Good evening, BTW Families,
Scholars who were absent five days or more during the month of August will be receiving a MTSS Notice of Chronic Absenteeism. Notices will go home with scholars tomorrow and interventions will begin on Monday, September 8.
Please make every effort to have your scholar at school every day and on time. Excused and unexcused, absences count! Please continue to support us in the fight against chronic absenteeism.
All the best,
Dr. Ruffin
Scholars who were absent five days or more during the month of August will be receiving a MTSS Notice of Chronic Absenteeism. Notices will go home with scholars tomorrow and interventions will begin on Monday, September 8.
Please make every effort to have your scholar at school every day and on time. Excused and unexcused, absences count! Please continue to support us in the fight against chronic absenteeism.
All the best,
Dr. Ruffin
Good evening, BTW Families,
Scholars are required to wear their regular school uniform tomorrow. NO JEANS. Scholars should have their phones powered off in their Yondrs, ID badge, clear bags, clear water bottles, and should be on time ready to learn.
Let's close the week strong!
Sincerely,
Good evening, BTW Families,
The 2025-2026 BTW Math Lab is up and running! Details are included in the link provided. We would like to extend KUDOS to our MPS District Math Specialist, Mr. Curtis Rice, and to the retired teachers Mr. Smith and Mr. Harrell, for making this possible for our scholars.
It truly takes a village to develop "Excellence in All Things".
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bOXKvOie-2cb3uRvQEXoaBdkJx0E4xnn/view?usp=sharing
The 2025-2026 BTW Math Lab is up and running! Details are included in the link provided. We would like to extend KUDOS to our MPS District Math Specialist, Mr. Curtis Rice, and to the retired teachers Mr. Smith and Mr. Harrell, for making this possible for our scholars.
It truly takes a village to develop "Excellence in All Things".
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bOXKvOie-2cb3uRvQEXoaBdkJx0E4xnn/view?usp=sharing
FIRST HOME VOLLEYBALL GAME ALERT: The BTW Lady Yellow Jackets will host Carver High School next Monday, September 8, 2025 in the BTW Gymnaisum. Please visit www.gofan.co for your tix.
ALSO, we are asking all Yellow Jackets to wear all black uniforms to school on next Monday, September 8th. This is a BLACKOUT. The attire includes black uniform bottoms and a solid black polo style uniform shirt. No other bottoms and shirts allowed. If you are not participating, please wear your royal blue, gold, or white uniform top with your uniform bottom.
We are very excited about our 1st Home Volleyball Game next Monday!
ALSO, we are asking all Yellow Jackets to wear all black uniforms to school on next Monday, September 8th. This is a BLACKOUT. The attire includes black uniform bottoms and a solid black polo style uniform shirt. No other bottoms and shirts allowed. If you are not participating, please wear your royal blue, gold, or white uniform top with your uniform bottom.
We are very excited about our 1st Home Volleyball Game next Monday!
Hello Friends of the Robert S. and Jean E. Graetz Foundation,
We have exciting updates to share!
First, the 13th Annual Robert and Jean Graetz Symposium on Human Rights and Reconciliation was held on April 10 at the Montgomery Interpretive Center. It was a fabulous event, full of dynamic speakers, poignant panelists, awesome awardees, and enthusiastic and thoughtful audience participants.
This was the first symposium since the passing of our parents, Bob and Jeannie Graetz, and we know they would have been immensely pleased with the outcome of this renewed symposium. We keenly felt their presence throughout the event! Our parents would be especially thrilled to see the dream being carried forward by all the amazing young people who were present. We welcomed a total of 168 attendees at the 2025 Symposium, which far exceeded our expectations!
We have already begun planning for the next Graetz Symposium, and we will keep you informed as we solidify the details. We welcome any suggestions on how we can make the next event even better, so please respond to this email if you have any feedback or ideas you would like to share. We will also be opening nominations for next year’s awards: the Robert S. and Jean E. Graetz Lifetime Service Award, the Beloved Community Service Award, and the Claudette Colvin Activism Award. We will reach out soon with information on the nomination process in case you have suggestions for nominees.
Currently, we are preparing for the next Graetz Foundation event of 2025: the 2nd Annual Loving Literacy Community Fair on Saturday, September 27 from 1-4 PM. The Loving Literacy Community Fair is a FREE community event filled with children’s activities, book giveaways, free food, prizes, Bounce House, and entertainment centered around the theme of literacy for young children and their families. Community organizations that serve children and families will be joining us at the fair to provide additional resources and activities.
This year will also feature the Grand Opening and Free Tours of the United (Formerly Trinity) Historic Graetz Parsonage. Tours will be led by Meta Ellis, eldest daughter of Rev. Robert and Jeannie Graetz, who lived in the home as a child. The Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening Ceremony will be held at 12:30 PM, just prior to the opening of the fair, with tours every following half hour.
The Loving Literacy Community Fair is the 2nd annual event of the Jeannie Graetz Literacy Program of the Graetz Foundation, whose mission is to provide engaging literacy opportunities, community support, and materials that will enhance students’ ability to participate in the wonderful world of words, science, and the arts, opening doors that will allow children to soar.
How you can help
Attend the Grand Opening and the Literacy Fair on September 27 and bring your family and friends!
Help spread the word!
Volunteer during the Fair (respond to this email if you are interested)
Donate new or gently used children’s books
Help locate, donate, or offer to sell 1940s- or 1950s-era vintage items for the parsonage museum. The museum is set up with furniture and relics from the era when the Graetz family lived there, including many items donated by the Graetz Family that they used while living in that house and beyond. If you have any of the items listed below, please send us a picture.
We especially need 1940s or 50s era:
Stuffed sofa
Stuffed armchair
Baby buggy
Wooden children’s highchair
Bed crib
Drapery or curtains
Curtain rod
Wooden desk
Used tractor tire for the backyard “integrated swimming pool”
Other vintage items
Make a monetary donation: Please click here to donate
Please check out our website for more information and to see pictures from last year’s Literacy Fair and the 2025 Graetz Symposium.
Thank you all for your continued support!
In solidarity as we continue to build the Beloved Community,
Meta and the rest of the Graetz Foundation Board of Directors
Meta Ellis, Chairperson
Robert S. and Jean E. Graetz Foundation
www.graetzfoundation.org
We have exciting updates to share!
First, the 13th Annual Robert and Jean Graetz Symposium on Human Rights and Reconciliation was held on April 10 at the Montgomery Interpretive Center. It was a fabulous event, full of dynamic speakers, poignant panelists, awesome awardees, and enthusiastic and thoughtful audience participants.
This was the first symposium since the passing of our parents, Bob and Jeannie Graetz, and we know they would have been immensely pleased with the outcome of this renewed symposium. We keenly felt their presence throughout the event! Our parents would be especially thrilled to see the dream being carried forward by all the amazing young people who were present. We welcomed a total of 168 attendees at the 2025 Symposium, which far exceeded our expectations!
We have already begun planning for the next Graetz Symposium, and we will keep you informed as we solidify the details. We welcome any suggestions on how we can make the next event even better, so please respond to this email if you have any feedback or ideas you would like to share. We will also be opening nominations for next year’s awards: the Robert S. and Jean E. Graetz Lifetime Service Award, the Beloved Community Service Award, and the Claudette Colvin Activism Award. We will reach out soon with information on the nomination process in case you have suggestions for nominees.
Currently, we are preparing for the next Graetz Foundation event of 2025: the 2nd Annual Loving Literacy Community Fair on Saturday, September 27 from 1-4 PM. The Loving Literacy Community Fair is a FREE community event filled with children’s activities, book giveaways, free food, prizes, Bounce House, and entertainment centered around the theme of literacy for young children and their families. Community organizations that serve children and families will be joining us at the fair to provide additional resources and activities.
This year will also feature the Grand Opening and Free Tours of the United (Formerly Trinity) Historic Graetz Parsonage. Tours will be led by Meta Ellis, eldest daughter of Rev. Robert and Jeannie Graetz, who lived in the home as a child. The Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening Ceremony will be held at 12:30 PM, just prior to the opening of the fair, with tours every following half hour.
The Loving Literacy Community Fair is the 2nd annual event of the Jeannie Graetz Literacy Program of the Graetz Foundation, whose mission is to provide engaging literacy opportunities, community support, and materials that will enhance students’ ability to participate in the wonderful world of words, science, and the arts, opening doors that will allow children to soar.
How you can help
Attend the Grand Opening and the Literacy Fair on September 27 and bring your family and friends!
Help spread the word!
Volunteer during the Fair (respond to this email if you are interested)
Donate new or gently used children’s books
Help locate, donate, or offer to sell 1940s- or 1950s-era vintage items for the parsonage museum. The museum is set up with furniture and relics from the era when the Graetz family lived there, including many items donated by the Graetz Family that they used while living in that house and beyond. If you have any of the items listed below, please send us a picture.
We especially need 1940s or 50s era:
Stuffed sofa
Stuffed armchair
Baby buggy
Wooden children’s highchair
Bed crib
Drapery or curtains
Curtain rod
Wooden desk
Used tractor tire for the backyard “integrated swimming pool”
Other vintage items
Make a monetary donation: Please click here to donate
Please check out our website for more information and to see pictures from last year’s Literacy Fair and the 2025 Graetz Symposium.
Thank you all for your continued support!
In solidarity as we continue to build the Beloved Community,
Meta and the rest of the Graetz Foundation Board of Directors
Meta Ellis, Chairperson
Robert S. and Jean E. Graetz Foundation
www.graetzfoundation.org
Good Morning, BTW Families,
YONDRS, IDs, clear bags, clear water bottles, and uniforms...Every Scholar, Every Day @ BTW.
Let's have a Winning Wednesday!
Dr. Ruffin
YONDRS, IDs, clear bags, clear water bottles, and uniforms...Every Scholar, Every Day @ BTW.
Let's have a Winning Wednesday!
Dr. Ruffin
Good evening, BTW Families,
The BTW Title I School Compacts will go home with scholars this week. Please review, sign, and return the compact to your scholar's homeroom teacher.
We appreciate your support of "Excellence In All Things"!
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
The BTW Title I School Compacts will go home with scholars this week. Please review, sign, and return the compact to your scholar's homeroom teacher.
We appreciate your support of "Excellence In All Things"!
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
Greetings, BTW Families,
The Scholar Success Team and PBIS Committee of BTW have "teamed up" to provide top-tier support to our scholars and celebrate the great choices they make every day. Please take time to review BTW School-wide Behavior Management /Discipline Plan. The final page should be signed and returned to the school by September 12, 2025. A copy of the final page will be/have been provided to scholars by their homeroom teachers.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns with the information provided.
Let's Promote Good Choices & Celebrate Our Wonderful Scholars!!!
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YZaKBJtEav5qAHM-aLfjrm1QyprqNCVE/view?usp=sharing
Good evening, BTW Families,
Please join us for our Annual Meeting of Title I Parents. See the flyer for details.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uRHEz4LmMvxvN-C2qLR3mvgFJeLUVHWL/view?usp=sharing
We look forward to seeing all of our wonderful parents and scholars at the meeting.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
Please join us for our Annual Meeting of Title I Parents. See the flyer for details.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uRHEz4LmMvxvN-C2qLR3mvgFJeLUVHWL/view?usp=sharing
We look forward to seeing all of our wonderful parents and scholars at the meeting.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
CORRECTION: FIRST HOME VOLLEYBALL GAME ALERT: The BTW Lady Yellow Jackets will host Carver High School next Monday, September 8, 2025, in the BTW Gymnasium. Please visit www.gofan.co for your tix.
ALSO, we are asking all Yellow Jackets to wear all black uniforms to school on next Monday, September 8th. This is a BLACKOUT. The attire includes black uniform bottoms and a solid black polo style uniform shirt. No other bottoms and shirts allowed.
We are very excited about our 1st Home Volleyball Game next Monday!
ALSO, we are asking all Yellow Jackets to wear all black uniforms to school on next Monday, September 8th. This is a BLACKOUT. The attire includes black uniform bottoms and a solid black polo style uniform shirt. No other bottoms and shirts allowed.
We are very excited about our 1st Home Volleyball Game next Monday!
Good afternoon, BTW Families of current 10th and 11th Graders,
Alabama State University GEAR UP is excited to share a valuable opportunity available to 10th and 11th grade cohort scholar-artists! Beginning now through September 30, 2025, ASU will be offering free virtual mental health counseling services to our scholars. Each participating scholar will be eligible to receive a 1-hour virtual session per week with a licensed mental health counselor at no cost to the scholar or the scholar's family. These confidential sessions are designed to support scholars in managing stress, anxiety, and other challenges they may be facing as they become acclimated to returning to school.
We strongly encourage eligible 10th and 11th grade scholars and families to take advantage of this opportunity. The registration link follows:
ASU-GU Mental Health Counseling Referral Link for Parents - https://gearup.alasu.edu/forms/30
Note: ASU is aware that cohort students are at an age to make decisions about their health without parent/guardian consent; however, at ASU GEAR UP requires a parent/guardian complete the registration for virtual mental health services.
Alabama State University GEAR UP is excited to share a valuable opportunity available to 10th and 11th grade cohort scholar-artists! Beginning now through September 30, 2025, ASU will be offering free virtual mental health counseling services to our scholars. Each participating scholar will be eligible to receive a 1-hour virtual session per week with a licensed mental health counselor at no cost to the scholar or the scholar's family. These confidential sessions are designed to support scholars in managing stress, anxiety, and other challenges they may be facing as they become acclimated to returning to school.
We strongly encourage eligible 10th and 11th grade scholars and families to take advantage of this opportunity. The registration link follows:
ASU-GU Mental Health Counseling Referral Link for Parents - https://gearup.alasu.edu/forms/30
Note: ASU is aware that cohort students are at an age to make decisions about their health without parent/guardian consent; however, at ASU GEAR UP requires a parent/guardian complete the registration for virtual mental health services.
FIRST VOLLEYBALL GAME ALERT: The BTW Lady Yellow Jackets will host Carver High School next Monday, September 8, 2025 in the BTW Gymnaisum. Please visit www.gofan.co for your tix.
ALSO, we are asking all Yellow Jackets to wear all black to school next Monday, September 8th. This is a BLACKOUT.
SOOOOO exciting!!!
ALSO, we are asking all Yellow Jackets to wear all black to school next Monday, September 8th. This is a BLACKOUT.
SOOOOO exciting!!!
Good morning, BTW Families,
We look forward to seeing 501 scholars today! Remember... Yondrs, clear bags, clear bottles, IDs, and uniforms, EVERY SCHOLAR, EVERY DAY!
Let's have a Terrific Tuesday!
Dr. Ruffin
We look forward to seeing 501 scholars today! Remember... Yondrs, clear bags, clear bottles, IDs, and uniforms, EVERY SCHOLAR, EVERY DAY!
Let's have a Terrific Tuesday!
Dr. Ruffin
Greeting BTW Families, and Happy Labor Day!
All scholars at BTW are required to participate in the universal screeners HMH Intro to Lit (ELA) and ALEKS (Math) three times every academic year. This data provides us with the benchmarks for targeting and customizing interventions and supports for our scholars. Please see the ELA aggregate data report for BTW-Fall 2025. Scholars whose performance on the assessment characterized as strategic or below (red and yellow), will be required to participate in our extended day program or other designated tutorial programs.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me. I look forward to witnessing our scholars learn and grow.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t0S1L9TPBMAocBBj9wcoe1Fm0E4fD3lV/view?usp=sharing
All scholars at BTW are required to participate in the universal screeners HMH Intro to Lit (ELA) and ALEKS (Math) three times every academic year. This data provides us with the benchmarks for targeting and customizing interventions and supports for our scholars. Please see the ELA aggregate data report for BTW-Fall 2025. Scholars whose performance on the assessment characterized as strategic or below (red and yellow), will be required to participate in our extended day program or other designated tutorial programs.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me. I look forward to witnessing our scholars learn and grow.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t0S1L9TPBMAocBBj9wcoe1Fm0E4fD3lV/view?usp=sharing
Hello BTW Families,
Varsity Tutors is available to support scholars. Varsity tutors can be accessed via CLEVER. Please see the link included.
Happy Labor Day!
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qfEVaGTVuMH22fN1YSiso5pfihbvPzxI/view?usp=sharing
Varsity Tutors is available to support scholars. Varsity tutors can be accessed via CLEVER. Please see the link included.
Happy Labor Day!
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qfEVaGTVuMH22fN1YSiso5pfihbvPzxI/view?usp=sharing
Good afternoon,
ATTN : Seniors 2026
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hUoh9apWoLq3gcxLnNAwE-u6WpPAoJqH/view?usp=drive_link
ATTN : Seniors 2026
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hUoh9apWoLq3gcxLnNAwE-u6WpPAoJqH/view?usp=drive_link
ATTENTION YELLOW JACKETS NATION!
Our Lady Yellow Jackets Volleyball Team hung in there with Carver! This is what it is all about...Sportsmanship, Discipline, and Getting Better. At BTW, we have scholar-artist-athletes, and they demonstrate "Excellence In All Things". They were nothing short of excellence in their plays on the court. While our Lady Yellow Jackets may not have won the competition last night, they WON and OWN the SPIRIT of PERSEVERANCE!
Great Job Lady Yellow Jackets! You are always WINNERS! Making History at BTW!
Our Lady Yellow Jackets Volleyball Team hung in there with Carver! This is what it is all about...Sportsmanship, Discipline, and Getting Better. At BTW, we have scholar-artist-athletes, and they demonstrate "Excellence In All Things". They were nothing short of excellence in their plays on the court. While our Lady Yellow Jackets may not have won the competition last night, they WON and OWN the SPIRIT of PERSEVERANCE!
Great Job Lady Yellow Jackets! You are always WINNERS! Making History at BTW!
BTW Families,
Please enjoy an extended, relaxing weekend as there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 1, 2025. Happy Labor Day! We expect to see all 501 scholars on Tuesday, September 2nd, dressed in uniforms, with their YONDRS, IDs, clear bags, and ready to learn.
All the best,
Dr. Ruffin
Please enjoy an extended, relaxing weekend as there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 1, 2025. Happy Labor Day! We expect to see all 501 scholars on Tuesday, September 2nd, dressed in uniforms, with their YONDRS, IDs, clear bags, and ready to learn.
All the best,
Dr. Ruffin
BTW Families,
Please see the listing of dates for progress reporting for scholars of MPS.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g1NQRjc9ufQ1t4yHsKHbAkT_O0iW_H_p/view?usp=drive_link
BTW Parents of Car Riders,
A gentle reminder that scholars must be picked up by 3:15 P.M. daily. School dismissal is at 2:45 P.M. for scholars. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin
A gentle reminder that scholars must be picked up by 3:15 P.M. daily. School dismissal is at 2:45 P.M. for scholars. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruffin