Posted in High School:

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System will host an exclusive hiring event on December 1 for certified positions and educational assistants. This invitation-only event will allow applicants to interview and potentially receive same-day offers. Candidates can begin onboarding immediately.

To receive an invitation, interested candidates must submit their application online at cmcss.net/employment before November 28. Applications will be reviewed, and an invitation will be sent to qualified candidates. Those pursuing an alternative teaching license and already possessing a four-year degree are welcome to apply.

Temporary teaching permits are available to anyone holding a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. The undergraduate degree does not have to be in education to meet permit requirements. Permits are not allowed for elementary PE, special education, school counseling, or end-of-course assessment classes such as Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Integrated Math II and III, Biology, English I and II, US History, and Geography. (Learn more here.)

Educational Assistant candidates are invited to attend the December 1 event but should also complete the online application. Educational Assistants support regular education teachers with classroom instruction, individualized instruction, checking students’ work under the direction of the teacher, sorting, filing, and participating in planning and collaborative sessions with the assigned classroom educators. This position does not require a four-year degree.

Over 30 school administrators will attend the December 1 hiring event held at Central Services South, 1312 Highway 48, in Clarksville.

If you have the desire to support students and encourage future leaders, apply now at cmcss.net/employment.

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.

School Safety

We appreciate the vigilance and quick response of law enforcement who were at the game and those who responded to the incident of gun violence last week in the parking lot at the West Creek HS v. Northeast HS football game. Additionally, we thank the students, families, coaches, faculty, staff, and administrators for their quick actions and support of each other.

In partnership with law enforcement, CMCSS will continually review and improve its safety and security protocols. There has been and will continue to be increased law enforcement on our campuses. CMCSS strongly believes in the importance of interscholastic athletic events and welcoming the community onto our campuses. However, providing a safe and secure environment on our campuses must always be the top priority. CMCSS will be releasing new safety and security policies for athletic events that will be communicated to the community by next week.

It is important that everyone understands that all persons, personal belongings, lockers, and vehicles on school property at any time are subject to be searched for drugs, drug paraphernalia, dangerous weapons, or any property that is unlawful to carry on our campuses. Lawful, random searches by law enforcement can and will be utilized on our campuses to keep our schools safe.

As a reminder from previous communications, the District has created the School Safety Hub as a resource for families. We ask all families to please talk to their children about the importance of immediately reporting any safety concern to a teacher, administrator, SRO, or other trusted adult. Whether it is on social media or in the schoolhouse, if you see or hear something, say something. Additionally, it is important that families read the Student Code of Conduct, reinforce positive behaviors with students, and explain the consequences, including potential criminal charges, for offenses.

In accordance with state law, an individual can be charged for recklessly, by any means of communication, threatening to commit an act of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity. Additionally, the Student Code of Conduct was updated this school year to make credible threats a Zero Tolerance Offense (mandatory calendar-year expulsion).In several cases over the years, students have made threatening statements they claimed were jokes. Making a threat is not a joke, and the consequences are serious. 

We must work together to keep our schools and communities safe.

Family Life Curriculum (Grades 6-12)

In accordance with state law, school systems must implement a Family Life Curriculum in conformance with state curriculum guidelines. In CMCSS, curriculum development teams comprised of educators, medical professionals, and community stakeholders collaborated to locally devise Family Life Curriculum resources in conformance with state standards for grades 6-12.

On Tuesday, September 6 at 5 p.m. in the CMCSS Board Room at 621 Gracey Ave., a public hearing will be held to explain the curriculum development process, required curricular components, and implementation of the curriculum.

In CMCSS, the Family Life Curriculum will be taught no sooner than mid-March 2023. The Family Life Curriculum units for all grade levels will be available online for all parents/guardians to access and review beginning in mid-January 2023. Parents/guardians have the right to excuse their students from any or all portions of the Family Life Curriculum. Parents/guardians will receive the curriculum and information on how to opt-out of any or all portions of the curriculum beginning in mid-January 2023 after teachers have been trained.

ESSER In-Person Health & Safety and Budget Plans

CMCSS is continuously seeking feedback from stakeholders on the ESSER Health & Safety and Budget plans in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations.

To review the CMCSS 2022-2023 In-Person Learning COVID-19 Overview and provide feedback, click here.

Please note on the Return-to-School/Work Flowchart that at-home tests are not accepted for COVID-excused absences for students or COVID leave for employees. Families that choose to use an at-home test without healthcare provider documentation will be required to use parent notes for absences.

To review the CMCSS ESSER 3.0 Funds Allocation and provide feedback, click here.

Better Than Ever, Together

As we continue this year’s theme of Better Than Ever, Together, we are so excited to see the continued positivity and partnerships from families and the community in our schools! From “Cookies and Curriculum Night” at Byrns Darden Elementary to West Creek’s community-wide spirit day and the dozens of other events and initiatives over the past few weeks, we are grateful for our community’s support of our students and educators.

CMCSS is continuing to address challenges like transportation and staffing and is committed to continuous improvement. Currently, CMCSS has 47 approved bus driver applications and 18 are completing the training program. Last Saturday, 118 individuals attended the Teaching Permit Info Sessions, and CMCSS received 107 new applications by Tuesday. We appreciate your support in sharing that CMCSS is hiring. Please visit cmcss.net/employment for available careers and to begin the application process.

As a reminder, next week is another full week of school. Schools and District offices will be closed on Monday, September 5 for Labor Day. To view calendars, visit cmcss.net/calendars.

Have a great weekend, CMCSS families!

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, click here for a resource provided locally by CEMC/Cumberland Connect.

In accordance with the TN Age-Appropriate Materials Act, CMCSS has a policy and procedure to ensure that each school’s library collection is developed and periodically reviewed in accordance with state law and has a procedure to receive and evaluate feedback from students, parents/guardians, and employees of each school.

A list of each school’s library collection is linked below. In the future, a list of each school’s library collection will be found on each school’s website via the “Library Media Center” link on the homepage.

Barkers Mill Elementary

Barksdale Elementary

Burt Elementary

Byrns Darden Elementary

Carmel Elementary

Clarksville High

Cumberland Heights Elementary

East Montgomery Elementary

Glenellen Elementary

Hazelwood Elementary

Kenwood Elementary

Kenwood High

Kenwood Middle

Kirkwood Middle

Liberty Elementary

Minglewood Elementary

Montgomery Central Elementary

Montgomery Central High

Montgomery Central Middle

Moore Magnet Elementary

New Providence Middle

Norman Smith Elementary

Northeast Elementary

Northeast High

Northeast Middle

Northwest High

Oakland Elementary

Pisgah Elementary

Richview Middle

Ringgold Elementary

Rossview Elementary

Rossview High

Rossview Middle

Sango Elementary

St. Bethlehem Elementary

West Creek Elementary

West Creek High

West Creek Middle

Woodlawn Elementary

Click here for the CMCSS Library Services and Collection Policy (INS-A091).

Click here for the CMCSS Library Procedure (INS-P048).

Any student, parent or guardian of a student, or school employee may provide feedback regarding one or more of the materials in the library collection of the student’s or employee’s school by submitting a request for reconsideration. The request must be submitted to the school’s principal.

Click here for the CMCSS Request for Reconsideration of Resource form (INS-F164).

What is RTI²?

Response to instruction and intervention is the way CMCSS intervenes with students who are struggling academically by focusing on quality core instruction and intervention of specific skill deficits. The purpose of RTI² is to intervene with students quickly in the area of need so skill deficit gaps do not develop as they progress through school.

What does the RTI² Framework look like?

The RTI² Framework has three tiers; each tier provides intensifying levels of support.

• In Tier l, all students receive evidence-based, high-quality, general education standards-based instruction that incorporates ongoing universal screening and assessments to inform instruction. Tier I is another name for the regular core instruction all students get every year.
• In Tier ll, students identified as having significant skill deficits receive intervention targeted to the specific area of need. Student progress is consistently monitored during intervention and decisions about tier movement are based on progress monitoring data.
• In Tier III, more intensive interventions are provided to students who have not made significant progress in Tier II, or who demonstrate a deficit significant enough to warrant immediate Tier III intervention. Students are monitored closely to determine if the intervention is effective. Movement from Tier III is dependent upon intervention success.

Tier II and III intervention occur in addition to regular classroom instruction. Schools will communicate with parents in writing when students go into and out of intervention, as well as update progress during intervention.

What are the key components of RTI²?

RTI² has been around for many years and is proven to improve instruction for all students by identifying areas for improvement in core instruction.

Schools assess all students in the fall, winter, and spring using what is called a Universal Screener. This is a skills-based measure students are given to quickly check how they perform compared to grade-level expectations. Screeners are brief and measure math and reading proficiency, as well as social-emotional protective factors. School teams consider data from a variety of sources, including the screener, to determine the level of intervention most appropriate and the specific skill deficit.

Another key component of RTI² is progress monitoring. Progress monitoring is a way for teachers to take a snapshot of how children are doing on a specific skill. It includes formal and informal assessments. Progress monitoring helps determine whether an intervention is successful or needs to be changed. Data from this type of monitoring is shared with parents on a regular basis (every 4-5 weeks).

When progress monitoring indicates a student is not responding to the intervention at an acceptable rate (gap closure is not occurring at a reasonable rate), another approach or intervention may be implemented. If a higher level of support is needed, students may be provided more intensive intervention that further focuses on the supporting skills they need to be successful learners (Tier lll). Students who do not respond to Tier III interventions may be referred for a special education evaluation.

What if I think my child needs special education?

If at any time parents/guardians become concerned that their child needs special education services, they should contact their child’s teacher or administrator. Other forms of evaluation, in addition to information gathered through the RTI² framework, are needed to determine if a student is eligible for special education services. A parent’s written consent is required for these evaluations to be conducted.

Additional information about RTI² implementation will be provided by each school.

A SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING SCREENING AND CONTINUED INTERVENTION

If your student was recommended to continue participation in tiered intervention in the spring, that intervention will be continued this fall. The district will begin administering fall universal screening measures to gauge student progress and make instructional plans to meet the needs of all students as soon as students return to school. Data from the fall universal screening will be used in conjunction with previous screening, progress monitoring, and curriculum-based data to determine the need for continued intervention, tier level, and pinpoint specific deficits. After universal screening measures are administered, parents/guardians will be provided information if the continued or initial placement of their student(s) in tiered intervention is recommended. All data will be treated as continuous (i.e., the summer break does not necessitate a ‘restart’ on data collection and/or delay progression toward referral) and data teams will meet frequently and consistently to review student progress and make informed decisions.

TENNESSEE LITERACY SUCCESS ACT AND THE CMCSS FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY SKILLS PLAN

In compliance with the Tennessee Literacy Success Act, each district and public charter school must submit a Foundational Literacy Skills Plan. School districts and public charter schools must create a local Foundational Literacy Skills Plan for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and submit the final approved plan to the department for approval. The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System’s Foundational Literacy Skills Plan has been approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and may be found here.

We wish you and your student(s) a healthy, productive school year! Should you have any questions, please contact your school’s RTI2 lead or the district RTI2 data team at [email protected]

CMCSS will not include the TCAP state standardized test results as part of students’ final grades this school year. CMCSS updated the District grading policy in 2015 to align with T.C.A. § 49-1-617. District policy states that students’ TCAP scores will not be included in their final spring semester grades if the TCAP scores are not received by the District at least five instructional days before the end of the academic year. As CMCSS nears the end of the school year and finalizes student grades, the raw scores were not received within the last five instructional days and will not be included.

As a reminder, the last half day of school is Wednesday, May 25.

Congratulations to C/CPT Cadet Kaleb Hattendorf from Montgomery Central High who received the Overall Top Male Athlete at the JROTC Fitness National Competition, .

Congratulations to the All Army Drill Team National Championships the West Creek High School JROTC team placed in the following areas:
Unarmed Color Guard:
Third Place
Imani Conner-Cato
Abby Funderburk
Alli Jordan
Diviana Zipp

Unarmed Inspection:
First Place
Alli Jordan
Imani Conner-Cato
Kylee Langa
Alexis Kneafsey
Abby Funderburk
D’Asia McQueen
Kralyn Barnes
Diviana Zipp
Estella Hodges
Bri Maerki
Kallie Fields
Alarus Clayborn
Cloe Robinson

Unarmed Exhibition:
Third Place
Diviana Zipp
Alarus Clayborn
D’Asia McQueen
Abby Funderburk
Imani Conner-Cato
Estella Hodges
Alexis Kneafsey
Cloe Robinson
Alli Jordan
Kallie Fields
Kylee Langa
Kralyn Barnes
Bri Maerki

Armed Color Guard:
Second Place
Michael Card
Christopher Michaelis
Kaleb Scott
Logan Funderburk

Armed Platoon
First Place
Bradyn Vest
Logan Funderburk
Michael Card
Hecter Hale
Christopher Michaelis
Matiaz Martinez
Jesse Otiz
Joseph Newton
Kaleb Scott
Cass Ruiz

Armed Inspection:
Second Place
Bradyn Vest
Michael Card
Cass Ruiz
Logan Funderburk
Hecter Hale
Christopher Michaelis
Joseph Newton
Kaleb Scott
Jesse Ortiz

Commander’s Trophy
First Place
C/CSM Braden Vest

Congratulations to the 2022 Valedictorians and Salutatorians.
Clarksville High School
Valedictorian Yonathan Hundie
Salutatorian Peter Olson

Kenwood High School
Valedictorian Lena Young
Salutatorian Rachel Clark

Montgomery Central High School
Valedictorian Nicholas Johnson
Salutatorian Caroline Chambers

Northeast High School
Valedictorian Andy Li
Salutatorian William Douglass

Northwest High School
Valedictorian Emma Krebs
Salutatorian Alissia Fulton

Rossview High School
Valedictorian Morgan Beuscher
Salutatorian Blake Deterding

West Creek High School
Valedictorian Gabriel Sorensen
Salutatorian Vance Sisson

Congratulations to the CMCSS schools who received a Purple Star School Award from the TNMIC3.
Barkers Mill Elementary
Liberty Elementary
Northeast Elementary
Ringgold Elementary
Rossview Middle School
Rossview High School

CMCSS is reaching out with two operational updates for the 2022-2023 school year. Please note these changes will not take effect until next school year. We want to provide families with as much advance notice as possible.

End of USDA Waiver and No-Cost Meals

The USDA has not indicated that they will be extending the waiver for school districts to continue offering no-cost student meals for the 2022-2023 school year. For the past two school years, CMCSS has been able to provide breakfast and lunch meals at no cost to students each school day because of the USDA’s waivers.

At this time, unless CMCSS receives notification otherwise from the USDA, the district will be required to return to its normal meal payment methods in August. Families will continue to be highly encouraged to preload funds on a student’s online account. More information will be communicated before next school year, but below are the meal prices:

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

It will be extremely important that all families who believe their children qualify for free or reduced meals complete the application for the 2022-2023 school year. CMCSS will provide more information on the application over the summer and at the beginning of next school year. Applications for next school year cannot be completed until later in July. Applications must be submitted and approved each school year for a student to receive benefits.

Transportation Parent Responsibility Zone

In an effort to improve transportation services while facing the ongoing local, state, and national bus driver shortage, CMCSS is updating its transportation routes and qualifications for the 2022-2023 school year.

State law establishes that school districts may provide school transportation for children who live more than 1 ½ miles from their zoned school. CMCSS has exceeded the expectations of the state law to provide transportation to elementary students who live more than half a mile (.5) from their zoned school and middle and high school students who live more than a mile (1) from their zoned school.

Effective the 2022-2023 school year, CMCSS will be expanding the radius of the parent responsibility zone (PRZ), the area in which families are responsible for providing transportation (car rider, walker, etc.), by half a mile for both elementary and secondary students to:

• 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 change will not impact students who receive Special Populations transportation services as indicated in their IEPs.
• Any future development within the PRZ that has accessible safe travel paths may not be eligible for CMCSS transportation.
• If a daycare is in the PRZ, CMCSS will not provide transportation.

The Transportation Department will be directly contacting families who have students in the 1/2 mile expanded zone. Click here for more information and interactive maps of the PRZ for each school.