Greetings Principals,

The Office of School Operations would like to remind you of some important health-related protocols contained in the AOSS Manual.  For your convenience, we have enclosed a copy of protocols 6.2 Medical Emergencies and 6.3 Medical Non-Emergencies.  Please review this information and share it with your team.

WIDA ACCESS UPDATE for English Learners:

1. WIDA ACCESS test administration window opened on Monday, Feb. 5
2. BTCs were to submit testing schedules two weeks ago for feedback.
3. All testing materials should have been delivered to your schools.
4. BTCs may reach out directly to their ESL Advisor with any WIDA ACCESS related questions.

ESL DISTRICT LEARNING DAY:    

A professional learning day for all ESL teachers will take place on Monday, Feb. 19 from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm at the University of Memphis.  This will be in lieu of the ESL Monthly Meeting for February.  

Q2 RETENTION PREVENTION:

 Any student who received a failing grade in a core class for Q2 must have work samples uploaded to ELLevation by April 26.  The teacher must document on the sample the scaffold(s) and accommodations that were offered.  

Looking Ahead:

Testing materials will be scheduled to be returned on March 25-27.

WIDA ACCESS Data Validation for all English Learners will take place April 15 - 18.

Carol Richardson

Director II, English as a Second Language (ESL)

Phone: 901-416-5727 | Email: richardsoncr@scsk12.org

Please use the steps provided when printing an In-School Suspension, Out of School Suspension and Readmission Form. 

As we continue to work towards maintaining positive and safe learning environments for the second semester, please see following discipline reminders to ensure that our district remains compliant with federal and state regulations.

Let's begin 2024 by continuing to successfully implement our Rethink curriculum and provide our students with the social emotional skills needed for success. Please preview the upcoming Rethink Scope and Sequence for the upcoming months. Be sure to pay close attention to the date for data collection each month: 

• Data for January Compliance Month will be collected Friday, January 26, 2024 EOD.
• Data for February Compliance Month will be collected Friday, February 23, 2024 EOD.

We are excited to announce our collaboration with the Pre-K Department for a registration event for the upcoming school year. This event is specifically designed for Pre-K students transitioning to kindergarten (KK).

Date: Saturday, February 24th 

Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

 Locations:

• Kirby High School
• Douglass School

Important Information:

• This event is open to both existing and new students.
• New students: Complete immunization records required for enrollment.
• Our staff will be available to assist with:
  • General Choice Transfer applications
  • Kindergarten student registration
  • Answering any questions you may have about the registration process and requirements

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more and register your child for kindergarten!

If you have any questions, please contact our SEED Department at 901-416-6007.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Please join us for our upcoming workshops to ensure accurate student data for district and state reporting. These workshops are crucial for identifying and correcting attendance errors, as well as reflecting changes in enrollment and scheduling.

Mark your calendars for:

• Teaching and Learning Academy (TLA- Multipurpose Room): February 20th  - 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM
• Craigmont High School: February 21st -23rd -  9:00 AM-2:00 PM

• Attendance clericals are required to attend one workshop to guarantee data integrity and state reporting compliance.

          *** Please make sure your attendance clerk brings the following items:

• Charged laptop.
• Sign-in/out forms
• Parent notes

Register Now! Virtual Office Hours: Power Up Your BI Skills 

Join us for weekly virtual office hours, a dedicated support resource for Power BI users. Each session focuses on a specific data topic, providing real-time training and support within 30 minutes - because we know your time is valuable!

Tuesdays & Thursdays at 3:30 PM:

https://forms.clickup.com/f/87xbk-6181/XTZK5NW6JSHSI5RIKA

• Feb 20th and 22nd: Overview of District 360- Attendance, Discipline, & Pre-K
• Feb 27th and 29th: Open Forum Question and Answer Session- Ask Us Anything 
• Sessions are recorded and will be posted Fridays to the DAIM Support Hub.

• For more support or questions, visit us at DAIMSUPPORT@scsk12.org.

• The online School Choice transfer application opened Thursday, February 1st, 2024, at 10:00 AM. Parents and guardians can access the application portal at www.scsk12.org.
• Apply online anytime and from anywhere using any device with an internet connection. 
• Current MSCS students: Please use your PowerSchool ID to apply.
• Students can apply for up to two General Choice options.

• 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 Mildred Avery at 416-6007 with any questions.

• Please note that the district’s Centralized Withdrawal form will be closed when school is not in session. The upcoming dates are as follow:  February 19th (President’s Day) 
• Please contact Justin Doss at 416-6007 with any questions. 

• Online registration will officially launch on Tuesday, March 19th for the 2024-25 school year. 
• Enrollment, registration, and attendance training for school staff will be offered from January through March. These training sessions will equip staff with the knowledge and resources to effectively support students and families during the registration process. 

          Enrollment, Registration, and Centralized Withdrawal Process 

          Course #: 34911 

          Location: TTC - 3772 Jackson 

          Registration is open! Please sign up in PLZ

• Please note that completing online registration is mandatory for all students seeking enrollment in Memphis Shelby County Schools for the 2024-25 school year. 
• Failure to register during the designated period will result in students not being considered enrolled for the upcoming academic year. 
• Please contact Mildred Avery at 416-6007 with any questions. 

Restorative practices have been proven effective in reducing misbehavior, bullying, violence, and crime among students while improving the overall climate for learning in schools. This training by the SEED Office will cover the basics of restorative practices. Teachers will know and understand how to use classroom circles as a restorative practice. Teachers will also participate and practice utilizing classroom circles with peers during this session.

#31872 Introduction to Restorative Practices   

Dates, Times, Location and Sessions:

February 22nd - 1:30pm - 4:30pm 

Teacher Learning Academy Auditorium 

#72277 Introduction to Restorative Practices 

March 28th - 1:30pm - 4:30pm 

Teacher Learning Academy - W115-116

#72278 Introduction to Restorative Practices

May 2nd - 1:30pm -4:30pm 

Teacher Learning Academy W115-116

#72279 Introduction to Restorative Practices

NOTE: REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL TUESDAY, FEB. 20!

The Student Technology Xpert Program (Tech Xpert) presents another exciting opportunity for middle school students. The last edition of our Saturday coding series for this school year will be held on Saturday, February 24, from 9am-2pm at Kate Bond Middle School (2737 Kate Bond Rd, Memphis, TN 38133). During Get Ready, Let’s Code! 4 Mobile App Development, students will engage in computer science and STEM by building their very own functional mobile app using MAD-Learn. MAD-Learn allows students to experience coding through reverse engineering and introduces HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Students will learn 21st century skills for career development and readiness. They will be empowered to create technology, not just consume it! This event is open to all MSCS middle school students; however, space is limited to the first 400 students to sign up. You must register between February 5-20*, 2024, and you must bring your 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 Feb. 24 for some fun with Mobile App Development! If you have any questions, contact Cashundra Jefferson at (901) 416-1794 or email scs-techxpert@scsk12.org. See the attached flyers for more information.   

Click link to register: https://forms.office.com/r/dSrUD29ZP1 

Click here to scan the QR Code to register: 

View Get Ready, Let's Code! 4 flyer in English: 

View Get Ready, Let's Code! 4 flyer in Spanish: 

Middle School, K-8, & High School Principals:

Please CLICK HERE to review a list of students enrolled at your school without a 1:1 device.  Currently, students without a 1:1 device owe a fine for a previously lost or damaged device or accessory. Digital Device Ambassadors should continue to work with parents to complete waivers and satisfy fines to ensure that all students have their personal device in time for testing.  During check-ins, please ask your DDA to provide the number of parents they have connected with to ensure that parents of students who are Direct Certified have been notified of their eligibility for a Device Cost Relief waiver. Waivers can be used to cover the cost of lost or damaged devices only. Forms must be completed in their entirety to ensure grant compliance.  Please email device_support@scsk12.org with devices related questions.

As a reminder, the DEADLINE for completion of the NIE Mid Year Conference is  Feb. 23.

Please note the following:

• In PLZ, the Mid-Year Conference is NOT a part of NIE Partial Plans and will not appear in PLZ as a container to complete. 
• For PowerBI, the dashboard may reflect 'Not Started' or 'Started' for the Mid-Year Conference for NIE Partial Plans. However, it is NOT included in the completion calculation data.  

Questions? Please contact NIE Lead, Starlett Calhoun (joness3@scsk12.org)

All learners have been automatically enrolled in the Canvas coursework they will need to complete for District Learning Day. To access Canvas, simply click on the "Canvas Content Cadres" button on edugoodies. Contact Lauren Rivera at riveralj@scsk12.org if you have any questions. 

We've identified and corrected an error in the DLD Guidebook. All World Language Teachers will meet via TEAMs for their DLD session. The TEAMs link has been sent to World Language teachers and is available in the DLD Guidebook. The session is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30, after the district-wide address. Contact Roxanna McCommon at hajjafarr@scsk12.org if you have any questions. 

Elevate your brand and connect with top school leaders nationwide by becoming a sponsor for the highly anticipated MSCS Leadership Symposium. Registration is now open until March 22, offering sponsors a unique chance to engage and network with the best minds in education. 

This year's theme is "Building Tomorrow, Together: Leadership in Action!" Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this dynamic event. Secure your spot by registering today at www.scsk12.org/ls. Act fast, as spaces are limited! 

Stay in the loop with all things MSCS Leadership Symposium—receive timely updates on conference details, registration, lodging, and more. Simply visit the MSCS Leadership Symposium Website at www.scsk12.org/ls and sign up for notifications. 

For any inquiries, reach out to us via email at symposium@scsk12.org. Join us in shaping the future of education! 

The Professional Learning & Support Department of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is excited to invite proposals for the 2024 MSCS Leadership Symposium, scheduled for June 10-14, 2024, at Southwind High School. This year's theme, "Building Tomorrow, Together," focuses on three key conference learning strands: School, Equity, Enrollment, and Discipline; Instructional Leadership; and Business Operations. 

We encourage proposal submissions that inspire leaders to think critically and creatively, prompting them to: 

• Evaluate current practices and establish goals for increased student growth and achievement. 
• Cultivate new collaborations to foster strong academic and social culture and climates. 
• Manage schools with operational excellence and fiscal prudence. 

To submit proposals, please use the following link: 2024 Leadership Symposium Call for Proposals The submission deadline is March 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm.  

For additional details and to access the full Call for Proposals, visit www.scsk12.org/ls. 

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out via email at symposium@scsk12.org. We look forward to your innovative contributions to the conference! 

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ 2024 Leadership Symposium stands as a flagship professional learning and networking event meticulously crafted to empower both emerging and seasoned school leaders. The primary objective is to equip participants with indispensable tools, fostering continuous improvement in key areas of educational leadership. 

Stay informed by signing up to receive notifications about conference updates, registration, and additional details on the MSCS Leadership Symposium Website at www.scsk12.org/ls.  

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out via email at symposium@scsk12.org. Join us in shaping the future of education through collaboration and shared leadership! 

The February 2024 District Learning Day Guidebook is now available.  This comprehensive resource contains pertinent information and guidelines to facilitate a smooth learning experience. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our students' success.

You're cordially invited to sign up for our forthcoming sessions designed to bolster Instructional Practice 4 in ELA, Science, and Math. Should you have any inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Tiffany Boyle at boyletd@scsk12.org.

We are delighted to extend an invitation to our upcoming EOC Support Sessions, meticulously designed to cater to the needs of high school EOC teachers in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Please mark your calendars for the following dates:

• February 21, 2024: "Collaborative Planning & Deliberate Practice" 
• March 6, 2024: "Standards & Student Work Analysis to Collaboratively Plan"

These sessions are scheduled from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, providing a concentrated time frame for impactful learning. We believe these gatherings present a fantastic opportunity for professional growth and collaboration. We strongly encourage the attendance of all EOC teachers. For more information, please contact Tiffany Boyle at boyletd@scsk12.org, Geneva Gordon at gordong@scsk12.org, or Jarita A. Mitchell at mitchellja@scsk12.org.

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 its next customer service interactive session to learn and share evidence-based practices to foster a culture of trust and strengthen customer experience. “Creating Orderly Environments” will be offered on February 19 and February 20 (attend one session). Please encourage your front-line staff to attend one of these sessions. Attendees will earn 1.5 professional development credit hours. Click here to register in PLZ.  

Course: #35036

Dates & Times:  

Monday., February 19, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location:  Teacher and Learning Academy           

                  2485 Union Avenue 

                  Memphis, Tennessee 38112  

Join us for a transformative Cultural Competence training, expertly mediated by the National Education Association (NEA). Please encourage your teams to attend.

Date: Monday, February 26th from 9-11 a.m. - BOE and Barnes Auditorium. 

Tailored for front-line staff, educators, and essential for those dealing with parents, this dynamic session unlocks the power of diversity, fostering inclusive environments and enhancing cross-cultural communication. This training also provides specific exercises that explore how educators/front line staff can work with families and communities to ensure that every student, from every culture they encounter in their schools, has the opportunity to achieve academic success. All Materials included. 

Register at PLZ #36042 Cultural Competence Training Program