February 19, 2010
| |
|
|
|
Ideas for Partnership Appreciation Week
Coordinator Meeting
March 9, 2010
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Chamber of Commerce
Register Here
|
|
| |
|
|
State of the Schools
April 14, 2010
7:30 -9:30 a.m.
Hotel Capstone
Register Here
|
|
| |
|
|
Corporate Sponsor
|
|
| |
|
|
2009-10 Board Level Sustainers
|
|
|
| |
Take Action to Promote Literacy
|
|
| |
According to the National Education Association, "motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers." Adopt-A-School, United Way of West Alabama and the Literacy Council of West Alabama are partnering to promote literacy in West Alabama on March 2nd, Read Across America Day. The goal of this program is to create  awareness about literacy, place volunteers in the schools and help every child in our schools celebrate reading on March 2nd.
Volunteers are needed to read to elementary students in Tuscaloosa City and County Schools on Tuesday, March 2nd. To volunteer for this Day of Action contact Amanda Booth or Rusty Smith at United Way by the end of the day on February 19th at 345-6640. You will be notified of your reading location and time prior to March 2nd.
Can’t volunteer to read……do even more by visiting Barnes & Noble in Midtown Village from Tuesday, March 2nd through Saturday, March 6th. Mention the word 'literacy' at check out and a portion of the proceeds from any purchase will go to Tuscaloosa City and County School libraries. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Final Coordinator Meeting Scheduled for March
|
|
| |
The final coordinator meeting for the 2009-2010 school year is scheduled Tuesday, March 9th and will be held in the Morrow Room at the Chamber of Commerce. The focus of the meeting will be ideas for “Partnership Appreciation Week”. Coordinators will discuss partnership activities and ideas for creating awareness within the school and community about the partnership programs. Information concerning “Partnership Appreciation Week” and ideas for celebrating twenty-five years of the Adopt-A-School Program will be explored. Email carolyn@tuscaloosachamber.com to register. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Westlawn Students Job Shadow through Phifer PRIDE program
|
|
| |
On Friday, February 5th, ten seventh and eighth grade students from Westlawn Middle school spent the day at Phifer Incorporated. The students learned about the history of the company, the different products that are produced at Phifer and they toured both the production and office facilities. The students spent time individually shadowing a Phifer employee to learn about a specific job. The students interviewed the employees to find out what they liked and disliked about their job and how their education affected their opportunities at work. Westlawn students finished the day with a pizza lunch on site and they received a Phifer bag filled with goodies. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Nestle' Water Bottle Labels Provide Physical Education Equipment
|
|
| |
The physical education department at Woodland Forrest has participated in the Nestle’ Pure Life water label program. This program provides equipment in exchange for labels from the water bottles. Coach Michelle McDaniel has been collecting labels from students and teachers for over a year to purchase equipment for the physical education department. Adopt-A-School partner, Thompson Tractor, also participated in the project. To date, the Woodland Forrest physical education department has received three parachutes, soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, flags for football, jump ropes, scoops, ring toss set, horseshoes, and a megaphone. The purchases would not have been possible without the partnership with Thompson Tractor and their support in this exciting project! |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Crestmont Students Job Shadow at Spiller Furniture Corporate Office
|
|
| |
For the third year, students from Crestmont Elementary School had an opportunity to spend the day at the corporate office of their Adopt-A-School partner, Spiller Associated Furniture Stores. Fourth and fifth grade students participated in an essay contest explaining “Why I Should Be Chosen as an Intern.” Spiller employees judged the essays and students who wrote the six winning essays spent the day at Spiller’s corporate office. Breanna Bertrand, Christian Thomas, Anthony Wiley, Janna Lee, Dorveon Thomas and Kaitlyn Fleites were the authors of the chosen essays and enjoyed spending the day at Spiller. 
To begin their work day, the students attended a meeting with Shane Spiller, President of Spiller Furniture Company. The students viewed a motivational video and Shane gave a presentation on the basic details of the business operations. In closing he answered questions about the type of skills required to be the President of a company and some of the education needed to become a successful business person.
In addition to the initial meeting, the students toured the corporate office, warehouse, and the Spiller Northport store. They met the staff and were given a brief description of what each department does for the company. Students were then placed in separate departments to shadow someone in that department.
“We feel that this is a great way to impact a student's life by giving them hands-on working experience. The staff at Crestmont Elementary is wonderful at working with this program and we are very fortunate to have them as an Adopt-A-School partner,” stated Tina Walby, AAS coordinator for Spiller. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Holt Elementary and Junior League Host Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
|
|
| |
Holt Elementary School and the provisional class of their Adopt-A-School Partner, The Junior League of Tuscaloosa, are hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday, February 20th from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the Applebee’s in Northport.
The proceeds from this breakfast will help fund the latest phase of the Holt Community Vision Project. The first three phases of this project have already been completed and the goal is to complete another phase this year. Specifically, funds from this event will be applied to the continued construction of an outdoor classroom on the Holt Elementary School campus. The outdoor classroom will be used by the school and will be available for community use on the weekends.
Tickets for the breakfast are five dollars each and may be purchased in the office at Holt Elementary School or at Applebee’s Restaurant on Saturday morning. For additional information contact Debbie Crawford or Frank Kelly at Holt Elementary School, 342-2650. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Sprayberry Center Promotes Student Artwork in Art Show and Silent Auction
|
|
| |
Sprayberry Education Center held its 6th Annual Art Show and Silent Auction on February 11th. Adopt-A-School partner, members of the Downtown Northport Merchants Association helped with the event. Sue’s Flowers, one of the partners provided decorations for the event. Will Maughan received the “Best of the Show” Award for his art titled “Magic Realm”.
Awards for the artwork were presented in several different categories. TARGET students participated in the “Enlightened Art” Category and the following received awards: 1st Place- “Safari Al” by Anna Payne, 2nd Place- “Fashion Designs” by Abbey Wicker, and 3rd Place- “Death of the Dinosaurs: The Extinction” by Maxine Ball. “Extraordinary Art” was provided by the Multiple Needs & Autism students. Extraordinary Art winners were: 1st Place- “Under the Sea” by Alex Toxey, 2nd Place – “Home is Where the Heart Is” by Lindsay Clarkson, and 3rd Place: “My Whole Heart” by Alex Toxey.
Preschool students produced “Little Hands” art and winners were: 1st Place- “Pretty Princess” by Mary Gracon Pate, 2nd Place- “Flowers” by Laura Beth Aaron and 3rd Place- “Rainbow” by Gabrielle Guffy. Most Creative: “Who Am I?” by Lindsay Clarkson, Most Colorful: “Hearts” by Martha Fox. Honorable Mention was awarded to “Butterflies” by Gabrielle Guffy and “Nanny” by Zander Hall. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Hilton Garden Inn Supports Fundraising Efforts at Skyland Elementary School
|
|
| |
Hilton Garden Inn donated the top raffle prize for the Skyland Elementary School Red and White Ball raffle. The top prize includes movie theatre tickets and an overnight stay with breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn. The two students who sell the most tickets will have the opportunity to serve as King and Queen for the Skyland Red and White Ball. Additionally, students who sell the most tickets per grade level will be selected as the prince and princess for that grade. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase instructional materials for the Skyland students. The Red and White Ball will be held on Friday, February 19th and representatives from Hilton Garden Inn will be on hand to deliver the top prize and to reward the winning students. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Fifth Annual State of the Schools Scheduled for April 14th
|
|
| |
Dr. Joyce Levey and Dr. Frank Costanzo will keynote the fifth annual “State of the Schools Address” planned for Wednesday, April 14th at Hotel Capstone. Jim Walter Resources, Lewis-Smyth-Winter and The Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsoring the event scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. There is no charge for the event, however reservations are requested. Participants can register on the The Chamber’s website at www.tuscaloosachamber.com or call 391-0556. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Phifer Donations Help During Times of Proration
|
|
| |
During the school year, Phifer has been able to make a number of donations to help out a financially strapped school system. Phifer purchased basic art supplies for the Art program at Westlawn Middle School. Additionally, a donation of Phifer material was made to be used in a creative art project. Phifer donated three pallets of binders for Westlawn students, totaling 360 binders for students! |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Northport Downtown Merchants Association Make Donation to Sprayberry Center
|
|
| |
Northport Downtown Merchants Association recently presented their Adopt-A-School partner, Sprayberry Education Center, a check for $817.00. The donation was a result of a joint fundraising effort at the annual Dickens Downtown event. The proceeds collected during the Dickens event of $617.00 were from donations made to the Sprayberry Café for hotdogs and drinks they served and $200.00 was donated from Mr. Bob’s Kettle Corn. Buffalo Rock/Pepsi Cola and R.L. Zeigler also contributed food for the event. The teachers, students and staff from Sprayberry would like to extend a huge thanks all the businesses and patrons who helped to make this event a success! |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Volunteer for "JA in a Day" at Davis-Emerson Middle School
|
|
| |
 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 Tuesday, April 13, 2010 you can help students at Davis-Emerson Middle School think about these very things. Junior Achievement of Tuscaloosa County is looking for 22 volunteers to participate in “JA in One Day.” 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 you need 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!
To volunteer contact: Carla Harris 759-3576 caharris@tusc.k12.al.us 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. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Funding Needed for University of Alabama Arboretum Fieldtrips
|
|
| |
The following article was submitted by Edie Heine from the UA Arboretum
A fieldtrip to the UA Arboretum is the beginning of a life change for many children as they experience both our woodlands and the natural food-growing process in our vegetable garden.
Evidence of the impact on the students is indicated in the following quotes from students who participated in a field trip to the Arboretum….
“Now that I know where the Arboretum is, I’m going to come back and bring my little brother.”
“I’m going to read all about caterpillars when I get back to school.”
“Let’s play hide-and-seek in the tall grass.”
“I want to plant some tomato plants in my back yard.”
“I can’t wait to come back.”
We have read about “nature deficit disorder”, or perhaps seen for ourselves children sitting for hours in front of a computer screen. The Arboretum fieldtrips are designed to change that. Each fieldtrip is composed of several different lessons through which the student groups rotate, the curriculum follows the Alabama Course of Study and all rotations require the students to be active. All grade levels are welcome at the Arboretum and accommodations are available for special needs students.
In our present economic situation, some school children have not been able to take many field trips. If you are interested in helping fund fieldtrips to the Arboretum for area students, please contact the Arboretum office, 553-3278. |
|
|
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
|
|
