December 2023 Student Spotlights (Prattville, Autauga, & Elmore County )

PCA’s Varsity Girls Basketball team won the The Larry Chapman Thanksgiving Tournament. They defeated St. James 48-40, Pike Road 52-30, and Brew Tech 57-31 to win the championship. PCA freshman Kayden Carr and sophomore Baylee Rogers made the All-Tournament Team, and senior Avery Rogers was named the tournament MVP and Coach Larry Chapman Character Award after scoring 62 points in only three games.

PES 3rd grader Logan Epperson and 4th grader Aiden Spradley were the top earners in the cookie dough fundraiser and earned their way to a Chick-fil-a lunch and got to pie our administration, Mrs. Lindsey and Mrs. Turner, in the face in front of the whole school. Sounds like what third and fourth grade dreams are made of!

The Hungry Caterpillar and Friends had a blast at Pine Level Elementary Fall Fun Day. Librarian Amy Turner donned her best Hungry Caterpillar costume, while Jessica O’Dell, Music Teacher, spread her wings as the beautiful butterfly. Media Aide, Melissa Register, and Psychometrists Allison Till, dressed as the cupcake and strawberry from the book. Students were excited to see characters from Eric Carle’s beloved book.

PCA’s Cross Country team competed in the AHSAA State Meet and our girls team placed 7th overall in 3A, and our boys team placed 14th overall. Avery Rogers placed 3rd overall in 3A with a time of 19:28.63! Congratulations on a great season, Panthers!

With the leadership of H.I.R.E, Prattville Elementary has been implementing VEX GO Robots in the classroom! Mrs. Williamson’s students have been creating “creature” robots to further explore the creepy crawlies learned about in Science class as well as testing wind power on houses with different roof pitches, simulating how severe weather can impact those with a higher roof pitch more easily than others. This week, a select group of students used their code base robots to showcase their balloons created for a miniature Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Prattville Intermediate School had a fantastic Homecoming Week! From “Neon Day” to “Rock Your School Day”, students and staff alike had a lot of fun participating in dress-up days. We even had special guests from Prattville High School come to greet students on the way into school with band music, cheerleading performances, and football team high-fives and fist bumps!

Prattville Intermediate School students had a great time participating in the Homecoming Parade. The Homecoming King and Queen threw out candy to onlookers while the Homecoming Court marched proudly wearing their HOUSE gear. These students, voted for by their peers, did an amazing job representing PIS in this parade!

Students in Señora Henley ‘s class had the opportunity to celebrate El Día de los Muertos, also known as the day of the dead, on November 1 and 2. This festive event is a traditional Spanish holiday which is centered around remembering and honoring those who have passed. Spanish 1 students designed a tissue box to honor a loved one, while Spanish 2 students worked on Sugar Skulls, which is a type of folk art that represents a deceased loved one.
Part of teaching the Spanish language is to teach the culture. El Día de los Muertos helps students develop a sense of diversity and respect for other cultures.
This is also evidence for students to participate in an activity and celebration in the target culture.

During the week of Veterans Day, Prattville Intermediate School was honored to have several military members volunteer their time to speak in our classrooms. Students were able to hear about how the military has impacted their lives and ask questions about what it means to be a veteran. HOUSE Ambassadors were on hand to greet our service members and help guide them where they needed to go. PIS is so grateful for the sacrifice of these brave men and women and thankful for the time they took to come speak to our students.

Prattville Intermediate School students had the privilege of learning the best ways to be aware and stay safe around fire. The Prattville Fire Department demonstrated what kind of safety gear they wear, how to prevent fires, and what to do in a fire emergency. Students explored the different types of vehicles and equipment the fire department uses. It was a fun way to learn more about fire safety and prevention!

After reading and studying the book Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, Mrs. Thrash’s 6th grade students got to watch the movie and find similarities and differences between the film and the novel.

PCA’s Middle and Upper school students recently participated in Spiritual Emphasis Day where they were able to learn more about God and serve others. During the day, each student completed a service project by either wrapping Christmas gifts for The Meredith Foundation or making jump ropes for Operation Christmas shoeboxes.

PCA’s Competition Cheer team for winning the 2023 Magic City Regionals and getting a bid to nationals in Orlando!

Third and fourth grade students at Prattville Elementary School who met the first nine weeks PBIS expectations earned their way to participate in a shine celebration!

Ms. Allen and Mrs. Mills’s Pre-K class hosted a Conscious Discipline Family Make ‘N Take session in the outdoor classroom at PLES. Students taught their families the five steps to self-regulation. Students then joined their families in making a portable safe place box so they have access to the same resources at home as they do at school for self-regulating.

Students from ECTC’s Aviation Technology program participated in Maxwell AFB’s High School Career Expo where they were able to learn about both military and civilian career pathways.

The Pine Level Elementary Outdoor classroom added a new music wall and directional sign recently thanks to Woodman Life company with a $500 service grant. The students are loving the new additions and will continue to use the outdoor classroom in a variety of ways.

Pre-K Teachers at Pine Level Elementary decided to dress as one of the students’ favorite stories Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Book by Bill Martin, Jr. Each teacher dressed as a different character in the story, and the children identified what each teacher was. What a fun way to bring reading to life!

K-4 and K-5 students from Victory Christian Academy visited with residents at Charlton Place Nursing Home on October 31. Students sang songs, recited verses and poems, and dressed as different parts of God’s creation. This visit was a great way for our littlest Eagles to spread kindness in our community.

First grade teachers at Pine Level Elementary are working on phonemic awareness daily. This year, their Fall Fun Day was no different. The teachers dressed up as Open Court Letter Cards complete with their sound card accessories. The children were excited to see the letter cards spelled out “First Grade” and were encouraged to identify each teachers’ sound as they saw them throughout the day. It was a great day!

Local homeschoolers take to the stage to perform their original production of “Fairy Tales on Trial: What Really Happened after The End” for friends and family at Academy Days Co-op in Montgomery recently. The performance culminates weeks of writing, blocking, rehearsing, designing sets, and creating costumes.
Playing Humpty Dumpty, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, and various other fairy tale characters in court are Kaitlyn McLeod, Isabelle Baughcum, Evie Garner, Antonio Ghigliotti, Garrison Campbell, Gavin Campbell, Eliah Hall, Isaac Garner, Anaya Garrett and Ruby Hansen.
Held weekly during the school year at Eastmont Baptist Church, Academy Days Co-op offers classes in subjects difficult to teach at home or best taught in group settings, such as drama, science labs, STEM, foreign languages, creative writing and P.E. Visit AcademyDays.com for more information.