adopters” message on the school marquee. Englewood faculty and staff also hosted a luncheon for Shelton State and West Alabama Bank on March 4th, which was "Honor Your Partner Day." Englewood students expressed their appreciation by signing big “thank you” cards for both their Adopt-A-School Partners, Shelton State and West Alabama Bank. |
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As part of their Provisional Year commitment to the Junior League, the first year members known as “Provisionals” have the task of planning a community project and raising the funds to support it. The 2008-09 provisional class elected to build an Outdoor Classroom/Bird Sanctuary at Holt Elementary School, the Junior League of Tuscaloosa’s Adopt-A- School partner. The project was fully funded by the Provisional class and to support their plan they held three fundraisers and solicited donations from the community. This process alone was an invaluable lesson on results-oriented team building. With the help of Dunn’s Nursery, American Lumber, Wild Birds Unlimited and Kyser Construction the group installed classroom seating, birdhouses and landscaped an area beside the school. Additionally, educational books and DVD’s were donated to the school library to aide in instruction. “To Holt Elementary School and the entire Holt community, this is a beautiful natural oasis and learning resource that would not have been possible without the hard work and determination of these women,” commented Michelle Crouse, Adopt-A-School coordinator for Junior League of Tuscaloosa. |
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Ten University Place Middle School students visited Barnes & Noble on Monday, February 2nd t o participate in Job Shadow Day. The students were chosen from a select group of students who expressed interest in a career in community relations or retail book selling. Students were given a tour of the day-to-day operations of the retail store, sampled specialty coffees and received goodie bags full of book accessories. A special area of interest was the music department where students had the opportunity to listen to selected CD’s and were able to read about their favorite music artist. After the event, the students presented Barnes & Noble employees with homemade cookies and a large thank you card!
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On February 26th students from Vance Elementary attended their annual job shadow event at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance.  The event allowed the students to get an inside, hands on look at what transpires in the plant. Students participated in several activities including, but not limited to, working in the plant bank, working with different work stations and learning about safety precautions. The students were amazed to see all the detail involved in operating the Mercedes plant and several commented that they hoped to one day work in the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance! |
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As part of the Adopt-A-School job shadowing program, a group of fourth grade students from Rock Quarry Elementary visited their Adopt-A-School Partner, Publix #75 to explore all aspects of the grocery business. Each student was assigned to a Publix employee and spent  the morning helping the employee perform their job. The students spent time in the bakery, seafood and produce departments, with the cake decorators, with the store managers, and with cashiers. The students were given Publix store uniforms and were treated like employees. The students enjoyed learning about all the aspects of the grocery business and several indicated they would like to work at Publix when they are old enough. |
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“First United Security Bank employees always enjoy participating and being involved with Taylorville Primary School as one of their Adopt-A-School partners.  To us one of the most rewarding programs that we are privileged to participate with is "The Student Of The Month" reward day,” stated Mary Smith, Adopt-A-School Coordinator. Each month, employees from First United Security Bank visit the school and present selected students with a “Student of the Month” certificate, a fifty cent piece, a goody bag filled with supplies and a snack.
The students are chosen by their teacher according to their abilities for helping others, being kind and respectful, being leaders, and applying themselves to learning each day. “We are proud of all the students at Taylorville Primary for their efforts and hard work and delighted to reward the students selected each month,” concluded Ms. Smith.
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On Friday, April 10, 2009, Central High School hosted their annual "Relay for Life" basketball game. Participants included Adopt-A-School partner Bryce Hospital and Central High School faculty, staff and students. Randall-Reilly was unable to participate due to giving their employees the day off in observance of Good Friday. There was a great turn out for the game. Students enjoyed watching the faculty and staff play basketball and were particularly loud in cheering for the Central team. The event raised $493.00 for the American Cancer Society. |
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Starting June 1st, employees of the Tuscaloosa City School System will work a four-day work week (Monday through Thursday) until July 31st. This move, approved by the Tuscaloosa Board of Education during the February 12th meeting, will provide a cost savings of $65,000 to $75,000 through the conservation of energy and fuel.
Employees at all work sites in the system will be required to work four 10-hour days, providing the public an opportunity seek assistance during the extended summer hours of operation, 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. This schedule will not be maintained the week of July 4th.
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 For the nineteenth consecutive year, golfers will rally in September in support of the Adopt-A-School Program. Mark your calendars and plan to participate in the Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Adopt-A-School Golf Tournament on Thursday, September 24th. The four man scramble golf tournament will be held at Tuscaloosa Country Club. Both 8:00AM and 1:00 PM shotgun starts will be available. Additional information concerning registration and sponsorship opportunities will be forthcoming.
For additional information, contact Loo Whitfield, loo@tuscaloosachamber.com or 391-0563. |
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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! |
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