As we move through the current athletic season, it is important to reaffirm our collective commitment to the values that define educational athletics — sportsmanship, respect, and integrity. These principles are central to the mission of interscholastic sports and essential to fostering a positive and safe environment for all participants. 

Incidents of unsportsmanlike behavior include but are not limited to verbal altercations, ejections, and confrontations involving players, coaches, and spectators. Such actions undermine the purpose of our programs and set a poor example for our student-athletes. We must all work together to model and enforce the highest standards of conduct at every level of competition. 

Those penalties include but are not limited to $250 fine (minimum), game suspensions, forfeits and program probations.   

Examples of Infractions: 

• Head coaches and assistant coaches ejected from contests with security escorts for derogatory language
• Players leaving the bench area to join altercations happening on the floor
• Players being ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior ex. fighting, derogatory language etc…
• Spectators entering the court/field of play without prior approval from the game administrator

To ensure sportsmanship standards are upheld, here is a brief video explaining TSSAA Unsportsmanlike Conduct Rules to support you in establishing the following practices: 

• All staff, athletes, and fans understand that respect for officials, opponents, and one another is non-negotiable
• Incidents of misconduct are addressed immediately and reported through the proper channels
• Each school continues to promote positive sportsmanship as a central part of its athletic culture

Let us continue to provide our student-athletes with experiences that emphasize character, teamwork, and responsibility. Thank you for your leadership, attention to compliance, and commitment to maintaining the integrity of education-based athletics. 

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.

 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 – The Gold Standard

• Through the third 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.
• 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.

Celebrating Our Gold , Silver , and Bronze Attendance Champions

As we continue our districtwide commitment to Show Up for Greatness, we are proud to share an exciting milestone in our attendance efforts.  Across Memphis-Shelby County Schools, 94,233 students have earned recognition through our Gold, Silver, and Bronze Attendance Tiers reflecting their dedication, resilience, and ongoing commitment to academic success.

 Congratulations to Our Attendance Achievers!

 46,997 Gold Students – Exemplary Attendance

These students have demonstrated outstanding commitment by consistently showing up every day, on time, and ready to learn.  Their exemplary attendance places them in our highest honor tier, and they will be recognized and celebrated across our schools and regional teams.  Gold students set the bar for excellence and exemplify what it means to Be Present. Be Great.

 23,299 Silver Students – Strong and Steady Progress

Our Silver-tier students continue to build positive attendance habits and are making clear strides toward excellence.  They are showing consistency, responsibility, and improvement.  Schools are encouraged to celebrate these students while motivating them to keep pushing toward Gold status. With continued support and encouragement, they are well on their way.

 23,937 Bronze Students – Growing with Support

Bronze-tier students represent an important group with great potential for improvement. These students will receive targeted, student-centered interventions aligned to their barriers, attendance patterns, and individual needs.  Attendance Liaisons, GOS teams, counselors, and school leaders will work collaboratively to ensure each student receives wraparound support that strengthens their path to success.

 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

Your leadership ensures that every student, whether Gold, Silver, or Bronze knows that their presence matters and that we believe in their potential.

Let’s continue to build on this momentum, celebrate our students’ achievements, and remain unwavering in our commitment to improving attendance across every school and region.

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

• Exemplary Attendance and Great Attitudes Board Presentation
  • Districts: District 4 (Tamarques Porter)

                          District 5 (Sable Otey)

                          District 6 (Keith Williams)

• Date & Time: December 2, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
• Location: MSCS Board of Education- Board Auditorium