• create an environment of respect where all learners feel safe, accepted, valued, and supported.

• foster a collaborative culture where learners respectfully share and exchange ideas, views, and knowledge.

• promote academic excellence by inspiring a passion for learning.

• provide systems of support to meet the needs of all learners.

• cultivate learners who are reflective and who set goals for academic, extracurricular, and personal growth.

• utilize organizations and programs to develop leaders and enrich learning.

• implement activities and programs that strengthen community and parent partnerships.

• maximize resources and facilities to best meet the needs of learners.

• prepare learners for a successful future.

#ACSVision IS BORN

We are passionate about bringing our vision to life every day. Serve Day is a way for our ACS family to say thank you to volunteers, businesses, organizations, and churches for their partnerships.  Together, we are investing in the community we love.”
– Stacie Pace, Assistant Superintendent, Arab City Schools

ACS Serve Day Video

THE ARAB CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM ADOPTS A NEW VISION FOR THE DISTRICT

“It looks like the top 3 things to do on a daily to-do list,” said Board Attorney Clint Maze.  Pace said work started on the new vision some 6 months ago (January 2018).  “Periodically throughout the school year we take time to reflect, evaluate effectiveness, make adjustments, and determine next steps.  Last year, at the end of the first semester, we began the process of developing a new vision,” she said. Pace and other administrators met with district employees beginning in January (2017).   “We wanted a vision that would honor the work already happening across the district, but would also move us forward,” she said.

Pace said a certain amount of inspiration came from the book “It’s My Pleasure,” written by Dee Ann Turner, Vice-President of Corporate Talent for Chick-Fil-A.  “The Chick-Fil-A mission isn’t about selling chicken sandwiches, it’s about being a positive influence and serving others. That’s what is important to them. We wanted the ACS vision to reflect what’s important to us also,” said Pace.  “We wanted the vision to go above and beyond academics. When people ask what makes Arab City Schools so special, we always tell them it’s the people; the students, teachers, parents, support staff, community and administrators,” she said.  Pace said that academic excellence is important and will always be a priority for the school system, but investing in each other (students and adults) is equally as important.

Highlighted in the logo is ‘Serve Our Community.’  “This one,” she said, “you don’t hear as much about.”  Pace said when Arab City Schools is mentioned in the media, it’s often about test scores or athletics.  “What others may not know, is how much the ACS staff does on a regular basis to help students and families outside of the classroom,” she said.  “It’s not unusual for staff members to find help for families in need financially and otherwise. Sometimes there are situations where students need a little extra support beyond academics,” said Pace.

The new vision was presented to all faculty members in small group settings.  “Everyone felt refreshed,” said 4th grade teacher Jennifer Stephens. “It’s really been a positive for the employees,” she said.  Following the initial meetings with employees, faculties participated in “team challenges” as part of a recent Professional Development Day.  “They wrote songs, acted out skits, created videos and had a lot of fun with it, but it all worked to affirm the vision. The teams posted their entries on Twitter using the hashtag #ACSVision,” said Pace.  “As we move into the new school year, we will continue to talk about and work towards our new vision,” she said.