Hello MSCS Families,

Please read, save, and share our newsletter filled with articles, District news, events, and timely information.

Shelby County Board of Education interviews top five candidates for superintendent

The search for the next superintendent of Tennessee’s largest public school district has entered an exciting new phase. On Dec. 15, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board Members interviewed five semi-finalists. The public was invited to attend, and the interviews were live-streamed on District platforms.

Click here to watch each interview on the District's YouTube page.

The MSCS Board is scheduled to announce the finalists at 5PM CT on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at a Special Called meeting. You can watch the meeting via livestream on the MSCS Facebook and Twitter pages.

Adopt-A-School

Schools often need resources for their programs, and you can offer different kinds of support to schools in your community. Adopters can donate funds, educational materials, books, or even computers to support their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education initiatives. Consider establishing partnerships between local businesses or organizations today!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MSCS CALENDAR

DATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

DECEMBER

• First Semester Exams: Dec. 18-20
• Second Nine Weeks/First Semester Ends: Dec. 20
• Winter Break (Students Out): Dec. 21- Jan. 3
• Students Return: Jan. 4
• ACT Dates Link

SCHOLARSHIPS & CONTESTS:

DECEMBER

What aid is available in Tennessee?

• (New!) Applications for TBA Diversity Law Week Link
• DEWALT Trades Scholarship Link
• Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship Link
• Niche $50,000 "No Essay" Scholarship Link

The MSCS Holiday Event Guide is here! You received this information directly, but click the link to experience the great holiday happenings across the District. There are still a few more events happening! The last day for students is Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Tennessee's literacy laws impact students in third grade and fourth grade. Per state law, third-grade students who do not make a passing ELA TCAP score could be required to attend additional intervention or be retained, and impacted fourth-grade students who do not show adequate growth on the ELA portion of the TCAP could be retained with no additional intervention possible.

Below is a list of tips and resources to support your child.

TIPS

• Let your child pick a book and have them read along with you.
• Show them how a good reader reads! Be expressive and show them that it's fun!
• Put on a reading theater/act out the book or story after reading it.
• Subtitles ON: Watch a show or movie on mute and read it instead.

FREE RESOURCES

• MSCS Learning Academies (Fall Break, Spring Break, and Summer Learning Academies)
• Focused Tutoring (Before-/After-School Tutoring)
• Memphis Public Library: memphislibrary.org/explorememphis/
• Reading 360 Decodables: tn.gov/education/decodables
• Ready4K: scsk12.org/ready4k
• MSCS Homework Hotline: (615) 298-6636 or (901) 416-1234

Third- and fourth-grade families, please remember to sign the parent acknowledgment form on PowerSchool. For more information, visit http://www.scsk12.org/commitment/ or send an email to thirdgradecommitment@scsk12.org.

We Stand Out: MVS Graduation

We say congratulations to the last of the class of 2023! Memphis Virtual School hosted its commencement ceremony Dec. 16. Families celebrated the milestone as they prepared for the holiday break. Learn more about the school here.

Get Ready, Let's Code 3!

Tech Xperts called, and students answered! hundreds of MSCS middle schoolers were able to have a hands-on, real-life session to learn about artificial intelligence (AI). The District's goal is to help students solve problems using forward-thinking technology.

The MSCS family is made up of newsmakers! From our students and teachers to our coaches and support staff, everyone in Memphis-Shelby County Schools has a story.

Below are a few highlights shared by local news outlets.

How Memphis-Shelby County Schools is using assistants to help children with literacy skills

Click here to read the story from ABC 24

'Satan has no room in this district': MSCS responds to Satanic Temple rental space concerns

Click here to read the story from WMC

Five Finalists Vying for Superintendent

Click here to read the story from Memphis Flyer

NOTE FROM NUTRITION SERVICES: Nearly every industry, including MSCS, is experiencing food supply chain disruptions.

With our logistics providers openly communicating, the Nutrition Services Department has taken immediate measures to mitigate the impact.

A delay may affect menu selections and the availability of products/supplies. Please be patient and understanding as we work diligently to rectify this situation.

MSCS Nutrition Services is responsible for all District cafeterias, serving breakfast and lunch to 105,000 students daily. Click here to view the meals being served at your child's school.

 Connect with MSCS on social media! #MSCSTogether