School Bits

The Wetumpka High School JROTC color guard presented the colors at the 12th annual Elmore County CTE Awards Banquet.

Sophomore and junior students interested in participating in Cooperative Education next school year had the opportunity to visit with local employers at a spring job fair held on each high school campus.

The Be Pro, Be Proud mobile workshop from ALSDE visited the Elmore County Technical Center campus April 30 and May 1 showcasing in-demand, technical careers across the state with hands-on virtual trainers that students could use. More than 400 students on campus were able to tour the unit during it’s stop. Pictured is senior Welding student, London Goodson, demonstrating how to use the excavator simulator.

Surrounding the sole female graduate, Ava Lanthrip of Titus, are homeschool graduates Eli Green of Eclectic, Jonathan Lynch of Montgomery; Kyle Dannelley of Autaugaville, Steven Garrett of Montgomery, Paul Ghigliotti of Millbrook, and Sebastian Pope of Deatsville. Academy Days Co-op congratulates its seniors as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. All seven will attend college or university in the fall. Held at Dalraida Baptist Church in Montgomery this year, the Academy Days Co-op meets weekly during the school year for homeschoolers in preschool through high school to take classes in subjects such as science labs, literature, foreign languages, history, and P.E. Starting Fall 2026, the co-op will meet at Shoal Creek Baptist Church in Slapout/Holtville. Visit AcademyDays.com for more information.

At the 12th annual Elmore County CTE Awards Banquet, more than 90 students were recognized for excellence in career and technical education across the 24 programs in the district. More than $5,000 in scholarships were awarded by donors and partners. For each CTE program, one student was selected as the Student of the Year for the county. An overall winner was chosen from those top students. Alexxandrya Parrott from Wetumpka’s JROTC program was named the 2026 Elmore County CTE Student of the Year Winner and Scholarship recipient.

Our 4th grade students had a special visit from the Elmore County Family Resource Center, and they learned all about what life in middle school is like! The presenters shared helpful tips on healthy hygiene, how to make and keep friends, and ways to stay healthy and confident as students grow and take on new challenges. This visit helped students feel more prepared, informed, and excited about what’s ahead. We loved seeing our students listening, learning, and getting ready for the next big step!

Smiles, learning, and lots of “WOW!” moments filled the room as our students became junior meteorologists for the day. Eclectic Elementary 1st graders had a forecast for FUN when Alabama’s favorite weather expert, James Spann, stopped by to visit! From sunshine to tornado safety, Mr. Spann made learning about weather exciting and easy to understand.

Autauga County Schools is participating in the USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) this summer! This federally funded, state-administered program provides free meals to children ages 1-18. Children do not have to live in the district nor attend Autauga County Schools to participate; however, all families must pre-register each week to receive meals. Meals will be distributed in bulk and will include commonly enjoyed breakfast and lunch items. Families are asked to designate a space in their vehicle for food items before arriving at the distribution site. Each event includes approximately 10 days of breakfast and lunch items, along with fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk. To make pickup faster and more convenient, only one registration per family is required for each distribution date. Families will receive one QR code for all registered children. The QR code is required for meal pickup, so please save it in an easily accessible location. Taking a screenshot or photo of the code is recommended for quicker service. Once registration reaches capacity, additional registrations will be placed on a waiting list. If openings become available, families on the waiting list will be notified by email. Waitlisted or non-registered participants may visit either distribution site during the final 15-20 minutes of the distribution window and may receive meals if inventory remains available. Families in this category should bring a mobile device to complete registration using a specialized QR code available onsite. Non-registered participants will be asked to park in a designated waiting area until all pre-registered families have been served.

Pre-registered participants can choose to pick up at Marbury High School (2360 U.S. Highway 31 North 36022) or Prattville High School (1315 Upper Kingston Road 36067) from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: May 28, June 5, June 8, June 18, July 9, July 20, and July 30.

For more information, contact Autauga County Schools’ Child Nutrition Program at cnp@acboe.net.

Autauga County Schools and Prattville Kindergarten School joined the Autauga Education Foundation and the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday to celebrate the completion of a new preschool playground shade structure with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Prattville Kindergarten School. The new shaded play area was created to provide pre-k students with a cooler, safer, and more comfortable outdoor environment throughout the school year. School leaders said the addition will allow students to spend more time learning and playing outdoors while offering increased protection from heat and sun exposure. “This project reflects our continued commitment to creating learning environments where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom,” said Holly McNider, director of elementary curriculum and instruction for Autauga County Schools. “Providing shaded outdoor spaces for our youngest students supports their wellness, encourages active play, and helps ensure children can safely enjoy meaningful learning experiences year-round.” The ceremony highlighted the collaboration between school leaders, community partners, and supporters who helped make the project possible. The Autauga Education Foundation was instrumental in bringing this project to completion through its annual grant program, which provided most of the necessary funds. “Our students benefit tremendously from opportunities to learn through play, and this new shade structure creates a more enjoyable and comfortable environment for them each day,” said Jodi Womble, principal of Prattville Kindergarten School. “We are thankful for the support of our community and partners who invested in this project for our students and staff.” The ceremony was held at Prattville Kindergarten School and included school administrators, community leaders, and most importantly, pre-k students.

Mrs. Trussell’s 3rd grade PEP gifted student (Lael Jung) was chosen out of over 1,100 entries as a 2026 Color The Concept Contest Honorable Mention winner for her drawing about the economic word, “trade.” The Alabama Council on Economic Education provides this opportunity each year! We are so proud of Lael’s accomplishment!

Congratulations to Macon East Academy Senior Sam Wallace! Sam was recently recognized at the Dixie Electric Cooperative Scholarship Foundation Luncheon, where he was awarded one of the organization’s prestigious scholarships. Sam’s leadership and character have long stood out. As a junior, he was selected to represent Macon East Academy as a delegate for the Montgomery Youth Tour, later advancing to represent the state of Alabama in Washington, D.C., at the National Tour.