August 7, 2026
As we transition back into school, it is essential to stay vigilant regarding weather conditions. Even when the heat index falls within the permissible range for outdoor activities, it is crucial to closely monitor our athletes for any signs of heat-related illness.
The TSSAA mandates that all activities must be modified when the heat index reaches 95 degrees and are strictly prohibited when it exceeds 104 degrees – no exceptions. Please note that the heat index can vary by location, making onsite monitoring essential. It should be assessed during practices using the most effective methods available. If you observe any signs of heat illness, it is imperative to take immediate action. The health and safety of our student-athletes must always be your top priority.
To ensure the safety of our athletes, here are some best practices from our Guide to Safe Athletic Participation:
- Plan Practices Wisely: Adjust practice and event start times as necessary, or utilize indoor facilities equipped with air conditioning.
- All activities must be modified when the heat index reaches 95 degrees and are strictly prohibited when it exceeds 104 degrees – no exceptions.
- Please note that the heat index can vary by location, making onsite monitoring essential.
- Emphasize Hydration: Incorporate frequent water breaks during practice to promote hydration.
- Ensure Water Availability: Maintain an adequate supply of water to last throughout the entire session.
- Monitor Vulnerable Athletes: Pay special attention to athletes with a history of heat-related issues, including cramping, or other pre-existing conditions e.g. asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, epilepsy, sickle cell trait, etc., and even football linemen! Linemen account for 97% of these fatalities, with the majority occurring within the first 2-4 days of practice.
- Be Prepared: Carry a first-aid kit and ice for injuries to all practices and competitions. Be sure to have a method for rapidly cooling an athlete.
- If you observe any signs of heat illness, it is imperative to take immediate action.
- Know where the nearest AED (automated external defibrillator) is located.
- Establish Emergency Protocols: Develop a clear written protocol for responding to emergencies e.g. heat-related, sudden cardiac, concussion, etc.
- Maintain Health Records: Ensure that student-athletes' health information is readily available and that they have completed all required documentation.
- Consistent Education: Ensure that both student-athletes and coaching staff are well-informed about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses (as well as effective prevention strategies), concussion, sudden cardiac, anaphylaxis, etc.
- Verify Participation Requirements: Confirm that both coaches and student-athletes have fulfilled all necessary requirements for participation.
I would also like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of reviewing Health & Safety Policies | TSSAA. It is crucial that we follow the established protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of our student-athletes. Consider the following alarming statistics from TSSAA:
- 100% of documented fatalities among football players due to exertional heat stroke (EHS) occurred during conditioning sessions.
- Over 60% of individuals who suffered from heat stroke were wearing only a T-shirt and shorts.
- 37% of recent EHS-related deaths have been linked to physical exertion as a form of punishment.
Certain situations are considered high-risk for EHS, and we must explore alternatives for all athletes at risk. Traditional sprinting at the end of practice (repeated sprinting with high work-to-rest ratios) is particularly dangerous, as sustained and intense exertion can elevate core body temperature. Linemen, in particular, have a reduced capacity to dissipate heat effectively.
I sincerely appreciate your dedication to the health and safety of our student-athletes. Together, we can create a safer environment for all participants in our programs.
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 occur only 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:
- Violation of law, policy, regulation, or guideline.
- Inaccurate information/data (including clerical or system errors).
- 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
2026-2027 Registration: Ongoing Support & Push for 100% Enrollment
School is officially underway, but registration is not closed; it’s not too late to get every student enrolled! Registration for all new and returning students remains open via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
As families continue to arrive, please ensure your front office and registration teams remain welcoming, knowledgeable, and ready to support. Under no circumstances should any family be turned away.
Administrative Action Items:
- Keep registration hours and clear instructions posted prominently at all school entrances.
- Continue hosting or scheduling school-based Registration Nights to assist families who need hands-on help. If your school needs extra staffing or operational assistance, contact the Office of Enrollment and Attendance directly.
- Verify that all Registration Team members have completed their required refresher training in 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 Aug. 15, 2026.
- Registration Deadline: Per state law, new kindergarteners cannot be enrolled after the first 30 days of the school year (Sept. 30, 2026).
- Health Documentation: Physical exam and immunization records are mandatory at the time of enrollment.
- Early Entrance Screening: For children turning 5 between Aug. 16 and Sept. 30, 2026.
- Department will coordinate school-based screenings with parental consent.
- Cut-off: Children turning 5 after Sept. 30, 2026, must enroll in Fall 2027.
- Portal: scsk12.org/registration/kindergarten
TRUANCY
Administrative Action Items
- Update Team Contacts: Complete the 2026-27 Attendance Team School Contact List promptly to ensure your campus receives critical truancy updates and support this year.
Key Update: Digital Truancy Clearances
The MSCS Truancy Clearance process is officially moving online.
- Families can submit clearance requests directly via a direct web link or QR code, streamlining the process and reducing campus paperwork.
- Digital clearance posters featuring the link and QR code will arrive on campuses soon. Please display and share these resources with families as needed.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student attendance and success!
Student Support Services Resource Guide
Please save and reference this guide to support your staff, students, and school community throughout the year:
Enrollment Procedures and Reminders
CRITICAL UPDATE: POLICY 6002 REVISIONS & HIGHLIGHTS
Attention Leaders & Principals: Please revisit and review the updated Policy 6002 guidelines regarding General Choice Transfers and Shared Residency requirements to ensure full compliance at your school site.
Key Policy Review Areas:
- General Choice Transfers: Revisit guidelines on transfer rescission timing (end-of-semester only), mandatory written warning letter procedures, and the specific grounds under which a revoked transfer may be reviewed. Adhering to the warning letter process is critical to maintaining due process and clear documentation.
- Shared Residency: Review the updated acceptable documentation options for address verification (three valid items required; promotional mail excluded) and verify that the required front office notice regarding registration and shared residency questions is prominently posted.
Please ensure your administrative team and front office staff have thoroughly reviewed these policy details for the current school year.
2026–2027 Registration: Ongoing Support & Push for 100% Enrollment
School is officially underway, but registration is not closed – it’s not too late to get every student enrolled! Registration for all new and returning students remains open via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
As families continue to arrive, please ensure your front office and registration teams remain welcoming, knowledgeable, and ready to support. Under no circumstances should any family be turned away.
Administrative Action Items:
- Keep registration hours and clear instructions posted prominently at all school entrances.
- Continue hosting or scheduling school-based Registration Nights to assist families who need hands-on help. If your school needs extra staffing or operational assistance, contact the Office of Enrollment and Attendance directly.
- Verify that all Registration Team members have completed their required refresher training in 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
Attendance Procedures and Reminders
- With the school year underway, prioritizing daily attendance remains a top district goal. All staff are encouraged to reinforce consistent presence and keep students engaged.
- Our focus is to increase Average Daily Attendance (ADA), reduce Chronic Absenteeism (CA), and lower truancy rates. Attendance Liaisons will align with truancy prevention, RTI-B frameworks, and counseling services to address barriers early. Explore the MSCS Student Attendance Pact Guide to see how students, families, and staff can team up to make every day count.
Attendance Pact Guide Infographic.pdf
Student Absence Form via PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Parents can submit and track absence notifications directly from mobile devices or computers using the Student Absence Form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Show Up for Greatness District Initiative
We are continuing the Show Up for Greatness initiative to support our regional service model and tiered interventions:
- Tier 1: Show Up for Greatness
- Tier 2: Everyday Counts
- Tier 3: Be Present. Be Great.
Schools will continue using the Show Up for Greatness tracking application to monitor progress and log student supports. Supports must be logged for every 20-day period, with all entries recorded promptly at the end of each cycle.
"Show Up for Greatness" banners will be arriving at schools soon.
Truancy Procedures and Reminders
Administrative Action Items
- Update Team Contacts: Complete the 26-27 Attendance Team School Contact List promptly to ensure your campus receives critical truancy updates and support this year.
Key Update: Digital Truancy Clearances
The MSCS Truancy Clearance process is officially moving online.
- Families can submit clearance requests directly via a direct web link or QR code, streamlining the process and reducing campus paperwork.
- Digital clearance posters featuring the link and QR code will arrive on campuses soon. Please display and share these resources with families as needed.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student attendance and success!
Student Support Services Resource Guide
Please save and reference this guide to support your staff, students, and school community throughout the year:
🔗 Office of Student Support Services Resource Guide