Posted in Middle School:

On December 19, the Tennessee Department of Education released the 2023-24 State Report Card with additional data, including school letter grades. The A-F school letter grades for Tennessee schools were implemented in 2023. School letter grades are calculated using several pieces of data, including student achievement and growth on standardized assessments, subgroup performance, and college and career readiness at the high school level. Since implementation, CMCSS has not had any schools rated at the lowest level, an F. CMCSS has continued this trend in 2023-24 and made significant improvements from 2022-23.

In CMCSS, 90% of schools received an average or better letter grade of an A, B, or C, an increase from 73% in 2022-2023. Nearly half of CMCSS schools performed in the top categories, earning an A or B, and the number of schools earning a D decreased by 64%. There were no F grades in CMCSS.

Over 30% of schools improved their letter grades from last year, including a significant 3-grade improvement at Northeast Elementary School from a D to an A, and 2-grade improvements at Montgomery Central Middle School (C to A) and Moore Magnet Elementary School (D to B).

Click here to review the Tennessee Department of Education’s School Letter Grade Dashboard. The TCAP Family Portal can be found here, and additional online education tools can be found here.

On the afternoon of Monday, April 8, we will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse in Clarksville-Montgomery County. This will be a different experience than the total solar eclipse in August 2017, when our community was a prime location in the path of totality. However, this will still be a great learning experience for students. CMCSS has purchased ISO-certified solar eclipse safety glasses for students and employees. Weather and schedules permitting, schools may plan educational activities and provide opportunities for students to view the eclipse at school.

If you would prefer to pick up your student early from school, students will be counted present for an entire day if you pick them up after they have been in school for a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

If you do not want your child to view the eclipse at school, please send a written note to your child’s school by Friday, April 5 to exempt them from participation in any viewing activities.

CMCSS is offering Open Enrollment in specific schools and grade levels with available capacity for the 2024-2025 school year. Space for Open Enrollment is limited to only the specific schools and grades listed below.

Each grade listed has a limited number of available seats. If more requests are received than available seats, a lottery drawing will be held. Open Enrollment is only open to residents of Montgomery County. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be accepted from Monday, March 25 through Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Please see below for the application. Completed applications should be delivered in person or mailed to the CMCSS Enrollment Center, 430 Greenwood Ave. Clarksville, TN 37040, ATTN: Director of Student Services.  This Open Enrollment process is separate from the application period for schools and programs of choice that took place January – February 2024.

2024-2025 Open Enrollment Application (STS-F023)

The application above has expired.

CMCSS Open Enrollment Policy (STS-A004)

Due to the comprehensive rezoning that changed capacities at some schools, the District had to delay the determination of open seats for Open Enrollment until spring 2024.

The CMCSS Instruction and Curriculum Department will host information sessions throughout October for families interested in learning more about dyslexia and individualized learning plans for dyslexia (ILP-D.) Families may have received a phone call from their child’s teacher or paperwork sent home recently. These information sessions will answer questions regarding the CMCSS screening process and new state requirements. Caregivers can pre-submit questions to ensure they’re answered by emailing [email protected]. Pre-registration for the information sessions is not required.

Topics will include:

• What is dyslexia?
• How does CMCSS screen and support students with dyslexia?
• What are the updated state regulations with Individualized Learning Plans for students with characteristics of dyslexia? (ILP-D)
• What questions can I ask my child’s teacher to support my student at school?

Virtual Information Session Dates and Times

• Monday, October 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, October 3, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Click here to access the Zoom link (valid for all the above meeting times.) 

The CMCSS Instruction and Curriculum Department will host information sessions throughout October for families interested in learning more about dyslexia and individualized learning plans for dyslexia (ILP-D.) Families may have received a phone call from their child’s teacher or paperwork sent home recently. These information sessions will answer questions regarding the CMCSS screening process and new state requirements. Caregivers can pre-submit questions to ensure they’re answered by emailing [email protected]. Pre-registration for the information sessions is not required.

Topics will include:

• What is dyslexia?
• How does CMCSS screen and support students with dyslexia?
• What are the updated state regulations with Individualized Learning Plans for students with characteristics of dyslexia? (ILP-D)
• What questions can I ask my child’s teacher to support my student at school?

Virtual Information Session Dates and Times

• Monday, October 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, October 3, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Click here to access the Zoom link (valid for all the above meeting times.) 

The CMCSS Instruction and Curriculum Department will host information sessions throughout October for families interested in learning more about dyslexia and individualized learning plans for dyslexia (ILP-D.) Families may have received a phone call from their child’s teacher or paperwork sent home recently. These information sessions will answer questions regarding the CMCSS screening process and new state requirements. Caregivers can pre-submit questions to ensure they’re answered by emailing [email protected]. Pre-registration for the information sessions is not required.

Topics will include:

• What is dyslexia?
• How does CMCSS screen and support students with dyslexia?
• What are the updated state regulations with Individualized Learning Plans for students with characteristics of dyslexia? (ILP-D)
• What questions can I ask my child’s teacher to support my student at school?

Virtual Information Session Dates and Times

• Monday, October 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, October 3, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Click here to access the Zoom link (valid for all the above meeting times.) 

Are you excited for the start of the 2023-24 school year? Here is what you need to know!

Before School Begins

How do I register my child?

How do I stay connected with communications from my child’s school and the district?

What school supplies will my child need?

When is Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend?

How will we learn about school bus information?

When are Open Houses at the school?

What information do families with a kindergartener need to know?

When is freshmen orientation?

What are the state requirements on immunizations?

What school safety and security protocols does CMCSS have in place?

What is the Student Code of Conduct?

During the School Year

When does school start?

How can I find out what my child is being taught throughout the school year?

What are the school meal prices, and how do I apply for free or reduced meals?

When and where are the 2024 graduations?

How can I access social and emotional support for my child?

What is the attendance policy?

Will elementary schools be rezoned with the construction of the new Kirkwood Elementary School?

How do the student ID cards work for elementary students?

How do I register my child?

If your kindergarten through 12th-grade student is new to Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools or is transferring between schools, enroll online by visiting parents.cmcss.net.

The Enrollment Center serves as a centralized location for parents and guardians to register their children and gather documents, resources, and support for the enrollment process.

CMCSS Enrollment Center
430 Greenwood Ave.
Clarksville, TN 37040

The Enrollment Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., throughout the calendar year when district offices are open. Parents and guardians are able to begin the registration process at the Enrollment Center, including the ability to submit important registration documents. Parents and guardians still have the option to complete the enrollment process at their child’s zoned school when buildings are open and staff is available. School offices reopen on July 20. Visit cmcss.net/registration for more information.

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How do I stay connected with communications from my child’s school and the district?

CMCSS families are encouraged to sign up for PowerSchool and ParentSquare notifications. These are the primary means of communication from both school-based administrators and the District. Families will receive everything from inclement weather messages to instruction updates. You can download the PowerSchool mobile app (free) and the ParentSquare mobile app (free) on any Android or iOS device.

Please note that families will receive communications over the coming days and weeks regarding electronic forms for 1:1 technology, emergency cards, the Student Code of Conduct, health assessments, and other important topics. Reminders will be sent until the forms are completed.

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION:

Throughout the year, if a parent or guardian needs to update his or her contact information, please visit CMCSS Parent Self-Service and click the “Update Student Information” tile to enter new contact information.

CMCSS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow CMCSS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @cmcssinfo. Subscribe to the district’s YouTube channel, Focus, @cmcssfocus.

For the directions below, please note that PowerSchool will be enabled on August 4, 2023. If you do not already have an account, please check back on or after August 4 to create an account.

CREATING A POWERSCHOOL ACCOUNT:

To create a PowerSchool account, visit powerschool.cmcss.net, click the Create Account tab, and complete the form. You can find your child’s Access ID by visiting parents.cmcss.net and click on Get Student Security Info.

POWERSCHOOL MOBILE APP:

The PowerSchool app is a free and convenient resource for families to review their child’s academic progress. Once you set up an account using the directions above, download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Use CMCSS’ district code P Z Q N when you register.

PARENTSQUARE:

Visit cmcss.net/parentsquare for more information on how to register your ParentSquare account and download the mobile app.

If school buildings must close due to inclement weather or other emergencies, the CMCSS Communications Department will use ParentSquare to notify families via call, text, email and push notifications on the app. The district also will share inclement weather closure updates on official CMCSS social media accounts, district and school websites, and local media. Please ensure that you check your sources when viewing school closure information on social media.

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What school supplies will my child need?

Having your child prepared is a great way to start the school year. Click here for a list of supplies typically needed for elementary students. The supplies will be collected and stored for classroom use. Depending upon usage, students may need to replenish their supplies at some point during the school year. Additionally, sometimes teachers may request other items, depending on the curriculum.

Middle and High Schools have more differences in supply lists, so it’s best to wait until students receive the list from their teacher.

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When is Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend?

The state of Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday is held every year, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the last Friday in July and ending at 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday night. During this weekend, certain goods may be purchased tax-free. The 2023 tax-free holiday weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 28, and ends Sunday, July 30 at 11:59 p.m.

Click here for more information about the sales tax holiday from the TN Department of Revenue.

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How will we learn about school bus information?

Routing information for the 2023-2024 School Year will be available at cmcss.net/bus-zoning/ beginning Friday, July 21.

If you have questions, please call (931) 358-4089 for more information.

For parents of younger children, please ensure they either know their address or have it written down for them in a safe place. Also, caution your child not to get off the bus if the stop is unfamiliar to them. Please visit cmcss.net/bussafety for more information.

Bus Rider Eligibility:
The parent responsibility zone (PRZ), the area in which families are responsible for providing transportation (car rider, walker, etc.), is:

• 1 mile for elementary students
• 1 ½ miles for middle and high school students

Exceptions:
For student safety, transportation will still be provided for students who live in the PRZ under the following travel conditions:

• 4 or more lanes of traffic without a crossing guard
• Roads with insufficient road width (less than 24 ft.) with speeds above 35 mph
• Roads with no sidewalks with speeds above 35 mph

Notes:

• This does not impact students who receive Special Populations transportation services as indicated in their IEPs.
• If a daycare is in the PRZ, CMCSS will not provide transportation.
• Families must ensure that their students are at their assigned bus stops five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Students will be picked up and dropped off at the same bus stop every day.

StopFinder

Stopfinder provides real-time information on where your child’s bus is as they travel to and from school. This secure and protected app allows you to provide access to trusted guardians or friends for as long or short of a time as you wish. Parents and guardians can also choose to share access with students. Registration invitations will be sent out at the beginning of the school year. Click here to learn more about StopFinder.

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When are Open Houses at the school?

Elementary School Open Houses, or “Back to School Nights,” are Fri., Aug. 4, from 5-7 p.m.

Middle School Open Houses will be on Thu., Aug. 17, from 5-7 p.m.

High School Open Houses will be on Thu., Aug. 24, from 5-7 p.m.

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What information do families with a kindergartener need to know?

Elementary School Open Houses are a great time to visit with your child’s teacher, tour the school, and learn about a typical kindergarten day.

All kindergarteners will attend the half day of school on Monday, August 7. Each elementary school will host its first day of school in a manner best suited for its families. While it is not required that families attend the entire half-day, some families may choose to do so.

Schools will communicate individually with families regarding kindergarten flex days (Aug. 10-11 & 14-15). Your child will be scheduled to come to school on one of the four flex days. All kindergarteners will then begin school on Wednesday, August 16 for their first full day of school.

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Visit the Kindergarten Ready page.

When is Freshmen Orientation?

Families of ninth graders will be contacted soon by their enrolled schools regarding the details of their Freshman Orientation. Please contact your child’s enrolled school if you have any questions.

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What are the state requirements on immunizations?

Click here for CMCSS Health Services-related information, including information on immunizations.

If your student qualifies for a Medical or Religious Exemption, please see our admission policy and Religious Exemption form on the district website (HEA-F092).

For information regarding Meningococcal and Influenza immunizations, please refer to the Health Services page. TN Code § 49-6-5005 states that schools must provide parents and guardians with information about meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of vaccination against meningococcal disease at the beginning of every school year.

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What school safety and security protocols does CMCSS have in place?

School safety is CMCSS’ top priority. To learn more about CMCSS’ school safety and security protocols, visit the CMCSS School Safety Hub.

Important Reminders for Families:

• Please continue to partner with us by talking to your children about making good choices, the consequences for offenses in the Student Code of Conduct, and the consequences for illegal activities.
• An individual can be charged for threatening to commit an act of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity by any means of communication. In several cases, students have made threatening statements they claimed were jokes. Making a threat is not a joke, and the consequences are serious.
• Please talk to your children about the importance of immediately reporting any safety concern to a teacher, administrator, SRO, or other trusted adults. For imminent threats, immediately call 911. Please do not post or repost threats or rumors of school violence on social media. This adds to the panic and confusion and makes investigating threats much more difficult for law enforcement and administrators.
• One of the most important things we can all do is truly get to know our children. When students have meaningful connections with family members, teachers and staff, and other trusted adults, it can make a tremendous difference when they are struggling emotionally or need extra support. If your child needs support, CMCSS has school counselors, school psychologists, and social workers who are ready to assist and can provide additional community resources to families.

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What is the Student Code of Conduct?

The Student Code of Conduct communicates the rights, responsibilities, rules, and due process procedures for CMCSS students. The Code of Conduct applies to any student who is on school property, who is on a school bus or at a school bus stop, who is in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity/program, or whose conduct at any time or place (i.e., off-campus conduct) has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline in the schools. This includes all social media.

Annually, families are required to acknowledge that they have read the Student Code of Conduct. The Technology Department will send electronic acknowledgment forms to all families at the beginning of the year. Families need to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. See the “How do I stay connected with communications from my child’s school and the district?” section above for directions on how to update contact information.

With the escalating student behaviors observed over the past few years, it is extremely important that families read the Student Code of Conduct, reinforce positive behaviors with students, and explain the consequences, including potential criminal charges, for offenses.

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During the School Year

When does school begin?

Monday, Aug. 7, is the first half day, and Thursday, Aug. 10, is the first full day.

Aug. 8-9 are Staff Development Days. These are important days for staff to make adjustments to class rosters, schedules, transportation routes, and other logistics after the first half day when many new students will arrive at school who have not pre-registered.

Visit cmcss.net/calendars for the 2023-2024 school year calendar. With generous sponsorship from Jostens, the CMCSS Communications Department will provide a printed calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. These calendars will be arriving soon at the homes of enrolled students!

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How can I find out what my child is being taught throughout the school year?

CMCSS teaches the Tennessee State Standards as approved by the State Board of Education. The CMCSS Instruction & Curriculum Department developed the Parent Academic Resources Hub to share the instructional units, unit pacing guides, and standards with parents and students so they know what is being taught throughout the year.

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What are the school meal prices, and how do I apply for free/reduced meals?

It is extremely important that all families who believe their children qualify for free or reduced meals complete the application for the 2023-2024 school year, beginning Monday, July 17, 2023. An application can be completed online at schoolcafe.com, the fastest and preferred method, or a paper application can be picked up at a student’s enrolled school. Applications must be submitted and approved each school year for a student to receive benefits. You can use your student’s school ID number for the online application, but it is not required.

Below are school meal prices, which have not increased since 2018:

Elementary Student Meal Prices

• Breakfast (Full Pay): $1.00
• Breakfast (Reduced): $0.30
• Lunch (Full Pay): $2.65
• Lunch (Reduced): $0.40

Secondary Student Meal Prices

• Breakfast (Full Pay): $1.15
• Breakfast (Reduced): $0.30
• Lunch (Full Pay): $2.85
• Lunch (Reduced): $0.40

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When and where are 2024 graduations?

All ceremonies will take place at Austin Peay State University in the Dunn Center.

Wednesday, May 22

• Middle College at APSU – 10 a.m.
• CMCSS Adult High School – 12 p.m.
• CMCSS K-12 Virtual – 2 p.m.
• Adult Education – 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 23

• Rossview High School – 4 p.m.
• Clarksville High School – 7 p.m.

Friday, May 24

• Kirkwood High School – 4 p.m.
• Northwest High School – 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 25

• Northeast High School – 9 a.m.
• Montgomery Central High School – 12 p.m.
• Kenwood High School – 3 p.m.
• West Creek High School – 6 p.m.

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How can I access social and emotional support for my child?

If your child needs support, CMCSS has school counselors, school psychologists, and social workers who are ready to assist and can provide additional community resources to families. Resources are available to families via the district website. For more information, visit cmcss.net/sel.

Care Solace

Beginning this year, CMCSS has a partnership with Care Solace to make accessing mental health care even easier for families. Care Solace navigates the mental health care system to find available providers matched to specific needs – so you don’t have to. For an anonymous pathway to care, the community can utilize Care Match, a self-service tool, to find verified providers on their own. Click here to access CMCSS’ Care Match self-service tool.

Handle with Care

Handle with Care is a program in which first responders work together with schools to provide proactive support for potentially trauma-affected students within the community. CMCSS does not share any FERPA-protected information with any person or entity as a partner in Handle with Care. First responders identify children at any scene who have been potentially exposed to trauma. The child’s name, age, grade, and “handle with care” will be sent by first responders in a confidential notice to the child’s school before the child starts school the next day. Click here to watch a video about Handle with Care.

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What is the attendance policy?

Regular attendance is important to the success of our students. Consistent attendance in an educational setting provides students with a strong foundation for the school year.

The Compulsory School Attendance Law in Tennessee (T.C.A. §49-6-3001) requires children (ages 6-17 inclusive) to attend school each day. Students who accumulate five (5) days of unexcused absences will be required to participate in a conference with their parent/legal guardian and may be referred to Juvenile Court according to the CMCSS Progressive Truancy Intervention Plan (STS-P010). The following are official or adequate excuses that should be turned in to the Attendance Secretary in the school office:

• Medical note (doctor, dentist, hospital, etc.) for which the student was a patient
• Court note for which the student was required to be in court
• Funeral notice (obituary/funeral program of a family member)
• Military deployment paperwork-for military dependents, TN Law (T.C.A. 49-6-3019) allows the following for out-of-country deployments:
  • 1 excused absence when the parent leaves for deployment
  • 1 excused absence when the parent returns at the end of deployment
  • Up to ten (10) days excused absences when the parent is home from the deployment for
  • Rest and Recuperation
  • In addition, local policy allows up to five (5) consecutive days of excused absences (either before or after the deployment) when the parent deployment is less than twelve (12) months
  • Military paperwork/documentation MUST be provided to the school for these to be excused.
  • Parents or legal guardians may submit notes for students to be excused up to five (5) days per school year, for any reason. To be excused, notes must be provided by the parent or legal guardian and received by the school within five (5) school days of the absence.

For high school and middle school classes, an absence per class is defined as missing ten (10) or more minutes of the class period.

Make-up work: (Including suspension and remandment) Upon the first day of returning to school, it is the student’s responsibility to make contact with the teacher(s) regarding make-up work. During the school year, make-up work must be completed within a number of days equal to the number of consecutive days of the absences. A grade of “0” shall be entered into the teacher’s grade book for any missing work until the assignments have been completed and turned in.

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Will elementary schools be rezoned with the construction of the new Kirkwood Elementary School?

Kirkwood Elementary is projected to open for the 2024-25 school year. With the opening of new schools and continued growth in Clarksville-Montgomery County, redistricting is unavoidable. District leaders understand the uncertainty of zoning changes can be difficult for some families. The district is committed to engaging stakeholders throughout the process and will provide timely and transparent updates about elementary rezoning for the 2024-25 school year.

CMCSS will be working with a third-party consulting firm with expertise in school system rezoning as the District did with rezoning middle and high schools. In collaboration with the consulting firm and community stakeholders, the CMCSS Zoning Project Team will study and evaluate existing school zones and building capacities to identify opportunities to better serve students, per the district’s Zoning Procedure (OPS-P017). The following criteria guide the team’s work:

• Rezone as few students as possible
• Proximity of students to existing schools
• Transport students the least distance possible
• Equitable distribution of resources according to the learning needs of all students
• Enrollment capacity of existing schools
• Consideration of free and reduced lunch status (socioeconomic)
• Allow for future growth where possible (based upon Regional Planning Commission lot and permit data)

More information will be provided to families in the coming months.

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How do student IDs work for elementary students?

During the 2022-2023 school year, several CMCSS schools participated in the pilot program for student identification cards. The student ID cards use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology to monitor when students ride a CMCSS school bus and proved a useful tool in increasing accountability for students.

For the 2023-2024 school year, all elementary students will be issued a student ID card.

There are several ways in which RFID technology will be used. First, students will be required to scan their ID cards when entering and exiting the school bus. Card readers on buses will account for the students’ movement, so transportation employees and principals will know when students are on the bus. At no time will the ID cards track or monitor a student’s location in any way.

In the school cafeteria, students will use their ID cards to check out when purchasing breakfast or lunch items. Parents and guardians will continue to load money using their SchoolCafe account. The new student ID card will be linked to the SchoolCafe account.

Families, the safety and security of our students is a top priority. Student identification cards will not have a photo ID but will have their personal QR code, which assists with logging into school-issued laptops. Cards will not contain any information, including home address, birth date, health-related information, or other personal details.

Students will be expected to bring their ID card each day.

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Each year, CMCSS sets strategic goals for what the district will focus on that academic year. In order to be successful, we need to hear your feedback on these goals. The district will host a series of focus groups with parents and community members to collect input on our progress toward strategic goals.

What: Strategic Work Focus Groups

When: End of October (Times and dates will vary; participants can select a date and time in the form linked below.)

Why: The District holds focus groups with key partners to collect feedback on specific areas and make adjustments to ensure we meet student, employee, and parent expectations.

How: If you are interested in being part of a focus group, click here to complete a short form and express your interest. We will randomly select 10-12 participants per focus group.

2021-2022 School Accountability Designations

In accordance with Tennessee’s accountability system, the Tennessee Department of Education names schools that are excelling, as well as those that need additional support. Late yesterday afternoon, TDOE released the 2021-2022 designations. As Dr. Luna-Vedder emphasized in July when the initial TCAP District scores were released:

“There are many bright spots in the data to celebrate as a result of the hard work of our educators and students! We will not rest on our laurels and will be having critical conversations over the coming days and weeks to develop strategic plans to address gaps and areas of concern. I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure CMCSS is one of the best school districts in the state of Tennessee.”

CMCSS is proud to have almost 30% of our schools recognized by the state as Reward schools! Schools receiving this designation typically demonstrate high levels of performance and/or growth across all indicators. Congratulations to the students, faculty, staff, and administrators at the following CMCSS Reward Schools:

Barksdale Elementary

Byrns Darden Elementary

Cumberland Heights Elementary

East Montgomery Elementary

Glenellen Elementary

Northeast Elementary

Rossview Elementary

Sango Elementary

West Creek Elementary

Woodlawn Elementary

Montgomery Central High

CMCSS has one Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) school. Schools with overall accountability scores in the bottom five percent statewide for the performance of a given student group are identified as Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) schools. Schools can be identified as TSI schools for any of the following given student groups when meeting the identification criteria: Black/Hispanic/Native American, Economically Disadvantaged, English Learners, Students with Disabilities, Hispanic/Latino, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Asian, and White. These schools are supported by the department and are eligible for additional funding. Kenwood High School has received the TSI designation for the Economically Disadvantaged and White subgroups. CMCSS is providing additional resources and supports to close the achievement gap at this school.

CMCSS has three Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) schools. Only schools identified as TSI based on the most recent TSI list will be eligible for ATSI identification. TSI schools whose student group success rates are less than or equal to the maximum success rate of any Priority school in their school pool will be identified as ATSI if they do not also have a score of 4 or 3 for each indicator for which that student group is eligible. Schools identified in 2021-22 will receive the designation for one year and can exit the designation in 2022-23 by meeting exit criteria. Kenwood Middle School, Montgomery Central Middle School, and West Creek Middle School have received the ATSI designation for the Students with Disabilities subgroup. CMCSS is providing additional resources and supports to close the achievement gaps at these schools.

As a District, CMCSS received the second highest designation – Advancing. Districts designated as advancing received an overall score equal to or greater than 2.1 but less than 3.1. Only 1% of Tennessee’s districts received the highest designation of Exemplary. CMCSS is focused on improving student achievement, especially in literacy and math, and Dr. Luna-Vedder has continued to emphasize that CMCSS can and will be one of the best districts in the state as we work together to be better than ever.

Calendar Reminders

Please note the upcoming items for September:

• Wednesday, September 14, 5-7 p.m. – Annual College Fair (click here for more info)
• Thursday, September 15, 4:30-7:30 p.m. – Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Monday, September 19 – Staff Development | Students Do Not Report
• Thursday, September 22, 4:30-7:30 p.m. – High School Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Thursday, September 29, 4:30-7:30 p.m. – Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences

To view calendars, visit cmcss.net/calendars.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is looking for community partners to provide academic tutoring support to middle and high school students. Two opportunities are available for tutors including supporting students in the AVID program and afterschool tutoring.

AVID Program Tutors

The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) system helps schools reduce the opportunity gap so they can prepare all students for college, career, and life. CMCSS is in its fourth year of partnership with AVID at five district schools — New Providence Middle, Kenwood Middle, Kenwood High, Northwest High, West Creek Middle, and West Creek High. Several hundred students are currently being served in AVID at these schools. Students in the AVID elective course benefit from mentorship as they seek to develop the skills necessary for the successful completion of their coursework.

AVID tutors must be currently enrolled in, or have graduated from, a college or university, or be a retired educator. Tutors must be willing to serve students in one or more of the following schools: Kenwood, New Providence, and West Creek Middle schools as well as Kenwood, Northwest, and West Creek High schools.

After School Program Tutors

CMCSS Afterschool Program Tutor positions are available to current junior and senior students, recent CMCSS graduates attending college, and retired teachers. Tutors may be assigned to any of the eight area middle schools or seven area high schools, as determined by the program facilitators.

A successful tutor will assist with tasks such as reviewing student work including calendars, agendas, assignment sheets, and notes. A tutor’s most important role is serving as a facilitator for collaborative studying with a small group of students. Training is provided for all tutors on facilitating the groups and supporting students to use positive study methods and the AVID study strategies when necessary. Tutors often serve as role models to encourage the students to stay motivated and develop strong study habits and life skills.

Tutoring is a paid position that varies based on your education. Tutors should be available a minimum of two days per week, one hour per day between the hours of 7:30 am – 2:30 pm.

“Tutors provide our students with another example of positive adult influence,” said Dr. Schanda Doughty, Director of Curriculum and Instruction 9-12. “The program provides students the tools they need to be successful members of the community, but the tutors provide that real-life example and the encouragement to succeed.”

Those interested in learning more about the program can apply online here.