TUSCALOOSA COUNTY SCHOOLS
2014-2015
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Institute/Convocation ................................................... Monday, August 4, 2014
Professional Development Day .................................... Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Teachers’ Work Day................................................ Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Schools Open...............................................................Thursday, August 7, 2014
Labor Day Holiday .................................................. Monday, September 1, 2014
Professional Development Day ................................. Monday, October 13, 2014
Veterans’ Day Holiday .......................................... Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Thanksgiving Holidays .................................................... November 26-28, 2014
Winter Holidays begin at the end of the day............. Friday, December 19, 2014
First Semester Ends Friday, December 19, 2014
Schools close at the end of the day Friday, 12/19/14
Schools reopen for students Wednesday, 01/7/15
Teachers Return – Professional Development Day ..... Monday, January 5, 2015
Teachers’ Work Day.................................................... Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Students Return ...................................................... Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Holiday .................. Monday, January 19, 2015
*Presidents’ Day/Weather Day.................................Monday, February 16, 2015
Spring Break ......................................................................... March 16-20, 2015
*April Break/Weather Day ............................................ Monday, April 24, 2015
Last Day of School for Students (half day) ................... Thursday, May 21, 2015
Last Day of School for Teachers ....................................... Friday, May 22, 2015
Memorial Day Holiday ....................................................Monday, May 25, 2015
Ending of Nine Weeks Grading Periods for Schools
1st Ends- October 10, 2014 (46)
3rd Ends- March 13, 2015 (46)
2nd Ends- December 19, 2014 (45)
4th Ends- May 21, 2015 (43)
*If inclement weather requires school to be closed, days missed will be
made up on built-in weather days.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate and empower all students to be college
and career ready graduates – prepared to make positive
contributions to our global society.
Central Office Administration
Superintendent .........................................................Dr. Elizabeth Swinford
Deputy Superintendent ...................................................... Dr. Walter Davie
Senior Director of Human Resources ................................Dr. Steve Benson
Chief Financial Officer .................................................. Mr. Danny Higdon
Dir. of Curriculum & Instruction – Eastern Region ...... Dr. Deron Cameron
Dir. of Curriculum & Instruction – Northern Region ... Dr. Amanda Cassity
Dir. of Curriculum & Instruction – Southern Region ...... Dr. Kathy Hilliker
Director of Special Education .......................................... Mrs. Ruth Graves
Director of Career and Technical Education ................. Mr. Dennis Duncan
Director of Federal Programs ........................................... Mr. David Patrick
Coordinator of Student Services .......................................... Mr. Greg Hurst
Coordinator of Technology ........................................... Mr. Tom Perrymon
Coordinator of Accountability ........................................Mrs. Gwen Harper
Coordinator of Assessment ......................................... Mrs. Cheryl Wallace
Coordinator of Child Nutrition Program ................... Ms. Kimberly Jackson
Coordinator of Transportation.......................................... Mr. Allen Walker
Elementary Special Education Specialist ......................... Mrs. Pam Stanley
Secondary Special Education Specialist ......................... Dr. Patricia Powell
2014-2015
Course Information
for
Middle Schools
Grades 6-8
Visit the Tuscaloosa County School System website at www.tcss.net for
current information of interest to students and parents or call 758-0411.
Tuscaloosa County School System
Equal Education and Employment Opportunity
Statement
It is the policy of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education that the
school system shall place an equal emphasis upon the non-discriminatory
provision of education opportunities for students. No student shall be
denied the benefits of any education program or activity on the basis of
race, color, disability, creed, national origin, age, sex, homeless status,
marital status, non-English speaking ability, or migrant status. Programs
offered by schools within the school system shall be open to all students in
compliance with applicable outside agency guidelines, statutory and
judicial requirements, and board policy.
Information for Students and Parents
It is the belief of the Tuscaloosa County School System that all students
learn, grow, and achieve. Each student is valuable and important to our
future; therefore, the educational success of each student is the focus of
every effort of the Tuscaloosa County School System.
Curriculum offerings in the Tuscaloosa County School System are
designed to meet standards and guidelines established by the Alabama
State Department of Education. Curriculum planning and student
placement decisions reflect policies adopted by the Tuscaloosa County
Board of Education. Parents are encouraged to consult the current
Student/Parent Information Guide, school counselors, administrators, and
teachers for additional information needed for course selections.
Brookwood Middle School
Mrs. Becky Brown, Principal – 342-2748
Collins-Riverside Middle School
Mr. Bryant Williams, Principal – 342-2680
Davis-Emerson Middle School
Mrs. Coneta Guinn, Principal – 342-2750
Duncanville Middle School
Mrs. Kaye Ridgway, Principal – 342-2830
Echols Middle School
Mrs. Nancy Terry, Principal – 342-2884
Hillcrest Middle School
Mr. C’Kiimba Hobbs, Principal – 342-2820
Northside Middle School
Mr. Bobby Beasley, Principal – 342-2740
Sipsey Valley Middle School
Mr. Frank Kelly, Principal - 342-2870
Required Courses
Core Courses: All students take academic core courses (English,
mathematics, science and social studies) aligned with The Alabama Course
of Study/College and Career Ready Standards. Students’ abilities and
interests are considered as teachers, counselors, and administrators make
recommendations for placement in appropriate instructional settings.
Student placement in English, mathematics, and reading courses is
based on several qualifying factors. Students who qualify for honors
courses must maintain an end-of-the-year grade point average of at
least 75% in each core class in order to continue in the program.
Honors courses will reflect the increased rigor of the new College and
Career Ready Standards. The Academic Scholars Program, which
begins in the 6th grade this year, will be offered in English,
mathematics, science, and social studies, and will be project-based in
structure, utilizing the Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts,
and Mathematics (STEAM) principles.
Math Strategies: Math Strategies is a required course for some students
in grades 6, 7, and 8. Formative assessments in mathematics are used to
determine placement.
Physical Education: In addition to the academic core courses, students in
middle school grades take physical education each year.
Reading Strategies: Reading Strategies is a required course for some
students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Achievement test scores in reading and
language are used to determine placement.
Special Education Services: Services for students with Individualized
Education Plans (IEPs) are available for students in middle school grades.
Teachers and parents participate in IEP meetings to determine appropriate
courses and placement for each student.
Gifted Services: Provided through honors courses and the Academic
Scholars Program. A gifted specialist will provide consultative services.
Elective Courses
Intro to Agriscience is an exploratory one-semester course that provides
Grade 7 students with an overview of the agriculture industry. Available at
Brookwood and Davis-Emerson Middle Schools.
Fee: $25
Agriscience Explorations is a one-semester course for Grade 8 students.
Topics include career guidance, animal and plant science, natural resource
management, and workplace skills. Available at Brookwood and DavisEmerson Middle Schools.
Fee: $25
Art 6, 7, and 8
Art electives are one-semester courses. Each course emphasizes the
development of skills in a variety of art media and processes. Student
experiences in these courses may include drawing, painting, printmaking,
sculpture, textiles, art criticism, and art history.
Fee: $25
Instrumental Music Levels I, II, and III
Band classes are two-semester courses for instrumental music. In the
beginning course, students may be divided into classes for instruction
based upon the chosen instrument (woodwinds, brass, or percussion). The
advanced course is for students who demonstrate proficiency in playing an
instrument. For Levels II and III, uniforms, after-school rehearsals and
performances may be required. Audition and teacher approval are
required.
Fee: $25
Vocal Music Levels I and II
These classes are two-semester courses that develop choral music skills
through the study of music theory, sight reading, rhythm, and choral
technique. Uniforms, after-school rehearsals and performances may be
required. Audition and teacher approval are required.
Fee: $25
Career Cluster Technologies II
This course provides students in Grade 8 with an in-depth study of the
knowledge and processes needed to increase their level of technological
literacy. Available at Echols Middle School.
Fee: $25
Communications 6, 7, and 8
Communications electives are one-semester courses. Students develop
and practice skills that enhance oral communication, public speaking,
listening, and group discussion.
Fee: none
Creative Expressions 6, 7, and 8
These classes are designed to provide students opportunities to write and
critique creative, original works of prose, poetry, and drama.
Fee: none
Introduction to Careers will help 8th grade students design and select
their high school program of study. Students will participate in career
exploration activities, interest and abilities identification activities, and
work related skills development.
Fee: none
Global Studies is a one-semester course which offers 6th, 7th and 8th grade
students the opportunity to study cultures around the world in an
exploratory setting. Topics may include the study of cultural history and
customs, and an introduction and practice in a variety of languages.
Fee: none
Guided Instruction is a one-semester course offering academic support
and tutorial guidance for students. Retention of information, note taking,
test strategies and interpersonal communication skills are addressed.
Placement is determined by IEP.
Fee: none
Learning Strategies is a one-semester course offering academic support
and tutorial guidance for students. Retention of information, note taking,
test strategies and interpersonal communication skills are addressed. Fee:
none
Publications is a two-semester elective designed to introduce students to
aspects of publishing newspapers, magazines, and/or school yearbooks. A
grade of 80 or above in English and teacher approval are required.
Fee:
none
Technology Explorations, a one-semester course, offers 6th, 7th and 8th
grade students the opportunity to use multimedia tools; learn to evaluate
the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information
sources concerning real-world problems; identify ethical approaches in the
use of the Internet; and develop keyboarding proficiency in technique and
posture while building speed. Topics may include computer aided design,
computer numerical control systems, and digital photography.
Fee: $25
Teen Challenges (Grade 6)
Teen Discovery
(Grade 7)
Teen Connections (Grade 8)
These one-semester family and consumer science courses provide
opportunities for middle school students to explore the basic needs of
individuals; personal development; grooming; character education; social
and communication skills; family roles and responsibilities; interpersonal
relationships with family and friends; peer pressure; conflict resolution;
substance abuse; good health habits; management of food, clothing, time,
and housing; home safety; fashion selection and care; babysitting;
technology; and career awareness.
Fee: $25
General Information
Promotion/Grade Classification: Students enrolled in grades 6, 7 and
8 must pass four (4) core subjects (English, mathematics, science, and
social studies) and at least one elective each year to be promoted to the
next highest grade level. Students who do not fulfill these
requirements will be provided opportunities to recover up to two
courses during a summer program.
Fees: Fees for elective courses must be paid at the time of schedule pickup. Some schools may allow for pre-payment of fees or the payment of a
deposit on fees at the time schedule cards are returned or before school is
out for the current year. Contact the school principal to discuss any
difficulty with fee payments.
Schedules and Schedule Changes: Class scheduling is performed by
computer. A fee of $10 is required for any schedule change initiated by
the student. Schedule changes are not made after the fourth class day of a
term. Course availability is affected by student demand, school demand,
school enrollment, personnel availability, facilities, and funding constraints.
Dates for schedule pick-up will be announced in the local media. To obtain
a schedule, the student must pay all fees required for courses selected. No
schedule may be obtained by a student until all monies owed to the school
(lost textbooks, library fines, etc.) have been paid.
Required Examinations: Comprehensive assessments for all middle
school students are administered at the end of each nine weeks. Written
examinations or other assessment techniques that measure student mastery
of the nine weeks content may be used. Assessments may include
portfolios, products, performances, research papers, or projects. Nine-week
assessments should count no more than twenty (20) percent of the nineweek grade. The term grade will be determined from the average of the
two nine-weeks’ grades.