Mountain Brook BOE approves virtual education option, recognizes students and educators
The International Society for Technology in Education selected Mountain Brook City Schools as its 2016 Distinguished District, an honor Superintendent Dicky Barlow said he was “extremely proud of” during the Board of Education meeting on May 16.
“As many of you know, ISTE is a nonprofit serving educators and educational leaders committed to innovation in the use of technology in education," said Barlow in an address to the school system. “The organization creates standards for learning, teaching, and leading in the digital age, and represents more than 100,000 professionals worldwide.”
Across the globe, only one K-12 school district receives the annual award, said Barlow.
“This isn’t a regional or even national award,” he said. “It’s international recognition.”
Barlow will travel with other Mountain Brook Schools representatives to accept the award at ISTE’s June conference in Denver.
According to ISTE, the district is being recognized for “innovation and equitable and appropriate technology use for all students in a school system with the goal of increasing learning opportunities and improving achievement.” Among the school system’s accomplishments, ISTE recognized its work in conceptualizing and implementing e-Days, the recent TedX Youth programs, the technology bundle at the high school, and the Institute for Innovation. The Institute, funded by the Mountain Brook Schools Foundation, encourages district teachers to submit proposals for teaching and learning strategies based on creative uses of technology in the classroom.
“This prestigious award places a spotlight on our educators and how they continue to work every day to go beyond routine and complacency to bring quality and innovation to teaching and learning in their classrooms,” said Barlow. “We are excited and are grateful to everyone who had a part in this international recognition. Thank you for all you do to make Mountain Brook Schools a very special learning community.”
During its regular meeting, the BOE also voted to approve offering a virtual education option to its students. Virtual education will be available to students in grades 9-12 and includes all courses needed to obtain the Mountain Brook High School standard diploma.
The courses will be delivered through the Alabama State Department of Education’s ACCESS program and/or a district approved Learning Management System.
Students must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for participation:
- Enrolled in Mountain Brook City Schools and meet residency requirements as outlined in policy J-6.
- Access to an operational computer and internet connection.
- Compliance with the district’s Student Acceptable Use Agreement
- Meet school system and/or program enrollment requirements for the course in question including, but not limited to, successful completion of any prerequisite courses.
The BOE voted to approve the virtual education offering following a one-month public comment period on the matter. During that time, the board received no comments either in favor of or against said proposal.
During its recognition part of the meeting, Crestline Elementary Principal Laurie King thanked the community for its support of the school’s head custodian, Jerome Lewis. In May, Cintas Corporation honored Lewis as its 2016 nationwide Janitor of the Year following a slew of votes from Mountain Brook residents and supporters. Later in the month, King announced to the school that Lewis would no longer be able to return to the school due to his health.
“We love him and we miss him,” said King of Lewis. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
King then went on to congratulate reading coach Sandy Ritchey for her recent recognition as was Alabama’s alternate Elementary Teacher of the Year. Ritchey was among the “Final Four” candidates for 2016-17 Alabama Teacher of the Year, each of whom had biography videos shown to an audience at the awards ceremony at the top of the RSA Plaza in Montgomery during the recent Teacher of the Year announcement ceremony. Ritchey thanked the board and the community for its ongoing leadership and continued commitment.
“It’s an honor,” said Ritchey.
Others recognized at the monthly meeting included:
- Technology Director Donna Williamson for winning the Chiquita Marbury Award
- MBJH student Alex Washington for his participation in the 2016 Visual Arts Achievement Program State Art Contest
- The MBJH Boys Tennis team for its 2nd place finish in the Metro
- The MBJH Girls Tennis team for its Metro championship win
- National Merit Scholarship Winners Helen Darby, Angela Fu, Duncan Manley, III, Sara Chandler Mitchell and Eric Voight.
- MBHS student Sarah Chandler Mitchell for being named the 7A Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete The MBHS girls’ track team for its 2nd Place finish in State
- The MBHS boys’ basketball team for its past season.
The next Mountain Brook Board of Education meeting will be held June 13 in the Professional Learning Center. The school system will host a retirement tea for its 2016 retirees May 19 at 3:30 p.m. in MBJH Cafeteria. High school seniors will graduate May 26 at the Pete Hanna Center. The last day for students will be May 27.