Principals, 

As the Districts' current custodial contract begins to ramp down in preparation for the new contract of 4 vendors serving 4 zones beginning in January, we solicit your support in monitoring and ensuring that the schools are properly cleaned through the end of this year. 

As we move into and through December, please keep an eye on your buildings and flag any custodial inefficiencies to your plant managers so that zone supervisors can be informed. This will ultimately support us in communicating and concerns to the vendor for remediation.

Thank you

Principals, 

As the Districts' current custodial contract begins to ramp down in preparation for the new contract of 4 vendors serving 4 zones beginning in January, we solicit your support in monitoring and ensuring that the schools are properly cleaned through the end of this year. 

As we move into and through December, please keep an eye on your buildings and flag any custodial inefficiencies to your plant managers so that zone supervisors can be informed. This will ultimately support us in communicating and concerns to the vendor for remediation.

Thank you

Chapter 979 of the Public Acts of 2022, codified at T.C.A. 49-1-232, ensures that all public elementary, middle, and high school students have access to computer science (CS) coursework and resources. It also provides teachers with a no-cost route to earn an additional CS endorsement and offers both teachers and schools incentives to participate in high-quality CS professional development.

Middle school students are required to take one grading period of CS during their middle school career. High school students are required to take one credit of CS for high school graduation. Teachers must have the appropriate endorsement to teach CS coursework. This survey is to identify middle and high school teachers who will teach required CS courses for the 2024-25 school year and determine their endorsement needs before CS requirements begin. Please see the Graduation Substitution Policy for the approved list of CS courses.

Only individuals with decision-making abilities related to hiring, personnel, and teacher assignments should complete this survey.

Please only submit one survey per school. If you will need additional teachers trained pleased identify those teachers in the additional information section.

Click the link to submit the Computer Science teacher(s) name:
https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/computer_science_teacher_need_survey 

Attention Middle School Principals:

The Student Technology Xpert Program (Tech Xpert) has an exciting opportunity for middle school students. We are continuing our series of one-day coding camps with Get Ready, Let’s Code! 3: Artificial Intelligence. This learning session will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 9:00am-1:00pm at Parkway Village Elementary School located at 3000 Claudette Rd Memphis, TN 38118. As this event focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning, we are seeking students who have an interest in technology or STEM. Your Science, Math and STEM teachers will receive event flyers to distribute to students. Please share this information in your school’s newsletter and during announcements. Get Ready, Let’s Code! 3 is open to all MSCS middle school students; however, space is limited to the first 400 students to sign up. Registration is open from November 27 until December 11, 2023. Each student must bring their 1:1 device to participate. This is a great field trip opportunity for students. Feel free to provide bus transportation if your school has a large number of registrants. 

We hope to see your school represented on December 16th for some fun with Artificial Intelligence! If you have any questions, please contact the Tech Xpert Program via email at scs-techxpert@scsk12.org or call Cashundra Jefferson at (901) 416-1794.   

Scan the QR Code to register.

Click the link to register.  

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Get Ready Lets Code 3- Spanish.png 

When entering discipline incidents in Incident Management as well as printing the Official Suspension Notification, please use these steps.

We are nearing the end of first semester in supporting our students' social and emotional learning needs with the Rethink curriculum. 

There have been some changes to the Rethink December Scope and Sequence. Check it out to be sure you are in the know. 

Please be sure to pay close attention to the date for data collection each month: 

• Data for December Compliance Month will be collected EOD Friday, Dec. 15.

Your input matters! MSCS is developing an infrastructure plan to enhance learning environments, focusing on overdue repairs and thoughtful academic investments. You’re invited to join the conversation and help us select the best name for the plan from the suggested options. 

Visit bit.ly/MSCSInfrastructurePlanName to take our short survey! Let's build a brighter future together!

• School administrators must ensure teachers record attendance daily and input grades in Power Teacher Pro. Do Not use paper forms.
• School office staff should process and reconcile daily attendance codes submitted by teachers.
• Each school should have an attendance administrator who can assist and verify the accuracy of attendance data.   
• Please contact Millie Avery at 416-6007 with any questions. 

• As the winter holidays approach, please remind families of the importance of regular school attendance. Absences tend to increase during the days leading up to and following a holiday, but every day a student is absent is a lost opportunity for learning. Regular school attendance is essential for student success. 
• To remind families of the importance of regular school attendance, you may want to:
  • Send a letter home to students or post a reminder on the school website.
  • Thank families for their partnership and emphasize the importance of their support in ensuring that students attend school every day.
  • Highlight the many opportunities that students gain from attending school, such as academic enrichment, social and emotional development, and preparation for college and careers.
• To maintain student engagement and enthusiasm, consider planning a fun activity for the day before break begins and for the day school resumes.

Thank you for your commitment to student success. By working together, we can help all students reach their full potential.

Greetings Principals,

With the Winter Break quickly approaching, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your unwavering dedication to students and families.

We also want to remind you about the resources and support available through the Office of School Operations. Our amazing team of five District Parent Liaisons works tirelessly to bridge the communication gap between home and school. They are here to provide you with the assistance you need to navigate challenging situations. The Parent Liaisons aim to ensure school leaders are supported, and parents have all the aid and accurate information they need to guarantee their child's academic and social success. 

Please do not hesitate to contact them for any assistance.

Parent Liaisons 

Barbara Beloch             BELOCHBA@scsk12.org

Jeremy McKinnie          MCKINNIEJS@scsk12.org

Nancy Roll                      ROLLN@scsk12.org

Wayman Thomas        THOMASWP@scsk12.org

Tracey Routen               ROUTENTE@scsk12.org

• Schools may submit General Choice Transfer (GCT) rescind requests for students who are non-compliant with grades, attendance, and behaviors. Rescission 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 (SPED) and displaced students must be vetted according to IEP standards and McKinney Vento Law.
• Please submit all rescind requests through the following link: S.E.E.D. Request Rescind GCT
• Please contact Doris Rice at 416-6007 with any questions.

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

• Please note that the district’s Centralized Withdrawal Form will be closed when school is not in session. The upcoming dates are as follow: 
  • December 21st -January 3rd (Winter Break for Students)
• Please contact Justin Doss at 416-6007 with any questions.

The state requires each school to designate a Child Abuse Coordinator and Co-Coordinator. For Memphis-Shelby County Schools, each Principal will serve as the Coordinator and will identify one Professional School Counselor to serve as the Co-Coordinator. The Coordinators' names must be reported to the Department of Children's Services for each school annually. Please complete the link below by Friday, December 1st. If you have any questions regarding this law or any DCS-related issue, please contact Dr. Rhonda Hill, hillre@scsk12.org or Dr. Angela Hargrave, hargraveal@scsk12.org.

Select the link below to submit. 

School Child Abuse Coordinator and Co-Coordinator Form 2023-24

The following revisions to the MSCS policy manual were approved by the Board on November 28, 2023. Please share this update with staff as deemed appropriate. Policies can be accessed online in BoardDocs.

4057 Parenting Leave – STATUTORY

Approved revisions align with state law providing eligible employees with up to six (6) weeks of paid leave for the birth (including still birth) of the employee's child or adoption of a newly placed minor child.

6026 Appeals Related to Student Discipline: Suspension/Expulsion/Remand of Students–STATUTORY

Approved revisions

• Reformat the policy to move procedural language to newly developed Administrative Rules and Regulations.

• Authorize the Superintendent to establish procedures for students to appeal discipline decisions.

• Include provisions and requirements of state law related to discipline.

• Newly developed Administrative Rules and Regulations outline procedures for due process and appeals for short-term and long-term suspensions/expulsions. 

2006 Purchasing Authority

Approved revisions

• Strengthen the definition of “emergency purchases” to include purchases due to unforeseen conditions that (1) create an imminent threat to life, health, safety, or property and/or (2) must be made to prevent or minimize a major disruption to District, including school, operations

• Clarify that splitting a single purchase transaction to avoid bidding or other purchasing requirements is prohibited

• Revises purchasing threshold provisions for invoice and purchase orders

• Invoice for individual purchases: change from up to $500 to up $3500 (exceptions may apply)

• Purchase order: change from over $500 to over $3500

Do you know an individual who deserves recognition for their exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to both the school and community and district? Now’s the time to nominate them for Principal or Supervisor of the Year. We’re extending the submission deadline to Sunday, December 3, 2023. Contact Director Charles Newborn at newborncm@scsk12.org for any questions. 

Please note the dates for December's Principals' meeting and January 2024 Leadership Development Week. 

• Tuesday, December 12, 2023: Principals' Meeting
• Monday, January 8, 2024: Leadership Development Week - PLC Coaches
• Tuesday, January 9, 2024: Leadership Leadership Development Week - Principals
• Tuesday, January 9, 2024: Leadership Leadership Development Week - DLAs (Evening Session)
• Wednesday, January 10, 2024: Leadership Development Week - Vice/Assistant Principals 
• Thursday, January 11, 2024: Leadership Development Week - Professional School Counselors 
• Thursday, January 11, 2024: Leadership Development Week - DLAs (Evening Session)

Get ready to jingle all the way on December 12 as we dive headfirst into the holiday joy! Lace up your snazziest sneakers for our fabulous sneaker ball—it's time to dance and dazzle! And hey, let's spread some warmth by collecting $10 Kroger gift cards to support MSCS families. 'Tis the season of giving, and we're ready to make it merry and bright together! Please contact Director Angela Nichols at nicholsam@scsk12.org for any questions. 

The Mid-Year Conference container is now open in PLZ! The DEADLINE to complete ALL NIE Mid-Year Conferences in PLZ is February 23rd. 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:    

• ALL required fields should be completed in its entirety before finalizing.   
• The Goal Setting Conference should be completed within 30 days of an NIE employee’s hire/contract start date AND should be completed BEFORE completing the Mid-Year Conference in PLZ. 
• The Mid-Year Conference is NOT required for NIE Partial plans and will not appear as a container to complete. 

Need a refresher? The following resources are also found in PLZ under the Resources tab.  

• NIE Mid-Year Conference Tutorial 
• NIE Evaluator Step Guide 
• NIE Employee Step Guide 

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

LOE scores have been released and are visible in TNCompass for most educators.  For an educator to receive an LOE score, all required component scores (depending on the evaluation type) must be present in TNCompass.  Components include Observation, Achievement, Growth, Professionalism, and/or Student Perception Survey).

Per the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), the final ACT (Achievement) and CTE (Growth) measure results from the State for the 2022-2023 SY have not yet been released.  The public release is projected to occur by mid-December.  Educators who selected ACT as their Achievement measure and/or CTE as their Growth measure will not have an LOE at this current time. Information regarding the calculations for 2022-23 teacher evaluations may be found HERE.   

For inquiries or assistance regarding missing scores or other evaluation-related questions, please submit a PLZ HelpDesk ticket so that the EPS can research the issue (link also available in PLZ under "PLZ Help"). 

**Note: Educators identified as partial year exemption (PYE) will not receive an LOE score.   

Do you have parents that want to know more about the 3rd grade law (Literacy Commitment)?  Beginning Monday, December 4, 3rd grade parents can join our “ParTea About Literacy” virtual sessions.  Parents can choose between two virtual sessions, 12:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. 

We would love for our parents across the district to attend to learn more about the 3rd grade law and how it can impact their child. Please access the flyer with the team's link here (ParTea About Literacy) and email to parents, as well as post on your school's website.  We look forward to meeting each Monday in December. We will provide schools with additional virtual dates in January.  If you have any questions, please contact LaTosha Wiseman at wisemanlk@scsk12.org. 

As a reminder, the November session for K-2 Teacher Development Week will occur at the TLA on December 5 @ 8:00AM-3:00PM.  Each elementary and K-8 school is expected to send two teachers.  The attending teachers must remain the same for each session.  Attending teachers are expected to redeliver content to their K-2 colleagues at their school sites within 10 business days of the session.

If you have questions, please contact the Early Literacy Office via email at EarlyLiteracyDept@scsk12.org or call 901.416.4801.  

For the Spring semester, the FACE Department has partnered with the Shelby County Election Commission on Voter Education, Registration, Mobilization & Reform to bring opportunities for voter registration and education to our students and their families this year. We will be hosting voter registration drives for our students at each high school at your request.  

We are excited to invite you to review the google form below to select a date and time for a Voter Registration Drive at your school.
 

Form for Principals/Counselors:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccnYkJm-5lGhaRBAC-AadHY9Ws_nJbeZ05XzHl69DPqPv7AQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please complete by Monday, December 11th. This opportunity is being offered for any student who is 17 years old and older. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kyndall Lewis at lewisk6@scsk12.org . 

Principals, 

By now many of you have met with the FACE team member assigned to your school. In most cases, we have assigned support to you weekly/bi-weekly. We understand that principals are extremely busy, but if you could make sure that we have a point of contact when we come, that would be great.  We are here to help where we can.  This is not full-time, nor will they be housed in your building, but until we can one day have a full-time specialist in every school, we want to provide support and impact.  

At a minimum, we are here to assist with the following:

• PTO/PTA supports
• SART Meeting support
• Attendance cohort support
• Strategies for parents and community stakeholders
• Adopter on-boarding
• Volunteers
• Multi-cultural Supports
• Vendor Protocols
• Uniforms/hygiene/coats
• Resource connections and wrap around services

As we strive to strengthen school partnerships and family connections, we want you to know that we are here with and for you! If you have not had a visit by December 7, please contact us.  Again, this is for schools without a full-time Family Engagement Specialist.