The Homewood Star
Volume 6 | Issue 8 | November 2016
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Sensory-friendly program launches By AMBER RITCHIE
Laura Tucker, head of children's services, hosts the first sensory storytime at the Homewood Public Library. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Gratifying Work
The Homewood Public Library has teamed up with KultureCity to bring a new interactive program to children. Sensory Storytime is a periodic program for children and teenagers to “introduce stories and songs in a variety of ways in a sensory friendly atmosphere, in partnership with KultureCity,” according to Laura Tucker, head of the children’s services department at the library. Sensory Storytime, — launched
on Sept. 30 in the library’s children’s department — addresses the need for safely structured programs for individuals with autism and other sensory needs. “Sensory stories will add visuals and movement to normal stories,” Tucker said. The Homewood Public Library has the first children’s department in a library to work with KultureCity, she said. KultureCity was founded in Vestavia Hills in 2013. It helps Birmingham organizations bring better
inclusion and awareness to autism. Its aim is less about finding a cure for autism and more on creating safe spaces to help individuals with autism unlock their full potential, thus changing the “kulture” and inspiring others by bringing visibility and acceptance in communities everywhere. Employees at the Homewood Public Library underwent extensive training and earned certification from KultureCity. They have been equipped
See STORYTIME | page A29
PLAN OF ACTION School system begins strategic planning for future growth By SYDNEY CROMWELL
Homewood nonprofit aims to help immigrants across Alabama.
B
y the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, Homewood City Schools Superintendent Bill Cleveland wants to know exactly what steps to take to make room for the growing number of students at all five Homewood schools. Getting there, however, will take a lot of help from the city’s parents and development experts. In late September, Cleveland and Parks and Recreation Director Berkley Squires presented the results of a comprehensive land use and facilities study by B.L. Harbert International. The study was prompted by classrooms and ballfields across Homewood that are currently at maximum use, with the child population Cleveland only expected to increase. The study also included potential options to accommodate the growth in use across schools and parks. Though the study was a months-long process, Cleveland said it is not even the final step in gathering information, let alone making a decision and acting upon it. “A lot of people think that [the study] is it. That’s really just the first thing,” Cleveland said.
See page A20
The Next Step
Hannah Barber’s court vision and quickness contribute to her success in basketball, which secured her a spot at the collegiate level.
See page B1
INSIDE Sponsors ......... A4 City ................... A6 Business .........A10 Chamber ........A18 School House A25
Sports ............... B5 Events ............... B6 Community .....B10 Opinion ............ B13 Calendar ..........B14
NEW CLASSROOMS, NEW HIGH SCHOOL
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Students flood into a stairwell in Homewood High School. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Homewood City Schools enrollment has been on the rise since the 2005-2006 school year, some years even seeing triple-digit growth. Kindergarten enrollment broke 300 students in 2009-2010 and has kept climbing, which is causing ripple effects as the years go on and will eventually impact the high school as well. Cleveland said every classroom in the three elementary schools is being used and the middle and high schools are also seeing constraints in their class and extracurricular offerings. “Every classroom is being used. So this is not a
See SCHOOL STUDY | page A30