September Employee Birthdays

Mr. Creel-1st

Mrs. Turner-13th

Ms. Webb-22nd

Terrific Tuesday

Parents, would you like to help your child with the transition from elementary school to middle school? Ms. Smith, school counselor, will hold a 30-minute session at 11:00 on Tuesday, September 11th. She will provide helpful information that will make this adjustment easier for both you and your child. You are invited to stay and join your child for lunch after the session ends. 

Fall Pictures

Fall school pictures will be September 7th!

Students may wear clothes of their choice. Be sure to follow Talladega City Schools dress code policy.

PTO Meeting

A PTO meeting will be held Thursday, September 6th beginning at 3:30 in the Ellis lunchroom. All parents are invited to attend. Support our PTO and be eligible for a door prize!

Coca-Cola Sale

Our annual Coke sale will be August 27-September 14. A variety of coke products are available. Order forms will be sent home with students and extra forms may be picked up at the front office. This is a school-wide fundraiser so please help!

Labor Day

No school September 3rd

Breakfast Program

Our Breakfast Program will begin August 27th at 7:25. Students should arrive no earlier. Please review the Ellis handbook regarding morning bus room rules. Enjoy!

Certification Page Due

Parents and Students,

Please sign "The Certification Page" which is located at the back of the student handbook and return to your homeroom teacher by August 27th.

Thank you, The Daily Home!

Thank you, The Daily Home for the great coverage of our upcoming archery program at Ellis. To view this article in its entirety, click here. Way to go, Mr. Ward and Mr. Sewell for achieving certification! 

2012 Orientation

Orientation was a HUGE success with 196 parent signatures on sign-in sheets. After Mr. Bailey's Title 1 meeting and welcome in the lunchroom, students were dismissed to find their homeroom teacher and receive their schedule.

Lockers were purchased and some parents demonstrated their "middle-school-years-locker-opening-skills" helping their child. Students mastered the technique and new school supplies were place inside.

Students walked their schedule route to learn the location of each class and meet their teachers.

Gym bags and school t-shirts were purchased and ordered.

88% of students and 100% of Ellis faculty attended.

Friendships were both rekindled and created and excitement was evident.

What a great way to start the year!  

T-Shirts

Bring $12.00 to orientation Thursday, August 16th

 and buy a school t-shirt!

Various sizes will be available. Orders may be placed
 for sizes not available.

School t-shirts may be worn each Friday. 
Buy yours and wear it Friday, August 24th!

New Look in Career Tech

Our Career Tech room has a new look. Thanks for the great job, JJ, from Maintenance Department!

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. Barnes

Ellis proudly welcomes Mrs. Fannie Barnes to our awesome faculty!

I am a highly-qualified special education teacher. I have a BA degreee in rehabilitation for the deaf from Talladega College, certification in vision from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and certification/MA degree in special education from Jacksonville State.

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. Irons

Ellis proudly welcomes Mrs. Pam Irons to our outstanding faculty!

I am Pam Irons, 7^th grade math teacher. I have 19 years teaching experience. The first ten years I taught in the Walker County System. From there, I taught three years at Sumiton Christian School and the last six years have been at Westbrook Christian School in Rainbow City, AL. I am very excited about the opportunity to teach at Ellis Middle School and appreciate the responsibility and trust the School Board has given me.

My husband of over 32 years is Mike Irons who pastors Trinity United Methodist Church in Talladega. Mike and I have three grown sons. Our eldest, Derek, is married to Leslie and they have two sons. I will be glad to talk about my grandsons, Luke and Alex, anytime you would like! Our middle son, Deron, is marrying Katy on September 2, 2012 in Fort Worth, TX. Our youngest son, Daryl, is married to Haley and they have just purchased their first home in Gardendale, AL. Mike and I consider our sons, daughter-in-loves and grandchildren our greatest accomplishments and overwhelming blessings.

My sons, and now my grandchildren, help to shape my teaching strategies and classroom management. Always at the back of my mind when making decisions are the questions, “How would I want my son (grandson) taught? How would I want my son (grandson) treated by his teacher?” I am not perfect, but I do strive to be the best teacher for each student each year. I expect a lot from myself, and I also expect a lot from each student.

I look forward to working closely with each student as we strive toward the goal of Ellis Middle School “becoming the best school in America.”

On Target at Ellis

More information will be available after August 20th!

Join our PTO

PTO officers invite all parents to join the Ellis PTO and become active, working participants. Membership is only $5.00 per family for the 2012-2013 school year. Officers will be available at orientation August 16th from 6:00-8:00 to receipt dues, answer questions, and provide sign-up sheets for upcoming projects. 

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. Taylor

Ellis proudly welcomes Mrs. Andrea Taylor to our wonderful faculty!

My name is Andrea Taylor. I teach 7th and 8th grade Social Studies. I am the cheerleader coach for the Ellis Jr. High cheerleaders. I am from Anniston and graduated from Walter Wellborn High School. I received a Bachelors in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from Jacksonville State University in 2009. This will be my second year teaching and coaching cheerleaders. I am currently attending the University of West Alabama to obtain a Masters as a Library Media Specialist.

I am married to Justin Taylor who also teaches and coaches at Cherokee County High School. We have a two-year-old son, Jett, and a one-year-old daughter, Lorelai. We live in Weaver. I enjoy running and am training for my first 10k. I spend most of my time at church, playing with my kids, at the football field, or cheering for the Crimson Tide. I am very excited to meet all of my new students and work with the friendly administrators, teachers and staff at Zora Ellis Jr. High.