RC3 Newsroom

(Hoover, AL) - Hoover City Schools Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3) has been selected as a Regional Best Practice School by the Governor's Office. This distinction is awarded to career training programs throughout the state that demonstrate the diverse ways work-based learning is being utilized. This recognition puts RC3 in the running for the Governor’s Work-Based Learning Seal of Excellence. 

Dr. Debra Walker Smith, Hoover City Schools Executive Director of Career and Technical Education, was surprised and excited about the designation. She’s extremely proud of the work of the faculty, staff, and students because she says such recognition is the result of a team effort at RC3.

“I am very proud that people outside of our school district recognize the quality of our work,” said Dr. Smith. “This honor is a little surprising since we’re a relatively new career center. However, when you step back and look objectively at the practices that we have implemented and what we have been able to accomplish, I believe RC3 is worthy of this designation. Together, we have created a simulated workplace that our students recognize and are benefiting from. RC3’s environment focuses on college and career readiness and soft skills. Our industry partners have shared the need for improvement in these areas. The structure that we have in place supports that growth,” added Dr. Smith.

Nicholas Moore, director of the Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Transformation, said, “We received many excellent applications. Among those applications, yours stood out in a way that we believe other providers could benefit from learning about. The team and I see quality and value in your program and are excited to help you highlight your work. Only through the efforts of all of our workforce partners will we keep the engine of Alabama’s economy moving forward and keep Alabama on the rise in the national and international business community.”

RC3, located at 853 Willow Oak Drive in Hoover, opened in 2019 and is a high-tech career center with simulated workspaces. The facility is made possible through an innovative collaboration among education leaders, city officials, and business/industry partners. RC3 serves students at three high schools: Hoover High School, Spain Park High School, and Homewood High School.  There are five career training academies at RC3:

1. Skilled Trades Academy (construction, electrical, HVAC, heavy equipment operating, welding)

2. Cyber Innovation Academy (dual enrollment programming, network administration)

3. Culinary and Hospitality Academy (culinary arts, hospitality, event planning)

4. Fire Science and Emergency Services Academy (firefighting, emergency services responders)

5. Health Science Academy (health careers, medical terminology, safety in healthcare)

Dr. Smith says there’s a possibility that RC3 will expand in the near future to continue to impact the lives of students as they pursue college and career readiness.  

“We’re still having conversations regarding the development of additional program offerings. It is our hope that those additional academies will open within the next two years,” said Dr. Smith.

As a contender for the Governor’s Work-Based Learning Seal of Excellence, Moore says RC3 will participate in presentations during upcoming regional meetings with the Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Transformation. After the regional presentations are complete, Moore’s team will make recommendations to Governor Kay Ivey for the four (4) winners of the inaugural Work-Based Learning Seal of Excellence. 

Forty-five Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3) students attended the HOSA State Competition in Montgomery and did an excellent job representing Hoover City Schools! Five students qualified to go to HOSA Internationals by placing in the Top 3 in their event, and three others placed in the Top 6 in their event.

*Emily Hofmann placed 1st and Katie Swetz placed 3rd out of 100 competitors in Nursing Assisting.

*Kristine Nguyen and Mitchell Cook placed 1st out of 100 competitors in CPR/First Aid.

*Siya Patel’s research poster placed 2nd out of 20 research poster entries.

*Callyn Bennett placed 4th in Physical Therapy.

*Anna Paris Wilson and Grace Gaddis placed 4th in Emergency Medical Technician and will have the opportunity to compete at the International Leadership Conference in June.

Sarah Cummings, Health Science Academy Instructor at RC3, said, “We are so proud of our students in the Health Science Academy (HSA) at RC3. As these students' instructor, it is a joy and an honor to teach them about healthcare and how it applies to their future career paths. When they leave the HSA, they have the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized credential as an Emergency Medical Technician or as a Patient Care Technician. We embed learning skills into the curriculum, so these competitions are an excellent opportunity for students to show the skills we practice in class and that they will use in their chosen career paths."

The Health Science Academy at RC3 was thrilled to have 45 students qualify to represent the school and compete at the state level in 42 events. Students demonstrate the knowledge they gained from the RC3 Health Science Academy by completing a written test and/or demonstrating hands-on skills such as immobilizing a bone, taking a set of vital signs, or demonstrating resuscitation skills.

Cummings said, "Many of these students will also further their education and may have career aspirations of becoming nurses, doctors, physical or occupational therapists, or veterinarians, and being able to learn these skills in a high school setting offers these students a unique advantage before they pursue higher education. We are so grateful for the opportunity to invest in these students' futures through their participation in HOSA-Future Health Professionals." 

Congratulations to several Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3) Health Science Academy students who were inducted as RC3’s 2021-2022 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) officers. The induction ceremonies took place on October 21 at RC3 where the students were sworn into office in the presence of family, friends, and RC3 staff.

HOSA is an international career and technical student organization and its mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry. The program provides development, training, scholarships, and partnerships for future health professionals. Another mission of the program is to ultimately enhance the delivery of quality health care.

Katie Swetz, HOSA President, said, “For me, being a HOSA officer is an opportunity to help people discover a passion for health sciences and a chance to give back to my community. I want to bring positive change to the Health Science Academy at RC3 and to Hoover as a whole.” 

The exceptional Hoover City Schools students are aspiring health care professionals who take courses in RC3’s Health Science Academy.  The Academy prepares students for various health professions through a rigorous curriculum; hands-on activities; guest lecturers; simulation labs; community service opportunities; leadership opportunities; and job shadowing. Through a comprehensive program, students will work toward becoming college and career-ready.  

“Being a HOSA member is so important because HOSA helps people explore all of the possibilities the health care field has to offer,” said Swetz. “HOSA gives students professional opportunities that will set them apart from other applicants in the future. HOSA is also an opportunity to give back to the community and educate people about the importance of health-related social issues. This past month, HOSA members have been working with the nonprofit Luv Michael to promote Autism acceptance.” 

Emily Hofmann, HOSA Vice-President of Public Relations, says a leadership role like being a HOSA officer gives her an opportunity to lead by example.

Hofmann said, “I wanted to be a HOSA officer because I have an enthusiasm for health science and I am so grateful for this opportunity to share my enthusiasm with others.”

Hofmann says during her time as a member of HOSA, she has gained so much knowledge, experience, and skills that will be advantageous for her future career and, in addition, explored other possible careers.

“Last year I competed in CERT Skills which prepared me to organize responses to possible community disasters,” said Hofmann.  “Although I am interested in pursuing a career in a hospital setting, HOSA provides students with a variety of knowledge of possible careers or subjects.”

Below are RC3’s 2021-2022 HOSA officers:

Katie Swetz, President

Lauren Gardner, Vice-President of Public Relations AM Shift

Emily Hofmann, Vice-President of Public Relations PM Shift

Anna Paris Wilson, Social Media Liason

Mitchell Cook, Vice-President of Competitive Events AM Shift

Siya Patel, Vice-President of Competitive Events PM Shift

Shifa Jalali, Vice-President of Community Service AM Shift

Maisha Mahdia, Vice-President of Community Service PM Shift

Lydia Plaia, Treasurer AM Shift

Kaila Pruitt, Treasurer PM Shift

Iyana Bennett, Historian

Dorian Cade, Parliamentarian

Laweeza Ali, Secretary  AM Shift

Cecilia Daigle, Secretary PM Shift

Emma Johnson, Reporter

05 December 2020
By: Ian Thompson, C.R.E.W.

RC3 - “Big picture…this is students helping students and they genuinely want to do so. They take great pride in doing so,” Rex Hare, Lead Skilled Trades Teacher at the Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3), said.

Hare is referring to an ongoing project in which RC3 students (grades 10-12) are making desks for younger students who need one on which to study at home in these times of virtual and staggered schooling.

The idea came from RC3 building construction tutor Bill Vanderwilt, who became aware of an initial program that started earlier this year in Santa Fe, N.M. and approached Hare about making it a reality at RC3.

“We use a blueprint of the plans, that Bill found online, for the desk and it is constructed by all our students as they cycle through their day,” Hare noted. “Having something tangible made to help fill a real need means so much more than a project they may do and then it just sits in a corner.”

Hare said the students are graded on their work and the finished product is made to exacting standards.

The desks are small-scale; ideal for children in grades K-3, but the plans are scalable and desks can be made larger if so needed.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves,” RC3 student Daniella N. said. “We are so more than happy to build these desks.”

Vanderwilt noted that the desks cost $12 to $13 to build (lumber, screws, glue and sandpaper) and Hare noted they receive grant money for such projects.

“We can make two desks in a day with upwards of 22 students involved in the process spread across four classes,” Vanderwilt said.

If anyone is aware of a student needing a desk for at-home use simply contact Hare at RC3 and he will handle the rest, including delivery of the finished (but not painted as Hare noted the students often want to paint their own desks) desk to the child’s school for it to be then picked up by the family of the child.

And the recipient does not have to be a Hoover City Schools student; simply a child who needs a desk.

“I have 28 years experience in construction, so I’ve seen it can be a good career, not just a job,” Hare said. “I left the industry three years ago to teach because I believe in career tech so much (he’s in his first year at RC3) and what it can lead to. This (desk) project is something we are all very proud of.”

October 2020
By Ian Thompson, C.R.E.W.

Dr. Debra Walker Smith wears a lot of hats for Hoover City Schools…and does so with much distinction.

Named the new Director of RC3 (the Riverchase Career Connection Center) earlier this year, she also retained her role as Director of Federal Programs.

“I must admit I was hesitant, at first, when the school system approached me (about heading up RC3). While this (RC3) is so important for all the children it impacts, I wanted to make sure my involvement still allowed me to do the essential work of overseeing our Federal Programs. 

“I did my dissertation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Parental Involvement and live it daily. I’m passionate about parent and family engagement and didn’t want to lose this. Upon reflection, I realized I could do both, with the help of many around me, and knew then I needed to refocus on both roles. It allows me to make a difference in the lives of many more children and that’s what matters the most to me.”

She began her time with HCS in the 2004/05 school year as an assistant principal at South Shades Crest and Trace Crossings Elementary Schools, shared between both schools that year. She then continued the same role at just Trace Crossings for the next seven years.

“My goal, at that time, was to be a school-based principal, but my career took a different path.”

Central Office sought her out for a role in career tech, which has paid dividends many times as she was involved from the start in wide-ranging discussions regarding RC3, which would come to be located at the former Riverchase Middle School, which had been purchased by HCS.

Dr. Ron Dodson was named as the first Director of RC3, seeing the center to fruition and through last school year, its first year of operation. However, when Dr. Autumm Jeter left her HCS role as Director of Curriculum & Instruction to become Superintendent of Bessemer City Schools, Dodson returned to Central Office in order to assist Curriculum & Instruction.  Thus the need for a new RC3 Director, with Smith an ideal candidate.

“I certainly knew a lot about RC3,” Smith said. “I was more of a background person through the whole process (of getting it started) as I helped with the instructional aspect and knew a lot of the interested parties that helped us along the way through my career tech work.”

Smith noted that RC3 has 460 10th-12th grade students spread across five Academies: Culinary & Hospitality, Cyber Innovation, Fire Science, Health Science and Skilled Trades.

These students, and many to follow them, will help to fill the widely-talked about skills gap as, for example, construction workers retire or move on and are not replaced. This prompted industry professionals to work with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to develop a curriculum just for the trades. RC3 adheres to this program in its Skilled Trades Academy with year one starting with 10 hours of mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training before basic knowledge of multiple trades is taught in their shop space including carpentry, welding, HVAC and electrical.

Smith heads up all aspects of RC3, which employs 23 full-time teachers and 11 additional staff members including some part-time teachers, tutors, volunteers and industry experts, and offers classes in morning and afternoon shifts, as well as virtual options. Students take some core classes, including math and English, as well as classes in the academy of their choosing.

“Now that we are in our second year, there will be some students we deem ready to sit for the appropriate credentialing exams. They will then be ready to be connected to careers through internships, apprenticeships and other such opportunities. This is our goal for all who attend RC3.”

While based at RC3, as noted before, Smith continues overseeing various Federal Programs so essential to HCS.

“Programs for at-risk children, Title 1, ESL, and so much more…all are so, so important. Oh my goodness, I just couldn’t see stepping away from this vital work, but came to realize I could impact so many more children while at the district level in both roles. I really feel I now have the best of both worlds.”

Mariam Abdelhalim · A Dream To See Fireworks That Light Up The Sky Not The Shooting Missiles That Fly

September 2020
Taylor Hottel

RC3 - “I was proud of what I had done when I finished the podcast because it portrayed my mom’s story that no one else has heard.”

Those are the words of Mariam Abdelhalim, winner of a coveted honorable mention from The New York Times.  Her podcast, titled "Dream to See Fireworks that Light Up the Sky, Not the Shooting Missiles that Fly" serves as a work that shows her family’s home country in a new light.

Abdelhalim was assigned - and completed - this project for Ms. Becky Mantooth’s 10th grade Advanced Placement (AP) Language class at Hoover City Schools’ (Alabama) RC3 campus.  From there, the work was entered into the Third Annual New York Times Student Podcast Competition.

Mariam received recognition from the Hoover City School Board at its August meeting.   

“This wouldn’t be possible without my English teacher at RC3, Ms. Mantooth.  She is the most incredible teacher I’ve ever had. She assigned us a podcast to do for an assignment but then the pandemic hit, but I continued with it because I really loved the idea….the opportunity was absolutely incredible and I just wanted to thank RC3 for having me.” 

When asked to give a brief description of her podcast, Abdelhalim was quoted as saying “My podcast is about an Iraqi child who simply dreamed to see fireworks in the sky. She grew up during a dictator's reign and saw those she loved pass. My mother grew up in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's rule. This is a story of survival and hope. This is also a perspective of someone who is from Iraq, where mayhem has been terrorizing its people. The media portrayal of Iraq is a country filled with turmoil and terrorists; this is my mom's truth.” 

Abdelhalim’s work goes into deeper detail, describing the conflict between Iraq and the United States that took place in 2003 when Saddam Hussein refused to step down from power after being offered an ultimatum by the US.  Shortly after this, the podcast transitions to an interview style where Abdelhalim’s mother is interviewed and her story is told.  Abdelhalim’s mother speaks of her experience with the Iraqi Government of that time, the United States military, her escape from the horrors of war and life now as an Iraqi in America. She describes her childhood as a “nightmare” and the injustices committed against her family by the Iraqi government of that time. She then discusses the discrimination against Muslims in America following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and her work with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to try to create peace in the Middle East. 

“I chose to make it about my mother’s life in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s rule because I had never heard someone talk about their personal experience with it in the media. She has been through a lot and I wanted to make her proud,” Abdelhalim said.

The New York Times Student Podcast Competition was conducted from April to May of this year and featured submissions from students aged 10-19 from across the globe. The competition was judged by journalists from The Learning Network and The New York Times as well as various educators, journalists, and podcast producers from across the United States. The submissions were separated into two categories, middle and high school. 

Ian Thompson/C.R.E.W.
February 2020

HOOVER - Recently the Associated General Contractors of Alabama hosted its 22nd annual BuildSouth Awards, where they honored contractors and other connected groups from across the state.

Ron Dodson, Director of Hoover City Schools’ Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3), was honored to accept the 2019 Gary Savage Workforce Development Award on behalf of RC3’s Skilled Trades Academy. 

According to the Associated General Contractors of Alabama website, “...in 2017 Alabama AGC Chapter President Gary Savage took the association’s involvement to a different level. Savage called upon the members to participate in the recruiting-and-placement process. He created an active Workforce Committee. He worked with the Craft Training Board on skills-education programs and the first round of grants. He brought new workforce ideas to Alabama from around the country. These ongoing Alabama AGC efforts - first put in place by Gary - will change the face of the construction industry in the state."

To honor his effort, Alabama AGC created the Workforce Development Award to be given to contractors who demonstrated the same passion that Gary Savage does for developing the workforce and improving the construction industry and its future.”

RC3 is only in its first year of operation, but is already maxed out with 700 students, Dodson noted.

“It was unexpected, in a positive way, that we would have such a large group our first year,” Dodson said.

“We have room to expand within our building, but next year will see us stay at the same level (of numbers) as we continue to find our feet and refine our offerings.”

RC3 offers five Academies: Culinary & Hospitality; Cyber Innovation; Fire Science; Health Science; and Skilled Trades.

While the Gary Savage Award was for the Skilled Trades Academy, Dodson sees it as positive reinforcement across the board for RC3.

“The award may be specifically for the construction side of things, and we are beyond honored to be recognized, but I’m very happy with how we have got all our academies off and running in our first year. We are making great strides.”

The widely-talked about skills gap as construction workers retire or move on and are not replaced prompted industry professionals to work with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to develop a curriculum just for the trades. RC3 adheres to this program in its Skilled Trades Academy with year one starting with 10 hours of mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training before basic knowledge of multiple trades is taught in their shop space including carpentry, welding, HVAC and electrical.

“I call this our ‘Sampler’ as very few students will know right away what they want to specialize in,” Dodson said.

RC3 employs close to 25 full-time teachers, along with another 10-15 part-time teachers, tutors, volunteers and industry experts, and offers classes in morning and afternoon shifts. Students take some core classes, including math and English, as well as classes in the academy of their choosing.

Dodson also noted that the AGC, a professional organization representing the construction industry, had been involved throughout the development of RC3, which was formerly Riverchase Middle School before being purchased by HCS.

“They have been a primary cheerleader, backer and developer of what has gone on here. They, along with a number of other groups and associations, have been with us since conception and we couldn’t have done this with such support.”

“This award was created to recognize different groups and individuals for their impact on workplace development, something we work on every day,” Rachel Harvey, Chief Preconstruction Manager for Brasfield & Gorrie, and 2019 president of AGC, said.

“When Dr. Dodson and Dr. Murphy first came to us over three years ago with their idea for RC3 we (AGC) were super excited and wanted to be involved from day one, which we have been.”

Harvey, a 25-year veteran of the industry and Hoover resident, talked about the very real need for such programs as the Skilled Trades Academy at RC3.

“Working for a larger general contractor, we are always looking for ways to attract new employees. That they have OHSA certification, some trades skills, math and English and the rest of the package, makes them attractive to us upon completion of high school. It puts them ahead.”

March 2020

RC3 - The following students participated in the 2020 HOSA State Leadership Conference in Montgomery on February 20 - 21. These students competed against hundreds of Health Science students from across the state. Students who placed in the top 3 have earned the right to attend the International Leadership Conference this June in Houston Texas. The top 6 finishers may also earn the right to go to Houston depending on the success of the qualifies ahead of them. We are especially proud of this group of students as it was our inaugural year as RC3 (Riverchase Career Connection Center) combined a group from Hoover High School, Homewood High School, and Spain Park High School. 

Veterinary Science: 
Kaleigh Rice (SP) - 3rd place.

Forensic Medicine: 
Taylor Wilson (HHS) and Ramey Medders (HHS) - 1st place.

CPR/First Aid: 
Mitchell Cook (HHS) and Einas Ali (HHS) - 2nd place. Einas substituted in as Mitchell’s partner the day before the event after having prepared for a completely different event all year!

Heather Hancock (HHS) and Ansley Graber (HHS)  top 6. Heather’s partner got sick the night before the second round and Ansley stepped in!

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT):  
Camryn Hill (HHS) and Tykie Sfakianos (HHS) - top 6

Physical Therapy: 
Maddy Brown (SP) - 1st place
Anna Hale Winter (HHS) - 2nd place

Biomedical Laboratory Science: 
Karim Mikhail (HHS) - 1st place 
Sreekiran Nataraj (HHS) - top 6

Nutrition: 
Sarah Fu (HHS) - 2nd place
Malaika Maqbool (HHS) - top 6. 

Medical Law and Ethics: 
Arzoo Charania (HHS) - 3rd place.

Extemporaneous Health Poster:
Lisa Koshcheyeva (SP) - top 6.

Medical Innovations: 
Adam Ebrahim, Amaar Ebrahim, Hannah Yi, Jessica Jacob (ALL SP) - 1st place.
Sayaan Essani (HHS), Yasmine Oliveira (SP), Zayan Budhwani (HHS), Iqra Ladhani (SP) - top 6. 

HOOVER – It has been said that 80 percent of success is showing up. If true, Spain Park High School senior Jared Strong need only worry about the remaining 20 percent.

Strong has not missed a day of school since kindergarten—about 2,200 consecutive days with no absences, according to Hoover City Schools Spokesman Jason Gaston.

Strong is the only known senior with this distinction, Gaston said.

He has not missed a day of school going back to Greystone Elementary School, then Berry Middle School to now splitting his time between Spain Park and the Riverchase Career Connection Center.

Strong’s mother, Anniece, said Jared did not set out to finish school having missed no days. He simply placed importance on being there every day—and has been fortunate with good health.

“I had never really thought about it,” Anniece Strong said. “I just knew he had been adamant about not missing a day of school. I can’t even remember a day he’s been sick.”

See more on Jared Strong

(RC3) - The Riverchase Career Connection Center/RC3 - Hoover's newest school - captured 1ST PLACE in its category (Institutional) for the 2019 ABC Alabama Excellence in Construction Awards. We are very proud of this accolade for this high-tech skilled trades facility, serving more than 700 students from Hoover High School, Spain Park High School, and Homewood High School.

(HCS) - Class of 2019 Spain Park High School graduate Montarious Miles now works with McInnis Construction.  In this role, he's on-site for construction of the new I-20/I-59 bridges through downtown Birmingham.  Miles, who participated in the Academy of Craft Training during his high school years, successfully demonstrates how career options come into play quickly after high school.  His work ethic at the Academy of Craft Training earned him Employee of the Month accolades.  For this, he was recognized at both the school and board of education levels. 

Miles embodies the programs now in place at RC3 - the Riverchase Career Connection Center.  This facility - Hoover's newest school - prepares students for the workforce.  A national shortage of skilled labor drives the programs at RC3. 

21 August 2019

(RC3) - Hoover High School and Spain Park High School students placed at the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Conference in Montgomery this past summer - making them eligible for nationals in Orlando. 

"This was a huge accomplishment," Mrs. Tanya Kendrick, Lead Health Sciences Academy teacher at RC3, said. "There are thousands of students competing at HOSA nationals."

Nichole Glaves (Hoover High School) went on to place in the top 20 in her section at nationals.

The purpose of the HOSA organization is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness, and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program. Since its inception in 1976, HOSA has grown to over 200,000 members. HOSA has continued to sustain membership growth for the past two decades. HOSA provides its members with a comprehensive program of competitive events, training, development, recognition, scholarships, and partnerships for future health professionals.

See more at https://www.alabamahosa.org/about/

June 2019
Hoover Sun
Jon Anderson

The Hoover school system’s new Skilled Trades Academy at the Riverchase Career Connection Center is a step forward in helping meet demand for new construction industry workers, Bill Caton, chief operating officer for the Alabama Associated General Contractors, said.

Every year, there are on average 335 carpentry job openings in the eight Southeasternmost states, according to the national Associated General Contractors.

There also are on average 310 job openings for electricians, 160 job openings in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), 155 job openings for equipment operators and 145 job openings in welding, according to data the association pulled from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Many people in the construction trades are reaching retirement age, and “we’re losing ‘em faster than we’re getting ‘em,” Caton said.

There’s a big need to fill those jobs, and Hoover’s new Skilled Trades Academy is a unique program that will help prepare students to make a positive impact, Caton said.

About 125 students from Hoover and Spain Park high schools and about half a dozen from Homewood High School signed up for the first year of the Skilled Trades Academy, which begins Aug. 8, said Brian Copes, the lead teacher for the academy.

The first year, students will take a course that introduces them to carpentry, electrical work, welding and HVAC, Copes said. 

The introductory course will teach the basics of each trade, as well as focus on safety and tool usage.

See more reporting from the Hoover Sun

26 July 2019
Over-the-Mountain-Journal
Emily Williams

(RC3) - Hoover City Schools’ new career training school is set to open in August with almost twice as many students as originally expected.

The Riverchase Career Connection Center has enrolled approximately 750 students so far and has a waiting list, according to Ron Dodson, director of the new school.

“Our goal, which I was told by the state we would never reach, was 400 students,” he said.

The center, dubbed RC3, will serve 10th, 11th and 12th grade students from Hoover, Spain Park and Homewood high schools.

Located at the former Riverchase Middle School campus, RC3 will contain five different career academies, allowing students to train for jobs in culinary arts, cyber innovation, fire and emergency services, health science and skill trades.

Demand for the classes has been so great that the system is having to finish six additional classrooms, Dodson said. Those classrooms had been included in the facility plans but were to be built at a later date.

Parking at the center also is being reevaluated, he said.

“Those are good problems to have,” he said. “It shows the demand for our programs. There is tremendous demand for this and a need that is there.”

More Students Skipping College

Hoover Superintendent Dr. Kathy Murphy in her 2018 state-of-the-school-system presentation said that in 2014-15, 5.4% of the system’s high school graduates had no plans to attend college. In 2016-17, that had risen to 13.2%. 

Dodson said graduating with a college degree isn’t a direct path to prosperity.

In 2015, more than 40% of college graduates under the age of 27 held jobs that did not require a college degree, according to government statistics analyzed by the website Degree Query.

Rather than spending four years in college, potentially racking up student debt, RC3 students could be able to enter the workforce at the time of graduation. Students also could get a head start on obtaining industry-recognized credentials.

As they would in an actual workplace, students will clock-in each day and attend training classes. They will spend half-days at the center and the other half at their normal high schools.

In addition to career studies, the students will complete their English and mathematics credits during their RC3 shift. The morning shift also will include an additional elective.

Seven buses have been secured to transport students, one of which has been outfitted with Wi-Fi by the Hoover City Schools Foundation. Murphy said the hope is eventually to have Wi-Fi in each of the buses so students can continue their studies while commuting to and from the center.  

See more from OTMJ

See Grand Opening photos.

From the Hoover Sun
August 1, 2019

(RC3) - Hundreds of people showed up this morning for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the Hoover school system’s new Riverchase Career Connection Center also known as RC3.

The 92,000-square-foot facility, formerly used as a middle school for Shelby County and later Pelham, will open to Hoover students on Aug. 8 with five career academies focused on health science, fire and emergency services, cyber innovation (computer programming, software development, software analysis, network security and network administration), food and hospitality, and skilled trades (carpentry, electrical work, welding and HVAC).

Other potential future courses in skilled trades include plumbing, heavy equipment operation and advanced manufacturing.

Hoover schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy said it’s a fabulous day in the life of the city of Hoover and school district. The best days of our lives are when we realize we are doing something that is going to live longer than we will, enhance the lives of others and perhaps profoundly impact our own lives in the future, Murphy said.

The students coming to this center one day may be the people building our homes, catering our special occasions, assisting us when our computers have been hacked, protecting our homes from fires, keeping us healthy and even saving our lives as doctors and nurses, she said.

Murphy thanked the Hoover school board and all the partners who worked together to make the facility a reality, including the city of Hoover, Alabama Department of Education, state and federal legislators, Hoover City Schools Foundation, Hoover Parent Teacher Council and Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ron Dodson, a former Hoover assistant superintendent who now is director of the career center, thanked Murphy and the school board for their courage and commitment to make the dream of a career center become a reality.

The school system paid the Pelham Board of Education $4.25 million for the school and spent $13.5 million to renovate and repurpose it, Dodson said. Another $400,000 was spent on furniture and equipment, and the center is seeking $400,000 to $500,000 in grants to cover additional equipment, he said.

The city of Hoover also donated the use of two reserve fire trucks and older firefighter turnout gear and equipment for the Fire and Emergency Services Academy.

“This was a risk, and I think it’s going to pay off big for our community and for our state,” Dodson said.

See more reporting from the Hoover Sun and the official photo album.

HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) -- Dr. Kathy Murphy, the Superintendent at Hoover City Schools, says that she plans to propose two new capital expenditure projects -- an 18 classroom expansion for Berry Middle School and eight added classrooms for Bluff Park Elementary.

"As Hoover grows, we have additional needs to expand schools," explains Dr. Murphy. "And in the future, potentially building schools." 

Hoover City Schools just completed a brand new band facility at Hoover High School, and the Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3) is still under construction. The RC3 is a facility for hands-on and career-focused learning and will open in August.

"We're always interested in making sure we have the best programs and the best opportunities for our students," says Dr. Murphy. "And with all of that comes a price tag." 

But that price tag could be big. 

Hoover City Schools says that between the band facility at Hoover High School, the RC3, standard annual maintenance, and the two proposed expansions, the school district could be looking at over $35 million in capital expenditures through 2021. 

A full breakdown of each expenditure can be found in the file attached to this article. 

In spite of the big price tag, some residents are on board.

"I think it's a great idea," says Tonya Yarchak of Hoover.

Yarchak says that she is in favor of the investments, especially the RC3. She herself received vocational training in business education and believes there is a need for more of those programs.

"I see a lot of kids going to school because they don't know anything else," says Yarchak. "All they know is that they're supposed to go to college afterward. It's almost like we have made blue-collar jobs a dirty word. I think of all the times that I need a blue-collar worker."

Dr. Murphy tells CBS 42 that she understands the expenditures are large in terms of financing, but she adds that she intends to have many discussions with the community in order to maintain a dialogue with the local taxpayers. 

See more from WIAT CBS 42

HOOVER, Ala. -- Starting in the next few days, Hoover City Schools will begin enrollment for five new programs aimed at making students both college and career ready.

The goal of the new Riverchase Career Connection, RC3, is to prepare students for quality jobs, right out of high school.

Beginning this Fall, the center will offer programs for Culinary Arts, Cyber Innovation, Fire & Emergency Services, Health Science and Skill Trades.

“My generation believed a college degree was an automatic passport to prosperity and it’s just not true anymore,” said the center’s director, Dr. Ron Dodson. “Only one in three jobs right now that are open across the U.S. require a college degree. And over 40 percent of our college graduates are graduating and taking jobs that don't require a college degree.”

See more from ABC 33/40