A Year to Remember

 

In the matter of days, 2021 will be in the books.  Wow.  It’s hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic has been with us for nearly two years.  This time last year, I’m sure I was not alone in hoping that the new year would see the end of that ordeal.  With high hopes, we entered into this year not knowing what to expect.  It was truly a year to remember.

 

After months of remote learning, Team Selma began in-person learning in late March.  Immediately, following our reopening, there was a school shooting at our beloved Selma High School.  Thankfully there were no injuries. 

 

We responded by partnering with our community and increasing our safety measures.  Further, we provided restorative practices, trauma-informed practices and mental health supports.  Additionally, we focused on a Summer of Restoration which included an amazing summer learning program where we served nearly a third of our scholars and families.

 

Despite our efforts, the school year was wrought with many fights at the high school and we dealt with the negative perceptions that naturally follow videos of school fights being posted on social media.  It was not a good look for Team Selma.  As always, we moved forward being solution-oriented and were able to turn things around by late October.

 

We persevered.  During the school year, we updated our Covid dashboard weekly, added air purifiers to all work and learning spaces, we cleaned, screened, monitored, tested and vaccinated.  We ended the semester with a Peace Day at Selma High where we encouraged our scholars to choose peace and to be safe while making smart choices during the holiday break. 

 

What I am most proud of is that we took time to take a step back and to learn from our challenges.  This learning led us to the relaunch of our strategic plan, A Framework for Excellence.  As we return to school in January, we will do so with updated goals, strategies and a new focus on Safety and Wellness.  Our scholars need and deserve layers of support along with rigorous, engaging learning experiences.  The new plan is designed to do just that.

 

This year was unbelievable.  We lost several cherished team members which was more difficult than I could have imagined.  We also received a number of accolades and recognitions.  We have announced new 2022-2023 Teachers of the Year and even received a resolution from the Alabama State Department of Education.  As a leader, I am grateful.  This was a year like no other and truly one to remember.

 

So, what’s next?  We will find out soon!  For now, I am looking forward to enjoying my family and using this holiday break as a time to reflect and refresh.  I pray that you are able to do the same.  Let’s make 2022 the best year ever!  This is my final Class Notes for 2021 and I will resume writing the second week of January.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.  Our Winter Break began on December 20.  Schools and offices will reopen on January 3 with scholars returning to school on the 5^th.  Be sure to check out our website and social media outlets for more Team Selma news.  We also invite you to join us in Doing Our Part Everyday. Stay safe and be DOPE!

 

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

Joyful Season

 

I know I am not alone in wondering where this year has gone.  It is so hard to wrap my brain around that it’s December.  Yet here we are!

 

This time of year can be hard for a number of reasons. My heart goes out to anyone who lost a loved one since the last holiday season.  The first year without those special to us is especially difficult and I encourage you to cherish the memories and focus on making new ones.  Loneliness and depression are real and should be acknowledged.  Go further than that and be sure to get the social, emotional or medical support that you need to be healthy.

 

Joyful is the way I describe this season.  I recently saw a meme that defined joy in an acrostic to mean Just One You.  Yes, there is just one you and being comfortable with that will help make this a truly joyful season.  I want to share two tips for you to think about that may be useful.

 

First, just one you means that you may have to say no.  Overcommitting is common this time of year between holiday gatherings, shopping, traveling and family obligations.  Decide on your priorities and stick to them.  This is easier when you are able to plan ahead.

 

Planning ahead or not, communication is the key.  If you have to say no, communicate it as promptly as possible and by a phone call rather than text or email.  Protect your peace while also maintaining a positive relationship.

 

Secondly, just one you means taking great care of yourself. This season may call for an extra dose of self-care.  Exercise, stay hydrated and get plenty of rest each night.  If you are able, treat yourself to some special me-time.  A massage or trip to the spa may not be in the cards but even a nap can feel rewarding in this season.

 

End this year healthy with a focus on your own wellness to include physical, emotional and spiritual health.  There is just one you.  You are important and you must treat yourself as such.

 

In other news, the holiday season is off to an amazing start in Selma.  Kudos to Mayor Perkins and the City of Selma for a weekend full of joy.  It was an incredible time to fellowship and welcome in this joyful season.

 

There were even opportunities to get the Covid-19 vaccine during the festivities.  Are you fully vaccinated?  If not, there are numerous opportunities in our community to learn more and to receive the vaccination which is the best tool that we have to diminish the impact that this virus has on the families in Selma and Dallas County. 

 

Also, keep in mind that the CDC announced that the three available vaccines are interchangeable for booster shots.  The CDC has also approved vaccines for children as young as five.  These are not mandated by schools but families are encouraged to do their research and make the decision that fits their family.  Seek medical advice from your doctor or a qualified professional. 

 

The pandemic is definitely not over but I am so grateful that circumstances have gotten much better. Each week, we monitor the Covid-19 data to include the vaccination rates in our state and positivity rates in our county.  We will continue to do so and keep the community informed of any changes that we must make.

 

Continue to check out our website and social media outlets for Team Selma news.  We also invite you to join us in Doing Our Part Everyday. Stay safe and be DOPE!

 

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

State of Our Schools

 

Each fall for the last three years, I have presented the State of our Schools (SoS) Address.  I am super excited to do so again this year.  Last year it was done via Zoom due to the pandemic and this year will be very similar as I will share the presentation through the Zoom platform and also stream on Facebook.

 

Regardless of the method, the purpose has not changed.  I will share highlights of the accomplishments of Team Selma over the last year and identify how we are moving forward.  Needless to say, the Covid-19 pandemic was a game changer.  Yes, our test scores were impacted by this and this was a national trend.  There were also impacts from a social, emotional and mental health standpoint.  Yet, we have some bright spots that we must celebrate.

 

One such bright spot is that our relaunched strategic plan was approved by our board of education last week. Stakeholders will see evidence of this in the SoS Address.  We look forward to highlighting our new strategic planning area, Safety and Wellness.  The goals and strategies within this area are sure to be beneficial to our scholars and families. 

 

I don’t want to give away all the details but do encourage you to check it out live or watch the recording later.  It will be aired on Thursday morning.  Feel free to share your feedback and let me know if there is an area that you are interested in volunteering to support.

 

In other news, as I have shared before, a couple of weeks ago I took my Covid-19 booster shot.  I was a little sore for a day or two but no other side effects.  With the holidays so close, I feel better protected which is why I also got my flu shot recently.

 

Are you fully vaccinated?  If not, there are numerous opportunities in our community to learn more and to receive the vaccination which is the best tool that we have to diminish the impact that this virus has on the families in Selma and Dallas County. 

 

Also, keep in mind that the CDC announced that the three available vaccines are interchangeable for booster shots.  The CDC has also approved vaccines for children as young as five.  These are not mandated by schools but families are encouraged to do their research and make the decision that fits their family.  Seek medical advice from your doctor or a qualified professional. 

 

The pandemic is definitely not over but I am so grateful that circumstances have gotten much better. Each week, we monitor the Covid-19 data to include the vaccination rates in our state and positivity rates in our county.  For the past few weeks, we have had few or no cases but we will update our data dashboard and provide a weekly summary as needed.  We will also continue to share any changes to our current practices.  Please reach out if you have questions or suggestions to improve our communication. 

 

Let me close by wishing you an early Happy Thanksgiving.  I love this time year!  This will be last article until the week of December 6 as I take some much needed holiday time to enjoy family and friends.  I hope you will do the same.  Please be reminded that Friday November 19 is a remote learning day for scholars and all schools and offices will be closed from November 22-26. 

 

Continue to check out our website and social media outlets for information on Covid testing, vaccination sites other Team Selma news.  We also invite you to join us in Doing Our Part Everyday. Stay safe and be DOPE!

 

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

Budget Hearing Time

 

Every September, the Team Selma finance team led by our Chief Schools Financial Officer Mrs. Grindal Harris, presents our comprehensive annual budget.  This year our two budget hearings will be held on September 2 and 7 and we welcome the public to join.  We meet at Selma High at 4:30 pm for the hearings.

These hearing are important.  They give a detailed overview of how we are spending our local, state and federal funds.  From sales taxes to teacher allocations, there are many layers to our general fund budget.  Mr. Rafael Simmons, our Director of Federal Programs and Strategic Planning will review how each of our federal title programs are being used to support teaching and learning, technology resources and professional development.

Budget hearings are set as part of a regular board meeting and the public has an opportunity to speak.  This is required along with other state guidelines.  For example, the total amount of resources that are available to the board must be shared.  Along with that, the projected numbers of teachers, guidance counselors, media specialists and other certified positions will be detailed.  Join us to be a part of the process.

As previously mentioned, we are relaunching our Framework for Excellence Strategic Plan this fall.  Project teams continue meeting to update our strategic plan in preparation for the relaunch later this fall.  Recently we began sharing accomplishments from the past three years of plan implementation.  This will continue until the plan is recommended for board approval.

We are excited to add a new area to our plan, Safety and Wellness.  The pandemic has reminded us that it is imperative to address holistic needs. This area will focus on self-care, wellness and even evaluating and positively impacting community trauma.  We are even exploring adding Yoga and new sports options.

On September 23, we will host a strategic planning summit to share our updated goals and direction publicly.  This will give the entire Selma community a chance to learn more about the plan and to provide feedback that will then inform the completion prior to the official relaunch of our Framework for Excellence.

Each week, we routinely monitor the Covid-19 data to include the vaccination rates in our state and positivity rates in our county.  Are you fully vaccinated?  If not, there are numerous opportunities in our community to learn more and to receive the vaccination which is the best tool that we have to diminish the impact that this virus has on the families in Selma and Dallas County.

We remain optimistic about resuming a sense of normalcy during this school year and to support this we encourage our scholars over the age of 12 and Team members get vaccinated. Check out our website and social media outlets for information on vaccination clinics and our detailed Return to Excellence Reopening Plan.  We also encourage you to join us in Doing Our Part Everyday. Stay safe and be DOPE!

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

Happy School Year!

 

Admittedly, graduation and the end of the school year are some of my favorite times of year.  The educator in me loves seeing the joy and pride on the faces of our scholars, families and teachers as well-earned diplomas, scholarships and awards are received.  It is truly a magical time.  The start of the school year also has its own special kind of magic, even as we look to begin school amid a pandemic.

No doubt, we are in for another year where terms like unprecedented, pivot, social distancing and face coverings will be included in our vocabulary.  Still, I cannot “mask” my excitement as we prepare for the upcoming year.  Last week, I shared our Team Selma Return to Excellence Reopening Plan in a press conference.  Please check out our social medial if you missed it.

Now, I want to express my gratitude to our principals and district leaders.  This summer was incredibly busy and jam-packed yet our team did not disappoint.  Getting ready for a new year is always challenging and doing so while also overseeing a robust summer learning program with over 800 scholars and navigating a pandemic was truly more than a notion.  Yet Team Selma did it.

I am beyond grateful for the teamwork displayed as we partnered with a number of local groups who continuously provide support to our scholars and families.  From the Selma Public Library and the YMCA to the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Wallace, we had all we needed and then some. 

As we prepare for the new year, I look forward to deepening our current partnerships and developing new ones.  Please join me wishing our scholars, teachers and leaders a Happy School Year!  May this be our best year ever!  Check out our website and look for more information soon if you are interested in being a part of our Adopt-A-School program.

In other news, as previously announced our first day of school is August 16^th.  Please note this change from August 9^th.  Our school supply lists and so much more are posted on our website under the Back to School tab.

My anticipation is mounting as our Framework for Excellence project teams continue meeting to update our strategic plan in preparation for the relaunch later this fall.  We are excited to add a new area to our plan, Safety and Wellness.  This area will have a focus on self-care, wellness and even addressing community trauma.  We are even exploring adding Yoga and new sports options.

To share more about our updated plan, we will host a strategic planning summit in September to share our updated goals and direction publicly.  This will give the entire Selma community a chance to learn more about the plan and to provide feedback that will then inform the completion prior to the official relaunch of our Framework for Excellence.

Each week, we routinely monitor the Covid-19 data to include the vaccination rates in our state and positivity rates in our county.  Are you fully vaccinated?  If not, there are numerous opportunities in our community to learn more and to receive the vaccination which is the best tool that we have to diminish the impact that this virus has on the families in Selma and Dallas County. We remain optimistic about resuming a sense of normalcy during our upcoming school year and to support this we encourage our scholars over the age of 12 and Team members get vaccinated. Check out our website and social media outlets for information on vaccination clinics and our detailed Return to Excellence Reopening Plan.  We also encourage you to join us in Doing Our Part Everyday. Stay safe and be DOPE!

 

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

Welcome Back Team Selma!

 In the coming weeks, we will welcome our new teachers and our returning Team members back to school.  Yes, it is really is that time already. I am so elated to start the new year and I look forward to supporting and welcoming our Team back.  Here are a few details that I shared with our Team earlier this week:

• Less is More - The first quarter of the school year will focus on relationships and re-acclimating to being back in school.  I have heard you.  Look for fewer district mandates, especially as it relates to learning plans and other paperwork.
• More is Also More - This refers to more opportunities to lead and to earn MORE money.  We are excited to use our American Rescue Funds to improve outcomes for our scholars, families and the Selma community and to provide much needed support for every Team member.  We will offer numerous ways to earn additional money and leadership experience.
• New Face of Teaching and Learning - I am SUPER excited to welcome Dyphelia Thrash and William Powell to their new roles as curriculum directors.  They will bring new voices to our work as we prepare our scholars for success!
• Talk to Me - Interested in being on my Advisory Team?  We will begin virtually and meet in-person as time moves on.  The goal is for every school/department to represented.  An interest form will be distributed next month, and I can't wait for you to talk to me!
• Safety and Wellness Matter - We are relaunching our strategic plan, A Framework for Excellence, and it will include a 5th area, Safety and Wellness.  This means that we will prioritize physical and emotional safety and overall health and wellness.  Yoga anyone?
• Remote Learning Days - Check out our school calendar for the next two years! You will notice that there is a monthly remote learning day.  This will give Team members an opportunity to work from home or attend PD without disrupting our work flow.  The pandemic taught us that we can accomplish so much by using technology and we will continue to flex this new learning!
• Celebrate Good Times - Come On! - Did anyone sing that? LOL! (It's a Kool and the Gang song for you youngsters - CLICK HERE and enJOY).  Our Aim for Excellence Awards will be extended and enhanced this year as we strive to celebrate the excellence that exists in all of classrooms and departments.  You are appreciated and we will make sure that you know!

This is just a snapshot of what our Team can expect.  I look forward to supporting and celebrating as we open school for our scholars on Monday August 9^th.

In other news, this month our Framework for Excellence project teams will continue meeting to update our strategic plan in preparation for the relaunch later this fall.  We are excited to add a new area to our plan, Safety and Wellness.  I will share more about this and the rest of our plan in future articles. 

As part of our efforts, we will host a strategic planning summit in September to share our updated goals and direction publicly.  This will give the entire Selma community a chance to learn more about the plan and to provide feedback that will then inform the completion prior to the official relaunch of our Framework for Excellence.

Unfortunately, we are seeing our Covid-19 numbers climb and our county is “in the RED”. We remain optimistic about resuming a sense of normalcy during our upcoming school year and to support this we encourage our scholars and Team members get vaccinated. Check out our website and social media outlets for information on vaccination clinics.  We encourage you to join us in Doing Our Part Everyday. Stay safe and be DOPE!

 

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

Reopening Schools Safely

 Recently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) gave guidance to reopening schools safely.  This guidance was intended to complement previous toolkits and resources that have been provided.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will share information from the CDC as well as Team Selma’s plan to Return to Excellence by reopening our schools safely.

As I reviewed the new guidelines from the CDC, I feel a true sense of optimism.  I appreciate that part of the guidance focuses on health equity.  Team Selma’s scholars are predominantly Black and we live in a high poverty community.  Communities like Selma, have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  The CDC encourages that this be a consideration in reopening safely and we are committed to doing so.

Right now we know that our scholars need face-to-face learning and engagement.  Of particular concern is the social and emotional well-being and their overall health especially if they are not getting our grab and go meals.

Operating schools safely requires that we pay close attention to the CDC’s Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools. Regardless of community spread, there are five mitigations recommended.  They are 1) Universal and correct use of masks; 2) Physical distancing; 3) Handwashing and respiratory etiquette; 4) Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities; and 5) Contact tracing.  This article will address the first two.

Wearing face coverings, masks, and doing so properly has been emphasized by the CDC, the Alabama Department of Public Health and local leaders for months.  Team Selma will provide every team member and all scholars with masks.  We will also ensure that mouths and noses are covered.  Desks have plexi-glass barriers will be used that may allow for some mask breaks.

Covid-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets.  This can occur from coughing, sneezing, singing and even talking. According to the CDC, “these droplets can cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth”. Wearing masks properly helps to mitigate this spread.

Secondly, physical distancing is recommended.  Physical or social distancing means spacing individuals out by at least six feet.  Podding and cohorting scholars are suggested strategies to help with physical distancing.  Team Selma is committed to this and will communicate specifics to families as we move forward.

Let me close by reminding everyone that we must continue to Do Our Part Everyday.  Join our DOPE campaign and let’s stop the spread of Covid-19.  Thanks so much to the dedicated professionals of Vaughn Regional Medical Center, Rural Health, Wallace Community College of Selma, the City of Selma, our own nursing staff and all others who are supporting vaccination clinics. 

I received my first shot two weeks ago at Bloch Park and it was a smooth, organized process.  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel but must remain vigilant in the meantime by continuing to follow CDC guidelines.  Stay safe and be DOPE!

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

From Intervention to Performance Excellence: The Journey Continues

 

Two years ago, Selma City Schools was awarded the Pathway to Performance Excellence Award as part of the Alabama Performance Excellence Program.  Then last year, we received the Tier I Performance Excellence Award.  Now, we were recently notified that Team Selma is a Tier II award recipient. 

For the initial Pathway Award, we needed to show a true commitment to embark on the excellence journey.  This included having a strategic plan and an organizational structure deemed conducive to continuous improvement.

The Tier I Commitment to Performance Excellence Award required more.  At this point we had to demonstrate that we were embedding performance excellence concepts and principles into our work.  This includes having a systems perspective, valuing people and visionary leadership.  Our submission included detailed descriptions of our implementation of our strategic plan and numerous examples of how we engage stakeholders and measure success.

Team Selma is now at the Tier II Progress Towards Performance Excellence Award level.  For this recognition, organizations must demonstrate a sustained commitment to the concepts and principles of performance excellence. A detailed process, this applying for this award allowed our team to dig deep as we examined our practices, reviewed data and considered ways to improve.

We were honored to receive each of these prestigious recognitions.  Team Selma has much work to do but we will always embrace an opportunity to celebrate our successes along the way.  We are moving in the right direction.  Being selected for Performance Excellence awards is confirmation of that.

Our journey to excellence is about continuous improvement.  That means that we are strategic and intentional in our work.  A Framework for Excellence is our strategic plan that guides this work. Though we had to pivot due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are more focused than ever to improve outcomes for scholars, their families and the Selma community.

 In the coming weeks we will continue updating our strategic plan based on the feedback received from the Alabama Performance Excellence team.  Though we were commended for our efforts, we were also supplied with some key information that helps us identify gaps and opportunities.  That’s what the journey towards excellence is all about.  Check out www.alabamaexcellence.org for more information.

If you know any teachers, leaders or staff within the Selma City Schools, please give them a virtual high five or air hug and a word of encouragement.  Our journey to excellence is only possible because of the dedicated people that make up Team Selma!

Let me close by reminding everyone that we must continue to Do Our Part Everyday.  Join our DOPE campaign and let’s stop the spread of Covid-19.  Thanks so much to the dedicated professionals of Vaughn Regional Medical Center, Rural Health, Wallace Community College of Selma, the City of Selma, our own nursing staff and all others who are supporting vaccination clinics. 

I received my first shot last week at Bloch Park and it was a smooth, organized process.  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel but must remain vigilant in the meantime by continuing to follow CDC guidelines.  Stay safe and be DOPE!

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

Attendance STILL Matters

 

At the start of each school year, I make a plea with our scholars and families to please attend school daily and on time.  In fact, the entire month of September is dedicated to supporting efforts to improve students’ attendance and to reduce chronic absenteeism.  Today, I want you to know that even in February, attendance still matters.

This week many schools are celebrating the 100^th day of school.  In each of our Team Selma schools we have numerous scholars who have attained the great honor and distinction of Perfect Attendance.  That is worth celebrating! 

At the other end of the spectrum, unfortunately, there are far too many young people who have already missed more 10 days.  These scholars are well on their way to being chronically absent.  This means that they have missed 10% of the days that they are required to be in school for any reason.  Yes, even excused absences contribute to chronic absenteeism.  So if we are at the 100^th day, then missing 10 days at this point is a major warning sign.

Why does this matter?  Over the long term, missing too much school has a direct correlation to increased rate of high school dropout, adverse health outcomes and poverty in adulthood.  Furthermore, studies show that chronic absenteeism leads to an increased possibility of engaging with the criminal justice system.  It matters

This is such a serious and concerning matter, that states are now required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to report and measure chronic absenteeism just as we do reading and math data.  Attendance matters.

Did you know that when scholars miss school, it impacts not only them but their peers as well?  It is true.  Peers of absent scholars demonstrated negative achievement outcomes in a recent study.  This is seen more markedly in the elementary grades when learning foundational skills are so vital.  It matters.

Team Selma is committed to finding solutions to support our scholars.  If attendance is a problem, we want to know why and how we can help.  Even while learning remotely, or perhaps especially while learning remotely, we need our scholars in class, on time every day.  Attendance matters.

In the coming weeks, look to learn about our efforts to support and provide advocacy for our scholars.  We are committed ensuring that we offer a high quality, equitable education to all of our babies.  Yes, attendance still matters.  Families, please help us by ensuring that your child or children are present and accounted for in each class and every day.  It matters.

In other news, Selma City Schools will remain remote due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Our teachers and staff member are now eligible for the vaccine and many are getting the first round this week.  Families are encouraged to stay in touch with child’s their school for the best information. 

Additional updates will be provided moving forward as we continue to review data and seek guidance from experts.  For now, please continue to engage in our “Doing Our Part Everyday” campaign.  Let’s slow the spread of Covid-19.  Stay safe and be DOPE.

For more information, please reach out to me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org.

Thank You School Board Members!

 Each year, educators across the nation pause in January to recognize the contribution that boards of education make to our communities.  Team Selma is elated to do so as well. 

School board members exemplify local citizen control and decision-making in education. They volunteer hundreds of hours and an immeasurable amount of energy to assure that our schools are providing the best education possible for the children of our community. Here are some reasons we are taking this opportunity to show them our appreciation during School Board Recognition Month in January.

School board members are citizens whose decisions affect our schoolchildren — what they learn, who will teach them and what kinds of facilities house their classrooms. These are men and women elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for our public schools. They represent you, and they take this responsibility seriously by attending lengthy — sometimes challenging — meetings, conferences and institutes where they broaden their knowledge about education.

Team Selma is blessed to have five amazing elected board members.  Do you know them?

Johnny “Skip” Moss III is our board chair and he is the man.  I mean, literally he is the only man on the board!  His leadership, steadfast demeanor and unwavering desire to see our schools improve make him an ideal board chair.  Moreover, he is a native of Selma and also a father of children in our district.

Danielle Wooten is our District 1 representative and also the vice chair of our board.  She is smart, innovative and has technology super powers.  Like Mr. Moss, she is a parent of school-aged children.  Her three incredible scholars are attending Selma City Schools.

Brenda Randolph-Obomanu represents the communities in District 2.  As our veteran board member she brings years of experience and the expertise of a retired educator.  Also a native Selmian, Mrs. O. consistently pushes us to ensure that we are giving our best to ALL scholars.

District 3 is represented by Phyllis Houser.  Her calm yet thoughtful disposition is a true asset to our board.  She poses tough questions and always provides a listening hear when she receives questions or concerns from constituents within the community.

Finally, District 4 is represented by Dr. Tanya Miles.  We are fortunate to have this smart, professional educator on our board.  I have learned so much from her and appreciate the leadership and support that she provides to our board and to our team.

Too often we neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of the men and women who represent us. The staff and scholars of Team Selma are asking all local citizens to take a moment to tell a school board member “thanks for caring about our children’s education.” They are helping us launch our scholars to excellence.

In other news, Selma City Schools will remain remote due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Additional updates will be provided moving forward as we continue to review data and seek guidance from experts.  For now, please continue to engage in our “Doing Our Part Everyday” campaign.  Let’s slow the spread of Covid-19.  Stay safe and be DOPE.

For more information, please reach out to me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org