3 NEW LAWS

 ***New***Transfer students in interscholastic athletics effective July 1, 2026 Transfer Students TCA  49-2-901. 

• A middle school student or high school student who transfers from one (1) member school to another is immediately eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at the member school to which the student transfers if:
  • The transfer is the student's first transfer in grades six through eight (6-8) or nine through twelve (9-12), as applicable;
  • and The transfer occurs in the summer between the end of one ( 1) school year and the beginning of the ensuing school year.

***New***Private School Student Participation in Public School Athletics Tenn. Code Ann. 49-50-808  Effective July 1, 2026 

• (a)(1) If a public school established under the jurisdiction of an LEA to serve students in any of the grades six through twelve (6-12) is a member of an organization or an association that regulates interscholastic athletic competition, then the LEA shall permit participation in interscholastic athletics offered at the public school by a middle or high school student who:
  • Is enrolled in a private school that is not a member of the organization or association and that serves fewer than two hundred (200) students in grades six through eight (6-8) or fewer than two hundred (200) students in grades nine through twelve (9-12);
  • Satisfies the eligibility requirements established by the organization or association; and
  • Resides within the geographic boundaries of the LEA.
• (2) A student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a)(1) may only participate in interscholastic athletics at the public middle or high school that the student is zoned to attend, but only in the interscholastic athletic programs that are not offered by the private school in which the student is enrolled.

***New***Athletic Association Open Meetings Compliance TCA 49-2-902(a)

Effective July 1, 2026, please confirm that the LEA does not use public funds to join, become a member of, or maintain membership in an association that regulates interscholastic athletics unless the association's governing board voluntarily complies with Tennessee's open meetings laws. The point of contact is encouraged to review the entire statute for a full understanding of the requirements. 

Internal Deadline: Prior to Membership Approval, Renewal, or Payment of Membership Dues.

LAW REFRESHER

Concussion and Head Injury Safety in School Athletics TCA 68-55-502 

Tennessee law requires all public and nonpublic schools with athletic programs to implement concussion and head injury safety procedures for student-athletes. Schools must educate coaches, athletic directors, athletes, and parents about concussion risks, symptoms, prevention, and the dangers of continuing to play after a head injury.

• Each year, all coaches and athletic directors must complete a state-approved concussion education course.
• Coaches, athletic directors, athletes, and parents or guardians must also review and sign concussion information forms before participation in practices or competitions.
• Schools are required to maintain these training and acknowledgment records for at least three years.
• If a student-athlete exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion, the athlete must be immediately removed from play and evaluated using approved concussion-recognition guidelines.
  • The athlete may not return to the same practice, game, or event in which the injury occurred.
• Before returning to athletic participation or any supervised team activity involving physical exertion, the athlete must be evaluated by a qualified health care provider and receive written medical clearance for a full or graduated return to play.

Internal Deadline: August 1, 2026 (Beginning-of-Season Athletic Safety Readiness) If requirements are not fully in place by the internal deadline, they must be completed promptly and prior to a student initiating practice or competition. 

Remove Barriers of Student-Athletes of Military Families TCA 49-12-301 

• Schools should notify the TSSAA of an enrolled student’s interest in participating in interscholastic athletics
• Failure to do so may result in the student-athlete being ineligible

Sex at Birth Participation in Interscholastic Activity or Event TCA 49-6-310

• Middle and high school shall participate in interscholastic sports teams that correspond with the sex on their original birth certificate

Access to School Sports for Student-Athletes in Foster Care  TCA 49-2-136 

• Requires schools to notify the TSSAA if the student expresses interest in participating and that the school has obtained FERPA compliant written consent from the student’s parent or legal guardian

Coaching Requirements

State Law

• TN Law-Course Certificate - NFHS Coaches Training Free Course: Concussions in Sports (yearly)
• TN Law-Course Certificate - NFHS Coaches Training Free Course: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (yearly)
• TN Law-Course Certificate Heat Illness Prevention (yearly)
• TN Law-Signed Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information Sheet (yearly)
• TN Law-Signed Concussion Information & Signature Form  (yearly)
• TN Law- Athletic Emergency Action Plan (AEAP) & Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP)-created, reviewed and practiced with essential personnel (yearly)
• TN Law-Allergy/Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan Instruction Video, Policy and Resources, Training Video (yearly if you have a student in this category)

District Requirements

• Current CPR/First Aid Certification with AED training (must be from an in-person, hands-on course). MSCS offers free classes in PLZ.
• Non Faculty/Volunteer Coaches must go through FACE for background checks and/or finger printing (yearly)
• ***NEW***MSCIAA Required PD course 2026-27 Building and Maintaining Positive Culture (new course added each year)​
• MSCS COVID-19 Safe Schools Training: MSCS COVID-19 Training (once)

Student-Athlete Required Documentation

• Athlete's Health Record- 
  • Page 1 –
    • Physician Signature (providing clearance, may be located on Page 1 of the Athlete Health Record) - Physicals must be dated April 15 or later.
    • Emergency Contact Information (should be carried to all practices/games by coach)
  • Page 2 - Informed Consent & Assumption of Risk
  • Page 3 - COVID-19 Informed Consent & Risk Acknowledgment Statement
• Signed Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information Sheet reviewed by athletes and parents with signed documentation
• Signed & Initialed Concussion Information Sheet reviewed by athletes and parents with signed documentation

We’re excited to share new updates with our mobile-friendly platform (AfterSchool Memphis) designed to help families easily discover the extracurricular activities offered at our schools.

This tool is part of our effort to make information more accessible while highlighting the many ways students can get involved beyond the classroom. Please review your information on the site to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Use these instructions to update your school’s offerings. Here are the users that were submitted to us to complete this task. If you have any issues, please refer to the Getting Help Section in the instructions. This information should answer the majority of your questions.  

If you need additional support, email afterschoolmemphis@scsk12.org.

Thank you for being a valuable part of this districtwide solution for families. Your support helps promote the amazing programs happening at your school and encourages more students to engage and grow through extracurricular involvement.

Office of Enrollment, Attendance, and Truancy Leaderboard

Enrollment & School Choice

2026-2027 School Choice Portal 

The School Choice Transfer portal remains open for the 2026-27 school year. Please continue sharing the following details with families to assist them with the application process.

Application Access

• How to Apply: Families can visit www.scsk12.org from any device to submit their transfer requests.

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: Open for All Students

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is 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 consent to ShotRX Health and Wellness Solutions.
• Please share the link below with your school community: ShotRx901

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 kindergarteners 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 (2026-2027 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: Scheduling begins 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   

MULTILINGUAL SUMMER REGISTRATION HUBS

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our Multilingual Registration Hubs! This initiative brings district resources directly to our community, making enrollment, attendance support, and school assistance accessible for all families, with a special focus on our multilingual families.

DATES & TIME

• June 9 – July 22, 2026
• 9 AM – 2 PM

LOCATIONS & DAYS

• Tuesdays: Latino Memphis
  • 6041 Mt Moriah Rd. Ext., Ste 16
• Wednesdays: Gaisman Community Center
  • 4221 Macon Rd.

Gear Up for Greatness

An all-school preparation event to align students and staff before Day One. Parents will have the opportunity to get registration support and have their questions answered so every student is ready on day one.

• When: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
• Who: All Schools
• Available Shifts/Times:
  • Morning Session: 7:30 AM – 12:30 AM
  • Evening Session: 4 PM – 6 PM

"Back to Greatness" Block Party & Supply Drive

Our major late-summer community resource event and final school preparation wrap-up! Please heavily promote this to your school communities.

• When: Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 10 AM – 1 PM
• Where: Memphis Sports and Event Center  (995 Early Maxwell Blvd., Memphis, TN 38104)

Key Highlights to Promote:

• Free backpacks, school supplies, on-site immunizations, and school physicals.
• Student registration assistance, Choice Transfers, and bus eligibility information.
• Truancy intervention/prevention support, live music, prizes, food, and various community partners.