The Progress Report

CALENDAR REMINDERS: Fall Break is coming up!

• Friday, Sept. 29: E-Learning Day
• Monday, Oct. 2 - Friday, Oct. 6: No school for students and teachers
• Friday, Oct. 6: All schools and offices closed

View the HCS Calendar for a complete listing of district-level dates and to learn more about each event.

• Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
• September 22: Special Called BOE Meeting
• September 25 - 29: College and Career Week
• September 26: Magnet Programs Information Session
• September 28: College Colors Day
• September 29: E-Learning Day
• September 29: Gifted Referral Window Closes
• October 2-6: Fall Break (No School for Students and Teachers)
• October 6: Fall Break (All Schools & Offices Closed)
• October 9-13: National School Lunch Week
• October 10: BOE Work Session
• October 12: Report Cards Go Home
• October 17: Madison County Special Olympics
• October 18-20: Pre-K Classes Not Meeting
• October 24: BOE Meeting
• Oct. 30 - Nov. 17: 2023-2024 Spring HVA Registration

All HCS Pre-K classrooms will be closed October 18 - 20 and Pre-K students will not attend school on these dates.

All Pre-K teachers (including auxiliary Pre-K teachers) will be attending required professional development.

Huntsville Utilities presented a check for $50,000 to HCS in support of the welding program through their new Innovation Dividend Fund. This fund, which does not include rate payer money, represents an intentional and significant investment from Huntsville Utilities back into our community.

HCS greatly appreciates Huntsville Utilities investment in our Career Tech programs.

The United States District Court issued an order on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, commending Huntsville City Schools’ hiring practices and efforts to increase diversity in its faculty, staff, and administration, which marks a significant step forward in the district’s implementation of the Consent Order. The Court praised the Board on meaningfully increasing the number of Black certified administrators in its central office. The Court also determined the Board has not systemically discriminated against Black applicants on the basis of race in teacher hiring. Based on the district’s progress, the Court is relieving the Board of its reporting requirements and lessening oversight for the Fall 2023 semester in these areas. View Consent Order Update.

Students and staff members across Huntsville City Schools are preparing to mark the end of the first nine weeks.

• Sept. 29: E-Learning Day

• Oct. 2-6: No School for Students & Teachers

• Oct. 6: All Schools & Offices Closed

• Oct. 9: Classes Resume

Report cards will be available Thursday, Oct. 12 with grades from the first nine weeks.

The 3rd-5th grade gifted referral window is open through September 29.

Please contact your student's gifted teacher for more information on the referral process.

The following protocols are in place for fall sports:

• Spectators may be subject to metal/weapon detection upon entry.
• Clear bag policy may be in effect
• Purchase tickets through gofan.co
• Order Milton Frank Concessions: Cut the Line

2023-24 Spring Semester Huntsville Virtual Academy (HVA) registration for current in-person 9th-12th grade students that would like to switch to virtual will open October 30 through November 17, 2023.

Visit the Huntsville Virtual Academy page for more information, including a link to the registration form.

Superintendent Clarence Sutton and members of his team took part in a meet and greet with the South Huntsville Civic Association on Sept. 21.

Congratulations to Nicole Fields, librarian at Lee High School, for receiving a 2023 Herman Moore Memorial LAMP Award for outstanding service to Alabama libraries by the Alabama Library Expo Board.

HCS is among the first school districts across the nation to implement new and innovative technology for students to learn math and science from Prisms VR technology.

The virtual reality (VR) headsets empower students to engage in immersive learning and real-world experiences. Students can explore the inner-workings of cells, visit new cities, and understand the “why” behind math and science concepts.

To learn more, visit: VR Technology in HCS.

New Century Technology High School (NCTHS) has completed their recertification to remain a Certified National Magnet School. Congratulations!

Huntsville City Board of Education approves Larry Saulsberry as a new Elementary Director of Instruction!

Saulsberry joins HCS after most recently serving as principal of Elkmont Elementary School.

Governor Kay Ivey visited Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School to commend progress, encourage students, and discuss the importance of reading!

For more information, view: Gov Ivey at MLK.

HCS is proud to support Hispanic Heritage Month!

Check out this brief informational video covering the importance of Hispanic heritage at HCS.

September is Attendance Awareness Month, a time for individuals and organizations to learn about attendance issues, absenteeism, and the effects attendance can have on academic performance and success.

School attendance is essential to academic success, but too often, students, parents, and schools don't realize how quickly absences, excused or unexcused, can add up to academic trouble.

All of us can make a difference by helping students and families feel engaged in learning and their schools, setting the expectation that school attendance matters and working together to identify and help families overcome barriers to getting to school.

Watch Attendance Awareness Video

Congratulations to our school board members for completing training through the Alabama Association of School Boards.

They met the required hours including whole board training and orientations.

Board members Andrea Alvarez and Holly McCarty received their level 1 certificates. Board member Ryan Renaud received his level 2 certificates.

Kelvin Wooten, Grammy Award winner and Jazz In The Park-Huntsville musician, is giving back to his hometown community by presenting a Masters Class to our vocal and instrumental magnet students at Lee High School. He presented on the various styles of music and improvisation.

Mr. Wooten is a former Johnson High School graduate and is a songwriter and producer currently based out of Athens, AL.

Jazz In The Park-Huntsville musician Brian Simpson conducted a workshop for the Jemsion High School jazz band.

Jazz in the Park’s music education partnership with Huntsville City Schools provides a rare opportunity for young musicians to experience world-class performances, discuss aspects of music performance, and learn the business of music with seasoned professionals.

Jazz In The Park-Huntsville artist Jessy J stopped by Columbia High School and gave some insights into the music business to CHS band members.

Jazz in the Park-Huntsville includes music education workshops with local students. The workshops expose young people to high caliber jazz recording artists and cover topics such as improvisation, section playing, tuning, and more.

Congratulations to former Huntsville High School Band member Ansley Boles for being named a drum major in The University of Alabama's Million Dollar Band!

She advanced to become one of only four drum majors following a competition among 50 potential applicants for the coveted positions.

The Grissom High School Class of 1971 led an effort to construct a new GHS sign at the school's campus. The project was initiated during the 50th year class reunion, and along with former principal Ms. Jeanne Greer, the sign is now in place in front of the school.

For more information view: GHS Landmark.

Columbia High School is hosting an exciting and diverse Hispanic Heritage Month celebration this Saturday, September 23rd starting at 4:00 PM. Highlights will include live singing and dancing, as well as a dramatic performance by Chapman Middle’s Student Leadership. Come learn Zumba, try your hand at a piñata, or simply show your support for the many Latin American Nationalities that make Huntsville a great place to live!

The HCS Magnet Department is hosting a Magnet Information Night on Sept. 26 at 5:30 PM at Whitesburg Elementary.

Families will receive information an overview of programs, receive dates on upcoming Magnet fairs, learn about the Magnet application process, and more.

HCS staff and students are encouraged to wear the colors of their favorite college in celebration of College & Career Week!

To recognize the National School Lunch Program, serving nearly 30 million children each day, Huntsville City Schools will celebrate National School Lunch Week from October 9-13, 2023.

The fun and creative campaign theme, Level Up with School Lunch, highlights the importance of a healthy school lunch to a student’s success both in and out of the classroom.

For more information, visit School Lunch Week.

For school menus, visit Sept Meal Menu.

Huntsville City Schools is continuing to hire for open positions.

View open positions and apply now by visiting huntsvillecityschools.org/jobs.

The mission of Huntsville City Schools is to inspire, engage, and empower all students in becoming creative problem solvers, active citizens, and life long learners through rigorous curriculum and relevant instruction within a supportive environment. Vision: high expectations, character driven, and student centered. Core values: service minded, transparent, resilient, accountable, team focused, equitable, goal oriented, inclusive, and creative.

Connect with HCS

• Facebook - @huntsvillecityschools
• Twitter - @HSVk12
• Instagram - @huntsvillecityschools

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