Elmore Education Matters

The 2021-2022 school year is off to a great start in Elmore County! We opened on August 9 to full in-person instruction, and all schools reported smooth openings. We are experiencing record enrollment in our brick-and-mortar schools as well as The EDGE, our virtual school for grades K-12. The Elmore County Technical Center has nearly doubled its enrollment over the past several years, reaching a new high of approximately 1,000 students in the 12 Career-Technical Education programs offered on its campus.

In keeping with our commitment to provide our students with opportunities to develop 21st century skills, we are excited to open new STEM labs with dedicated STEM teachers in our four middle schools. Students will be able to participate in engaging activities that will help them develop 21st century skills – the knowledge, life skills, career skills, habits, and traits they need to be successful as they move on to college, the workforce, and adult life – which are applicable to everything they do. A few examples of these skills include critical thinking, communication skills, problem solving, collaboration, technology skills and digital literacy, social skills, self-direction, etc. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these learning opportunities for years to come.

Last year about this time, I shared three major construction projects that would be starting soon: the addition of a new band/choral room at Stanhope Elmore High School, construction of the new Redland Middle School, and a 45,000 square foot addition to the Elmore County Technical Center. I’m happy to report that the band/choral room is officially complete and students at SEHS are enjoying their new space. Redland Middle School is on track to open for students in grades 5-8 in August of 2022, and the Elmore County Technical Center addition is scheduled to open in January 2022. Finally, the new Wetumpka Municipal Stadium, a collaborative effort between the City of Wetumpka, the Elmore County Commission, and the Elmore County Board of Education, hosted its first official high school football game, the Wetumpka High School home opener against Prattville High School on August 20, 2021. This new facility will replace Hohenberg Field for Wetumpka High School football games as well as be able to accommodate other outdoor sporting events such as soccer and track and field.

We are looking forward to the 20212022 school year and the many opportunities it can provide our students to learn and grow. We are committed to work together for the benefit of all our students because our goal remains: Every Student Empowered. Every Student Succeeds.

Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.

Elmore County Schools

Holtville Grad Earns IT Skill Point Certificate

Matthew Rogers, a 2021 Holtville High School graduate who competed at SkillsUSA Nationals over the summer representing ECTC’s Computer/IT program, earned a Skill Point Certificate for exceptional achievement! This recognition is awarded to competitors who reach or exceed a threshold score meaning Rogers demonstrated proficiency and mastery in his competitions at a level that is workforce ready.

ECTC Grads Join Jackson Hospital Staff

Elmore County Tech Center celebrates a signing day for two Medical Sciences program participants, Madison Perdue and Dallis Potts, both 2021 Stanhope Elmore graduates, as they were accepted to Jackson Hospital’s OR Scrub Tech Training, where they are employed and will receive training over the next several months.

Elmore County Technical Center Starts New Year

The Elmore County Technical Center (ECTC) kicked off the 2021-2022 school year with more than 1,000 students in Elmore County Public Schools grades 10-12 enrolled throughout the day in our 14 programs and dual enrollment courses!

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Service Dog Provides Quick Aid at WES

At Wetumpka Elementary School, “Popcorn” the service dog was visiting Bennett’s class last springand became anxious and started climbing on Bennett and getting others’ attention. Bennett is a Type 1 diabetic and was experiencing a “low” with his blood sugar/glucose. Thank you to teacher Carol Matthews, Nurse Slater and Popcorn for a prompt medical response!

Elmore County Accepts Check from Rep. Holmes

State Representative Mike Holmes presented the Elmore County Board of Education with a check for $27,095 to be used toward STEM rooms and programs. We appreciate your support on this initiative.

Wetumpka Theatre Guild Students Help with Summer Meal Distribution

On the last day of food distribution for the Elmore County Child Nutrition program, twice as much food was being distributed as normal. It took a large group, but these Wetumpka High Theatre Guild members and Guild moms showed up to serve Wetumpka. The Wetumpka High Theatre Guild’s tenets are Integrity, Service and Commitment. Thank you to all who helped!

EMS Starts Strong

Students in Mr. Tyre’s class at Eclectic Middle School completed a visual analysis, and they identified parts of speech to show their command on English grammar!