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

ECTC Electrical Technology second year student and Wetumpka junior, Victor M., placed 2nd and brought home the silver medal in Electrical Construction Wiring at Alabama’s SkillsUSA State Championships.

First year ECTC IT student and Stanhope Elmore senior, Mason K., placed 2nd (and was only topped in the rankings by a community college student) in Computer Technology Applications earned a silver medal at Alabama’s SkillsUSA State Championships.

On Monday, June 12th we had the pleasure of giving Mrs. Bonnie Short, ARI Director, a tour or Pine Level Super Summer Camp. Throughout the school, we observed explicit instruction in Phonemic Awareness. The students were actively engaged in each of the classrooms in multi-sensory activities, word structure, and writing skills. Students were eager to share with us what they were learning, and teachers were excited to share the progress being made. What an awesome opportunity for these students to participate in summer learning and close the gap between what they know and what they hope to achieve. Mrs. Short was very complimentary of our teachers and the instruction they are providing.

Finishing up kindergarten and letting the world know it are Carson Lynch of Montgomery, Hannah Jones of Tallassee, Cruz Koehler of Pike Road, Zach Vest of Titus, Julianna Stewart of Prattville, Ryan Ken Zwerner of Montgomery, and Daniel Pelham of Eclectic. Not pictured are Braxton Davis of Millbrook and Walker Browder of Montgomery. These homeschoolers will start first grade at Academy Days Co-op in the fall.
Held at Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery, Academy Days Co-op meets weekly during the school year for homeschoolers in preschool through high school. Some of the classes these new first graders and other elementary students can look forward to taking in the fall are science labs, creative writing, Alabama history, art, and P.E. Visit www.AcademyDays.com for more information.

Academy Days Co-op congratulates its graduating seniors Chloe Stewart of Prattville, Jessica Dannelley of Autaugaville; Kailey Franklin of Prattville, Madilyn Self of Ramer, Adalyn Warren of Wetumpka, Pearson Hammock of Prattville, Garrison Campbell of Montgomery, and Charles Saunders of Montgomery as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Held at Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery, the Academy Days Co-op meets weekly during the school year for homeschoolers in preschool through high school to take classes in such diverse subjects as marine biology, Chinese, photography, Shakespeare, computer programming, cake decorating, and P.E. Visit AcademyDays.com for more information.

The Elmore County Technical Center celebrated three 2023 seniors in May who have already been hired by an employer in their CTE program of study after graduation.
Medical Sciences: Coranda Lozada from Elmore County High School signed with Baptist Health (South) in Montgomery. Kaitlyn Chavez from Stanhope Elmore High School signed with River Oak Family Medicine in Wetumpka. Spencer Rogers Wetumpka High School signed with Teel Tooling & Manufacturing in Wetumpka

1st Place in the State: Tallassee FFA Quartet 2023 (Photo attached)
Selections:
“Mountain Music”
“Down to the River to Pray”
“Free at Last” (from Broadway musical BIG RIVER)
The members of the quartet are Danielle Bird, Emily Hacker, Robert Towery, and Draven Haynes. They are coached by Jerry Cunningham, who has been leading Tallassee’s FFA Quartet for 49 years.
Tallassee also took 1st Place in the State for Aquaculture and Floriculture. The Floriculture team, led by Miss Avery Nolin, will be competing at the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this October.
The sponsor of Tallassee’s FFA Chapter is Dr. Daniel Free. The President is Miss Avery Nolin. (Officer photo attached)

PIS was thrilled to celebrate students and their reading at the end of the year AR (Accelerated Reader) Party! Students with over 100 points were able to attend a P’Zazz Paint Party and students with over 200 points received gift cards.

5th and 6th graders at Prattville Intermediate school had a blast at the end of year HOUSE Party Reveal. Congratulations to Amistad for winning! HOUSE Points are achieved by students performing good deeds and exhibiting leadership qualities.

Congratulations! Autauga County Schools graduated 25 students from its English as a Second Language program this school year. These students mastered their English studies, meeting national proficiency requirements through a standardized test. ACS has more than 200 students from approximately 30 countries, speaking 32 different languages, who enrich the learning experience with diverse cultures and experiences.

The Prattville Junior High School Cheer Squad attended UCA Cheer Camp and brought home the hardware! Their accomplishments included: 1 Jump Off Finalist, 2 Pin it Forward Recipients, 2 Superior Gold Ribbons in Dance and Sideline Evals., 7 All-American Winners, 1st Place in Sideline, 1st Place in Cheer, and 1st Place Overall. These talented cheerleaders will be on the sidelines this upcoming school year.

Autauga County Schools’ Superhero Summer is underway! Elementary students across the district are growing their reading and math superpowers this month with a fun enrichment camp that includes hands-on experiences with Math in Music, fluency games, and even the district’s STEM bus!

Students from Prattville Intermediate and Prattville Elementary were all excited to purchase concessions and attend the yearly PIS vs. PES Kickball game! Defending Champions Prattville Intermediate managed to pull out another win. Fun was had by all who attended!

Pine Level Elementary’s Super Summer Reading and Math Camp is a “super” success with explicit instruction occurring in the classroom. Teachers are using multisensory strategies and small group instruction to reach every learner. Students receive extra support in reading, writing, math and much more throughout camp.

On Thursday, June 15, Pine Level Elementary School welcomed ARI state staff, Karen Rutledge-Bell; Autauga County Board Member, Dr. Tracye Strichik; Central Office Staff, Holly McNider, Libby Balazik, and Rebecca Thomas. They visited classrooms throughout the school to observe students receiving explicit reading and math instruction. Students were excited to share the reading and math skills they have acquired at the PLES Super Summer Camp. Their continued support ensures the success of the students at PLES and across Autauga County.

Students in Mrs. Thrash’s 6th grade class at Daniel Pratt Elementary participated in a class Read-a-Thon by enjoying delicious snacks, reading good books, and letting their minds escape to other worlds. They appreciated having time to focus on their books and even take AR tests to earn points. The students really loved having a day like this and said, “This was the best day of the school year!”

The month of May was an exciting time in 3rd grade. Mrs. Julie Stewart and Ms. Dana Vansandt’s students at Daniel Pratt Elementary performed their annual, “Vacation to Mars” class play for their parents to enjoy. The students had such a wonderful time memorizing lines, creating costumes, and painting solar system backdrops. This hands on play incorporated music, art, and reading fluency into the science curriculum. It was a time for their creativity and personalities to shine all while fostering classroom community.