Band Concert--December 6th

The Talladega High School Band and Zora Ellis Jr. High Bands will present their Annual Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 6 beginning at 7:00. The concert will be held at Talladega High School.

Admission is $3. Admission for children ages 6 and under is $1.

Christmas items and baked goods will be available for purchase.

Missoula Children's Theater Touches All 3rd Graders

Communication, creativity, and concentration...Are these skills children are going to need to thrive in the fast-paced world they will inherit? These "3 Cs" are the focus of a workshop being conducted for all of the 3rd grades in our school system this week.

Missoula Children's Theater actors Jennifer Wills and Jeremy Cunningham are in Talladega this week. Following auditions this past Monday, they have been conducting rehearsals after school each day.

During the day, Jennifer and Jeremy are working with the 3rd grades in each of our elementary schools. This activity is just one of the ways Antique Talladega and the Historic Ritz Theater support our schools.

Performances of Robinson Crusoe will held held this Saturday at the Ritz with shows at 3:00 and 6:30. Many of our students have parts in the production.

All-State SATB Chorus -Congrats to Laci Braswell!

Laci Braswell, a senior at Talladega High School has made the Alabama All-State SATB Chorus for the third year! To compete, the students must learn six songs, including some in foreign languages. This year's selections included a piece in Russian and one in German. The students must audition before judges and are asked to sing random verses from these selections. Laci worked very hard, even without a choir teacher to perfect these songs.

Laci could not have done this without David McDaniel, Talladega High School's Band Director, going the extra mile, as he so often does, to make sure she was qualified to participate. He filled out all the necessary application forms, gave the information to get the music and CD for songs for 2008, went over the songs with her after school hours, made sure she had an audition and even accompanied her and her family to Oxford to lend support during her audition.

Talladega High School, and the district are very proud of theTHS band director and student. He was very willing to go the extra mile to help this student. Laci is to be commended for her efforts and continued success. Both teacher and student represent our district well!

According to Ms. Pat Blackwell, Treasurer of the Alabama Vocal Association, "...this achievement is the highest honor afforded to choral students in our state". The 2008 Alabama All-State Chorus will perform at Samford University in Birmingham on March 15, 2008.

Congratulations, Laci!

December Lunch Menu

The December Lunch Menu is now ready. You can click here or click on the link on the right of the screen.

Here is what we are serving for the remainder of November:

November 28
Ground Beef & Mac. Cass.
Chicken Sandwich
Whole Kernel Corn
Green Beans—Fruit
Tossed Salad—Toast

November 29
Chili w/ Crackers
Grilled Cheese
PB & Jelly Sandwich
Tater Tots
Cookie
Fruit

November 30
Pizza
Pork Chop
Creamed Potatoes
Green Limas
Tossed Salad
Cornbread—Fruit

Reminder--Auditions for the Missoula Children's Theater

Just a reminder that open auditions will be held on Monday, November 26 for the Missoula Children's Theater production of "Robinson Crusoe." Auditions will be held at the Ritz beginning at 5:00 P.M. Any student in grades K-8 may audition.

Approximately 60 roles will be cast, all with local students. No advanced preparation is required. After a week of focused rehearsals, there will be two public performances of "Robinson Crusoe" at the Ritz on December 1.

There is no fee to audition. There is a cost of $20 for those who are cast to help with the expenses related to the production.

The productions include professional lighting, sets, costumes, and music. Most importantly, it is a wonderful opportunity for local students to perform in a theater production and have a wonderful education experience.Thanks to George Culver and the Historic Ritz Theater for providing our students with this opportunity!

Tips on Giving and Receiving Gifts

During the holiday season, children will be involved in the giving and receiving of gifts. The National Association of Elementary School Principals has some tips to offer in this Report to Parents.

"Meet the Superintendent" Sessions...a Success!

Dr. Horton, Central Office staff, and school administrators hosted a MEET THE SUPERINTENDENT session at every school during the last five weeks to gather information from parents and community. The four questions What is working?, What are your ideas or suggestions for improvement?, What are your dreams for the future?, and What can I do? were posed to each audience and the similarities were astonishing.

Houston Elementary

The meetings varied in size, but no matter how many were in attendance, the concern for the students and the schools was apparent.

Raymond L. Young

Ellis Junior High

Talladega High School

So what is next? The data gathered at the meetings is being studied to determine the priority of needs, things that can be accomplished easily, and how we can make the dreams that were shared a reality.

The question, "What is working?" generated many positive comments about our district. We truly have a lot in which to be proud and need to remember that promoting our district is everyone's business.

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for a superintendent who values the input of parents, the community, system employees, and most importantly the students, when it comes to making decisions. We are also most fortunate to have a School Board with the wisdom to make such a fine selection for our new leader.

Thanks to all who participated in the sessions. You are helping to make a difference in the lives of children and MOVING OUR DISTRICT FORWARD!

ATTENTION...Seniors and Parents!

Freedom is Not Free

On this Veteran's Day, a remembrance to those who paid the ultimate price to preserve the freedom we all enjoy.

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze
A young soldier saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No Freedom is not free
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No Freedom isn't free!

Kelly Strong, 1981

I've Got Mine!

As you enter the Career Tech Building at Talladega High School, you can't help but notice the eye-catching bulletin board designed by Mrs. Callahan and Mrs. Honeycutt, which showcases the names of students who have passed the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. This exam consists of five parts: English, Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Math.

On December 3rd-7th, Seniors who have not passed have another opportunity to achieve their goal. In the meantime, there is plenty of help available to any senior who needs assistance.

The following is a schedule for afterschool and during the school day tutoring:

Mrs. Robbins - Language, Reading, & Social Studies
Mon., Wed., & Fri. - 8 - 12
location - Career Tech resource room

Mrs. White- Math

Mon - Fri. 8:00 - 12:00
location - Career Tech resource room

Mr. Abner - Language & Reading

Mon - Fri. 2nd, 4th, & 7th period
AFTER SCHOOL-Tuesdays and Saturday
location - THS English Commons

Mrs. Conner - Science & Social Studies

Mon., Tues., Wed., and Thurs. during 6th period - Social Studies Mon. - Fri. after school
location- THS Science Commons after school - Science

Mr. Alfred- Science location - THS Mr. Alfred's room Mon. - Fri. after school


Another source of help is the Exit Prep class located in the Career Tech building. The lab, led by Coach Watson, is busy with students gearing up for another round of testing. By creating an excel sheet, he is able to track student progress and help them concentrate on one area at a time.

Counselors have played a huge part in helping seniors who still lack parts of the exam. Just recently, each senior was guided in an activity that identified specific areas to target. It also showed them their areas of strength. This individual approach, although timeconsuming, was well received by the seniors and will guide them in their testing preparation.

Departments at THS have been participating in data meetings to look at the most missed objectives on the Graduation Exam, examine the weak areas for seniors who have not passed, and brainstorm as a group how to best target student needs. Mr. Douthitt and Mr. Tittle have been supportive of all efforts to help the seniors.

Students can prepare for the exams right in their own home thanks to an online program purchased last year by the high school. USA Test Prep provides practice for all five parts, has puzzles, quizzes, and interactive games. The newest game allows students to compete with a friend or play against the computer. A login and password can be obtained by asking a teacher or counselor.

The THS faculty, counselors, and administrators are to be commended for their creativity, hard work, dedication, and belief that these seniors can rise to the challenge. I applaud each of you.

GOOD LUCK, SENIORS!!

You Want Heroes?

This article is now several years old, yet it's message is eternal. In the world of journalism, there is perhaps no truer friend of education than Frosty Troy. His message is that if we are truly looking for heroes in our society, the classroom is an awfully good place to start. His article can be read here.

As we begin this American Education Week, there is perhaps no more appropriate time to remind ourselves of how essential teacher are to the prosperity of this nation--past, present, and future.

Is there a teacher, past or present, who has made a significant impact on you or a family member? Have you taken the time to tell that teacher how much he or she has meant? What are you waiting for?

Auditions for the Missoula Children's Theater

Open auditions will be held on Monday, November 26 for the Missoula Children's Theater production of "Robinson Crusoe." Auditions will be held at the Ritz beginning at 5:00 P.M. Any student in grades K-8 may audition.

Approximately 60 roles will be cast, all with local students. No advanced preparation is required. After a week of focused rehearsals, there will be two public performances of "Robinson Crusoe" at the Ritz on December 1.

There is no fee to audition. There is a cost of $20 for those who are cast to help with the expenses related to the production.

The productions include professional lighting, sets, costumes, and music. Most importantly, it is a wonderful opportunity for local students to perform in a theater production and have a wonderful education experience.Thanks to George Culver and the Historic Ritz Theater for providing our students with this opportunity!

Grading

Grading is an important component of any school subject. Grades let students know how well they have mastered skills and serve as a valuable communication tool for parents. Grades also let teachers know how well they have taught those skills. The National Association of Elementary School Principals has some tips designed to help parents get the maximum benefit from grades. You can read that "Report to Parents" by clicking here.