Decatur City Schools Foundation

This August, over 230 people from our community gathered for the Second Annual Dream Big Luncheon, featuring speaker Liz Huntley. Her story began in a way we see tragically often. Surrounded by drug addiction, abuse, and neglect, Liz should never have been able to become the nationally recognized lawyer, child advocate, author, and speaker that she is today. The course of her life changed when her first-grade teacher believed in her, saying, “Elizabeth, you’re going to be the brightest student I ever have.” Liz went on to explain that being able to read from an early age was key to her success. Because she was able to read before entering school in first grade, she was able to navigate the world around her, even when she faced challenges like registering for school alone. That experience fuels her support of childhood education. She was excited to see Decatur’s commitment to early education and early literacy, looking around the room at all of the individuals and businesses who

Boeing has awarded the Decatur City Schools Foundation a $50,000 grant to bring industry-relevant education to more than 360 7th-12th grade students in Decatur City Schools. The Engineering Green Power project will prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing by providing materials, tools, and equipment for 7th-12th grade engineering courses. This project addresses a local community need of responding to the increasing demand in   STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) job markets, specifically because of the heavy influence that North Alabama plays in defense industries, the space program, aeronautics, and aerospace industries. Graduates ready to work with STEM skills are highly sought after by industry in Decatur and the surrounding region. Engineering Green Power will help to bridge the gap from hands-on exploration to greater proficiency in math and science classes. Exposure to STEM skills in an engagin