Thankful

These are some comments I made at the Fall Sports Banquet that I wanted to share with everyone. I am very thankful for many things in my life and hopefully this will briefly explain some of the great things we have going on here at Ardmore.

I want to thank everyone for coming. As we all know Thanksgiving is upon us and it is a great time to reflect on the previous year and the things we should be thankful for. One of the things I am thankful for is the support Ardmore High School receives from its parents and community. We are always well represented and let me thank you on behalf of the entire faculty and staff of Ardmore.

Another thing I am thankful for is the quality of the men and women we have working with our student athletes. We all want to win and nobody more than I, but more importantly I want our students to become good citizens. I want our coaches to instill the desire to win, but also a work ethic, and an integrity that comes with knowing you have given everything you have to accomplish your goal.

The most important group I am thankful for is the high quality students we have at Ardmore High School. I am constantly reminded of what great students we have at our school. Our students represent our school with dignity and class at every event we attend. Many in our society want to put down the “Young generation” but I can tell you that here at Ardmore the “Next Generation” is in good shape.

I want to publicly thank a guy that I don’t thank nearly enough. Mr. Bates works tirelessly through the year as our assistant principal and athletic director. Mr. Bates has a passion for all of our sports and all of our students. I personally don’t know how I could do my job without his assistance and his friendship. Let’s give Mr. Bates a round of applause.

Who is Coming for Dinner?

School safety plans have try and account for every possible scenario. While this is nearly impossible our current safety plans are broad enough to cover many different types of threats. For example, when a suspicious box is found under a railcar in Decatur that could potentially release dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere; schools in Limestone County jump into action. 

Tanner and Clements High Schools were found to be in the danger zone so they were evacuated to Ardmore which was out of the danger area. This is very similar to the plan for evacuation due to a nuclear emergency at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. The plan was put into action and everyone carried out the plan to ensure the safety of our students. We welcomed our guest in the new gym and they safely waited until law enforcement officers determined the extent of the threat.

Moving this many students requires many people working together. Bus drivers, teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, office workers, and law enforcement officers are just a few of the people needed to fulfill such a daunting task. Our cafeteria workers were able to feed all the students on our campus in just a matter of a few hours. Older students carried trays back to the gym while younger students ate in the cafeteria. All Ardmore students carried their trays back to their rooms while we prepared for our arriving guests.

The staff and administration of each school worked hard to organize what could have easily become chaos. Parents came and checked out students and very patiently understood everyone was trying to ensure all students were released safely. Students behaved wonderfully while sitting in classrooms, gyms or in the cafeteria. The students who ate in the gym were very careful to take very good care of the gym.

Although we certainly dread such events it is good to know that plans work and with common sense, and hard work nearly any situation can be managed effectively. Ardmore is fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful community and school system.

Join Us.

Teacher of the Year

We would like to congratulate Mr. Michael DeFiore for being selected the AHS Teacher of the Year.  This year Mr. DeFiore is teaching 7th and 8th grade science classes.  In years past he has taught high school science/biology classes and  was a middle school scholar's bowl coach.  Several of Mr. DeFiore's former students have submitted some encouraging thoughts that we would like to share.

Mr. DeFiore is that single ray of sunshine shining through the clouds on a rainy day.  He warms my heart!  He's one of Ardmore's greatest supporters in our athletics.  He's not only at our home games, but games 30 minutes away.  He reaches out and connects with this students.  I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't met him.  I just love him and the smile that's always on his face! 

Mr. DeFiore cares about his students and loves his job.  He always makes learning fun.  He goes to every game to support his students.

He is a very energetic and entertaining man.  He loves everybody and sees the potential in each and every student.  He does his best to bring that potential out.

He always asks about your day.  He believes everyone can do anything they want.  He is always happy and makes your day.  He impacts your life because he makes you enjoy school and science.  Everyone loves his class.

Mr. DeFiore is an amazing teacher.  He always tries to make class fun.  The way he teaches keeps kids interested and loving whatever he teaches.  He will always be my favorite teacher.

Every student's favorite memory of Mr. DeFiore in the 8th grade is when he "fermentated" on his desk in front of his classroom.  He would demonstrate by falling on his desk and gasping for air.  We will never forget his enthusiasm for his job and his love for his students.  The class of 2014 will always cherish our middle school years with Mr. DeFiore.

Mr.  "Mike" DeFiore has been a resident of the North Alabama community for his entire adult life. He is 60 years of age,and has been married to the former Carol Oden for 34 years. He has two adult daughters, Kristen and Marcia, both of whom are graduates of Sparkman High School. After an almost 30 year career in industry, Mr. DeFiore returned to school to pursue a degree  in education and has spent the last eight years teaching middle school science at Ardmore High School. In his spare time Mr. DeFiore enjoys volunteer work at Clearview Cancer Institute. He enjoys collecting, restoring and using antique shaving equipment. He also collects, restores and wears antique timepieces. He also very much enjoys spirited rounds of golf with his wife.  Mr. DeFiore has a degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a degree in Education from Athens State University.   

We are very fortunate that Mr. DeFiore has chosen teaching as his second profession and the AHS community is blessed to be a part of Mr. Defiore's life.  Congratulations again, Mr.DeFiore, AHS Teacher of the Year!

FACS

Mrs. Susan Miller's sewing classes are making monogram purses with cheveron fabric.  They are doing a fantastic job!

FFA

Several of our AHS students are attending the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky.  We appreciate Mrs. Graham giving these students this opportunity.