December 21, 2009
| |
|
|
|
Upcoming Spring Coordinator Meetings:
Roundtable Discussion
Literacy Activities
February 11, 2010
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Place TBD
Ideas for Partnership Appreciation Week
March 9, 2010
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Place TBD
|
|
| |
|
|
Register
Your Partnership
for the AAS Spotlights
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Corporate Sponsor
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Have a Safe &
Happy Holiday Season
From Loo & Carolyn
.gif)
|
|
|
| |
Dr. Joyce Levey Among Top Finalist for National Award
|
|
| |
The School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA) and Classworks, an SSA Premium Business Member, are proud to announce that Alabama’s 2010 Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Joyce Levey, Superintendent of Tuscaloosa City Schools has been selected as one of four finalist for the AASA 2010 National Superintendent of the Year program.
 AASA’s Selection Committee chose Dr. Joyce Levey and the other three national finalists from among 49 Superintendent of the Year state winners throughout the country. AASA will announce the national winner at the National Conference on Education in Phoenix, Arizona on February 11, 2010. A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the National Superintendent of the Year to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.
“We are very proud for Alabama to have a national finalist two years in a row. Dr. Levey’s selection is a reflection of the high quality of school system leaders in our state,” praised SSA Executive Director Dr. Susan Lockwood.
Dr. Levey has been superintendent of the Tuscaloosa City Schools, which serve 10,311 students, since 2003. She previously served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the district. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and her educational specialist and doctoral degrees from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Dr. Levey was recognized for her efforts to transform Tuscaloosa City schools, including her implementation of professional learning communities, leadership academies, a pre-K program, a middle-school initiative, and a comprehensive strategic plan through community based partnerships. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Jaguar JAGS at GSA
|
|
| |
 The staff of the Geological Survey of Alabama/State Oil and Gas Board (GSA/OGB) recently hosted students from the Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) Program at their Adopt-A-School Partner, Southview Middle School for a morning session in “Jobs Exploration 101”. Southview Middle School students had the opportunity to talk with the GSA staff about the work they do in the geosciences. They were also provided with information about the education and training required for the job and how the work contributes to maintaining a standard of living for the citizens of the State of Alabama.
The students visited a variety of job sites and learned the specifics about each career. The biologists explained to students about their research in fish and environmental investigations. The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists discussed their work with the website and the digital support they provide for spatial analysis  projects. When visiting the geology department, the students learned about their work with core sample cuttings, research and studies on petroleum technology, hydrogeological assessments and the students reviewed the geological library and the rock collection. The administrative support assistants explained to the students the importance of the well-file records and the well-file log, as well as their work in accounting and maintaining the inventory. Additionally, the students received job/career information from the information technology specialist, the cartographer planning specialist, the hearings reporter and a staff chemist. According to Yvonne Massey, Adopt-A-School coordinator for Geological Survey, “There have been other activities that we have participated in, but this event has been the most rewarding for us.”
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
Delta Sigma Theta Provides Program & Supplies for MLK
|
|
| |
The Tuscaloosa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. had a busy fall with Adopt-A-School Partner, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary. The school year began with the chapter donating much needed school supplies. The Chapter also donated gifts to be used as awards for the S.O.A.R’s program, a program designed to reward MLK .gif) students for outstanding positive behavior.
On November 19th, the chapter hosted a public forum titled “A Safe, Caring School Environment” for the MLK PTA meeting. The program focused on conflict resolutions and anger management and was presented jointly by the Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Additionally, the Epsilon Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Rho Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., both from Stillman College, performed a skit for the students and parents on how to handle conflict. Following the skit a panel discussion led by a counselor, teacher, psychologist, social worker and police officer, discussed conflict triggers, promoting calm behaviors and the ramifications of negative behavior. After the program, the 100+ attendees were treated to dinner and door prizes provided by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Money and Morrow at Faucett-Vestavia
|
|
| |
Relating business ideals to elementary school students is not always an easy task. However, Morrow Thomley of Morgan Keegan Company, Inc., Adopt-A-School partner for Faucett-Vestavia Elementary school developed an i nformative program to introduce fifth grade students to the world of finance. Morrow visited with fifth grade math classes on October 29, 2009, to discuss the importance of money management and financial planning. He gave the students practical knowledge on a level they could understand and apply to their lives. Topics of discussion included making budgets for their allowances, the advantages of saving money and ways to earn interest on their money, good debt versus bad debt, and how to create better discipline in the area of spending. The students were allowed to ask questions about any financial issues of interest or concern. Some of the student questions involved money market accounts, ways to earn money from money they already have, and good ways to save for college and cars. The program, “Money and Morrow”, is just one example of the many partnership activities developed specifically by Morgan Keegan to relate their business to the lives of the Faucett-Vestavia students! |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Crazy Hair Day and Hat Day at Northport Elementary
|
|
| |
Northport Elementary School and its Adopt-A-School partner Alabama One Credit Union worked hard this fall to  provide fun and meaningful activities for the students. In November, the students raised money to provide Thanksgiving for a needy family by hosting “Crazy Hair and Hat Day”. This event required each student to pay one dollar in order to attend school with the craziest hair or the craziest hat possible. The winner of this event was selected by a representative of Alabama One Credit Union and received a special prize. “Crazy Hair and Hat Day’ is one of the many creative activities developed by the Adopt-A-School partnership between Northport Elementary and Alabama One Credit Union. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Walker Elementary School Volleyball Game Provides Donation for Community
|
|
| |
On November 20th, Walker Elementary and their Adopt-A-School Partner, Rite Aid Distribution Center held their annual fundraising volleyball game. Representatives from Rite Aid Distribution Center played a volleyball game against  members of the Walker Elementary faculty. The students enjoyed seeing their teachers have fun and even made signs encouraging them to play well. Each student presented a canned food for admission to the game. The students collected enough food to distribute baskets for twenty-five families in the Samantha community.
Additionally, Rite Aid donated many items for the annual Santa Shop fundraiser. The fundraising event held the week of December 9th allowed students to shop for bargains and raise money for their school. Also, during the month of December, Walker Elementary first grade teacher Leslie Kendrick delivered cookies and birthday cards to Rite Aid employees who had birthdays in November, December and January. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Skyland Elementary and Hilton Garden Partner To Help Students and Community
|
|
| |
Skyland Elementary and Hilton Garden Inn are excited to work together to help the Skyland students and the Skyland community. During the month of November they partnered together on Veteran’s Day and delivered thank you cards and sweet treats to the veterans at Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. The students  created heart-touching cards thanking the veterans for all they have done for our country. Adopt-A-School coordinators from Skyland, Sonya Henley, and Hilton Garden Inn, Traci Channell, attended the annual Veteran’s Day Program at the Medical Center and delivered goodies and cards from the students.
In the month of December, the Hilton Garden Inn staff will provide gifts for Skyland students who are less fortunate. The annual gift giving project assists several Skyland families and ensures that they have a very Merry Christmas. The gifts will be delivered to the school and to the families prior to the Christmas break. Hilton Garden Inn is proud to provide this support for the Skyland families. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Great Grades Equals Tasty Treats for BMS Students
|
|
| |
At the end of each six week grading period, the students at Brookwood Middle know that something good is coming besides those wonderful report cards. What could it be? An ice cream party! In order to receive an invitation to this most enjoyable event, the student’s six weeks grades must be all A’s or A’s & B’s. The ice cream party gives the students a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor by having a delicious treat provided by their Adopt-a-School partner, Mercedes Benz.
According to some of the students their favorite part of the whole party is getting to mingle with their friends, eat ice cream, and get out of class for a little while! The ice cream party is just one of many partnership activities and opportunities made available for Brookwood Middle School by their Adopt-A-School partner, Mercedes Benz U.S. International.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
Adopt-A-School Partnerships in the Spotlight
|
|
| |
Listen to Adopt-A-School spotlights on: TalkRadio1230 AM WTBC/102.9 JACKFM radio throughout each week and on Great Day Tuscaloosa on Tuesdays between 12:00 –1:00 p.m. A different Adopt-A-School partnership is featured  each week on each station. Additionally, the first Thursday of each month a partnership is featured during the First at Four program on WVUA7.
On December 1, 2009 Rock Quarry Elementary and their Adopt-A-School Partners PELA showcased their partnership on Great Day Tuscaloosa.
Pictured: Kip Tyner, Jim Lamoreaux (PELA), Will May (SCA President), Laura Jockisch (Principal)
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
PLEASE REMEMBER...
|
|
| |
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
|
|
