Community

After 23 years as an educator, Crystal McCoin, a third grade STEM teacher at Oakland Elementary, is trying something new – virtual teaching. Hundreds of CMCSS teachers are navigating the new world of CMCSS K-12 Virtual. For Ms. McCoin, she finds joy in teaching and watching her students’ excitement about learning. “I have been teaching a long time and thought I had seen everything, but have definitely had to step out of my comfort zone,” she explains. “I am always willing to try new things to see if something works better and to help the students learn.” This sentiment rings true for many virtual educators today. Educators are experts at creative thinking and our virtual teachers continue to rise to the challenge of engaging their students. From puppets to playing games, teachers at all levels aren’t afraid to try new things. Everyone understands that trying something different is crucial to maintaining a relationship with students. McCoin says the biggest difference with virtual learning is you have to work harder to build relationships with students. During her Zoom instruction time, her eyes are continuously scanning the faces for anyone who may be distracted. Phrases that would be typical to any classroom setting such as, ‘are you okay’, ‘show me your pencils’, ‘let’s sit up tall’ are now mixed in with the newest repetitive phrase for teachers ‘make sure you’re on mute.’ Ms. McCoin does not miss any opportunity to share a smile or encouraging word, because she knows the importance of building a relationship. “You get to see a little of their personalities but not as you do in the classroom setting,” she said. She admits that there are times virtual may be a struggle but teachers should look to the opportunities as well, “I feel like we get so much […]

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (October 7, 2020) – tnAchieves, the local partnering organization for TN Promise, which provides two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college in Tennessee, is looking for both high school applicants and mentors to assist seniors in pursuing higher education. In Clarksville-Montgomery County, both the number of students who have applied for the scholarship and the adult mentors has seen a significant drop in 2020.  TNPromise Applicants The deadline for high school seniors submitting a TN Promise application is November 2, 2020. Due to disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Tennessee high schools are significantly behind last year’s TN Promise application rate. High school seniors who are interested should complete the TN Promise application, submit a FAFSA, and apply to a college. Tennessee high school seniors can submit a TN Promise application by visiting www.TNPromise.gov and applying online. As indicated, the scholarship will provide two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college in Tennessee. Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not met by Pell, Hope, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. As part of the program, students will be paired with a partnering organization, provided with a mentor who will support them during the college application process and complete the community service requirement.  Mentor a High School Senior tnAchieves, the local partnering organization for TN Promise, needs volunteers to serve as mentors for the Class of 2021. tnAchieves mentors will serve their community virtually, working with local students to offer support throughout the college-going process. TN Promise allows any graduating high school senior the opportunity to attend a community or technical college tuition and mandatory fee-free. Many of the students will be the first in their family to attend college […]

It is extremely important that all students, employees, and the community self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to visiting any CMCSS facility. Additionally, it is extremely important that parents/guardians do not send their child to school if they are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test or are exhibiting a new on-set of symptoms related to COVID-19.

Dr. James Bailey has been selected as the Adult Education and Transition to Work Supervisor for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. Dr. Bailey has over 13 years of administrative experience, most recently serving as the principal of Whites Creek High School in Nashville. Under his leadership, the school experienced a 20 percent increase in the graduation rate. Dr. Bailey was named Principal of the Year for Middle Tennessee in February 2020. Dr. Bailey was with Metro Nashville Public Schools for 17 years. He served as assistant principal at Hillsboro and Pearl Cohn high schools and as a teacher at Jere Baxter Middle School. He earned his doctorate in Administrator Leadership from Walden University, an education specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Middle Tennessee State University, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee State University, and a B.A. in Bible and Theology from American Baptist College.

The CMCSS Communicable Disease Team (CDT) comprised of leaders from CMCSS and the Montgomery County Health Department meet regularly to review the latest guidance from the CDC and make recommendations for the health and safety of students, employees and the community.

Beginning June 10, 2019, the CMCSS Enrollment Center, located at 430 Greenwood Ave., will be open M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., throughout the calendar year when district offices are open.

Spring is a beautiful time of year, but it also comes with many stressors like changes in routines, state testing, and grades. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, please seek help immediately.

The Tennessee Department of Education has selected the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System as one of six districts to be named as an Exemplary ACCESS District. ACCESS is the acronym for All Children are Challenged and Equipped for Success in School.   CMCSS was recognized for its intensive work and exceptional dedication to providing ACCESS for all students to high quality instruction and intervention over the past two years through the State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG).   This designation is based on training participation data, dedication to the grant design, improvements in teaching methods, improvements in Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) quality, improvements in reading screener scores, and efforts to expand the trainings systemwide. The department is announced this recognition during two sessions at the Partners in Education (PIE) Conference this January.   This work has given CMCSS the opportunity to partner with TDOE and 29 other districts across the state as we impact each student in every facet of their education in the least restrictive setting. This dedication to our educators and students has, and will continue to, positively affect all students in CMCSS for many years to come. These efforts are helping to ensure that All Children are Challenged and Equipped for Success in School.  District SPDG supervisor Rebecca Britt and SPDG facilitators Elaine Hoffert and Debbie Jones, are dedicated to continued opportunities for schools to participate in SPDG 1.0 and 2.0 trainings as schools continue to build upon the success of the grant and create positive, motivating, empowering learning environments throughout the district.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board on first reading at the Dec. 4, 2018 School Board Study Session heard the recommendation that no changes be made to the elementary, middle, or high school zone lines for the 2019-2020 school year.

To watch a video of the entire forum, click here. Director of Schools Millard House II, Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson, and Clarksville Police Chief Al Ansley took questions from the community during the meeting. Due to time constraints, some questions were not addressed. Please see below for responses to questions that were not addressed at the meeting.