Literacy Commitment Leads have access to the overview of the January priorities.  Additionally, virtual open office hours will be available throughout January.  See slide 9 of the following slide deck for details regarding these virtual support sessions:  ​Literacy Commitment January 2026 Priorities.pptx​.

Please review the 1/5/2026 MTSS Lead Weekly Updates.

The Winter Universal Screening Window is open December 15-January 23.

Students in grades K-6 should complete the following:

• iReady Reading Diagnostic
• iReady Math Diagnostic
• iReady Literacy Tasks for grade level
• written expression (remember to enter scores in PowerApps-link found under quick links on On Target for Success homepage)
• screening for characteristics of dyslexia as outlined (Decision Making Crosswalk)

All students in grades 7-8 should complete the iReady Diagnostic for ELA and Math. Those enrolled in a 9-12 intervention course should complete the iReady Diagnostic for ELA or Math as aligned to the enrolled course. This ensures an updated personalized instruction path and allows schools to check progress towards typical and stretch growth.

Schools will use the results to make data-based instructional decisions for students and updated student Tier 2 or 3 intervention plans and/or ILPDs in TNPulse.
 

The 5th Annual GrizzFit Combine set for March 25, 2026, at the Memphis Sports and Events Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The GrizzFit curriculum is offered to all students in grades 1-5 from selected schools in the District. Schools’ physical education teachers will lead curriculum and host competitions within their P.E. classes on dates of their choosing, recording winners along the way. While all students are eligible to win prizes, female winners in grades 3-5 will advance to the GrizzFit Combine event to face off against other Memphis-Shelby County Schools female winners in grades 3-5 for the Championship trophy!

There will be a TEAMS meeting for PE Teachers and/or Principals on Tuesday, January 13, at 4 p.m. to discuss the partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies and the next steps.

If you would like to be involved, please email India Weaver (weaveri@scsk12.org) if you have not already received the meeting invite.  

Please be reminded that MSCS Board Policy states that each school must have an administrator or designee at every athletic contest (Policy 6051 Interscholastic Athletics sections "Security Rule" and "Additional Minimum Responsibilities"). This Game Administrator should be someone other than the coach(es) of the team. For high-profile home games or rivalry matchups, it is strongly recommended that the Principal be in attendance to provide leadership and support.

Please review the schedule of your remaining basketball games and identify the Game Administrator for each contest. This requirement applies to both the home and away teams for every game.

Important:

• Administrator information should have been completed by C.O.B. Monday, January 12, 2026.
• Use this link to locate your games: Report Game Administrator
• If you notice any missing games or errors in the document, please amend the document and highlight any changes for clarity.

We want to avoid any incidents that would negatively reflect on your school or the District. A great way to proactively prevent unsportsmanlike conduct is to make sure that we discuss and model appropriate behavior and sportsmanship with our student athletes, coaches, and fans. Please remind staff attending athletic contests as spectators that they still represent their school and should assist Game Administrators by providing positive examples of appropriate behavior.

Furthermore, the official cannot be expected to control the crowd. While security personnel will be present, it is strongly recommended that Game Administrators from both schools and any supporting staff actively monitor the crowd, promptly report any suspicious activity, and address potential unsportsmanlike behavior before it escalates. The behavior and lack of sportsmanship displayed at contests by a few individuals has the potential to snowball.

Please remember to always practice and teach sportsmanship consistent with the values of education-based athletics. Your timely attention to this matter ensures smooth game operations and compliance with our protocols. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining a well-organized athletic program.

Please be reminded that MSCS Board Policy states that each school must have an administrator or designee at every athletic contest (Policy 6051 Interscholastic Athletics sections "Security Rule" and "Additional Minimum Responsibilities"). This Game Administrator should be someone other than the coach(es) of the team.  This requirement applies to both the home and away teams for every game. For high-profile home games or rivalry matchups, it is strongly recommended that the Principal be in attendance to provide leadership and support.

We want to avoid any incidents that would negatively reflect on your school or the District. A great way to proactively prevent unsportsmanlike conduct is to make sure that we discuss and model appropriate behavior and sportsmanship with our student athletes, coaches, and fans. Please remind staff attending athletic contests as spectators that they still represent their school and should assist Game Administrators by providing positive examples of appropriate behavior.

Furthermore, the official cannot be expected to control the crowd. While security personnel will be present, it is strongly recommended that Game Administrators from both schools and any supporting staff actively monitor the crowd, promptly report any suspicious activity, and address potential unsportsmanlike behavior before it escalates. The behavior and lack of sportsmanship displayed at contests by a few individuals has the potential to snowball.

Please remember to always practice and teach sportsmanship consistent with the values of education-based athletics. Your timely attention to this matter ensures smooth game operations and compliance with our protocols. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining a well-organized athletic program.

Greatness Grows Here.

Office of Enrollment-Attendance-Truancy 

Enrollment & School Choice

Announcement: 2026-27 School Choice Transfers

• We are gearing up for the 2026-27 School Choice Transfer season! Please share the following details to ensure our families are well-informed and prepared.

Key Date & Time

• The application portal officially opens: Tuesday, January 27, at 10:00 AM

How to Apply

• Website: Visit www.scsk12.org to access the portal.
• The portal is mobile-friendly and can be accessed from any smartphone, tablet, or computer.

 Who Needs to Apply?

• New Applicants: Any student seeking a transfer for the first time.
• Transitioning Students: Students moving to a new school level (e.g., rising 6th graders moving to Middle School or rising 9th graders moving to High School).
• Current Students: General Choice students staying at their current school (and in good standing) are all set—no reapplication is necessary.

Mark Your Calendar: 2026-27 Registration Opens Soon! 

• Registration for the 2026-2027 school year opens in Spring 2026 for all new and returning students. Families can complete the process and update information via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

 Administrative Actions

• Visibility: Post registration hours and instructions in highly visible areas and at all school entrances.
• Support Events: Schedule Registration Night(s) to assist families. Coordinate with the Office of Enrollment and Attendance if you require additional support.
• All Registration Team members are required to complete refresher training via PLZ.

For questions or enrollment support, contact Stacey Davis at daviss2@scsk12.org.

Attendance Monitoring

Correctly Entering OSS Attendance in PowerSchool

• To ensure accuracy and compliance in student records, please adhere to the following guidelines when recording Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) attendance in PowerSchool:
  • Manual Coding Requirement: Only the first 1 to 10 days of an Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) should be manually coded in PowerSchool.
  • Mass Assignment Restriction: Schools must refrain from mass assigning future OSS attendance beyond the tenth (10th) day.

Show Up for Greatness: Attendance Monitoring and Recognition 

• Please note that our fifth 20-day school attendance period ends on January 23rd, 2026. 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.

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.

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.

Upcoming Dates and Meetings

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. 
 

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  

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 13 - Bilingual Mentor Workshop 8:00-11:30 AM

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

January 21- Q3 Grade-band meetings 

February 2-March 25-ELPA21 Testing Window

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​​​​​​. 

Administrators seeking to take a deeper dive into their school’s Student Perception Survey data are invited to join the Panorama team for: 

Understanding Student Perception Survey Results for Administrators 

• Format: Microsoft Teams 
• PLZ Course: #48824 
• Training Dates: January 13–15 

There’s also training for teachers in your building.  Educators interested in leveraging student survey data to support classroom instruction and strengthen school culture and climate may register to attend the session. 

Student Surveyed, Now What? Understanding the Student Perception Survey Results 

• Format: Microsoft Teams 
• PLZ Course: #48826  
• Training Dates: January 20–22 

For assistance, please email District SPS Lead, Chiquita Allen-Bradley, allenbradleyc@scsk12.org. 
 

Principals, if there are new teachers in your building or teachers who need support around the TEM Rubric, they may register for the spring edition of The TEM TEACHer Training Series in PLZ using course #48814.

Educators will receive:

• Assistance in identifying teacher and student actions that guide effective instruction at performance levels 3-5 of the TEACH indicators
• An opportunity to hear how educators across the District meet the demands of the descriptors in the rubric
• Time to ask clarifying questions

For assistance, please email eps@scsk12.org.

TN Portfolio Access & Collections 

Portfolio Educators should Log in to TeachAll by Friday, January 16. The following should be noted: 

• A State Single Sign-On is required to access the platform.
• To receive State SSOs, educators may reach out to:
  • District Portfolio Lead, Floresha Smith or
  • Subject/Grade Specific Content Advisors
• Content Advisors
  • Physical Education-Jeremiah Bland or Jim Harbin
  • Visual Arts and Theater-Jennifer Shiberou
  • World Language-Patrick Fraser
  • General Music-Bethany Mayahi
  • Secondary Music and Dance-Dena Vaughan
  • Pre-K-Christopher Spratlin
• Additional information about platform access may be found on page 4 of the ​ ​TNPortfolio-Teacher-Manual-2025.pdf

For questions about TEAM Student Growth Portfolios, please email smithf2@scsk12.org.

We are excited about the new semester by continuing our commitment to high-impact leadership development. As we lean into Semester 2, we invite you to share these upcoming January Leadership Labs with your leadership teams. These sessions are designed to provide actionable strategies and collaborative solutions for the critical work ahead. 

January Schedule & Registration 

Please ensure your team members secure their spots in PLZ using the specific section codes provided below. Lab details are provided in the link. 

See the attachment for more session details: January Leadership Labs (Luckett and Bates) (1).docx

Dear Principals,

We are excited to announce the relaunch of Teacher Learning Labs beginning January 2026. These labs represent a strategic shift toward individualized instructional support at each school location and are designed to provide teachers with high-quality, district-aligned professional learning that is immediately actionable in the classroom.

Key Shifts in Support:

• Individualized Model: Transitioning to localized, consistent professional learning environments led by Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) members.
• ILT-Led Facilitation: ILT Leads will serve as primary facilitators for Teacher Labs, modeling effective lesson delivery and internalization.
• Daily Instructional Support Hour: Teachers will have access to a dedicated virtual hour for “just-in-time” curriculum and planning assistance.
• Focus on Impact: Labs will emphasize data-driven instruction, questioning protocols, equity monitoring, and small-group strategies aligned to district priorities.

Implementation Timeline:

• ILT Support Session: January 8, 2026
• Office Hours for Redelivery Support: Week of January 12, 2026
• Redelivery Window: January 20–30, 2026

Support Windows for Daily Instructional Hour:

• High School: 2:30–3:30 p.m.
• Middle School: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Elementary: 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Success Indicators:

• Increased teacher confidence in curriculum implementation (via pulse surveys)
• High engagement in daily support sessions
• Consistent, high-quality facilitation across all Regional Teacher Labs

We appreciate your partnership in encouraging teacher participation in these opportunities. For questions or additional information, please contact ILTstipends@scsk12.org.

Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting high-quality instruction across our district.

Performance & Leadership Development Team

Principals,

We are preparing for our annual Summer Learning Academy (SLA) and Promotional Summer School programs. These programs will offer promotion and enrichment opportunities for 10,000+ students in grades PreK-12.

If you are interested in your school serving as a site for the Summer Learning Academy or Summer School, complete the survey below by Monday, January 26, 2026. To ensure that all students have access to the programs, please note that final sites will be selected based on geographic location and building availability according to the summer maintenance schedule.

Survey: Summer Learning Academy and Summer School 2026 – Fill out form

If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie McClain (mcclainsl@scsk12.org) or Denise Swan (swand@scsk12.org).

An Immersive Federal Court Program for Memphis Area High School Students

Program Outline

Investigate the Supreme Court case Watson v. City of Memphis (1963).

• Week-long program at the United States District Courthouse for the Western District of Tennessee, includes local field trips.
• Learn from State and Federal Judges & Local Attorneys, Professors, and Historians.
• Create a collaborative capstone project to educate your community on the impact of the case.
• Participants will gain valuable experience and Supreme Court gift bags.

For more information: https://supremecourthistory.org/hometown-program-memphis-tn/

If you have any questions, please email jhigginsshaull@supremecourthistory.org.

Program Session Dates: Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20, 2026

Please submit your academic reference via the online submission form at the bottom of this page by the application deadline: January 30, 2026 @ 4 PM CST.

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>.

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!

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!

The School Climate Survey for 2025-26 will be administered to all District-managed schools in January and February this year, with exact dates TBD. Students in Grades 3-12 should participate. Parent informed consent is required; forms are currently available to parents in eCollect. Please encourage parents of students in grades 3-12 to log in to the Parent Portal and sign the consent form. More information can be found here.

Report Updates:

• Projected Chronic Absenteeism rates are available in the MSCS Compass. You can find them in the Student Attendance Dashboard, District 360 (at the aggregated level), and in School Snapshot. A student is considered Projected Chronically Absent if they have an attendance rate of 90% or less, after being enrolled at least 50% of instructional days. This is a proxy for the official State Chronically Out of School rate. For more on the Student Attendance reports, click here. For District 360, click here. And for School Snapshot, click here.
   
• State Chronically Out of School rates for 2024-2025 school year and AMO targets will be available soon. You will find them in the District 360 dashboard on Monday, 1/12. See the user guide here.
   
• i-Ready data is available during the Winter testing window (12/15 to 1/23). Data will populate the following day and can be found in the Student Assessment: i-Ready Report and in the RTI-A Universal Screener Reports. For more info on the Student Assessment report, click here.  For more on the RTI-A reports, click here.
   
• Quarter 2 Report Card grades will be available in the Student Grades Dashboard this week. They will populate after Report Cards are distributed and grades are stored/finalized in PowerSchool. For more on the Student Grades reports, click here.

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Upcoming Training Sessions:

This week, for Virtual Office Hours, we’re reviewing where to find Projected Chronic Absenteeism and State Chronically Out of School data in the MSCS Compass.

For more information on Virtual Office Hours, check out this flyer! Sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 PM on Microsoft Teams.

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Check out our Training Calendar for all upcoming District Trainings.

We also have a trainings with New PLC Coaches (1/15), Principal Pulse (1/16), and High School Counselors (1/29).

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Starting in February, we have two new dashboard specific trainings available. 

Each month, we will have a training session on the High School Progress Dashboard (Course Code 49628 in PLZ) and on the Student Discipline Dashboard (Course Code 49629 in PLZ). Sign up today!

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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.