The Progress Report

HCS Family,

Thank you to everyone who has reached out following my school safety update from earlier in the week. We are appreciative of your encouragement, your feedback is well received, and we are grateful of your efforts in helping keep our students safe.

As a reminder, we are asking families to check backpacks, vehicles, and ensure students are unable to access dangerous items both at home and within the community. Students who attempt to bring these items into our schools will face the highest levels of disciplinary action including expulsion. If your child witnesses any suspicious activity or believes someone may present a potential safety risk, please “see something, say something” by ensuring they inform a teacher or staff member immediately. You may also make a report on the Anonymous Alerts link found in the main icons of your school website and within Clever. We are in the process of rolling out a weapon detection system. Anyone entering a HCS campus may be subject to weapon detection.

Campus safety is a three-legged stool representing schools, families, and the community. We thank you for your support in protecting our most precious and priceless assets.

Very respectfully,

Christie Finley
HCS Superintendent

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

• January 24: BOE Meeting
• February 4: Curriculum Showcase
• February 6-10: School Counselor Appreciation Week
• February 7: BOE Work Session
• February 10: Progress Reports
• February 11: Greenpower Goblin Race
• February 15: National School Resource Office (SRO) Day
• February 16: BOE Meeting
• February 20: Presidents' Day Observed (all schools & offices closed)
• February 21: DAC Columbia Feeder Pattern Meeting
• February 21: Pre-K Application Window Opens
• February 23: DAC Jemison Feeder Pattern Meeting
• March 2: BOE Work Session
• March 7: DAC Grissom Feeder Pattern Meeting
• March 9: DAC Huntsville Feeder Pattern Meeting
• March 10: End 3rd Grading Period

The 2023 HCS Curriculum Showcase is set for Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the VBC East Hall. The event will highlight course and extracurricular offerings. Area businesses and college representatives will be on-hand to speak with students and families.

Huntsville City Schools Pre-Kindergarten Application Window for the 2023-2024 school year will be open and accepting applications from February 21- March 24, 2023. Child must be age 4 on or before September 1, 2023.

Learn more and apply online at huntsvillecityschools.org.

Late Majority to Minority (M2M) applications will be open until July 17, 2023 for the 2023-24 school year. If you have a student going from Elementary to Middle School or from Middle to High School, you will need to reapply.

If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Shoulders in the Department of Strategy and Innovation at 256-428-6854 or email tiffany.shoulders@hsv-k12.org.

Congratulations to Ms. Adriana Shirley, Blossomwood Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, for being named a Riley Scholar! As one of only four educators across the state this year to receive this recognition, she received a $1,000 grant from the Alabama Humanities Alliance.

Congratulations to Wes Neighbors III, former football standout at Huntsville High, on being named the safeties coach at Ole Miss!

Please be reminded of the following athletics protocols:

• All fans may be subject to weapon detection upon entry.
• All fans must have a GoFan ticket to enter the venue.
• A clear bag policy is in effect.
• No outside food and drinks are permitted.
• Loitering in the parking lots and passes out are not permitted.

January is Gifted Education Month (GEM) in Alabama. Join us in advocating and celebrating Gifted Education in Huntsville City Schools!

Investing in the education of our most promising young people supports local and state economies and future innovation. Contact the gifted teacher at your school for more information!

January marks School Board Recognition Month in school systems across the country. Huntsville City Schools thanks board members for their ongoing service to students and staff members.

The Desegregation Advisory Committee (DAC) will host a series of public meetings across the district for each feeder pattern. These meetings will be held in-person as well as virtually via Facebook Live on the Huntsville City Schools Facebook page.

These meetings are designed to keep the community informed about the Desegregation Advisory Committee (DAC) and the implementation of the Consent Order, as well as provide an open forum for the community members to ask questions and provide feedback regarding their experiences with the implementation of the Consent Order to the DAC members.

• Feb. 21: Columbia Feeder: Columbia Auditorium at 6 p.m.
• Feb. 23: Jemison Feeder: Jemison Theater at 6 p.m.
• March 7: Grissom Feeder: Grissom Cafeteria at 6 p.m.
• March 9: Huntsville Feeder: Huntsville High Lecture Hall at 6 p.m.
• March 21: Lee Feeder: Lee Auditorium at 6 p.m.
• April 10: Districtwide Meeting: Lee Auditorium at 6 p.m.

Interested in your student having an opportunity to attend a magnet program? The Office of Magnet Programs hosted a Virtual Lunch and Learn conversation to provide information regarding the magnet application for the 2023-2024 school year.

Additionally, shadow days allow for students who may be interested in applying and attending to one of our magnet programs an opportunity to work alongside current magnet students, meet our magnet teachers, and determine if the program is the best fit for their interests. See below for dates and contact information:

• Academy for Academics and Arts: Shadowing offered by request beginning the week of September 12th- March 2023. Please contact asia.hester@hsv-k12.org and elizabeth.moore@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
• Academy for Science and Foreign Language: Shadowing offered by request beginning the week of September 12th- March 2023. Please contact jennifer.mason@hsv-k12.org and keitra.payne@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
• Academy for Gifted and Talented: Please contact Fisher.Hedgman@hsv-k12.org or Marquetta.Gradford-Hope@hsv-k12.org for additional information.
• New Century Technology High School: Shadowing offered by request beginning the week of September 19th- March 2023. Please contact Chris.Sims@hsv-k12.org for additional information.

HCS is now hiring for a variety of positions including elementary math and science teachers, special education teachers, and more. View job openings.

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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.

Facebook: https://facebook.com/huntsvillecityschools
Twitter: @HSVK12