The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department is helping schools recruit volunteer proctors for TCAP testing. It is ideal test security protocol to have a second adult (proctor) in each testing room such as a second teacher or a volunteer proctor who assists the test administrator. If you cannot cover every testing room with a second adult, you should have a second adult that proctors multiple rooms by traveling from room to room. Volunteer proctors cannot handle test materials but can help the test administrator monitor the room during testing. Although the FACE department is helping schools recruit volunteer proctors, most schools will also need to work on directly recruiting volunteers. In many cases FACE will not be able to recruit as many volunteer proctors as a school needs. If your school wants to request help from FACE, you can use this link to provide details about the volunteer proctor support needed for testing. FACE asks that you complete the survey by Monday, March 25, 2024.

 Greetings, School Leaders.
 

As you are aware, we have launched our "Leading from the Frontline" Award. This recognition highlights school-based and District office front-line staff for their commitment to provide excellent customer service to parents and families. Each month, we recognize outstanding staff members who are making a positive impact at MSCS schools and District Offices. These individuals may be nominated by any constituent (i.e., parents/guardians, students, community partners, supervisors, administrators, teachers, etc.).

You should have already received two posters (one English version and one Spanish version) that should be displayed in the main office or hallway leading into the main office along with postcards for your front office desk, which can be shared with those who visit your school. We want to continue to acknowledge those hard-working professionals who genuinely serve, guide, and deliver exceptional experiences to our students, families, and community.

How to Share Ways to Nominate:

• Place postcards on the Main Office counters
• Send via school communications (i.e., school marque, digital platforms, school messaging tools, etc.)
• Place posters in the hallways and Main Office

Encourage office personnel to invite visitors/staff to complete the nomination form
 

Link to Download posters and postcards:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fGUwIG7XqRiW-O3Kwo6YNNDHXJJxwkEu?usp=sharing

If you are in need of additional posters/postcards for your school, please reach out to Dr. Kemmashela Conner - smithkt@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 share evidence-based practices that foster and strengthen customer experience. “Nurturing Respectful and Responsive Communication” will be offered on March 25 and March 26 (participants should 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 and view the flyer here.

Course: #35140 

Dates & Times:  

Monday., March 25, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location:  Teacher and Learning Academy           

                  2485 Union Avenue 

                  Memphis, Tennessee 38112  

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

Attention K-12 ELA educators! 

We want to hear from you! We value your feedback around the semester 2 ELA curriculum resources as well as your input around other resources needed to further support your planning. EVERY educator who completes the survey will win MSCS Swag! Additionally, be on the lookout in the upcoming weeks for your opportunity to be a part of the LIVE in-person and/or virtual ELA Curriculum Reviews. Please help us serve you better by clicking on the appropriate link to complete a short survey for the grade band(s) you support.

Survey Links:

 K-2   

 3-5    

 6-8 

 EOC

Questions? Email ci_ela_team@scsk12.org.

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:

Thursday, March 28th - 1:30pm - 4:30pm 

Teacher Learning Academy - W115-116

#72278 Introduction to Restorative Practices

Thursday, May 2nd - 1:30pm -4:30pm 

Teacher Learning Academy W115-116

#72279 Introduction to Restorative Practices

Please remember when entering a discipline incident to enter the number of days in the Title Field. Example: OSS: 5 Days – Disruptive Behavior

Let's continue to successfully implement our Rethink curriculum and provide our students with the social emotional skills needed for success. Please preview the Rethink Scope and Sequence for the upcoming months. The last days to complete any lessons for each month are as follows: 

• Data for March collected Friday, March 22, 2024 EOD. 
• Data for April collected Friday, April 19, 2024 EOD.
• Data for May collected Friday, May 17, 2024 EOD.  

• Please note that the district’s Centralized Withdrawal form will be closed when school is not in session. The upcoming dates are as follow: 
  • March 11th-15th (Spring Break)
• Please contact Justin Doss at 416-6007 with any questions.

• Important Update: In preparation for the upcoming launch of the 2024-25 registration period beginning March 19th, the 2023-24 registration links have been deactivated.
• 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. 

• 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.

Attention: 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.

The Student Technology Xpert Program (Tech Xpert) is delighted to invite you to our technology conference on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at Memphis Sports and Events Center located at 995 Early Maxwell Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104.   This one-day student conference, I AM THE FUTURE Tech Xplosion 2024, will allow middle school students, teachers, and school leaders the opportunity to explore new technologies specifically in the areas of eGaming, game design, virtual/augmented reality, coding, robotics, drones, aerial photography, and 3D printing. This conference also includes a keynote speaker, live performance and lunch.

 This exciting event will allow students to:

• Discover new technologies through hands-on student workshops and live demonstrations.
• Engage with representatives from MSCS high schools with STEM and coding programs.
• Learn about post-secondary options and career opportunities through our keynote speaker and various tech companies.
• Gain exposure to local colleges with course offerings in the field of technology such as game design, software engineering, aviation, information technology and more.

We formally invite your school to participate in the event by sending 2 teachers and 25 student representatives, preferably those who excel in Science and Math and who are highly interested in technology. We are proud to offer this conference at no cost, however your school must provide transportation to and from this event. We look forward to your participation. Click here to view the flyer. Click here to scan the QR Code.  

 Confirm your school's attendance in 2 easy steps:

1. Complete the school confirmation form by Friday, March 22, 2024.
2. Reserve transportation for your school by Friday, March 29, 2024. *Due to the capacity of the event, we strongly suggest securing your bus as soon as possible.

• Children must be five years old on or before August 15th of the current school year to be admitted.
• Five-year-old kindergarteners who have not previously enrolled cannot be enrolled after the first 30 days of the school year, which is September 9, 2024. Previously enrolled kindergarteners can be accepted at any time.
• We encourage parents/guardians to begin the registration process as soon as possible. For further assistance, please contact your designated school or the SEED Department at 416-6007.

According to the 12-month hourly work schedule, SEAs are expected to work March 11-13, during Spring Break. Virtual professional learning assignments and experiences have been planned for SEAs who do not take vacation days or who are not selected to support schools with Spring Break Learning Academy on March 11-13.  

NOTE: If an SEA takes vacation days or supports Spring Break Learning Academy at one of the elementary school sites, the SEA is NOT REQUIRED to complete the VIRTUAL professional learning experiences. SEAs must sign up to support Spring Break Learning Academy using the link HERE.  SEAs will be selected on a first come, first serve basis with priority given to SEAs who work at host schools.

During Spring Break, SEAs do not have to report to schools. Instead, SEAs will be required to complete 18 hours of professional learning that includes self-paced, asynchronous professional learning assignments and daily Bridge to Practice exercises.  All hours can be completed remotely, provided SEAs can access a device and the Internet.  

If an SEA cannot access the Internet, Wi-Fi, or Hotspot, the SEA can report to the Early Literacy Office on the lower level of Hamilton High School on March 11-13, 2024 @ 8:30AM-4:00PM.  To ensure accommodations for SEAs reporting to Hamilton High, each SEA must sign up here:  https://forms.office.com/r/ATrqZ0hj9u   SEAs must bring their own devices and present their MSCS ID upon entry.

Professional learning assignments must be completed by 3:30PM each day, March 11-March 13.  No late or emailed assignments will be accepted.

Link to SEA Spring Break Professional Learning: SEA Spring Break Professional Learning SY2024

If you have any questions, please email the Early Literacy Department at EarlyLiteracyDept@scsk12.org or call 901.416.4801.

School Health Profiles Survey Administration: As a requirement of our cooperative agreement with the CDC, in March and April, MSCS will conduct surveys of principals and lead health education teachers to assess the status of school health policies and practices at all traditional and alternative middle schools and high schools. We will administer the School Health Profiles surveys online through Survey Monkey. Each school will receive one questionnaire for the principal and one for the lead health education teacher through emailed links.  
 

By Friday, March 22, please complete this two-question, participation form that provides more information about the questionnaires and asks you to designate a teacher or staff member to complete the lead health educator survey.

Greetings Principals, 

As you conduct your daily operations, please know that School Operations is always available to support you and your school teams. When you encounter serious issues, please remember to contact the departments listed in the AOSS Manual Protocol - Section 1.7 Pressing Issues.  The intent is to help streamline the operational procedure, deliver a prompt crisis response, and ensure quality service. 

Literacy Commitment updates are now uploaded onto scsk12.org/commitment.

New information includes:

• Clarification on 3rd grade promotion pathways
• TCAP ELA exemptions for 3rd grade
• TCAP ELA appeal grounds (catastrophic appeal, 40th/50th percentile in i-Ready/aimswebPlus)
• Parental notification re: benefits of learning-loss bridge camps (i.e. SLA)

We will provide TCAP timelines and additional resources in the coming weeks.

If you have any additional questions, contact the third-grade team thirdgradecommitment@scsk12.org.