The i-Ready/Diagnostic Universal Screening window runs through September 2.

• Reminder – to check Diagnostic completion status, view the Diagnostic Status Report (Reports > School/District > Diagnostic > Diagnostic Status). 

Professional Development: Please find attached upcoming i-Ready PD offerings.

• Dates: Aug.22-25 (Location: TLA, Dr. Lorene Essex - 115/116, Elaine Price - Multipurpose Room)
• Dates: Tues., Aug. 30 & Thurs., Sept. 1 (Location: TLA - Auditorium & Multipurpose)
• MSCS i-Ready Admin Acct Training Schedule
• i-Ready PD Aug 22 - Sep 1

Please click here for the start of the school year Discipline Protocols.

Please complete the annual Principal's Affirmation requirements worksheet. Specific assignments for each school are enclosed with the required completion dates. Please make sure that the form is completed in its entirety. If you have additional questions regarding this assignment, please contact Mr. Cory Dickerson at  dickersoncl@scsk12.org.(901) 416-7375. 

• Code of Conduct Test 2022-2023 (Middle&High)
• Code of Conduct Test 2022-2023 (Elementary)
• Code of Conduct Test Elementary (Answer Key)
• Code of Conduct Test Key
• Bullying Student Contract 2022-2023 (Elementary)
• Bullying Student Contract 2022-2023 (Secondary)
• Policy 6046 Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Intimidation, Bullying & Cyberbullying 
• Policy 6071 Anti-Hazing

New student records should be enrolled in the assigned school. DO NOT use the Registration School until further notice. 

All required fields MUST be completed when enrolling new students. Failure to complete all the required fields will delay the student record from loading to EIS. THIS WILL IMPACT FUNDING.

Level Data is available to identify the student who has missing data.

DO NOT transfer students to inactive schools. These schools are identified with a lowercase “I” (i) before the school name.

DO NOT use all zeros (000000000) for the student’s SSN or Student PIN. If the SSN is NOT provided by the parent, request a 979 number. Contact your assigned data specialist if you need access to the A979 Request System.

Only DCS Staff with an official DCS identification badge or a court-appointed guardian can visit foster care students at school. 

Contracted agencies such as Youth Villages, Meritan, and Omni Visions cannot provide home visits at school during school hours. Home visits are conducted to assess foster placements and the progress of children in their foster placements. Therefore, such visits should not be conducted at school.

If you need further guidance or support regarding this matter, please contact Karen Ball-Johnson at 901-416-7393 or ballkf@scsk12.org.

SEED’s SEL team has streamed a short video to help support teachers. The recording provides detailed guidance for navigating the Rethink Platform and understanding compliance expectations for explicit SEL instruction.

See the attached link below and share it with your colleagues and staff:

• https://scsk12.instructuremedia.com/embed/7d21464f-01f2-4522-8872-ab6a5f6396e7

If you have additional questions, please contact SEED Manager Rosalind Davis (DavisRJ@scsk12.org), SEL Advisors, R. Williams (WilliamsRW@scsk12.org), or K. Greene (GreeneKP@scsk12.org).

Memphis-Shelby County Schools will begin using the Intermittent Homebound code for students with a medically diagnosed chronic health condition that causes the student to be absent for intermittent periods during the school year. 

This code (IHB) is a "Present" designation. A licensed physician must certify that the student's chronic medical condition will require him/her to be out for at least 10 days during the school year. These absences do not have to be consecutive. 

The Intermittent Homebound referral process is the same as for Hospital/Homebound. The form must be submitted to the S.E.E.D. Homebound Office for approval. Referral forms have been shared with school counselors. Please see the document for additional information regarding this process. 

Contact Thomasena Stuckett at stucketttd@scsk12.org with any questions.

Cummings K-8 has been displaced due to structural damage and is housed now at LaRose Elementary. Principal Hendrix of LaRose Elementary has graciously offered materials to Cummings teachers and students, which have stretched them beyond their expectations. 

We are "stronger together," so let's support our own by "sending two" items from the list of materials in the flyer attached. Thank you for sending what you can, it will help our students and teachers!

• Send Two Cummings and LaRose Elem

Imagine is the district-approved RTI2 intervention tool for grades 9-12. The district’s Imagine assessment window has been updated to August 29-September 9. All 9th-10th graders are expected to complete the initial placement exam. Placement exam results will assist teachers with planning for the Academic block, including Tier II and III intervention instruction. Please see the attached FAQ regarding log-in instructions.

Site-based Imagine consultant support is available to all high schools and can be scheduled by the RTI2 Lead or Principal utilizing the following link: https://go.oncehub.com/EdgenuitySCS. Contact your RTI2 Advisor, the RTI2 Helpdesk (rti2@scsk12.org), or Dr. Amy Maples, RTI2 Manager, with any questions.

• Logging into Imagine MyPath District Admin
• Logging into Imagine MyPath Student
• Logging into Imagine MyPath Teacher

High School teachers selected to teach the new Complex Text Course who did not attend a previous overview of the course have additional opportunities to engage in a comprehensive course overview.

 Leaders, please ensure that your teacher-of-record slated to teach the new Complex Text Course attends one of the overviews listed below if they have not already attended a session. 

Complex Text Course Overview PLZ Course Number #31849

• OPTION 1: Tuesday, August 30 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Section #64405 Location: Southwind High School-Library
• OPTION 2: Thursday, September 1 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Section #64406 Location: Southwind High School-Library

Questions? Email ci_ela_team@scsk12.org.

aimswebPlus is the district-approved RTI2 progress monitoring tool for grades K-12 and is now accessible via Clever. Please refer to the attached FAQ reflecting specific login instructions. RTI2 Leads received the initial training and were provided the necessary materials to redeliver this training to any building-level staff responsible for administering the progress monitoring assessments. Additional district-level professional development and support opportunities will be available throughout the fall semester. Check the MSCS Fall Catalog for these additional opportunities. 
 

Intervention begins when instruction begins; therefore, progress monitoring is expected to begin no later than September 6. 

Contact your RTI2 Advisor, the RTI2 Helpdesk (rti2@scsk12.org), or Dr. Amy Maples, RTI2 Manager, with any questions Contact your RTI2 Advisor, the RTI2 Helpdesk (rti2@scsk12.org), or Dr. Amy Maples, RTI2 Manager.

Accessing aimswebPlus for 2022-23

This week, you should have received an email from the ELA Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction regarding your Ready Read (Curriculum Associates) materials delivery. The email communication lists your specific delivery details, and the principal/designee will complete the survey link to confirm delivery, any needs, and overages. Please be sure to review the communication carefully and complete the survey for your school by COB Wednesday, August 31. 

Questions? Email ci_ela_team@scsk12.org. 

The i-Ready Diagnostic and associated Literacy Tasks serve as the district-approved universal screener and characteristics of dyslexia assessments. This assessment window is open from August 15- September 2.

Students in grades K-5 engage in the Diagnostic and Literacy Tasks outlined in the RTI2 District Implementation Guide. Students in grades 6-8 are engaging in the diagnostic assessments. As a reminder, RTI2 Leads and school-based administrative teams can review completion rates within the i-Ready platform since PowerBi is currently unavailable. 

Additional resources are available within the Curriculum Maps-Curriculum Tools-RTI2-Assessments folder to assist RTI2 Leads with organizing and monitoring the completion of these assessments.

Contact your RTI2 Advisor, the RTI2 Helpdesk (rti2@scsk12.org), your i-Ready Consultant, or Dr. Amy Maples, RTI2 Manager, with any questions.

The Equity, Discipline & Intervention (EDI) Office cordially invites RTI-B Coaches/Co-Coaches and School Counselors to attend the RTI-B Showcase on Friday, September 2, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the University of Memphis – University Center. 

Please RSVP by Friday, August 26 and register in PLZ - Course #31606 and Section #63734. Only (2) two staff per school may attend. 

• RSVP Link: https://tinyurl.com/2022-RTI-B-Showcase-RSVP

The Department of Professional Learning & Support strives to build the capacity of teachers, leaders, and central office staff. Effective coaching, strategic planning, professional learning, data analysis, and observation and feedback aim to improve schools' academic growth and achievement.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office: at 901-416-5930 or professionallearning@scsk12.org.

Click here for the 2022-23 Professional Learning & Support Calendar. Monthly notifications will be released with updated details of offered sessions.

Signage for our interpretation service for all Title I schools, Language Line, will be delivered to schools within the next two weeks. Please post these materials near the main office, on the office counter, and in other common areas for parents to communicate their language needs with the school.

Please remember that this service will be used in calling parents, conducting parent/teacher conferences, and other brief situations where interpretation is needed.

Also, please fill in the form below when you use the service.

• https://forms.office.com/r/3ittz4dSry

As we begin this year, we wanted to share resources to assist with aligning to the expectations for Instructional Practice 1.

We have attached two resources that will assist as you support this work in your schools.

• Instructional Practice 1 Guidance PowerPoint: This PowerPoint outlines the guidance that has been previously shared with examples for the two places PBOs should be displayed inside of classrooms. Click here to access the PowerPoint. 
• Academic Foci Support for IP1 document: This document supports accessing the Annotated PBO resources provided by C&I (teachers should use the resources inside of their classrooms.) Guidance is also provided for the two places PBOs should be displayed inside of classrooms.  Click here to access the Guidance document.  

PSAT 8/9 Coordinators have until September 26 to order the PSAT 8/9 to test all eligible eighth graders on October 25. 100% participation is our district goal. Instructions for ordering PSAT 8/9 tests will be sent by Chief Page. 

Please contact James L. Smith if you have questions.

AP Coordinators should be obtaining the required signatures for AP Student Agreements. They have received directions via email, and all student agreements are due by October 7. After collecting forms, AP Coordinators should submit the following survey: https://forms.office.com/r/uE65NzCqeN.

Please contact James L. Smith if you have questions.

Please submit the form below by September 6 to identify your Fifth Grade Enrichment teacher and accountability monitor for 2022-23. Please contact Dr. Katrina Taylor if you have questions or need support.

• Fifth Grade Enrichment Designee

The OAG Flag is up and running for all students. Please continue to identify students who may be eligible for an OAG Assessment/Grade Placement and prepare to implement the OAG Plan/Timeline with your school team. 

OAG Type

• Red OAG Flag = Student enrollment records indicate one or more years of retention. 
• Blue OAG Flag = Student is one or more years OAG, but there is no enrollment record of retention (e.g., enrollment gap, late birthday, missing records, etc.).

How to access OAG Report: Select System Reports, and Enterprise Reports, then scroll to Other Reports and select OAG K-8 Report. *K-12 OAG students are included (report name will be updated)

For more information, contact Counseling Services and Registration/Enrollment. 

• Rhonda Hill, hillre@scsk12.org
• Sherenda Moss, mosssi@scsk12.org
• Constance Certion, certioncb@sck12.org
• Stacey Davis, daviss2@scsk12.org

All School Counselors and DEC Psychologists are required to attend the Student Support Team Training scheduled for Tuesday, September 13. The training will include important changes to the SRT/S-Team Referral Process, review roles/responsibilities, and outline expectations for school teams to help identify support, interventions, or services for students.  

Please mark this on your school calendar to ensure School Counselors/Psychologists can attend the training. You may contact Dr. Angela Hargrave for questions or concerns. 

If you are interested in learning more about the MSCS AP Pipeline, join PL&S Leadership Development for an informational session on either September 15 at 4:00 p.m. or September 20 at 5:00 p.m. Learn more details on this flyer.

Join Elaine Price with Curriculum and Associates to learn more about iReady Admin rights and responsibilities for one of several virtual sessions next week. Details are outlined in the flyer, along with links to join.

PL&S is pleased to present Teacher Development Week this year in support of further developing strong teachers in MSCS. Please review the flyer for full details and complete the form by September 9 with the names of your teachers who will attend.  

Email Racheal Addison (addisonrd@scsk12.org) with questions.

PL&S is excited to offer a Central Office Professional Learning Series during the 22-23 school year. Please see details on the flyer and register in PLZ.

Disinfecting Cleaning Frequencies are discussed in detail in the AOSS Manual. Please familiarize yourself with this information and share it with your team.

PL&S offers a virtual learning opportunity for Instructional Practices 1 and 2 on Monday, August 29. Please see the flyer for full details by content and grade band, along with the links to join.

MSCS, in partnership with the University of Memphis, is now accepting applications for its second cohort of African American male 8th graders. 

The African American Male Academy (AAMA) will identify, recruit, and induct African American male students into a culture of inclusive excellence. Students will be selected via an application process and set on an early path toward college completion. Applications are due by September 23, 2022. 

Please share this link & information with your families: https://www.memphis.edu/african_american_male_academy/

Per MSCS Board Policy 4020, "Supervisors are responsible for adhering to the evaluation process and providing timely feedback to improve the performance of evaluated employees."

The deadline to recertify as an NIE Evaluator is August 31! 

• If the recertification course in Canvas is not successfully completed by the deadline, the evaluator will need to attend one of the LIVE (Virtual) certification trainings outlined for NEW Evaluators (PLZ Course# 30314).

​For more information, including training dates, please click the link below. 

SY22-23 NIE Certification Training Calendar

According to state board rule 0520-02-01 and state board policy 5.201, a certified evaluator must evaluate all educators annually. The department conducts initial certification and recertification training, administers certification tests, issues evaluator credentials, and provides continuous evaluator support for the TEAM rubric.

Educators must be certified. Conducting observations without full certification is a grievable offense. Certification entails participating in an official state-sponsored TEAM training and passing the subsequent online certification test. Certification is valid through June of the current school year regardless of the certification date.

• All evaluator certification training for 2022-23 is virtual. The certification window for recertification is from June 8 - August 31.
• The certification window for initial certification is from June 8, 2022, -  March 31, 2023. Certification is valid until June 30, 2023. TEAM CERTIFICATION FAQS
• The district completion deadline for ALL returning evaluator Certifications is August 31, 2022.

Please submit your TEAM certificate to eps@scsk12.org upon completion of the course. Certification must be completed by August 31.

The SY2022-2023 TEM and NIE Evaluator Certification periods are open for new and returning evaluators. For more information, check out SY2022-2023 TEM & NIE Evaluator Certification Process. Registration is required in PLZ (registrations will open 30 days before the session start date).

• TEM Certification: Course Number 30158
• NIE Certification: Course Number 30314

Questions? Please reach out to eps@scsk12.org.  

Returning TEM & NIE Recertifications must be completed by August 31.

The TEM TEACHer Training Series is now open for ALL teachers. The series aims to identify teacher and student actions that guide effective instruction at performance levels 3-5 of the TEACH indicators. 

Register in PLZ, course #26177.

The Goal Setting season is here, and non-instructional evaluations are now available in PLZ! All non-instructional employees must have a goal-setting conference as the first step of the performance appraisal process.  

* As a reminder, the Goal-Setting Conference should be completed within 30 days of the NIE employee's hire/contract start date. 

Click HERE for more NIE Goal Setting Conference details. 

Fine Arts, Physical Education (2nd and 5th Grades), Pre-K, and World Language Educators (French and Spanish) will submit Student Growth Portfolios for SY2022-23. The deadline for all submissions is 11:59 p.m., May 1, 2023. 

For important updates regarding the Portfolio process, please click here.    

Kindergarten teachers will not submit Portfolios for SY22-23. The Universal Screener (iReady) will be used as this year's Growth Measure.

The Family & Community Engagement Department will provide virtual training on Microsoft Teams for parent organization members and school staff on August 29, 31, and September 12 and 14. The training sessions will focus on registration and documents required for parent organizations to receive approval from Memphis-Shelby County Schools to function/operate this school year.

Parent organization members and school staff can attend a session of their choice by clicking on a link:

• Monday, August 29, at 10:00 a.m.: https://bit.ly/3dXbDr2
• Wednesday, August 31, at 6:00 p.m.: https://bit.ly/3CuY2S2
• Monday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m.: https://bit.ly/3Cw5qg5
• Wednesday, September 14, at 6:00 p.m.: https://bit.ly/3TtoL7V

For questions, please feel free to contact us at 416-7600 or scsface@scsk12.org.