Diagnostic Completion:  You’ve completed your beginning-of-year Diagnostic – congratulations! You now have data that helps you understand student progress, celebrate growth, and reflect on areas where teachers and students may need more support.  

Here are some resources you can use as you engage in this work:

• Reference the Data Analysis Guide to help you make meaning of your data.   
• Use this Leader Reflection and Planning Worksheet to help you recognize your accomplishments and plan for next year. Here’s a Teacher Worksheet to help your staff engage in similar work.

Celebrate your staff and students. Visit i-ReadyCentral.com/Ideas to get inspired 

If you need access to standards mastery at the admin level, please reach out to Robin Porter at porterre@scsk12.org.  All teachers already have access to standards mastery so this just applies to the admin level.

While we anticipate receiving Ready Read student workbooks for all students, at this time teachers will need to access the materials digitally. To ensure ease of access we have updated the Q1 Reading Prescriptions by hyperlinking the student resources to the Ready Read weeks included on the elementary and middle schools’ Reading Prescriptions. Please note, that teachers can also access the Ready Read lessons by means of the iReady Teacher Toolbox. Additionally, to encourage technology integration, teachers can share the student resources with their students digitally. Included below is a resource with technology integration ideas compliments of our Blended Learning Team. 

Ready Reading Support Guides: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WR7xmviPEs-pa3CZLu5kY8Pp_PfexEW6?usp=sharing
 

Please address questions to ci_ela_team@scsk12.org.
 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PujrY-Z0bk7nf2uIRNWOPvXDggBWSL3W/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110047789935292811903&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Greetings Principals,   

Fall Budget Checkout is quickly approaching, and we wanted to remind you of the specifics for your convenience.  The details for the event are listed below. 

Fall Budget Checkout   

Date: Monday, September 18 – Friday, September 29, 2023  

Location: East T-Stem Memphis Room, 3225 Walnut Grove Road, 38111 

Room Reserved Time: See your scheduled appointment invite.   

If you need clarity or have questions, please contact Director Kevin Malone at malonefk@scsk12.org or 901-570-8955.   

Please be advised that some students are disguising vape smoking devices into highlighters. Please make sure that your behavior support staff and appropriate others are aware and on informed.

The Office of SEED has great opportunities for you. September is national suicide prevention month, and we'd like to share these FREE Trainings to help increase mental health literacy of individuals who interact with school aged youth. 

Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is partnering with TN Voices to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid. This course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. See available Course options.

TIP (Trauma Intensive Program)

Educators and Parents- Are you interested in gaining an understanding of the impact of social media and youth, Youth Mental Health Awareness, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Self-Care, and more? Join us for these FREE Informational courses. We need You! Follow the TIP Monthly Courses. 

September is recognized annually as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  The theme is “Creating Hope Through Action.” For the past 11 years the MSCSMHC has held the Suicide Prevention Awareness Expo to educate students, parents, faculty, and the community on this very important mental health issue.  This year, the 11th Annual Suicide Prevention Expo will be held in collaboration with Coordinated School Health, Total Rewards and Benefits, community partners, and agencies to provide valuable information and bring attention to another unfortunate pandemic society is facing. Please share this information with their families  

When: Saturday, September 16, 2023
Where: Colonial Middle School
Time:  10:00am - 2:00pm

Please know that you should reserve using the SEED Mandatory Reporting Email for the situations listed here. It should not be used for general discipline issues. You will report general discipline matters to appropriate personnel on a case-by-case basis. 

The Office of SEED will be conducting PSAP training during the month of September. Please share with appropriate staff. Potential participants can sign up for the session in PLZ using code number 35130. Only administrators, counselors, family engagement specialists or behavior specialists should attend. Contact Thomasena Stuckett at stucketttd@scsk12.org with any questions. 

The Office of SEED 504 Department will be offering the following professional development sessions during the month of September:

• 504 Compliance Training - TN Pulse (Administrators) - Section Number #70503, #70504, #70505 and #70506

We are asking leaders to please share this information with their counselors, administrators, and other appropriate staff. Interested participants will need to register for the course in PLZ using the section number provided. Session facilitators will send the link to all enrolled participants. If you have any questions, email Chanda Jones-Donald at jonesdonaldcr@scsk12.org.

To ensure consistent support for homeless and unaccompanied students and district-wide compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please adhere to the Enrollment Protocol for Homeless and Unaccompanied Students.

• The Eligible Circumstance Transfer window will open on September 5, 2023. All transfer requests will be carefully reviewed and must meet specific criteria to be approved.

School Counselors are required to submit OAG requests using the OAG/Grade Placement survey form in PowerSchool SIS.

• School support staff will no longer have access to withdraw students from Powerschool. These withdrawals will be handled by the SEED Office and Division of Alternative Education (for expelled students only).
• Withdrawals are only required for each student who has been in attendance for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Effective immediately, all no-shows will need to submit a centralized withdrawal application to be withdrawn.
• Parents can access the withdrawal form through their PowerSchool Parent Portal; school staff can visit: https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=37204&culture=en
• Please review your projected enrollment list and identify any students who have not yet registered or enrolled at your site. Parents of these students must clear truancy before their child can be enrolled. Do not send these parents away.

This course is designed for staff who enroll students, approve registration, and process student withdrawals at the school level (Administrators, GOS, Financial Secretaries, Enrollment staff and Clerical Assistants).  Participants will learn how navigate PowerSchool SIS via a training database and navigate the online platform and view real-time data.

• Course #: 34911 (Elementary, Middle, and High)

• School administrators must ensure teachers record attendance daily and input grades in PowerTeacher Pro. Do Not use paper forms.
• School office staff should process and reconcile daily attendance codes submitted by teachers. Failure to complete this task will impact funding (TISA).
• Each school should have an attendance administrator who can assist and verify the accuracy of attendance data.   
• Attendance clean-up sessions will be announced by zone within the coming weeks.

• All 5-year-old Kindergarten students must be registered and enrolled by Monday, September 18, to be eligible to attend school for the 2023-24 school year. 
• Students who are not 5 years old by August 15 and did not pass the Early Kindergarten Entry Screening are not eligible to attend school this year. Please withdraw these students from your location.

      (This does not apply to homeless, migrant, or foster care students.) 

Attendance training will be offered on multiple dates. Assigned staff who support attendance can visit PLZ to register.  Participates will review district and state mandated guidelines surrounding attendance, and learn the tools needed to successfully carry out day-to-day attendance responsibilities. Please Bring Your Laptop.

• Course #: 32108 (Elementary and K-8)
• Course #: 32114 (Middle and High)

Shelby County Health Department will conduct an immunization event on Saturday, September 30, at the Teacher and Learning Academy (TLA) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (no appointments necessary, while supplies last). Parents of kindergarten and seventh grade students who need immunizations should be contacted.

Chronic absenteeism – missing more than 10% of school days – has more than doubled in communities across the country, disrupting the classrooms and impacting students’ academic progress, social development, and overall well-being.  This September, during Attendance Awareness Month, we highlight the importance of attendance and its positive impact on academics and overall student success. Let’s build the habit of good attendance!  

EVERY SCHOOL DAY COUNTS! 

Please join us on Wednesday, September 20 for our annual OSSP training (details below). We will review a plethora of information and share dates and deadlines to aid in planning for a productive year.   

  * Please note the location.

We look forward to collaborating with you to ensure the continued success of your optional program. If you have questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Katrina Taylor or me. Thanks!  

Please share this flyer regarding upcoming September and October K-12 Math professional learning opportunities.

Attention Principals:

Please be aware that a record’s hold may have been placed on some MSCS student's PowerSchool account due to an outstanding fine for a lost or damaged 1:1 device.  Holds should only be removed once there is sufficient documentation that all fines have been satisfied by payment or applicable waiver. Please remind administrators, DDAs/DSAs, and office staff that this is aligned to Student Fees and Debt District Policy 6047.  If there are any questions or concerns regarding records hold for a 1:1 device, please consult the DDA/DSA. If they are in need of additional support or research, they can always reach out to VEL for support.

Thank you!

The Department of Professional Learning and Support is excited to announce a series of professional learning opportunities for teachers. Teacher Development Week (TDW) consists of job-embedded professional learning for select teachers, targeting the 23-24 SY Academic Foci to support effective implementation at the school level. This series of teacher professional learning will occur monthly following Leadership Development Week.  Join us September 18th - 21st for the correct grade band.

Daily Intended Audience
Day 1: Grade 3-5 ILT Content Leads 
Day 2: 6-8 ILT Content Leads
Day 3: 9-12 ILT Content Leads
Day 4: K-2 Teachers and/or Laureates who are either new, Year 0 or Year 1

Please ensure that teachers have requested a full-day substitute. 

Location: Teaching & Learning Academy Auditorium, 2485 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38112

Sign in: 7:45 - 7:55 am

Session Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

*Lunch will be provided.

​**Please park in the back of the building and enter the auditorium through the blue double doors.
 

If you have not submitted names to the Form to submit names, please do so today.  Principals, please complete this form .

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Dr. Geneva Gordon, gordong@scsk12.org.
 

Thank you for attending September LDW.  The resources have been emailed to participants and attendance has been confirmed in PLZ.  If you have questions, please contact Dr. Angela Nichols, nicholsam@scsk12.org.

PLC Coaches
Principals 

Counselors

PL&S is pleased to offer the 23-24 Building Bridges Saturday Camp for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade ELA, Math, and Science teachers.  The flyer has additional details and can be shared with teachers today.  Registration is limited to 500 teachers so don't delay!  If you have questions, email Lytania Black, blackly@scsk12.org.

We have added virtual sessions for school leaders and/or parent organization leaders. Please note that these sessions are optional. 

Virtual Meeting Dates: 

• Wednesday, September 13 at 12p.m.
• Wednesday, September 20 at 12p.m.
• Wednesday, September 27 at 12p.m.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 296 892 908 097
Passcode: ZAcm9r

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 901-602-6178,,161329624#   United States, Memphis

Phone Conference ID: 161 329 624#

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Learn More | Meeting options

As a reminder, all parent organization applications are due by September 30. Resources can be found on the MSCS FACE page linked here: http://www.scsk12.org/face2/?pn=Parent%20Organizations&sm=3

The process to become a volunteer in Memphis Shelby County Schools is super easy. Please share the steps below with your potential volunteers.  

1.    Go to scsk12.org/face/level3

2.    Click on the volunteer level you are applying for and watch the 6-minute orientation video.   

3.    Click on the APPLICATION tab to start the online volunteer application.   

4.    Under Volunteer Function, select the function for which you are applying. 

5.    Once you complete the application, call 901-416-7600 or email pagee@scsk12.org to schedule a fingerprint appointment if applying for a level 3 (Results return within 5-7 business days)   

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a8CVlvYu23KTsSQclytjfgaPQvcVqNv3yOw811TuIIo/edit?usp=sharing

We are thrilled to announce that the Memphis-Shelby County Schools is starting an Alumni Relations Association that will focus on providing resources and services to high school students and alumni of legacy Memphis City Schools, Shelby County Schools, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools. As part of this initiative, we are seeking your input on the type of resources and services you would like to access, as a member of the association. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at: https://forms.office.com/r/KppdVTMAsa. Upon completion of the survey by October 6, your name will automatically be entered into a drawing to receive a limited edition MSCS Alumni Relations polo.

A super shout out goes to A. Maceo Walker Middle School for leading the District in school teams for this year's St. Jude Walk/Run! An honorable mention goes to:

• Belle Forest Community School 
• Germantown Elementary School 
• Ridgeway Middle School 
• Sea Isle Elementary School 
• Sherwood Middle School 
• Willow Oaks Wildcats

There's still time to register your school for a team!

Here's link for more information: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?fr_id=144729&pg=entry&sc_cid=smd87749