12 Dec |
High School Exams |
12 Dec |
School Board Formal Meeting |
6:00 PM |
Board Room |
13 Dec |
High School Exams |
14 Dec |
High School Exams |
15 Dec |
Half Day for Students |
18 Dec |
Winter Break | No School |
19 Dec |
Winter Break | No School |
20 Dec |
Winter Break | No School |
21 Dec |
Winter Break | No School |
22 Dec |
Winter Break | No School |
25 Dec |
Winter Break | No School |
26 Dec |
Winter Break | No School |
In October, Devon Avrigian-Jones had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the ocean aboard the Ocean Exploration Trust’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus. Listen as this Kirkwood Middle School science teacher shares her experience and explains how students are now able to dive deeper into learning about ocean exploration.
CMCSS has announced two administrative appointments.
New Providence Middle School
Melanie Steinlage has been selected as the principal of New Providence Middle School. Currently, Steinlage is the principal of West Creek Elementary School, where she has served since 2021. She began her career with CMCSS in 2010 and has served her entire career in public education in Title I schools as a teacher, Academic Coach, assistant principal, and principal. With the support of her instructional leadership, her schools have earned numerous Reward School designations, a National Title I Distinguished Schools designation, and TVASS level 5 composite scores for growth. Steinlage has served in numerous school and district-level leadership roles in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and school improvement. She earned her M.S. in Educational Leadership K-12 from the University of Tennessee at Martin and her B.S. in Education from the University of South Florida. Steinlage has completed numerous national trainings on Kagan strategies and McREL Balanced Leadership.
Steinlage stated, “I look forward to joining the Mustang family! My goal as a principal is to utilize my experience, education, and leadership skills to promote a positive environment that nurtures character and elevates student achievement.”
Rossview Elementary School Assistant Principal
Ellen Scruggs has been selected as an assistant principal at Rossview Elementary School. She currently serves as an Academic Coach at Glenellen Elementary School and served as a Leadership Resident at Barkers Mill Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year. Scruggs began her career with CMCSS in 2012 after a successful 21-year career in the private sector as a manager and business owner and operator. She has taught at Barksdale and Rossview elementary schools and has served in several school-level leadership roles, including Site-Based Induction Specialist. Scruggs was named Teacher of the Year in the 2020-2021 school year. She earned her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Austin Peay State University and B.A. from Carson-Newman College.
Moore Magnet STEM Interest Meeting | December 14, 2023
During the interest meeting, school administrators will explain the STEM learning model, share the extracurricular and enrichment opportunities available at the school, and families have the opportunity to see the school.
DETAILS
Thursday, December 14, 2023
4:30 p.m. - In-person in the cafeteria
5:30 p.m. - Zoom Virtual meeting (Link for meeting: https://cmcss-net.zoom.us/j/87555441527?pwd=Z1N3WWdIZU42dVVWTGs3Z0pjbGUyQT09)
Families can apply for the school during the Application Period for Schools and Programs of Choice beginning in January 2024.
STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, is embedded kindergarten through 5th grade at Moore. Students apply the knowledge they gain across the curriculum to solve challenges aligned with real-world problems tied to local community issues. Families who are zoned for Moore Magnet do not need to apply!
Moore Magnet Elementary School
The 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony was held November 16 and 17 in Washington, D.C., and Middle College at Austin Peay State University was recognized along with 353 public and private schools across the nation!
National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) is the United States Department of Education award program honoring high-performing schools and schools that are making great strides in closing any achievement gaps between students. The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The NBRS flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Congratulations to the students, faculty, and staff at Middle College at APSU on this outstanding achievement!
Inclement Weather ❄️
If you are new to Middle Tennessee, hold on tight for an adventurous season of ups and downs. From ice storms and snow to tornadoes and flooding, winter can come with many surprises, and we want to ensure all families know how to receive accurate information about school closings.
The Chief Operations Officer (COO) always errs on the side of caution to ensure the safety of students. To make the best recommendation, the COO looks at weather data and has transportation and operations staff checking the road conditions across Montgomery County. He also studies the radar, attends National Weather Service briefings, and calls forecasters. Sometimes the decision is easy. The more difficult decisions come when there is uncertainty about the timing or the significance of the event.
For school closing decisions, the CMCSS Communications Department will use ParentSquare to notify families. Depending on account settings, you may not always receive a phone call if your phone successfully receives text messages and push notifications via the ParentSquare app. The district will also share inclement weather closure updates on official CMCSS social media accounts, cmcss.net, and local media. Please ensure that you check your sources when viewing school closure information on social media.
✏ 2023-2024 Inclement Weather Make-Up Plan
The first five days missed by students will not be made up and will come from stockpiled student days.
The sixth day missed and subsequent days will be made up as available:
January 3, 2024 (staff development day)
February 7, 2024 (staff development day)
February 19, 2024 (Presidents Day)
Thirty minutes added to thirteen days not to infringe upon the state testing window to account for one make-up day
Days missed beyond this plan will be determined as circumstances require.
JOIN OUR CMCSS JROTC CADETS THIS SATURDAY
Free Community Event | JROTC Red River Brigade Championships
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Competition starts at 8:00 a.m.
Held at West Creek High School
Hosted by the West Creek High School Coyote Regiment, the JROTC Red River Brigade Championships will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Events will occur inside and outside West Creek High School, 1210 West Creek Coyote Trail. This event is free and open to the public. The community is invited to watch and cheer for the cadets from all eight traditional CMCSS high schools. Cadets from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan will be competing.
Teams will participate in Drill, Raider, and Air Rifle competitions. Representatives from college ROTC programs, Army equipment static displays, food trucks, and more will be on site. An awards ceremony will be held when all events are complete. Students interested in participating in JROTC are welcome to speak with school leaders to learn more about the programs offered within CMCSS.
Cadets will participate in either Drill, Raider, or Air Rifle competitions. Drill is a marching unit that performs routines based on military drills. Cadets can perform either armed or unarmed drills during competitive drill competitions. Raider competitions are very popular athletic and endurance competitions that have been compared to Ranger competitions at the college level. Air Rifle teams compete at varying distances in marksmanship competitions.
Students do not have to participate in JROTC to be eligible for ROTC in college. Students interested in learning more about the benefits of ROTC college programs can speak with the college representatives on-site at the event, including the University of Tennessee-Martin, Murray State ROTC, Austin Peay State University ROTC, Virginia Military Institute, and more.
REMINDER FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES
The Spanish Immersion Interest Meeting is TONIGHT (Tuesday, December 5) at 5:30 p.m. for incoming Kindergarten families. Join the Spanish Immersion team at Barksdale Elementary School (1920 Madison Street) to learn more about this School of Choice.
The Spanish Immersion program is a proven method of educating children by immersing them in Spanish, so they become bilingual. In a language immersion program, the classroom environment becomes the setting for language acquisition through subject content instruction, educational discourse, and social interactions. Students who enter the program need to be committed to continuing Spanish dual-language learning through 5th grade at Barksdale.
ELIGIBILITY
Incoming kindergartners: early literacy benchmark screening is required.
Complete the interest form and join the mailing list regarding the application process here: https://bit.ly/3uw2qy9
The Strengthening Families program celebrated the successful completion of another session. The 12-week program helps families develop positive behavior strategies for school and home.
Through a partnership with TN Voices, the district offers families the opportunity to meet at school, share a meal, and work through strategies to develop new patterns. “What happens in the home carries over to the school and vice versa,” said Matt Slight, Interim Director of Middle Schools. “Parents must understand that when they send their children to school, they’re sending their family to school. Whatever took place in the house prior to, or the last words that are said, really impact the student`s learning for the entire day.”
Families share how the program has made a significant impact on their homes. The first session began in September 2022; since then, nearly 20 families have completed the program. (Read more here: https://bit.ly/3FERwIC)
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE JANUARY 2024 SESSION?
Families with students in Byrns Darden, Kenwood, and Ringgold elementary schools can watch for information to be sent home soon. Classes will run from January 16, 2024, to March 26, 2024, and be held at Kenwood Elementary.
What is Coordinated School Health?
CMCSS Coordinated School Health values the connection between education and children`s physical, emotional, and social health. Coordinated School Health works with partners throughout the community to address the needs of children across the district. Learn more about the resources and services provided by Coordinated School Health through the link below.
https://www.cmcss.net/coordinated-school-health-csh/
Calendar Reminders 📅
Families, for additional information on some of the calendar reminders below, see the December District Family Newsletter in ParentSquare.
⭐️ Monday, December 4 - CMCSS Hiring Event
⭐️ Saturday, December 9 - JROTC Red River Brigade Team Championships (Free Community Event)
⭐️ December 12-14 - High School Exams
⭐️ Friday, December 15 - Half Day of School for Students
⭐️ Monday, December 18 - Winter Break Begins
⭐️ Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - Elementary Rezoning Public Hearing
⭐️ Thursday, January 4 - Classes Resume
⭐️ Wednesday, January 10 - Report Cards
⭐️ Monday, January 15 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | No School
⭐️ Thursday, January 25 - Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences
📅 REMINDER | CMCSS JOB FAIR IS TOMORROW
Become a Difference Maker!
THE DETAILS
Monday, December 4, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
1312 Highway 48, Clarksville
CMCSS employees enjoy a competitive benefits package, including paid time off, paid holidays, vacation, and sick time. Retirement plans and other benefits make this a great opportunity! While submitting an application before the event is not required, it is strongly encouraged.
Attendees may have the opportunity for same day interviews and offers on the spot. School leaders and department heads will be on site to meet with visitors. If you have questions, Human Resources offers application support and information on alternative pathways to teaching.
High-Needs Positions Include:
- Classroom Teachers
- Special Education Teachers
- Educational Assistants
- Custodians
Find current openings online at www.cmcss.net/employment
National Special Education Day is celebrated each year on December 2. This day commemorates the anniversary of our nation’s first federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), signed by President Ford on December 2, 1975.
We ALL play an important role in our schools and communities! ❤️