BESSEMER, AL – Bessemer City High’s Purple Tigers will face off against the Helena Huskies in the AHSAA 1st-Round Playoffs on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Bessemer City High Tiger Stadium, located at 4950 Premiere Parkway, Bessemer, AL 35022.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Admission is $12, and parking is $5.  Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but fans are encouraged to buy in advance via GoFan.com for convenience and to ensure faster entry.

Please note the following stadium policies:

• No passes out for re-entry.

• A clear small bag policy is enforced.

• Umbrellas are permitted inside the Stadium.

• No Smoking or Vaping allowed on campus

• No outside food allowed inside the Stadium

• No weapons of any kind allowed on campus

• All attendees must purchase a ticket or present a valid coach’s card or media pass — no exceptions.

Come out and support your Bessemer City Purple Tigers as they compete in the 2025 AHSAA playoffs!

Bessemer High School celebrated a spirited Homecoming week themed "Big Bessemer — Today, Tomorrow, and Forever!" The week was full of events culminating in a thrilling victory.

The Homecoming Court was crowned, with Markee Molette named King and Yazmin Bishop named Queen. Runners-up included Justin Fredd for King and Jae’lah McClinton and Karma Lowe for Queen. Zamir Graham and Shakiyah Miles were named Mr. and Miss BCHS, while Destin Levert and JaKoryia “Janae” Williams were named Mr. and Miss BCT.

Faculty and students showcased creativity with themed dress-up days. One day saw attendees dressing as celebrities and characters like Michael Jackson and Erykah Badu. Another day embraced "Emo Day," featuring dark eyeliner, band tees and all-black apparel. Elementary schools also participated in dress-up fun.

Festivities kicked off Thursday, Oct. 16, with a bonfire. Friday, Oct. 17, featured a noon parade starting at the Train Depot, food trucks at DeBardeleben Park and a tailgate on Alumni Hill. Councilor Carla Foreman-Jackson of District 6 even stopped by to join the events.

School spirit was high at the pep rally before the Big Bessemer Tigers took the field. The excitement paid off as the football team secured a 19-16 win over Northridge High School. The community celebrated a successful week of Tiger pride.

Bessemer City High School buzzed with energy as it hosted a vibrant Hispanic Heritage Night Oct. 9., wrapping up the district's observance of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15). The event drew approximately 75 attendees to the high school.

The purpose of the evening was multifaceted: to celebrate the rich culture and diversity of the Bessemer Hispanic and Latino communities and to provide resourceful information to parents. The event was framed as a celebration of identity, resilience, and tradition, serving as an invitation to honor the past while embracing the vibrant ways Hispanic heritage continues to shape the present.

A key focus of the night was the district's commitment to its English Language Learner (ELL) students. Informational resources were shared with families to assist their children with support services, aiming to meet all the needs of the ELL student population. Furthermore, the event spotlighted the district's dedication to providing high-quality instruction that supports student learning and increases English proficiency.

Kimberly Hunter, the district's new ESL district specialist, emphasized her dedication to the growing ELL community:

"I am both humbled and excited to serve our large ELL population. Each day provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and better understand the diverse needs of our students,” said Hunter. “My focus is on increasing their English proficiency by fostering strong instructional support, creating equitable access to language-rich learning environments, and building collaborative partnerships with teachers and families."

Bessemer City Schools thanks the sponsors for this event: Los Sombreros, a local Mexican restaurant in Bessemer located at 5031 Ford Parkway #107; Bimbo, one of the largest bakeries in the world; and Mi Pueblo Supermarket located in Pelham at 3060 Pelham Parkway. These sponsors helped to create a memorable night. 

The evening provided a blend of cultural enrichment and practical support, featuring food and fun alongside the distribution of essential information, reinforcing the Bessemer City Schools’ pledge to support its diverse student body.

Bessemer City Schools recently extended appreciation to several city council members for their active support and generous contributions to various school programs. 

Councilman Cleo King was thanked for his significant donation to the school system’s athletic program. His support helps student-athletes continue to grow, compete, and succeed. Councilor Javis Collier was recognized for his generous donation to the district’s Modern Manufacturing Program. This funding is essential for preparing students for success in high-demand technical careers.

Additionally, Councilor Carla Foreman-Jackson made a substantial impact during a recent visit. She not only volunteered her time serving students in the cafeteria but also assisted them with preparations for homecoming advertisements. The school district expressed deep gratitude to Councilor Foreman-Jackson for her ongoing involvement, which includes donating snacks, serving the athletic department, and consistently engaging with the students and uplifting the entire school community.

Thank you, Councilors King, Collier, and Foreman-Jackson, for your invaluable commitment and generous investment in the success of Bessemer City Schools and its students.

Regular school attendance is a key factor in a student's success. Each day a student is present at school is a chance to learn, grow, build positive relationships, and create a better future. Recognizing this important link, Bessemer City Schools continued its efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and encourage positive attendance habits through creative student involvement in the form of an Attendance Awareness Poster Contest. 

The contest, held throughout September 2025, involved 10 elementary students across the district in creating visual representations of the theme "Attendance Matters: Every Day Counts!" Submissions were assessed using a detailed rubric that considered creativity and originality, visual appeal and design, message and relevance, content accuracy and clarity, and effort and overall impact. Winners will be recognized on social media and receive a $25 prize. All winning posters will be displayed throughout the district.

Dr. Shayla McCray, Director of Student Services, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative. "We are truly elated that our scholars participated in the Attendance Matters-Every Day Counts Campaign! Our students are truly talented artists! Next month, we will have an Attendance Awareness-Every Day Counts Essay Contest. Essentially, showing up on time prepares students for success in college, work, and beyond."

Contest winners will be announced at the Board of Education meeting on October 21, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

FOCUS Act Social Media Safety Course Now Available for Students

Bessemer City Schools is committed to keeping students safe both in and out of the classroom. In alignment with the FOCUS Act mandated by the State of Alabama, the Alabama State Department of Education has developed a new School Safety Course focused on the safe and responsible use of social media.

This asynchronous, digital course—accessible through Schoology—helps students recognize the risks of social media and learn strategies to protect themselves online.

Who is required to take the course?
 

• All 7th grade students must complete the course before moving to 8th grade.

• The course is also required for new students in grades 8–12 who transfer into Bessemer City Schools.

How do students access the course?

Students may log into Schoology at https://bessemercity.schoology.com/ and use the access code P68B-397B-WJT35 to join. A simple step-by-step guide is provided to make enrollment quick and easy.

This initiative reflects BCS’s ongoing dedication to preparing students for academic success and personal safety in today’s digital world.