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February 5, 2020
Get money for your class! Check out the February grants list for opportunities to get resources & funding for your classroom!
Gear up for spring evaluations! Mark your calendar for important dates & benchmarks for instructional, non-instructional & portfolio evaluations.
Looking to add an endorsement to your TN teaching license? Join us for an info session on Feb. 12 to learn more about adding gifted, ESL, SPED or Pre-K to your license.
Teachers, your next PD flex day is Feb. 17 ! It's time to share your transcript with hours earned between Nov. 4 - Feb. 3. Click here to get more info on checking and updating your transcript.
WE'RE HIRING! Apply for teaching & school support positions available in our Spring Break Learning Academies by Feb. 10 .
This month, our District will recognize the rich history of Black culture and community in the 901 with an event series engaging our students, families and stakeholders during Black History Month.
Take a look at upcoming events, contests, and more happening this month, and check back next week for even more special announcements!
Black History Month Trivia Questions on the Voice of SCS
Tune into the 88.5 FM The Voice of SCS all month long to participate in Black History Month trivia about the significant contributions of African-American leaders, including some of our District's very own change-makers! Prizes will include SCS swag bags, event tickets, gift cards and more.
Black History Month Student Essay Contest
Encourage your students to showcase their writing skills in the spirit of renowned Black activists and writers whose namesakes are immortalized in some of our very own schools: Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington. The 2020 Celebrating Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all students in grades 3-12. Prizes will be awarded for the top three entries. Click here to view grade-level writing prompts and more contest details. Submissions are due by Feb. 21 at 5 p.m.
U of M African-American Males Academy Launch
On Feb. 6, in partnership with SCS, the University of Memphis will launch the African-American Male Academy for 7th and 8th grade boys. Invite parents of 7th and 8th grade African-American male students to the community info session as the U of M launches their initiative to set our boys on the path to successful college completion. The info session & program launch is happening tomorrow night at the TLA from 6-8 p.m.
Memphis Soul Prize Poetry Slam
Keep an eye on SCS social media to cheer on Memphis' top young poets as they compete for bragging rights and scholarships during the Memphis Soul Prize Poetry Contest. Next week, five students from around the city will be named as finalists for the poetry slam, and their work will be available online for viewing and community votes! Be sure you're following SCS on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter to pick your favorites when the public voting period begins.
Soulsville Family Night
SCS staff and families are invited to join the District in a family night at the Stax Museum of American Soul Wednesday, February 19, from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Reading at the Arcade
In partnership with The Arcade Restaurant, the Family and Community Engagement team will host a family reading night Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 5 - 7 p.m. This program will be submitted to the National Council of Teachers of English’s African American Read-In. Students and families will receive book donations to add to students’ at home libraries (e.g., Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down and Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins) . 
Family Bus Tour 
Students and their families are invited to participate in a bus tour of the Bluff City (e.g., Soulsville, Downtown, and Uptown) visiting historical sites and learning about the history of Memphis. The bus tour is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
K-5 Expeditionary Learning planning resources are now available for ELA teachers.

Introducing: Prioritized Tasks , a new planning resource for K-Expeditionary Learning. K-5 Prioritized Tasks resources  were created to support teachers in effectively identifying the most salient tasks within EL lessons. You might be wondering, what are Prioritized Tasks and how are they identified?  For each lesson, tasks are chosen to be emphasized during lesson delivery. These “Prioritized Tasks” were selected because they display a clear connection to the Text, Content, Skills and/or Format of the upcoming assessment. While these salient tasks have been prioritized, they should not be the only tasks taught during lesson delivery.
Mark your calendar for the Readiness 901 Parent Institute!

At SCS, we know that our students need high quality support both in the classroom and at home to be their best! That's why we're hosting an event just for SCS parents to learn about resources and supports available to strengthen their impact at home. Invite your school's families to join us on Feb. 22 at the U of M University Center for the Readiness 901 Parent Institute . Info sessions on topics, including adverse childhood experiences, financial literacy and bullying awareness will be available, along with a college and career fair for parents and students. Click here for more details about this amazing event!
Send us your Bilingual senior shoutouts!

Graduation season is just around the corner and we're gearing up to celebrate standout seniors in the graduating class of 2020. If you haven't already shared a senior shoutout, be sure to tell us all about your favorite senior here by Feb. 14 . While you're thinking of standout seniors, remember to share stories of seniors who are part of 901's bilingual community. In addition to a feature on the SCS website, our partners at La Prensa Latina & El Informante are looking to showcase Latinx students who are making our District proud! Share your bilingual senior shoutouts here by March 6 for a chance for your student to be selected.
Learn from our District's top leaders at upcoming Leadership Learning Series sessions.

If you're considering a leadership role in the District - or if you already serve as an SCS leader - check out our new Leadership Learning Series designed to develop and strengthen your leadership capacity. The series is created and hosted by our very own school leaders who know what it takes to lead our schools with excellence. The next LLS session will be on Feb. 13, led by East HS principal Lischa Brooks. Join us as she addresses the topic: " The Listening of Leadership."

Mark your calendar and RSVP for the Feb. 19 session " The Courage of Leadership," led by Gordon Achievement Academy principal Leviticus Pointer. Both sessions are eligible for TASL credit. Register in PLZ to reserve your spot.
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