Mrs. Charissa Cole/Creek View Elementary School
CVES is kicking off the 2025–2026 School Year with great energy and enthusiasm! I’m thrilled to begin my twelfth year at CVES and look forward to continuing a strong partnership with parents and families to make this an exceptional year for all.
Over the summer, our dedicated teachers participated in professional development sessions focused on English Language Arts and Math. They began the year by analyzing student data to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive. We also celebrated the completion of Phase II of the CVES renovations! Classrooms in the 300, 400, and 500 halls now feature fresh paint, new sinks, cabinets, bulletin boards, and furniture. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Vickers and the ACS Board of Education for their continued investment in our school.
We’re excited to share that the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) has selected CVES to host Coaching Community #1. On September 17th, our Reading Coach, Ms. Thames, will lead a coaching cycle alongside one of our teachers. In addition, CVES will host a Leadership Lab on September 30th, welcoming administrators from across Region 7. During this visit, we’ll conduct a data meeting with our 3rd-grade reading teachers, providing a valuable professional development opportunity for attending leaders. These events highlight the effective, student-centered practices happening daily at CVES.
To reinforce the ACS Attributes of a Champion—Accountability, Commitment, Excellence, Integrity, and Leadership—I’ve been sharing books from the A Little SPOT of Life Skills series by Diane Alber during morning news broadcasts. We will continue recognizing students who exemplify these qualities through Champion Cards, Positive Office Referrals, and features on the Creek View News Network.
Our leadership team is also engaging with staff and students by sharing insights from The Power of a Positive Team by Jon Gordon. One of our favorite reminders is: “No one creates success alone. We are better together, and together we accomplish great things.”
It is truly an honor to be part of the CVES and ACS Family. Thank you for your continued support of Creek View Elementary School.
Mrs. Amanda Harvie/Meadow View Elementary School
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025–2026 School Year! We are off to an amazing start! I am honored to lead Meadow View as principal. We value our partnership with MVES families and community to ensure every child reaches their potential. Families are an essential part of the MVES family, and we want each of you to feel welcome and connected. We are here to support you.
Our fabulous teachers demonstrated dedication to lifelong learning, completing professional development this summer to prepare for our best year yet!
We have already begun analyzing beginning-of-year data to meet the diverse needs of students. Screenings for reading (Aimsweb) and math (Exact Path) are complete, and reports have been shared with families. Teachers have identified needs, begun whole-class instruction, and are pulling small groups to support individual students.
Professional development continues throughout the year in learning communities, with reading and math coaches, and through district partnerships such as Lexia and Magma Math. Our teachers are always honing their instructional practices. We remain committed to student success through the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act.
Outstanding student performance and growth are recognized through programs like Reader Leader and Mathletes. We also highlight students who exhibit Attributes of a Champion—Accountability, Commitment, Excellence, Integrity, and Leadership—and ask staff to share Positive Office Referrals with administration so student excellence is promoted!
Student committees such as the Kindness Crew and Principal’s Advisory Committee, selected by teachers, will work to enhance character, school, and community.
All grades will soon participate in Tech Tuesday. September is Attendance Awareness Month, and MVES has shared resources to stress the importance of regular attendance. Homerooms are competing this month for best attendance prizes.
It is my privilege to be part of a community where parents, teachers, and students care for one another and work together to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth. I look forward to continuing our work to provide a safe, nurturing environment and a curriculum that challenges and inspires. Thank you for being part of the Meadow View family!
Dr. Jamelia Hayes/Thompson Intermediate School
As we begin another exciting year at Thompson Intermediate, I am filled with both pride and gratitude. Over the past four years, I’ve had the honor of serving a school community deeply committed to growth, excellence, and heart, and I know this year will be another shining reflection of that mission.
We enter the 2025–2026 School Year celebrating tremendous gains in reading and steady growth in math—clear proof of what’s possible when hard work and high expectations come together. With the continued dedication of our teachers, and the steadfast support of Dr. Vickers, the Alabaster City School Board, district coordinators, chiefs, instructional coaches, and staff, we are well-positioned to build on that momentum. Their investment ensures our students have access to the interventions, resources, and instruction they need to thrive.
Our PTO remains an incredible partner, funding projects, supporting staff, and fostering appreciation that strengthens our school community. New after-school opportunities will give students more ways to grow and shine, while teachers and administrators continue their own professional learning through LETRS training, NBCT certification, and advanced degrees.
We are also grateful for the strong partnerships we’ve built with law enforcement and community groups, ensuring students feel supported, safe, and connected.
As we step into this year, I see more than opportunity—I see a collective determination to be excellent in every space we occupy. It is the joy of my career to serve this school, alongside my administrative team, phenomenal teachers, and amazing staff. Together, we are ready to make 2025–2026 our best year yet.
Dr. Neely Woodley/Thompson Middle School
Thompson Middle School has had an amazing start to the 2025-2026 School Year!
Students have quickly adjusted to life at TMS, learning their schedules, finding classrooms, and mastering locker combinations. Each student also received a back-to-school gift thanks to the support of TMS PTO: a drawstring bag containing a water bottle, earbuds, Chromebook, and student agenda.
Summer was a busy time at TMS. About 55 students attended the TMS Summer Learning Camp, while teachers participated in professional development focused on John Hattie’s Visible Learning. This training, which will continue through the school year, equips teachers with research-based strategies to strengthen instruction and maintain a positive school culture.
Already, classrooms are alive with student-centered learning and engaging lessons. Students are also continuing to use i-Ready, a computer-based program that reinforces math and reading skills. Each week, six “i-Ready Students of the Week” are nominated by teachers and earn a chance to spin the Warrior Wheel for prizes.
School spirit is strong at TMS with weekly dress-up days and an exciting pep rally to kick off the year. Students are also active in a wide variety of clubs and organizations, including Student Council, Book Club, Chess Club, Archery, and First Priority. Athletics and extracurricular activities are thriving as well, with volleyball, cross country, football, dance, cheer, majorettes, and band all representing TMS this fall.
We are grateful for the support of the ACS Board of Education, ACS Central Office, TMS PTO, and the Alabaster community. Most of all, we are proud of our teachers, staff, students, and families who make Thompson Middle School such a special place. Here’s to a fantastic 2025-2026 School Year!
Dr. Wesley Hester/Thompson High School
At Thompson High School, we have had a fantastic start to the 2025-2026 School Year, and momentum is strong across our campus. School spirit, student support, and opportunities for success are at an all-time high with growing numbers of courses, programs, activities, energized pep rallies, and superior involvement across Academics, Athletics, and the Arts.
We are so glad to have our students back for another outstanding school year and to be fully engaged in all of our programs and activities. We are especially proud of the Class of 2026, the first class to complete its entire K-12 journey in Alabaster City Schools. We welcome new faces to Thompson High School, including new faculty and staff members, our freshman class, and new students across every grade level.
Our students made the most of summer learning. A tremendous number of 9th and 10th grade students completed the online Career Prep course, and we saw record participation in summer credit advancement offerings. Our emphasis on Academics is front and center. We are enhancing ACT performance with more intense focus than ever, adding more targeted strategies, programs, and opportunities for success. Our teachers and staff are engaged and committed to their professional learning and growth, participating in intense training and professional development activities to enhance student learning at higher levels of knowledge and skill.
Our College & Career Readiness focus remains supreme, with a 99% graduation rate and impressive College & Career Readiness outcomes. Student life continues to advance with additional clubs, organizations, and honor societies offered this school year. In Career & Technical Education, the Champions Craft Academy is open and already making a positive impact on our enrolled students by providing hands-on, trade-specific instruction and industry certifications that will open doors to many career opportunities. Leadership and service remain top priorities at THS. Students will continue participating in iLead with Maxwell Leadership, and, as a Semiquincentennial School, we are integrating efforts in recognition of America’s 250th birthday.
Warrior Athletics is off to a great start. Football is doing very well and remains a top 20 national program, Volleyball has had early success and won its opening season tournament hosted at THS, and Cross Country boasts its largest roster to date. Building on last year’s momentum, Warrior Athletics captured six state championships in 2024-2025, and we are excited about the opportunities in 2025-2026. THS Performing Arts has started another great year with the Marching Southern Sounds having a successful camp and performing well. THS Choir, Theatre, Orchestra, Visual Ensembles, and our music, dance, and visual arts programs are working extremely hard and poised for continued success.
We are deeply grateful for our school system and community. We are thankful for the continuous support and leadership from the ACS Board of Education and Dr. Vickers, and we appreciate the partnership we have with our parents, including our PTO and a wide range of booster groups and organizations.
Again, we are thrilled at the amazing start to the 2025-2026 School Year, so please join us in making this the best school year yet. Warrior Strong!