ACS Index
March 2025
Message from the Superintendent
With only days left in this school year, there's so much to say and so little time! April was an incredibly busy month full of events and activities - and May will be no different. First and foremost, we're thankful that the Alabaster City Council reappointed Mr. Derek Henderson to another five-year term on our Board. Mr. Henderson brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the Board, and you can read more below. Students from across our school system were recognized at the annual Shelby County Character in Education Awards, and we had ACS honorees at the annual Shelby County Chamber Educators Luncheon in late April. Our eSports Team won another State Championship, and other spring sports have been action-packed. Fine arts programs across all of ACS have staged outstanding musical, choral, and theatrical performances. At the center of all of this, of course, is learning. We know you all will help us maintain academic momentum and focus as we head into May. Thank you, as always, for what you do. Your support of our mission means so much!
- Dr. L. Wayne Vickers, Superintendent
City Council appoints Derek Henderson to another 5-year BOE term
Derek Henderson will serve another five years on the Alabaster City Schools Board of Education after being reappointed to the position by the Alabaster City Council. On Monday, April 14, the Alabaster City Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Henderson to Place 4 on the Alabaster City Schools BOE with a term expiring June 2030. Henderson was first appointed to the ACS Board of Education at the school system’s inception in May 2013 and has served successive terms since, including reappointment as the board’s vice president. Henderson has been a resident of Alabaster for nearly 30 years and serves in numerous educational/community service capacities. Read more about Mr. Henderson's reappointment from the Shelby County Reporter.
Shelby Chamber luncheon honors outstanding students and teachers
At the Shelby County Chamber’s 2024-2025 Student & Educator of the Year Awards Luncheon, Thompson High School’s Javier Soto-Balcarcel was named the county’s Overall Winner for “Career Tech Standout Students,” while fellow student Nina Lin was honored as a “2025 Shelby County Distinguished Student.” The annual event celebrates excellence in education across the county, and several outstanding educators from Alabaster City Schools were also recognized as Teachers of the Year: Morgan Quisenberry (Creek View Elementary), Olivia Cushing (Meadow View Elementary), Christy O’Dell (Thompson Intermediate), Kim Miranda (Thompson Middle), and Avery Horton (Thompson High). See more on the Alabaster honorees as well as honorees from across Shelby County.
Celebrating ability: 2025 United Track & Field
Alabaster City Schools (ACS) and Pelham City Schools (PCS) recently hosted their annual Unified Track and Field Day at Thompson High School, bringing together more than 100 student-athletes of all abilities for a day of inclusive competition and camaraderie. The long-running event, orchestrated largely by Adaptive PE teacher Karen Evans and her PCS counterparts, featured Olympic-style track and field activities supported by peer helpers, athletes, and faculty from both districts, including Thompson High School’s Project Outreach students and the THS track team. This collaborative effort emphasizes the abilities and achievements of all participants, and includes support from local police/fire departments as well as other entities. See a Google Photos Album of this year's event.
Standing "O" Award winners - April 2025
Honoring ACS Assistant Principals
ACS celebrated National Assistant Principals Week, April 7–11, 2025, by honoring its 18 assistant principals for their dedication to student success and school leadership. Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers and the ACS Board of Education recognized the assistant principals' critical roles in creating effective learning environments and supporting daily school operations at the direction of their building-level administrators. National Assistant Principals Week is a nationwide initiative that highlights the essential work of assistant principals in schools across the United States. The week is recognized by multiple national education entities including NAESP/NASSP.
2025 Future Educators Signing Day
In mid-April Thompson High School celebrated a group of seniors committed to pursuing careers in education during its annual Future Educators Signing Day. The event recognized these students as they signed symbolic commitments to the colleges and institutions where they will continue their journey toward becoming teachers. Organized by the school’s Education Academy Director, Mrs. Felicia Smith, the celebration highlighted the dedication and passion these future educators already demonstrate. See the full list of signees and hundreds of photos from this year's 2025 Future Educators Signing Day.
Meadow View's Eric Nguyen: National Student Math Winner
Meadow View second grader Eric Nguyen has made school history as the first student to earn national recognition in the Continental Math League (CML). Eric was named a National Student Winner for the Euclidean Division, Grade 2, after earning a perfect score across three challenging math meets. Each meet featured six rigorous, problem-solving questions—18 in total—and Eric answered them all correctly. This prestigious achievement highlights his exceptional mathematical talent and critical thinking skills. See more on the Continental Math League.
Meteorological magic: James Spann visits Creek View
Creek View Elementary School welcomed ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann for a special presentation on weather and safety in mid-April. Spann presented to students with an engaging and educational conversation, explaining how weather systems form, how forecasts are made, and the importance of being prepared during severe weather events—especially tornadoes. Using real-life examples and interactive demonstrations, he brought science to life in a way that was both fun and easy to understand. See more photos from Spann's visit.
ACAP Rewards Day: TMS celebrates test completion
After completing the annual Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP), students at Thompson Middle School were treated to a well-deserved break from testing. The school hosted ACAP Rewards Day, giving students the chance to enjoy games and outdoor activities in celebration of their hard work. The students relaxed and recharged after the rigorous testing period. TMS worked hard to express pride in the students’ efforts and achievements throughout the testing season. See photos from ACAP Rewards Day.
TIS students wow in talent show, learn big in D.C.
April proved a busy month at Thompson Intermediate School, but two big events stood out. Fifth-grade students took their annual trip to Washington, D.C., where they explored major landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian museums, bringing classroom lessons on government to life. Back on campus, students shined in the school’s annual talent show, showcasing their creativity through music, dance, and comedy. Both events celebrated the achievements and spirit of the students, making it a memorable month for the entire school community. See a photo gallery from the 2025 TIS Talent Show.
National journalism association recognizes ACS student
Thompson High School senior Oswin Colley was recognized as the Alabama Journalist of the Year at the National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle—the nation’s largest gathering of scholastic journalists, advisers, and journalism teachers. Sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association, this prestigious event also honored Oswin with an Honorable Mention in the National High School Media Contest for her Broadcast Feature Story. She proudly represented both THS and the state of Alabama with excellence on the national stage. View Oswin’s journalism portfolio.