Submit an application for your school for the TAA Arts Rich Schools Awards! 

Recognition & Trophies/Plaques, Prize Money, Bravo Banquet, Panels/Forums, and more – all to elevate the work you and your teachers do every day!  Use the tips included on the flyer to submit an application for your school!

TAA Arts Enriched School Awards Application

Memphis-Shelby County Schools will conduct the districtwide textbook adoption process for:

• Career & Technical Education (CTE)
  • Information Technology
  • Advanced Manufacturing
• Health, Physical Education & Lifetime Wellness (HPELW)

Instructional materials selected through this adoption will guide teaching and learning for the next eight (8) years. Due to the significance of this work, the adoption process must be carried out with integrity, fidelity, and alignment to state and district policy.

We are seeking qualified teachers in the following areas to serve on the Textbook Selection Committees:

• CTE (Information Technology & Advanced Manufacturing)
• Lifetime Wellness / HPELW

Committee Member Requirements

• Hold a valid Tennessee teaching license in the content area being reviewed
• Be currently teaching the subject area (CTE or Lifetime Wellness)
• Have at least three (3) years of successful teaching experience
• Demonstrate knowledge of Tennessee Academic Standards and course frameworks
• Be willing to review materials using state- and district-approved rubrics, participate in meetings, and uphold confidentiality, objectivity, and ethical standards throughout the adoption process

How to Apply

Interested educators should complete the appropriate interest form below no later than January 9, 2026:

CTE Committee Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/r/gaD4xBRAuH?origin=lprLink 

HPELW Committee Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/r/9dtAKWxbvC?origin=lprLink

Selected participants will be contacted after the application window closes.

Questions

If you have questions regarding the textbook adoption process, please contact:

• Dr. Rahmod Traylor (traylorr@scsk12.org) Manager, Textbook & Educational Support Services
• Tiara Oliver (olivert4@scsk12.org) Textbook Advisor

Thank you for your commitment to instructional excellence and for supporting high-quality curriculum selection for our students.

Free Student Health Screenings

Free health screenings will be provided at the school for all students. The screenings will include:

• Height and Weight
• Vision
• Hearing
• Blood pressure
• Scoliosis screening

Parents who wish for their child to participate must scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the sign-up process.

Health Screening Calendar: Principal Screening Schedule 2025 Sem 2.xlsx 

Health Screening Flyer: English&Spanish Consent Flyer.pdf

Immunizations

ShotRX is partnering with schools to provide required immunizations for students. Parents may register their child by scanning the QR code provided on the flyer. Upon completion of registration, ShotRX will coordinate with the school to schedule an onsite immunization date. 

ShotRX Flyer: ShotRx English and Spanish flyer.pdf

School-Based Health Clinics

MSCS provides access to two school-based health clinics available to all students. These clinics, located at East High School and Sheffield CTC, operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

School-Based Health Clinic Flyer: SBC English and Spanish flyer.pdf

On behalf of Dr. Balaji Krishnaiah, Vice Chair of Education, Stroke Division Chief, and Neurology Residency Program Director at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Department of Neurology, I am thrilled to share an incredible opportunity for your students: Brain Bee!

Brain Bee is part of an international movement founded in 1998 to inspire high school students to learn about the brain and consider careers in neuroscience – fields that are vital to treating and curing brain disorders. This year, we are proud to bring this exciting Neuroscience Competition for Teens to Shelby County for the first time!

More details are included in the flyer linked here. This is a unique chance for students to challenge themselves, explore cutting-edge science, and connect with a community passionate about brain health. To be considered for participation in the Memphis Brain Bee, please submit this application by Friday, January 30.

If you have any questions, please reach out to brainbee@uthsc.edu. We would love for your school and students to be part of this amazing event!

We’re excited to share an opportunity for your students to showcase their knowledge and creativity! In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Tennessee Secretary of State has announced the 2026 Civics Essay Contest with the theme:
“Tennessee, America at Its Best.”

Students in grades K–12 are encouraged to participate for a chance to win scholarships and an unforgettable trip to the State Capitol, including an award luncheon, serving as a legislative page, and a behind-the-scenes tour.

Submission deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026
Learn more and access contest rules at: sos.tn.gov/civics-essay-contest

Let’s inspire the next generation of engaged citizens!

Nominations are now open for the Memphis Business Journal’s Next Gen program, and we don’t want your students to miss out on this incredible opportunity. Next Gen connects emerging young leaders (ideally juniors) with influential business professionals and top decision makers across Memphis, opening doors to meaningful mentorship, valuable exposure, and even potential summer internships that can shape future careers.

Each high school team is asked nominate up to two well-rounded students who demonstrate promise, curiosity, and a commitment to making a difference in their school and community. These aren’t necessarily the most visible students or those with highest GPA, but those who show early leadership, engagement, and a genuine interest in exploring the world of business.

Selected students will be paired with mentors and welcomed into signature MBJ events, gaining experiences that can truly set them apart. To support your nominees, we ask for a brief testimonial from a school representative and guidance for students throughout the process.

Your participation makes all the difference and we hope to see even stronger engagement this year as we work together to elevate our next generation of Memphis leaders.

Nominations are due Saturday, January 31, 2026. For more information, visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/nomination/89185/2026/2026-next-gen#/

Should you have any questions, please contact Dr. Billy J. Walker <walkerbj@scsk12.org>.

The District's 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  Due: Friday, December 19, 2025

Below are the key dates to keep in mind as you guide your school through this exciting season:

Friday, December 19, 2025

Conclude all Classroom Spelling Bees

Intent to Participate Form Due 

Friday, January 23, 2026

Conclude all Grade 1–8 School-wide Spelling Bees.

Select one overall winner and one alternate per grade band (i.e., 1–2, 3–5, and 6–8).

These representatives will compete in the district-wide Spelling Bee.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Save the Date for the District-wide MSCS Spelling Bee

If you have questions about how to get started, join us please let us know.

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>.

Effective immediately, please discontinue using LanguageLine Solutions for on-demand interpretation and translation services. The district has transitioned to a new interpretation service for oral communication with families: RTT Mobile Interpretation.

Follow these steps to access the service:

Dial:

• Spanish Hotline: 866-218-2224
• Multi-Language Hotline: 888-218-3544

Provide:

• Account Number: 83893#

Enter:

• Access Code: 20050#

Important:

• Use the Spanish hotline for calls requiring Spanish interpretation.
• Use the multi-language hotline for all other languages.

For translation requests, continue submitting your work ticket in Ivanti.

If you have any questions, contact the Office of Multilingual Learners at 901-416-5411.

**Please refer to this ​​link​​ for a document on how to access the system. 

In-Person Support 

(Requests must be submitted at least seven (7) days in advance.) 

Interpretation Requests for non-Exceptional Education Department meetings: 

Visit the Ivanti Work Orders icon on the Edugoodies website. 

Select Service Catalog 

On the left menu, click ESL 

Choose ESL Interpreter Request  

Document Translation Requests: 
Follow the same steps above and select ESL Translation Request. 

This includes options for translating all general school-based documents except transcripts. 

District-wide translations for Spanish are handled by the Bilingual Communications team within the Communications Department. To request this service, click on Communications on the left menu. 

Transcript Requests: 

Follow the same steps above and select ESL Transcript Analysis Request. 

Please ensure that all ESL students are correctly assigned an ESL and/or ELD course code in PowerSchool. Accurate course coding is required for compliance, as it provides evidence of the delivery model the ESL teacher is implementing. Additionally, assigning the correct course codes also allows teachers to receive monitoring forms in compliance with the TDOE. ​​​​K-5 ESL Course Codes​​​​. ​​​6-8 ESL Course Codes​​​. ​​​9-12 ESL Course Codes​​​. 

The ELPA21 Summative testing window is approaching quickly!  All testing devices to be used for the administration of the ELPA21 Summative MUST be updated to the latest version of the Secure Browser by Wednesday, December 17th.   
 

Windows: Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Currently, Cambium's Secure Browser 18 will support all Windows 10 and 11 versions released after May 2025. Windows 10 devices will not be supported for testing in school year 2026-2027.  

ChromeOS: Cambium has introduced a new Secure Browser (Progressive Web App) for ChromeOS for the 2025–26 school year. The current Kiosk app (8.0) for ChromeOS will remain valid during the 2025-26 school year, but only for ChromeOS version 138.  The new PWA will be required starting from version 139 and will continue to be supported on all future ChromeOS versions.

All high schools are encouraged to hold quarterly ESL data meetings in support of the ML Academic Success Assurance Protocol (ML ASAP). Recommended participants include the ESL Teacher(s), PLC Coach and/or Instructional Facilitator, and Content Area Leads. Counselors and Administrators are encouraged to participate as well. The Q2 ESL Data Meeting Template can be found ​​​here.​​​ For questions, reach out to Mr. Michael Cortez, cortezl@scsk12.org, or Ms. Melissa Basel, delahuntym@scsk12.org.  

In-Person PDs are offered at the Office of Multilingual Learners (OML) unless otherwise indicated - 3030 Jackson Ave, Memphis, TN 38122  

December 17 - Q2 ILP Monitoring Forms Due in ELLevation for all ELs/Ws/T1s/T2s 

January 9 – ELPA21 Summative Training Certifications Due to ESL Advisors; for all ESL Teachers and any teachers who will be administering the ELPA assessment 

January 13 and January 15 - ELPA21 Summative Training for BTCs only; 2 sessions will be held each day from 8-11 AM and 12-3 PM; BTCs will only attend one session and no ESL teachers should attend 

January 13 - ESL 101 for New/Novice ESL Teachers, 4:00-5:30 PM - "Preparing for the ELPA21 Summative Assessment" 

January 14 – Q2 Retention Prevention/ML ASAP Work Samples Due in ELLevation  

January 14 - January ESL Monthly Meeting for all ESL Teachers, Virtual on Teams, 8:15 AM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM

Fall SY25-26 Student Perception Survey Results are coming soon.  School Administrators should now have access to survey data. Please note the following:

Survey results may be viewed via the Panorama Education Platform.

School Administrators should use their District Single Sign-On to access the platform.

Administrators may sign up to attend a TEAMs session titled Understanding Student Perception Survey Results for Administrators, to better understand school-level results and plan next steps. PLZ Course# 48824 

The NIE Mid-Year Conference container is now open and accessible in PLZ.

The deadline to complete ALL NIE Mid-Year Conferences in PLZ is February 13, 2026.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• ALL required fields should be completed in its entirety before finalizing.
• The Goal Setting Conference should be completed within 30 days of an NIE employee’s hire/contract start date AND should be completed BEFORE completing the Mid-Year Conference in PLZ.
• The Mid-Year Conference is NOT required for NIE Partial plans and will not appear as a container to complete.

Questions? Please reach out to eps@scsk12.org.

The deadline to complete TEAM Cycle I for Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, and Deans of Students is Friday, December 19, 2025.  

As a reminder, TEAM Administrators must select their evaluator.

Questions? Please reach out to eps@scsk12.org.

This meeting is exclusively for principals. We will celebrate semester achievements, reaffirm alignment with district priorities, and set actionable goals for spring success under the theme:
“The Winter Work That Grows Spring Results.”

• Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
• Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Location: Teaching & Learning Academy (TLA) Auditorium
• Attire: Festive Holiday Attire & Sneakers
• Flyer: Principals Meeting Dec 16 TLA Auditorium.png
• Agenda: 12.16.2025 December Principals' Meeting Agenda.pdf

Please review the agenda in advance and come prepared to engage in collaborative discussions and leadership reflections.