The State of Our Schools Throughout Shelby County was the topic of the Shelby Chamber’s Community Luncheon on Wednesday. Four of the county's superintendents were present, each giving an update about their school system and also answering follow-up questions.
The Shelby Chamber has several programs that allow the chamber to interact with students each year, including Keeping it Real (9th grade), Connected to Careers (10th grade), Communication Matters (11th grade) and the Student and Educator of the Year awards held each April.
New this year is their Ready to Work program, which will be a course taught in several high schools in the county in partnership with 58 Inc.
Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks
Lewis Brooks, who was elected superintendent of Shelby County Schools in June 2018 and took office on Jan. 3 of this year, said all the school systems within Shelby County are excellent and have been recognized for professional learning. Brooks said there are lots of wonderful things going on in Shelby County Schools and he is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the students and community.
“One initiative moving forward I’m excited about is the launching of an All-Pro Dad Initiative, part of a national initiative started by Tony Dungee to engage more men and dads in our schools,” he said. “We are also continuing in year two of our social and emotional learning professional study, which looks at the development of kids academically, socially and emotionally.”
He also said he is interested in teacher advisors in every community, to have them talk about things that are important to them, and he wants to make the effort to support teachers in ways that are needed. Brooks also discussed the capital improvements that have been made and that will be happening in the future.
“Several projects are going on right now, including a turf field project at Helena High School, a multi-purpose building project and interior renovations at Chelsea High School and a construction locker room project at Calera High School,” he said. “We just completed the end of an $80 million campaign where we built several new schools and did renovations in every community. We are just now beginning to talk about what projects are ahead of us and our 31 schools and 20,600 students.”
Hoover City School Superintendent Dr. Kathy Murphy
Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy said she is proud of their system's 14,000 students and of the new Riverchase Career Connection Center, which has a ribbon cutting on Thursday. The center is for students in grades 10-12 from Hoover and Spain Park high schools who are looking to pursue expanding career opportunities. The center includes five academies, including Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Skilled Trades, Cyber Innovation, Fire and Emergency Services, and Health Sciences.
Murphy said there are plans in the works for K-6 students, for college and career preparedness and even for students starting before kindergarten.
“Everything we do every day should be readying them for next step,” she said. One of the long-term visions I have for our district is for us to have an early learning center, a step down below the kindergarten level. When students start kindergarten behind, they often stay behind. I’m ready for us as a district to dip below the kindergarten level, so students will walk in school ready to be successful.”
Wayne Vickers, superintendent of Alabaster City Schools, spoke about finishing the new high school and moving and consolidating other areas, including moving the middle school into the old high school. He said there is a place for every child, and he wants all students to be connected, giving them a better chance to finish with a purpose.
“It’s our goal to meet every one of the (student’s) needs and provide different ways for them to be successful,” Vickers said. “Social and emotional development is the most important thing we do. A lot of times, the academic piece won’t happen unless we meet those needs.”
Pelham City Schools Superintendent Scott Coefield said he is pleased with where his district is as a school system, with enrollment increasing each year. He is most pleased about ihe culture in the schools, each offering a nurturing environment. This year, they are adding a technology integration specialist to provide training for teachers to use technology appropriately.
“We will train our staff and students to use technology appropriately as well as set digital literacy standards,” Coefield said. “This year we are implementing a digital citizenship campaign to provide training for staff and parents about safety issues related to technology and keep kids safe online.”
The next Chamber Community Luncheon will be Aug. 28 at the Pelham Civic Complex at 11 a.m.
