According to the 12-month hourly work schedule, Specialized Education Assistants (SEAs) are scheduled to work three days (Dec. 21 and Jan. 2-3) during Winter Break unless days off have been requested and approved by school administration.  

SEAs are expected to report to their school sites each day, and engage in either of the following: 

(1) complete professional learning assignments as outlined by the Early Literacy Department  OR 

(2) complete tasks assigned by the school administrator 
  

Please carefully read the following information. 

If SEAs plan to be off during the Winter Break, 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 administrator has tasks for the SEA to complete, the SEA does not have to complete the Early Literacy professional learning assignments. In this case, it is the school's responsibility to capture and report the SEA's hours worked. 

If the school administrator does not provide tasks for the SEA to complete during the three days of Winter Break, the SEA must complete the professional learning assignments for each day worked. 

Please see assignments here: SEA Winter Break Professional Learning SY23-24 

Any questions regarding tasks or assignments, please call or email the Early Literacy Office at 901-416-4801 or EarlyLiteracyDept@scsk12.org. 

For technical/Internet issues, please contact IT 901-416-2700. 

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, Dec. 16, 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 until Dec. 11. 

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 Dec. 16 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.  

Get Ready Lets Code 3-English.png 

Get Ready Lets Code 3- Spanish.png 

Greetings Principals,

As we approach the holidays, we wanted to provide you with a copy of the protocol regarding 10.2 Recognition of Religious Beliefs, Customs and Holidays. Please review this information and share it with your teams.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 Development Week - Principals
• Tuesday, January 9, 2024: 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!

As we approach the conclusion of the Digital Citizenship course, we would like to remind you that the course is scheduled to conclude on December 15th. To ensure the successful completion of the Digital Citizenship course, kindly guide your students through the following steps:

1. Log into their Canvas account.
2. Select the Digital Citizenship course from their dashboard.
3. Complete the modules in the specified order.
4. Click "yes" on the "Completion Quiz" to acknowledge the policy and then submit.

By diligently following these steps, you play a crucial role in ensuring your students successfully finish the course. We appreciate your commitment and want to assure you of our continued support throughout this process.

Should you have any queries or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Robert Davis at rdavis6@scsk12.org or reach out to your school's Blended Learning advisor.

TEM Announced Observation Deadline!: Be reminded, that the deadline to complete 100% of TEM Announced observations is December 8.   School Administrators (Principals, VP, and APs), ILDs, and Assistant Superintendents may access their school's data using the following link: 

      Completion Status Dashboard.

Level of Effectiveness (TEM) 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), Teacher LOEs from 2022-23 should be finalized and signed with a PIN by Friday, December 15, 2023.   Guidance on signing evaluations can be found here.  It is also on the TEAM website under the TN Compass tab. 

LOE Not Available - ACT (Achievement) and CTE (Growth)  Per the 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 ​2022-23-Evaluation-Composite-Weighting.pdf​. 

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.    

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.

Attention All Principals:

Please complete the DDA/DSA 2023 Stipend Eligibility Principal Survey for each Digital Device Ambassador/Digital Support Ambassador in your building. As part of the Ambassador's Semester 1 closeout, we are asking for you to verify that your school's Ambassador(s) has completed the 1:1 device duties and responsibilities.  This survey must be completed by the close of business on Wednesday, Dec. 13.   

CLICK HERE to access the DDA/DSA 2023-2024 Stipend Eligibility Principal Survey. Please email device_support@scsk12.org for questions regarding the submission of this form.

Thank you for your support!

As in previous years, the department will provide funds to maintain the subsidized fees for Cambridge International Education, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced Placement early postsecondary exams during fiscal year 2024. 

Through the Early Postsecondary Exam Fee Assistance Program, the department covers varying dollar amounts depending on the exam taken. Specific amounts for each exam can be found on the department’s website. 

Schools must complete the Fee Assistance Assurances and Order Estimations form by January 5, 2024. This Formstack is now available and will help ensure timely payment to districts at the close of fiscal year 2024. 

Required documentation including Request for Reimbursement Forms and Student Rosters are due to the department by May 31, 2024. For further questions, reach out to Liza Ambrose at liza.ambrose@tn.gov. 

All Financial Secretaries and/or designees responsible for entering ISM requisitions in APECS are asked to attend a Mandatory Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 11:00 am.

CLICK THIS LINK TO ACCESS THE MEETING

or copy and paste the link below:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MWE1N2QzZGEtYmNkOS00MzZkLWJmNjQtOWU0YWEzOTc1OTNk%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%222b291c94-5eb0-44b7-89ea-4baf16ecc4a9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22196ca426-06d6-4d4d-8fe2-126632a63101%22%7d

Be reminded, that the deadline to complete 100% of TEM Announced observations is Dec 8.   School Administrators (Principals, VP, and APs), ILDs, and Assistant Superintendents may access their school's data using the following link: 

Completion Status Dashboard.

Level of Effectiveness (TEM) 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), Teacher LOEs from 2022-23 should be finalized and signed with a PIN by Friday, Dec. 15.   

Guidance on signing evaluations can be found here.  It is also on the TEAM website under the TN Compass tab. ​

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

Per the 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:

2022-23-Evaluation-Composite-Weighting.pdf.   

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"). 

Summary of the Foundational Literacy Skills Course Requirement

The Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requires that teachers in the state of Tennessee demonstrate knowledge of foundational literacy skills instruction. The law outlines both training and licensure requirements. 

Training Requirements

Beginning August 1, 2023, all current teachers in Tennessee with a TLSA qualifying endorsement (listed here) must complete a foundational literacy skills training course. To satisfy this requirement, educators can complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training. 

Licensure Requirements

Beginning August 1, 2023, candidates seeking to obtain, renew, or advance a teaching license with at least one qualifying endorsement (listed here) must demonstrate compliance with TLSA requirements when submitting licensure transactions. Educators may elect to demonstrate compliance using one of the below pathways. The trainings and assessment are free. Educators who do not complete this requirement will not be able to renew or advance the license, and it will become inactive.

• Foundational Literacy Skills Training: Complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training.  

OR 

• Assessment: Pass the Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA). The Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA) is now available online.  

The Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requirement deadline is quickly approaching! All MSCS educators, school leaders, and district staff must meet this requirement deadline by March 31, 2024. 

If you have completed this requirement and submitted your certificate as requested, you may disregard this message.

Please upload your course completion certificate to TN Compass and to the MSCS form linked below.

https://forms.office.com/r/Gs1YWkcY1Q

Please note the step sheet detailing how to upload to TN Compass.

Steps to Upload the Literacy Success Act Certificate of Completion.docx

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at www.HRCompliance@scsk12.org.

The Growth and Achievement selections for SY 2023-24 are now closed to meet the State deadline for selection uploads. We understand that some teachers' recent Growth and Achievement selections may have been impacted due to a change in school location. 

To ensure that the teachers impacted have an opportunity to participate in this important process, we are providing an opportunity for them to make updates to their original selections. Additionally, the teacher will be able to review the criteria and make informed decisions about their selections. 

Steps for making updates to Growth and Achievement Selections

Growth and Achievement Revision Deadline: Please submit your ticket no later than Thursday, Dec. 7. 

Note: Allow up to two weeks to update in both PLZ and TN Compass.

The Growth and Achievement selections for School Year 2023-24 are now closed in order to meet the State deadline for selection uploads.  We understand that some teachers' recent Growth and Achievement selections may have been impacted due to a change in school location. 

To ensure that the teachers impacted have an opportunity to participate in this important process, we are providing an opportunity for them to make updates to their original selections. Additionally, the teacher will be able to review the criteria and make informed decisions about their selections. 

Steps for making updates to Growth and Achievement Selections

Growth and Achievement Revision Deadline: Please submit your ticket no later than Thursday, December 7th. 

Note: Allow up to two weeks to update in both PLZ and TN Compass.

The Growth and Achievement selections for School Year 2023-24 are now closed in order to meet the State deadline for selection uploads.  We understand that some teachers' recent Growth and Achievement selections may have been impacted due to a change in school location. 

To ensure that the teachers impacted have an opportunity to participate in this important process, we are providing an opportunity for them to make updates to their original selections. Additionally, the teacher will be able to review the criteria and make informed decisions about their selections. 

Steps for making updates to Growth and Achievement Selections

Growth and Achievement Revision Deadline: Please submit your ticket no later than Thursday, December 7th. 

Note: Allow up to two weeks to update in both PLZ and TN Compass.

Summary of the Foundational Literacy Skills Course Requirement

The Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requires that teachers in the state of Tennessee demonstrate knowledge of foundational literacy skills instruction. The law outlines both training and licensure requirements. 

Training Requirements

Beginning August 1, 2023, all current teachers in Tennessee with a TLSA qualifying endorsement (listed here) must complete a foundational literacy skills training course. To satisfy this requirement, educators can complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training. 

Licensure Requirements

Beginning August 1, 2023, candidates seeking to obtain, renew, or advance a teaching license with at least one qualifying endorsement (listed here) must demonstrate compliance with TLSA requirements when submitting licensure transactions. Educators may elect to demonstrate compliance using one of the below pathways. The trainings and assessment are free. Educators who do not complete this requirement will not be able to renew or advance the license, and it will become inactive.

• Foundational Literacy Skills Training: Complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training.  

OR 

• Assessment: Pass the Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA). The Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA) is now available online.  

The Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requirement deadline is quickly approaching! All MSCS educators, school leaders, and district staff must meet this requirement deadline by March 31, 2024. 

If you have completed this requirement and submitted your certificate as requested, you may disregard this message.

Please upload your course completion certificate to TN Compass and to the MSCS form linked below.

https://forms.office.com/r/Gs1YWkcY1Q

Please note the step sheet detailing how to upload to TN Compass.

Steps to Upload the Literacy Success Act Certificate of Completion.docx

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at www.HRCompliance@scsk12.org.

Cheerleading in schools serves as a spirited support for athletic teams, fostering a sense of community and school pride. Positive cheers create a supportive atmosphere, promoting sportsmanship and unity. It has been brought to the attention of Student Support that schools may be participating in what has been termed "dis-cheering". Cheer teams should be committed to promoting a safe and positive environment for participants at events. Discouraging negative cheers helps maintain a respectful environment, preventing harm or disrespect towards opponents and maintaining a positive image for the school.

Please review the following guidelines with your Winter Cheer Coaches/Sponsors.

Guidelines for the Cheerleaders: 

1. Cheerleaders’ functions are to make a positive contribution to good spectator reaction at an athletic contest and to create better relations between opposing supporters. 

2. Cheers should be positive, not aimed at antagonizing an opponent. Care should be taken in making certain that words used in a cheer are not suggestive and do not have a connotation that would inflame the audience.  

3. Cheerleaders should be alert to potentially disruptive crowd influences and take immediate steps to promote positive cheering from the crowd.  

4. Cheerleaders are expected to lead the group in a round of applause for an injured player leaving the game.  

5. When booing occurs, the cheerleaders should attempt to stop it. It is important that any booing is waved off immediately. If the booing becomes louder, the cheerleaders should help to divert the crowd’s attention by starting a popular yell routine. Immediate action is the key to control booing. 

6. Cheerleaders who display negative conduct and attitudes should be disciplined appropriately.  

7. Cheerleaders should promote a spirit of friendliness between schools. 

8. Cheerleaders should be ever conscious that they are official student representatives of their school and so conduct themselves to bring credit to it. 

We appreciate the atmosphere and support cheer teams provide for athletic contests. Let's keep up the great work!

Greetings, School Leaders! 

Does your front-line staff need to replenish their “toolbox” with easy and practical ideas to provide excellent customer service? Do they want to improve customer confidence in MSCS as a service provider? We’ve got you! The FACE Department will host a series of customer service interactive sessions to learn and share evidence-based practices to foster a culture of trust and strengthen customer experience. “Fostering Sensitive and Sincere Interactions” will be offered several times in December. Please encourage your front-line staff to attend one of these sessions. Click here to register in PLZ.  

Course: #35145

Dates & Times:  

Monday, Dec. 11 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, Dec. 13 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Location:  Teaching and Learning Academy           

                  2485 Union Avenue 

                  Memphis, Tennessee 38112  

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Dr. Kemmashela Conner (smithkt@scsk12.org).

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, Dec. 11. This opportunity is being offered to 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. 

New Releases:

• Mastery Connect Participation Report is available for the Winter window! See the user guide for how to use the report!

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

Coming Soon:

• Accountability Dashboard: Enrollment and Discipline 

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

Training and Support Resources:  

Virtual Office Hours this week (12/12 and 12/14) will be an Open Forum Q&A Session. So bring any questions you have and we’ll try to answer them!

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

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

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

You can reach out to us at DAIMSUPPORT@scsk12.org if you need support.  

----------------------------
Power BI Access:

Principals can give school staff members access through the PowerBI Access App. For more information about how to use the app, see this user guide! 
----------------------------

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.