Special to the
Opelika Observer
On Aug. 3, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Carver Primary School and West Forest Intermediate School have been selected as official Alabama Bicentennial Schools in a ceremony in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol.
Carver Primary and West Forest Intermediate are two of 200 schools selected to receive this special designation and will receive a grant to fund a community projects that they conceptualize.
Launched by Governor Ivey in December 2017, the “Alabama Bicentennial Schools Initiative” encourages all public, private, home-school students and teachers to participate in the celebration of Alabama’s 200th anniversary of statehood in 2019. In early 2018, all K-12 schools in Alabama were invited to submit a proposal that engages in outreach and improvement projects to connect their classrooms with their local communities.
From a competitive pool of nearly 400 proposals, 200 schools were selected to be official Alabama Bicentennial Schools and receive $2,000 grants to support the implementation of their projects. Additionally, 56 schools received honorable mentions and $500 grants. Schools were chosen through a review process involving committees of local educators, community leaders, and private citizens.
Representing all corners of the state, the selected schools have developed a wide variety of projects that will make meaningful contributions to their local communities.
According to Maggie Cooper, OCS Parenting Coordinator and Bicentennial Coordinator for Carver and West Forest schools, “Sweet Home Opelika” is a project designed by the staff members at Carver Primary and West Forest Intermediate schools to inform and spark curiosity in Opelika City Schools’ students about the wonderful town that they live in.
“Through partnerships with local organizations and city groups, the schools hope to build relationships that will foster long-term involvement. There will be four programs at each school throughout the year that will involve community members, private citizens, and parents sharing about our great city,” Cooper said.
Each school will also create an outdoor classroom area to enhance the students’ learning experience.
“The Bicentennial Schools Initiative is not only a special way for students to take part in celebrating our 200 years of statehood, but also an opportunity for them to engage within their communities. It fosters a love for the state they call home, and it instills in them the courage to make a difference,” Ivey said.
The initiative is presented in partnership by Alabama 200, the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Alabama State Department of Education.
For a complete list of official Bicentennial Schools or for more information, visit www.alabama200.org.