Calhoun's Aviation Program

calhoun Community College’s aviation class is now offered through a grant at no charge to high school juniors & seniors.  This program focuses on airframe technology, powerplant technology and avionics. Recently our Decatur City Schools’ Student Marketing Team visited with Mr. Cook, an instructor for the class. The curriculum has ten classes that must be completed to earn an Airframe and Powerplant certification (A & P). Across the nation, the Department of Labor (2010) indicates that the projected employment for aircraft and avionics mechanics and service technicians will increase by 9,800 technicians by the year 2018.

A View From the Top

It was like riding a hot air balloon in a tornado. That’s how Dr. Ed Nichols describes his first few months as superintendent of Decatur City Schools. His day is full from the beginning of the day to the end, with very few moments to stop and sit.

Nichols is developing a strategic plan that will be set by the end of this year. The plan will be influenced by an analysis of the DCS facilities, resources, and finances.

But the work evaluating the status and needs of the school system began before he even had the job.

“Before being interviewed I was given the opportunity to evaluate our school district. I tried to take it from the standpoint as if I was interviewing for a school district other than Decatur. I thought, what would you do for a school district that you didn’t know. You would research the district, test scores, and programs. I looked at it from the outside looking in as if I had never been to this school district. I spent a lot of time researching my own school district.”

So, what did he learn from himself and Decatur City Schools through the process?

“I think through the process, I learned why I stayed here for 25 years. When I came here as a young man, I didn’t expect to stay here, but there is just something about Decatur and the community. You learn a lot about the people who support and care about you during a process like that. I realized, whether I got the job or not I was committed to being in Decatur in whatever role I was supposed to play. The thing I learned the most was that I didn’t have to be the superintendent, I had a good job, and just working here in Decatur was good enough for me.”

Dr. Nichols previously served as band director and later principal of Austin High School. For the past 9 years he was the assistant superintendent for Sam Houston.

Our new superintendent has big expectations for our school system. He takes pride in our schools, and encourages us to be competitive in what we do as students individually and for our schools.

DECATUR CITY SCHOOL'S AMY CLARK NAMED THE 2012 ALABAMA CONSERVATION EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and First Lady Dianne
celebrate with Amy Clark, from Austinville Elementary School,
Alabama's 2012 Conservation Educator of the Year.

       On August 3, 2012, Amy Clark was named the 2012 Conservation Educator of the Year by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and the Alabama Wildlife Federation.  Clark, who holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lipscomb University and a Master's Degree from the University of North Alabama, has taught at Austinville Elementary School, part of the Decatur City School System, since 1979.

         Amy was one of 14 individuals who received Conservation Achievement Awards at a formal banquet held at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at Capitol Hill in Montgomery, Alabama.  Award categories included Conservation Educator, Youth Conservationist, Hunter Safety Instructor, Judicial Conservationist, Legislative Conservationist, Forest Conservationist, and others.  

        A number of dignitaries joined the Governor at the awards banquet, including N. Gunter Guy, Jr., Alabama's Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Tim Gothard, Executive Director of the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

        In receiving the award, Clark said, "the outdoor classroom has truly been a journey for our school and our students.  I'm grateful for our outstanding sponsors and volunteers who have made the project possible and for our strong relationship with the Alabama Wildlife Federation."

        Amy's passion for conservation education stems from her time spent outdoors growing up in Fayetteville and Lincoln County, Tennessee.  Teaching at an urban elementary school in Decatur, Alabama, Amy found that most of her students lacked the opportunity to experience nature and the outdoors firsthand.  She became inspired to work with her principal, Beth Hales, and fellow teachers to turn a small courtyard area into an outdoor classroom where students could explore nature and observe wildlife in a natural habitat.

        In 2007, Amy organized community volunteers to build their first outdoor learning station - an aquatic habitat area where students study a wide variety of wildlife, including fish, frogs, and dragonflies.  She also established bird feeder stations, which led to an unexpected experience for the children to witness the food chain firsthand: a kestrel set up its home near the school so it could prey on birds that were visiting the feeders.  Amy brought in experts to talk with the students about "Birds of Alabama," including raptors such as the kestrel.  

        To increase her students' exposure to conservation, she also brought in a forester to teach the children about forest management practices. For the past three years, students have been able to take home tree seedlings donated by the Alabama Forestry Commission.

        Over the years, through Amy's diligence and fundraising prowess, she and her students have been able to add a variety of learning stations to their outdoor classroom.  They converted a concrete koi pond into a turtle habitat, constructed raised bed gardens to plant seeds and watch them grow, and installed a birdhouse with a remote camera which allows the students to watch bluebirds raise their brood each year.

        Through Amy’s leadership, Austinville Elementary School has turned an area that used to be the home of the "portable trailer classroom" into an oasis for wildlife where students not only get to observe nature, they get to experience it firsthand.

         For her untiring efforts for conservation education and for being the "cool" teacher every kid wants, Amy was awarded the 2012 Conservation Educator of the Year for the state of Alabama.

       "The journey we began in 2007 continues today," Clark said.  "From a classroom window, I can watch kindergarten students planting seeds and placing pots in the greenhouse.  Older students test water temperatures in the koi and turtle ponds and examine water samples under a microscope.  Art students sketch flora and fauna throughout the year.  The entire outdoor classroom is a place of learning and enjoyment for everyone who attends, works in, and visits our school.  I cannot help but smile.  Our students' love for nature and the environment is evident, and I truly believe our mission is well on its way."

Old Decatur, New Opportunities

“I have a love for creating, organizing, and thinking outside the box...” Or, in Christopher Adams’ case, thinking outside the standard 5x7 photo frame. Adams, a junior at Austin High School, has displayed an in-depth interest for the arts and an aptitude for seeing the world from a different angle. He is taking fundamental and advanced classes available to him through Decatur City School’s course offerings. Art II, taught by Beth Bachuss, and photography, taught by Warren McLemore, will help gain experience toward the goal of becoming a successful Graphic Designer. As Christopher plans his senior curriculum, Advanced Placement Art, Advanced Placement Art History, and Computer Animation courses are sure to further hone his skills. He wishes to attend the developing North Alabama Center for the Visual Arts located in Downtown Decatur, which will be shared by Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. The art center is expected to open in the fall of 2013. When asked, “Why would you like to stay in Decatur?” His reply was, “I love this city, and what it’s becoming, it is increasingly growing and has a lot to offer.” While Downtown Decatur begins to flourish with fresh renovations like a well anticipated Mellow Mushroom pizzeria, and a complete landscaping facelift, many like-minded students are sure to follow.

March of the Students

Have you heard? ADT has been traveling around to each individual school in our district in a long caravan of cars. We are doing this to inform you about who we are and what we do. If we have not made it to your school yet, hold your horses we will be there shortly. But, for any extra information you would like know don’t be afraid to email us at: adt@dcs.k12.al.us

Black-Out Grad Exam

When the words “Graduation Exam” are uttered from a teacher’s mouth, a dancing cow and free candy isn’t the first to come to mind. However, these treasured rarities were just a fraction of the goodies bestowed upon Austin High sophomores and juniors at school last Friday. “Black-out the Grad Exam”, was greatly received by the students. Themed by a sea of black t-shirts and a dim auditorium, the room was lit solely by glow sticks and rave-esque stage lighting. “The goal is to motivate students to give their best effort the first time they take the exam,” explains testing coordinator Angie Cushing, who took part in the development of this academic pep rally.

As the students filed inside, the school’s jam band got the party started. Appropriately dignifying the date, Friday the 13^th, they were clad in Halloween masks, and rendered spirit rousing classics like Sweet Home Alabama and, of course, Free Bird. Austin teacher Cheri Paige wasted no time energetically greeting the congregation with an exciting list of rich incentives promised with passing their grad exams. Best case scenario? If a student manages to conquer all five grad exams, their core classes are free to be automatically exempted in May, not including the two exemptions already available to them. As a student and testing disputant myself, I can assure you that the opportunity to excuse virtually all exams is enough to make me jump on a desk and do the hula. Rest assured, no table dancing took place that morning.

The student-led step team, however, got the place roaring. Among that performance was a rain shower of Chick-fil-A coupons, and a series of inspirational messages from successful alumni Churmell Mitchell, D.T. Shakelford, and Courtney Campbell. It’s hard to predict if this freshly conjured motivation will carry over to mid-March when the graduation exams will take place. However, by the enthusiasm gleaming from exiting students, it’s hopeful that Austin High exam-takers will undoubtedly prevail.       

Leader In Me

In between burning multiplication tables in their brains and attempting to make plastic volcanoes convulse, there’s not a lot of room leftover for an elementary student to focus on leading the world. Fortunately, The "Leader In Me" program is taking a smaller approach, and is helping young Decatur City Schools' students become responsible leaders of their own daily lives. Donnie Lane, president, of Enersolv was instrumental in developing the "Leader In Me" program in Decatur. 3M has also been one of the local resources that has helped this program become a reality, having donated $125,000 to ensure every elementary school in the Decatur City Schools’ system could participate in the program. Chestnut Grove Elementary was the first school to pioneer the seven habits in Decatur. The program quickly caught on and Decatur City Schools became the first school system in the world to implement "Leader In Me" in every elementary school - and it is flourishing! Recently, Somerville Road Elementary became a Lighthouse School for their outstanding efforts in the program. Not only is "Leader in Me" effective in the classroom, but the habits that are taught can also blanket the entire community. Skills learned by students don’t just stay in the classroom but are applied in every area of a student’s life including at home, in sports, and in future jobs. "Leader In Me" ultimately creates an opportunity for future success. With the seven habits, students learn how to avoid procrastination, how to get things completed, how to work effectively in teams, and how to stay proactive and prepared for whatever curve balls life is tossing that day. The habits help students set attainable goals, create and meet deadlines for projects, and stay consistent with their efforts. These skills are not strictly limited to a school building. They are also used by adults to help improve the way they control their lives in the office as well as at home. Many of our local employers look for employees that can demonstrate the seven habits because they tend to make stronger team members.

These are the habits that our students are learning to cultivate:

1. Be Proactive - You’re in charge
2. Begin with the End in Mind - Have a plan
3. Put First Things First -Work first, and then play
4. Think. Win-Win. – Find solutions that work for everyone
5. Seek First to Understand, then to Be Understood - Listen before you talk
6. Synergize - Together is better
7. Sharpen the Saw - Balance feels best