The district is beginning the testing process for Civics for the 2024-2025 school year. In accordance with usual procedures, we are asking building leaders to use the following form to designate a Civics Lead for your school to serve as the main point of contact for all Civics exam procedures and updates.

 https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lBwpK7Bet0SJ6kuvFuzEqRMH-MgUmvdLgUyGKd8QqbNUMUVJUFFVV09FQVUyTE03VDdYTEszMlhQVC4u

Please contact Chunmeka Wayne, 9-12 Social Studies Instructional Advisor, if you have any questions.

Audience: K-12 Science teachers

If you are a K-12 science teacher or a science administrator and would like to be considered for the 2024-2025 science textbook adoption committee, please complete the application linked here. Return the application to Terilyn McChriston the Curriculum & Instruction Science Manager by Oct. 4 at mcchristontj@scsk12.org. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email Dave Barrett at barrettdr@scsk12.org.

The district is collaborating with Facing History and Ourselves to determine current teachers/schools that are implementing the Facing History curriculum, and to identify any new teachers/schools for Facing History professional development. Take a moment to complete the survey. Reach out to Sonya Porter, portersb@scsk12.org with any questions.

Facing History and Ourselves Implementation Survey for Administrative Staff and Educators

Survey URL: https://facinghistory.tfaforms.net/177 

The Fall Student Perception Survey is vastly approaching. The survey window will run from Oct. 21 - Nov. 4.

Site Coordinator Training Dates:   All Site Coordinators should register for one of the virtual sessions in PLZ using course #36827.

The training dates are September 24, October 1, and October 2.

Questions? Contact the Evaluation and Satisfaction office by phone,  at 901.416.2475 or via email at eps@scsk12.org. 

The window for completing Growth and Achievement selections for the SY 2024-25 is open from Sept. 13 through Oct. 4.  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 Evaluation and Satisfaction office by phone,  at 901.416.2475 or via email at eps@scsk12.org. 

The Goal Setting Conference season is here, and Non-Instructional Evaluations are now available in PLZ! All Non-Instructional employees must complete a Goal-Setting Conference as the first step of the performance appraisal process.  

As a reminder, the NIE employee will need to select their certified NIE evaluator first in PLZ in order for the evaluator to have access to their Non-Instructional Evaluation plan.

Click HERE for more NIE Goal Setting Conference details. 

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

The TEM TEACHer Training Series is now open for ALL teachers. This series supports educators with identifying teacher and student actions that guide effective instruction at performance levels 3-5 of the TEACH indicators. 

Register in PLZ, course #37107.

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

Fine Arts, Physical Education (2nd and 5th grades), Pre-K, and World Language (French and Spanish) educators will submit TEAM Student Growth Portfolios for SY2024-25. Point A submissions should be uploaded by Dec. 6.  Final submissions are due by 5 p.m. May 5. 

For important updates regarding the Portfolio process, please click HERE

Questions or concerns? Send an email to eps@scsk12.org.

Please find the link to the 9/16/24 MTSS Lead Weekly Updates for reference. MTSS Leads received the link directly on 9/16/24 via email.  

Greetings Elementary Leaders! 

Please take a moment to complete the survey below. This survey will support the district in gathering details related to the assignment of SEAs and enable research to take place on the impact of SEA support. The survey is open through September 30. 

https://forms.office.com/r/ZBmUJN0W8d

Contact Dr. Tiffany Boyle at boyletd@scsk12.org if you have any questions. 

The Office of Literacy invites all educators to join our upcoming virtual professional development sessions this September, focused on the Wonders (K-5) and myPerspectives (6-12) curriculums. These vendor-led sessions are designed to support both new and veteran teachers, coaches, and leaders in utilizing the curriculum’s resources effectively.

myPerspectives PD (6-12)

Digging Deeper into the myPerspectives Digital Resources
Date: September 24 (Grades 6-8) & September 26 (Grades 9-12) | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Overview: Explore the digital tools available within myPerspectives to enhance student engagement and use features like text annotation.
Course Number: 37096

Wonders PD (K-5)

Wonders Print Materials Overview – Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Date: September 24 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Overview: Discover the print resources available for whole and small group instruction in K-1 classrooms.
Course Number: 37111

Wonders Print Materials Overview – 2nd to 5th Grade
Date: September 26 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Overview: Learn how to effectively use Wonders print resources for Grades 2-5 in whole and small group instruction.
Course Number: 37111

For more information or to register, contact Joyce Harrison at harrisonjr@scsk12.org.

The wait is over! The Professional Learning Catalog is officially live, and it’s packed with opportunities to help you grow and support your teams. Whether you're looking for targeted workshops or instructional resources, it's all here. We’ve curated sessions that cater to diverse needs—from classroom strategies to specialized content. Dive in, explore, and find what fits your goals.

Got questions or need assistance? Reach out to Christopher Stewart at stewartc2@scsk12.org.

Join us for a week of growth, collaboration, and awareness as we come together to support professional growth.

• Monday, September 23, 2024: PLC Coaches/Instructional Facilitators – Wear shades of Red in honor of Suicide Prevention
• Tuesday, September 24, 2024: Principals & Vice Principals – Wear shades of Yellow
• Wednesday, September 25, 2024: Assistant Principals & Deans of Students – Wear shades of Gray
• Thursday, September 26, 2024: Professional School Counselors – Wear shades of Green

For more information, contact Ron Clark at clarkr@scsk12.org.

From the Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett: Sign-up today for the Tennessee Student Mock Election. The mock election is a non-partisan, educational experience that gives Tennessee students a chance to learn how elected officials are selected. All Tennessee students are welcome to participate.

1) Sign your school up online

2) Review our lesson plans and resources

Topics: Citizenship, Roles of Elected Officials, Campaigning, The Voting Process, State & Local Government, The Constitution, and Colonial Government

3) Gather resources provided by our office

Each participating school will be provided the following resources:

A PDF of a mock ballot that can be printed (which will be sent via email).

"I Voted" stickers (which will be sent via mail).

A Student Mock Election "I Voted" sign (which is available to download).

4) Conduct your mock election

The Secretary of State’s office will provide printable mock election ballots. However, schools may conduct their mock election in whatever manner works best for their students.

5) Report your school's results

Results can start to be reported when the “Early Voting” period begins on Oct. 16 and must be submitted by Oct. 29. Instructions for reporting will be provided to each school’s designated contact via email.

Per Policy #6065, each middle and high school is required to have a Student Government/Student Council. The Office of Student Experiences will offer training for middle and high schools to designated Student Council advisors. 

PURPOSE:   To provide guidelines for the operation of student councils in each of the district’s middle and high schools.
 

1. SCOPE: This policy applies to middle and high schools.
2. POLICY STATEMENT: Each school shall establish an elected student council. The council shall be governed by its own constitution which shall be approved by the school principal.  Defining the council’s jurisdiction shall be a joint and cooperative effort of the council, students, and the student government constitution.
3. General purposes of the council shall be:

1.      To promote better relationships between teachers and students

2.      To provide a communication channel for student opinion

3.      To promote organizational services for students and faculty

4.      To encourage positive attitudes, leadership, and citizenship

5.      To contribute to the total educational growth of students

6.      To train students in the method of problem-solving and decision making

Participants will receive a step-by-step implementation plan to help schools establish a successful Student Council. A calendar of upcoming events (local and statewide) will be provided, in addition to information on fundraising, teambuilding, and community service projects.

Date:              September 24, 2024

Time:              3:30 – 5:00 pm

Location:      Central High School (Library) 306 South Bellevue

PLZ Course #: 47247 Section #: 85191 

Registration by Sept. 20 for advisors' training.  

Please submit your school's Student Council information by Sept. 17.  https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lBwpK7Bet0SJ6kuvFuzEqcEP-PJIK7RInmVJoY29gbVUQ05ISUlERVRIWjVUSVZSSVNXWUhGUUVUQS4u

The National Civil Rights Museum’s celebration for and by young trailblazers, the Freedom Award Student Forum, is a hybrid learning opportunity for students and educators worldwide. The Student Forum will take place on Oct. 17 from 10:30am-12:00pm CST at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. Please see the reminders below.

1. Please review and share Keeper of the Dream Award information and consider nominating a student and inviting your students to self-nominate or nominate their peers! The Keeper of the Dream Award is a public recognition of selected youth in grades 6-12 that celebrates and recognizes the hard work and dedication of young people who take action and demonstrate a commitment to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for others. We are taking nominations through September 27 (the deadline was just extended)! This award offers a monetary prize as well as a beautiful trophy and the opportunity to be honored by the museum in front of thousands of peers at the Student Forum. Please click here to nominate a student or share this link with anyone who wishes to nominate a student for the Keeper of the Dream Award!
2. This year, as we are at the Fed Ex Forum, a much larger venue than ever before and one with expanded capacity, teachers/schools will arrange and cover costs for transportation to and from the event. (Please note: the bus company that is preferred is First Student if you are in Shelby County, as they will send us a list of all buses they are transporting which is instrumental for our planning of bus parking.) If you are not using First Student as your bus vendor, or if you are coming from outside of Shelby County, please send us an email with your bus information to education@civilrightsmuseum.org. We request you send us this ASAP but no later than Oct. 1. 
3. We ask that you email us with your bus vendor and the bus number or confirmation number for your bus reservation. That way we can be looking for your bus to arrive and we will know we have enough space to park all buses.We will have three options for attending one mandatory Teacher/Chaperone Meeting to prepare for the Student Forum. Every school that attends must have a teacher, (preferably the lead teacher who registered for the event,)  virtually attend one of the meetings on any of the following dates/times: 
   • Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 from 5:30-6pm 
   • Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 from 5:30-6pm 
   • Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 from 5:30-6pm 
     • For all three dates/times the link/password to join the meetings are below: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89449226762 
       • Meeting ID: 894 4922 6762 
       • Passcode: NCRM101724
4. If you didn’t submit a number of students who will attend, please re-register and complete that field. If there wasn’t a number for students filled in to that field, your registration is not complete, and we kindly request that you to complete the form with a number, even if that number is an estimate. You can always email us at education@civilrightsmuseum.org to let us know if your number changes. Please keep in mind you can bring as many students as you can book buses for and bring at least 2 chaperones per 50 students. (Please note the MSCS ratio for in-town field trips is 1 adult chaperone: 20 students).
5. Please encourage other teachers to sign up to virtually attend the Student Forum! We’d like every teacher who plans to virtually attend to register here, so we can send them the link by which to log in for their individual class. Thanks for sharing this opportunity with as many colleagues and students, as possible!

Tennessee Department of Education- United States Presidential Scholars Program

HS SENIORS: Apply to participate in the 2025 United States Presidential Scholars Program by Sept. 23!  Applicants must be nominated by their high school. Find program information, including qualification criteria and application materials here: https://www.tn.gov/education/students/opportunities-for-students.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawE-tJRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZkhVdMnH7fRWbqlYfrAzRZPmrfwU7rx6q53nv68fc3tu_-N6j3sNYpZUg_aem_STno1QFdAGCZNvTQPzw_Pw

Tennessee Department of Education- United States Senate Youth Program

Qualifying high school juniors or seniors can apply to be selected to participate in the 2025 United States Senate Youth Program. Apply by Sept. 23! Qualification criteria, application materials, and more can be found here: https://www.tn.gov/education/students/opportunities-for-students.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawE-tJRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZkhVdMnH7fRWbqlYfrAzRZPmrfwU7rx6q53nv68fc3tu_-N6j3sNYpZUg_aem_STno1QFdAGCZNvTQPzw_Pw

Tennessee Department of Education- Governor's School

Applications for the 2025 Governor's Schools open Oct. 1! Spend next summer gaining knowledge & skills in your field of interest. Submission information and critical deadlines will be posted on each of the Governor’s Schools webpages. More details here: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/education/districts/instruction/tdoe-governors-schools.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFFwnBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVAqv5AvSjhoxImnNGr5kDUm80TNcSWoDLjjTywKsciyAOGSNI-jDoI3dA_aem__9bd1YautMz6-Rl_rG9SdA

Please review the information below about the eCybermission Virtual STEM Competition for students in grades 6 - 9. Through this program, students have the opportunity to identify community problems through hypothesis, research, and experimentation. Teams may also apply for mini-grants to support their work. 

Each team needs: 

• 2-4 students
• An adult Team Advisor
• A community problem to explore or try to solve