By Hannah Curran, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools Board of Education announced at the monthly meeting Monday, February 28, that TCS is no longer recommending masks in school after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new “relaxed indoor masking guidelines.”
“I have a COVID update every month, but none are as exciting as this one,” Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill said. “Last week, our number was three, and numbers all over the state are going down. Friday afternoon at three o’clock the CDC relaxed mask recommendations for indoors.”
TCS also announced the change “In the Loop.”
For the first time in more than 600 days, the CDC has relaxed indoor masking guidelines. CDC is no longer recommending indoor masking for nearly 70 percent of Americans. As of Tuesday, March 1, 2022, Trussville City Schools, faculty, staff, and students will not be asked to mask indoors unless they meet one of the four exceptions listed in the new guidelines.
- Those with COVID symptoms;
- Those who have tested positive for COVID;
- Those who have been exposed to a COVID-positive person; and
- Those who feel more comfortable being masked.
It is important to note that masks will remain a requirement on school buses until March 18, 2022. Students on school buses and bus drivers are asked to wear a mask until March 18, 2022.
To see current COVID-19 transmission rates in Alabama counties, please visit the ADPH COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.
“If someone wants to remain masked, for example, kindergarteners associated masks with schools, and they might be most comfortable leaving your mask on for a while and they’ve never come to school without a mask,” Neill said. “Some first graders are the same way. So I want us to think transition, it might not happen for everybody. Everybody who is comfortable taking off their mask they can, and for those who want to remain masked they can as well and unmasked when they’re comfortable as long as they don’t have any of the other symptoms.”
Neill also said that the relaxed mandate “means take off your mask for now if we have to do it again we can do masks again.”
TCS BOE also recognized several teachers and students in TCS for their accomplishments.
“Teachers that acquire the certification must exhibit a deep understanding of their students, their content, knowledge, their use of data, their use of assessments and teaching practice, they must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide ongoing evidence of learning and reflection,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Berry said.
TCS congratulated the National Board Teachers: Amanda Adams, Tamekla Beverly, Rachel Brockman, Scott Burnett, Cynthia Burns, Heather Cates, Ronda Chrisenberry, Ben Cook, Scott Cooper, Bethanne Crawford, Krista DeMent, Angela Shorter, Katy Hogan, Lisa Lothspeich, Heather Matos, Jennifer McLaughlin, Penny Moore, Rachel Poovey, Jamie O’Brien, Lesley Rogers, and Shayna Swann.
TCS congratulated the Hewitt-Trussville Middle School (HTMS) Metro Wrestling Champions:
- 7th Grade – Eli Abney, Jeffrey Barnes, Drew Borden, Karter Burke, Matthew Dobbins, Austin Drott, Micah Fantroy, Hayden Fulmer, Ari Gober, Camden Hanks, James Harris, Judson Howard, Brady Hulwi, Jaxon Ingram, Tate Jones, Parker Krayer, Zac Leslie, Ethan McDaniel, Eli Ray, Lucas Reeser, Archer Warren, and Zachary Young.
- 8th Grade – Delvecchio “Deuce” Alston, Tyler Bailey, Gavin Bittle, Preston Bozeman, Reagan Brewer, Trip Cole, Ryder Gray, Sam Greene, lan Hodgin, Cody Hutchens, Zane Jones, Austin Lewallen, Nathan Mabry, Josh Moore, Nathan Mullinax, Cooper Pelham, Braxton Reaves, Brady Ryan, Braden Smith, and Kaden Turman.
“I just want to say how proud I am of all of you, coaches,” HTMS Principal, Jennifer Abney said. “Thank you for all the hard work you put in with these young men. Thank y’all for representing yourselves and your school and your parents in such a positive way. So congratulations, super proud of y’all.”
Matt Ryan was named the Middle School Wrestling Coach of the Year.
TCS congratulated the Hewitt-Trussville High School Girls Indoor Track & Field Team as State Runner Up. Athletes Representing the Team are Brianna Beckham, Avery Cahoon, Madisyn Hawkins, Tori Mack, Haley Melton, and Maci Mills. Indoor Track & Field Coaches are Head Coach Tom Esslinger, Jean Cherizol, Jamey Curley, Mike Deibert, Rachel Higginbotham, April Howell, and Matthew Michalke.
“Thank you for having us, we always appreciate it,” Head Boys and Girls Track and Field Coach, Tom Esslinger said. “I always say it starts from the top up and from the board level down to the high school to the athletic department. We just appreciate everything from the community and the support.”
In other matters, the Board approved:
- Approve Accounts Payable for: January 2022
- Approve Payroll for: January 2022
- Approve Financials: January 2022
- Approve Work Session Record and Board Minutes for January 18, 2022 and Work Session Record and Board Minutes January 27, 2022
- Approve the 2022-23 Student Code of Conduct
- Approve the revised 2022-23 TCS School Calendar
- Approve the following Contribution Lists for 2022-23 school year:
- Cahaba Elementary School, Magnolia Elementary Schooland Paine Elementary School
- Approve the UNA LEAD Initiative Program with scholarships
- Approve the following Umpire Association Contract for Services:
- Central Alabama Softball Umpire Contract for Services
- Greater Birmingham Soccer Officials Association Contract
- Approve contract with catering company for the Hewitt-Trussville High School Prom
- Approve the following field trips:
- HTHS Band to Lebanon, TN
- Revised HTMS/HTHS Theater to New York
- Revised HTMS Cheer
- HTMS Band Student to Mobile, AL
- HHS Girls Basketball to Jacksonville State University
- Revised HTHS Wrestling to Huntsville for State Championship
- Approve the following Facility Usage Agreements:
- Culinary – NASA Competition for Culinary Room
- Approve renewal of Bid 21-01 for Cleaning Services and summer Floor Strip and Wax for TCS Bus Barn
- Approve Change Order Requests: 20-17-30, 20-17-32, and 20-27-29
- Approved an Engagement Agreement with Markstein
- Approve contract with Bandwagon LLC
- Approve Central Office moving quote
- Approve a service agreement for contract testing services
- Approve EDF 02-28-22-01 through 02-28-22-22
- Approve the following technology agreements/contracts:
- Dell 4 year laptop refresh for Magnolia Elementary and Cahaba Elementary Schools
- Cognia Solutions PD software/license
- Approve Board Policy 4.03 calculated tuition for the 2022 – 2023 school year
- Approve rental agreement for Mamma Mia Costume package for HTHS
- Approval of Superintendent recommendations regarding changes in personnel, contracts, extra services, and supplements
- Approve the employment of a bus driver for Trussville City Schools effective February 28, 2022, according to TCS Salary Schedule Step 1 with reconsideration of step upon receipt of qualifying employer verification forms.
The March Monthly Board Meeting will be Monday, March 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Central Office. There will be a Work Session held at 5:00 p.m. before the Board Meeting. The Board Meeting and the Work Session will be live-streamed. A link will be posted on the TCS website at 4:45 p.m. on March 14, 2022.