Secondary Education Based Athletics plays a transformative role in student development, enhancing both academic and personal success. Involvement in sports has been shown to positively impact school attendance, ACT scores, and GPA, as students in athletics are often more engaged and motivated to achieve academic standards to maintain eligibility.

To fully understand and amplify these positive outcomes, it’s essential to track and review these academic metrics alongside athletic participation. Consistent data analysis allows schools to pinpoint areas for improvement, tailor support, and ultimately ensure that athletics continues to contribute meaningfully to each student’s growth.

PowerSchool for Academic Eligibility Tracking for all student-athletes in middle and high schools in Fall sports should have been completed on August 29th.  Once student-athletes are entered into Power School by sport, the School Athletic Director (and the MSCIAA) can view information for each athlete such as age, GPA, transfers, attendance etc…along with the ability to double-check TSSAA eligibility. This data empowers schools to adapt and improve programming, ensuring students benefit fully.

Additionally, secondary athletics serves as a cornerstone in student development, helping to build academic commitment, personal resilience, and a sense of belonging. Engaging in athletics motivates students to prioritize daily attendance, as consistent participation in both academics and sports is essential to their eligibility and performance. This daily presence in school not only strengthens learning habits but also fosters accountability, both critical for academic success. 

In short, secondary athletics is integral to a school’s mission, fostering not only academic achievements but also life skills like teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. Athletics complements the educational journey, preparing students to be well-rounded individuals today and for life beyond the classroom.

Athletic Practice Within School Hours Require Board Approval

(SBE) 0520-01-02-.08 Interscholastic Athletics:

3) All athletic practice within the regular hours of any school day must be approved on an

annual basis by the local board of education; such action must be reflected in the minutes of the local board of education. All approved athletic practice during the regular hours of any school day shall conform to the same rules, regulations, and seasons as corresponding

athletic practice outside the school day.

(4) A local board of education shall not authorize high school credits in physical education for participation in interscholastic athletic practice during regular school hours.

Tennessee Law to Remove Barriers of Student-Athletes of Military Families 

TCA 49-12-301, Art. I (C):

The purpose of this compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by: C. (c) facilitating the qualification and eligibility for . . . participation in extracurricular, academic, athletic, and social activities.

Schools should notify the TSSAA of an enrolled student’s interest in participating in interscholastic athletics. Failure to do so may result in the student-athlete being ineligible.  

The TSSAA Portal is a primary point of interaction between member schools and the TSSAA state office.  Schools should submit all potential student-athletes via the portal for TSSAA/TMSAA sanctioned sports. Students of military families are submitted in the same fashion.  

For special hardship cases, TSSAA has the authority to set aside the effect of any eligibility rule upon student-athletes per specific circumstances outlined in the TSSAA Constitution and Bylaws. If you have any additional questions, please contact the TSSAA regarding submission procedures. 

Enrollment and Attendance Updates

C.O.M.E. to Win: Attendance Monitoring and Recognition 

• The C.O.M.E. to Win initiative reinforces the superintendent’s focus on regular student attendance.  As we approach November’s Attendance Theme: “Stay Connected, Keep Learning,” it is essential that each school actively engages and provides supports in the PowerApp platform to promote student success and ensure alignment with district goals. As a reminder, the third 20-day school attendance period ends on November 4th. 

Key Actions for Schools:

1. Update Attendance Supports Every 20 Days:

• Use the C.O.M.E. to Win feature in PowerApp to manage and track attendance supports for each 20-day attendance period.

• Ensure that supports for Champions, Winners, and Participants are entered consistently to monitor student progress and celebrate successes.

2. Provide Data to Track and Improve Progress:

• Enter the supports your school is offering to students in each attendance category, enabling district personnel to analyze trends, identify what is working, and offer feedback for improvement.

3. Communicate Monthly Attendance Themes:

• Reinforce the November Attendance Theme – “Stay Connected, Keep Learning” – through school-wide messaging, including announcements, newsletters, and classroom activities.

4. Celebrate Student Success and Provide Tailored Support:

• Champions: Recognize students with outstanding attendance through celebrations, announcements, and awards.

• Winners: Motivate these students to continue their positive attendance and encourage them to achieve Champion status.

• Participants: Provide focused interventions, including small group discussions and individual sessions, to address challenges and re-engage students in their learning journey.

5. Leverage Communication and Celebrations:

• Utilize announcements, newsletters, classroom activities, and school-wide celebrations to acknowledge attendance achievements and reinforce the importance of regular attendance.

General Choice Transfer (Rescind)

• Schools may submit General Choice Transfer (GCT) rescind requests for students who demonstrate non-compliance with academic performance, attendance, or behavioral expectations. Rescissions will be processed for student transitions at the end of the first semester. Consideration for immediate rescissions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Appeal Process

All levels of appeals regarding GCT rescissions will be handled through a designated process:

• First Level: Appeals will be addressed by the school principal.
• Second Level: Appeals will be reviewed by the district office.
• Third Level: Appeals will be decided upon by the superintendent or designee.

• Note: All Exceptional Education (formerly SPED) and displaced students must be vetted according to IEP mandates and McKinney Vento law.

Rescission Request Submission

Please submit all GCT rescission requests electronically through the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/t0Sufb9jKg

New MSCS Multilingual Support Hubs

The Attendance and Enrollment office is pleased to announce the opening of our Multilingual Support Hubs. These hubs will provide ongoing assistance to MSCS families seeking guidance in various areas, including: 

• Enrollment
• Transfers
• Attendance
• General MSCS Information
• ESL Assistance
• Bus Passes
• School Supplies
• Uniforms
• Truancy Assistance
• Computer Assistance

Location and Hours:

• Gaisman Park: Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Refugee Empowerment Program (REP): Thursday, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Additional Information:

• More information regarding the Multilingual Support Hubs will be forthcoming.

NEW USERS ON-SITE 2-Day PowerSchool Training (November 6-7, 2024)

• This training session is exclusively for NEW USERS and will take place at (TTC) (3772 Jackson Avenue, Memphis TN 38108) in Lab 2. Please remember to bring a laptop, notepad, and pen.
• Dates: November 6, 2024 - November 7, 2024
• Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM