Hosted by the Exceptional Children Department & Family and Community Engagement Department

This October, Memphis-Shelby County Schools is proud to host a series of educational and family-centered sessions designed to provide awareness, strategies, and resources for supporting children on the autism spectrum. These sessions are tailored for families, school staff, and administrators to strengthen understanding and collaboration in both home and school environments.

Session 1: Autism Awareness for School Staff

Date: Monday, October 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams

Overview:
This professional learning session will focus on autism awareness and provide school staff with strategies to support students with autism in the academic environment. The training will highlight common characteristics of autism, classroom strategies, and practical tools for fostering inclusion. Exceptional Children staff will be available to answer questions and offer additional supports.

Audience: School staff and administrators

Morning session link: Join Here

Afternoon session link: Join Here

Session 2: Parent & Caregiver Behavior Supports

Date: Tuesday, October 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams

Overview:
This monthly session is designed for parents and caregivers of children with exceptionalities. The focus will be on behavior supports that families can use at home to promote positive outcomes for their children. Participants will receive practical strategies, have the opportunity to ask questions, and connect with Exceptional Children specialists.

Registration: Families interested in attending can register here. After registering, a meeting link will be provided.

Audience: Parents and caregivers

Session 3: MSCS Family Forum – Autism Awareness & Support

Date: Wednesday, October 8
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams

Overview:
This Family Forum session will highlight autism awareness and available supports within Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The Exceptional Children team will provide guidance and resources, while special guests Kia (Kia Shine) and Queen Coleman will share their journey as parents of a child with autism. This session is designed to inspire, inform, and strengthen family-school partnerships.

Audience: Families, caregivers, community members, and educators

Session link: Join Here

Per Policy #6065, the Office of Student Leadership will offer training for middle and high schools to beginning SGA & Student Council advisors. 

Participants will receive a step-by-step implementation plan to help schools establish a successful SGA and/or Student Council. A calendar of upcoming events (local and statewide) will be provided, in addition to information on fundraising, team-building, and community service projects.

Date:            Tuesday, October 7, 2025 *New Date*

Time:            3:15 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:      Central High School (Library), 306 South Bellevue

PLZ Course: 48754

PURPOSE:   To provide guidelines for the operation of student councils in each of the district’s middle and high schools.

Please be sure to review Student Government (Policy 6065).

This policy applies to middle schools and high schools. ​

Each school shall establish an elected student council. The council shall be governed by its own constitution, which shall be approved by the school principal. Defining the council’s jurisdiction shall be a joint and cooperative effort of the council, students, and the student government constitution.

Sign-Up Link: https://forms.office.com/r/kx9gwvLFxV

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Billy J. Walker, II <Walkerbj@scsk12.org>.

SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS: ASSISTANCE WITH PROGRAM FEES

If you have students experiencing homelessness who are being asked to pay fees to participate in school programs, please know that our office can assist with covering those costs. This also applies to cap and gown fees for high school graduation.

To request payment, please follow-up with the school’s Financial Secretary to coordinate submission of a completed Payment Request Form along with a detailed description of the fees.

For additional information or assistance, please contact Karen Ball-Johnson at ballkf@scsk12.org or call 901-416-7393.

Homeless Student Referral Information

To ensure timely support, all McKinney-Vento referral forms have been uploaded to the Special Populations SharePoint. In order for services to be initiated, a completed referral must be submitted to our office. Once received, a team member will contact the parent or caretaker within 48–72 hours. Please use the SharePoint link below to access the referral forms.  

MSCS Displaced Referral Forms.pdf

This 6-week program encourages K-8 students to read 20 minutes at home or in the classroom. The program will begin on September 15 and end on October 27. If you are interested in having your students participate, register your classroom by filling out the form below. The deadline has been extended until Friday, September 5. After registration closes, you will receive an email with more information about the program. https://memphisbasketball.formstack.com/forms/2025_hustle_reading_cubs_registration

Additionally, CLICK HERE to access an informational flyer regarding attendance to the Memphis Hustle game.

For more information, reach out to Maya Todd with Memphis Hustle. 

MTodd@Grizzlies.com 

Tel: 901.205.1234

School Leaders,

It’s that inspiring time of year once again! We are pleased to announce the launch of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Teacher of the Year nomination process, and we invite your participation in recognizing the exceptional educators within your school community.

We kindly ask each principal to nominate one outstanding teacher who exemplifies excellence in education, inspires both students and colleagues, and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to academic achievement and student growth. Submit your 2025–2026 MSCS Teacher of the Year nomination here by Friday, October 24, 2025.

Your nomination will help us celebrate the dedication and impact of our educators across the district. Thank you for your continued support in highlighting the remarkable talent within your building.

Now Hiring Praxis Tutors. See the flyer for more information Praxis Tutors.pdf

Regional Superintendents and Principals, please review the linked revised memo regarding the Fall 2025 ILT Lead stipend submission deadline of December 8, 2025. Principals are asked to ensure all required documentation is submitted on time to support timely stipend processing. For questions, contact Ron Clark at 416-5930.

REVISED MEMO ILT Fall 2025 Stipend Deadline (003).docx

Do you know a Principal or Supervisor who goes above and beyond to support students, staff, and the school community? Help us recognize outstanding leadership by submitting your nomination for Principal of the Year or Supervisor of the Year.

Nominations are open now through November 6, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the exceptional leaders who inspire and make a lasting impact every day.

Click on the embedded link or scan the QR Code on the flyer attached. Let’s honor those who lead with dedication, vision, and heart in Memphis Shelby County Schools.

POYFA (5).pd

SOYFA (6).pdf

To support school leaders in preparing for the November 2025 Flex Days (November 24–26), the Performance and Leadership Development team has released the November Flex Days Leader Toolkit.

This comprehensive resource includes:

• Eligibility criteria for teacher participation
• Required Canvas courses
• Guidance for reviewing PLZ transcripts
• Communication protocols for reporting ineligibility
• Submission forms and FAQs

Access the toolkit here: November Flex Days Leader Toolkit

For questions, contact: performanceandleadership@scsk12.org

Fall Professional Learning Course Offerings are now available. Fall 2025 Professional Learning Catalog.pdf

ILT Content Leads Save the Dates for Future 2025-26 ILT Support Sessions. All ILT Content Leads must attend the monthly ILT Support Sessions outlined in the flyer to be eligible to receive the semester stipend. 2025 26 ILT Support Session Dates w PLZ Codes 9.15.2025.pdf

The Q1 Report Card period ends Friday, October 3. Report Cards are no longer required to be mailed. However, Q1 Report Cards should be printed and handed to students to take on home Wednesday, October 22. Parents will continue to be able to view the grades in the Parent Portal as well. The Q1 Report Card Checklist is available here. This document outlines the teacher and school office staff’s responsibilities for verifying and finalizing Q1 Report Cards. If you have any questions, please contact your assigned SIS Data Specialist/Analyst.

Important Dates:

• Quarter 1 End Date: October 3, 2025
• Quarter 2 Start Date: October 6, 2025
• Fall Break: October 13-17, 2025
• Distribution Date of Report Cards and Available via Parent Portal: October 22, 2025

The TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association) will be introducing a one-time transfer rule for the next school year that allows high school and middle school student-athletes a single transfer to another school without losing eligibility, but only if the transfer is not for athletic reasons. 

This rule is designed to address the needs of students experiencing significant academic, social-emotional, environmental, or mental health challenges. There are exceptions, including cases where a coaching link exists between the new school and the former school within the past 12 months, or if the student is under disciplinary suspension at their former school.  The school the student is transferring from must verify that the move is not due to athletic or disciplinary reasons. 

Currently, the TSSAA is working on additional messaging and FAQs for schools to support this bylaw change.  The TSSAA's one-time transfer rule has been the subject of legislative debate, with lawmakers initially considering codifying the rule into state law, but the process has been paused until 2026. 

India Weaver, Athletics Director

weaveri@scsk12.org