Posted in Elementary School:

CMCSS will begin accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year on April 4, 2024. Visit cmcss.net/prek to begin the application and for more information.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System offers Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten classes on an application basis as established by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Voluntary Pre-K classes promote a high-quality academic environment, which fosters the love and joy of learning and promotes success in kindergarten and throughout the child’s life.

For questions about Voluntary Pre-K, please contact the Pre-K Learning Team at [email protected].

Information to Review

Children must be 4 years old by or on August 15 of the current year to qualify.

Parents and guardians who wish to apply for the CMCSS Voluntary Pre-K Program (VPK), should review the following process:

• VPK applications will open in the Spring of each year. CMCSS will announce application periods before the online portal opens.
• Income guidelines for Voluntary Pre-K
• Once the online application opens, visit parents.cmcss.net and choose “Enroll.” Then, choose “VPK.”
• Once the Pre-K team receives your application, one of the team members will contact you via email to meet via Zoom to verify your family’s income and the child’s birth certificate.
• If you qualify for the CMCSS VPK program, you will receive an email from the Pre-K Coordinator if you have been accepted. If you qualify but are on the waiting list, your email will state that you are on the waiting list. If we have a spot become available, we will contact you throughout the year.

• Our VPK program is a grant-funded program. You must meet the income requirements that the state has set forth to qualify for a spot.
  • A month’s worth of pay stubs (TN requires gross income; therefore pay-stub must show gross income)
  • Military: most recent LES (TN requires both BAH & Base pay to be added)
  • Recent food stamp letter (must show eligibility dates, case number, and parent’s name)
  • SS award letter
  • 2023 Income Tax (form 1040 or W2)
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Disability benefits.

  Peer Model Program

  Our peer model program is for peer to attend one of our special education PreK classrooms to serve as peer models for our students receiving special education services. Both programs use the same curriculum, the teachers and EA’s train together, they both have the same scope and sequence, amongst other things.

  Parents and guardians who are interested in their child participating in the Peer Model Program, please follow these steps:

  • Visit cmcss.net/prek to complete the application.
  • To be considered as a Peer Model, the child(ren) can’t be receiving any type of therapy (ST, OT, PT, etc.) or have an active IEP.
  • Once we receive this information, we will be in contact to schedule a screener
  • Students must be four-years-old on or before August 15
  • Please contact the Pre-K Learning Team at [email protected] for more information.

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 state of Tennessee has had a student promotion and retention law in place since 2011. During the 2021 Special Session, the Tennessee legislature updated that law to ensure that all students have the support to read and perform on grade level no later than the 2022-23 school year. If a student does not pass the 3rd-grade section of the ELA TCAP (a student who receives an approaching or below score), they will be provided support to ensure they are ready for grade-level ELA lessons in fourth grade. If a student’s family does not wish to take advantage of these supports, the student will be retained to third grade to ensure that they receive an additional year of instruction and can participate fully during their fourth grade ELA classroom moving forward. For more information, click here for the Tennessee Department of Education’s (TDOE) FAQ document.

Supports/Pathways to 4th Grade

For some 3rd-grade students in Tennessee, this updated law requires the student and their family to make some important decisions. Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, 3rd-grade students who receive “approaching” or “below” on the English Language Arts (ELA) section of the TCAP assessment are able to get important learning supports from their school for free to ensure they are ready to move on to the 4th grade.

If a student’s family does not wish to take advantage of these supports, which are outlined in the graphic below, the student will be retained to 3rd grade the following school year and will not be promoted to 4th grade. Additionally, under the updated provisions of the law, your child must make adequate growth on the 4th grade ELA portion of the TCAP test before being promoted to fifth grade. However, the following students are exempt from 3rd-grade retention: English learners with less than two years of ELA instruction, students previously retained in grades K-3, students with a disability that impacts reading or students with a suspected disability that impacts reading.

Appeals

The state has an appeal process for students who have been identified for retention in third grade and achieved a performance level of “approaching” on either the third-grade TCAP English Language Arts (ELA) portion or the TCAP retake assessment. A parent or legal guardian has 14 calendar days from the time of notification of a third-grade student who scored “approaching” on the ELA section of TCAP to submit an appeal. More information will be included here after the state releases final information on appeals.

The following criteria outline eligibility for an appeal approval:

Criteria will be added after being finalized by the state.

A link to the Tennessee Department of Education Third Grade Retention Parent Appeal Form will be available here after it is released by the state.

Timeline

Please see below for a timeline from the Tennessee Department of Education:

Fall:

• Your child will take a universal reading screener.
• You will receive your child’s home literacy report, which should include information on your child’s current reading development, the support the school is providing your child in reading, and what to do to support literacy at home.
• Discuss results with your child’s teacher, if needed.

Winter:

• Your child will take a mid-year universal reading screener.
• You will receive another home literacy report. This literacy report will also indicate whether your child may be at-risk for retention.
• Discuss results with your child’s teacher, if needed.

Spring:

• Your child will take an end-of-year universal reading screener and the TCAP.
• You will receive a final home literacy report which should also indicate whether your child may be at-risk for retention.
• Schedule a parent-teacher conference to review the results of your home literacy report and any necessary next steps, including a testing retake opportunity, if needed.
• Sign your child up for summer programming and/or tutoring to support their literacy development.
• Review third-grade ELA retake and appeals information (if appropriate).
• Collect necessary information and file an appeal (if appropriate and desired).

Resources

Please see below for resources from the Tennessee Department of Education:

• CMCSS Parent Academic Resources – Third Grade Retention
• TDOE Learning Acceleration Webpage
• Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation Family Reading Time at Home Guides
• At-Home Decodable Reading Series

As with all legislation, the laws, rules, regulations, and guidance are subject to change.

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 Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a program that provides eligible households up to $30/month toward their internet bills as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. All households with a child who was approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals within the last 12 months under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including children who attend schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, are eligible for ACP benefits.

Families can check their eligibility, sign up, and find fully covered plans at GetInternet.gov (mobile-accessible and available in Spanish) or by calling 877-384-2575.

The following are additional resources provided by the government:

• GetInternet.gov—a one-stop shop to learn about ACP, check eligibility, enroll, and find fully covered internet plans.
• White House Fact Sheet on the ACP and its benefits.

Additionally, CEMC/Cumberland Connect has provided resources in English and Spanish.

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, including Apple Watch, and sign up for text alerts, too.

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. Contact your child’s enrolled school if you need paper forms or have questions about the forms. School front offices reopen on July 21.

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 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 Thurs., Aug. 17, from 5-7 p.m.

High School Open Houses will be on Thurs., 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 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.

BACK TO THE TOP

We are excited to welcome our kindergarten families to CMCSS! Whether this is your first student in the district, or you are an experienced first-day family, here are some things you should know as we begin the school year.

Registration and Enrollment

If you have not yet signed up for school, you can register online at parents.cmcss.net.

Online registration is the first step in the enrollment process. Families will still need to turn in important registration documents in person to either the Enrollment Center or their child’s school once the school front offices reopen on July 20.

If you need technical assistance or prefer to register in person, please contact the Enrollment Center at 931-542-5078 to set up an appointment.

Click Here for Necessary Documents

Elementary School Open Houses

All elementary schools will host Open Houses on Friday, August 4, from 5-7 p.m. This is a great time to visit with your child’s teacher, tour the school, and learn about a typical kindergarten day! If families have already purchased classroom supplies, this is a great time to bring those to school.

First Day of School

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. Additional information will be provided by each school.

What does my student need to bring on the first day of school?

This half-day is designed to make your child comfortable with the transition to school. While nothing is required on the first day, they can carry their backpack and water bottle. It may also be a good time to drop off school supplies. Breakfast and lunch are not served on the first half day of school.

Can I walk my child into school on the first day?

Yes, parents are welcome to walk with their children into school on Monday, August 7, and attend a brief meeting. Teachers are ready to greet families in their classrooms. More information on the first day of school will be provided during the Open House on August 4.

Kindergarten Flex Days (August 10-11; 14-15)

Schools will communicate individually with families regarding kindergarten flex days. Your child will be scheduled to come to school on one of the four days following August 7. All kindergarteners will then begin school on Wednesday, August 16, for their first full day of school. Caregivers can walk their child to class on their assigned flex day, where teachers will acclimate students to the schedule and routines of a typical kindergarten day.

Riding the Bus

If your child will ride the school bus to and from school, rest assured that school staff are waiting to help them navigate their way to the classroom! Families can assist with the bus rider process by helping their child learn their bus number and writing the bus number in a safe location where your child can find it. If you have questions about the bus rider process, someone will be able to assist you at the Open House.

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.

Learn More About StopFinder

School Supplies

Each teacher will have specific school supplies for their classroom that will be communicated on one of the first days of school. Families can find a general school supply list here.

If you would like to help your child’s teacher with additional classroom supplies, you can connect with them directly during the Open House.

Other Helpful Information

We are thrilled to have your child join us this school year. While everyone experiences a mix of emotions at the start of school, remember our CMCSS teachers are here to work with you and support your child throughout their academic journey.

This video provides helpful ways you can work with your child to prepare for kindergarten!

“Oh man, all these kids? It’s going to be loud,” John Washington laughs as he explains his first thoughts about stepping into Northeast Elementary as part of their new Dad’s Actively Participating (DAP) program. In the month since the program’s inception, the school has seen the difference these positive male role models have on students.

Across the nation, school districts and families are having conversations surrounding parent engagement in schools, including an increased presence of families during the school day. At Northeast Elementary School, the administration began the Dad’s Actively Participating program, allowing students’ fathers, grandfathers, and more to apply to serve as volunteers with the Pre-K through 5th-grade classes. The school has seen success in similar programs, including one they lovingly call the “Grannies Program,” where retired women can come in to play games and assist with one-on-one help. When Washington, a military veteran and father of three, first learned about the DAP program, he was intrigued.

On this particular day, the school’s noise level was at an all-time high as students nearly burst with excitement for the annual Northeast High Senior Walk. Students lined the halls with colorful signs, posters, and cards, cheering, “Let’s Go Eagles.” Washington embraced the volume and interacted with students, offering high fives and engaging in conversations.

“Number one, I get to spend more time with my kids, but also for those kids who don’t have that father figure,” he said. He explained that the goal is not to step in as a parent or teacher but instead to serve as a consistent presence for children struggling to find a positive male adult.

“A lot of kids, I’ll see them, and they look down,” he says, slumping his shoulders and hanging his head. “So I’ll tap them and say, “What’s up man, what’s wrong with you?” He says even that simple recognition will encourage the children to stand taller, and he hopes to engage them in further conversation.

Studies show that children with a consistent adult male presence perform better academically, socially, and emotionally. Washington shared his perspective, saying, “If you have both parents, cool. Mom talking to you and Dad talking to you is two different things, though, especially to many little boys. There are a lot of dads that want to be here but can’t be here. I’m fortunate to step in and help with that.”

As he interacts with the students, he is mindful of respecting the authority of the teachers. As a football and baseball coach, Washington understands the importance of children building respect and listening to their teacher. Ultimately the DAP participants serve as volunteers to support the faculty and staff. Their role is to show the students that adults are willing to take the time and be present.

There are two different shifts from which volunteers can choose. In the morning, dads will welcome students to school, giving high-fives as they get off the bus and walking students into the building. Mid-morning and into the lunch hour, volunteers will be inside the cafeteria, speaking with students and walking through the halls during transition periods.

Washington cautions that supporting the school and students requires patience. “You are not these kids’ parents,” he said. “You have to be mindful of how you come at them.” The program’s goal is to increase family engagement, which will then positively impact student behavior.

He’s seen the positive impact of his presence first-hand. When he began volunteering, Washington noticed a student struggling to make good choices. After watching how he interacted with other students, Washington said, “You could tell he was not getting the support and needed attention at home.“ He took it upon himself to mindfully connect with the student in simple ways. “Just speaking with him, talking to him, being around him,” he said. The consistent presence produced significant results. Today, Washington says the student will find him in the hallways to share news of his day. “He comes up to me and says, ‘I’m being good today,’ or ‘I’ll be good the rest of the day.’” Washington says the student wants to share his progress, even though their relationship never centered on or discussed behavior.

When asked if he would continue volunteering with the program next year, Washington smiles and says, “I’ll do it as long as my boys are okay with it. They’re still young, so they’re not at that embarrassed stage yet. I’m still Cool Dad.”