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! 🎉
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! 🎉
👋 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 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
⁉️ 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!
Summer ball on Grove Street! 🏀☀️
We want to give a big shoutout to our JEFCOED teams that participated in the Girls Basketball Summer Play Date at Pleasant Grove High School Thursday! These athletes did an amazing job showcasing their skills on the court! 👏
We want to give a big shoutout to our JEFCOED teams that participated in the Girls Basketball Summer Play Date at Pleasant Grove High School Thursday! These athletes did an amazing job showcasing their skills on the court! 👏
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 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!
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!
Please join us in wishing Shades Valley Principal, Mr. Taki Sarhaan, a happy retirement! 📚👏
Mr. Sarhaan made a tremendous impact during his more than three decades in education, and we thank him for the time he spent changing lives in our district!
During his time at JEFCOED, Taki held various leadership roles, including serving as principal of Minor Middle School and assistant principal at Hueytown High School and Clay-Chalkville High School. In each of these roles, Mr. Sarhaan left a lasting impression on his students, faculty, and staff, and we are beyond grateful for his service to our district. Happy retirement, Mr. Sarhaan!
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.
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!
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!
Shades Valley High School Class of 2026 🎉🎓
Please help us congratulate these remarkable graduates! The journey here was filled with determination, persistence, and plenty of victories, and it’s only the beginning! Endless possibilities lie ahead for these grads!
Please help us congratulate these remarkable graduates! The journey here was filled with determination, persistence, and plenty of victories, and it’s only the beginning! Endless possibilities lie ahead for these grads!
When creativity meets passion, anything is possible! 🎨✨
We want to give a big shoutout to Mrs. Culwell, visual arts teacher at Shades Valley High School! She was recently awarded the Drummond Heart of Education Award, which recognizes outstanding teachers across Alabama and provides them with a $1,000 grant.
Mrs. Culwell goes above and beyond to create an unforgettable and impactful experience for her students, and we celebrate her hard work! 👏
We want to give a big shoutout to Mrs. Culwell, visual arts teacher at Shades Valley High School! She was recently awarded the Drummond Heart of Education Award, which recognizes outstanding teachers across Alabama and provides them with a $1,000 grant.
Mrs. Culwell goes above and beyond to create an unforgettable and impactful experience for her students, and we celebrate her hard work! 👏
Senior Spotlight! 🎓💙
Please help us congratulate Abraham Clark, senior at Shades Valley High School!
Abraham maintains a 3.76 grade point average while taking advanced-level and dual enrollment classes. His achievements outside of the classroom include participating in the Alabama Governor's School, representing Shades Valley as an ambassador, growing as a future entrepreneur through the Future Business Leaders of America, serving on the Teen Advisory Board for Pinson Public Library, creating engineering projects through The National Society of Black Engineers, and developing community projects through the Youth Leadership Development Program.
Abraham also has a passion for helping others! He has completed more than 20 hours of community service through projects like food box distribution and caring for animals at the shelter.
We congratulate Abraham on his many achievements and know he will continue doing amazing things!
Please help us congratulate Abraham Clark, senior at Shades Valley High School!
Abraham maintains a 3.76 grade point average while taking advanced-level and dual enrollment classes. His achievements outside of the classroom include participating in the Alabama Governor's School, representing Shades Valley as an ambassador, growing as a future entrepreneur through the Future Business Leaders of America, serving on the Teen Advisory Board for Pinson Public Library, creating engineering projects through The National Society of Black Engineers, and developing community projects through the Youth Leadership Development Program.
Abraham also has a passion for helping others! He has completed more than 20 hours of community service through projects like food box distribution and caring for animals at the shelter.
We congratulate Abraham on his many achievements and know he will continue doing amazing things!
Superintendent's Student Advisory Council | Live on JEFCOED TV
Join JEFCOED TV this Thursday for live coverage of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council meeting. We are thrilled to hear directly from students as they provide meaningful input and ask thoughtful questions. The broadcast will get underway at 5 p.m. tomorrow. You can find out how to watch below. ⬇️
📲 JEFCOED TV App: Watch on your phone or download on Roku, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV
💻 Online: Watch on our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or at jefcoed.com/tv
Join JEFCOED TV this Thursday for live coverage of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council meeting. We are thrilled to hear directly from students as they provide meaningful input and ask thoughtful questions. The broadcast will get underway at 5 p.m. tomorrow. You can find out how to watch below. ⬇️
📲 JEFCOED TV App: Watch on your phone or download on Roku, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV
💻 Online: Watch on our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or at jefcoed.com/tv
Today we celebrate our amazing school nurses! Through their compassion and kindness, they make our schools and the world a better place. Please join us in thanking our nurses for keeping our district safe and healthy, and for always caring for our students!
It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and we're celebrating the amazing educators who pour into our students each and every day! ☕️💙
Our teachers show endless dedication, encouragement, and support to our students as they help them reach their goals in the classroom. Throughout Teacher Appreciation Week and beyond, we hope our educators feel the same warmth and support they constantly give to others. Thank you for brewing up bright futures within our district!
Our teachers show endless dedication, encouragement, and support to our students as they help them reach their goals in the classroom. Throughout Teacher Appreciation Week and beyond, we hope our educators feel the same warmth and support they constantly give to others. Thank you for brewing up bright futures within our district!
