Happy New Year!  I pray that your holiday season was filled with peace and joy.  Team Selma is ready to make this second half of the school year even better than the first! 

Last month the Alabama State Department of Education released the annual report card for school systems across the state.  Each district and every school in the state received a letter grade.  Selma City Schools improved from a D to C.

As an over-achiever and former A student, it’s difficult to celebrate a grade of C.  However, it’s necessary to celebrate progress.  We are moving in the right direction and I am optimistic that the best is yet to come!

The state report card is a snapshot of our work. The grade is determined based on academic achievement, academic growth, chronic absenteeism, graduation rate and college and career readiness.  Overall, Selma City Schools made gains in all areas.  Several of our schools made double-digit gains.  None of our schools received an F.  We had three F’s last year.

We are moving in the right direction.

Making the grade has to include more than what can be measured by the state report card.  We must ensure that we are focused on improving all outcomes for our scholars: academic, social and emotional.  As we continue the discussion of closing schools, I am focused on how we can better support the holistic needs of our scholars and their families.

Making the grade means that we are diverting our fiscal and human resources to where they are most needed.  For example, our scholars need more real-world experiences.  Creating a district of Academies of Academic Excellence will provide a variety of opportunities based on parental input.  Surveys are available at all elementary schools and Academies will be announced before the end of the school year.

Making the grade means that our families are supported.  Our Parent University is one way to ensure that families are well-informed and provided both information and resources that enable them to become true partners with our schools.  We are even working on creating a mobile Parent University by re-purposing a school bus!  Our scholars and their families need this.  Our community needs this.

As we begin our second semester, we will continue to be intentional as we keep Students First.  Check out our website and social media outlets to learn more about our journey and how you can get involved.  We are making progress and have reason to celebrate.  Selma City Schools is on the move.  We are making the grade!

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org.