Elementary Reading Update

Date	4/5/17	4/20/17
AR Points	114,478	127,024
Millionaires	170	206

(Millionaires are students who have read a million or more words since the start of school.)

Aspire Testing

Trussville's elementary students have begun ACT Aspire testing this week.  Kindergarten, first, and second grade classes at Magnolia have "adopted" third, fourth, and fifth grade classes who are taking Aspire, giving them encouragement and special treats for their hard work.  

HTHS Student Scores a Win at SkillsUSA Competition

HTHS junior, Mike Gagliano, competed at the SkillsUSA competition at the BJCC this week.  Mike placed Silver – 2nd place in electrical construction wiring.  Thirty participants competed in this contest!  We are proud of Mike’s commitment to this program and know that these skills will take him far in life.  We are also grateful to George Logan, Mike's teacher, for helping Mike prepare for this week’s competition.  There were hundreds of students and teachers in the audience, all of whom wanted to see rewards for their work.  This would not have happened without the dedication, support, and skills of George Logan, as well as support from CTE coordinator, Joy Young, principal, Tim Salem, and Dr. Neill’s commitment to our CTE program.   We are thankful for these worth-while programs at HTHS.

Alabama SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.  SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.  During 2016-17 the membership for Alabama SkillsUSA was 10,906 high school and 1,171 college.  This places Alabama as the 10th highest state in high school membership nationally and the highest membership on record since 1998.

The State Conference and Championships is the showcase event of the year for the best technical students in Alabama.  This is an extravaganza that takes up the entire East Hall of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center.  The philosophy of the Championships is to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance, and to keep training and education relevant to employer needs, education, and student career development.  Program credibility is achieved through the use on nationally recognized industry standards.

HTHS Junior Mike Gagliano and Electrical Construction Teacher George Logan

Waiting to hear the results!

HTHS Student Recognitions

Two HTHS students, Mackenzie Dotson and Evan Morse, traveled to the University of Alabama at Huntsville last Friday to compete in the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair.  Their competition was students from all across the state, selected only by winning at their respective regional science fair.  Most of these students had projects that were developed with the help of college professors or experts in their field of study.  According to their teacher, Chris Bond, what sets our students apart from most is that they conduct 100% of their own work, gather their own research, conduct their own testing, and come to their own conclusions.  They are true scientists of discovery.

We are proud to announce the following:

Mackenzie Dotson, whose project was Voice Commanded Motorized Wheelchair for Quadriplegic Individuals, won the following awards:
• 1st Place in her category (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence)
• Boeing Company – Best in Category Award
• Boeing Company Grand Award – Best Innovative Concept
• U.S. Army Special Award
• U.S. Army – Most Outstanding Senior Project
• Outstanding Project - IEEE Huntsville
• Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Special Award
• Greater Huntsville Rotary Club Special Award
• A total of $475 in cash prizes, a silver medallion, and more

Evan Morse, whose project was The Reduction of Premature of Gamefish Due to Internal Injury Caused by Ingested Fish Hooks, won the following awards:
• 1st Place in his category (Materials Engineering)
• Tennessee Valley Association – Most Outstanding Project
• Boeing Company – Best in Category Award
• A total of $150 in cash prizes

Congratulations to Mackenzie and Evan and Chris Bond!  We are so proud of these accomplishments!

Elementary Reading Update

Date	3/15/17	4/5/17
AR Points	103,390	114,478
Millionaires	147	170

(Millionaires are students who have read a million or more words since the start of school.)

Paine Hosts Math Night for K-2 Students and Parents

Paine Elementary hosted the first of two math nights for students and parents Tuesday, April 4.  This evening was specifically planned for K-2 students and parents and was hosted by K-2 teachers and administrators.  A math night for 3-5 students and parents will occur Thursday, April 6.  These parent opportunities are in response to recent parent surveys.  Overwhelmingly, parents noted a need and desire to learn more about how students learn mathematics.

Parents signed in with their children and received tickets for door prizes.

Ms. Jackson and Dr. Evans welcomed participants.

Parents and students filled the Professional Learning Center to play math games.

Mrs. Walls, district math coach, lead students in number talks.  

Students and parents worked with counting collections.

Teachers shared ways parents can help their children with math.