By Emily Williams Hundreds of parents and students gathered Sept. 30 at what will become Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge for the school’s grand opening – a year early. The building now is home to Jefferson County’s Gresham Elementary School. After renovations, it will open as a Vestavia Hills elementary school in August 2019. During last month’s introductory event, … [Read more...]
Top Teacher: Award-Winning Biology Teacher Aims to Make Students Think
By Ingrid Schnader When Vestavia Hills High School biology teacher Mary Busbee got off a plane this past summer, she couldn’t believe the notification that popped up on her phone. She had been in Missouri grading AP biology exams. Before the trip, she had been nominated for the 2018 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Alabama. She didn’t think she would win though; she had … [Read more...]
Recognized for Reading: Over the Mountain Schools Awarded Grants for Reading Improvement
By Ingrid Schnader Five Over the Mountain schools are among 50 schools in the state recognized for showing the most improvement in third-grade reading performance. The Alabama State Department of Education announced on Aug. 21 the 50 schools that showed the most improvement in third-grade reading performance in the state. Three of these schools are part of the Hoover City … [Read more...]
Manhattan Melodies: Homewood Band Gears up for 40th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Performance
By Ingrid Schnader At 412 members, the largest band in Alabama calls an Over the Mountain community home. It’s the most-seen high school band in the South, and it has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more than any other high school band in the country — the Homewood Patriot Band. Band director Ron Pence is gearing up for the band’s ninth performance at the … [Read more...]
Taking the Con: MBJH’s Battle and Lauterbach Earn National Speech and Debate Title
By Emily Williams Carrying on Mountain Brook Schools’ legacy of strong speech and debate participants, two students from Mountain Brook Junior High made their presence known at the National Speech and Debate Middle School Tournament. Rising ninth-graders Jane Grey Battle and Claire Lauterbach won the national championship in public forum debate. They were the only team from … [Read more...]