In accordance with state and federal policies (Section I, Part G, Guidelines to Satisfy Legal Requirements of Lau v. Nichols), English Learners cannot be retained solely due to English language proficiency.  

Please review the guidelines for retention prevention with your content and ESL teacher(s). Any EL who is at risk of retention or course failure must have a documented meeting held with guardians, school administration, at least one content teacher, and an ESL Teacher/Specialist. Meeting documentation is required for all ELs being considered for retention, regardless of interventions such as tutoring, summer school, etc.  

In addition to meeting documentation, teachers who assigned failing grades were to provide 3 pieces of documentation to demonstrate evidence of linguistic scaffolds and accommodations per the student’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP). 

Retention meeting documentation is due to the Office of Multilingual Learners by May 22. Meeting documents are available in the ESL Teacher SharePoint. 

The district has transitioned to LanguageLine Solutions for on-demand interpretation and translation services. LanguageLine Solutions interpreters are available in more than 240 languages and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to communicate with our multilingual families. Please follow these instructions to access LanguageLine:  

• To access a phone interpreter, please follow these steps:
  1. Dial: 1-866-874-3972
  2. Provide: Client ID 666137 

Press: 1 for Spanish – 2 for All Other Languages; If 2, indicate Language 

Provide: School Location Code  

As you begin scheduling for the upcoming school year, please ensure ESL teachers are included in conversations with administrators and counselors to support appropriate placement and services for multilingual learners. Their input, along with ESL course codes and placement guidance, is essential to ensuring students are positioned for academic and linguistic success. If you have questions or would like to schedule additional training, please contact your Advisor.  

The window to complete monitoring forms for Q4 is April 22 - May 6. All content teachers who teach students who are classified as English Learners are required to complete monitoring forms in ELLevation. www.ellevationeducation.com 

May 6 - Q4 Monitoring Forms Due

May 8 - Course Failure List Due to the Office of Multilingual Learners

May 13 - May Monthly Meeting (All ESL teachers should attend one meeting virtually at 8:15 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.)

May 22 - Q4 Retention Prevention documentation due (Grades K-12)

May 25 - ELPA21 Scores Returned 

In accordance with state and federal policies (Section I, Part G, Guidelines to Satisfy Legal Requirements of Lau v. Nichols), English Learners cannot be retained solely due to English language proficiency.   

Please review the guidelines for retention prevention with your content and ESL teacher(s). Any EL who is at risk of retention or course failure must have a documented meeting held with guardians, school administration, at least one content teacher, and an ESL Teacher/Specialist. Meeting documentation is required for all ELs being considered for retention, regardless of interventions such as tutoring, summer school, etc.   

In addition to meeting documentation, teachers who assigned failing grades were to provide 3 pieces of documentation to demonstrate evidence of linguistic scaffolds and accommodations per the student’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP).  

Retention meeting documentation is due to the Office of Multilingual Learners by May 22. Meeting documents are available in the ESL Teacher SharePoint.  

The district has transitioned to Language Line Solutions for on-demand interpretation and translation services. LanguageLine Solutions interpreters are available in more than 240 languages and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to communicate with our multilingual families. Please follow these instructions to access Language Line:  

• To access a phone interpreter, please follow these steps:
  1. Dial: 1-866-874-3972
  2. Provide: Client ID 666137 

Press: 1 for Spanish – 2 for All Other Languages; If 2, indicate Language 

Provide: School Location Code  

As you begin scheduling for the upcoming school year, please ensure ESL teachers are included in conversations with administrators and counselors to support appropriate placement and services for multilingual learners. Their input, along with ESL course codes and placement guidance, is essential to ensuring students are positioned for academic and linguistic success. If you have questions or would like to schedule additional training, please contact your Advisor.   

The window to complete monitoring forms for Q4 is April 22 and closes on May 6.  All content teachers who teach students who are classified as English Learners are required to complete monitoring forms in ELLevation.    

www.ellevationeducation.com  

May 6 - Q4 Monitoring Forms Due

May 8 - Course Failure List Due

May 13 - May Monthly Meeting (virtually @ 8:15am, 2:30pm, 3:30pm)

May 22 - Q4 Retention Prevention documentation due (Grades K-12)

May 25 - ELPA21 Scores Returned

All Proximity Assistant positions will be converted back to Classroom Teacher roles once current Proximity Assistants receive their final paycheck for the year. This ensures there is no disruption or impact to their pay.

While Proximity Assistant positions cannot be updated in APECS at this time, you may still post these PCNs as Classroom Teacher positions during the transfer period. 

Feel free to contact Rochelle Griffin (griffinrj@scsk12.org) if you have additional questions. 

Audience: Directors of Schools
Contact: Jaclyn.Obrien@tn.gov

We are excited to share that the next School Leader Acceleration for All Virtual Call will be during the week of May 11. During our May 2026 School Leader Acceleration for All School Virtual Call, we will focus on strengthening coherence across collaborative preparation, Tier I access, and instructional leadership to improve outcomes for all students. Leaders will consider what is working, where greater coherence is needed, and which instructional leadership priorities will have the greatest impact on student learning as they begin planning for a strong start to the next school year. 

Similar to our School Leader Acceleration for All Virtual Call in March, we will host two types of learning calls:  

• 2.5-hour calls that allow for greater collaboration among school leaders across the state. These calls will provide time for breakout rooms and discussion.
• 1.5-hour calls that include the same learning and information, but with limited breakout discussion time.

We are excited about the support and learning these calls will provide to school leaders across the state, as well as the opportunity for leaders to collaborate with and learn from one another. Register for the Acceleration for All School Leader Learning Call for this event before May 6. 

Linked is the 4/20/26 edition of MTSS Lead Weekly Updates.

The Elementary (K-5) and Middle (6-8) Spring Universal Screening Window will be open from April 28-May 13. Questions can be emailed to RTI2@scsk12.org.

Students should complete the following:

• iReady Reading Diagnostic​
• iReady Math Diagnostic​
• Grade appropriate spring Literacy Tasks (refer to Minimum Matrix iReady Suite (K-3 or 4-8)​
• Spring Written Expression – Use the Written Expression Guidance for spring as outlined
• Screening for characteristics of dyslexia as outlined (Decision Making Crosswalk)

If you have incomplete Early Warning System screenings for identified students, please work to complete them by May 13, working around any other testing that students might have scheduled. This includes students who were suspended, or in alternative school settings that may have been in the transition period during the original window March 30-April 10. 

Once you have your spring data for identified at-risk students, please meet as a school data team to determine the best next steps regarding instructional supports for the 2026-27 school year. Intervention plans should be created, and make note of the students who will be enrolled in intervention courses in fall 2026.

If you have questions, please contact RTI2@scsk12.org.

Principals,

Please be advised that Specialized Education Assistants (SEAs) have been assigned to Summer Learning Academy (SLA) sites from June 1–29. SEAs are expected to report to their assigned elementary SLA site and follow the established schedule and expectations for the summer program. Key dates, training information, and daily reporting timelines are outlined in the linked SEA Summer Calendar for your reference. 2026 SEA Summer Schedule.pdf

Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Amy Maples at maplesa@scsk12.org or Heba Sammour at sammourh@scsk12.org if you have any questions.

Principals, please ensure all portfolio educators log in to their TeachAll Account. The deadline for Portfolio submissions is 5 p.m.  Friday, May 8.   

Educators must use their state single sign-on to log in to the platform. If educators are unsure of their State SSO ending in @tneducation.net they may reach out to:  

• District Portfolio Lead, Floresha Smith   
• Subject/Grade Specific Content Advisors listed below:  
  • 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   

An incomplete portfolio submission or non-submission will result in an incomplete TEM Evaluation record resulting in no LOE generated for SY2025-26.  

To view Portfolio Educators that have been rostered, please utilize the Evaluation KPI Dashboard.  If you have questions about the educators listed or realize educators are missing, please reach out to the District Portfolio Lead, Floresha Smith. 

The deadline to complete 100% of ALL TEM Observations is Friday, May 8. School Administrators (Principals, VP, and APs) and District Leaders may access their school's data using the following link:  

Evaluation KPI Dashboard SY2025-2026  

Questions? Contact EPS by phone, 901.416.2475, or via email  eps@scsk12.org.  

The Professionalism component of the TEM framework accounts for 5% of educators' Level of Overall Effectiveness (LOE) score and must be completed by both the educator and administrator.

The initial step of the process should be completed by educators on or before April 24, 2026, and requires the educator to:

1. Upload 3-5 artifacts in the Self-Score activity in PLZ to support each indicator.
2. Create evidence statements that explain how the uploaded artifacts support the indicator.
3. Assign a rating to each indicator.

Administrators should complete Professionalism conferences by May 13, 2026.

All questions about Professionalism should be directed to Ayodele Hall, hallam@scsk12.org.

The DEADLINE to complete ALL NIE End-Of-Year Conferences are as follows:

• School-Based – May 15 (*corrected)
• Central Office – June 12 (*corrected)

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:   

• The Goal Setting Conference AND Mid-Year Conference should be completed in its entirety BEFORE completing the End-of-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.

Attention Leaders! Are you ready to fortify your school’s culture and lead with confidence in the most critical areas? Join us for our final April session, "Strengthening Mental Health Supports in Schools," and take this high-leverage opportunity to build your leadership capacity!

📍 Lab Highlights

• Session Overview: Master the art of ethical and strategic decision-making. We’re diving deep into balancing students and staff needs with district-approved resources to ensure your interventions are powerful, policy-aligned, and supportive of your entire school community.
• The Outcome: Walk away equipped to analyze complex mental health scenarios and deploy resources with precision. You’ll gain the expertise to ensure every support decision aligns perfectly with district expectations and your school’s unique needs.

• 📍 April Session Calendar

Invest in your journey; let's close out April by rewriting the story of success for our students and staff. 

See you at the TLA in room W115/116.

Greetings MSCS School Leaders,

Thank you for your continued commitment to recognizing excellence across our schools. As we prepare to celebrate our outstanding educators, we ask that you release your Teacher of the Year nominee to attend the Teacher of the Year Appreciation Lunch.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Those Who Grow Greatness Every Day,” highlights the powerful impact our teachers have on students and the broader community. The luncheon will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Please ensure appropriate classroom coverage is secured beginning at 11:00 a.m. and for the remainder of the school day so nominees can fully participate in this special recognition event. This is a meaningful opportunity to honor the dedication, passion, and commitment our teachers demonstrate daily.

Your support in making this experience possible is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact performanceandleadership@scsk12.org

Office of Enrollment, Attendance, and Truancy Leaderboard

Enrollment & School Choice

2026-27 School Choice Portal is NOW OPEN!

The 2026-27 School Choice Transfer season is officially here, and the application portal is live! Please share the following details with families to ensure they are prepared.

Key Information

Status: The application portal is NOW OPEN.

How to Apply: Visit www.scsk12.org from any computer, tablet, or smartphone to apply.

Who Needs to Apply?

New Applicants: Students seeking a transfer for the first time.

Transitioning Students: Students moving up a school level (e.g., rising 6th or 9th graders).

Note: Current General Choice students staying at their school in good standing do not need to reapply.

School Responsibilities

To support our goals of recruiting, retaining, and reclaiming students, schools are encouraged to host open houses and showcase their programs to families.

2026-2027 Registration is Now Open!

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is currently open for all new and returning students. Families can complete the process and update their information at any time 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.

Student Health & Eligibility: Immunizations and Physicals

To ensure students are cleared and ready for the 2026-2027 school year, families needing updated immunizations or physicals can submit required documentation to ShotRX Health and Wellness Solutions.

Please share the link below with your school community:

Submit Health Forms & Physicals Here

MSCS Kindergarten Enrollment & Eligibility Guide

Enrollment Requirements

Age Eligibility: To enroll for the 2026-2027 school year, students must be 5 years old on or before August 15, 2026.

Registration Deadline: Per state law, new kindergartners cannot be enrolled after the first 30 days of the school year (September 30, 2026). Previously enrolled students may be accepted at any time.

Health Documentation: Proof of a physical examination and a complete immunization record must be submitted at the time of enrollment. Students will not be permitted to enroll until these records are provided.

Early Entrance Screening (2026-27 School Year) 

MSCS provides screening for children who turn 5 between August 16 and September 30, 2026, to determine eligibility for early kindergarten entry.

Timeline: Screenings begin May 18.

Process: The Assessment Department will coordinate school-based screenings with parental consent. A registration link will be sent to parents from the department.

Appointments: To schedule a screening outside of the school setting, please contact the Assessment Department directly.

Cut-off: Children turning 5 after September 30, 2026, are not eligible for screening and may enroll in the fall of 2027.

Official Registration Portal: scsk12.org/registration/kindergarten

Supporting Our Families: 2026-27 District Registration Sessions

As we prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we request the support of all school leaders in communicating a vital message to our community: registration is mandatory for all new and returning students.

To ensure our families receive the necessary guidance, we strongly recommend that each school host at least two (2) on-site District Registration Nights. Offering multiple sessions provides the flexibility and direct assistance families need to navigate the enrollment process.

School leaders maintain the autonomy to select dates and times that best accommodate their families' needs. We encourage you to finalize these schedules promptly and begin outreach to your families to ensure maximum participation.

For technical assistance or guidance regarding the registration portal, please contact the Office of Enrollment and Attendance:

Email: studentservices@scsk12.org

Phone: 901-416-2989

Coming Soon: Regional Support Hubs – "Pop Out & Register"

The district is bringing registration assistance directly into the community! Our Regional Support Hubs will provide in-person assistance to ensure every family is prepared for the 2026-2027 school year.

What to Expect:

Families can visit these regional stations to receive hands-on help with the mandatory registration process, school choice guidance, and answer questions. 

Hubs will be strategically located in areas with lower registration volumes to ensure no family is left behind.

Stay Tuned: Locations, dates, and times are being finalized and will be shared soon.

District Communication Updates

To ensure you receive critical updates and timely information, please take a moment to review your email settings. We recommend adding the following primary district communication addresses to your "Favorites" list. This will prevent messages from being diverted to your Junk or Other folders.

Priority Sender Addresses

Superintendent Updates: 

superintendent-noreply-scsk12.org@shared1.ccsend.com

superintendent-noreply@scsk12.org.com

Communications:

communications-scsk12.org@shared1.ccsend.com

communications@scsk12.org

General District Notifications: 

MSCS-noreply@scsk12.org

Please refrain from clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any official district email. Our communication system is integrated; unsubscribing from one type of message will remove you from the system. 

As part of the monthly newsletter, the DAIM team is publishing the Empowering Your Data Story report to promote Power BI usage. This report highlights schools that go above and beyond in their use of Power BI and the MSCS Compass. You can find more information about this campaign here.

You can see pictures of recipients, with their awards, on our Hall of Fame page.

March Winners:

• Newberry Elementary
• Cummings School
• Manassas High School

Featured:

• i-Ready data is available during the Spring testing window. 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.
   
• The Scholarship & GPA report in the High School Progress Dashboard has been updated with new business rules to include graduation cohort level data. It also now includes data for all students ever enrolled in grades 9-12. Check ‘About this Page’ to get the full list of updated business rules.  Click here for more information.
   
• Data for the 7th 20-Day period is available in the Show Up for Greatness report. Click here to see the user guide for this report.
   
• The newly updated ELPA21 Report is now available in the Student Assessment Dashboard. Click here for the user guide.

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Upcoming Training Sessions:

Virtual Office Hours this week (4/28 and 4/30) will be an overview of how to pull list of Overage for Grade students from 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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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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Check out our Training Calendar for all upcoming District Trainings.

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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.   

Greetings, Elementary and Middle School Leaders.

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and we want to be sure to align our planning efforts to promote a positive experience for our students and all who are celebrating grade-level promotions alongside them. While promotional programs are not required, we understand that many schools have a tradition of celebrating students by recognizing their accomplishments in Kindergarten, 5th grade, and 8th grade.

Promotional Ceremonies & Attendance Expectations Policy 6014 

All promotional ceremonies for kindergarten, 5th grade, and 8th grade must take place during the final week of the school year, beginning May 18, 2026. School leaders must also communicate clearly to families that attendance remains mandatory through the final day of the academic year. Early disengagement cannot be permitted, and every instructional day must be treated as essential.

Planning Notes:

1. Coordinate with nearby feeder schools to avoid overlapping event dates.

2. Ensure that there is adequate parking space for all guests, especially if the event is held at an external venue, and that sufficient staff are available to direct traffic if needed.

3. Plan for comfortable seating that accommodates the anticipated number of guests, including any necessary seating for students, staff, and families. Ensure there are enough seats for elderly guests and people with mobility challenges.

4. If planning an outdoor event, have a backup plan for inclement weather (such as renting a tent or moving the event indoors).

5. Choose a venue that is neutral and inclusive for all students, regardless of their religious, cultural, or socioeconomic backgrounds.

6. Provide translation or interpretation services for families who may not speak the primary language of the school, ensuring all families can engage and participate fully.

7. Involve students in the planning process where possible (e.g., allowing them to help choose the theme, décor, or music).

8. Think about creating a welcoming and festive environment through visuals (e.g., banners, posters, and flowers). Ensure that decorations represent all cultures and identities within the school.

9. Ensure that the program is designed to be engaging and meaningful for all students. Programs should include accommodation students with special needs and those with limited English proficiency.

10. Be sure to celebrate the success of the event with your team, thank volunteers, and acknowledge any special contributions from the community or other stakeholders.

Please use the link below to share information about any planned celebrations by Thursday, April 30, 2026. Promotional Programs- ES & MS (2026) – Fill out form

The MSCS Department of Human Resources is pleased to officially open the Voluntary Transfer Period from Monday, April 20 through Friday, May 8 for certified and classified staff.

All vacancies will be posted on the internal career portal, and only internal employees may apply to positions during the transfer period. External candidates will be able to apply beginning May 11, 2026, at which time positions will be visible on both the internal and external career platforms.

Internal staff will be able to apply to vacant positions for iZone and Priority Schools beginning Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 24. During this window, all positions visible in the internal career portal reflect Priority School opportunities.

All other positions will be posted on April 27, and internal candidates may apply to all available positions through May 8. All vacancies will remain available through the end of the transfer period.

Once an internal candidate accepts a position, they can no longer apply to open positions.

Permit Teachers: Teachers holding a permit are not eligible for voluntary transfer.

Certified Employees: Certified employees who are interested in transferring to a new location or position for which they qualify may apply for vacant positions during the voluntary transfer period. The effective date of accepted transfers will be the first day of the 2026–2027 school year.

Classified Employees: Classified school-based employees who are interested in transferring to a new location or position for which they qualify may apply for vacant positions during the voluntary transfer period. The effective date of accepted transfers will be the first day of the 2026–2027 school year.

*Please be advised that once you accept a lateral transfer during the 2025–2026 Internal Transfer Period, it is a commitment for the 2026–2027 school year. You will not be able to be considered for a transfer to another position/location during the current transfer period.

2025–2026 School Year Transfer Period Timeline

• iZone/Priority Schools Positions Post: April 20–24, 2026
• All School Voluntary Transfer Period: April 27–May 8, 2026
• Transfer Period Ends: May 8, 2026
• External Applications Open: May 11, 2026

Advanced Placement; BlueBook Testing Update: 

A critical Bluebook™ update was released on January 6, 2026. 

To avoid overwhelming your network and causing delays on exam day, ask students to open Bluebook themselves before test day or group readiness sessions (they don’t need to sign in). Another way to prevent delays is to ask some students to open Bluebook before others.

Free Student Health Screenings

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

• Height and Weight
• Vision
• Hearing
• Blood Pressure
• Scoliosis

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

Health Screening Flyer: English&Spanish Consent Flyer.pdf

Health Screening Calendar: Semester 2 Principal Screening Schedule 25-26.xlsx

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 are located at East High School and Sheffield CTC and operate Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

School-Based Health Clinic Flyer: SBC English and Spanish Flyer with QR Code.pdf

School- Based Health Clinic Sports Physical Flyer: SBC Sports Physical Flyer.pdf

Promoting free health screenings to students is essential to supporting student success and family well-being.

Decline in School Health Screening: 04.24.26. Health Screenings.pdf

Please view Immunization Plan with updated data as of April 24, 2026.

Immunization Plan 2025-2026: 04.24.26 Immunization Update.pdf

Incoming 7th Graders Immunization Plan: Incoming 7th Graders Tdap (2).pdf

Pacer: 04.24.26 PACER.pdf