Huntsville City Schools (HCS) is completing its week-long virtual campaign to recognize individuals and organizations supporting the district. HCS is thanking volunteers, businesses, faith-based organizations and community partners who provide contributions and offer assistance to the school system both during the Blended Learning Plan and throughout the school year.
'By investing in our students, these individuals and organizations are investing in the future of our city,' said HCS Superintendent Christie Finley. “We are grateful for their support and investment in the 23,000 students of Huntsville City Schools.”
In order to help support the Blended Learning Plan, ADTRAN provided the district’s more than 40 schools with the ability to extend WiFi range to 300 yards outside each building. Huntsville Utilities crews completed the installations within a week before students started instruction under the Blended Learning Plan on Monday, April 6, 2020.
Local churches are also providing meals to students including Aldersgate Methodist, Church of the Highlands, Huntsville First United Methodist, Mayfair Church of Christ, Rock Family Worship Center, Southwood Presbyterian, St. John AME, St. Matthews Episcopal, St. Thomas Episcopal, The Dwelling Place, Trinity Methodist and Union Hill Primitive Baptist. The Rock Worship Center, The Dream Center and the Manna House are coordinating with churches to distribute the meals to six schools within the district.
Additionally, HCS administrators remain grateful for the support of corporate partners who were already supporting the district prior to the implementation of the district’s Blended Learning Plan. Among those corporate partners is Northrop Grumman,who has partnered with HCS for the past six years to provide students with hands-on activities to excite, engage and explore opportunities in STEM-related fields.
“We believe in giving back,” said Erica Hopkins, corporate citizenship representative for Northrop Grumman. “We understand that it’s vital for local school systems because they have the responsibility of providing the education necessary for students and their futures. It’s very important for organizations such as Northrop Grumman to give back to the school systems.”
Northrop Grumman provides the district with engineering and technology-based grants and partnerships for student activities including Greenpower electric car building and racing, and the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Programs. The company also supports workforce-related professional development for educators.
Schools and the district are creating posts on social media highlighting these volunteers and organizations throughout the remainder of the week.