Greetings School Leaders!

As 12-month employees, all Specialized Education Assistants (SEAs) are expected to work Monday, November 24, through Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Please see the breakdown below:

Monday, November 24, 2025

• New SEAs hired on or after March 1, 2025
  Required to attend an in-person professional development session at the Teaching & Learning Academy (TLA), Room 115/116, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• All other SEAs
  Will complete assignments at their regular work location.
  If the school building is closed, SEAs should report to the TLA to complete assignments.

Tuesday & Wednesday, November 25–26, 2025

• All SEAs will complete assignments at their work location.
• If the school building is closed, SEAs should report to the TLA to complete assignments

Assignment Details

• Assignments will be provided by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
• If school leaders assign SEAs to complete school-based tasks, it is the school leader’s responsibility to inform the financial secretary.
• The Department of C&I will only submit assignment documentation to financial secretaries for SEAs completing district-assigned tasks.

SEAs may request vacation days during this time. All vacation requests must be submitted and approved by the building principal in advance.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Amy Maples or Heba Sammour.

Here are the 11/17/25 MTSS Lead Weekly Updates.

Greatness Grows Here

Office of Enrollment-Attendance-Truancy 

Attendance Procedures and Reminders

Show Up for Greatness: Attendance Monitoring and Recognition

• Please note that our third 20-day school attendance period ended on November 3, 2025. It is a mandatory requirement that all necessary student supports be fully documented within the Show Up for Greatness Application. Please ensure this is completed by the deadline.
• For any questions, please email us at studentservices@scsk12.org 
• By consistently entering attendance data for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers every 20 days, we can proactively monitor attendance trends and identify where additional support may be needed.
• Gold : 96% or higher
• Silver : 91% to 95%
• Bronze : 90% or less
• Attendance progress will also be reflected in student reports and report cards, ensuring transparent communication with parents and guardians.

Be Present. Be Great. (Parent Meeting-Invite Only)

• We are pleased to announce the launch of the "Be Present. Be Great." (Parent Attendance & Truancy) Initiative, a vital meeting designed to enhance student support and academic success through improved attendance.
• This initiative is focused on developing individualized Parent/Student Attendance Support Plans and connecting families with essential community-based resources to effectively address barriers to consistent attendance.

Mandatory First Meeting Details:

• Date & Time: Saturday, November 15, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Location: The TLA, located at 2485 Union Ave.
• Focus: This mandatory session is for schools targeting students with 10 or more unexcused absences.
• Participation in this session is by invitation only for parents whose child meets the established attendance criteria.

 Spotlight on Success: Celebrating Our Students and Schools in December! 

• We are excited to recognize and celebrate throughout the month of December the hard work and positive growth within our student body.
• We are seeking nominations for students who have demonstrated outstanding attendance, shown significant improvement in their attendance, or positive behavior and leadership within the school community.
• If you know a student who deserves a spotlight, please reach out directly to our office. We would like to honor the selected student(s) with a special recognition and a meaningful gift to celebrate their achievement!
• We will also be tracking overall school attendance and selecting schools to recognize for their collective effort and improvement during December.

 Greatness Spotlight : Let’s Celebrate Perfect Attendance

• Through the 3rd 20-Day Attendance Period, 19,058 students across Memphis-Shelby County Schools have achieved Perfect Attendance, a powerful demonstration of their commitment to excellence and their willingness to Show Up for Greatness every day.
• These outstanding Gold students exemplify what it means to be present, prepared, and focused on achieving their academic goals. Their consistency reflects not just individual determination, but the strength of the entire school community that surrounds them.

 A Collective Effort

This achievement is possible because of the unwavering support of:

• Principals and school leaders who reinforce the importance of daily attendance
• Teachers who create welcoming, engaging learning environments
• Attendance Liaisons, Advisors, and support staff who monitor, encourage, and connect with families
• Parents and guardians who make daily attendance a priority

 Celebrating the Gold Standard

• Our Gold Students remind us that Greatness Starts with Showing Up. Their achievement strengthens our entire district and moves us closer to our goal of reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing academic outcomes for every student.

Approval Required for IEP/504 General Choice Transfer Rescissions

• For students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan whose transfer is recommended for rescission, our department confers with General Counsel to ensure compliance with all relevant special education laws and regulations.

Attendance Reconciliation Model for Improving Student Attendance

• This initiative establishes a consistent framework for monitoring and supporting student attendance, aligning with MSCS district policies to improve overall attendance rates.

Key Responsibilities

Teachers

• Daily Attendance Recording: Teachers are required to accurately record student attendance in PowerSchool SIS within the first ten minutes of each class or school day.

Attendance Clerks/Clerical Assistants/GOS

• Daily Verification: Verify teacher attendance submissions and print, review, and file the daily Absentee Report.
• Check-Ins/Outs Management: Monitor and record all student check-ins and check-outs in PowerSchool SIS.
• Parent Note Processing: Collect, enter PowerSchool SIS, and file all handwritten parent notes.
• Record attendance for absent teachers and placeholders.

Attendance Liaisons

• Process all electronic parent notes submitted via the Student Absence Form.
• Confirm that all attendance codes (e.g., AC, PC) are updated and used correctly.
• Assist schools with the organization and filing of hard-copy documents, including parent notes, absentee reports, and check-in/out sheets.
• Within PowerSchool SIS, verify the correct use of withdrawal codes and comments, monitor "Teachers Missing Attendance" reports, and ensure the proper use of attendance codes.
• Monitor chronic absenteeism and truancy, collaborating with Family Engagement Specialists, Counselors, Administrators, Student Experiences, and others to identify and address family-related barriers to attendance.
• Assist with the implementation of the Parent Student Support Plan (PSSP).
• Engage parents in the "Show Up for Greatness" attendance initiative.
• Participate in CompStat report-outs to provide regular updates on attendance data and efforts.

Student Absence Form Available via PowerSchool Parent Portal

• Please be advised that the Student Absence Form is available for all parents through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. This online form allows parents to easily notify the school of their child’s absence directly from their mobile devices or computers. Parents can also track the status of their absence submission by returning to the portal.

Keep your Contact Information Updated

• To ensure the safety of all students, staff will verify parent or guardian contact information at every check-in and check-out for all students. This is a critical step in keeping our emergency contacts accurate and up to date.

District Attendance Initiative: Show Up for Greatness!

• Our new attendance initiative is designed to support a regional service delivery model and strengthen tiered interventions:

Tiered Intervention Model:

• Tier 1: Show Up for Greatness
• Tier 2: Everyday Counts
• Tier 3: Be Present. Be Great.

• We are also improving alignment between Attendance & Truancy Liaisons and RTI-B Specialists to maximize effectiveness in reducing chronic absenteeism and truancy.

Truancy Outreach: Parent Student Support Plan

As we intensify our focus on reducing truancy, schools must prioritize identifying students who are chronically absent, defined as five or more unexcused absences.  Early outreach and intervention are essential to re-engage students before absenteeism escalates.  A Parent Student Support Plan (PSSP) is required for every student who accumulates five absences whether excused or unexcused.  The PSSP serves as a proactive tool to address barriers, strengthen family engagement, and support consistent attendance. 

• As we address truancy, our primary attention should be on students who have been withdrawn due to ten consecutive unexcused absences.
• Regularly monitor your withdrawal list in PowerSchool and contact your assigned Truancy Liaison for guidance and support.
• Ensure all withdrawal documentation is complete and accurate, including evidence of outreach efforts and parent contact attempts, before finalizing the student’s withdrawal.
• Each School is required to designate individuals to conduct SART Meetings and those meetings must be logged in PowerSchool. This is imperative as we continue to identify students who are habitually absent/truant in school.

Enrollment Procedures and Reminders

• First impressions matter. Please ensure staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and equipped to assist with enrollment needs. Most issues can be resolved at the school level. Families should not be turned away.
• District-level support is available. The Enrollment & Attendance Office will assist with complex cases involving school assignments, truancy clearance, Eligible Circumstance transfers and other matters.

Kindergarten Age Requirement:

• Children must be 5 years old on or before August 15 of the current school year to be eligible for kindergarten enrollment.
• Effective September 13, 2025, 5-year-old kindergartners who have not been previously enrolled can no longer be enrolled for the current school year. (Exceptions will be made for students who are experiencing homelessness or displacement.)

Decision Analytics and Information Management (DAIM)

• For all the recent Compass updates, training opportunities, “How To” guidance, and additional DAIM support needs, please click the link below for the most recent newsletter.
• Click here for the November DAIM Newsletter.

Upcoming Dates and Meetings

• Attendance Practices and Processes Training
  • Date & Time: November 18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Location: TTC Lauderdale Room

The District Spelling Bee is back! We’re encouraging all elementary and middle schools to host a school-level Spelling Bee and give students the chance to showcase their spelling skills and confidence on stage.

The MSCS Spelling Bee will highlight our spectacular spellers in grades 1-8. But first, they’ll need to win your school’s spelling bee by Friday, January 23, 2026. Now is the time to identify your Spelling Bee Coordinator and plan for e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-c-e.

Sign-Up Here: Spelling Bee Intent to Participate 2025-26

If you have questions about how to get started, join us for a virtual meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

For more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, visit spellingbee.com/enrollment to learn more and register your school. Participation in the Scripps Bee is NOT required for participation in the MSCS Spelling Bee.

Thank you for all you do to create meaningful learning opportunities for our students and for helping them build confidence through friendly academic competition!

Should you have any questions, please contact Dr. Erin Y. Luster <lusterey@scsk12.org>.

We are excited to participate in this year's Do the Write Thing (DtWT) writing program. DtWT is a writing competition where middle school students share how violence has impacted them and propose solutions. We salute our 2025 National Ambassador from Hamilton K-8 School and our finalists from:

• A. Maceo Walker Middle School
• Colonial Middle School
• Grandview Heights Middle School
• John P. Freeman Optional School
• Hamilton K-8 School
• Mt. Pisgah Middle School

We are excited about this year's challenge and look forward to the submission of essays, poems, songs, plays and more! We are looking for submissions from every middle school this year.

Our students will have the opportunity to submit to the local competition and the winning essay will advance to the and national competition in Washington, D.C. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our students' talent and there is no cap on the number of submissions per school. Please share this information with your school teams to encourage participation.

Local Entry Information (Deadline: 12/15/25)

• Any form of written expression (e.g. essays, poems, plays, songs)
• Must address the following questions:
  • How has violence affected my life?
  • What are the causes of youth violence?
  • What can I do to reduce youth violence?
• Positive and non-derogatory language
• Fictional writings must be identified as such
• Strong preference will be given to non-fiction writings
• Credit must be given to outside sources
• Writings based upon plagiarism will not be considered

Completed packets may be sent to our office via MSCS Board Mail. Please be sure to include a summary page with the packet noting the contact person for your school and the number of submissions. Also, each submission should contain its own cover sheet with the parent/guardian's signature.

In addition to information on https://www.dtwt.org/, please review the MSCS Do the Write Thing Resources Folder.

For more information about the local implementation of the national program, please contact:

Ernest Brooks, II

Associate Deputy District Attorney/Senior Policy Advisor

Office of District Attorney General Steve Mulroy

201 Poplar Ave., 11th Floor Ernest.Brooks@scdag.com

(901) 222-1547 – Office

(901) 222-1300 – Main Office/Reception

(731) 293-4187

Should you have any questions, please contact Dr. Erin Y. Luster <lusterey@scsk12.org>.

The Fall 2025 Student Perception Survey closed on Friday, November 7, 2025. 

Next Steps:

• Site Coordinators will receive a Roster Verification file to assist with removing students who are no longer enrolled at their site.
• Results for the roster clean-up will be finalized on Friday, November 14, 2025.

For additional support, contact:

• Panorama Support: support+shelbycounty@panoramaed.com
• District SPS Lead, Chiquita Allen-Bradley: allenbradleyc@scsk12.org.

Growth & Achievement containers are open for educators who transferred schools or were hired after the initial window closed on Monday, November 3. The containers will close Friday, November 21. 

Educators who did not make G & A selections during the initial window may also make selections during this time.   

If you have questions, please reach out to Employee Performance and Support by telephone: (901)-416-2475 or email: eps@scsk12.org.

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has released 2024–25 Educator Level of Overall Effectiveness (LOE) scores in TNCompass.

To receive an LOE score, all required component scores (depending on the evaluation type) must be present in TNCompass. Components may include:

1. Observation
2. Achievement
3. Growth
4. Professionalism
5. Student Perception Survey.

*LOE Generation/Evaluation Track Update

• Educators identified as Partial Year Exemption (PYE) will not receive an LOE score.
• Evaluation tracks have been updated in PLZ for educators who have generated LOE scores.
• Educators new to MSCS who have generated LOEs should email eps@scsk12.org to have their tracks updated.
• There are approximately 1,200 educators who have not generated LOE scores.  These educators selected achievement measures that have embargoed data.  Scores will be updated when the data is released.

*Best of All 

The “best of” option will apply to AGM-URS (K-2 ELA Teachers—IReady)  scores for the 2024-25 school year.  

• Educator level of overall effectiveness (LOE) scores based on TN-URS data, when available, will be used only if the scores are higher than LOE scores produced with the educator’s selected TVAAS composite growth score.
• Both LOE scores will be displayed in the TNCompass platform, but only the higher of the two will be used.

Due to challenges with CTE data submissions, a “best of” option is available for educators who have selected TVAAS CTE Concentrator or TVAAS CTE as their growth measures for the 2024-25 school year only. 

• The District will select another growth measure from available measures, as determined appropriate for that educator.

All SY24-25 evaluations in TN Compass should be finalized and signed by Personal Identification Number (PIN) by the Educator and Administrator by December 10, 2025.  The process must be initiated by the school Administrator.

If you have questions about missing component scores or other evaluation-related questions, please submit an Ivanti ticket so the EPS team may research the issue. Employees may use this ​​​​step sheet​​​​ ​​for information on how to submit a ticket. 

The deadline to complete TEM Announced Observation #1 is Friday, December 5.

For questions or support with observations, please reach out to eps@scsk12.org.

LEADERSHIP ALERT: MANDATORY ACTION REQUIRED

Principals, it's time to secure your operational expertise!

This mandatory, high-impact Title IX Operational Leadership Lab is the most crucial training of the year. We are moving beyond simple compliance to build your confidence and risk management skills for real-time campus scenarios.

The outcome? You will master the precise, objective documentation and foundational skills needed for a compliant and supportive initial Title IX response. This directly empowers you to protect our students and our institution.

🔥 YOUR ACTION: Register for ONE date ONLY in PLZ.

DO NOT DELAY! Register now—this is a mandatory requirement for all Principals.

This advisory provides key steps for school leaders regarding Flex Day requirements, transcript reviews, and support for newly hired teachers or those returning from leave.

Important Dates & Actions

Key Details

• Teachers writing lesson plans earned 9 or 18 hours. Principals should verify PLZ course #49251: “Intentional Planning for Impact: Strengthening Instruction Through Effective Lesson Design” and any additional courses, if only 9 hours were earned.
• Notifications of Canvas course completion will be shared with schools in mid-December.

Special Note for Teachers Hired After Sept 9 or Returning from FMLA

• These teachers are not required to have Canvas courses on their PLZ transcript for November Flex Days but must make up hours by February.
• Teachers hired or returning between Sept. 9 and Nov. 5 must complete all courses during the next open window: Dec. 1–Feb. 3.

ILT Content Leaders, see the flyer regarding the November ILT Make-Up Support Session logistics.

Report Updates:

• Data for the 3rd 20-Day period is available in the Show Up for Greatness report. Click here to see the user guide.
• Updated AP Exam Scores (24-25 SY) are available in the Ready Graduates dashboard. Click here to see the user guide.

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Upcoming Training Sessions:

Check out our Training Calendar for all upcoming District Trainings.

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Sign up for Virtual Office Hours!

• No VOH this week because of LDW. And no session next week for Thanksgiving.
• We’ll be back on 12/2 and 12/4 with sessions on Subscribing to Reports in Power BI. See you then!
• For more information on Virtual Office Hours, check out this flyer! Sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.

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New to Power BI? Sign Up for a Power BI New User Training session. Look for Course Code 34810 in PLZ to sign up. 

Refresher Sessions are available for anyone who attended the New User Training previously and wants more advanced skills. Look for Course Code 34812 in PLZ to sign up.

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Monthly Newsletter: 

Check your inbox! On the first Wednesday of every month, the DAIM team sends out a monthly newsletter to all Power BI users. In it, you will find more information on upcoming trainings, new releases, and how-to guides. 

To see this month’s edition (and all archived editions), visit our support page.
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Check out our page of new/updated features and releases on our DAIM Support Page!

You can reach out to us at DAIMSUPPORT@scsk12.org  if you need support.