September 29, 2023
Business Operations
Business Operations
AllElemMidHigh PLC, Counselors, Librarians, Teachers, Other, Admin, Coordinators, Reminder, All
Water and Paper Deliveries

The Warehouse and Fulfillment team deliver water and paper upon request.  These requests can be submitted via email to warehouserequest@scsk12.org.  Water requests will be processed within 24 hours when possible.  Paper requests will be processed within 72 hours when possible.  Ordering prior to item depletion is highly recommended. See more information here.


 

Reminder: December 22, 2023

Academics
All Teachers, Admin, Coordinators, Reminder
MasteryConnect Participation Report now in Power BI

The Mastery Connect Participation Report is now available in the MSCS Compass under the Student Assessment Reports. The Assessment report refresh time is set at 7:30am daily. The dataset will reflect PowerSchool enrollment and MasteryConnect data as of the previous day. This week, the DAIM team will be we will be discussing the updated Mastery Connect Participation Report during their weekly Virtual Office Hours (VOH) session. If there are any questions regarding the report or access to the MSCS Compass, contact the DAIM Support Help desk at daimsupport@scsk12.org.

 

DAIM Virtual Office Hours Registration Link

  • Topic: MasteryConnect Participation Report
  • Dates: Tuesday 9/26 and Thursday 9/28
  • Time: 3:00pm

Reminder: October 6, 2023

ElemMid PLC, Teachers, Admin, Required, Reminder
Ready Read Student Workbooks - UPDATE​

Attention: Elementary and Middle School Leaders

Elementary and Middle/K-8 Schools will receive their student copies of the Ready Read materials beginning next week. The Ready Read delivery window for schools is September 25th - October 6th. Principals, please complete the survey below once your Ready Read materials are delivered to your buildings. In this way, the Curriculum & Instruction ELA Team will be able to ensure each ES/MS/K-8 school receives the necessary materials for instruction.

Ready Read surveyhttps://forms.office.com/r/NgmMZMdKf1
 

Completed surveys are due by Friday, October 13th.

Questions? Email ci_ela_team@scsk12.org.

Reminder: November 3, 2023

All All
Band of Brothers

We are calling our mentors in to lift our students. Please join and sign up at the web address. We are looking for internal mentors. The Calvary is not coming! 

 

For detailed information regarding mentoring, please click here.

 

All Admin, Required, Reminder
Updated Guidance - Health-Related Concerns (including COVID-19) in Schools

Greetings Principals:

Health situations are evaluated on an individual basis. Principals are encouraged to contact the MSCS Department of Exceptional Children and Health Services at 901-416-2424 for any specific health guidelines and follow-up instructions.

Reminder: December 1, 2023

All Admin, Required, Reminder
Friendly Service Tip-Fall Break Hours of Operation

Greetings Principals: 

As we continue to provide excellent servant leadership to our community during Fall Break, we wanted to offer some guidance for Fall Break hours of operation.   

Please see the following recommendations. School leaders should post Fall Break office coverage hours so that they are visible at entrances.   

  • Include the times when the office will be unavailable (e.g., lunch).
  • Include a contact number and email address for visitors to leave a message and receive a response.
  • Forward the school’s main line to the posted contact number if the main office is not covered for extended periods of time.

Additionally, it is recommended that Leaders send a robocall informing parents of this information.      

We hope these service tips help our schools continue to provide quality customer service. We have also provided a Fall Break template for you to adapt and use to post this information at the entrances. When downloading the template, please choose to open it in your desktop app.

Reminder: October 6, 2023

All Admin, Reminder
Quality Physical Education Survey

Principals,

Please encourage your PE teacher to complete this survey by October 6, 2023.
 

Dear physical education teacher, 

The Tennessee Department of Education and the American Heart Association have collaborated to create a survey in order to gather information on the physical education programs in all public-school districts. This survey also allows for reporting with compliance to T.C.A. § 49-1-1007. We will use the data gathered from this survey to get an understanding of what physical education looks like across Tennessee; and the data will be analyzed and returned to the district to share with the schools to help develop the school’s overall wellness plan.  

You have been identified by your district school health coordinator as the point of contact to complete this survey for your school’s physical education program. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes. Please answer the questions to the best of your knowledge. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Heather.M.Piergies@tn.gov. 

Please click here to begin the survey. 

If you teach in more than one school, please complete the survey one for each of them. If you are the designated lead and have responsibilities to distribute content to your colleagues, please forward this email to ensure a completed survey from each building. 

A logo of a department<br />
<br />
Description automatically generated

Heather Piergies | Physical Education & Physical Activity Coordinator

Coordinated School Health

Andrew Johnson Tower, 12th Floor

710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243

c: (615) 557-6075

Heather.M.Piergies@tn.gov

Reminder: October 6, 2023

All Required, All
Project AWARE & TIP (Trauma Intensive Program)

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. 

All Admin, Required
New Vaping Device

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.

All Counselors, Admin
PSAP Training

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. 

All Admin, Required
SEED September Professional Development

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.

All Required, All
Mobile Mammography

If you would like to sign up for the mobile mammogram, please see flyer with all the necessary information about the mobile service that will be at Gray's Creek on October 19th, provided we have at least 10 ladies who need the service. If you're interested, please register as soon as possible per the instructions on the flyer.

This is a great opportunity to take advantage of this mobile service and care for your health. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. If you're interested, please register as soon as possible per the instructions on the flyer.

This is a great opportunity to take advantage of this mobile service and care for your health. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns to Caroline Earnest at earnestc@scsk12.org

Required
General Choice Transfer (Rescind)
  • Schools may submit General Choice Transfer (GCT) rescind requests for students who are non-compliant with grades, attendance, and behaviors. Rescissions will not be processed until the end of the current semester.
  • Please notify parents before submitting a rescind request and wait for confirmation of approval before submitting a centralized withdrawal or notifying parents of a rescind to home school.

Note: All special education (SPE) and displaced students must be vetted according to IEPs standards and McKinney Vento Law.

**All rescind dates are aligned with MSCS grading periods.

All Other, Admin, Required
Centralized Student Withdrawals Reminders
  • The centralized withdrawal form will close on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 4:00 pm
  • 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).
  • All no-shows must continue 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

All Admin, Reminder
Register Now: Central Office Professional Learning Series

Central Office Leaders! Please register for the Central Office Professional Learning Series. The next session is October 04, 2023, at the Teaching & Learning Academy. Use PLZ code 35101 to register. Contact Tari Harris at harristc1@scsk12.org with questions. 

Reminder: September 29, 2023

All PLC, Admin, Reminder
Register Now: Microsoft TEAMS for Virtual Instruction

Attention, leaders! Do you have new educators on your team who could use assistance in adopting Microsoft TEAMS effectively? Could both your novice and experienced teachers benefit from revisiting its essential functionalities? If the answer is yes, please encourage them to enroll in the Microsoft TEAMS for Virtual Instruction learning session. New teachers can sign up for the virtual session on October 05, 2023, from 3pm to 5pm, using PLZ code 35273. The refresher course is available via Canvas under course number CADRE1537. Please contact Stephanie Dennis at dennissm@scsk12.org if you have any questions.

Reminder: September 29, 2023

All Admin, Reminder
Reminder: The Digital Citizenship Course is Now Open

The Digital Citizenship course is now accessible to all K-12 students via Canvas, and is located on each student's Canvas Dashboard. 

The initial checkpoint period for Digital Citizenship is scheduled from September 26, 2023, to October 31, 2023. We kindly request your assistance in ensuring that students complete the course and acquire the necessary tools and skills to utilize technology in secure learning environments. You can monitor your school's progress by using PowerBI. 

Please contact Dr. Robert Davis, II at davisr6@scsk12.org if you have any questions. 

Reminder: September 29, 2023

MidHigh Admin, Reminder
CCTE Fall Certification Consultations

CCTE Fall Certification Consultations
The Division of College, Career and Technical Education will be hosting Certification Consultations the week of October 3-5, 2023 for all Middle and High School Principals with CCTE course offerings. Please utilize the appropriate link below to schedule your meeting by 3:00 pm on Friday, September 29th.

Please contact Monica Smith at smithmc@scsk12.org (Middle Schools) or Regina Nichols at nicholsre@scsk12.org (High Schools) with any questions.

Sign-up link for Middle Schools: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A9A62BA5F9C61-44484214-middle

Sign-up link for High Schools: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A9A62BA5F9C61-44523560-high

Reminder: October 6, 2023

All PLC, Admin, Reminder
SAVE THE DATE: October Leadership Development Week

Please note the dates for October Leadership Development Week

  • Tuesday, October 17: PLC Coaches 
  • Tuesday, October 17: DLAs (Evening Session) 
  • Wednesday, October 18: Principals 
  • Thursday, October 19: Vice Principals/ Assistant Principals 
  • Thursday, October 19: DLAs (Evening Session) 
  • Friday, October 20: Professional School Counselors 

Reminder: September 29, 2023

Elem Reminder
SEA Fall Break Professional Learning

According to the 12-month hourly work schedule, Specialized Education Assistants (SEAs) are scheduled to work the entire week of Fall Break unless days off have been requested and approved by school administration. SEAs should follow the guidance as outlined below:

  • Support with the Fall Break Learning Academy at your respective school location 
  • If there is no Fall Break Learning Academy at your location (school site), you should still report to your location (school site), and complete any tasks as outlined by the Early Literacy Department and the Principal.
  • SEAs do not have to complete professional learning assignments, if Principals have other meaningful tasks or assignments for SEAs during the week of Fall Break/ 
  • If SEAs plan to be off during the Fall Break Academy, they should follow the request for vacation policies as outlined by their school's administrative handbook.  If an SEA takes vacation, the SEA is not required to complete professional learning assignments on the days approved for vacation.
  • If an SEA is not taking vacation days and the SEA's school is hosting Fall Break Learning Academy, the SEA is expected to support Fall Break Learning Academy as needed.  If an SEA is needed to support Fall Break Learning Academy, the SEA is not required to complete the professional learning assignments.

During Fall Break, there are professional learning assignments due DAILY.   Assignments will be placed in this folder on Friday, October 6: SEA Fall Break Professional Learning.  Each day's Bridge to Practice link will be available specifically on that day until 3:30PM.  You will not be able to complete tasks late or before its due date.

Any questions regarding tasks or assignments, please call or email the Early Literacy Office at 901.416.4801. 

For technical issues, please contact IT 901.416.2700.

Reminder: October 9, 2023

Family & Community Engagement
All Required, Reminder, All
Adopt-A-School Month & Recognition Luncheon

October is Adopt-A-School Month. MSCS and the Greater Memphis Chamber are issuing a CALL to ACTION to businesses to See the Future by becoming school adopters.  

 

Businesses have the opportunity to support schools, impact student learning and have meaningful volunteer opportunities. During this campaign, school leaders can engage in activities like inviting active and potential adopters to their schools and highlighting them on your school websites, social media pages, marquees, etc.Click here for more information. 

Adopt-A-School Recognition Luncheon Details: 

AAS Luncheon will be held Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the Holiday Inn- University of Memphis. This program recognizes those adopters who have provided exceptional service to your school. 

Principals will: 

  • Nominate one (1) adopter who is highly active and goes above and beyond. 
  • Choose a category and briefly share why this adopter has been nominated. 
  • The winner of Adopter-of-The Year will be revealed at the Adopt-A-School Recognition Luncheon. 
  • The principal or administrator is required to attend. 

Please access the link to nominate one adopter by Wednesday, October 4, 2023

https://forms.office.com/r/MpFKiL6X3a 

Reminder: October 4, 2023

ElemMid Required, Reminder, All
K-8 Literacy and Numeracy Teachers Needed

FACE is looking for high-performing, certified teachers who have demonstrated excellence in online instruction. Teachers are needed to support our Tips in 20 Minutes program. These teachers will be providing tips to support learning at home for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade by recording monthly videos to share with students and families. 

 

Interested teachers are asked to send an email to scsface@scsk12.org with the subject: Tips in 20 by September 30, 2023 with a link to a recorded video message (5-7 minutes) for families aligned to Quarter 1 of the District's Curriculum Maps. The video may be linked using Microsoft Stream on Sharepoint, Youtube, etc.

 

 

Reminder: September 30, 2023

All Required, Reminder, All
Parent Organization Virtual Workshops

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

 

Virtual Meeting Dates: 

  • Wednesday, October 4 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#

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Learn More | Meeting options

 

As a reminder, all parent organization applications are due by October 6 (extended deadline). Resources can be found on the MSCS FACE page linked here: http://www.scsk12.org/face2/?pn=Parent%20Organizations&sm=3

Reminder: October 6, 2023

All Required, Reminder, All
MSCS Alumni Relations

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.

Reminder: October 6, 2023

Elem Required, Reminder, All
Soaring Sight Words Challenge

We are looking for our SIGHT WORD CHAMPIONS throughout the District. Students and their families have the opportunity to compete in our Fall Break SOARING SIGHT WORD CHALLENGE. Win prizes from headphones to bicycles and MORE! See the flyer linked here for complete contest rules, expectations, and prizes!

Reminder: October 6, 2023

Research & Performance Management
All All
Power BI Updates and New Releases



New Releases:

-----------------------------

Coming Soon:

  • Characteristics of Dyslexia business rule updates – aligned with DIG and state compliance.
  • Instructional Practices – updates will be available, tentatively October 6th.
  • Student Enrollment – Projected vs. Current Enrollment Report 
  • Student Enrollment – Demographic/Race Subgroup Breakdowns
  • Student Reports in both Student Enrollment and Student Assessments

-----------------------------

Training and Support Resources:  

Virtual Office Hours sessions, this week (October 3rd and 5th), will be about the Digital Citizenship Dashboard

If you missed our session last week on the new Student Reports in Student Attendance and Discipline, you can watch the video here.

Sign up today! For more information on Virtual Office Hours, check outthis flyer

-----------------------------

We will also be at the New Teacher Academy PLC Coaches Training on October 5th.

----------------------------

Check out our new page of all updated features and recent releases on our DAIM Support Page!

You can reach out to us atDAIMSUPPORT@scsk12.orgif you need support.  

----------------------------

Be a Power BI Power User!

Be on the lookout for our new campaign highlighting MSCS staff members who use Power BI the most.

Our Power Users will win the chance to be featured in a short video and on our Hall of Fame site.

-----------------------------

Human Resources
All Counselors, Admin
SY 23-24 Informal/Formal Observations Guidance

Informal Observations

The 23-24 Instructional Practice Classroom Walkthrough Tools are available here.  You can use this link (bit.ly/2324Walkthrough) to submit your walkthrough tool which will feed data to the Power BI on the Instructional Practice Dashboard.  Please download a PDF copy of your entry for your records.

 

Formal Observations

One Informal Observation must be completed in PLZ prior to completing the Formal TEM Observation. The step sheet on how to upload to PLZ the PDF from what you submitted in the Microsoft Form is linked here

If you have questions regarding the 23-24 Classroom Walkthrough Tools, the submission link for the walkthrough tool, or the PLZ step sheet please email professionallearning@scsk12.org.  For TEM questions, please contact eps@scsk12.org.

 

All PLC, Counselors, Admin, Required
Team Certification: New Observers

New TEAM Observers:

 

(Managed by the TDOE) - Click HERE for guidance on becoming TEAM Certified. 

*Be sure to select TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATORS' certification!

 

Please forward a copy of the completed TEAM Certificate to eps@scsk12.org.

All PLC, Counselors, Admin
Student Perception Survey Coordinator

Student Perception Survey Coordinator

 

School Administrators should complete this form to indicate the site coordinator for their school by September 29th

Should you have any questions, please reach out to the EPS office: 

Phone: 901.416.2475 | Email,  eps@scsk12.org

All PLC, Counselors, Admin, Required
TEM Teacher Training Series

The TEM TEACHer Training Series is now open for ALL teachers. The focus of the series is to identify teacher and student actions that guide effective instruction at performance levels 3-5 of the TEACH indicators. Register in PLZ, course #26177.

 

 

 


 

All PLC, Counselors, Admin, Required
Growth & Achievement Selections

The window for completing Growth and Achievement selections for the SY 2023-24 is October 2-27.  Please find the guidance for EDUCATORS and EVALUATORS, which can also be found in PLZ under the "Resources" tab for completing the selections for Growth and Achievement. 

Any Questions? Reach out to the EPS office by phone, at 901.416.2475 or via email at eps@scsk12.org

All Required
FALL 2023 STUDENT PERCEPTION SURVEY
  • The Fall Student Perception Survey is vastly approaching. The survey window will run from October  30 - November 9.
  • Site Coordinator Training Dates:   All Site Coordinators should register for one of the virtual sessions in PLZCourse #32320The training dates are October 5, October 16, and October 18. 
Student Support
ElemMid Admin, Reminder
Don’t Miss Your Shot”: Immunization Event Pop-Up Clinics

If you have registered but not enrolled Pre-K or KK students in need of immunizations or 7th graders in need of TDAP booster for compliance, MSCS and SCHD will host another immunization pop up clinic on Saturday-September 30, 2023 from 10am-2pm located at the TLA. Please come while supplies last. Please contact Karmeisha Johnson at johnsonkm1@scsk12.org if you have questions regarding this event. If you have immunization questions, please contact Willie Williams at williamswc@scsk12.org. See flyer for additional details.  

https://scsk12-my.sharepoint.com/personal/edwardst1_scsk12_org/Documents/Desktop/Attachments/1080%20Immunization%202023%20septDont%203.jpg?web=1

https://scsk12-my.sharepoint.com/personal/edwardst1_scsk12_org/Documents/Desktop/Attachments/1080%20Immunization%202022%20Sept%20spanish%20dont%202.jpg?web=1

Reminder: September 29, 2023

All Admin
School Based Clinics Are Open Fall Break!

Need immunizations, sports and annual physicals, or not feeling well?  See flyer for details. For an appointment, please call 842-2379 or you may text “SCS901” to 91999. Please note for all text, it will take 24-48 hours to a return your phone call to set up and appointment. Clinics are open from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. For more information, please call Health Promotions at 416-6432.

https://scsk12-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/edwardst1_scsk12_org/ERzlibC5VdlGs4hNDn8uamwBdv24Bm79krQfkNE3V4T25A?e=czbcqc

 

All Admin, Reminder
Shelby County Health Department Immunization Clinics

The Shelby County Health Department will be externally offering services to families. Please see attached flyers in English and Spanish you can share. The Shelby County Health Department’s 814 Jefferson Ave. headquarters will be open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 9am to 1pm and will provide immunizations, shot records, birth certificates, and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) services. 

https://scsk12-my.sharepoint.com/personal/edwardst1_scsk12_org/Documents/Desktop/Attachments/Saturday%20Services%20Eng.jpg?web=1

https://scsk12-my.sharepoint.com/personal/edwardst1_scsk12_org/Documents/Desktop/Attachments/Saturday%20Services%20Span.jpg?web=1

Reminder: October 31, 2023

All Admin, Reminder
Family Care Centers (Employee Health Clinic): FLU Shots

Methodist LeBonheur Community Care Associates is partnering with Memphis Shelby County Schools to provide FLU shots for staff and dependents. Please visit our website at Health Promotions (scsk12.org) or you may call 416-6709 for an appointment. See flyer for available locations and additional details. For more information, please call Health Promotions at 416-6432.

https://scsk12-my.sharepoint.com/personal/edwardst1_scsk12_org/Documents/Desktop/Attachments/FLU%20SHOT%20FLYER%202023.jpg?web=1

Reminder: October 31, 2023