Use of ESL Staff for Substitute Coverage  

To maintain compliance with state and federal requirements, ESL teachers should not be utilized for substitute coverage. 

Schools are responsible for scheduling ESL teachers and English Learners appropriately to ensure that all required daily service hours are provided. ESL teacher positions are funded to deliver direct explicit ESL instruction, create and maintain Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) and monitoring forms, and collaborate with content teachers. ESL staff should not be assigned to cover general education, content-area, or proximity courses during times they are scheduled to provide ESL services.  

ESL Screening and Parent Notification Requirements  

Per TDOE Rule 0520-01-19 and Program Policy 3.207, after the start of the school year, newly enrolled NELB students must be screened with 14 days of enrollment. Please contact your ESL advisor if you need support with this process.  

ESL Course Code Assignments  

Please ensure that all ESL students are correctly assigned ESL course codes 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.  

Co-Teaching and Sheltered ESL services require an ESL course code in addition to the content course code. Reference the course code documents linked below to find the specific co-teaching ESL codes by grade level. For scheduling support, contact your assigned ESL advisor.   

 K-5 ESL Course Codes  6-8 ESL Course Codes  9-12 ESL Course Codes   

Q1 Retention Prevention 

Retention Prevention documentation for Multilingual Learners who have been assigned a failing grade are required to be uploaded to ELLevation. Required documentation of parent communication, completed Monitoring Forms and three annotated student work samples that clearly demonstrate the accommodations provided and scaffolded instructional supports implemented. Evidence/work samples were due October 9.

As a reminder, for Multilingual Learners to be successful, ESL teachers must regularly collaborate with their students' content and general education teachers to monitor their academic progress.  

9-12 ML ASAP ESL Data Meetings 

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, contact your ESL Advisor. 

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities & Key Dates  

In-Person PDs are offered at the Office of Multilingual Learners (OML) unless otherwise indicated – 5151 Scottsdale Ave., Memphis, TN 38118  

Nov. 4 - Using Data: Monitor, Respond, Accelerate, 4-5:30 p.m. @ Office of Multilingual Learners  

Nov. 16 - Dec. 4: ELLevation Benchmark Window 

The iReady Projected Proficiency Report can be used by leaders, teachers, and school staff following the completion of iReady Inform.  Check out the video below when you are logged in to your iReady account to learn more about using the report within iReady. Note: You must be logged in to iReady to view the video. There are additional resources available in iReady Success Central on this topic.

Link:  https://login.i-ready.com/central/Search?resource=7e788761-9fd5-48c5-a85d-fcd40b250a0b

Please review this week's MTSS Lead Updates.  Remember to finish out the month strong and remain “On Target for Success” by being intentional with intervention and monitoring.

Please join us for these mathematics professional learning opportunities. The sessions focus on monitoring mathematical practices, preparing high-quality lessons with the Instructional Focus Documents, and collecting evidence of student thinking.

The linked flyer has the dates, times, course numbers and locations, plus the Teams link for the virtual session.

We hope to see you there! For any questions, please contact Antronette C. Brown at brownac@scsk12.org.

We are excited to participate in this year's Do the Write Thing (DtWT) writing program. DtWT is a writing competition where middle school students share how violence has impacted them and propose solutions. 

We are excited about this year's challenge and look forward to the submission of essays, poems, songs, plays and more! We are looking for submissions from every middle school this year.

Our students will have the opportunity to submit to the local competition and the winning essay will advance to the and national competition in Washington, D.C. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our students' talent and there is no limit on the number of submissions per school. Please share this information with your school teams to encourage participation.

Local Entry Information (Deadline: 12/15/26) 

Middle School teachers are asked to sign-up here: Do the Write Thing 2027 – Fill out form.

• Any form of written expression (e.g. essays, poems, plays, songs)
• Must address the following questions:
  • How has violence affected my life?
  • What are the causes of youth violence?
  • What can I do to reduce youth violence?
• Positive and non-derogatory language
• Fictional writings must be identified as such
• Strong preference will be given to non-fiction writings
• Credit must be given to outside sources
• Writings based upon plagiarism will not be considered

Completed packets may be sent to our office via MSCS Board Mail. Please be sure to include a summary page with the packet noting the contact person for your school and the number of submissions. Also, each submission should contain its own cover sheet with the parent/guardian's signature.

In addition to information on https://www.dtwt.org/, please review the MSCS Do the Write Thing Resources Folder.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Erin Y. Luster at lusterey@scsk12.org.

We’re encouraging all elementary and middle schools to host a school-level Spelling Bee and give students the chance to showcase their spelling skills and confidence on stage.

This year’s MSCS Spelling Bee will highlight our spectacular spellers in grades 3-8. But first, they’ll need to win your school’s spelling bee by Friday, December 11, 2026. Now is the time to identify your Spelling Bee Coordinator and plan for e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-c-e.

If you have questions about how to get started, sign up here: Spelling Bee Intent to Participate 2026-27 – Fill out form.

For more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, visit spellingbee.com/enrollment to learn more and register your school. Participation in the Scripps Bee is NOT required for participation in the MSCS Spelling Bee.

Thank you for all you do to create meaningful learning opportunities for our students and for helping them build confidence through friendly academic competition!

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Erin Y. Luster at lusterey@scsk12.org.

Growth & Achievement containers will reopen for educators who transferred schools or were hired after the containers closed on Tuesday, November 3. The containers will close Friday, November 20. 

Educators who did not make G & A selections during the initial window may also make selections during this time.   

If you have questions, please contact Employee Performance and Support at 901-416-2475 or email eps@scsk12.org.

All portfolio educators should log in to TeachAll and select collections by Friday, December 4, using their state single sign on. Educators may reach out to their Content Advisor or the District Portfolio Lead, Floresha Smith, to receive their State SSO. 

All point A assessments should be completed/not uploaded for all students by Friday, December 4, to support purposeful sampling. 

Questions or concerns? Email eps@scsk12.org.

The deadline to complete NIE Goal Setting Conferences has been extended to November 6, 2026.

IMPORTANT: NIE Employees must select their evaluator first in PLZ, in order for the evaluator to have access to their NIE plan. In addition, the evaluator must be NIE Certified.

Questions? Contact EPS@scsk12.org

Advancing Professional Practice Through Evidence and Reflection School leaders, please encourage teachers familiar with the Professionalism Rubric to attend this PD opportunity. Participants will deepen their understanding by analyzing evidence, reflecting on professional practice, and using the rubric to support continuous professional growth. 

WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 4-5 p.m. 

Register in PLZ: Course# 50664 

Questions? Contact ESP@scsk12.org

The Fall Student Perception Survey will be administered October 26 – November 6, 2026. The District’s goal is to achieve 95% or more completion among eligible students and teachers. Please work with your Survey Site Coordinator to ensure students have the time, technology, and support needed to complete the survey. 

For questions, please contact the Employee Performance and Support Office at 901-416-2475 or eps@scsk12.org, or reach out to LaToya Rogers at rogersld@scsk12.org.

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) will release 2025–26 Educator Level of Overall Effectiveness (LOE) scores in TNCompass in the coming days.

To receive an LOE score, all required evaluation component scores must be available in TNCompass. The required components may include:

• Observation
• Achievement
• Growth
• Professionalism
• Student Perception Survey

Please note: Educators designated in TNCompass as a Partial Year Exemption (PYE)are not eligible to receive an LOE score and will not have an LOE displayed in TNCompass.

If you have questions about missing component scores or other evaluation-related concerns, please submit an Ivanti ticket. The Employee Performance & Support (EPS) team will review and research the issue.

Attention Principals and School Leadership Teams! Please take immediate note of a date adjustment for our upcoming November Principals' Leadership Development Week (LDW) session:

• 🗓️ PREVIOUS DATE: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
• ⚡ NEW DATE: Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Action Required: Please update your personal calendars, administrative outlooks, and campus scheduling plans immediately to reflect this change.

📌 Note: All other scheduled LDW session dates for the month of November remain unchanged.

Thank you for your flexibility as we align our leadership development calendar!

Performance and Leadership Development Department

Attention Current Leaders, Aspiring Administrators, and School Leadership Teams! The Department of Professional Learning & Development is bringing you two high-impact, high-leverage Leadership Labs this November. Grounded in our proven Present • Model • Practice • Execute framework, these sessions are designed to deliver immediate, actionable moves to transform your school site.

Check out the November lineup and secure your spot in PLZ today!

LAB 1: Mastering Actionable Feedback with "See It, Name It, Do It"

🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026

🎙️ Facilitator: Wil Redmond (Manager, Academic Leadership Support)

🎟️ PLZ Registration Code: 93237

• The Breakthrough: Move beyond generic feedback and master surgical coaching. Learn how to observe classroom instruction, pinpoint the exact instructional gap, and deliver precise, modeled feedback that drives immediate teacher growth.
• The Experience: See the protocol modeled live with real classroom video, role-play real-time feedback conversations in pairs, and leave equipped with a clear implementation protocol to execute with your teaching staff.

LAB 2: The Power of School Brand & Strategic Enrollment Leadership

🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026

🎙️ Facilitators: Dr. Daniel L. Jack (Director) & Zonja Glover (Principal)

🎟️ PLZ Registration Code: 93238

• The Breakthrough: Take control of your school's narrative! Discover how to define your campus's Unique Value Proposition, leverage data-driven storytelling, and build an authentic marketing strategy that attracts families, engages the community, and expands enrollment.
• The Experience: Analyze real-world success stories across social media and community outreach, draft your school's unique brand messaging in collaborative workshop pairs, and construct a targeted two-paragraph narrative ready to share directly with your school leadership team.

⚡ Seats are limited. Log in to PLZ and register with codes 93237 and 93238 now! Let’s keep building capacity together!

Daniel L. Jack, Ed.D.

Performance and Leadership Development 

The districtwide Digital Citizenship completion window has been extended through Friday, November 13, 2026, providing schools with additional time to ensure students complete all required modules.

Our district goal remains 93% student completion, and the current completion rate is 56.5%. All K-12 schools are expected to participate and continue monitoring student progress toward completion.

Please review the ​MSCS Digital Citizenship 2026​ for teacher roles, student access steps, and grade-band course information. Students are expected to complete all assigned lessons and activities through Canvas according to their grade band. The Digital Citizenship program is designed to help students develop safe, responsible, and effective online learning practices, including media literacy, digital safety and security, appropriate online behavior, responsible use of AI, and online community engagement.

Schools may schedule the Canvas lessons at a time that works best for their instructional program and use the Digital Citizenship Completion Report to monitor student progress and identify students who still need to complete the course. 

Why completion matters: Students who do not complete the Digital Citizenship course may miss important instruction related to online safety, cybersecurity awareness, responsible technology use, media literacy, and digital learning expectations. These lessons help prepare students to participate safely and effectively in digital learning environments and support the district's Remote Learning Readiness initiatives.

eRate Implications: Digital Citizenship supports the district's efforts to promote safe, responsible technology use and reinforces internet safety expectations associated with educational technology programs. Consistent student participation helps demonstrate the district's commitment to digital learning readiness and digital safety.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

As grades are finalized, please ensure students receive the required additional percentage points applicable to their advanced courses, whether applied automatically or manually. The Q1 Report Card Checklist clarifies this process.

The Advanced Academics team will run a gradebook audit report during the week of November 2, 2026. Principals will receive reports with specific next steps for addressing any teachers identified as out of compliance. All corrections and reconciliation must be completed by November 20, 2026.

For questions, please contact:

• Dr. Emily Barbee: barbeeeb@scsk12.org
• Kelly King: kingkr@scsk12.org
• Terriny Lloyd: lloydtk@scsk12.org

Honors Course Reconciliation - Due November 6, 2026

Please submit your school's honors course reconciliation spreadsheet documenting the reasons that eligible students were not enrolled in honors classes by Friday, November 6, 2026. Honors course eligibility is delineated in MSCS Policy 5005 on Advanced Academics and is part of the SEM Advancement Act that is included in state law. Documentation is required from every school for state reporting purposes. Honors course reconciliation spreadsheets were provided to counselors in August. Please note that this is a documentation request; schools are not being asked to change students' schedules now. 

Coordinated School Health

Please review the attached 2026-2027 Principals' Calendar for your scheduled Health & Wellness Day. The screenings include hearing, vision, height, weight, blood pressure, and scoliosis screenings for eligible students. Principal Screening Calendar Semester 1 26-27.pdf

If you have any questions regarding the schedule or the screening process, please contact the Health Promotions Department at 901-416-6432.

Medication Training

Please review the Medication Administration Training for 2026-2027. MedicationTraining.pdf

School Care and Immunization Training

Please review the School Care and Immunization Training Flyer. SchoolCareImmunizationTraining.pdf

Healthy Teams

Please review Healthy Teams for 2026-2027. HealthyTeams.pdf

District-Approved Medical Service Vendors

Please review the list of approved vendors. DistrictApprovedMedicalServiceVendors.pdf

Assigned School Nurse Absence

Please review the information regarding assigned school nurses' absence. Nursing.pdf

2026-2027 Bed Bugs Toolkit BedBugsToolkit.pdf

2026-2027 Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease (HFMD) Toolkit HFMDToolkit.pdf

2026-2027 Head Lice Toolkit LiceToolkit.pdf

Please review the proper procedures for completing the Medical Emergency Log, which must be completed and submitted by the last school day of each month.

Medical Emergency Based Logs Instructions.pdf

Operation Warm Hearts Coat Requests: Do you need coats and other winter clothing for your students? If so, please complete the survey linked below to provide information about your students’ needs by Friday, November 6, 2026. 

Each school is asked to designate one person to serve as the coordinator for this effort. That person will be responsible for providing size information for up to 10 students and picking items up on the day of distribution in December.  Requests will be filled based on availability, and an MSCS FACE team member will contact the coordinator to confirm a pick-up time for each school. 

Link to Submit Coat Requests: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OWH26

If you have any questions, please contact Sonja Chambers, CHAMBERSS@scsk12.org.