Shades Cahaba named CLAS Banner School

Shades Cahaba Elementary School has been selected as a Banner School by The Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS).

The program was created in 2001 to recognize schools in Alabama that demonstrate outstanding programs and service to students.

Shades Cahaba Elementary School was nominated by Homewood City Schools Superintendent of Education Dr. Bill Cleveland. Sue Grogan, principal, submitted the application to be judged by a committee of distinguished school leaders.

The school’s “I Wonder…” academic expo was specifically recognized with the honor. In this academic opportunity, each child is encouraged to identify one area in which he or she is curious. Students then design a plan to learn about the topic, stating what they already know, what they would like to learn, and how they will go about researching the topic.

Projects span curriculums as students work alone, in groups, with siblings, or as a class. The project’s culminating activity and the goal for each student is to have confidence in not only learning the work, but also being able to tell what they know.

This is accomplished through a conversation with an academic expo judge to explain the knowledge gained including plans for continuing the study. Depending on the elements included in the study, students may earn the distinction of participant, researcher or scholar with no limit to the number who may earn the highest distinction.

Past projects have included “I wonder how people end up homeless,” a social studies visual; “I wonder how to get a book published,” a language arts PowerPoint presentation, and “I wonder how music and math are connected,” presented as a math/fine arts original score performed on the piano.