Fine Arts, Physical Education (Elementary), Pre-K, and World Language (French and Spanish) educators will submit Student Growth Portfolios for SY2025-26. The updated deadline for all submissions is 5 p.m., May 8. For important updates regarding the Portfolio process, please click HERE.  

TEAM Student Growth scores have been released. Portfolio educators may check TN Portfolio for scores. 

Please contact the District Portfolio Lead, Ayodele Hall via email for any questions or to report any issues.

According to Tennessee State Board of Education Policy5.201, all educators must be evaluated annually by a certified evaluator.  

For SY2025-26, there are three options offered in attaining TEM Certification:  

- Returning Observers   

• Self-Paced (Canvas) - Manual Registration ONLY

- New Observers 

• Canvas Self-Paced
• 2-Day Live Virtual Session

Course numbers and date information can be found HERE.  

 *Note: ALL Returning Observer participants must complete their TEM coursework and calibration by  September 30th.  

- RETURNING NIE Evaluators that were previously NIE Certified during SY24-25, NIE Recertification is NOT REQUIRED for SY2025-2026. Team members can select you as their NIE evaluator in PLZ.

- NEW NIE Evaluators  

For SY2025-26, there are 2 options offered in attaining NIE Evaluator Certification.  

• Self-Paced (Canvas)
• Live/Virtual Session

Course numbers and date information can be found HERE.  

Questions/Concerns? Send an email to eps@scsk12.org.  

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​ ​ 

Sign up Link: https://forms.office.com/r/b40w4smEsy

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.

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 - Student Congress Retreat 8a.m.-1p.m.

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 in those organizations.​

Student Clubs and Organizations allow for students to be connected to their school through a club or extracurricular activity. Each school is requested to host their own Student Clubs and Organization sign-up opportunities within the first month of school to allow students to select clubs, organizations, etc. These days may be structured through lunches, activity periods, homerooms, English classes, etc. to ensure access for all students. 

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>.

We are preparing for our annual Fall Break Learning Academy. The FBLA will offer enrichment for 3,000 students in grades K-8. Elementary and Middle school students will receive additional instruction in ELA, Math, Art, Physical Activity and STEM.

If you are interested in your school serving as a site for the Fall and Spring Academy, complete the survey below. To ensure that all students have access to the academy, please note that final sites will be selected based on location.     

Fall Break & Spring Academy Fast Facts    

•     Fall Academy Dates: Monday, October 13-Thursday, October 16    

•     Spring Break Dates: Monday, March 16-Wednesday, March 18

•     Limited Spaces Available (3,000)    

•     Free for MSCS Students    

•     Reading, Math, STEM, Art & P.E. for K-8 students

•     Before and After Care Available

•     Camps in Every Community       

Survey: Fall and Spring Break Academy Host Site Interest Survey

If you have questions regarding the Fall and Spring Academy, contact Stephanie McClain at mcclainsl@scsk12.org.

Before and After School tutoring is projected to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025, for all Memphis Shelby County Schools. The tutoring program is designed to support students' academic needs and accelerate learning.

To begin preparation for the program, please select a Tutoring Coordinator. This is a stipend position that will ensure all components of the tutoring program are implemented with fidelity. Complete the Tutoring Survey here by Friday, August 15, 2025, to identify the Tutoring Coordinator and tutoring days and times. 

 Before and After School Tutoring Fast Facts:     

• Dates: September 8, 2025-April 10, 2026
• Students in grades K-12
• 1:8 tutor-to-student ratio
• Schools can choose either: A) 3 days per week for 1 hour per day or B) 2 days per week for 1.5 hours per day
• Elementary and Middle school students will receive additional instruction in ELA and/or Math
• High school students will receive additional instruction in ACT/EOC Prep
• Staff eligible for Tutoring Coordinator Position: PLC Coach, Instructional Facilitator, Dean of Students, Guidance Counselor, Interventionist, Assistant Principal, Level 4/5 Teacher
• Although tutoring is available to all students based on available tutoring spaces at each site, schools should prioritize available spaces for previously retained, overage for grade, and Below and Approaching students.

 Please complete the survey below:

Tutoring Survey Due Friday, August 15:  2025-2026 Tutoring Coordinator Selection

If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Hamilton at hamiltonky@scsk12.org or (901) 416-2768.   

We currently have openings for middle and high schools to participate in the Metro Memphis Urban Debate League program. If your school has a certified teacher who is interested in coaching policy debate, please have them complete the following link.  The deadline is Wednesday, August 20.

Link: https://forms.office.com/r/nsRbfttb1B

If you have questions, please contact Denise Swan swand@scsk12.org 

District Fine Arts and World Language Instructional Advisors will begin making school visits to meet principals and classroom visits to provide support and some materials to new teachers. New teachers in each content have been assigned a mentor. Principals will receive email communication from the Fine Arts and World Language Instructional Advisors sharing the name of the mentor, the teacher that receives a mentor, and the days that the mentor will plan visits. 

If there is a new teacher (1-3 years) for the following contents: Orff Music, Visual Art, Theatre, Secondary Music and Dance, please email Sonya Porter at portersb@scsk12.org so that the teacher can receive support. 

Please be aware that Fine Arts and World Language teachers will receive a weekly newsletter from Instructional Advisors. These newsletters will include content information and upcoming professional development. 

Fine Arts and World Language teachers have monthly PLC meetings in which the teachers engage in professional content specific to their content/courses taught. All Fine Arts and World Language teachers in every building attend. Teachers will receive PD credit, and the meetings are listed in PLZ.

We look forward to supporting you this school year!

Please be aware that Social Studies teachers will receive a monthly newsletter from Social Studies Instructional Advisors. These newsletters will include content information and upcoming professional development. 

Social Studies teachers will have monthly PLC meetings (after-school) in which the teachers engage in professional content specific to their content/courses taught. All Social Studies teachers should attend. Teachers will receive PD credit, and the meetings are listed in PLZ.

We look forward to supporting you this school year!

The MTSS Lead Weekly Updates are sent to school leads on Mondays each week.  Beginning this week, I will place the MTSS Lead Weekly Updates in Leaderboard before they are sent to leads rather than after.

Week of 8/4  https://secure.smore.com/n/9kfcv 

Week of 8/11 https://secure.smore.com/n/9bqkve