The Tuscaloosa City Schools and Tuscaloosa County School System are partnering to host Unite for Education 2023 Back-to-School Celebration on Monday, August 7 at Coleman Coliseum! This new, joint event is happening in place of what is traditionally known as Institute Day for both systems, and also includes our Adopt-a-School partners. We're excited to come together to celebrate the new school year and the vital role of education in our community!

 

At Unite for Education, more than 4,000 employees of both school systems will gather with local leaders and area businesses to celebrate the start of the school year. The event will include a vendor fair with more than 70 local businesses and community organizations represented, with interactive opportunities for attendees. At the main event, speakers include Dr. Manny Scott, whose story was told in the hit movie Freedom Writers, and Mrs. Terry Saban, who will share plans for the Saban Center. Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama will also recognize Adopt-a-School partnerships during the event.

7:30 a.m.: Shuttles begin running from Capstone Parking Deck and Soccer Lot. Shuttles will run continuously until the start of the Main Event, and after the conclusion of the program.
8 a.m. - 9:35 a.m.: Unite For Education Vendor Fair, featuring local businesses & community organizations, plus fun extras for attendees. 

9:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.: Main event, with Adopt-a-School partnership recognitions, special guest Mrs. Terry Saban and Keynote Speaker Dr. Manny Scott. 

Mrs. Terry Saban will share plans for the Saban Center, an innovative hub in Downtown Tuscaloosa that will expose students to the possibilities within STEAM-related careers, many of those that exist here in Alabama. The Saban Center will offer a hands-on, immersive experience in a single state-of-the-art campus, and also offer valuable fellowships for professional development and partnerships for teachers and schools. 

 

Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Manny Scott, whose story was told in the hit movie Freedom Writers. Dr. Scott has energized more than two million educators, students, and leaders worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope. 

During the Main Event from 9:45 - 11:45 am, schools will sit together in assigned seating inside Coleman Coliseum. The seating map is available on this page. The seating map will also be accessible through a QR code, posted on site at the event. Local businesses who are Adopt-A-School partners are invited to sit with their adopted schools during the event. 

Parking is available in the Coleman Coliseum lot, the Capstone Parking Deck (across from Coleman Coliseum, close to Moody Music and the Bryant Conference Center), or at the UA Soccer Lot (near University Blvd). There will be TCSS buses offering shuttles from both the Capstone Parking Deck and the UA Soccer Lot. Due to parking, we encourage employees to carpool to the event. Shuttles will begin running at 7:30 a.m.

Schools should dress in school colors or school t-shirts. Your school administrator will provide specific details on what to wear.

More than two dozen local restaurants are offering special lunch discounts to our faculty and staff for Monday, August 7. Visit this page for a complete list of participating restaurants.