Jan. 11, 2024

W-2 Forms for Calendar Year 2023 are in Progress!

In accordance with IRS guidelines, W-2 forms will be distributed to employees by Jan. 31. Active employees will be able to access their W-2 forms through the employee portal, while individuals who worked for MSCS in 2023 but are no longer with the District will receive their forms by mail. These forms will be mailed on or before Jan. 31. An update will be sent once the forms have been posted to the employee portal.  

Mileage Reimbursement Increase

In accordance with the Shelby County Board of Education travel regulations, approved local travel mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS allowable rate. The mileage reimbursement rate will change to 67 cents per mile, which is an increase of 1.5 cents.

This means starting with your January 2024 approved miles driven, you will be reimbursed at the new rate.

Please notify all affected persons at your location of this change. If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Engram, Finance Department at 901-416-5597.

Your assistance is appreciated.

NOTE: Please be reminded that mileage reimbursements are only paid for the current month. Reimbursements for past months will not be honored.

NIE Mid-Year Conference

The Mid-Year Conference container is now open in PLZ! The deadline to complete all NIE Mid-Year Conferences in PLZ is Feb. 23. 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:   

• All required fields should be completed in their entirety before finalizing.  
• The Goal Setting Conference should be completed within 30 days of an NIE employee’s hire/contract start date and should be completed before completing the Mid-Year Conference in PLZ. 
• The Mid-Year Conference is not required for NIE Partial plans and will not appear as a container to complete. 

Need a refresher? The following resources are also found in PLZ under the Resources tab.  

• NIE Mid-Year Conference Tutorial
• NIE Evaluator Step Guide
• NIE Employee Step Guide 

Questions? Please reach out to eps@scsk12.org. 

Kierra Davidson

Victoria Brinkley

December Superhero Employee Winners

Congratulations to our outstanding December MSCS Superheroes! Click HERE to read their nominations.

• Instructional: Kierra Davidson – 3rd grade Math and Science teacher, Hawkins Mills Elementary
• Non-Instructional: Victoria Brinkley – Communications Manager, Communications

January Superhero Employee Nominations

January Superhero nominations are open! Click HERE to nominate your colleague.

TSLA Certification Requirement

Summary of the Foundational Literacy Skills Course Requirement: The Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requires that teachers in the state of Tennessee demonstrate knowledge of foundational literacy skills instruction. The law outlines both training and licensure requirements. 

Training Requirements: Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, all current teachers in Tennessee with a TLSA qualifying endorsement (listed here) must complete a foundational literacy skills training course. To satisfy this requirement, educators can complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training. 

Licensure Requirements: Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, candidates seeking to obtain, renew, or advance a teaching license with at least one qualifying endorsement (listed here) must demonstrate compliance with TLSA requirements when submitting licensure transactions. Educators may elect to demonstrate compliance using one of the below pathways. The trainings and assessment are free. Educators who do not complete this requirement will not be able to renew or advance the license, and it will become inactive.

• Foundational Literacy Skills Training: Complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training.

OR 

• Assessment: Pass the Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA) now available online.  

The TLSA requirement deadline is quickly approaching! All MSCS educators, school leaders, and district staff must meet this requirement deadline by March 31, 2024. If you have completed this requirement and submitted your certificate as requested, you may disregard this message.

• Please upload your course completion certificate to TN Compass and to the MSCS form: forms.office.com/r/Gs1YWkcY1Q

• Please note the step sheet detailing how to upload to TN Compass: Steps to Upload the Literacy Success Act Certificate of Completion

• If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at HRCompliance@scsk12.org.

Health Assessment

It's time to complete the online health assessment again! Click HERE to get started.

Stay Active & Fit with Cigna

Start the New Year with a flexible fitness program with Cigna health! Click HERE to learn more.

Stay updated on all things health and wellness by visiting our website! 

Cervical Cancer

Preventative Screenings

Cervical cancer can often be prevented by having regular screenings with Pap tests and human papillomavirus (HPV) tests to find any precancers and treat them. It can also be prevented by receiving the HPV vaccine.

Click HERE to learn more about preventative screenings for cervical cancer provided by Cigna.

Get Your FREE Flu Shot

Schedule an appointment to get your flu shot TODAY! There is no charge for MSCS employees with the Cigna Health Plan. However, there is $20 charge for dependents and non-insured employees.

Call 901-416-6079 to schedule your appointment.

MSCS Employee Grizzlies Ticket Discount

MSCS employees can now purchase discounted tickets to Memphis Grizzlies games! Click HERE to get your tickets and use the code "MSCS23".

2023-24 Mileage Schedule

The MSCS Mileage Schedule is now available for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Click HERE to download and print the schedule for your records.

Safety Reminders: Stow It, Don't Show It!

The District's Safety and Security Team is committed to measures that will keep students and staff safe and reduce any opportunities for crime on District property.

Please read and follow these important safety tips and do your part to reduce vehicle theft and other incidents at your school or office site.

#MSCSis901