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Remote Learning Resources

Remote learning is part of the CMCSS Continuum of Learning. CMCSS has a plan for individual classrooms, a school, or the entire district to have students learning remotely if needed at any time. As the conditions surrounding the pandemic change, the district will be prepared to continue to provide high quality education to all students, no matter the circumstances.



Gena Albertia

The Power of Possibility: School Psychologists Week

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. How School Psychologists Expand the Horizon for CMCSS Students School psychologists play a role that most people cannot clearly define. Yet, their work is crucial to creating strategies for intervention and supportive environments for students in need. On a typical day, they provide direct support to students, consult with teachers and families, and collaborate with school mental health professionals.  Recently a group of CMCSS school psychologists reflected on the common misconceptions regarding their profession. Whether it be parents or fellow staff, their role within the school is sometimes confused. “How many times have you been mistaken for a school counselor?” District Lead School Psychologist Dr. Ariane Narain asks her peers, to which they all smile and nod. Another shares a story to which everyone quickly relates as they’re often asked a variation of, “Where’s your couch?” Aside from the assumptions surrounding school psychologists’ role, the true nature of their position is significant. “The day can look very different if you’re in elementary, middle, or high school,” said Dr. Jasmine Scott, who works at Montgomery Central. “People think we just assess students all day,” said Narain. Much of their day is consulting, whether with students, parents, teachers, counselors, or administrators. These consultations are critical to the success of the students. “What we do carries such a heavy weight for special education.” School psychologists determine eligibility for a range of students, including special education and gifted students. Each student’s journey through eligibility and intervention for special services is unique, as is the relationship developed with the family.  The psychologists understand that just the mention of their presence creates a range of emotions for families […]



Col. (Ret.) Vernon F. Lightner named CMCSS’ Director of Army Instruction

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. Col. (retired) Vernon F. Lightner has been named CMCSS’ Director of Army Instruction, replacing Col. (retired) Michael J. Taliento, Jr. who is retiring. Previously, he served as the Senior Army Instructor at Montgomery Central High School. Before teaching JROTC, he served in the U.S. Army for 27 years, retiring as a Colonel. Col. (retired) Lightner has served in a variety of leadership positions from Platoon Leader to Battalion Commander. He has participated in several operational deployments including Operation Intrinsic Action, Kuwait; Operation Restore Hope, Somalia; and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Joint Staff and Army Staff Badge, and various other campaign medals. He earned his M.S. in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School at National Defense University in Washington, D.C., an M.S. in Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C. Additionally, he completed the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, and the Command and General Staff College. Colonel (retired) Lightner is married to Colonel (retired) Cynthia Lightner, and they have three adult children.



rossview middle traffic map

Rossview Middle School develops new afternoon traffic plan

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. https://youtu.be/irvs0bDeno0 In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, Rossview Middle School has altered the afternoon pick up location for families. Families picking up at the middle school will enter the complex on Cardinal Lane and turn right to drive past the front of the school. Drivers should be aware there will be two lanes of traffic for the pickup process. Drivers can turn left into the circular lot and pick up their middle school students. Vehicles are encouraged to leave the Rossview complex the same way in which they entered. Those picking up middle and high school students should complete their middle school pickup and turn right on Cardinal Lane to proceed to the back of the middle school. Drivers can then turn left, go past the athletic fields, and proceed to the high school activities entrance. These changes will only impact the afternoon schedule at this time. Morning drop-off will remain the same. To see the map regarding afternoon pick-up please visit our website.



Students at Three CMCSS High Schools Receive Flagship Scholarship Opportunity

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. Three Clarksville-Montgomery County High Schools have recently received special designation from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, granting specific scholarship opportunities to students to access one of Tennessee’s premier public universities. The Flagship Scholarship is offered to admitted freshmen who graduate from a designated Flagship high school. Northeast, West Creek, and Kenwood high schools have all been named as UT-Knoxville Flagship schools. The Flagship Scholarship is a scholarship program provided by Flagship Universities across the 50 states. There are only 38 high schools in Tennessee that qualify for this designation. According to the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, “when combined with other federal, state, and institutional aid, this scholarship covers a student’s tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight (8) semesters.” The scholarship is automatically granted to students who meet all of the criteria, with no additional application required. Students must be a Tennessee resident and U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students must also be first-time freshmen who enter UT in the fall semester immediately following graduation. The scholarship does specify that an admission application must be submitted by the December 15 deadline and a FAFSA application must be sent by February 1 prior to enrollment. Students who are interested in learning more about this opportunity should contact their school counselor or visit https://onestop.utk.edu/scholarships/tri-star-scholarship-program/for information.



Chief Operations Officer Named for CMCSS

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. Norm Brumblay has been selected as Chief Operations Officer (COO) for CMCSS, beginning Dec. 1. He replaces Jim Sumrell who retires at the end of the semester. Brumblay has been with CMCSS since 2002, serving as the Operations Director and Facilities Manager. In this role, he has acted as the COO designee, supervised the Facilities Department staff and the operation of all school and district facilities, and been responsible for the planning, design, and construction of facilities during his tenure. Previously, he was a Project Manager and Designer for DBS & Associates Engineering. Additionally, Brumblay serves as a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army assigned to Tennessee Army National Guard 129th AB. Over his 33 years of military service, he has provided first-line leadership for various missions, including overseas combat operations in the Persian Gulf War with the 101st Airborne Division. Brumblay earned his M.S. in business management from Austin Peay State University and a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. He has earned his FEMA Incident Command ICS Certificate, was a member of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps, and completed the U.S. Army Advanced Leadership School. He received the National Medal of the Arts, as a military musician, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, and was named the U.S. Army Bands NCO of the Year in 2003. Locally, he was a graduate of the Leadership Clarksville Class of 2008 and served on the Montgomery County Growth Plan Development Committee and the City of Clarksville Access Management Board. Brumblay is a past president of the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region Board of Directors […]



CMCSS K-12 Virtual Teacher Named News Channel 2 Educator of the Week

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. 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 […]



October 22, 2020 Update – Remote Learning

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. Good evening, CMCSS families, We have a few important updates to the district calendar for traditional students. CMCSS will be implementing five pre-planned, district-wide remote learning days for traditional students before Winter Break. With remote learning, students will not report to the school building as they will access learning via the laptops provided by the district. Schools will provide more information to families on how to access remote learning and meals, for those who need them, in the coming days. The following are the planned remote learning days: November 2 (day before Election Day) November 23-25 (3 days before Thanksgiving Break) December 21 (day before Winter Break) The decision to implement these remote learning days was based on two factors. First, we received feedback from families after the calendar was revised in August regarding the shortening of Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. Implementing remote learning days will allow families to have that time together while still ensuring students are engaged in learning.  Secondly, these pre-planned remote days will allow our Technology Department to evaluate and repair any issues that could arise for students in the event that multiple schools or the entire district needed to transition to remote learning due to the circumstances of the pandemic. So far, the district has had around 2,500 of our almost 23,000 traditional students who have had to learn remotely for a period of time due to COVID-19 reasons since the first day of school. CMCSS students, faculty, staff, and administrators have worked hard to implement the district’s reopening plan and to keep our school buildings open for those families that chose the traditional option. District leaders […]



TNPromise Scholarship Applications Due Nov. 2, 2020

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. 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 […]



Fall Break October 12-16, 2020

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. Fall Break is next week, Oct. 12-16. This will be a well-deserved time off for CMCSS students, faculty, and staff. If you plan to travel over Fall Break, please click here to read the CDC’s guidance. It is essential to review this guidance to keep you and your family safe while traveling and keep our community and schools safe and open when you return.  Although meals will not be served over Fall Break, the Child Nutrition Department will be distributing nine days’ worth of no-cost meals this Fri., Oct. 9, from 1-2 p.m. at all CMCSS elementary schools. Meals will be served curbside. These meals are for all CMCSS students (both K-12 Virtual and traditional students) and non-enrolled children who are 18-years-old and under. School and district offices will be closed to the public during Fall Break and will reopen on Mon., Oct. 19. We hope everyone has a safe, fun, and relaxing break!