Greetings Leaders,

On Friday, July 25, our Specialized Education Assistants (SEAs) participated in a virtual session focused on their roles and responsibilities. You can find the video recording of this session [here].

Additionally, the SEAs will still be required to submit an online weekly reflection log every Friday beginning on August 15th. You can find the weekly reflection form [here].

We encourage you to access the SEA Information Folder, where you'll find essential resources related to the SEAs, including session recordings, informal observation tool, literacy resources, and more. SEA Information

Thank you for your continued support!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to sammourh@scsk12.org or call 901-416-4764.

Principals, 

Please take a moment to review the hyperlinked memo regarding supplemental resources.  Your input is vital to ensuring accurate tracking of ROIs aligned with instructional tools and resources.

Academic Advisory Supplemental Resources 8.2025.pdf

We are pleased to inform you that your buildings will soon receive the newly adopted science instructional materials to support teaching and learning across multiple disciplines. These resources are designed to enhance both teacher and student engagement with the Tennessee science standards. 

Included in the delivery: 

SAVVAS Subscribers:

• Teacher Editions (TE) 
• Student Editions (SE) for the following classes and courses: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 
• Subscribers will have access to classroom libraries, activity cards(K-2), level readers, test prep (3-5), and classroom material kits (K-8) with online access. 

McGraw-Hill TN Subscribers: 

• Teacher Editions (TE) 
• Student Editions (SE)  
  • Biology 
  • Physics 
  • Chemistry 
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology 
  • Physical Science 
• Digital Access via Learn Science Platform 
• McGraw-Hill K–12 Offline Portal App Access 

Additional Digital Resources: 

• Biology and Physical Science will receive Reading Essentials and Science Notebooks in digital format. 
• Biology will also receive End-of-Course (EOC) preparation materials digitally. 
• Physical Science will receive ACT/SAT preparation resources digitally. 
• Ecology teachers will have access to digital resources, which can be found here Connect Teacher Resource Activation 

K-12 School Science Unboxing

Please ensure that your science department is aware of these updates and prepared to integrate the new materials into instruction. If you have any questions or need support with access or implementation, feel free to reach out. Terilyn McChriston 
Manager, Science Curriculum & Instruction (mcchristontj@scsk12.org) 

The Kindergarten Report Card Handbook has now been updated to align with the  2025-26 school year.  The handbook can be found on the Curriculum and Instruction webpage or by clicking here.  Please ensure all kindergarten teachers have access to this updated version.

Questions? Email OfficeofLiteracy@scsk12.org

As we embark on a new school year, Textbook Services aims to streamline communication and provide timely support during the 2025-2026 Textbook Coordinator process. If you have not selected a Textbook Coordinator for your school, please take a moment to complete the following survey Textbook Services School Information Collection Survey. We kindly request that the survey be completed by close of business Friday, August 22, 2025, or forwarded to the appropriate staff member.

Training Labs will be available for Textbook Coordinators weekly via Microsoft Teams. This is an opportunity for all Textbook Coordinators to have an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the new textbook system. To ensure accurate inventory and instructional resources needed for schools. Textbook Coordinators can register for courses via PLZ. (Title: Class Gathered Textbook Training Lab) If you have any questions or concerns regarding your textbooks, please feel free to reach out to Tiara Oliver, olivert4@scsk12.org or Dr. Rahmod Traylor, traylorr@scsk12.org directly.

STUDENT CONGRESS: 

Please be sure to review Student Congress (​Policy 6061).​ 

August 2025: Principal and staff student recommendations​ Each HS must have a minimum of 2 representatives (9th – 12th)​ Each MS must have a minimum of one 8th grade representative​ Deadline: Friday, August 29, 2025​ ​ 

PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to establish the district-wide Student Congress as a mechanism for increasing students’ voices in the District; enhance the educational experience of students; and allow the Board to gain greater insight into educational needs from the student’s point of view.

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Please be sure to review Student Clubs and Organizations (Policy 6064).​

Each school shall distribute a list of available clubs and organizations inthe student handbook or equivalent. 

The list shall include: ​ 

• The names of the clubs and organizations, including any abbreviations or acronyms; ​
• The mission and purpose of the clubs and organizations; ​
• All financial requirements associated with membership in the club or organization; and ​
• The procedures for providing informed written consent by parents and/or legal guardians for minor students to join or participate inthose organizations.​

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

​Please be sure to review Student Government (Policy 6065).

This policy applies to middle and high schools. ​

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.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Billy J. Walker, II <Walkerbj@scsk12.org>.

At the start of another successful school year at MSCS, I would like to share a few important reminders from the Special Populations team. Our mission is to support the district in removing barriers for students who are experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or from migratory backgrounds. In accordance with federal guidelines, these students must be enrolled immediately and provided with the necessary support to access a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Homeless Students 

To ensure timely support, all McKinney-Vento referral forms have been uploaded to SharePoint. In order for services to be initiated, a completed referral must be submitted to our office. Once received, a team member will contact the parent or caretaker within 48–72 hours. Please use the SharePoint link below to access the referral forms.

MSCS Displaced Referral Forms.pdf

Backpacks and school supplies were purchased last school year for each student identified as homeless and delivered to schools. Please ensure these materials are distributed accordingly.

Additionally, to comply with McKinney-Vento awareness requirements, each school must have one English and one Spanish McKinney-Vento poster displayed at all times. If you need additional posters, please email Vequitia Barnes at barnesvl@scsk12.org.

Also, the dispute resolution form is available on SharePoint, https://scsk12.sharepoint.com/sites/SpecialPopulations-Displaced.

Foster Care Students

Students in foster care must be enrolled immediately, even if they do not have the required documents at the time of enrollment. The DCS case manager or designee should provide a School Enrollment Form and an Education Passport. If these forms are not available, please have the case manager complete a records release form so the necessary documents can be obtained from the previous school of attendance.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Karen Ball-Johnson <BALLKF@scsk12.org>.