TCS families, we made it. It's the last day of the school year and I want to thank you for your dedication and support this school year to help make it the most successful one possible for your student(s).

 

For those of you who have students who graduated this month, congratulations to the Class of 2023, and thank you for entrusting your children with us. We do everything possible to ensure our graduates have a plan for success after high school, whether that is enrolling in higher education, enlisting in the military, or gaining full time employment. There were approximately 640 graduates who graduated from the three high schools this month, and we are confident they are ready and prepared for their next step in life.

 

For the students who will be joining us for summer learning, we will see you when that starts on Wednesday, May 31. For everyone else, the first day of school for the 2023-24 school year is August 9. We look forward to seeing your children again for the fall semester.

 

-Mike Daria

To watch any of the graduation ceremonies, go to the TCS Youtube channel:

Tuscaloosa City Schools - YouTube

Please note the Tuscaloosa City Schools will operate summer hours through June and the first half of July:

 

Monday - Thursday: 8:00am-Noon, 1:00pm-4:30pm

Fridays (through July 14): Closed to the Public

June 19: Closed for Holiday

July 4: Closed for Holiday

 

The TCS will resume regular hours on Monday, July 17.

For more information, please visit us at: www.tuscaloosacityschools.com.

Skyland Elementary has been named a National School of Character, meaning the Tuscaloosa City Schools now has four schools who have achieved that ranking.

 

"I am so proud of the faculty, staff, and students for making character development a priority," Speight said. "At Skyland, we focus on determination, optimism, accountability, and respect. We reflect daily on our core values, and it is evident in the positive culture we have at Skyland."

 

The designation recognizes schools and districts that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development. Research has shown that character development has a positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate.

 

Previously, Westlawn Middle School, Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary and Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle received the National School of Character designation in 2022. Additionally, Oakdale Elementary was named a State School of Character along with Skyland Elementary this year.

Congratulations to Niamh McNaughton in becoming the first Central High School Tuscaloosa student earn a perfect score of 1000 out of 1000 on the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) PowerPoint 2019 Credentialing Exam. Niamh is also on track to earn her Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate Credentialing Certification this semester in her Career Preparedness course.

 

Niamh is a 9th grade International Baccalaureate (IB) student who is also a member of Central HS Track & Field, Cross Country team, and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Niamh is currently a 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S. National Championship Spring Qualifier contender.

 

 

If she qualifies, Niamh and a chaperone will receive an invitation, with all-expenses paid, to the "2023 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship" in Orlando, Florida, June 26th-28th, 2023. Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist Championships are one of the only championships endorsed by Microsoft and are among the largest IT competitions for students in the world. Niamh plans to major in psychology at Brown University.

 

Central High School Tuscaloosa and Northridge High School are both listed as two of top schools from the State of Alabama on the Certiport 2023 Spring Qualifier Rankings for MOS Credentialing Exam student passage.

Paul W. Bryant High School 11th grader Perri Payne recently won the 2023 Congressional District Art Competition for Alabama's 7th District for her submission, "A Glimpse Into The Future." Payne's winning entry shows a girl holding a sphere with the images of a space shuttle, mountains, lakes, sunny skies and greenery the globe. Payne said her artwork reflects her experience as a Black girl in Alabama and what she envisioned for the future.

 

“I feel like this piece represents how I felt as a Black girl growing up in Alabama and how I imagined it,“ Payne said. "I protested it by drawing a young Black girl with Alabama in her palms to represent how Alabama is in the hands of the next generation and what we do now represents the future,” she said.

 

Part of winning the contest means Payne’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for one year. She and a guardian will also receive roundtrip airfare to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Congressional Art Competition Reception.

Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle had a special surprise keynote speaker at its 8th Grade Celebration Tuesday - Madalen Mills, star of the Netlfix movie "Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey."

 

Mills was part of the class at magnet from first through third grade before she moved to work on Broadway, where she appeared in "School of Rock." During her keynote, she addressed her former classmates and reminisced about attending TMSE, where her first stage appearance was in the school play the "Jungle Book."

Two students from Northridge High School recently received news that they will compete in a national competition in June. Nathan Lee and Adonay Mahatsente Tewelde will represent NHS at the National Speech and Debate Tournament from June 11-16. Their coach, Jackie Trimm was selected as the Alabama Debate Coach of Year at the state competition. To find out more, watch the video below!

Congratulations to the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy for being named a 2023 CLAS Banner School! The designation recognizes outstanding schools to serve as models across the state. TCTA was recognized for its "Mini-WOW" program, which introduces TCS 4th graders to hands-on career training opportunities available at TCTA. Woodland Forrest Elementary was named a CLAS School of Distinction.

 

Watch the video below to learn more about the Mini-Wow program at TCTA:

Congrats to NHS for winning the inaugural Slam Dunk for Students campaign! Collectively they raised $867.95 plus collected individual items to help our students through Neighborhood Bridges. In total, the Tuscaloosa City Schools raised $2,262.95 and collected 123 items for fellow students. Thank you for sharing kindness! Special thanks to Robert Lake and Award Company of America for donating the trophy that will be passed to the winning school each year.