August Superintendent Newsletter

CCS System Update August 2025 Newsletter Podcast Smooth Start to the 25-26 School Year We are off to an incredibly smooth start to the 2025-2026 school year. This smooth start is not by chance or by luck…but instead it is a testament to the preparation put forth by our employees, the resilience of our students and the ongoing partnership from our families.  Read about our smooth start in this article by The Cullman Tribune. The Cullman City Schools System welcomed back approximately 3,200 students on Wednesday, August 6th with smiles, encouragement, and high expectations for continued success. The two largest grade-levels this year are 8th with 266 students and 10th with 256 students. The average across all grade-levels is 238 students per level.   Teacher Institute All employees gathered on August 4th to begin the new academic year. Several departments, grade-levels and teachers were presented with “Mover and Shaker” awards for 2024-2025 statistical accomplishments. To cap off the event, we were inspired by our guest speaker, Timothy Alexander, who taught us that we don’t need it to be easy. We just need it to be possible. Thank you, TA, for a great start to our school year! Thank you to AmFirst for sponsoring breakfast at Teacher Institute! We are so thankful for all you do for Cullman City Schools!   School Board Recognition Congratulations to Board Members Chris Branham, Cheryl Harrison, Amy Carter, Jill Bradberry and Jason Neal (not in photo), who met the 24-25 school year training requirements of the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012. In the August Board meeting they were presented with a certificate from the Alabama Association of School Boards. This 2012 Act was established to enhance the effectiveness of public education governance in Alabama by establishing training requirements, stewardship standards, and accountability measures for local school boards. This law establishes the School Board's role as governance, providing the vision for the school system and its students, and ensuring that system personnel have the resources they need to achieve that vision.   Test Scores Are Released Congratulations to the students, teachers and families for their outstanding academic performances last school year. Collectively, the Cullman City School System remains one of the top academic school systems in Alabama. Out of the 138 school systems and 11 operating charter schools, here is how we ranked:   Cullman City Schools Construction Updates Construction continues at Cullman Middle, Cullman High and West Elementary as the school system is in the middle of a safety and growth campaign to prepare for inevitable growth and ensure our campuses are safe learning spaces for our students and employees. As evidenced in this 10 year school revenue (property tax) chart, now is the time to address safety and growth for today’s students and the future students of the Cullman City School System. Cullman Middle School Phase 2 Roof shingle installation continues and weather permitting it will be complete by the last week of August. Brick install also continues and all brick should be complete by the end of August as well. Block fill, paint, duct work, wiring and trim work is taking place on all three levels inside of phase two. Up next will be the delivery and installation of casework, flooring, the elevator, more concrete and asphalt work and the landscaping. Cullman Intermediate School Wyatt Construction and their crew worked 12 hour days for the 14 days leading up to school starting preparing the interior renovations on the third grade hall at West. Those students and teachers returned to updated floors, fixtures, lighting, bookshelves, whiteboards, cork boards, painted walls and casework in their classrooms.  A huge thank you to Hayden Faulk and his team for their support at West this summer making sure that campus was ready for students on August 6th. Now the focus has shifted back outside on the construction of the gym/storm shelter and the main building. An area of immediate focus is a temporary walkway and covered shelter between the STEM lab/library hall and the existing gym. High School CTE/STEM Wing Eidson & Associates continues to stay on schedule with our Career Technical Education/STEM wing and should be completed by the end of the 25-26 school year.   School Resource Officers Over the summer, the Cullman City School Board partnered with the Cullman City Council to ink an agreement for School Resource Officers. Now, each campus has two dedicated SRO’s who will work with administrators and staff with safety being the number one priority. I am grateful for the collaboration between key stakeholders and the strong working relationship with Mayor Jacobs and the City Council. The Cullman City Board of Education and the Cullman City Council work hand in hand to keep our students safe and provide our schools with the resources to sustain excellence.   United Way Donation We recently received a monetary donation from United Way of Cullman County for school supplies. We are so grateful for the partnership and many of our students will benefit from this generosity.   With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… Literacy Act In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. Strategic Commitments Below are some of the highlights from the six broad areas of the Cullman City Board of Education's Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs   Tech Check The Tech Department has been busy with the launch of the new school year. Our Technicians have worked to make sure all devices are ready for teacher and student use to allow for a seamless transition for a great 2025 - 2026. Our Tech Integration Specialists have spent time training new teachers, assisting teachers across our campuses with the set-up of Schoology and PowerSchool, implementing the technology piece of new curriculum programs, meeting with PTOs about ParentSquare, and much more. This time of year, in particular, is extremely busy but allows us to practice the most important part of our job: Service! We are here to help our teachers, students and parents experience success in teaching and learning. Go Bearcats!   The Bottom Line News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. The month of June is 1) 75% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 80% while expenditures were at 3) 70.5%. Our total net operations were 4) $1.6 M. Total assets were 5) $15.5 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $15.5 M which brings us to 7) 4.32 months of reserves.   Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff

Thursday, Aug 21 2025

FOCUS Act (Cell Phone) Policy Update

FOCUS Act Important Information from Superintendent Kallhoff July 1, 2025 Parents and Guardians, During the 2025 Alabama legislative session, lawmakers passed ACT #2025-386 also known as the FOCUS Act which was signed into law by Governor Ivey on May 14th. FOCUS is an acronym for Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens and the law requires full implementation for the 2025-2026 school year. As required by this law, the Cullman City Board of Education recently passed a policy to help ensure compliance with the FOCUS Act (Policy 6.21 Personal Mobile Communication Device). The FOCUS Act prohibits the use, operation, and possession of wireless communication devices by students in elementary and secondary school buildings and on school grounds during the instructional day, unless specifically permitted for educational purposes, individualized accommodation plans, or emergencies.  If a wireless communication device is possessed, it must be turned off and stored off of the student's person (e.g., in a purse, book bag, locker, car, or similar storage) during the instructional day. Wireless communication device is defined as any device that can send or receive messages, make calls, record, photograph, access the internet, or otherwise communicate wirelessly. This includes, but is not limited to:  ● Cell phones  ● Smartwatches  ● Tablets  ● Earbuds or wireless headphones  ● Any similar devices The Instructional Day is defined as the period of time school is open for an academic day. This is generally from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (or from the first bell to the last bell of a school day). Instructional Day also includes class transitions, lunch, and any other non instructional time during the school day. The abovementioned exceptions to the FOCUS Act are defined as follows: Use, operation, or possession is for educational or learning purposes under the supervision of local board of education personnel. District-owned and managed wireless communication devices, (e.g., Chromebooks, iPads, Desktops, Laptops, and other devices purchased by Cullman City Schools) that are used to support instruction and are monitored for age appropriate content and the safety of the student.  Use, operation, or possession is permitted if specified in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Accommodation Plan, Section 504 plan, or Individualized Health Plan. Use, operation, or possession is permitted during emergencies threatening the life or safety of the student or another person. This new legislation also requires that schools outline consequences for students who violate the FOCUS Act. In Cullman City Schools, wireless communication devices will be confiscated for the remainder of the day and the student and/or parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device at the end of the instructional day (depending on which offence and the age of the child). In addition to the confiscation of the wireless device, progressive disciplinary action may be assigned at the discretion of the principal or designee. Again, the progressive disciplinary action will depend on which offence and age of the student. For more information on this new law and local policy, you can refer to the Cullman City School System Code of Conduct (Revised June 2025) or contact an administrator at your child’s school(s). We thank you in advance for helping us comply with and adjust to this new legislation that will be impacting our schools.  Sincerely, Kyle Kallhoff Superintendent of Education   FOCUS Act Policy Q and A What is the FOCUS Act Policy and Plan? Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act. This Alabama law, effective immediately, prohibits the use, operation, and possession of wireless communication devices (WCD) by students in elementary and secondary school buildings and on school grounds during the instructional day, unless specifically permitted for educational purposes, individualized accommodation plans, or emergencies. What is a wireless communication device? Defined as any device that can send or receive messages, make calls, record, photograph, access the internet, or otherwise communicate wirelessly. This includes, but is not limited to:  ● Cell phones  ● Smartwatches  ● Tablets  ● Earbuds or wireless headphones  ● Any similar devices How is the Instructional Day defined? The Instructional Day is defined as the period of time school is open for an academic day. This is generally from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (or from the first bell to the last bell of a school day). Instructional Day also includes class transitions, lunch, and any other non- instructional time during the school day. Where can a student keep their wireless communication device? If a wireless communication device is possessed, it must be turned off and stored off of the student's person (e.g., in a purse, bookbag, locker, car, or similar storage) during the instructional day. Does the law provide for exceptions? Yes… Use, operation, or possession is for educational or learning purposes under the supervision of local board of education personnel. District-owned and managed wireless communication devices, (e.g., Chromebooks, iPads, Desktops, Laptops, and other devices purchased by Cullman City Schools) that are used to support instruction and are monitored for age appropriate content and the safety of the student.  Use, operation, or possession is permitted if specified in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Accommodation Plan, Section 504 plan, or Individualized Health Plan.  Use, operation, or possession is permitted during emergencies threatening the life or safety of the student or another person. What are the consequences if caught with a WCD? In Cullman City Schools, wireless communication devices will be confiscated for the remainder of the day and the student and/or parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device at the end of the instructional day (depending on which offence and the age of the child).  In addition to the confiscation of the wireless device, progressive disciplinary action may be assigned at the discretion of the principal or designee. Again, the progressive disciplinary action will depend on which offence and age of the student.   Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff

Tuesday, Jul 01 2025

May Superintendent Newsletter

CCS System Update May 2025 Third Grade Rocks! We are thrilled to announce that 96% of our 3rd grade students achieved sufficiency on the ACAP Summative Reading Subtest. This achievement reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the support from our families.  The ACAP (Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program) is a state-mandated test that measures proficiency in reading, math, and science. The Reading Subtest focuses on students meeting sufficiency in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—key indicators of whether students are reading on grade level. In Fall 2023, the Alabama State Board of Education raised the cut score for 3rd grade reading from 435 to 444, with plans to increase it again to 454 in the 2026–2027 school year. Despite this higher benchmark, our students rose to the challenge. We’re proud to share that 100% of our 3rd graders will be promoted to 4th grade. Promotion from 3rd to 4th grade requires reading sufficiency through one of the following: Scoring above the lowest achievement level on the spring ACAP Earning an acceptable score on the ACAP Supplemental Assessment Mastering Grade 3 reading standards in the Student Reading Portfolio Meeting criteria for a Good Cause Exemption Way to go, students, teachers, and families. You’ve made Cullman City Schools proud.   Archery In May, several Cullman City School System Archers competed at the national level in Louisville, Kentucky. Students from West, East, CMS and CHS represented Cullman at this national event. Congratulations to East Archery students for returning home with: 1st in NASP 3D 5th in NASP Bullseye out of 184 elementary teams 1st in Centershot Bullseye 3rd in Centershot 3D CMS also brought home 3rd place in NASP bullseye and 3rd place Centershot IBO.   West Elementary School West Elementary Closed- Due to interior renovations, the campus of West Elementary will be closed from Memorial Day through mid-July.  The administration at West will be relocated to the second floor of the Central Office (301 First Street NE) during this time. Phone calls will be redirected to the Central Office and any business that a parent or community partner needs to conduct at West can take place there as well.   Cullman City Schools Construction Updates High School CTE/STEM Wing The rain is creating a sloppy surface, but the work continues at Cullman High. Crews are in the process of forming the concrete retaining walls. One of the next benchmarks will be pouring the concrete for the foundation. Cullman Intermediate School Wyatt Construction and the sub-contractors continue the earth work and foundation work for the multipurpose building and new two story wing that will face HWY 278. Interior renovations on the third grade hall, cafeteria and the Smith Center will take place throughout the summer. Cullman Middle School The crane is on site as the stairs are being set. Once the stairs are in place the concrete pour will follow. HVAC and electrical work continues in the interior portions of phase 2. In addition to the utility work, the concrete bases for the lockers are in the process of being poured. In late May, we will begin awning and window replacement work on the cafeteria. Track Resurface We recently embarked on the CHS track resurface project. This work is expected to carry over into mid-June. The CHS track and football field will be closed during this time.   Summer Programs Literacy and Numeracy Camps will be in June at Cullman City Primary School. These are required summer academic camps for identified elementary students based on Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program results. CMS and CHS Summer School will be at Cullman High School in June and part of July. STEM Camp will be at East Elementary in July. Several athletic and performing art camps and activities will take place at Cullman High School throughout the summer.   With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… Literacy Act In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. This school year is the second year the requirements of the Act will be fully implemented. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. Strategic Commitments Recently, the Cullman City Board of Education approved the new Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). Some of the highlights from the six broad areas include: 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs   Tech Check This summer our Tech Integration Specialists, Misty Waldrop and Sharon Drake, will be hosting The Summer Circuit: Fuel Up for Next Year. There will be seven 1.5 hour opportunities over the summer for teachers to come to the Central Office and get targeted professional development in a fun, quick format. Professional Development credit will be given. The sessions focus on everything from using AI for improving teaching and learning, to getting classes and content set up in Schoology and PowerSchool. Check out our flyer and get more info at this link. The Summer Circuit: Fuel Up for Next Year   The Bottom Line News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. The month of March is 1) 50% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 59.36% while expenditures were at 3) 45.76%. Our total net operations were 4) $3.99 M. Total assets were 5) $17.8 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $17.8 M which brings us to 7) 4.98 months of reserves.   School is Out for the Summer Reflecting on the 2024-2025 school year, it's been a journey filled with many celebrations and victories for both students and educators alike. I'm incredibly proud of the resilience and determination shown by our students, staff, and families. To the Class of 2025, congratulations on reaching this milestone! Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this moment, and as you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your lives, know that you carry with you the knowledge and experiences gained during your time at Cullman City Schools. May your futures be bright, filled with continued success, growth, and meaningful achievements. Here's to each of you, the Class of 2025—may you continue to shine brightly wherever life takes you! The next superintendent's newsletter will be in late August. I sincerely hope everyone has a fun, but safe summer. Until next time... Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff

Thursday, May 22 2025

April Newsletter

CCS System Update April 2025 School System Accreditation The Cullman City School System recently embarked on the grueling process of accreditation renewal with Cognia Accreditation. Through this process, Cognia thoroughly examines school systems within these 4 key learning characteristics: Culture of Learning, Leadership of Learning, Engagement of Learning, and Growth in Learning. Through this accreditation process, the Cullman City School System received a score of 343. The Cognia average score is 296. A score above 300 indicates the institution meets Cognia’s expectations for accreditation that include one or more Areas for Improvement and may include one or more Noteworthy Practices.   Cullman City Schools Construction Updates Cullman Middle School The core-slab for the 3rd level in phase two is completed and the concrete pour is underway. We anticipate trusses to be delivered in mid-May and ideally we will have a roof up before school gets out for the summer. Meanwhile, electrical, HVAC and plumbing work continues in level one and two of our second phase. High School CTE/STEM Wing The footings of the foundation continue to progress. Portions of this wing will serve as a storm shelter which calls for stronger concrete walls, which can withstand winds of approximately 250 MPH, and up to 4 foot concrete footings. We are planning for the summer work in the agriculture building which will be adjacent to and in one area connect to this new CTE/STEM wing. For those who remember the "old" city pool, we included a picture below where the pool was rediscovered in an area where the contractors were digging for the retention pond. Cullman Intermediate School The interior renovations continue in the Smith Center on the north part of the campus. This building, which was once the stand alone library, will soon serve as a modern space for our students with disabilities and include restrooms, a sensory room, a calming room and two functional classrooms. State testing and rain slowed down the progress on the dirt work of the new gym/storm shelter. The next steps are to pour the concrete for the foundation footers and begin the pad for the two story building which will sit parallel to Highway 278. The contractors are planning on a renovation blitz of the third grade hall which will start the day after Memorial Day through mid-July. Track Resurface Pre-construction meetings have been conducted and the crews are ready to attack this project the week after the state track meet. Once they begin, the track and football field will not be accessible for 6 weeks.   New School Buses The three new school buses have arrived. One is a bus for students with special needs and the other two are full size school buses. These 2025 models will replace three older buses in our fleet which will help us ensure safe reliable transportation for our students who participate in extracurricular activities.   With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… Literacy Act In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. This school year is the second year the requirements of the Act will be fully implemented. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. Strategic Commitments Recently, the Cullman City Board of Education approved the new Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). Some of the highlights from the six broad areas include: 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs   Tech Check Congratulations to 4th grade student Lauren Hughes at West. She won first place in the Elementary Division at the State Governor's App Challenge that took place at the Alabama Computer Science Education Summit. Lauren, accompanied by her family and proud Cullman City School District staff, presented her innovative app, "Presidential Brain Busters," in Montgomery, Alabama – and her hard work paid off! This winning app is a fantastic demonstration of the power of STEM and Computer Science education, showcasing Lauren's impressive coding skills and creative problem-solving. This incredible achievement is also a powerful inspiration for other young women interested in Computer Science! Lauren proves that even at a young age, passion and dedication in STEM can lead to amazing accomplishments. Let's celebrate her victory and continue to encourage students to explore the exciting possibilities within STEM education!   The Bottom Line News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. The month of February is 1) 41.66% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 52.5% while expenditures were at 3) 38.75%. Our total net operations were 4) $4.2 M. Total assets were 5) $18.0 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $18.0 M which brings us to 7) 5.09 months of reserves.   Next Update: May 2025 Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff

Thursday, Apr 24 2025

March Newsletter

CCS System Update March 2025 Governor's App Challenge The Governor's App Challenge is a statewide computer programming competition for Alabama students. The goal of the challenge is to allow more students to gain recognition for their mastery and application of computer programming and design. Cullman City Schools students were given the opportunity to participate in three grade bands: Elementary K-5 Middle School 6-8 High School 9-12 Students worked hard to develop their own app ideas and then create those apps for judging. The two students listed below won at their school level and then won in their divisions for Cullman City Schools.  Their apps went on to the Alabama School District 6 competition. Both of these students won at the District 6 level as well. They will compete on April 15th at the Alabama Computer Science Summit in Montgomery. Elementary Winner: Lauren Hughes, 4th grader from West Elementary App Title: Presidential Brain Busters Middle School Winner: Kinslee Barnett, 6th grader from West Elementary App Title: Daily Devotions   Cullman City Schools Construction and District Updates High School CTE/STEM Wing The footprint of the new wing at CHS is now visible, extending south of the agriculture building. This L-shaped wing will house many of our Career Technical Education STEM programs and a portion of the building will serve as a storm shelter. Cullman Intermediate School Progress continues with the removal of unsuitable soil, making way for the foundation of the Gym/Storm Shelter. Teachers in the 3rd grade hall at West Elementary have collaborated on a plan to prepare for upcoming renovations in their classrooms over the summer. Soccer Field and Baseball/Softball Diamonds Ribbon Cutting We recently celebrated the grand opening of our turfed soccer complex and baseball/softball diamonds. Providing these spaces allows our student athletes to have an area to practice and play during the wet winter months in north Alabama. A huge thank you to our Board of Education for their unwavering support and commitment to improving our facilities and ensuring our students have the best opportunities to succeed. Cullman Middle School Update Grade Transition The decision has been made not to transition 6th grade from East and West to CMS in August to ensure construction completion aligns with academic needs. Although the contractors on this project are projecting to be completed in late July, it is not worth running a risk of them missing their deadline and us having to reverse six months of planning in 2 weeks. Once school begins in August, we will monitor their progress and adjust as needed. Accreditation Update In March, we concluded our accreditation process with Cognia. We commend Sharon Windham for her leadership throughout this important process. School systems are required to renew accreditation every five years. The accreditation process through Cognia requires systems to show evidence of the 6 standards listed below via surveys, assessment data, observation data and self-assessments. STANDARD 1: Leaders cultivate and sustain a culture that demonstrates respect and fairness for all learners and is free from bias. STANDARD 2: Learners’ well-being is at the heart of the institution’s guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs. STANDARD 3: Leaders actively engage stakeholders to support the institution’s priorities and guiding principles that promote learners’ academic growth and well-being. STANDARD 4: Learners benefit from a formal structure that fosters positive relationships with peers and adults. STANDARD 5: Professional staff members embrace effective collegiality and collaboration in support of learners. STANDARD 6: Professional staff members receive the support they need to strengthen their professional practice.   With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… Literacy Act In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. This school year is the second year the requirements of the Act will be fully implemented. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. Strategic Commitments Recently, the Cullman City Board of Education approved the new Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). Some of the highlights from the six broad areas include: 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs   Tech Check We are excited to announce that Anna Anderson and Misty Waldrop have been selected to serve on the 2025 Digital Literacy and Computer Science State Courses of Study Committee and Task Force. They will play a crucial role in revising the current Alabama Course of study, ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education in Computer Science. As our representatives, they will directly contribute to shaping the state's curriculum, ensuring our district's needs and perspectives are reflected in the final standards. By contributing to the development of robust and relevant standards, they are helping create more opportunities for our students to succeed in a digital world. Their involvement in this committee will have a positive impact on students across the state.   The Bottom Line News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. The month of January is 1) 33.33% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 44.9% while expenditures were at 3) 31.24%. Our total net operations were 4) $4.39 M. Total assets were 5) $18.2 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $18.2 M which brings us to 7) 5.15 months of reserves.   Upcoming Events and Holidays Spring Break: March 24th-28th. State testing for grades 2-8 begins after the break. No School Days: April 18th (Good Friday) and May 2nd (state track meet). We appreciate your continued support and involvement in our community's educational initiatives. Be safe over spring break and we will see you in April. Next Update: April 2025 Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff

Friday, Mar 21 2025

February Newsletter

​ ​ CCS System Update February 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ CHS CTE/STEM Groundbreaking ​ One year ago in a proclamation by Governor Ivey, it was stated- Alabama’s career and technical education programs have become a rigorous and vital part of the total educational system, which is committed to providing students with rewarding opportunities to gain valuable academic, career and life skills. Governor Ivey’s proclamation aligns perfectly with our CTE mission in the Cullman City Schools. Earlier this month, we broke ground on the STEM/CTE Wing at Cullman High School. This wing will house several of our Career Technical Education programs and revolutionary learning labs. This initiative and investment aligns with many of our 2023 Strategic Plan/Pillars of Commitment measures. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ CIS Update ​ Dirt work, dirt work, dirt work! The contractor is digging 15 feet deep to remove unsuitable soil as we prepare for the foundation of the new gym/storm shelter. The bad soil will be replaced with 400 loads of gravel, then the foundation will be poured. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Also, renovations continue in the Smith Center as we convert this space to modern classrooms for our students with special needs which will include calming and sensory rooms. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ CMS Update ​ The ground-level floor in phase two is completely covered with HVAC, electrical and plumbing work taking place. Crews are now working on vertical blocks on the second floor of this phase. With a few weeks of good weather, we will be able to make great progress on all three of our active Safety and Growth Plan capital projects. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ CCS Job Fair ​ The Cullman City School System will be hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, March 20th from 3:30 to 5:30 at Cullman City Primary School. School and school system representatives will be in attendance to meet and interview candidates for anticipated vacancies next school year. Potential positions include: certified teachers, cafeteria workers, support personnel and clerical personnel. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ WSCC/UWA Partnership ​ We are proud to partner with Wallace State Community College and the University of West Alabama to offer the Early Childhood Apprenticeship program. This opportunity provides students and auxiliary teachers with hands-on experience, free college tuition, and industry-recognized credentials. Participants earn college credits and certifications, preparing them for a career in Early Childhood education. Career Tech students in our Educators in Training program are eligible to apply. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Literacy Act ​ In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. This school year is the second year the requirements of the Act will be fully implemented. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Strategic Commitments ​ Recently, the Cullman City Board of Education approved the new Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). Some of the highlights from the six broad areas include: 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Tech Check ​ February 17th saw the return of a day-long professional development tech expo organized by our department. Our last-day long expo was before the pandemic. We were excited to offer sessions throughout the day for CCS employees covering everything from AI to communication, to student engagement, to Schoology, to first aid. The members of our department worked hard to present a powerful and productive day, but we could not possibly have done it without our local presenters who took extra time to prepare to present sessions. We thank those presenters from the bottom of our hearts. We look forward to having another expo in the future. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ The Bottom Line ​ News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The month of December is 1) 25% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 28% while expenditures were at 3) 24.3%. Our total net operations were 4) $ 697,252. Total assets were 5) $14.5 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $14.5 M which brings us to 7) 4.13 months of reserves. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ As we enter March, we are inching closer to testing windows for high stakes state assessments. Encourage our students to do their absolute best on these one-time measures and reach out to teachers and thank them for working so hard to teach Alabama standards.  Thank you for your unwavering support for our students, teachers and schools. ​ ​ ​ ​ Next Update: March 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff ​ ​ ​

Tuesday, Feb 25 2025

Feb. 17th Tech Expo Information

​ ​ Technology Expo @ Cullman High School February 17, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Monday, Monday, Monday ​ The Technology Department is thrilled to present the Red, White, and REBOOTED Technology Expo! Join us on Monday, February 17th, at 8:00 AM in the Cullman High School Auditorium for the kickoff of a full day of learning. To ensure a smooth experience, please see the important information below. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ✔️ Checklist for Monday ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ First Things First ​ Have you secured your spot at this tech expo? Head over to the registration portal link below. Don't worry if you're having a "did I register?" moment – the portal's got your back. If you're already registered, it'll give you a friendly high-five letting you know you're good to go. If not, well, what are you waiting for? Register now and prepare for a day! Registration Link ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Second, grab the App! ​ To make sure you don't miss a single detail, download the Eventleaf Guide app. This is your all-access pass to everything Expo! Think of it as your personal guide, packed with session schedules, agendas, and a super handy way to track all the awesome things you'll learn.  Grab the Eventleaf Guide app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for Android. With the app, go ahead and press the ♥️ icon on all the sessions that are must-attends! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Stay Connected, Stay Charged! ​ Whether you're rocking a district-issued device or bringing your own trusty tech companion, make sure it's charged and ready to roll for the Expo! 🔋 Many sessions will be hands-on, encouraging you to follow along with the content on your device. Don't have a device? No problem! Our tech team has you covered. We'll have a limited number of Chromebooks available to check out for the day, so you can still fully participate in all the exciting sessions. Just see our check-out station outside the Auditorium. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Punch your time card! ​ To help our amazing bookkeeping and finance team (and keep them sane!), please clock in to Frontline before you arrive at Cullman High School or as soon as you get there. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated! 🙏 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Let's Get Red, White, & Blue-tiful! ​ Show your patriotic spirit by dressing in red, white, and blue! Please note: While we encourage dressing in patriotic colors, political agendas are not welcomed for this event. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Other honorable mentions and information... ​ ​ ​ ​ LUNCH begins at 11:30AM to 12:45PM. This is ELOYO (acronym for Eat Lunch On Your Own) or with some pod mates! All sessions will resume in the Main Building of Cullman High School at 12:50PM We're all about making this expo the best it can be, and your feedback is super valuable! So, at the end of your last session, please take a few minutes to complete our feedback survey. Want to earn 6.5 hours of Professional Development credit? Great news! During the last session of the expo, we'll provide all the information you need to register for Powerschool Professional Learning credit. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ We welcome Tony Vincent to #BearcatNation ​ Get ready for some serious inspiration! We're thrilled to welcome Mr. Tony Vincent all the way from Iowa! Tony, a leading expert in the field, will be kicking off our Expo as our premier keynote speaker, sharing his insights on the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence and its role in education. He will have two sessions on our agenda following the keynote: S1: A Dive Deep into Prompting an AI Chatbot Google’s Gemini chatbot is like an ocean of possibilities, but staring at a blank message box can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? In this session, you’ll learn how to craft effective prompts that help you unlock Gemini’s full potential. S2: Meet Brisk - AI Where You Need It AI assistance right where you work! With Brisk Teaching Chrome extension, you’ll have a helpful sidekick ready whenever you need it. Discover how Brisk can help you generate quizzes, guided notes, discussions, vocab lists, YouTube videos, or PDFs. www.learninginhand.com ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ See you Monday morning! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Did you know that we have a whole section on the Cullmancats website dedicated for Staff and Parent Tech Resources? ​ Technology Page | Parent & Student Tech Help | Faculty & Staff Tech Help ​ ​ ​

Thursday, Feb 13 2025

January Newsletter

​ ​ CCS System Update January 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ School System Teachers of The Year ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Elementary Teacher of the Year- April Dean from East Elementary ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Secondary Teacher of the Year- Caroline Lunsford from Cullman High ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Congratulations to the Cullman City School System Teachers of the Year, April Dean and Caroline Lunsford. Mrs. Dean and Mrs. Lunsford will now represent Cullman City Schools as they will be considered as finalists for the Teacher of the Year for Alabama. Thank you to Burke's Florist for providing the beautiful bouquets for our Teachers of the Year! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ National Board Certified Teachers ​ We recently added three more superstars to the list of National Board Certified Teachers in the Cullman City School System. Jonathan Hazelrigs - Cullman Middle School Leeanna Smith - East Elementary School Paige Hamm - East Elementary School ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cullman is one of 4 school systems in Alabama with 20% or more teachers who have National Board Certification. Teachers who are NBC receive up to $5,000.00 annually from the Cullman City Board of Education plus an additional $5,000 from the Alabama State Department of Education. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ School Board Appreciation ​ January is School Board Appreciation month and the theme for this year is Building Tomorrow’s Future . This is a fitting theme for the vision and drive cast by the Cullman City Board of Education. Some of their accomplishments were recently captured in this Cullman Tribune article. Be sure to thank our five school board members for their service to our school system and students. Amy Carter - President, Jill Bradberry - Vice President, Jason Neal, Cheryl Harrison, Chris Branham ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Academic Calendar ​ The 2025-2026 academic calendar was adopted in the January school board meeting. This calendar received 52.5% of the employee votes and 64.2% of the votes from our PTO parents. Employees report back on August 4th and students return on August 6th. There is a two day break for students (4 day weekend) in mid-October, a full week for Thanksgiving, 2 full weeks for Christmas and spring break will be the first week of April, 2026. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Construction Update ​ Cullman Intermediate School Earlier this month we broke ground on the Cullman Intermediate School Project. During the initial phase of work, they will remodel and update the Smith Center (old library) to create a modern functional space for our students with special needs to include a sensory room and calming room. Simultaneously, the contractors will begin site work on the areas where our new gym/storm shelter will be located. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CHS CTE/STEM Building We are still in the beginning stages of this project with procurement of material and supplies being the priority. In the near future we will see stripping of topsoil, demolition of the storage building and removal of the greenhouse. ​ ​ ​ ​ CMS The contractors and subcontractors are dodging rain and freezing temperatures to continue their mission of installing the hollow-core slab and vertical blocks on the final phase of this project. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ PowerSchool Data Breach ​ Earlier this month a data breach was reported by PowerSchool, the student information system used by the Alabama Department of Education. We do not yet know the extent of the invasion of student or employee privacy. However, we do know that the breach did not involve social security numbers because the ALSDE no longer collects social security numbers. In compliance with the Alabama Data Breach Notification Act of 2018, PowerSchool assumes all responsibility and duties in association with this data breach. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weather Day ​ Our fun in the snow day on January 13th was declared a State of Emergency by Governor Ivey. Therefore, I will write to the State Superintendent to request that we do not make this missed instructional day up. Stay tuned for updates. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Literacy Act ​ In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. This school year is the second year the requirements of the Act will be fully implemented. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Strategic Commitments ​ Recently, the Cullman City Board of Education approved the new Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). Some of the highlights from the six broad areas include: 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Tech Check ​ The Tech Department is organizing a Technology Conference titled Red, White, and Rebooted for our faculty and staff to be held on our PD Day, February 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The full day event will feature an exciting Keynote address from a well-known, dynamic educator (announcement coming soon!) and numerous 50 minute break-out sessions covering an abundance of tech topics. We look forward to seeing everyone there!  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ The Bottom Line ​ News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The month of November is 1) 16.67% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 13.94% while expenditures were at 3) 16.89%. Our total net operations were 4) -$1.68 M. Total assets were 5) $12.2 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $12.2 M which brings us to 7) 3.46 months of reserves. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Next Update: February 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff ​ ​ ​

Tuesday, Jan 28 2025

December 2024 Superintendent Newsletter

​ ​ CCS System Update December 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Teachers of The Year ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Each of the five schools recently recognized their 2025-2026 Teacher of The Year. In January, we will recognize an Elementary TOY (K-5) and a Secondary TOY (6-12) for our school system. These two finalists will be in the running for the Alabama Teacher of the Year which will be announced later this spring. Each of our five school-based winners will receive a $1,000.00 incentive from the Cullman City Board of Education. Congratulations to all five of these amazing educators! Keli Thrasher, Cullman City Primary School April Dean, East Elementary School Meaghan Britton, West Elementary School Michael Crocker, Cullman Middle School Caroline Lunsford, Cullman High School ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thank you, AmFirst! ​ A huge thank you to AmFirst for their support of Cullman City Schools. Throughout the school year, AmFirst presents gift cards to Teacher of the Month, Support Staff of the Month, and all five Teachers of the Year. We are so blessed to have such a generous sponsor for our educators! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Interim Athletic Director ​ In the December meeting of the Board, Coach Mike Dean was named the Interim Athletic Director. Coach Dean is a retired coach who spent most of his career as a Bearcat. He will serve the school system for the remainder of this school year as the administration and board search for a permanent Athletic Director to replace the retiring Mark Stephens. Coach Dean will work closely with the CHS administration and head coaches while striving for integrity, strong character, equitable services and student centered athletic programs in the Cullman City Schools.  The Board advertised a vacancy for the permanent Athletic Director and hopes to fill this position by the conclusion of the 24-25 school year.  ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Safety and Growth Plan Update ​ Work resumes at Cullman Middle as phase two continues to progress. Vertical blocks, core slabs and cement trucks are evident daily at CMS. Ideally, we will have a string of good weather days over the break and come back to school with a frame and roof on phase two. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ On December 18th, we had our pre-construction meeting with Wyatt for the CIS project and Eidson for the CHS project. These meetings are conducted by the state inspector, who establishes the non-negotiables in relation to student and staff safety, subcontractor safety and expectations as well as materials delivery parameters to avoid school traffic.   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ U.S. Department of Education ​ Many people have asked me what we can expect at the federal-level in relation to public education under the incoming Trump administration. Here is an article from District Administration highlighting a few possible initiatives and providing more on the background of the new Secretary of Education. At the national level, we can expect more emphasis on school choice options in America as well as more parent input in curriculum and content in our schools. We should also see more state control of education and less federal oversight. Just last year, the Alabama Legislature passed laws in relation to expanding school choice in the Yellowhammer state as well as curriculum transparency for parents and stakeholders. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ CCPS Named One of the Safest Schools in Alabama ​ Cullman City Primary School was recently honored with the Alabama Attorney General 2024 Safe Schools Initiative Award. CCPS is one of six schools in Alabama to receive this prestigious honor. The Cullman City Board of Education has made numerous investments in our schools to make sure we are providing our students with a safe learning environment. The students, faculty and administrators at CCPS do an exceptional job placing student safety as the number one priority all 180 days of the school year. In the coming months, there will be a celebration at CCPS, where Alabama’s Attorney General, Steve Marshall, will present the CCPS family this distinguished award. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ 2024 ​ As we prepare to close the 2024 calendar year, it is important to reflect on what a great year we had in the Cullman City School System. Events like the snow break in January, award winning performances by the CHS band and theater programs, another trip to the sweet 16 by the Bearcat Basketball team, a valedictorian who received a full ride to an Ivy League College, another year of top 5 and 10 ACAP scores in Alabama, a National Blue Ribbon School, opening a new playground at CCPS and a new Soccer Complex at CHS, all A’s on the state report card, a historic season for the CHS Volleycats, and funding and contracts approved for the Cullman Intermediate School project and the CHS Career Technical Education/STEM wing. What a year 2024 was! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Literacy Act ​ In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. This school year is the second year the requirements of the Act will be fully implemented. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Strategic Commitments ​ Recently, the Cullman City Board of Education approved the new Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). Some of the highlights from the six broad areas include: 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Tech Check ​ Stay Safe This Holiday Season: Beware of Phishing Scams ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The holiday season is here, and while it’s a time for joy and generosity, it’s also prime time for cybercriminals looking to take advantage of busy, distracted shoppers. Phishing email scams and fraudulent activities spike during the holidays, making it more important than ever to stay vigilant. One of the most common scams to watch out for is fake shipping notifications. As you eagerly await your online purchases, you might receive texts or emails claiming to provide updates on your delivery. These messages often contain links that, when clicked, install spyware or steal your personal information. Legitimate delivery services will not ask you to confirm personal details or payment information via text. Here are a few tips to protect yourself: Think Before You Click: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website or the shipping company’s tracking portal. Verify the Source: Check for spelling errors or odd email addresses that might indicate a fraudulent sender. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Be Wary of Holiday Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True: Scammers often create fake websites or ads offering massive discounts to steal your payment information. Stick to reputable retailers and verify the website’s legitimacy before making a purchase. Educate Family Members: Talk to your loved ones about common holiday scams, especially elderly relatives who may be more vulnerable to fraud. This holiday season, stay one step ahead of scammers. Protect your personal and financial information so you can focus on what truly matters—spending time with loved ones and celebrating the season. Michael Fowlkes District Technology Coordinator Cullman City Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Governor's App Challenge Assistance ​ Each year students from across the state of Alabama have an opportunity to participate in the Governor's App Challenge. The Alabama Governor's App Challenge is a statewide computer programming competition for Alabama students. The goal of the challenge is to allow more students to gain recognition for their mastery and application of computer programming and design. At the elementary level, the Cullman City Schools librarians and the technology integration specialist collaborate to give our elementary students the opportunity to participate. As part of the challenge, students are selected to develop their app ideas in the App Lab in code.org. Over the past several weeks, Misty Waldrop has been meeting with students to provide instruction and assistance. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The students are working hard to complete their apps by January 13th in order to be a part of the judging process. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Last year Avery Maples from West Elementary placed third at the state level. We are looking forward to seeing some great apps this year! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ The Bottom Line ​ News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The month of October is 1) 8.33% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 4.75% while expenditures were at 3) 9.02%. Our total net operations were 4) -$1.95 M. Total assets were 5) $12.2 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $11.9 M which brings us to 7) 3.39 months of reserves. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Merry Christmas ​ I hope all of Bearcat Nation has a safe and restful holiday season with family and ones you love. After a two week break, employees will return on Friday, January 3rd and our 3,200 students are expected back to school on Monday, January 6th. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Go Bearcats! ​ ​ ​ ​ Next Update: January 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff ​ ​ ​

Thursday, Dec 19 2024

November 2024 Superintendent Newsletter

​ ​ CCS System Update November 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Construction Update ​ ​ ​ ​ CMS (Phase Two) ​ Masonry crews continue to work vertically one block at a time. The core slabs will be installed over the Thanksgiving break, which will allow the second floor work to take place. Electricians are pulling wire and the site work on the southwest side of the construction continues to take shape.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CIS and CHS CTE/STEM ​ We are in a holding pattern as we wait for the construction contracts to be reviewed and approved by the State. We are scheduled to have a coordination meeting with Wyatt Builds, Lathan and the City of Cullman in the near future. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Athletic Director, Transportation and Student Safety ​ Mark Stephens recently announced his retirement from Cullman City Schools. Mark has been a great leader in this school system for many years and has served our students, coaches, programs and community well. We appreciate his service and he will be missed. As far as his duties, we will seek an interim AD to finish the school year, Mr. Duke will pick up the transportation responsibilities for the remainder of the school year and I will handle the student safety responsibilities. As a reminder, under Alabama Act 2024-356 (School Security Program) each district should designate an employee in the central office as the district safety coordinator. I will work with the Board and Mrs. Tuggle to gather input from stakeholders as we determine how we want to move forward with the responsibilities of A.D. Ideally, by late spring/early summer we will have a permanent solution for the A.D. responsibilities. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrating East Elementary ​ In early November at a ceremony in Washington D.C., East and the other 4 Alabama National Blue Ribbon schools were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ On November 14th, East was celebrated by the Alabama State Board of Education in Montgomery. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Annual Bus Inspection ​ Our 10 activity buses were recently inspected by the State Department of Education. None of our buses were found to have any deficiencies and we received a clean annual inspection report. Since 2021, we have replaced six of our older model buses with brand new buses. Our two oldest buses are 06 and 08 models and by this time next year, we plan on replacing them with brand new buses as well. We appreciate our contracted bus mechanic, Mr. Ryan Waters, who keeps our Bearcats safe while being transported to various extracurricular activities. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ State Report Card ​ Great news!  The Alabama State Report Card was released for public consumption on November 22nd. I am excited to report that the Cullman City Schools have all A's again and three of our schools have the highest grade they've  ever received since the state reports cards were reported. Below is a chart that shows a brief state report card history. It is a great time to be a Bearcat! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ We are very fortunate to have the teachers we have in our system! It is also worth noting that the same academic year in which we had the highest grades, we also had the highest special education rate at 13.79% and the highest poverty rate at 40.36%. Our educators do not make excuses and produce unbelievable results! The following criteria are taken into account when calculating the state report cards: Academic Achievement, Academic Growth, Graduation Rate, College and Career Readiness Rate, Chronic Absenteeism and Progress in English Language Proficiency. For 2024, students at Cullman High School achieved an all-time high in the College and Career Readiness Indicator of 95.2 percent. For the sake of comparison, that indicator has increased from 88.48 percent in 2018. The college and career readiness rate reflects a school’s success in preparing students for life after graduation. The higher the score, the more students are ready for college, careers, or other opportunities, setting them up for success in the future.  The state of Alabama sets chronic absenteeism at 18 days. This means students can miss up to 10 percent of the school year for excused and unexcused reasons. If they miss more than 18 days they are considered chronically absent. This area counts for 10% of the report card grade. This is an area that is difficult for schools to control because in most cases attendance starts at home. However, as you can see in the table below, our chronic absenteeism rates have been trending in the right (downward) direction over the last three years. This reduction in chronic absenteeism has everything to do with our great families and motivated students. When you dive deeper into the report card data there is a direct correlation between the reduction in absenteeism and the increase in student achievement. Thank you parents and stakeholders for partnering with us to make school attendance a priority.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ With the recent passing of the CHOOSE Act, it is important to remember why the Cullman City School System remains the best choice for the best education! Here are five quick reminders… ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Literacy Act ​ In May of 2019, the Alabama Literacy Act was enacted. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. This school year is the second year the requirements of the Act will be fully implemented. One requirement is for 3rd grade students who are not reading at grade-level, as indicated on the ACAP, to be retained in third grade. Throughout the school year, teachers will provide parents feedback on how their children are progressing in reading using benchmark tools like DIBELS and iReady. Third grade students who do not meet the score on ACAP will be required to attend a mandatory summer reading camp in June. At the conclusion of the reading camp the identified students will have one more opportunity to take the ACAP and show that they are reading at a third grade level or above. The third grade teachers at both East and West are very strong and receive tremendous support, however it is going to take a team (teacher, parent and student) to reach the 100% threshold. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Strategic Commitments ​ Recently, the Cullman City Board of Education approved the new Strategic Plan and Strategic Commitments. The entire plan is located on the school system website (https://www.cullmancats.net). Some of the highlights from the six broad areas include: 1.Student Support and Safety Safe learning environments Access to related services Increase modes of communication 2.Technology Enhancing devices and connectivity Safe and secure networks Professional development and support 3.Curriculum and Assessment Rigor, critical thinking, and creativity Alignment of assessments intended outcomes More academic and extracurricular opportunities 4.Employees Consistent expectations from campus to campus Continuous training on 21st century transferable skills Seek the best educators 5.Finance and Resources Financial transparency Increase community and industry partnerships Budget for the Board’s vision 6.Facilities Clean learning environments on all campuses Plan for comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School (3-5) Expand preschool programs ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Tech Check ​ Our technicians have been busy rolling out new devices to our teachers. Teachers at EES, WES, and CMS have received their new laptops. The process is also underway at CHS. The Tech Department used our ParentSquare Communication platform to set up appointments for teachers to receive their new laptop. ParentSquare has an "appointment sign-up" feature which allows all of our teachers to sign-up for a time that works best for them. This improves the efficiency of the process, as well as providing information about who has received a new device. We are so excited to be using ParentSquare as our communication platform. All of CCS uses ParentSquare as the communication tool for classes, groups, and clubs. Please take time to activate your account and download the app, so that you receive all communication. You can contact the Technology Department if you need a registration invite by emailing mwaldrop@cullmancats.net In other news, CCS hosted a FinalSite (our website platform) Users Group at CHS. We had individuals from all across the state attend. Speakers provided insight into their best practices for website design, as well as tips and tricks that can improve the impact of a school system's websites.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ The Bottom Line ​ News from the CFO Full financial statements can be found on the Cullman City Schools website by clicking here. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The month of September is 1) 100% into the fiscal year. Revenues were at 2) 111% while expenditures were at 3) 101.8%. Our total net operations were 4) $2.6 M. Total assets were 5) $14.2 M. We ended the month with a fund balance of 6) $13.9 M which brings us to 7) 4.18 months of reserves. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Happy Thanksgiving ​ Students and almost all employees will be off for Thanksgiving during the week of November 25th - 29th. When we return on December 2nd, we will have 3 full weeks of school until we are halfway finished with the 2024-2025 school year. I hope everyone has a wonderful but restful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and people you love. We have so much for which to be thankful as we embark on this holiday season. I am thankful to work in a community who values education, to work alongside educators who are committed to the students we serve, and most importantly to have an opportunity to serve 3,200 students who will shape the future for Cullman, Alabama and America. ​ ​ ​ ​ Next Update: December 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent Email: kkallhoff@cullmancats.net Website: https://www.cullmancats.net/ Location: 301 1st Street Northeast, Cullman, AL, USA Phone: (256)734-2233 Twitter: @kkallhoff ​ ​ ​

Friday, Nov 22 2024