PelhamCity Schools

A MESSAGE FROM DR. LEDBETTER
Mornings are cooler, shadows are longer and leaves will soon turn. Fall is here and the school year is now in full swing! It has been a great start to the school year as we get back to the first normal school routine since we were introduced to COVID-19. Pelham City Schools has great students, parents, educators and community support. It shows every day in the quality of education that we see in our classrooms, athletic programs and arts engagement by our students. Pelham is a community that believes in and invests in creating a high quality of life, and Pelham City Schools is committed to that ideal by offering the best academics, arts and athletics opportunities to inspire our students as we empower them to achieve greatness in their areas of interest.

As fall arrives we are well into the athletic season with cheerleading, cross country, football, volleyball and band all in full swing. Our students are excelling in all these areas. I encourage you to come and see them and watch as they grow as participants, competitors and people as their seasons progress.

It is a joy to walk through our schools and see the teaching and learning that is taking place every day! Pelham City Schools has earned its reputation as one of the best school systems in Alabama, and we are committed to improving on that in everything we do. We invite you to take part in the experiences and opportunities that shape the Pelham family and contribute to our success!

Go Panthers!  Inspire. Empower. Achieve.  #thePelhamWay
Chuck Ledbetter, Ed.D.

INTERQUEST DETECTION CANINES SET TO VISIT SCHOOLS
Students in middle school and high school attended assemblies in August to introduce them to a new safety initiative in Pelham City Schools. The program provides trained dogs led by certified handlers who can find and identify substances that are of concern to the school environment such as illicit drugs, medications, alcohol, gunpowder and firearms.
Zeus, a specially trained Interquest Detection Canine and his handler visited with students at the assemblies to explain and demonstrate the program which conducts monthly, unannounced inspections on the campuses of Pelham High School and Pelham Park Middle School. If any items are detected and found, school administrators, along with SROs will take appropriate actions.
The program was not initiated in response to issues or concerns about illegal items on campuses. Instead, it serves as a preventive measure so that students will not bring illegal and/or prohibited items to campus. This proactive approach adds another level of protection in our commitment to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff. 

BOE APPROVES 2022-2023 BUDGET
On September 13, the Board of Education passed a $51 million dollar budget for fiscal year 2023. At the end of the 2022 fiscal year (September 30), the system will have about $9.3 million in reserves, which equates to about 2.6 months of operating expenses, well above the one month of reserves recommended by the Alabama State Department of Education.
The budget consists of funding from federal (6%), state (45%) & local sources (49%). The allocation of money is aligned to the system’s strategic plan which focuses on school safety, great educators, extracurricular, facilities, planning, curriculum, technology, staffing and community support.
For more information about the budget, view recordings of the budget hearings on September 6 and 13 where Chief School Financial Officer Sarita Price explained the budget in detail.

TIPS FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS PLANS AND MANAGING ANXIETY
Pelham City Schools’ Mental Health Support Services team is working to promote positive mental health among students and staff. Check out the September newsletter, PAWS for Mental Health Awareness, for tips and resources that will help students stay on track for a successful school year, along with information about managing anxiety and more.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - STAY CONNECTED, KEEP LEARNING!
Remember - absences add up! Missing just two days a month means that a student misses 10% of the school year! “Every day that a student is not in school is a day this child misses important opportunities to gain experience, achieve and grow,” says Dr. Kay Atchison Warfield, Alabama State Department of Education Prevention and Support Services Administrator.
Schools have the potential to support students’ positive mental health development by helping students engage in school activities, develop connections with teachers and other students and use appropriate critical thinking skills, but chronic absenteeism places students at greater academic risk. Help your students stay connected and keep learning by making school attendance a priority!

WE'RE SEEKING YOUR INPUT ON OUR STAKEHOLDER SURVEYS
We’re seeking your perspective in an effort to identify opportunities and continuously improve our schools. Be on the lookout for an email the week of September 26 with a link to complete a stakeholder survey. The survey will only take a few minutes of your time, and your input will provide valuable data to help guide the plans and direction for our school system.

EVENTS
Panther Pulse
Tuesdays at 6 PM at Zapata Mexican Restaurant
Weekly live radio show featuring Pelham football highlights along with appearances by players, coaches and students representing a variety of activities. If you can't be there live, tune in on 93.3 FM The River. 

City of Pelham Job Fair
September 27
10 AM - 2 PM at Pelham Recreation Center
Details here. 

City of Pelham Girls and Boys Youth Basketball Registration (3rd-6th grade)
Now through October 10
Register here. 

City of Pelham Youth Wrestling Registration (1st-6th grade)
Now through October 10
Register here.

National Night Out
Tuesday, October 4 
6-8 PM at Pelham City Park
Get to know the City of Pelham's first responders at this free, family-friendly event including a hot dog dinner for attendees.
Details here. 

System Parenting Day
Friday, October 7
No school for students. Parents are invited to connect with teachers for conferences and updates on student progress. Look for information from your student’s school about how to set up time for a conference. 

eLearning Day
Monday, October 10 
No school for students. Please monitor information from your student’s teachers and school about required assignments to complete on eLearning day. 

Health Heroes Flu Vaccination Clinic
Friday, October 14 at all schools
Completely voluntary opportunity offered to all consented students at no cost. Consent forms must be completed and returned to schools by October 6. Details here. 

City of Pelham Music In The Park
Sundays, Oct 9, 16, 23 & 30 
4:30-6 PM at Pelham City Park
Details here. 

Pelham Homecoming Week
October 24-28
In our continued effort to make Pelham Homecoming a celebration of community and all of our schools, we are planning several events for homecoming week. More details coming soon!

Panther Prowl Parade & Community Pep Rally 
Wednesday, October 26
The parade will begin at 5:30 PM (On Bearden Road from Pelham High School to Pelham City Park), and the Community Pep Rally will take place at 6:30 PM at the Youth Football Field at Pelham City Park). More details coming soon!

FOOTBALL ON THE HILL
Help us pack the stands with Panther fans at our football games on the hill! Click here for everything you need to know about ticket purchase options, parking, stadium info and more.

SCHOOL CALENDAR
Click here to view the Pelham City Schools 2022-2023 School Calendar. 

CONNECT WITH US
Explore our website for information and resources about our schools and school system. Each school also has its own website that can be accessed by clicking the "Select a School" tab at the top of the page. 

News, events, and other important information are also posted on our social media accounts. Like @PelhamCitySchoolsAL on Facebook and follow @PelhamSchools on Twitter and pelham_city_schools on Instagram to connect with us. For sports news, team schedules, and more, visit PelhamHighAthletics.com.