Liberty Middle hosted Fine Arts Night, showcasing programs in band, choir, theater, and art. Here are a few photos from that evening. Lots of talent at LMS:

Congratulations to Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools for being named CLAS Banner Schools of Distinction. Bob Jones was recognized for its Building Construction Academy programs. James Clemens was recognized for its Jet Student Leadership program.

CLAS is the Council of Leadership for Alabama Schools. The School of Distinction recognizes "school programs that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools in Alabama." These exemplary schools/programs will be honored in an awards luncheon in May.

Bob Jones received the CLAS Banner School of Distinction in 2018 for the implementation of Patriot Path and is now being recognized for the impact the Construction Academy has on the school culture. Led by BJ teacher Steven Lanford, many students now serve as leaders in the Construction Club and becoming known in building circles as "toolbox rockstars," with projects that include many fixtures around the school: tables and swinging benches in the school's courtyard, new ramps, outdoor concrete pads in congregating areas, parking lot striping, community projects like a playhouse for Habitat for Humanity, even a postbox for postcards mailed to space through a program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Jets Students Leadership Team was established in 2015. Its creation was out of the school's recognition that Empowering Students For Global Success (the vision statement of Madison City Schools) requires teaching students leadership skills and taking an active role in their schools and community while promoting good citizenship and service. The Student Government Association, under the direction of JC teacher Melanie Turner, partners with the Jet Student Leadership Program in this initiative and their works are readily visible throughout the school and community.

“Congratulations to these wonderful Alabama public schools. The CLAS Schools of Distinction provide excellent examples of the significant learning opportunities taking place in public education in Alabama. Further, the stakeholders at every School of Distinction are to be commended for striving for excellence daily,” said Dr. Vic Wilson, executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS).

On Thursday, February 24, Bob Jones hosted the rising 9th graders at Patriot Pride. Mrs. Lambert stated, “Patriot Pride was an exciting day for our rising 9th graders to learn more about our Bob Jones culture! Our teachers and students did a fantastic job in sharing a glimpse of ways to get involved at BJ”.



Patriot Pride exists to ignite a sense of Bob Jones pride in our rising 9th grade as they get a brief glimpse of life as a Patriot. We have a rich culture of  tradition, legacy, and family that we hope they will all grab onto and find where they connect at the Bob.

Prior to the day, 8th grade DMS students had a choice of which path they wanted to take for Patriot Pride; the RED or BLUE path. This simulated our weekly Patriot Path because students get to choose what path they take to connect student to student, student to faculty, and student to community. The RED path leaned towards getting insight about our Fine Arts programs. The BLUE path allowed the students to explore Career Tech Academies. But when it comes to choosing classes, all paths at BJ are open to the rising 9th graders to explore!



Current students shared their love and passion for being a Patriot. Senior Jillian Pennell focused on connecting as she welcomed the blue group in the gym. “So my biggest advice to you is to get plugged in somewhere, you don’t have to be a part of everything, but be a part of something. The doors are open, and the possibilities are endless”.

Senior Bryson Tesseneer reassured the 8th graders in the auditorium not to stress about their courses. “What you take your freshman year does not define what you have to take for the rest of your high school career. If you start a course curriculum, such as health science and decide it’s not for you: no big deal. Find something that feels right to you for the next year. The sky's the limit and I’m confident that every one of you will find something that you can be passionate about”.

Students were invited to come back that evening to Curriculum Night with their parents so they could hear from the counselors, ask questions to teachers about courses, and learn more about some of the clubs that are offered.

Rising 9th and new student building tours will take place in the summer.

More information about Course Registration may be found on our Bob Jones website. 
https://www.madisoncity.k12.al.us/domain/885

——————

Patriot Pride Highlights from Patriot Pages:
https://bjhspatriotpages.com/showcase/2022/02/27/instilling-patriot-pride/

Patriot Pride Highlight Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qC4VaEFTniYi9waxBrZ-4e6Atv_PIU9K/view?usp=drivesdk

Curriculum Night Highlight from Patriot Pages: https://bjhspatriotpages.com/showcase/2022/02/24/sampling-the-curriculum-at-the-curriculum-fair/

A parent-student information meeting was held here Nov. 4 on a plan to bring welding instruction to Madison City Schools.
Turnout on the new dual enrollment Craft Academy Welding course was amazing, with nearly 60 in attendance.

Overflow Crowd at the Welding Meet at BJHS

MCS administrators are excited to offer this addition to our Career Tech programs.
A few weeks ago, we shared that Ed Castile from AIDT plans to partner with MCS to begin offering a dual enrollment welding program starting January 2022.
Through this welding program, students will have the opportunity to pursue several industry welding certifications.
Thank you to Mr. Ernest Collier from AIDT for meeting with our families. Students who are interested should contact their school counselor. 

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and Madison City Schools is partnering with neighboring school systems and Greengate School at Randoph School in a $50,000 grant for dyslexia teacher training.

The local Women's Philanthropy Society donation will help train teachers at Randolph, Madison City Schools, Madison County Schools and Huntsville City Schools to help the approximately one in five children across the community who are dyslexic or have reading difficulties.

"We are grateful for the Women's Philanthropy Society and their generosity and leadership," said Adam Dube', Randolph's head of school. "This grant establishes a partnership between Greengate School and our area public schools in the service to children. We are excited to work together to train educators in delivering research-based Orton-Gillingham instruction to students with dyslexia so that all students have the opportunity to reach their potential, which has been the mission of Greengate School for nearly 20 years."

The specialized training will cover approximately 90 teachers split evenly between the three districts. The Orton-Gillingham method is scientifically proven to improve the struggling readers' ability to read, write, spell and comprehend.

Madison City Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols said, "A teacher trained in how to recognize dyslexia and provide strategies to students can be the one person who helps a child and his/her family from years of anxiety and frustration. That's why this initiative with Greengate can be such a game changer for dyslexic learners. MCS is pleased to partner with Greengate along with Huntsville and Madison County Schools for training that will help students through this challenge. I want to especially thank the Community Foundation for its support in this effort."

Madison City Schools is the recipient of two grants from the River of Hope project launched by Madison Visionary Partners.
The funds will go to the Bob Jones Band and also pay for hip packs for teachers that will make masks, sanitizers and other PPE easily accessible.

Dr. Ed Nichols, foreground, at River of Hope Grant Awards

Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols and BJHS Assistant Band Director Kevin Smart accepted the checks on behalf of MCS in a ceremony at Dublin Park.
That is where the River of Hope is located, featuring rocks painted with inspiring messages. Funds came from pledges, donations and sponsorships of the rocks.
"This is about the community coming together in a time of crisis to help each other and meet needs on the ground," said Liz Brinton, executive director of Madison Visionary Partners.

Seniors at Madison City Schools had their final year cut short in more ways than just time in class.
Senior prom; final athletic, theater and musical performances; memorable goodbyes to favorite teachers and friends, and other special moments.

Administrators and teachers from both high schools are trying hard to give seniors a memorable sendoff.
James Clemens High School leased billboards that rotate the names of every graduating senior with their photo. The displays will be up through the month of May.

Bob Jones High School distributed yard signs to seniors to display in their yard along with a declaration of their future plans, whether that be college, the military or the workforce.

Teachers and adminstrators spent the day on a schoolbus May 1, honking, cheering and waving shakers through the bus windows.

It was an emotional moment for some teachers and students, who were deprived of closure by schools abruptly closing due to COVID-19.

All in all a great day to reminisce their wonderful experience in school and to celebrate the next chapter in their lives.

Madison City 2nd and 3rd graders heard a talk from best selling author Jarrett Krosoczka, whose works include the Lunch Lady series, Star Wars Jedi Academy, Platypus Police Squad and more.


He informed the kids about the world of writing, illustrating, and publishing. He also offered tips on what makes a good story/illustration. Also, life lessons like never giving up on your passion. He was rejected multiple times by publishers but kept pushing past all the rejections.
Madison City 6th graders attended a later session with Mr. Krosoczka.
The program was sponsored jointly with Madison Public Libary and held in the Bob Jones High School auditorium.
Winners of a bookmark contest were also announced.

The 2nd grade winner (left side in the photo) was Kassidy Kemp in Mrs. Elzagha's class at Rainbow Elementary.
The 1st place winner (right in photo) for 3rd grade was Allison Kim in Mrs. Austin's class at Heritage Elementary

http://www.studiojjk.com/

Students in the construction academies at Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools got an inside look at the new Trash Pandas stadium Sept. 25.



Stadium job site tour by JC and BJ students

Construction managers with Turner Construction, the general contractor, were gracious with their time leading students on a tour, pointing out various construction features, and offering insights into construction-related jobs.

What a great opportunity for students to learn career opportunities in the skilled trades industry and make the connection between classroom curriculum and tangible careers in the workforce.

Superintendent Robby Parker, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Heather Donaldson and district Career Coach Kaleb Owens joined students on the tour, along with their instructors, Steven Lanford at Bob Jones and Austin Burke at James Clemens.
Several media were in attendance as well.



Turner official explaining construction design

JC, BJ students on job site tour in Madison

Learning about construction design

Unfinished seating area overlooking ball field

Construction academy instructors Austin Burke (L) of JC; and Steven Lanford, center, of BJ, interviewed by reporter

(L-R) JC instructor Austin Burke, Supt. Robby Parker,
MCS Career Coach Kaleb Owens and a Turner  official.
 

BJ construction academy instructor Steven Lanford, left,
with Supt. Robby Parker. 

BJ and JC students on walk through of the new
Trash Pandas stadium in Madison.

Supt. Robby Parker greeted by team owner Ralph Nelson
(left) as Turner Construction official looks on.



Students walking through seating area of stadium

Students getting a briefing from Turner Construction

A walk by of some of the concrete features