TCS WENT BLUE FOR LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL! Yesterday, Tuscaloosa City Schools joined communities across the nation in celebrating Lights On Afterschool, shining a spotlight on the incredible opportunities afterschool programs provide for students and families! From students and staff wearing blue to local landmarks glowing blue and yellow, our community came together to celebrate the importance of afterschool programs and expanded learning opportunities. 📷📷 A special thank-you to the @tuscaloosacity for helping illuminate City Hall, the Intermodal Facility downtown and the fountain at Alberta Park in recognition of this important celebration! We’re proud of our 21st CCLC programs, dedicated staff, supportive families and community partners who help our students learn, grow and thrive long after the school day ends. The learning doesn’t stop at the bell—and neither does the impact! #LightsOnAfterschool #21stCCLC #afterschoolmatters #AMAZINGtotheCORE @afterschool4all @MikeDaria @LBlevins_ @mjshields @tidecam @GilesVertis @ESPNupe @JayDuke49456304 @TerriCeleste1 @MathNEWelS

🧁👏 Sweet Skills on Display! 👏🧁 Shoutout to our @TCTATuscaloosa (TCTA) Culinary Arts program for showing off their incredible culinary talents at the @westalworks Worlds of Work at @sheltonstate! These students whipped up delicious mini cupcakes that were as impressive as they were sweet! 🧁✨ We love seeing our students put their skills into action, showcase their creativity and bring their learning to life. The future is looking—and tasting—pretty sweet! 💙❤️ #TCTA #CulinaryArts #CareerTech #StudentSuccess #TCSStrong #AMAZINGtotheCORE @MikeDaria @mikey_tolliver @ESPNupe @BranchJetta @bamaEMW @GRANTE1 @MarvinLLucas @AngieFMorrison @AlabamaAchieves @NickieFost89512

🛠️🚀 Exploring Careers. Discovering Possibilities. Building Futures! 🚀🛠️ TCS students got hands-on with exciting career opportunities at @westalworks Worlds of Work at @sheltonstate! From exploring different career paths to discovering new interests, students had the chance to see what their futures could hold. Experiences like these play an important role in helping students connect their interests and skills to potential careers, opening their eyes to possibilities they may not have considered before. One hands-on experience could be the spark that jump-starts a future career! 💡👏 We’re proud to help our students explore their options, discover their passions and take steps toward a bright future! #WorldsOfWork #CareerExploration #FutureReady #StudentSuccess #TCSStrong #AMAZINGtotheCORE @MikeDaria @AlabamaAchieves @bamaEMW @ESPNupe @AngieFMorrison @MathNEWelS @GilesVertis @IngridE22348513 @NickieFost89512

Spotlight on Families: Adrian & Fletcher Wilder Oakdale Elementary School 💙 Celebrating Families Who Make a Difference! 💙 Tuscaloosa City Schools is proud to celebrate Adrian and Fletcher Wilder as part of our Spotlight on Families recognition. Their continued presence, involvement and partnership at @oakdaleelement are a wonderful example of the difference an engaged family can make. The Wilders are consistently present in the Oakdale community—attending parent meetings, supporting school events and volunteering whenever they are needed. But their impact goes beyond simply showing up. They have made a commitment to being active partners in their children’s school experience and to helping Oakdale be a place where students, families and staff can thrive. Their involvement reflects something we value deeply at TCS: when families feel connected to their school and choose to be active partners in their children’s education, everyone benefits. Strong family-school relationships help build trust, strengthen school communities and create an environment where students can feel supported and successful. We are proud to recognize the Wilders for the difference they make at Oakdale and for demonstrating what meaningful family engagement looks like. Their partnership is a reminder that families are not just part of our schools—they are an essential part of what makes our schools strong. 🌟 Thank you, Adrian and Fletcher Wilder, for choosing to be part of the Oakdale family and for helping make a difference! @MikeDaria @tidecam @ESPNupe @GilesVertis @LBlevins_ @GRANTE1 @bamaEMW @AlabamaAchieves @KieraSEzell @DeniseArringt19 @tuscaloosacity @WaltMaddox @TerriCeleste1 @TuscaloosaEduc1 @RepTerriSewell @LesleyP3838 @sheltonstate @downwithautism @tvcrews7 @missgoggins @MrsAndersonTCS @RobinH1228 @MathNEWelS #SpotlightOnFamilies #OakdaleStrong #FamilyEngagement #FamilySchoolPartnership #TCSStrong #AMAZINGtotheCORE

Celebrating the Teams Behind the Scenes! As we close out the month of September, today, we’re giving a BIG shout-out to two incredible TCS teams who work behind the scenes every day to keep our district connected, supported and moving forward—our Information Technology, and Human Resources teams! From keeping our technology running smoothly and our systems secure to recruiting new team members, supporting employees and managing the many important processes that help our district operate, these dedicated professionals make a difference across TCS every single day. Much of their work may happen behind the scenes, but their impact is felt throughout our entire district. We are grateful for their expertise, dedication and commitment to the people who make TCS AMAZING! Thank you, IT and HR, for all that you do! @MikeDaria @tidecam @scottpmn @LBlevins_ @chrisjenks @bamaEMW @GRANTE1 #ITProfessionalsDay #HRProfessionalsDay #TCSStrong #AMAZINGtotheCORE #ThankYou #TeamTCS

Turning the business community into a classroom! A new CEO entrepreneurship class at @TCTATuscaloosa is giving 13 students from @GoCHSFalcons, @nhs_jaguars and @BryantStampede, a firsthand look at what it takes to turn an idea into a business—and ultimately start, operate and grow a company. Throughout the year, students will visit about 40 local businesses and learn from about 40 guest speakers. This week, they went behind the scenes at Krispy Kreme Tuscaloosa, Al to hear directly from owner Evan Smith. In the spring, students will take what they've learned and develop their own business plans before showcasing their ideas to the community. As Tuscaloosa AL CEO facilitator Lauren Jamison puts it, “It is career day every day for these children.” To read the full article, visit: tinyurl.com/ytnd86zv @MikeDaria @tidecam @ESPNupe @DrJWilliams1 @ericfhines @Uah055 @MarkhamTCS @kknorstrom @krispykreme @NickieFost89512 @BranchJetta

The road to a successful season starts long before game day! Today at TCS Fall Sports Media Day, student-athletes from @GoCHSFalcons, @nhs_jaguars and @BryantStampede shared their expectations, personal goals, and team goals for the upcoming fall seasons. Players from football, girls flag football, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, and swimming talked about what it takes to compete at a high level—from staying disciplined and focused to putting in the work, supporting their teammates, and persevering through challenges. Their message was clear: success doesn't happen by accident. It takes preparation, commitment, teamwork and a determination to be better every day. As these student-athletes prepare to take the field, court, course and pool, we can't wait to see what they accomplish this season! Let's go, TCS! #tcsathletics #fallsports #teamtcs #StudentAthleteSuccess #choosingexcellence #WeAreCentral #GoJags #OneStampede #CompeteWithPurpose @MikeDaria @tidecam @TCSAthletics_1 @DeMario_Pippen @Uah055 @CHutchinsJr @TaliethaW @DrJWilliams1 @coachcameron13 @jagsyearbook @LoudBrarian @jonessboyy @peck_love @WVUA23Sports @tuscaloosanews @TuscaloosaPatch @townsquaremedia

The halls were buzzing with excitement as teachers welcomed their students back to the classroom today!! From big smiles and warm greetings to the excitement of a brand-new school year, it was clear that everyone was ready to get back to learning, growing, and making memories together! Visit our TCS Facebook page to see all the first day pics!! facebook.com/TCSBoardofEd #FirstDayOfSchool #BackToSchool @MikeDaria @tidecam @tcsverner @oakdaleelement @TASPA_TCS @TMSElementary @wvua23 @TuscaloosaPatch @ESPNupe @GilesVertis @MathNEWelS @Pewee001 @KieraSEzell @MrsBryant_3rd @Dfedwards88 @JayDuke49456304

More than 200 local families will soon receive food thanks to the generosity of community partners and volunteers. Today, members of the @sheltonst_mbb team, employees of the Tuscaloosa City Schools and community volunteers joined the @WBamaFoodBank and @TCSNewHeights to pack more than 200 food boxes, each containing about 85 pounds of food. Together, these partnerships are helping ensure local students and families have access to nutritious food and essential resources throughout the summer. Read the complete story on our website: tinyurl.com/y2zpx6v3 @MikeDaria @tidecam @ESPNupe @downwithautism @TerriCeleste1 @tuscaloosacity @TuscaloosaEduc1 @TuscaloosaPatch @sheltonstate @wvua23 @WaltMaddox

📚 Dual Enrollment is making an impact! Nearly half of all TCS 2026 graduates (49.7%) earned college credit while still in high school through dual enrollment opportunities—a new benchmark for the Tuscaloosa City Schools and a significant increase from 41.3% for the Class of 2025. This achievement was made possible in part through the City of Tuscaloosa's ELEVATE Scholarship Program, which expands access to dual enrollment courses and helps TCS students earn college credit at no cost while still in high school. Even more impressive, TCS students far exceeded the national average. According to NACEP, approximately 34% of U.S. high school graduates earn college credit through dual enrollment before graduation. 🎓 @GoCHSFalcons @CHS_Tuscaloosa @nhs_jaguars @BryantStampede @MikeDaria @tuscaloosacity @WaltMaddox

Congratulations to @MLK_DannonB on being named the next principal of Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School! The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education approved Bedwell's appointment Tuesday night. A longtime educator in the Tuscaloosa City Schools, Bedwell has served as assistant principal at @MLK_Elem_TCS since 2020 and has been part of the school's leadership team during a period of significant academic growth and achievement. "I am incredibly honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as the next principal of MLK Elementary," Bedwell said. "My goal is to build upon the great work already taking place while continuing to move the school forward." Please join us in congratulating Mr. Bedwell on his new role! Read the article here: tinyurl.com/5n886d5f @MikeDaria @tidecam @scottpmn @ESPNupe @TerriCeleste1 @TuscaloosaEduc1 @bamaEMW @MarvinLLucas @GRANTE1 @TuscaloosaPatch @tuscaloosanews @tuscaloosacity

Months of dedication, discipline, and hard work paid off in a big way for this talented math team from @tcsverner, led by teacher Richard Williamson. Leading up to the December Online Tournament, team members committed themselves to an intense practice schedule, meeting before and after school each day for 45-minute sessions. Their determination was evident as they worked through two Perennial Math practice books in just one week. The effort paid off with an impressive first-place finish in the team competition and a third-place finish in the individual competition. Those outstanding results earned the team a coveted spot at the National Championships in May. With Nationals on the horizon, the students elevated their preparation even further. For a month leading up to the competition, they continued practicing before and after school, working through nearly every Perennial Math practice book available for their grade level. Students trained under the same time constraints and scoring conditions they would face in tournament competition, building both speed and accuracy. Their preparation exposed them to advanced mathematical concepts across a wide range of content areas, including algebra, geometry, fractions and decimals, data analysis, measurement, and computation. Remarkably, students consistently completed practice problems with near-perfect—and often perfect—scores. The team's commitment to excellence not only prepared them for success at the national level but also helped build the confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills that will continue to serve them well in future academic pursuits. Their achievements are a testament to what can happen when talent, determination, and hard work come together. With the July Perennial Tournament approaching, the team is on track to potentially qualify even more students for the 5th Grade National Championships—a testament to their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. While the June tournament focused solely on individual competition, the team's success was built on much more than individual achievement. Throughout their preparation, these students demonstrated the true meaning of teamwork. Whenever a teammate encountered a challenging problem during practice, others were quick to step in, offer support, and work through solutions together. That spirit of collaboration has become one of the team's greatest strengths. They understand that success isn't just about personal accomplishments—it's about encouraging one another, sharing knowledge, and helping every teammate reach their full potential. As they continue preparing for future competitions, their commitment to both excellence and each other is setting them up for even greater success in the months ahead. #AMAZINGtotheCORE @MikeDaria @tidecam @ESPNupe @AlabamaAchieves @wvua23 @TerriCeleste1 @MathNEWelS @GilesVertis @LesleyP3838 @bamaEMW

TOMORROW - Don’t forget! Join us at our Bus Driver Hiring Fair! Get help applying, schedule fingerprinting & interview on-the-spot! Monday, June 8 ••9 a.m. – 1 p.m. •TCS Transportation Department 1302 James I. Harrison, Jr. Parkway Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 Don't miss your chance to join an outstanding team that helps keep Tuscaloosa moving! Your next career could start here. #NowHiring #BusDriversWanted #JoinTCS #HiringEvent #TuscaloosaJobs #MakeADifference #AMAZINGtotheCORE @MikeDaria @tidecam @scottpmn @wvua23 @CBS_42 @WVTM13 @tuscaloosanews @TuscaloosaPatch @tuscaloosacity

🌞🔬 Learning, exploring, creating, and discovering—that's what Summer Learning is all about! Students at @TMSElementary spent the day putting their curiosity to work in a variety of hands-on activities. Some young scientists headed outdoors for a nature walk through the garden, observing plant and animal life and recording their discoveries like real field researchers. 🌱🐞 Inside the classroom, creativity and math came together as students designed their dream bedrooms, using measurement, budgeting, and problem-solving skills to bring their ideas to life. 🏡📏✨ Meanwhile, future engineers put their teamwork and critical thinking to the test, building structures with toothpicks and experimenting with different designs to see what would stand the test of strength and stability. 🏗️💡 From science and math to writing and engineering, our students are proving that learning doesn't stop when summer begins—it just gets even more fun! 😎☀️ @MikeDaria @LBlevins_ @tidecam @60614Pan @AlabamaAchieves @egmackey @bamaEMW @MarvinLLucas @GRANTE1 @wmillern @wvua23 #SummerLearning #HandsOnLearning #STEMinAction #FutureEngineers #YoungScientists #CreativeThinkers #TCSStrong #AmazingToTheCore

🧹✨ Celebrating the team behind the scenes who help make our schools shine! ✨🧹 Tuscaloosa City Schools' custodial professionals recently gathered for the 2026 Custodian Summer Training, investing in their skills, knowledge, and professional growth as they prepare for another successful school year. Through hands-on learning, collaboration, and specialized training, these dedicated team members strengthened their expertise and reaffirmed their commitment to providing clean, safe, and welcoming environments for students, staff, and families. Their work often happens before the first bell rings and long after the last one sounds, but its impact is felt every day in every classroom, hallway, and learning space across our district. Thank you to our outstanding custodial teams for your dedication, professionalism, and pride in serving Tuscaloosa City Schools. We appreciate all you do to help create the conditions for student success! 👏💙 #TCSStrong #TeamTCS #CustodialExcellence #ServingWithPride #StudentSuccess #SchoolSupportHeroes #BetterTogether #AmazingToTheCore @MikeDaria @tidecam @scottpmn @ESPNupe @JayDuke49456304 @tuscaloosacity @GWrightArcadia @CyntMillerHuff @Uah055 @ladyeve1101 @MLK_DannonB @DrJWilliams1 @JamiRainey @KieraSEzell @ericfhines @RockQuarryElem @MathNEWelS @KeontaMelton @ronikaam1 @IngridE22348513 @downwithautism @ELAToAP @ctaylormaye @BranchJetta @60614Pan @Pewee001 @nakelya @library_k8 @drdarlene08 @teresa_biv81443