Schools show appreciation for BOE members

Published 11:17 am Wednesday, January 18, 2017

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Students and administrators showed their gratitude for School Board Appreciation Month by showering the city’s Board of Education members with praise and donations to the city’s Education Foundation during a recent meeting.

“Your school system is only as good as the quality and leadership of our Board of Education,” Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said during a Jan. 12 meeting. “I’ve worked in education for 27 years now, and this is one of the finest groups of people I’ve been around. They’ve accomplished so much in a short period of time.”

Continuing an annual ACS tradition, administrators and students from each of the city’s schools took turns praising School Board members Adam Moseley, Ty Quarles, Linda Church, Derek Henderson and John Myrick.

“I would personally like to thank you for all you do, and for the impact you have in children’s lives,” said Creek View Elementary School Principal Charissa Cole, noting the school was making a donation to the Alabaster Education in their honor and presenting the board members with Lazy Boy BBQ gift cards. Two CVES students also read why they are thankful for the city’s school system.

Meadow View Elementary School also made a donation to the Education Foundation and donated a book to the school’s library on the board members’ behalf. The school donated “My Great Aunt Arizona” for Church, “Cool Basketball Facts” for Quarles, “The man with the Violin” for Myrick, “Green Eggs and Ham” for Moseley and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” for Henderson.

Thompson Intermediate School will provide breakfast at the School Board’s retreat, said TIS Principal Brent Byars.

“Our theme this year has been how can we make an impact on the students and the city,” Byars said. “I can think of no other group that has a bigger impact on our schools than you do.”

Thompson Sixth Grade Center Principal Dr. Daniel Steele thanked the board members for visiting the school on a regular basis.

“Every day I saw It’s a great day to be a Warrior. It’s never a great day to be a Warrior by accident,” Steele said. “You guys hire good folks and get out of the way, but not too far out of the way. I appreciate the support and encouragement you give us.”

Thompson Middle School students donated handmade key-shaped plaques to the board members.

“We also want to say thank you for all you do for us, and for our students,” TMS Principal Neely Woodley. “ACS holds the key to our success.”

Thompson High School students created a video thanking the board members and showed it during the meeting.

“There is no doubt that your support and engagement is essential to our success,” said THS Principal Dr. Wesley Hester. “I thank you personally, and I know our students and staff feel the same way.”