Many would describe March as an interesting month. It's when winter fades to spring, clocks move forward, and the end of the school year inches closer. That said, March is most certainly not a time to slow down! If anything, we increase our momentum during the final weeks of a school year. I'm proud to announce that Alabaster City Schools is the first school system in Metro Birmingham to achieve District STEM Certification. This rigorous, third-party process required significant effort and research. Achieving STEM certification demonstrates a strong and effective focus on STEM education across ACS. I'm very proud of all involved. Also of note, March has been a time for ACT, ACAP, and spring sports. Showcases abound with regard to music and the arts. We've also recognized this year's Support Personnel winners, approved next year's calendar (also below), and made tremendous progress on our newest campus, the ACS Champions Craft Academy. With fewer than 50 school days left in this school year, we remain focused on our core mission. We look forward to even more great things across ACS as we head into April! Thank you, as always, for what you do. Your support of our mission means so much!

- Dr. L. Wayne Vickers, Superintendent

Alabaster City Schools has become the first school system in Metro Birmingham to achieve Cognia STEM Certification, highlighting the district’s ability to deliver high-quality STEM education system-wide. Cognia, one of the largest and most respected accrediting agencies in the world, awards this certification to institutions that demonstrate excellence in STEM innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students and teaching staff. Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers commissioned this process, which was led by Federal Programs Supervisor Mr. Brent Byars. ACS continually enhances STEM education to prepare students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. See more on Cognia STEM certification for schools.

The Alabaster Board of Education approved the 2025-2026 School Year calendar at its March meeting. Some key dates include:

• Warrior Day: August 1, 2025
• First Day of School: August 7, 2025
• Thanksgiving: November 24-28, 2025
• Christmas Break: December 19-31, 2025 & Jan. 1-2, 2026
• Start of Second Semester: January 6, 2026
• Spring Break: March 23-27, 2026
• Graduation: May 19, 2026
• Last Day of School Year: May 21, 2026

See the full calendar on the ACS website.

ACS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers has worked tirelessly to expand post-graduation opportunities for students. With college and military enrollment rising since the district's formation in 2013, Dr. Vickers expanded his focus to include workforce development. This was also a part of the district's strategic plan. For his leadership with the upcoming ACS Champions Craft Academy, DA Leadership Institute profiled Dr. Vickers to see how he's managed to support the 20% of Thompson graduates who forego college and military and go directly into the workforce. Read more on Dr. Vickers' work with the forthcoming ACS Champions Craft Academy.

Debby Homrich and Catherine Mohon have been named the Standing "O" Award winners for March. Homrich is a school registrar and Mohon is a physical education teacher, both at Creek View Elementary. To earn a Standing "O" Award, employees must go above and beyond in their service to their schools and the students they serve. ACS Human Resources manages the peer-nominated awards program, sponsored by America's First Federal Credit Union. Standing "O" Award winners each receive a $100.00 gift card.

ACS honored its 2024-2025 Support Personnel of the Year at the March 10th Board of Education meeting. Outstanding ACS employees were recognized across several categories: Support Person of the Year, Bus Driver of the Year, Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Person of the Year, and Counselor of the Year. Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers and the ACS Board of Education commended the honorees for their vital contributions to students. See a full list of winners by school and a photo gallery: 2024-2025 Support Personnel of the Year.

ACS is offering stakeholders a chance to comment on the Alabaster City Schools Code of Conduct. If you have any comments, concerns, or suggestions, we ask that you complete this Google Form no later than April 18, 2025. The Code of Conduct can be found on the ACS district website https://www.acsboe.org/

"Whether it’s in the classroom, on the playing field, or marching in the band, these 11 Thompson High School seniors are ready to slay the future" - reads the subheading of an article titled "Super Seniors" in this month's Alabaster Connection. The piece profiles eleven standout members of the Class of 2025, students who have made the most of their K12 experience and stand prepared for the next phase of their lives. Students share what they've enjoyed most about school and their plans post-ACS. Thompson High School will send 500+ graduates across the stage on May 20, 2025. See more on Alabaster Connection's "Super Seniors."

Guest readers turned out in full force this month across ACS for Read Across America Week, observed annually each March. The event, established by the NEA in 1997, puts extra focus on the importance of reading, encouraging schools, classrooms, and students to bring the art and science of reading alive through various expressions. In recent years, guest readers have become popular ways to celebrate Read Across America. In ACS, Board of Education members, the Mayor of Alabaster, parents, and other special guests read their favorite books to ACS students. See a photo/video gallery of this year's Read Across America Week.

The Thompson Middle School Majorettes had an outstanding 2024-2025 season, going undefeated and earning multiple championship titles. They kicked off the year with a dominant performance at the 2025 Winterfest Twirling Championships in Opelika on February 1, winning 1st place in both Junior High Dance Twirl and Junior High Halftime. Their success continued at the AAU Southeastern District Baton Twirling Competition in Huntsville on February 22, where they secured four 1st place wins in the Middle School Majorette Team and Novelty/Halftime Twirl Team categories, with individual members also earning multiple solo medals. The team capped off their season at the Alabama State Twirling Championships in Alabaster on March 8, sweeping 1st place in both the Middle School Majorette Team and Halftime Twirl Team categories, earning them the title of 2025 Middle School Alabama State Twirling Champions. Their remarkable season serves as a testament to their talent and focus. Congratulations to team members Rowan Carlton, Harper Scheller, Gracie Hogan, Olivia Mims, and Marley Amero on their incredible achievements!

The Thompson Middle School Silurian Strings Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Jordan Ford, was selected to perform at the Alabama State Capitol as part of the Capitol Tunes Series during the 2025 Legislative Session. This prestigious program serves as a collaborative effort of the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts, highlighting exceptional student musicians from public schools across the state. The Silurian Strings Orchestra, consisting of a select group of talented string musicians, delivered a 20-minute performance in the Capitol Rotunda, showcasing their musical excellence. See more on Capitol Tunes.

Thompson High School's Air Force JROTC returned from the JROTC State Leadership Conference in March with much success and two standout candidates, Lane Mitchell and Alexandra Acata. For more than a decade, THS cadets have held top leadership roles in the Alabama CTSO, consistently securing Air Force/Space Force State President or Vice President positions. This year, Cadet Mitchell was selected as Alabama Vice President for AY 2025-2026 after excelling in a rigorous two-step selection process. Cadet Acata also performed exceptionally, finishing in the top 16 among all service JROTC units and as one of the top two Air Force candidates. As a result, Cadet Mitchell will serve as Group Commander for Thompson's AL-932 Air Warriors, while Cadet Acata has earned a top leadership role within the Cadet Corps. Keith Long serves as Instructor of the Thompson High School AFJROTC. Learn more about the Alabama JROTC Program/State Leadership Conference.

• ACCESS Rewards Day: TMS celebrates student effort, academic growth
• THS wrestlers make national appearance
• TIS Talent Show
• Boosterthon raises $40K+

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