Annual Report 2009-2010...

Annual Report 2009-2010

The Year’s Top Stories: CCS Receives FiveNational Awards

East Elementary SchoolNamed CLAS Banner School

Capital ProjectsTake the Spotlight

Over 7,600 Hours ofCommunity Service Deliveredby CHS Students• Senior Cameron Bradford NamedUnited Way of Cullman County Volunteer of the Year

Ethnicity:African American................1%Asian ..............................1%Hispanic ..........................8%White ............................90%

Enrollment: ........2937 studentsCCPS 484, EAST 526, WEST 561, CMS432, CHS 934, (Head Start 120).

Attendance: ..................96.0%Per Pupil Expenditure: ....$9,271Graduation Rate: ............89%Annual Budget:....$34.2 millionState ..............................52%Federal ..........................15%Local ..............................33%

Teacher Qualifications:Doctorate ..........................1%AA ..................................8%Masters ..........................51%Bachelors ........................40%

Employees: ..............352 totalSupport employees ..........133Certified employees ........219

Ad valorem tax: ........17.5 milsAll schools are accredited by the SouthernAssociation of Colleges and Schools.

Board of Education:

Brenda Howell, PresidentSteven Sides, Vice PresidentKim Addison, Board MemberSuzanne Harbin, Board MemberJason Neal, Board MemberDr. Jan Irons Harris, Superintendent

“We are so blessed to have aneducation system that rewards characterin its students.” — Dianne Shaddix

• Cullman City Schools —National School Board Association’sSalute Technology District

• eSchool News Tech SavvySuperintendent Award

• West Elementary School —U.S. Department of EducationBlue Ribbon School

• West Elementary School —National Title I Distinguished School

• Cullman High School Cheer StuntTeam — 1st Place at UCA NationalCompetition

CCS Moves to 3rd in the Statein Stanford 10 Test Scores

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CCS appreciates the legislative support of Congressman Robert Aderholt,Governor Bob Riley, Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Senator. Zeb Little,Representative Jeremy Oden, and Representative James Fields.

Appreciation is extended to Mayor Townson and the Cullman City Council for their support. The1/2 cent sales tax has enabled CCS to be financially secure during times of uncertain funding.

New Locker Room in new gym

Thank you for supporting therevitalization of Oliver WoodardStadium! Fundraising Sponsors:

Bearcat Sponsors ($1,000 or more):Casa Fiesta

CokeCullman Dermatology

Cullman Internal Medicine, P.C.Cullman Regional Medical Center

Cullman Regional Orthopedics & SportsMedicine (Dr. Dueland/Dr. Gomez)

Cullman Spine InstituteCummings Sporting Goods

Robin and Pamela CummingsExit 310 Musicians

Freedom Insurance Agency-Gloria WilliamsPremier Bank

RollsealSteve and Kathy Skinner

Waldrop Chiropractic ClinicGreg and Malinda Windham

Zero Meth/Wilson Blaylock, DA

Gold Sponsors ($500-$999):Cullman City Schools Board Members

and Jan HarrisCRMC’s ONE Rehab & Sports MedicineLiberty National Life Insurance Co.

Pasquale’s PizzaPeople’s Tire Co.Regions Bank

Surgical Arts, P.C.The Surgery Center of Cullman

Silver Sponsors ($250-$499):AJK, LLC - The Rotunda

Wilson and Mary Blaylock and FamilyThe Cullman Times

Cullman Power BoardCullman Rotary ClubMitch Smith Chevrolet

North Central NeurologyO.F. Richter & Sons

Bronze Sponsors ($100-$249):Bill Smith Buick GMC

Martha Burchell Insurance (Nationwide)Cullman Primary Care, P.C.

Edward Jones Investments - Ron MannENT Associates of Alabama, P.C.

First Federal CullmanMichael’s Tree Service

Moss Service Funeral HomePiggly Wiggly #296Urgent Care, LLC

Wal-Mart

CAPITAL COMPLETIONS 2010

Cullman HighNew Gym

West Elementary SchoolLibrary Media Center

Oliver Woodard StadiumRevitalization

New Science Building (and remodeled existing science building)


Inspiring Students forLifelong SuccessEducation builds good citizens, an equippedworkforce, and overall, a better community. Ourfuture is entrusted to the youth of today. It is ourresponsibility to prepare them for tomorrow. Ourmission, in Cullman City Schools, is to inspirestudents for lifelong success through character,citizenship and scholarship.

We strive to bring our mission to daily lifethrough challenging curriculum and instruction,and a system-wide character education plan thatis optimized through leadership opportunities,and extracurricular activities. Our mission plan isreinforced in the superintendent’s weekly digitalnewsletter. Our Boys’ Tennis Team, coached byNathan Bates, exemplifies outstanding characteras evidenced by the team winning the AlabamaHigh School Athletic Association’s SportsmanshipAward for the 5-A State Tennis Tournament. Thisaward was voted on by all of the athletes whocompeted.

As we reflect on the ending of the 2009-2010school year, I am reminded of the stellaraccomplishments of our students displayedthrough the Class of 2010. This class is filledwith 202 talented young men and women withan eclectic array of interests and abilities. In thisdiverse class we find Warren McGriff whoreceived an appointment to the United States AirForce Academy. We find Daphne Krone who isa National Merit Scholar, and Jim Crowder whoearned the prestigious Eagle Scout Awardthrough the Boy Scouts of America. Additionally,in the Class of 2010 is Cameron Bradford, thefirst student, to my knowledge, to be namedCullman County United Way Volunteer of theYear. We also find two-time Alabama StateChampion Pole Vaulter Michael Addison andJordan Johnson, Cullman County Junior Miss.

This exemplary class is filled with talentedstudents like Class Vocalist Paige Harbison,Class Musician Yurika Chiba, and AlabamaState Champion Actor Corey Burks. Students likeValedictorian Caroline Hicks set the higheststandards for their academic performance.Yes, Class President Bailey Holland or StudentCouncil President Chelsea Nesmith will tellyou that this class is diverse and smart. Thisoutstanding class earned a total of$4,611,400 in scholarships.

Because we value service to others and wish tocommunicate its importance to our students, theCullman City Board of Education approved aCommunity Service Seal for students in 2007.Forty-four (44) seniors each completed 100hours of community service and received this

prestigious community service seal on theirdiploma and transcript. These young men andwomen could be seen cleaning up the cemetery,volunteering in nursing homes, hospitals or GoodSamaritan Clinic, working at the Cullman Countyfair, Kiwanis pancake breakfast or Lions Clubfish fry, or tutoring students at the Primary School,for example. Because of this innovative program,the Cullman area has benefitted from over 7600hours of community service since its inception.Our employees are givers; CCS wasrecognized again this year as one of the TopTen Contributors of the United Way of CullmanCounty.

I am proud of our students’ academicaccomplishments. All schools made AdequateYearly Progress (AYP). Our students’ test scoresincreased again this year moving CCS from 6thin the State to 3rd on SAT-10 scores! AlabamaDirect Assessment of Writing (ADAW) scoresremained strong. Cullman Middle Schoolincreased its score to 92% and moved to 2ndin the State! Fifth graders’ scores (90%) rankedthem 3rd in the State while 10th graders’ proudscore of 92% placed them 6th in Alabama.

CCS received a plethora of honors and awardsthis year. The Council for Leaders in AlabamaSchools (CLAS) named East Elementary as a2010 CLAS Banner School. This awardrecognizes schools that serve as outstandingmodels for other schools. Twelve Alabamaschools were chosen from 174 schoolnominations for this prestigious recognition. EastElementary was one of three elementary schoolsrecognized.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncanannounced that West Elementary was among314 schools in the nation and among fiveschools in Alabama designated as 2009National Blue Ribbon Schools. The awardhonors public and private schools that are eitheracademically superior, or have made dramaticgains in student achievement and helped closegaps in achievement among minority anddisadvantaged students. Additionally, WestElementary was selected as a 2009 NationalTitle I Distinguished School. The AlabamaDepartment of Education each year designatestwo elementary schools for this nationalrecognition based upon student achievement onstate tests. West Elementary was selected forexceptional student performance for two or moreyears.

Congratulations to West Elementary PrincipalDr. Elton Bouldin who was selected as DistrictElementary Principal of the Year.

The Cullman City School District receivednational recognition. The National SchoolBoards Association (NSBA) selected three 2009

Salute Districts,recognized for theiruse of technology tosupport innovativestrategies thatpromote studentachievement andorganizationalefficiencies. The2009 SaluteDistricts are JeffcoPublic Schools inGolden, Colo.;Cullman City Schools, Ala.; and Newport NewsPublic Schools in Virginia.

The arts are alive in CCS! In addition to oursuperior arts program, we hosted a special“Electrify Your Strings” program with EmmyAward Winning Artist Mark Wood.

The school year was characterized by severalcapital projects, none of which would havebeen possible without legislative support and theleadership provided by Mayor Townson and theCullman City Council. East Elementary andCullman Middle renovated classrooms andhallways for an improved educational setting.West Elementary received a new library mediacenter, while Cullman High School received asecond gym, a new science wing and arevitalized Oliver Woodard Stadium.

Leadership begins at the top and we are thankfulfor the leadership provided by our Board ofEducation. President Brenda Howell madeprofessional development a priority when CCSwas selected as a Lighthouse School District bythe Alabama Association of School Boards. OurBoard of Education, along with selected teammembers, underwent intense training to focus onstudent achievement in our district. We, in CCS,seek continual improvement and, as such,embarked on a technology review with AlanNovember and his team of experts. Alan kickedthe year off by speaking to our employees atInstitute Day. We are proud that all classroomsnow have SMARTBoards and cutting edgetechnology.

Our students are smart, talented, hard-workingyoung people who truly care about others andthe world in which they live. I am proud of ourstudents’ myriad accomplishments, and Iapplaud their leadership, service, scholarship,and character. Our teachers are outstanding,dedicated educators who love young people.It is a blessing for me to work with ouroutstanding students, faculty and staff each day.On behalf of our students, faculty, and staff, Iwant to deliver heartfelt appreciation to theCullman community for loving and supportingour deserving students.

Superintendent’sMessageDr. Jan Irons Harris


Cullman City Primary• CCPS was a finalist for the Alabama ExemplaryReading Award sponsored by the AlabamaReading Association.

• CCPS hosted a Little Learners Love LiteracyConference for early childhood educators acrossthe state of Alabama. Over 125 educatorsattended various sessions presented by CCPSteachers.

• CCPS placed 2nd in the PALS (People Against a Littered State) contest.

• Teacher Kathryn Brandon presented a project at the Association ofChildhood Education International conference.

• Students participated in a “Go Green” book swap by bringingused books to school and trading them with other students.

• Head Start received SMARTBoards in all six classrooms, andimplemented a new Zula science and math program.

• Head Start families and teachers read over 6,500 books tostudents during the Clifford Bones reading project.

• CCPS students collected 395 pounds of food for the CullmanCaring for Kids Food Bank, and raised $1,349.62 in the Math-a-thon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

• CCPS won the Cullman Area Chamber of CommerceBeautification Award.

East Elementary• EES was selected a 2010 CLAS Banner School.

• Counselor Ann J. Bishop received the CullmanArea Chamber of Commerce Emma MarieEddleman Citizenship Award.

• EES was named a Scale Back Alabama School,with faculty losing 418.2 pounds.

• Paige Raney was named Preserve AmericaHistory Teacher of the Year for Alabama.

• Pulitzer Prize nominated New York Times writer Nicholas Dawidoffspoke to 6th Grade students about the art of writing.

• 89 students in Grades 4 and 5 qualified for the Duke UniversityTIP (Talent Identification Program).

• 122 6th Graders attended Space Camp, meeting astronauts fromDiscovery Shuttle at the Marshall Flight Center.

• The Math Team won 2nd Place at the Wallace State MathTournament. Noah Shadix received an individual 1st Place. The 5thand 6th Grade Math Teams both placed 2nd overall in the CullmanMiddle School Math Tournament.

• EES food drives collected 2,700 pounds of food.

• The Relay for Life Team raised $2,150.

• Students produced Bye, Bye Birdie and Seussical the Musical, Jr.

• 3rd Grader Joey McCarthy won the State-level Zaner-BloserHandwriting Contest, and moved on to National competition.

• 6th Grade students collected and shipped care packages toAlabama’s 135th Expeditionary Unit in Afghanistan.

• 5th Grader Hannah Morton won first place in the NFL Punt, Pass,Kick Competition in Atlanta, GA, and 4th Grader Anna Evans wonthe County, Regional, and State Hoop Shoot Contest for 8-9 year-oldgirls.

• Meredith Paige McPherson was selected to represent Alabama asa People to People Student Ambassador serving in Europe.

• EES PTO purchased a new curtain for the stage and tire swing forthe playground, and awarded more than $4,000 in teacher grants.

• EES sent 307 relief bags to Haiti through Operation KidPassion.The 6th Grade Read-a-thon raised $1,220. 3rd Grader Mary KateStanford sponsored “Spare Change for Haiti” which raised$201.40.

DavidWiggins,Principal

TriciaCulpepper,Principal

PRINCIPALS’ SUMMARY


Cullman Middle• The Quiz Bowl Team won 2nd place at the StateBeta Club Convention. Drake Hollingsworth placed2nd in math at State and 4th at National. LeighMarie Braswell received the John W. HarrisNational Leadership Award.

• Six CMS Band students participated in theSoutheastern All Star Music Camp. Three studentswere selected for the District III Jr. High Honor

Band, and 17 for the Cullman County Honor Band, with threereceiving 1st chair honors.

• Brian McCarthy won 1st place in the CMS Spelling Bee andLeigh Marie Braswell placed 2nd.

• The CMS Jazz Band received all superior ratings at the State Solo &Ensemble Event. Band members received 34 total medals at District.

• CMS Cheerleaders took 2nd place at the AHSAA Junior Classic.

• Ryan Klein took 1st place and James Hovater 2nd place in theVictim’s Rights Essay Contest.

• The CMS band performed at the Tennessee Aquarium, and withEmmy Award Winning and Multi Platinum Artist, Mark Wood.

• The first piano class at CMS performed at the Winfrey Hotel inHoover, Alabama.

• The 7th Grade Math Team placed 1st in 7 of 9 tournaments. The8th Grade Math Team placed first in 8 of 10 tournaments. The teamsreceived a record 128 team and individual trophies and awards.

• American Mathematics Competition winners were Leigh MarieBraswell 1st place, Jordan Baumgartner and Christina Oanca 2ndplace and Drake Hollingsworth 3rd place. Leigh Marie Braswellwas one of the top 6 students in Alabama.

• In the Jacksonville State University Imagining the Holocaust EssayContest,1st Place Short Story went to Leigh Marie Braswell, and 2ndPlace to Keaton Dean. Maddie Taylor placed 2nd in Poetry andSavannah Smith placed 3rd.

• All CMS classrooms are equipped with SMARTBoards, and allstudents have laptop computers.

• The 7th and 8th Grade Boys Basketball teams were undefeated.

• CMS students participating in the State Superintendent’s Visual ArtsExhibit were Stephen Freeman, Alex Garner, Connor Moon, MilesWisner and Evan Taunton.

• The 2010 Alabama Penman Creative Writing Contest winner forCMS was Jasmine Bryant. Jasmine also placed 3rd in the VictimsServices Voices of Youth Poetry Slam.

• CMS won the Cullman Area Chamber of CommerceBeautification Award.

West Elementary• U.S. Department of Education Secretary, ArneDuncan, designated West Elementary a NationalBlue Ribbon School in 2009, one of 314 schoolsin the nation. The Blue Ribbon School Program is aDepartment of Education initiative that began in1982 in order to identify and disseminateknowledge about best school leadership andteaching practices across the nation.

• West was honored as a 2009 National Distinguished School bythe National Title I Association based upon exceptional studentperformance for two or more years on state tests. The NationalDistinguished School program began in 1986 for the purpose ofrecognizing improvement and innovation in education.

• The Cullman County Area Chamber of Commerce selected West5th Grade math teacher, Misti Murphy, as their Elementary SchoolTeacher of the Year.

• West Elementary was named the Cullman Times' TopOrganization for the second year in a row during the annualCullman Cares food drive. West Elementary students were featuredin the Lifestyle Section for their county leading donation of 3,316pounds of canned food the Cullman Caring for Kids agency.

• The West Physical Education Department was recognized as the

top Cullman County school in the 2010 American HeartAssociations' annual Jump Rope for Hear campaign with acontribution of $7,848.80.

• The West PTA Fall Festival raised $20,000. Parents used theproceeds to purchase an audience response system to improve theinteraction, engagement, and formative assessment of studentsduring instruction.

• West Elementary Math Teams placed first in the Muscle ShoalsMiddle School Tournament, Cullman Middle School Sixth Gradeand Fifth Grade Tournaments.

• Congratulations to the 6th Grade Chorus and chorus teacher, TimClemmons, for receiving superior ratings at District Festival.

• West Elementary students are enjoying the use of a new MediaCenter, which is equipped with current technology and aprofessional learning section for the faculty.

• WES Scholars Bowl Team placed 2nd in district competition andqualified to participate in the State Scholars Bowl competition.

• Brinley Smith, Anna Grace Murphy and Lauren Harbison wereinvited to display their artwork at the State Superintendents VisualArts Exhibit at the State Capitol.

• WES won the Cullman Area Chamber of CommerceBeautification Award.

Dr. EltonBouldin,Principal

Lane Hill,Principal


Cullman High• The Algebra II, Geometry, and ComprehensiveMath Teams placed 1st in the State mathtournament.

• The JV Cheerleaders placed 3rd and the VarsityCheerleaders 8th at UCA Nationals. The CheerStunt Team won 1st place.

• 44 students received the Community ServiceSeal on their diploma.

• $4,611,400 in scholarships were awarded to members of thesenior class.

• The 2009 Bearcat Marching Band received all superior ratings.

• The CHS Drum Line competed for the first time on the nationalWGI Circuit.

• The CHS Scholars’ Bowl team was undefeated in the county andtied for 1st place in the district.

• Denise Burroughs was named CHS and Cullman Area Chamberof Commerce Secondary Teacher of the Year.

• Corey Burks was awarded Best Actor at the Alabama StateThespian competition.

• Michael Griffin was awarded 1st place in computer graphics inthe 5th District Art Competition.

• Madison Ayers won 1st place in computer graphics and DavidCraven won 1st place in ceramics and sculpture at the WallaceState Community College Juried Art Exhibition.

• The Fine Art Department performed Wizard of Oz Adventure.

• CHS was named an American Red Cross Hero forfundraising.

• CHS received the Chamber of CommerceBeautification Award.

• Conner Strickland received the Eagle Scout Awardand Daphne Krone was named a National MeritScholar.

• The new practice gymnasium and science buildings werecompleted and construction began on the new stadium and field.

• Cross-Country had 15 all-state runners. Kelsey Crawford and BrigKilgore each set new school records for the 5K.

• The CHS Football Team went undefeated in the regular season,and compiled a 3-year record of 36-5.

• The Baseball Team played into the second round of the stateplayoffs.

• The boys’ and girls’ Tennis Teams each placed 5th in the state.Hannah Cornelius was the #5 state singles champion, Clint Watsonwas the #4 state singles champion and Andrew Horn was the #2state single runner-up.

• The Track Team qualified 17 individuals for the state meet. TrackTeam member Michael Addison won the state the pole vault andBrig Kilgore was runner-up in the 2 mile.

• The girls’ Golf Team placed 2nd in the sectional tournament andthe boys’ Golf Team won the sectional tournament, were 2nd at sub-state and finished 3rd in the state tournament.

• Girls’ Soccer advanced to the 2nd round of the state playoffs andBoys’ Soccer advanced to the final four of the state playoffs.

• The Softball Team won the area regular season and tournament.

• Six students completed an ACCESS online course.

• CHS hosted the Mark Wood program Electrify Your Strings.

• Warren McGriff was appointed to the Air Force Academy.

• Jordan Johnson was selected as the Cullman County Fair Queen.

SheilaPhillips,Principal


Denise BurroughsCHS

CCS SecondaryTeacher of the Year

Kelly PinkardCCPS

CCS ElementaryTeacher of the Year Susan Nesmith

EES

Linda BeanCMS

Misti MurphyWES

2010 AverageACT Scores

No. Tested

CHS 173State 36,624

English

CHS 22.4State 20.4

Math

CHS 21.2State 19.5

Reading

CHS 22.2State 20.7

Science

CHS 21.7State 20.2

Composite

CHS 22.0State 20.3

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CCS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR!

Top Ten RankingStanford 102009-2010

State Average 56.921. Mt. Brook City 89.52. Vestavia Hills City 82.333. Cullman City 79.334. Arab City 78.175. Madison City 77.256. Homewood City 77.087. Auburn City 74.508. Muscle Shoals City 73.929. Trussville City 73.510. Guntersville City 72.92

AP ScoresClass Score 5 Score 4 Score 3 Score 2 Score 1 TotalCalculus AB 2 2English Lit/Comp 3 2 5English Lang/Comp 4 3 5 2 14US History 4 3 3 2 12Chemistry 1 1 4 2 3 11

Judy AllredLori AndrewsBill BagleyDavid BenefieldAmy BrownJohnny BurksJane Ann ChambersRita DeanSue FreemanKristi JacksonKeli Mickle

Anita MooreCindy PassEmily PriceCarin RainsPaige RaneySusan SappAngela StansberryJana ThrasherNatalie TielkingBama TurnerMary Yates

Alabama National BoardCertified Teachers

ADAW - Alabama DirectAssessment of Writing

5th Grade 90% 3rd in State7th Grade 92% 2nd in State10th Grade 92% 6th in State


East Elementary SchoolDavid Wiggins, Principal

Grades 2-6608 Fourth Avenue SE

256-734-2232Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School ofExcellence; CLAS Banner School;School Digger “Five Star” School;Alabama Reading Initiative - ARI;Alabama Math, Science andTechnology Initiative – AMSTI;

Academic Clubs; National Jr. BetaClub; Parent Teacher Organization;Fine Arts program; wi-fi school.

http://ees.cullmancats.net

Cullman City Primary SchoolTricia Culpepper, Principal

Head Start, Pre-K, Grades K-1900 Hoehn Drive256-775-0234

Alabama Reading Initiative - ARI;Positive Discipline; Head Start

(NAEYC and SACS accredited); wi-fischool; Music Program; AcceleratedReading; and Extended Day Program

http://ccps.cullmancats.net

Central Office301 1st Street NE

Cullman, Alabama 35055256-734-2233

Fax 256-737-9621Dr. Jan Irons Harris, Superintendent

Russell Raney, Chief SchoolFinance OfficerCoordinators:

Dr. Bridgette Chandler, Career TechAnita Overturf, Support Services

Alan Pass, TechnologySharon Windham, Federal Programs

Debbie Wright, Student Serviceshttp://www.cullmancats.net

Cullman Middle SchoolLane Hill, Principal

Grades 7-8800 Second Avenue NE

256-734-79591:1 Laptop Initiative; Middle School

Concept; Alabama Best Practices 21stCentury Schools Initiative; Smart

Technologies; wi-fi school; AlabamaMath, Science and TechnologyInitiative - AMSTI; Art & Music

Program; andHealth & Wellness PE Program

http://cms.cullmancats.net

West Elementary SchoolDr. Elton Bouldin, Principal

Grades 2-6303 Rosemont Avenue SW

256-734-4271U.S Dept. of Education Blue RibbonSchool; National Distinguished Title I

School; Council for Leaders ofAlabama Schools Banner School;School Digger “Four Star” School;

HEAL Demonstration School; AlabamaReading Initiative - ARI; Alabama BestPractices Professional Development;wi-fi school; National PTA Chapter;Academic Clubs & Teams; Fine Arts.

http://wes.cullmancats.net

Cullman High SchoolSheila Phillips, Principal

Grades 9-12510 Thirteenth Street NE

256-734-3923203 Graduates in 2010;

$4,611,400 in Scholarships Offered;Average ACT Score 22.0 (State avg.20.3); Advanced Placement Courses;

Science in Motion; SmartTechnologies; wi-fi school; ScholarsBowl and Math Teams; Performing

Arts & Band; and37 Athletic Teams

http://chs.cullmancats.net


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