Through detailed research projects and works of art, Irondale Community School is highlighting the talent, innovation, and strength of Black Americans throughout history!

During last night’s Black History Expo, families walked the halls, observing displays that showcased significant milestones, highlighted HBCUs, and featured history-making Black Americans. Our students did an amazing job creating informative presentations, and it was a joy seeing their work on display.

We sincerely appreciate each family who attended yesterday’s expo, as well as each educator and administrator who helped bring these projects to life!💙
7 days ago, JEFCOED
A little girl stands in a school hallway and looks at a wall featuring projects on HBCUs.
A girl and a boy stand together for a photo in front of a blue streamer photo backdrop. The students wear lab coats and hold up signs. One of the signs says "Future Inventor" and the other is an image of a brain with a lightbulb hovering over it.
Three adults and two children stand together for a photo in a school hallway and smile. They stand in front of displays set up for Black History Month.
Signs made of paper sit in a school hallway and say "Let's Go To Collect HBCU Edition".
Two adults and two children stand together for a photo in a school hallway and smile. They stand in front of student-made presentations highlighting HBCUs.
A woman and a girl stand together for a photo inside a school lunchroom. Both of them smile.
Student made art work of dinosaurs made in the style of Jean-Michael Basquiat are on display in a school lunchroom.
A little girl wears a lab coat and poses for a photo in front of a blue streamer backdrop. The little girl holds a sign that says "I heart inventions".
Student-created art made of colorful bits of paper are on display in a school hallway. Above the art is a sign that says "Kindergarten Presents Seeing the Beauty in Color with Alma W. Thomas."
As we wrap up National School Counseling Week, we're grateful for the counselors across our district who show up every day for our students! They support, encourage, and advocate with passion, bringing tremendous heart to our schools. We're so thankful for you🫶!
14 days ago, JEFCOED
A school counselor stands in front of the Jefferson County school district background. She is celebrating and holding her arms up. The sign in her hands says school counseling programs amplify student success by celebrating them!
A group of people huddle together while smiling at the camera. The group includes a principal, school, counselor, and students. They are all celebrating national school counselor week at Clay elementary school.
A school counselor stands with two young elementary school students. They are all wearing unique hats. The school counselor in the back has on a black cowboy style hat, the girl in the front left is on a red, cowboy hat, and the boy on the right has on a blue beanie style hat.
A school counselor is being celebrated during national school counselor appreciation week. She is holding a vase full of pink and red flowers. In the background are several cut out red hearts with custom messages.
A school counselor is standing in front of a colorful bulletin board. She is smiling and holding a book that says the coffee bean for kids.
Two people are bringing a school, counselor a pot of flowers, a gift, and some yellow and purple balloons. They are celebrating her for national school counseling week.
A school counselor is standing in an elementary school classroom. She is holding a vase full of red roses. She is being celebrated for national school counseling week.
School counselor is standing in front of a banner that says, "I know this is a little cheesy, but you're our favorite school counselor. Happy school, counselor appreciation week."
What a vibrant showcase of culture at Irondale Community School!

70 students participated in the school’s annual Cultural Parade, and this year, 17 countries were represented! It makes us JEFCOED Proud to see our students carefully research and honor their heritage in this way!❤️
21 days ago, JEFCOED
Three girls stand together in a school hallway wearing brightly colored dresses. Two of the girls wear flowers in their hair.
Two women stand together for a photo in front of a monitor that says "ICS Cultural Parade 2026." One woman wears a dress with stars and red and white stripes on it. Another woman wears a long black and red gown with a matching hair piece.
Students representing Jamaica at Irondale Community School's Cultural Parade walk through the school gym. One student holds a Jamaican flag and wears a shirt that says "Jamaican Princess."
Two boys walk through the school gym as they participate in Irondale Community School's cultural parade. One student wears a maroon soccer jersey. Another student wears a large hat and has Venezuala's flag draped over his shoulders.
A girl walks through a crowded school gymnasium and holds a small Irish flag while wearing a long green dress and boots.
Two students stand in the hallway of Irondale Community School for a photo. They both wear navy blue suits with buttons and chains embellished on the arms and pants. They also each hold a small guitar. One of the boys wears a Sombrero Charro.
It's School Board Recognition Month! 🍎 Please join us in honoring our board members for their commitment to students, service to our community, and championship-level leadership. We simply could not achieve what we do without your support!
about 2 months ago, JEFCOED
Graphic thanking the Jefferson County Schools' School Board. Pictured are Ronnie Dixion, Board President, Stephanie Floyd, Board Vice President, Carita Venable, Board Member, Walter Curry, Board Member, and Glenn Durough, Board Member. The text in the middle says, "Thank You JEFCOED School Board"
How cool is this?!🎅🎄 After reading “How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?” 3rd and 4th grade STEM classes at Irondale Community School put their engineering skills to use! Students were challenged to build a tall chimney and get Santa in and out using only a piece of twine, a paperclip, and a magnet! It looks like these students had a great time participating in this fun and festive activity!
about 2 months ago, JEFCOED
Three Irondale Community School students stand at a table and watch as one of the students dangles a paper clip on a string toward blocks stacked in a tall square formation.
Irondale Community School students stand and sit at a table while two of the students dangle string with paperclips on it toward a structure made of blocks.
An Irondale Community School student holds a piece of string toward a structure made of blocks and smiles. The student is standing at a table in a library and is wearing a Santa costume.
Students stand at a table with blocks on it and smile. One of the students holds a string with a picture of Santa on the end of it.
Irondale Community School students stand at a table in the library. Two of the students stare at a structure on the table made of wooden blocks. Another student holds up a string and a piece of paper.
Three Irondale Community School students sit and stand at a table in the library. Two students work on a small structure made of wooden blocks. One of the students holds a string.
What a treat it was to witness such beautiful Holiday Cheer Performances!🎶❄️

Yesterday was our final round of performances/demonstrations at the Jefferson County Schools Board of Education. We sincerely appreciate each group for putting on such wonderful shows! Our JEFCOED Family is incredibly talented, and we love seeing them shine!

Please help us celebrate our final Holiday Cheer performers:
✨Grantswood Community School and Irondale Community School choirs led by Ms. Julie Arman
✨JCIB Middle Years Programme led by Ms. Diana Preoteasa
✨Art Demonstration by Shelly Bailey, Arts Supervisor
2 months ago, JEFCOED
Choirs from Grantswood Community School and Irondale Community School perform a song in the Jefferson County Schools Board of Education board room.
Choir students from Grantswood Community School and Irondale Community School perform together in the board room at the Jefferson County Schools Board of Education.
JCIB Middle Years Programme choir performs in the Jefferson County Schools Board of Education board room. The students are standing on the floor, singing while their choir director, Ms. Diana Preoteasa, conducts.
JCIB Middle Years Programme choir students perform in the board room at the Jefferson County Schools Board of Education.
Arts Supervisor Shelly Bailey leads an art demonstration at the Jefferson County Schools Board of Education. She stands in the board room holding a drawing of poinsettias and a large notebook.
Three women sit at a table and draw on construction paper with crayons.
Arts Supervisor Shelly Bailey draws on a large notebook while leading an art demonstration in the Jefferson County Schools board room. Three women sit at a table in front of her drawing on construction paper.
JEFCOED employees stand together in the JEFCOED board room and smile while holding construction paper with poinsettias drawn on them.
At JEFCOED, the holiday season is filled with joy and unforgettable memories!🎄💙

This week, kindergartners at Irondale Community School took an exciting trip to the Christmas tree farm! Classes went on hay rides, played on tire swings, and even got to pick out a tree for their classrooms!

We thank Irondale Community’s wonderful teachers and amazing chaperones for creating such a special experience for these students!
3 months ago, JEFCOED
A student at a Christmas tree farm smiles while riding a tire swing decorated to look like a horse.
Students sit in a large pipe on a Christmas tree farm and smile.
A group of students and an adult hold up a Christmas tree that's in a netted wrap.
Students gather around a machine as it puts netting around a Christmas tree.
Children and adults smile for a photo while on a hay ride.
Students and an adult stand together for a photo and smile.
Irondale Community School students had a great time learning about various cultures during their Hispanic Heritage Festival!💃🎨

Students showcased their creativity by crafting Peruvian pan flutes and vibrant Mexican mirrors, decorating pumpkins in the style of Pablo Picasso, and even learning how to salsa dance. After finishing their projects, they headed to the court to enjoy an exciting game of soccer!⚽️

We appreciate our educators and volunteers for making this event possible!
4 months ago, JEFCOED
Students stand together, smiling for a photo in a school gym. One student is wearing a cowboy hat and playing a hand-made pan flute.
A student stands in a school gym and smiles while holding a hand-made pan flute.
A student stands in front of a sign that says "Mexico" and holds a hand-made Mexican mirror.
A student stands in a school gym and smiles while holding a hand-made Mexican mirror.
A student stands in a school gym and plays a hand-made pan flute.
Students sit at a table and color with markers.
Students sit at a table and color with markers.
Students play soccer in a school gym.
🧯🚒 Fire Prevention Week is the perfect time to ensure your child knows how to prevent fires and what to do if one breaks out!🧯🚒
This week, 5th graders at Irondale Community School practiced these skills during Kitchen Safety Day. The Irondale Fire Department taught students life-saving information, including how to properly use a fire extinguisher. We appreciate these firefighters for showing students how to react calmly and safely in the event of an emergency!
5 months ago, JEFCOED
A group of students and an adult stand outside of an Irondale Fire-Rescue Fire Prevention and Life Safety Trailer.
A student holds a fire extinguisher during a fire silmulation.
A group of students and an adult stand outside of an Irondale Fire-Rescue Fire Prevention and Life Safety Trailer.
Students participate in a fire simulation.
We appreciate each student who attended our first Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council meeting of the year! During these meetings, student representatives from throughout our district participate in thought-provoking conversations with Dr. Gonsoulin. These discussions are invaluable and allow us to continue growing as a district. Thank you again to everyone who participated!
5 months ago, JEFCOED
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands in a library and talks to children. The students sit at tables in the library. Some have their hands raised.
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands in a library and talks to students. The students are sitting at tables.
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands in a room and talks to students who are sitting at tables.
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands next to a student. Both are smiling at the camera.
Today is School Custodian Appreciation Day, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating our outstanding custodians here at JEFCOED!🎉
These heroes not only ensure students and teachers spend their days in clean, safe environments, but also spread positivity throughout their schools. We appreciate all they do to help our district thrive! When you see your school custodian today, be sure to tell them thank you!
5 months ago, JEFCOED
The image is a graphic with text that reads "JEFCOED Honoring the Unsung Heroes of Cleanliness and Order thank you for all you do! Happy Custodian Appreciation Day" The background of the graphic has bubbles, a mop and cleaning supplies on it.
We are SO excited to share that the Jefferson County School District has been awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Be Healthy Grant for the VERY first time!🎉👏 Mr. Christopher Reeves, Physical Education Supervisor for Jefferson County Schools, says, “This is a meaningful moment for our district, as it reflects the dedication of so many who believe in the power of physical education to shape healthier lives for our students.” Mr. Reeves adds that this grant will provide everything from exercise bikes to agility ladders, benefiting and inspiring students and educators. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
6 months ago, JEFCOED
Children play with yoga balls inside a gym.
Children hit pool noodles on yoga balls inside a gym.
The image is a graphic with text on it that reads "We Won Be Healthy School Grant Program"
Planting the seeds of success at Irondale Community School!🌱
We’re so grateful to the Jefferson County Personnel Board’s Community Servant Leadership class for not only building raised garden beds at Irondale Community, but for returning today to plant seeds with students! They’ll now be able to watch the very seeds they planted grow into vegetables right outside their classrooms! How awesome is that?!
6 months ago, JEFCOED
Adults and children plant seeds in a garden bed outside a school
Adults and children plant seeds in a garden bed outside a school
Our Back to School Conference is in the books!📚 We want to give a huge thank you to our educators and administrators for making today such a success! You are laying the foundation for a wonderful school year, and it’s clear that “Alabama has something to say!” We can’t wait to see our classrooms filled up again in just a few short days!
7 months ago, JEFCOED
A group of people stand in a room and talk to each other.
A man and a woman stand together and smile
A large group of people sit in an auditorium
A man stands on a stage and talks
New Teacher Orientation ✏️📘👏 We're so excited to greet our new educators and officially bring them into the JEFCOED family! You're joining a district committed to Inspiring Change and Creating Impact, one student at a time. We're so glad you're here!

Special thanks to Leslie Chatta and Shernell Lewis, our 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year, for sharing powerful words of encouragement and inspiration. We're also grateful to Gardendale High School, along with our many staff and volunteers who helped make the day such a success!
7 months ago, JEFCOED
School employees greeting educators at a registration desk.
Jefferson County School District drawstring bag on a registration table
Teachers signing in at a registration table for New Teacher Orientation.
Two school leaders smiling for the camera.
Two educators giving each other a hug across the shoulders.
Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin speaking on stage during New Teacher Orientation.
Teachers walking and visiting in a hallway.
Shernell Lewis holding a microphone and presenting onstage.
Leslie Chatta holding a microphone and presenting on stage.
Leslie Chatta and Shernell Lewis posing for a picture with greenery behind them.
🎉💙Happy National School Counseling Week 2025!💙 We're celebrating our amazing school counselors and their vital role in helping students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for all you do! #NSCW25 #ThankYouCounselors
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive National School Counseling Week, February 3-7, 2025, Thank You, School Counselors, American School Counselor Association
Many of us went to sleep on Thursday night, thinking it wouldn't happen after all. And then it did!! The JEFCOED family enjoyed a beautiful snow day on Friday.❄️☃️ Thank you to all of those who sent in pictures. Your smiles and joy warmed our hearts. Here are just a few of the many fantastic pictures we received.
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Two girls excitedly sled down the street in the show using a pool float shaped like a dragon.
Three boys stand in front of their home with their hands in the air, celebrating the snow.
A group of young boys pretends to play video games in the snow. They have placed a tv outside and show it hooked up to a snow mound.
Two kids have build a snowman and a an igloo. One boy is inside the igloo and the other boy is standing by the snowman.
Two boys are sledding in the snow with a red sled.
A young girl poses next to a snowman wearing a Snow Rogers Bulldogs shirt.
A boy is riding a sled down his driveway.
A family of three plays in the snow. All of the family members are wearing pink.
A young boy smiles next to a snowman.
A young boy is playing in the snow on a round pool float.
This morning, the Alabama Department of Education approved a resolution recognizing Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr. as the 2025 Alabama Superintendent of the Year!! Dr. Gonsoulin serves State School Board Districts Three, Four, and Seven with heart, vision, and determination. We couldn't be prouder of his leadership. Congratulations, Dr. Gonsoulin! You've made us all #JEFCOEDProud!
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. stands with members of the Alabama Department of Education School Board. He is holding a resolution honoring him for being named the 2025 Alabama State Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. holds a resolution for the Alabama State School Board recognizing him as the 2025 Alabama Superintendent of the Year. He is standing next to the 200 Alabama Bicentennial bell.
Dr. Walter Gonsoulin stands with members of his staff and holds a resolution honoring him as the 2025 State Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Gonsouling stands with his Deputy Superintendents (Dr. Jeff Caufield, Dr. Laura Ware, Dr. Orletta Rush) while holding a resolution honoring him as the Alabama Superintendent of the Year.
🎉Congratulations, Dr. Walter Gonsoulin🎉 We are beyond thrilled to share that our very own Superintendent, Dr. Gonsoulin, has been named the 2025 Alabama/Schneider Electric Superintendent of the Year! 🏆 This incredible recognition speaks to Dr. Gonsoulin's heart for education and his constant drive to make our schools the best they can be. We're so proud to have him leading the way for JEFCOED and can't wait to see where his vision takes us next! #JEFCOEDProud #SuperintendentOfTheYear #CongratulationsDrG
over 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Dr. Walter Gonsoulin is standing at a podium after being names 2025 Alabama Superintendent of the Year
🎗️Let's Unite for Childhood Cancer Awareness!🎗️ This Thursday, September 26th, marks a special day for JEFCOED as we join forces with the Hope for Autumn Foundation for Give Hope Day! We're calling on everyone to 🌟WEAR GOLD🌟 as we stand together to honor and raise awareness for children and families affected by childhood cancer. 💛Together, we can make a difference!
over 1 year ago, JEFCOED
September 26th is Give Hope Day in JEFCOED. Hands holding the word Hope in wooden letters. Yellow ribbon for cancer awareness.