Want to better understand the FOCUS Act and how it impacts our schools?
Take a moment to review the flyer below — it highlights what families and communities need to know about Alabama’s new accountability system.
Together, we can stay informed and support student success!
R.C. Hatch High School invites all parents and community members to attend our Open House on Wednesday, July 31, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Eugene Mason Arena. This event is a great opportunity to: • Meet teachers and school staff • Learn about academic expectations and school policies • Receive important information for the upcoming school year • Build strong partnerships between home, school, and community.
We look forward to seeing you there and working together for a successful school year!
Join us on Saturday, July 26, 2025, for a district-wide update as we discuss people, progress, and partnerships in Perry County Schools.
📍 R.C. Hatch High School Gymnasium – 12:00 PM
📍 Francis Marion School Gymnasium – 3:00 PM
This event will also be live streamed for those who are unable to attend in person.
We look forward to connecting with you and celebrating the progress of our students, staff, and schools!
Congratulations to Coach Hood, Isiah Thomas, and the AHSAA South Boys Basketball All-Star Team on their win. Thanks to our Administrators, Athletic Director, and the Boys and Girls Basketball Coaching staff for their support.
Perry County Schools were proudly represented at the SREB Summer Conference in New Orleans. Mrs. Wiggins and Ms. Fowlkes delivered an outstanding presentation, showcasing the great work happening in our district. Team Perry County was there in full support, celebrating and uplifting our educators as they shared valuable insights and strategies with fellow professionals.
In addition to supporting our presenters, we also gained valuable knowledge, tools, and ideas to bring back and implement in our schools—further strengthening teaching and learning across the district.
Team Perry County is representing at the 2025 MEGA Conference in Mobile, AL, where they are engaging in meaningful learning, collaboration, and professional growth. We’re excited to bring back innovative ideas and strategies to strengthen our schools and support student success across Perry County!
Congratulations to Madison Abraham and Ashlei Harris!
We are proud to announce that Madison Abraham and Ashlei Harris have been awarded the 2025 STEM Entrepreneurship Academy Grant from The University of Alabama!
Representing R.C. Hatch High School, Madison and Ashlei were selected as recipients of a $500 grant through the 2025 STEM Community-Based Innovation Challenge. Their winning proposal showcased innovative problem-solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and a strong commitment to using STEM to improve their community.
This competitive grant provides funding, mentorship, and access to STEM resources to support the development and implementation of their project. Their achievement is a proud moment for R.C. Hatch High School and the Perry County School System.
Their science teachers and supporters commend their hard work, leadership, and dedication. We look forward to seeing the impact of their project!
R.C. Hatch Pre-K Students Step into Kindergarten
Our R.C. Hatch Pre-K students recently took an exciting step forward during Transition to Kindergarten Day! As part of this special event, they had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Long-Hamilton, our kindergarten teacher, and explore their future classroom. The visit helped students become more comfortable with the kindergarten setting, making the upcoming transition smoother and more exciting. We're proud of our young learners as they continue to grow and prepare for the next chapter in their educational journey!
The R.C. Hatch Boys Basketball Team was honored yesterday at the Alabama House of Representatives in Montgomery for their outstanding achievements. We are proud of our student-athletes and grateful for this special recognition of their hard work. A heartfelt thank you to Representative Prince Chestnut for his continued support, and to Speaker Ledbetter and Jennifer Stallworth Fitzgerald for helping make this memorable moment possible.
The R.C. Hatch High School Bobcats have made history once again, claiming their 11th Class 1A state championship in Alabama high school basketball. In a thrilling showdown at Birmingham's Legacy Arena, the Bobcats triumphed over the Brantley Bulldogs with a narrow 69-67 victory.
The Bobcats demonstrated resilience throughout the game, overcoming an early deficit and maintaining composure during Brantley's late-game surge. Their defensive tenacity and strategic execution were pivotal in securing the narrow victory.
This championship not only extends R.C. Hatch's record for the most state titles in Alabama high school basketball history but also symbolizes a triumphant return to prominence after a 17-year hiatus from the championship podium.
The entire R.C. Hatch community celebrates this monumental achievement, reflecting the dedication, hard work, and unyielding spirit of the players, coaching staff, and supporters.
Perry County BOE and Robert C. Hatch High School have announced Jonathan Jenkins as the Bobcats’ new head football coach. Jenkins comes to Hatch with 27 years of football coaching experience combined in Alabama and Louisiana. While in Louisiana, he was an assistant coach on John Curtis Christian School’s 1997 state championship team.
“I didn’t come to Hatch to coach,” Jenkins said. “I came to bring life full circle since my dad had graduated from old Uniontown High. Finishing my career in the town where Dad started his education was inspiring to me. Faculty and students have welcomed me as if I had grown up in Uniontown, and that means more than people realize.”
For the 2024 season, Coach Jenkins served as an assistant coach for Bobcat football which missed the 2024 playoffs in a three-way tiebreaker. After the football season, he took on the duties of basketball scorebook keeper for both the Final Four qualifiers Lady Bobcats and the state championship Bobcats.
“Spending the basketball season with Bobcat Nation introduced me to the Hatch heartbeat for the Bobcats’ renown competitiveness and positive community support. I knew then that the football coaching job at Hatch would be an honor to do for such a great fan base,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins intends to apply what he learned during his coaching career in Alabama and Louisiana. He will be employing strategies and wisdom learned from his coaching mentors Luther Davis, J.T. Curtis, and Frank Watford. “Plus, I plan to throw in a few wrinkles I’ve learned from watching Hatch basketball over the years led by Eugene Mason, Homer Davis, and Kris Hood,” Jenkins said.
“Nothing happens by accident. Everything is about God’s timing in life. He has been so kind to me. For the last 365 days, God’s hand has been in every decision placed before me. My church family at Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Gallion have been with me in prayer, and I’m appreciative of their love. I look forward to what God has in store for Bobcat football and myself,” Jenkins said.
Attention Parents,
The Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) testing is quickly approaching, and we want to ensure all students are prepared for success. These assessments are crucial in measuring student progress and guiding future instruction. Attendance on testing days is essential to give your child the best opportunity to perform their best.
ACAP Testing Schedule
March 18-19 – Grades 2nd & 3rd (ELA)
April 8-9 – Grades 4th-8th (ELA)
April 10 – Grades 4th, 6th, & 8th (Science)
April 15-16 – Grades 2nd-8th (Math)
Why Attendance Matters
Ensuring your child is present on their designated testing days helps prevent makeup testing, which can be more challenging and disruptive to their learning routine. A well-rested, well-prepared student is more likely to succeed!
How You Can Help
Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep before the test.
Provide a healthy breakfast on testing days.
Arrive at school on time to avoid any stress or distractions.
Offer words of encouragement to boost their confidence!
We appreciate your support in making this testing period smooth and successful for all students. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.
Thank you for partnering with us in your child’s academic success!
Superintendent Dr. Marcia Smiley successfully completed the 2025 Executive Coach Training offered by the School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA) this week. This comprehensive program provides leaders with valuable tools and strategies to effectively mentor and support the growth of future school and district administrators. Through the training, Dr. Smiley further honed her expertise in leadership development, strategic planning, and building strong, collaborative professional relationships.
Please make plans join us on Thursday, August 1, 2024, from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. for our Back-to-School Open House. Come meet your child's teacher and pick up class schedules. 9th grade Parent Orientation will take place at 4 p.m. Open House will be held in the Eugene Mason Sports Arena. We look forward to seeing you!
The members of the Perry County School District’s Board, alongside Superintendent Dr. Marcia Smiley, are participating in the 2024 AASB Summer Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama. During the three-day event, participants will have the opportunity to make meaningful connections, gain new knowledge, expand their professional networks, and share valuable insights. We are grateful for your commitment to the Perry County School District.
Greetings Bobcat Nation. Please make plans to join us for our PTO Family Financial Literacy Fair on Tuesday, April 30th from 5:30 to 7:30
pm in the high school gym. There will be free food and vendors on site to provide information to the adults about housing, savings, investments, and more. Hope to see you there.
Greetings, Bobcat Nation. Please join the K-12 Mathematics Department for Numeracy Night on Thursday, March 7th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. There will be activities for all grade levels and for parents as well. Refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing you.
Stay tuned to learn more about Ed Farm's Apple Communications Innovative lab which is on the way to the Perry County School System via Robert C. Hatch High School.
Congratulations to RC Hatch High School for having the highest attendance rate for the month of October.
Dr. Marcia Smiley, superintendent of Perry County Schools, has been named a finalist for School Superintendents of Alabama and Schnieder Electric 2024 Superintendent of the Year for District 2. Dr. Smiley was nominated along with superintendents from SSA’s other eight districts.
According to correspondence from the School Superintendents of Alabama, nominated district finalists are distinguished leaders who provide a leading voice in sound public policy development and advocacy, and foster innovative ideas and student achievement. Nominees are held in high regard by the parents, the community, teachers, staff, and superintendents throughout their district as well as by their school board.
Congratulations, Dr. Smiley and thank you for your innovation, love and compassion for our district and community.
