Make sure you can view all important info and images.
Using standard Outlook? Click the "Download pictures" button in the yellow bar.
Using Outlook on the Web (Exchange)? Click the "Click here" link at the top of the email. 
January 20, 2021
Our Social Studies Dept. prepared a toolkit to help students learn about #InaugerationDaySCS. For details on today's livestream & how to share your class activities, read here!
Don't miss the next Secure The Chalk Educator Forum TOMORROW, Jan. 21 @ 6 p.m.! Use this link to join the live event & hear solutions for "mending the broken pipeline."
The New required Teams course is open through Mar. 5! CADRE918 is required for the Spring Break Flex Days.
It's time to NOMINATE your school's Teacher of the Year! Submit your nominations by FRIDAY, Jan. 22! See the flyer for more details.
Educator feedback is critical to developing our District Budget. Please complete this survey by Jan. 24 to assist Board members in shaping budget priorities for the 2021-22 year.
Check Out This Three-part Canvas Course to Enhance Your Development! (NEW)

The Professional Learning & Support team is offering a three-part Canvas Course Development series to support teachers with using Canvas as an instructor to deliver virtual content using SCS-approved curricula. Register in PLZ.
The Next Virtual Family Forum is January 23! NEW)

We're excited to announce our next monthly Virtual Family Forum, which is coming up this Saturday, January 23. This month's family forum focuses on testing, academics and community resources. We hope you'll tune in for strategies, tips and tools to support students and families, with sessions on testing for English Language Learners, progress tracking with RTI, school choice Q & A, early childhood learning and more. Get more details here!
FREE ACT online practice tests are now available! (NEW)

New ACT online practice tests are available for students planning to take the ACT. Teachers, please encourage your students to take advantage of this resource.

  • Log in or set up an account in MyACT.
  • Click on "Tests & Prep" in the upper left corner, then "ACT Free Online Tests"
  • One full-length practice test for each subject
  • Choose timed or untimed test
  • Personalized resources for each wrong answer
  • Can retake the test
  • View more free ACT test prep resources here.

Get Ready for World Read Aloud Day on February 3! (NEW)

World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is a global movement of millions of readers, writers and listeners from communities all across the world coming together to honor the power of reading and sharing stories. The beauty of World Read Aloud Day is schools don’t have to purchase anything to participate. They can select a book they already have. Click here to access a FREE WRAD resource packet and register for WRAD here! For a list of read aloud books suggested by Scholastics, visit here.

Help build the movement of World Read Aloud Day by sharing your participation, ideas and pictures from the day with #WorldReadAloudDay!

  • Snap a photo or video of your school/class participating in the read aloud
  • Use the hashtags #SCSis901 #WRADChallenge and #WorldReadAloudDay
  • Tag @SCSK12Unified, @Scholastic, @FeliciaTNEdRep and @LitWorldSays on Twitter
SY20-21 Portfolio Update! (NEW)

As a reminder, media consent forms are captured during new student registration and returning student updates. A list of students without a consent form on file was emailed to portfolio teachers and school administrators on January 8. If there are any additional needs or concerns as it relates to media consent, your school secretary can access the documents in PowerSchool. If you require assistance in PowerSchool, please contact your assigned Data Specialist at 416.6649. Please note, January 18 was the last day to complete the information form to receive access to Portfolium.
Success in Sight Webinar Series Registration | Episode 2: Optometry & Sports Medicine! (NEW)

Success In Sight, hosted by Southern College of Optometry (SCO), is a monthly live webinar series for high school students that will cover some of the incredible opportunities that come with a future in optometry. Every month from now through the Spring of 2021, students will have a chance to learn about unique topics within the field and hear from actual optometry students and practicing optometrists!

Episode 2: Optometry & Sports Medicine will be held Thursday, January 21, 6 - 7 p.m. Participants will hear from members of the SCO Sports Vision Society and Dr. Paul Harris, an optometrist on staff for the Baltimore Orioles and the NHL. This webinar will provide an introduction to the field of Sports Vision and all of the ways students could combine optometry with athletics.

Once students complete registration, they will receive instructions on how to join the webinar. If you have any questions, please contact Avery Cunningham or call 901-722-3227.
New Memphis Teachers' Lounge: Not Another Zoom Meeting! (NEW)

Let's be real -- Zoom and Teams meetings are key for collaborating in the virtual world, but we're all still craving some authentic connection and conversation. Join New Memphis at Teachers' Lounge: Not Another Zoom Meeting.

Teachers' Lounge provide a casual and safe space for teachers to discuss pressing topics in today's education landscape and grow together. Until it's safe to host another event in person, we'll use the Wonder networking platform, which will allow you to "walk" in and out of conversations naturally like you would at an in-person happy hour.

The first conversation is Tuesday, February 2, 5 - 6 p.m., and attendees will get a local gift card in lieu of food and drink at the event. Register here for one or all of the conversations and elevate your voice!
Orpheum Theatre Group's STAR Council is open to ALL high school students for the Spring of 2021! (NEW)

For the spring of 2021, STAR council will focus on using the arts to build community among students in grades 9-12 who share a passion for theatre. A completed enrollment form is necessary and commitment to participation is required. Committed participants are permitted a maximum of one conflict absence. Enrollment must be completed by Friday, January 22, 5 p.m. Visit here for more details.
Important i-Ready Winter Diagnostic Reminders!

The i-Ready Winter Diagnostic window opened this week, and remote testing will continue through January 29. Below are key reminders to have a successful testing window and gather good data!
 
  1. Partner with Families: Creating a strong partnership with families is the most important step when assessing from home. This is particularly important with families of younger students, who may be more tempted to help. Use the tips and tools in this kit to support families.
  2. Prepare and Motivate Students: Use the appropriate grade-level slides in this deck to facilitate a lesson with students.
  3. Actively Proctor Remotely: Learn from the promising practices of a teacher who did this successfully in the fall.
  4. Use the Diagnostic Status Report to monitor completion.
  5. For all tips and tools when assessing at home, visit i-ReadyCentral.com/AssessAtHome. For more guidance from SCS, visit: www.scsk12.org/ireadydiagnostic.
TDOE & TSIN Extend Winter STE(A)M Resource Hub thru March!

The Winter STE(A)M Resource Hub, which provides weekly challenges to guide students and families in problem-solving, working collaboratively and exploring different careers and pathways, is being extended through March.

The remaining schedule for the month of January below highlights the various topics students will explore while completing the weekly challenges. View the flyer for more information.

  • Jan. 18-22: Data Science
  • Jan. 25-29: Arts, Technology & Communications
Remind your students to complete their First Scholars applications by February 1!

First Scholars empowers students to make the most of their college experience and prepare for life beyond graduation. The program delivers multiple levels of support, including a full-time program coordinator and peer mentors to help First Scholars address the unique challenges first-gen students face.

The Deadline to apply is Monday, February 1. Check out the flyer for more information.
 Connect with SCS on social media! #SCSis901