Laying the groundwork for a successful school year! 📚💫 This week, members of JEFCOED’s Continuous Improvement Leadership Team are all under one roof, collaborating and reviewing data as we prepare for the upcoming school year! We appreciate their dedication to our students and celebrate all the hard work they’re putting in. 👏

Happy 4th of July, JEFCOED Family! We hope you have a fun and safe holiday weekend! 🎉🌟

A bittersweet goodbye for two remarkable JEFCOED principals! 💙

During last week’s board meeting, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School Principal Lori Lightsey and Shades Valley High School Principal Taki Sarhaan were honored for their service to our district. These principals have dedicated decades of their lives to educating our youth and helping them find success in the classroom and beyond.

We sincerely thank Ms. Lightsey and Mr. Sarhaan for all they’ve done to support our students and wish them a happy retirement! 🎉

Reaching new heights at the TSA National Leadership Conference! 🤩

We are beyond proud of the JCIB Middle School Technology Student Association for their performance at this esteemed conference! Students participated in several competitions, including drone flight, robotics, problem solving, coding, and more!

Each of these scholars did a phenomenal job representing their school and our district. Way to go!

👋 Hey JEFCOED Family! This is a friendly reminder that all schools and offices will be closed Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, 2026, for Independence Day. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, July 6, 2026. Enjoy your holiday weekend! 🎉

JEFCOED Journeys — As seen on TV! 📺✨

This crew recently visited sites around Georgia featured in the filming of “Stranger Things”! They visited Downtown Hawkins, Starcourt Mall, Hawkins Lab, and the Palace Arcade! 🤩

Students pictured attend Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School. Mrs. Hegler and Ms. Gresham teach at Hueytown Intermediate School, and Mrs. Butler teaches at Hueytown Primary School.

We love seeing how our JEFCOED Family is enjoying their summer break! Be sure to share your JEFCOED Journeys with us here: https://forms.gle/MTkUYcwjh9ztw2XM8

Future Problem Solvers on the global stage! 🌎✨

Please help us congratulate these outstanding JEFCOED students on competing in the 2026 Future Problem Solving World Finals! Throughout the process, they worked diligently to find solutions to real-world problems, gaining invaluable skills along the way. Great job, everyone! 👏

Schools represented:
- Clay Elementary School
- Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School
- Mount Olive Elementary School

📌🗓️ JEFCOED Family, this is a reminder that the Signature Academy Late Application Window closes NEXT WEEK on Wednesday, July 1, 2026!

⁉️ Why apply? Signature Academies offer students hands-on, career-focused learning experiences in the fields they’re interested in. Participating in this coursework prepares them for a successful future in the workforce, at college, and other postsecondary pathways.

🔗 For more information and to access the application, click here: https://www.jefcoed.com/o/jcs/page/signature-academies

Today we celebrate freedom and the strength of those who came before us. ❤️ Happy Juneteenth, JEFCOED Family!

👋 Hey JEFCOED Family! This is a reminder that all schools and offices will be closed Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19, 2026, in commemoration of Juneteenth. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus Monday, June 22, 2026. Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Cloninger on being named Principal of JCIB! Dr. Cloninger has served us first as our MYP Coordinator and most recently as our Assistant Principal.

Help us celebrate excellence! Let’s hear it for our 2026 Technology Torchbearer Award winners! 🎉📱

Our recipients were nominated by their own colleagues for their outstanding ability to integrate technology, transform teaching, and inspire students daily. Thank you for your leadership, vision, and commitment to making learning engaging and exciting for our students! 💻✨

2026 Technology Torchbearer Award Recipients:

🏆 Anthonique (Skyi) Booker-Kenebrew | Clay-Chalkville High School
🏆 Claudette Black | Hueytown Primary School
🏆 Georgette Lester | Irondale Community School
🏆 Joy Martin | McAdory Elementary School
🏆 Eric Leslie | Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School

Drop a comment below to congratulate our 2026 Torchbearers! 👇👇

Summer break is here, which means we want to see your JEFCOED Journeys! Whether you're traveling near or far, be sure to submit photos of your scrapbook-worthy summer to be featured on our social media pages! 📸 ☀️

We can't wait to see what your summer has in store!

Submit your photos here: https://forms.gle/8QV2HraYsJpvrfWy9

We are overjoyed to see the work of our student artists on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art!

The creations, made by students from JCIB and Shades Valley High School under the guidance of Teaching Artist Yogi Dada, are on display through May 30 as part of the Voices of Peace Project exhibit.

Working with Yogi Dada, our students made breathtaking 3D sculptures using recycled materials. We are incredibly proud to see our students expressing themselves through the arts! Be sure to check out their creations if you have not already!

Today, we honor the courageous men and women who lost their lives serving our country. May we never forget their dedication and sacrifice.

JEFCOED Family, this is a reminder that all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026 as we commemorate memorial day and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Our buildings will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

As another school year draws to a close, we wish a Happy Retirement to two of the roots of our JCIB Tree. Our Head of School Lori Lightsey and our Diploma Programme Coordinator Dr. April Miller are both retiring at the end of this school year. Mrs. Lightsey has served as an administrator at our school for close to a decade and guided us through the move to our new campus. Dr. Miller has been a part of JCIB for over 20 years as both a teacher and coordinator. We appreciate their many contributions to our school and students and wish them the best in their new adventures!

Have a great summer, JEFCOED Family! ☀️🤩

To our amazing students and educators — thank you for an incredible school year! We'll miss you all so much and can't wait to see you back on August 12! We hope your summer break is filled with countless adventures, fun moments, and plenty of relaxation!

JCIB Graduation Ceremony | Live on JEFCOED TV 🎓🎉

We are thrilled to see our students turn their tassels on Thursday (May 21, 2026) and embark on their exciting new chapters! As students cross the stage, JEFCOED TV will be there, capturing each special moment! The live stream will begin at 9 a.m. See below for information on how to watch!

📲 JEFCOED TV App: Watch on your phone or download on Roku, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV
▶️ Online: Watch on the Jefferson County Schools Facebook page, YouTube channel, or at jefcoed.com/tv

This year we had our first ever senior class robing ceremony. Our seniors were presented their graduation robes by a faculty member of their choice who had a meaningful impact on their high school years. We hope this is the start of a wonderful new tradition here at JCIB!