The Newcomer International Center (NIC) is two-year, Intensive high school English program for new-to-country students who have had interruptions in their formal education and will be entering the 9th grade. NIC's specialized program allows students to gain literacy and numeracy skills while earning graduation credits in core subjects. 

If the student shows up at YOUR school:   

1. Register/Enroll the student
2. Notify the student’s ESL teacher if ESL services are needed
3. ESL teacher administers WIDA screener to determine level for possible eligibility
4. Students should not be sent to NIC without being approved via the referral process

If the student is already registered at a MSCS school:

1. Notify the student’s ESL teacher if ESL services are needed
2. ESL teacher administers WIDA screener to determine level for possible eligibility
3. Students should not be sent to NIC without being approved via the referral process

ESL teachers can submit NIC referrals for students that meet ALL the following criteria: 

23-24 Referral Form: https://forms.office.com/r/Sn7nkgd7qy

1. 14-17 years of age
2. Resides in the U.S. for < one calendar year
3. The first language is other than English
4. Never attended school/has gap in schooling/cannot produce documents that verify current grade level
5. WIDA Screener composite score between 1.0-1.9
6. Cannot be enrolled in MSCS in any grade other than Grade 9

NIC staff will contact guardian of the referred student and notify ESL teacher of guardian’s decision via email and/or phone call within 48 business hours of referral submission.

Greetings, School Leaders: 

As we approach the end of a successful first week of school, it is pivotal to highlight the significance of reminding teachers and staff to exercise sound professional judgment when supervising and releasing students during arrival and dismissal. At MSCS, safety is a top priority especially during school arrival and dismissal. Reviewing and following Board policies, rules and regulations, and the procedures and guidelines outlined in the school's handbook is essential to ensuring the safety and security of all students during this time. Please ensure that teachers and staff monitor the areas and remain alert and visible. Additionally, clear, and consistent communication about expectations can help with being proactive in maintaining student safety. Let's work together to keep our school community safe and secure. 

I truly appreciate your continued assistance and cooperation in maintaining a safe campus for all our children. Let's continue to emphasize our safety efforts to ensure all students, staff, and parents are safe.   

Please contact me with questions and/or concerns at jacksonrd@scsk12.org.

Greetings Leaders,

As we work to secure Ready Read student workbooks for all K-8 students, please note that both teacher and student resources can be accessed via the i-Ready Teacher Toolbox.  A step sheet for accessing the resources can be found by clicking the link below:

https://bit.ly/Ready_Read

The new 2023 AP® School Honor Roll is launching in October. This award recognizes schools based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.

By August 31, confirm that your 2022-23 12th-grade and free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL) student enrollment data in AP Registration and Ordering are correct, as these data should be entered for your school to be considered for the award. Your school’s AP coordinator can make any necessary updates by signing in to AP Registration and Ordering. They should first change the school year to 2022-23 by selecting the year next to the school name on the homepage. Then, they should navigate to the School Information and Participation Contacts screen found under Settings. There’s no application process for this distinction. If a school doesn’t wish to be considered for the AP School Honor Roll, the AP coordinator should simply leave these data fields blank.

In the fall, the school principal, AP coordinator, and other school and district administrators will be able to see your school’s AP School Honor Roll status in AP Score Reports for Educators. To learn more about the AP School Honor Roll, download an overview (.pdf/1.3 MB) and visit the website.

Contact James Smith, AP Manager, if you have questions.

Attention High School Leaders: Project Graduation is currently open for Fall 2023 enrollment. Courses offered in the fall are synchronous distance learning with a certified teacher. Professional School Counselors have until August 17th, to enroll students in Part I & October 19th, for Part II classes, and they have already been trained on the process.

If you are looking for in-person opportunities, Project Graduation will offer traditional in-person classes in the Spring of 2024. The PG super sites are Craigmont HS, Hamilton HS, and Kirby HS.

For questions about how you can use Project Graduation at your school, contact Manager Jacques Hall (halljh@scsk12.org or 901.416.9041).
 

Attention All Building Leaders:

The Summer Device Service Center is now closed to parents. All schools may collect funds for device related fines and collect devices. Any questions can be sent to device_support@scsk12.org.

Thank you for your support!

Exciting news! The Fall Professional Learning Catalog is now available. It's organized by content area for your convenience, making it easier to find relevant professional development opportunities. Hyperlinks in the table of contents enable quick navigation. Thank you for your continued support. Let's grow together!

PL&S is pleased to share these K-12 Math Support Sessions.  Participants should register in PLZ and information will be shared with them such as the links to join.

Save the Date-August 22nd Principals' Meeting ½ day! The agenda is forthcoming.

Digital Device Ambassador Agreement Forms and Digital Support Ambassador Agreement Forms should be reviewed, signed and submitted as a PDF attachment to device_support@scsk12.org by Friday, August 11th. DDAs/DSAs must register for training in PLZ for the date associated with their grade band. The training content is uniquely different, so DDAs/DSAs cannot attend alternate sessions. No make updates have been scheduled. DDAs/DSAs must complete training before they can serve in the role, distribute devices and have access to all of the systems needed to handle device operations.

 The 1:1 Digital Device Program is greatly appreciative of the outpour of support for device distribution.   

 Digital Device Training (In-person) for Middle & K-8 Schools

Tuesday, August 15th

Location: 3237 Knight Road

Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

PLZ Section# 69734 Course# 34760

Digital Device Training (In-person) for High Schools

Wednesday, August 16th

Location: 3237 Knight Road

Time: 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

PLZ Section# 69732 Course# 34760

Digital Device Training (In-person) for Elementary Schools

Thursday, August 17th

Location: 3237 Knight Road

Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

PLZ Section# 69735 Course# 34760

 Attention: Building Leaders

The Division of Virtual Education and Logistics would like to thank all building leaders and their leadership team for collaborating with our office to complete the 1:1 Classroom Teacher Device Reconciliation Project.  The completion rate for the Teacher’s Device Reconciliation Project was over 82% for the district.  Our office has received several requests for additional 1:1 classroom device for teachers and eligible staff. We would like to extend the opportunity for building leaders who completed device reconciliation last school year to request additional devices as needed for eligible staff who did not previously receive a device. Requests will not be processed for schools whose reconciliation is currently “In-Progress”.  Please contact Mrs. Lisa Fletcher at fletcherl1@scsk12.org if there are any questions regarding the reconciliation status for your school.   

Please complete the FORM to submit a device request.  Remember that administrators, clerical staff, educational assistant, CCTE, PreK, or SPED are not eligible roles. Please be prepared to attach a current 2023-24 staff roster (teachers’ name/grade/subject) when completing the request form.

 Thank you for your support!

Attention Building Leaders:

Please return previously assigned devices to the same teacher from last year if they are still serving in an eligible position. Ensure that each teacher completes the Computer/Device Checkout Form upon device assignment or redistribution. Scan all completed forms as one PDF file and attach the file HERE.  An Ivanti workorder should be submitted for any devices with physical damage or a technical issue. Physically damaged devices are covered under the accidental protection plan, and claims will be filed by IT Field Support. Please follow MSCS district policy for reporting lost or stolen/unreturned devices.  

Elementary and K-8 Principals,

Thank you for providing us with your Specialized Education Assistants' names that will provide tutoring for specified 4th grade tutoring.  We will have mandatory meetings for your 4th grade Tutoring Coordinator and a mandatory meeting for BOTH of your designated SEA's.   Please see the information below:                                                                                               

(Please forward this email to those you have selected to do this work)

 

4th Grade Tutoring Coordinator

When:  Tuesday, August 15

Where:  Microsoft Teams (virtual meeting)

Time:   10:00 - 11:00 a.m. OR  1:00 - 2:00 (coordinators may choose one)

Topic:  Tutoring expectations and scheduling support

A.M. LINK:  (copy link, right click, open link) 

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZTAxNWQ1YzgtNTlkNy00OTAzLWE1MzQtMjQ5YzQyZDQ1NmEy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%222b291c94-5eb0-44b7-89ea-4baf16ecc4a9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22904748fc-e5bd-45f2-9576-37b49bb18d3a%22%7d
 

P.M. LINK:  (copy link, right click, open link)
 

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_N2M0NzU3NjgtMWM5Zi00NGQ1LWE2MWYtNGJjYjYwM2Y1Y2M0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%222b291c94-5eb0-44b7-89ea-4baf16ecc4a9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22904748fc-e5bd-45f2-9576-37b49bb18d3a%22%7d
 

Specialized Education Assistants (in-person)

When:  Wednesday, August 16

Where:  TLA Auditorium

Time:  8:00 - 3:30 

Breakfast and Lunch will be provided

Topic:  Tutoring expectations, small group support, & complete online state training

Please ensure that you allow all SEA's to bring a laptop to the training, so that they can complete the state-required online training.  If you have any questions and/or concerns, please email LaTosha Wiseman.  

Thank you for your dedication to this work!

Germantown International Festival: We are thrilled to participate in this year's Germantown International Festival, and we extend a cordial invitation to all MSCS families to join us Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 11a.m. to 5p.m.

Featuring delectable food options, vibrant vendors, and captivating performances from 28 participant countries, this festival presents an excellent opportunity to foster learning, sharing, and meaningful connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds worldwide.

To document their cultural journey, we kindly request all students to bring an international fest passport. Passports can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: https://bit.ly/GIFestPassport

We look forward to seeing you there!