CRITICAL UPDATE: POLICY 6002 REVISIONS & HIGHLIGHTS

Attention Leaders & Principals: Please review the updated Policy 6002 guidelines below regarding General Choice Transfers and Shared Residency requirements.

1. General Choice Transfers Policy Updates

• Rescissions: Rescinding a transfer will only occur at the end of semesters.
• Warning Letter Requirements: Principals must notify parents/guardians in writing regarding any potential revocation of a transfer due to attendance, grades, or behavior issues.
• NEW REVIEW CRITERIA (Page 9, #4): Parents/guardians/custodians may only request a review of a revoked transfer for the following grounds:
  1. Violation of law, policy, regulation, or guideline.
  2. Inaccurate information/data (including clerical or system errors).
  3. Failure by the school/district to follow proper procedure affecting student transfer eligibility.
• Bottom Line: Principals must strictly adhere to the warning letter process to preserve due process and clear documentation.

2. Shared Residency Policy Updates

• NEW ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION (Page 16, B.5): Verification requires three (3) pieces of mail bearing the address where the student will reside during the current school year.
  • Now accepted: Current physical, online, or electronic documentation containing the parent/guardian name and address (e.g., bank/credit union statements, cell phone bills, department store or fuel credit card statements, court/IRS/Social Security/medical documents). (Excludes unsolicited "junk mail" or promotional advertisements).
• Front Office Posting Notice (Page 17): Schools must prominently post notice in the front office directing parents with registration/shared residency questions to contact the Office of Enrollment & Attendance. If the shared residency verification process takes longer than one (1) week, parents may contact the department directly for guidance.

OFFICE OF ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE & TRUANCY 

ENROLLMENT & SCHOOL CHOICE

 2026-27 School Choice Portal & Transfers

• Application Access: Families can visit www.scsk12.org from any device to submit 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 Action Steps: Host open houses and showcase school programs to recruit, retain, and reclaim students.

2026-2027 Registration: Open for All Students

• Registration for all new and returning students is open via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
• As we welcome our families, remember that first impressions matter. Please ensure your front office and registration teams are welcoming, knowledgeable, and fully prepared to assist with enrollment. Under no circumstances should any family be turned away.

Administrative Action Items:

• Post registration hours and clear instructions in highly visible areas, including all school entrances.
• Schedule school-based Registration Night(s) to assist families. If your school requires additional staffing or operational support, please coordinate directly with the Office of Enrollment and Attendance.
• Verify that all Registration Team members have completed their required refresher training via PLZ.
• For questions or dedicated enrollment support, please contact Stacey Davis at daviss2@scsk12.org.

Kindergarten Enrollment & Eligibility Guide

• Age Cut-off: Student 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).
• Health Documentation: Physical exam and immunization records are mandatory at the time of enrollment.
• Early Entrance Screening: For children turning 5 between August 16 and September 30, 2026.
  • Department will coordinate school-based screenings with parental consent.
  • Cut-off: Children turning 5 after September 30, 2026, must enroll in Fall 2027.
  • Portal:  scsk12.org/registration/kindergarten

Grade Placement: Overage or Unenrolled Students (OAG)

• Students returning to MSCS after an extended absence or who are new to the district but have never been enrolled must undergo grade placement assessment.

Process:

1. Complete the OAG Placement Form: https://forms.office.com/r/UsRH8usW5C
2. If the student is already in PowerSchool:
   • Transfer to Registration School
   • Enroll in age-appropriate grade
   • Add entry comment: “Pending OAG Assessment”
   • Provide parent with PowerSchool credentials
   • Inform parent a placement team member will contact them via email
3. If the student is new to MSCS and has proof of residence:
   • Enroll in Registration School
   • Follow the same steps above

DAY ONE REMINDERS

Gear Up for Greatness (All-School Prep Day)

• When: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
• Who: All Schools
• Available Shifts/Times:
  • Morning Session: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Evening Session: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Purpose: Align students and staff before Day One, answer parent questions, and provide registration support.

 Student Health & Immunization Readiness

• Direct families needing updated immunizations or physicals to submit consent via ShotRX Health and Wellness Solutions.
• Share link with school community: ShotRx901

"Back to Greatness" Block Party & Supply Drive

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

TRUANCY

Attendance Team Information 

As we prepare for the new school year, we are asking every school leader to complete the Attendance Team Information Form to ensure we have the most current contacts for your school's attendance team.

Administrative Action Items:

• Complete the Attendance Team Information Form: 26-27 Attendance Team School Contact List

Your timely response will help us strengthen communication, provide targeted support, and ensure your team receives important attendance and truancy updates throughout the year.

Truancy Clearances Are Going Digital

We're excited to announce that the MSCS Truancy Clearance process is moving to a digital platform.

Families who need a truancy clearance can now submit their request online using a direct link or by scanning a QR code. This streamlined process makes it easier for families to request assistance while reducing paperwork for schools.

Please be on the lookout for digital clearance posters featuring the direct link and QR code, which will be distributed to your campuses soon. We encourage you to display and share these resources with families who need truancy clearance services.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to improve student attendance and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.