McCalla Elementary School

Finishing off Read Across America Week we'd like to thank all of our guest readers who came by and shared their time with our students. You are so appreciated!

The results are in for the 2024-2025 Virtual Art Competition of Alabama! This year, 75 teachers from across 52 different schools submitted 216 works from their art students. This is the largest participation in this competition to date, and it was a very difficult show to judge. Featured work mediums range from multimedia sculpture to painting, scratchboard, photography, digital art, and more. All the submitted works are outstanding! Please join me in congratulating the following students: VIRTUAL ART COMPETITION OF ALABAMA 2025 WINNERS PK - 2nd Grade Honorable Mention: Khi Hutchins, 2nd Grade, “Abstract Face” , McCalla Elementary School 3rd - 4th Grade 3rd Place: James Huddleston, 4th Grade, “Emerald Dragon Eye”, McCalla Elementary School They will receive a letter from the AAEA President, a certificate, and will represent the state of Alabama at the 2025 NAEA conference in Louisville, KY from March 20th - 25th, as well as have their work displayed on the AAEA Website. Works are already up on the VACA gallery, which can be viewed online at https://www.myaaea.org/vaca! Additional details (including the student's schools and the winners) will be updated by March 20th, 2025. Congratulations to all the participants.

School Fundraiser - Shamrock Treat Cups $5.00 For sale to students, teachers, staff, etc.... On sale until March 21st.

We are in the process of conducting an evaluation of our Title I Parent and Family Engagement Program, and we would like to know what you think. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. The responses will be used to improve next year’s Parent and Family Engagement program. If you have questions about the survey or need assistance, please contact your child's school. Your answers are confidential. Click HERE for the Parent Survey Link: https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/275138/p114

Let's celebrate the joy of reading during Read Across America Week. Monday, March 3 - Friday, March 7 we will share our love of reading with our fun (and easy) dress up days. See the attached flyer for details. #ReadingIsForAll

CALLING ALL ARTISTS 🖌️ All elementary-age students in the greater Birmingham area are invited to create a football-themed poster. Your artwork could become the official 2025 Stallions team poster! 🔗 tinyurl.com/nhfvy4b6

Join us virtually for our Black History Month program this Wednesday at 9:00.

Mr. Vest is excited to share that several of our talented students have had their artwork accepted into the 2024-2025 Virtual Art Competition of Alabama! This is a huge accomplishment and a wonderful recognition of their creativity and hard work. Please join us in congratulating the following students: 2nd Grade - Khi Hutchins 3rd Grade - Hayven Ward 4th Grade - James Huddleston You may view their work here: https://www.myaaea.org/vaca Selection of finalist artwork will be juried by Alabama Art Education Association Board members. Notification emails will be sent to teachers of the winners by March 6th, 2025. Winners will receive a congratulatory letter from the Alabama Art Education Association President and a Visual Arts Competition of Alabama certificate. The winners will go on to represent the state of Alabama at the 2025 National Art Education Association Conference in Louisville, KY from March 20th - 25th!

We are excited to announce the opening of the McCES Little Free Library! We have books available to borrow and will accept gently used books to share with our community. Visit https://littlefreelibrary.org to learn more. #ReadReturnRepeat @JEFCOED

Come check out our Parent Resource Room! We have school supplies, books, and resources to help your student in reading and math for check out. We are open every day before and after school and we have teacher assistance every Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm.

Thank you to our @mccallapta for providing snacks for our faculty and staff Friday. You know the way to a teacher's heart!❤️

As we wrap up National Counselor Week we would like to take a minute to share some of the important lessons Ms. Kellman has been teaching this year. Students are learning about positive self-talk, handling conflict, positive friendships, and anger management. Thanks Ms. Kellman!

🎉💙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

Congratulations to Ms. Cruz and Mrs. Summerford for receiving a TAG Grant from the City of Helena last night. The grant funds will be used to purchase teaching materials to help teach music and digital literacy skills.

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.

Dear Parents, We are excited to inform you that your child's artwork has been delivered and is now available for pick-up! You can collect it from the front office during school hours. Thank you for supporting our student artists, and we hope you enjoy their creative work! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Mr. Vest

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!

Help us bring in the holidays next week! Show your holiday spirit as we say good bye to 2024 and the first semester (can you believe it?). Let's spread that holiday cheer!

It's the first Tuesday of the month, so we are celebrating SWARM Day! Check out our fabulous students who respected time in November. Respecting time means meeting deadlines, doing things quickly and efficiently, and not wasting instructional time. Way to go Yellowjackets!

Hello everyone, This show also serves as a fundraiser for the Art Program. All art will be framed and available for purchase in the frame. Even if you do not plan to purchase your student's art, please come out and see the show! Are you unable to attend? We have a Virtual Art Show as well! Here is the link: https://artomestore.com/collections/mccallaelementary35022 Here is how you can help: 1. Share the event with family and friends. 2. Purchase your child's framed masterpiece. A reproduction also makes a great gift for loved ones. We are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and dedication to your child's education. Thank you so much!