LEEDS — If you watched the Miss America competition, you heard Miss Virginia (now, Miss America) say one way to minimize childhood obesity is to cut off the TV and other electronic devices and get outside to play and exercise. Parents, take advantage of these days and enjoy playing games with your children. Children don’t need things as much as they need you, your attention and your time.

LHS Tree Planting

When you are on Highway 78, driving past the high school, you can’t help but notice the trees that have recently been planted on the hillside. Mr. Bryan L. Swift’s science classes are building an outdoor classroom using grant money from the Leeds Education Foundation, school board funds and donations of trees from Mr. Fred Capps in conjunction with the Alabama Forestry Commission and Alagasco. Also participating is Mr. Eddie Cook, Leeds Tree Commission Chair; and others have been working together to plant select trees that are native to Alabama. The classes planted around 150 trees in one day. Anyone interested in helping with this project should contact Mr. Swift at 699-4510.

LHS Ecoscape Project

Bryan L. Swift, Science Department Chair, is extremely excited about the Ecoscape project, which is in the planning stages. This project is in partnership with The Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College (BSC). Roald Hazelhoff, director of the BSC Southern Environmental Center, surveyed the site last week and is also enthusiastic about this undertaking that will require the Leeds community to work together to bring this vision to fruition. Mr. Swift has identified possible advantages for students and residents as including wetland and pond ecosystems, multiple outdoor teaching areas, native tree and wildflower ecosystems, a community garden producing fresh vegetables and flowers; a venue for works of art by local and student artists, a venue for other community functions, and a way to incorporate the currently unused courtyard space as an additional teaching area. The Ecoscape will necessitate donations of time, gifts and resources from all involved, so Mr. Swift is hopeful that our community will come together in a positive way to provide this for our students and citizens. More information will be provided as this develops.

LHS Special Education Teacher Receives Grants

LHS Special Education Teacher Valerie Purser has been awarded a mini grant from the Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (AASCD) Her project is entitled “Alabama Authors.” As a result, Leeds High School will receive classroom sets (35 copies) of two books: “After the Lost War,” a narrative poem by Andrew Hudgins and “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” by Fanny Flagg.

Ms. Purser is personally donating a DVD of the second book. Mrs. Purser also received a second grant from the Leeds Educational Foundation (LEF) for $462 for a Math Resources Project. It was used to purchase books and games as well as a classroom set of dry-erase boards for the math department. Congratulations, Ms. Purser!

Congratulations to Child Nutrition Program

 The child nutrition program was recently audited by the State Department of Education. This included a visit to the LHS lunchroom. The program passed with flying colors! Thank you to Ms. Anita Smith, director, and all those who work in the cafeterias at the three schools.

Mr. and Miss Leeder-2010

Congratulations to Kaleb Busby and Bianca Prinsloo who were selected Mr. and Miss Leeder at the high school pageant January 30. Also, congratulations to the other outstanding students who were recognized for their achievements and named Class Favorites and Miss Congeniality.

Report of ROE Meeting - February

The school board met February 9 at the Leeds Civic Center. Mr. Harry Higdon presented his monthly financial report. The board approved a policy change as required by the Alabama legislature, Act 09-297, School Board Member Training. Leeds Policies 2.11 and 2.50 encouraging board members to attend training sessions were amended to require board members to attend training sessions by the Alabama State Association of School Boards and/or other professional presenters.

Congratulations to New Delta Kappa Gamma Members

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is an organization that honors key women educators. Membership is by invitation only. The organization is in 14 countries. There are 95 chapters in Alabama with approximately 3,000 members. The following Leeds educators were initiated into the Leeds Area chapter, Delta Theta: teachers Jessica Webb and Leslie Gilley and Director of Auxiliary Services Dr. Kathy King. Other Leeds educators who are members include teachers Cassie Pulliam and Susan Hutto; Director of Student Services/Personnel Amy Terry, and BOE president, Grady Sue Saxon.

A Closing Reminder

 We have made it past the first 100 days of school and are speeding through the second semester. Don’t let up now! Continued teamwork will make this year another successful year.