TCS Celebrates Administrative Assistants Day

Throughout the schools in Trussville, administrative assistants were honored this past Wednesday with flowers, cards, lunch and gifts.  The district employs many employees who work in the role of administrative assistant.  These employees are highly skilled and are invaluable for the support they provide in educating, feeding, transporting, etc. the students of TCS each day. 

Central Office administrative assistants gathered for a luncheon in their honor at noon Wednesday.  We are thankful for their knowledge and skills and their loyalty to Trussville City Schools. 

EMT Teachers Participate in Math Studio Day

For the past two years, selected elementary math teachers have participated in intensive professional learning, designed by the district math coaches. This year's culminating activity was a Math Studio Day on April 24.  The teachers worked together to plan a lesson that encompassed the effective mathematics teaching practices that they have studied this school year. The teachers implemented this lesson collaboratively in one classroom. The lesson components consisted of a number talk, an investigative task, and a Math Congress where strategically selected strategies are shared by students to their peers.   The teachers anticipated student responses to the tasks and created question prompts to enrich or support the students.  Teachers closely monitored a group of students during the investigative task and posed the planned question prompts as needed. At the conclusion of the lesson, teachers participated in a debrief to determine the effectiveness of the lesson and share new learning.

Learning Targets for the day were:

• I can observe and reflect upon the collaboratively planned Studio Day math lesson.
• I can look for and provide evidence of the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices embedded in a math lesson.

Regarding the Studio Day, Mrs. Sara Wessel, fourth grade teacher at Cahaba and EMT participant, said,  "(This experience) reminded me of the importance of collaboratively analyzing investigations to collect varying perspectives and  strategies related to the problems and the importance of using that data to anticipate strategies and compose effective questioning."

Mrs. Chrissy Mauldin, first grade teacher at Paine and EMT participant, wrote: “Studio Day was a great experience.  It was exciting to see all the components we have discussed in our Math Cohort Program in action.  We have amazing teachers in our system and it was wonderful  to see their teaching in action. Now I will be able to take that back to my students.” 

 

After observing the lesson, teachers debriefed and then visited other math classes for shorter walkthrough observations.  The afternoon was spent discussing the math curriculum, differentiating a grade specific math task for students, and reflecting on the year.  

This intensive professional learning has resulted in consistent implementation of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices   https://www.nctm.org/Publications/Teaching-Children-Mathematics/Blog/What-Do-the-Standards-for-Mathematical-Practice-Mean-to-You_/ .  Information gained from surveying the participants of Trussville's 18-19 Elementary Math Teachers (EMT) shows high satisfaction and high implementation of the NCTM practices in the classroom.

One survey respondent wrote: "I loved learning about each piece of the (math curriculum) binder in depth. Taking a full day to learn and practice number talks, investigations, and congress was so beneficial. Being able to discuss with my grade level peers and how we each implement lessons was so practical. This was one of the most beneficial PDs I've had that I could implement the next day!"

Responding to what changes occurred in the classroom because of EMT, a teacher wrote: "My classroom changed so much. I felt that my (math) congress looked different between the beginning and end of the year and I got new philosophies and strategies for helping my students with fluency."

Other comments:
  "Absolutely, hands-down, best time spent in PD that was put into practice the very next day in my class!"

"I. LOVED. EVERY. SESSION. I truly embraced the brain science you presented and love that. I think it all starts there!"

Another teacher wrote in an email, " . . . I have grown so much as a teacher this year by being part of this process.  Teaching math has never been more fun!!!!!  The students depth of knowledge in math has been amazing to watch.  As teachers, we often short-change what our students are capable of learning, and the reality is they are capable of so much more!  As I grow in my profession, my prayer is that I always look for opportunities to expand my thinking to benefit my students.  Again, thank you for this opportunity."

We are thankful for the growth mindset of our teachers and their openness to try new strategies.  We are also thankful to have gifted math coaches, Monica Bramlett and Stephanie Rosetta.  A new cohort of math teachers will collaborate and learn together in 19-20.

HTMS Awarded Safe Schools Initiative Award of Excellence

Attorney General Steve Marshall aawarded Hewitt-Trussville Middle School the 2018 Alabama Safe Schools Initiative Award of Excellence during an assembly at the school April 16.

A panel of independent judges reviewed submissions from 94 schools. Winners were selected from each of the eight state school board districts, as well as from private schools from each state region.

“The Alabama Safe Schools Awards of Excellence is an important tradition of the Attorney General’s Office, to recognize schools throughout our state for dedication and excellence in keeping students safe,” Marshall said.  “Each day that parents leave their children at school, they are entrusting what they hold most precious into the care of schoolteachers, principals, school resource officers and other staff. With these awards, we honor those who have achieved particularly high standards and set examples that others may follow. We are grateful for their service and commitment to protecting the children of Alabama.”

Congratulations to Dr. Berry and the staff of HTMS for working to make school a safe place each day for our middle schoolers.  We acknowledge the huge role that the City of Trussville plays in providing services and support to keep all Trussville schools safe.

Quotable Quote

“Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart.” —Anthony J. D'Angelo Founder Of The Collegiate Em Powerment Company

HTHS Engineering Academy News

On April 5th, 2019, the HTHS Engineering Academy sent six teams to compete in the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair at UAH. Students have been working hard on their projects all year, following the engineering design process to develop a working prototype to solve their chosen problem. The Engineering Academy instructors are Jason Dooley and Tom Moulton.  Congratulations to these hardworking students and their instructors. 

The following students placed or received honorable mention.

Reagan Shoop - Helmet with concussion sensors – detects level of impact from football hits, activates different lights to notify trainers.

o 1st Place in the Biomedical and Health Sciences Category at the UAH State Science Fair.

o Alabama Modeling and Simulation Council Special Award at UAH

o Boeing Company Special Award at UAH

o 1st Place in the medical category and overall Intel Award Winner at the UAB Regional Science Fair

o She won an automatic spot in the International Science Fair in Arizona.

Cameron Gallups - Insulin pump power source – Uses the motion of a person walking to produces power. Primary function is to maintain battery charge on an insulin pump. Can also be used to charge cellphones.

o 2nd Place in the Physical Energy Category at the UAH State Science Fair

o Association of Energy Engineers Special Award at UAH

o 3rd place in the Physical Science category at the UAB Regional Science Fair.

Kayla Donaldson, Will Bradley, and Coy Trammell - Infant Car Seat Temperature Sensor – Prevents infant deaths when they are accidentally left in the car. Emails parents, then 911.

o 1st Place in the Embedded Systems Category at UAH State Science Fair

o 1st Place in the Energy and Transportation Category at UAB Regional Science Fair.

Abby Manscill - Handicap friendly intersection – allows for more crossing time for individuals who need more time to cross. It will also look to see if crossing is still blocked before turning green.

o 4th Place in the Embedded Systems Category at the UAH State Science Fair

o Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Special Award at UAH

o Huntsville Electro-Optical Society Special Award at UAH

o U.S. Army Science and Engineering Honorable Mention Award at UAH

o Second Place in the Energy and Transportation Category at the UAB Regional Science Fair

Luke Burford, Alex Litwin, and Lucas Campbell - Gravity Generator – Generates electricity by a falling weight. Alternative power source that does not require the sun or wind.

o 3rd Place in the Engineering Mechanics Category at the UAH State Science Fair

o U.S. Army Science and Engineering Honorable Mention Award at UAH

o 3rd place in the Energy and Transportation Category at the UAB Regional Science Fair.

Carson McCombs and Jaden Arnold - Table Top Gaming Brain – Makes complicated games with lots of rules more fun to play by stepping gamers through all of the rules. Electronic game master.

o 4th Place in the Embedded Systems/Systems Software Category at the UAH State Science Fair.

o Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Special Award at UAH

o 1st Place in Computer Science at the UAB Regional Science Fair.