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The following administrative announcements were made on August 2, 2024.

CMCSS K-12 Virtual School Assistant Principal

Benita Rene’ Keesler has been selected as the assistant principal at CMCSS K-12 Virtual School. Recently, she served as the interim assistant principal at Burt Elementary School. Previously, she served as the Academic Coach at Burt Elementary since 2018, and she taught for over a decade at the kindergarten, third-grade, and fifth-grade levels at Barkers Mill Elementary. Additionally, she has served as the Summer Learning Camp administrator at Minglewood and Carmel elementary schools and the Before and After-School Programs Administrator at Barkers Mill Elementary School. Keesler has several other professional experiences, including School-Wide Positive Behavior Plan Lead, Behavior Support Program Teacher, and Summer Literacy Program Teacher. She was named a Teacher of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Keesler is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy and completed McREL Balanced Leadership for Administrators. She earned her Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision and M.A. in Elementary Education from Austin Peay State University and her B.S. in Human Resources Management from Hawaii Pacific University.

Minglewood Elementary School Assistant Principal

Alexandera-Reese Winn has been selected as an assistant principal at Minglewood Elementary School. Winn has served as an Academic Coach for math and science at Kenwood Middle School since 2022. She began her career with CMCSS in 2015 and has taught all core content areas at Norman Smith Elementary School and math at Kenwood Middle School. Before entering public education, she served for nearly a decade as a solider and non-commissioned officer in the United States Army and U.S. Army Reserve. Winn has supported educators in numerous school- and district-level curriculum, instruction, and professional learning roles, including Teacher Resident Mentor, Site-Based Induction Specialist, and AVID Coach. She was awarded the Green Apple Award for teaching excellence, and she is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy. Winn is currently completing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University where she earned her Ed.S. in Accountability and Instructional Leadership. She earned her M.A.Ed. in Reading Specialist and B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University.

Montgomery Central Middle School Assistant Principal

Dr. Patrick Jesse Rhoton Colston has been selected as an assistant principal at Montgomery Central Middle School. Since 2021, he has served as an assistant principal at Minglewood Elementary School. Previously, Dr. Colston served as the Student Support Coordinator and Assistant Athletic Director at Northeast High School and taught social studies at Kenwood High School and Houston County Middle School, beginning his career in public education in 2014. Dr. Colston has served as an Aspiring Administrators Program Mentor, summer school administrator, lead teacher, professional learning facilitator, and as the chair of several school-level committees. He is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy and completed McREL Balanced Leadership for Administrators. Dr. Colston earned his Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University, M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership from Union University, and B.S. in History from Austin Peay State University.

Northeast Elementary School Assistant Principal

Michelle Cook has been selected as an assistant principal at Northeast Elementary School. Since 2020, she has served as the Academic Coach at Cumberland Heights Elementary School. Cook began her career in public education in 2013 and has served as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Norman Smith and Oakland elementary schools and as a substitute teacher in Hardin County. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2017 and was a nominee for the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success in 2024. Cook has served in numerous school-level leadership roles, including lead teacher, new teacher mentor, and summer learning camp administrator, and she has completed several national trainings and earned professional certifications, including Ayers Institute Coaching Academy, Safe Crisis Management Certification, and Kagan Cooperative Learning Training. She is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy and CMCSS Teacher Leadership Academy. Cook earned her Ed.S. from Arkansas State University, M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership and Reading Intervention from Concordia University, and B.S. in Elementary Education from Southeastern Illinois College.

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 CMCSS Special Populations Department will continue its Family Engagement Series on Wednesday, February 7, with the session “What’s DIDD?” The District is joined by the TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and will share the programs offered at the state level. Services include early intervention, support for children with disabilities, services to transition to independence, and behavioral health support.

This free event is open to the public, and CMCSS families are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held at the William O. Beach Civic Hall at Veterans Plaza (350 Pageant Lane, Suite 201) from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Peacock, CMCSS Director of Special Populations, at [email protected].

The first session in the series, “Understanding IDEA and Section 504,” was held in November 2023.

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.

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The Tennessee TCAP assessments (state standardized tests) will be administered in CMCSS beginning April 17, 2023.

• Students in grades 3-5 will be completing the paper-pencil version of TCAP Achievement for English Language Arts, Math, and Science.
• Students in grades 6-8 will be completing the computer-based version of the TCAP Achievement for English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
• Students in high school who are currently enrolled in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, English I, English II, US History, and/or Biology will be completing the computer-based version of the TCAP EOC.

State law (T.C.A. § 49-1-617) establishes that the state assessments shall comprise a percentage, between 15% and 25%, of a student’s final grade for the spring semester. In CMCSS (policy INS-A023), it is 15%. Students absent on the day of testing receive a zero, following the attendance policy for excused and unexcused absences. Makeup opportunities are provided within the testing window.

NEW this year: Tennessee state law provides all students the opportunity to request additional time for completing TCAP assessments if needed. Teachers will provide students a reminder during each subtest of the TCAP to simply raise their hand if they feel they need a few extra moments to finish. The additional time available is equal to 20% of the time allotted for the test section being completed, which is approximately 5 to 17 minutes depending on the content area and subtest. Parents may also make the request for the additional time for their student by submitting a letter of request to the principal at their child’s school by Thursday, April 6. Students who are finished with the assessment or have submitted the computer-based assessment have acknowledged they do not need the additional time.

All students have the right to meaningful access and opportunities for participation in instruction. The strategies, accessibility, and accommodations used during instruction need to also be available to the greatest extent possible for assessments. Federal and state law require all public-school students in Tennessee, regardless of background, to be included in annual summative assessments. There are no opt-out options provided for state assessments in Tennessee. Students absent on the day of testing receive a zero, following the attendance policy for excused and unexcused absences. Makeup opportunities are provided within the testing window.

For more information on the TCAP testing schedule in CMCSS, click here.

At the CMCSS School Board Study Session on Dec. 6, 2022, Chief Operations Officer Norm Brumblay presented the zoning recommendation for elementary, middle, and high school zone boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year. The recommendation was made by the CMCSS Zoning Project Team in accordance with the established guidelines:

• Ensure equitable distribution of resources according to the learning needs of all students
• Consider the proximity of students to existing schools
• Move as few students as possible
• Transport students the least distance possible
• Consider the BEP capacity and percent-utilization of existing facilities
• Allow for future growth where possible (based on Planning Commission lot and permit data)

Taking these guidelines into consideration, the Zoning Project Team made the following recommendation to the School Board:

• Elementary: no changes to elementary school zone boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Middle: no changes to middle school zone boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year.
• High: implement the high school rezoning boundaries that were approved in February 2022 with the opening of Kirkwood High School for the 2023-2024 school year. 
  • Families of students enrolled in grades 9-11 who reside at addresses affected by high school rezoning received communications in October about options. Families of current 8th-grade students cannot opt out of high school rezoning.
• Portables will be used to balance capacities across all school zones.

Click here to review the presentation from Dec. 6, 2022.

To provide feedback on this recommendation, please click here. The deadline to provide feedback is Jan. 2, 2023.

A public hearing will be held on Jan. 3, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., and a final zoning recommendation will be presented to the School Board on Jan. 17, 2023, for approval.

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. In an effort to improve safety and security, the following policies will be implemented for all spectators at high school football games on our campuses, effective immediately. Initially, the following policies are only for football games due to the number of spectators; however, policies for other athletic events at the high school and middle school levels will be evaluated and communicated ahead of those seasons.

• Bag Policy: CMCSS strongly encourages spectators not to bring any bags. The following is the bag policy for all spectators:
  • One (1) clear tote bag (plastic, vinyl, or PVC) per person is permitted.
    • Clear totes should not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12,” and schools have the discretion to prohibit any oversized clear tote bags.
  • One (1) one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziplock bag or similar) per person is permitted.
  • Clear bags cannot be tinted or have large graphics that obstruct visibility.
  • Approved family care items (diapers, formula, etc.) must be included in the clear plastic tote bag
  • All bags are subject to be searched.
  • Prohibited items: include, but are not limited to: purses, fanny packs, backpacks, duffel bags, coolers, briefcases, diaper bags, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, and computer bags.
  • Exceptions: students participating in the event (athletes, cheerleaders, musicians, etc.), officials/referees, and CMCSS employees or employees from visiting out-of-district schools may bring bags that are necessary for the event. Bags necessary for approved medical equipment are permitted.
• Adult Supervision Policy: Children who are middle-school age or younger must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent/guardian, for entry into the athletic event.
  • High-school-age students from the home school, visiting school, or community may attend the game without being accompanied by an adult.
  • Anyone who violates CMCSS rules will be removed from the event and/or banned from attending events. Law enforcement and/or school officials will contact parents/guardians of students/juveniles and there could be school-based (for students) and/or criminal consequences for offenses in the Student Code of Conduct and/or breaking the law.
• No Re-Entry Policy: CMCSS will continue to enforce a no re-entry policy in all athletic venues. If a spectator leaves the venue, they will not be readmitted, unless there are extenuating circumstances as approved by school officials. Spectators must purchase tickets via GoFan. Tickets will not be sold on-site.
• Increased Law Enforcement: In collaboration with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Clarksville Police Department, there will be additional officers employed at every athletic event, in the venue and around the campus. Please note: all persons, personal items, and vehicles are subject to be searched on school property.
• Limiting Capacities: Depending on multiple factors, including venue capacity, availability of law enforcement and emergency medical services, and anything deemed a safety or security risk, capacities could be limited and ticket sales restricted. CMCSS offers streaming of most high school athletic events via NFHS Network.

Notice: At the discretion of school officials, additional policies or modifications to the above policies may be implemented and enforced.

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

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

Special Education Records

In accordance with the state and federal regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this is to inform you of the Clarksville-Montgomery School System’s intent to destroy personally identifiable information related to special education records maintained for students who were evaluated and/or served for special education services while attending the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, but who are no longer enrolled. Records will be held through the individual’s age of 25. The destruction will occur after the individual’s 26^th birthday.

If you wish to maintain this information for your personal records, you must notify Clarksville- Montgomery County School System upon receipt of this notice; otherwise, the information will be destroyed June 30^th of every year.

Special Education Record Procedure: https://employees.cmcss.net/misc/ViewISO?filename=SPE-P007.pdf

Section 504 Records

In accordance with the state and federal regulations, this is to inform you of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System’s intent to destroy personally identifiable information related to Section 504 education records maintained for students who were evaluated and/or received Section 504 services under a Section 504 Plan while attending the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, but who are no longer enrolled. The records will be destroyed five (5) years after a student has transferred out of the school system, the death of a student, or the student’s graduation.

If you wish to maintain this information for your personal records, you must notify Clarksville Montgomery County School System upon receipt of this notice; otherwise, the information will be destroyed June 30^th of every year.

Section 504 Record Procedure: https://employees.cmcss.net/misc/ViewISO?filename=INS-P043.pdf

Please be advised that the records may be needed by you for applying for Social Security Benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance or other purposes.

 Records to be destroyed are as follows:

• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Section 504 Plans
• Evaluation Reports – Test Protocol
• Notification of Meetings
• Review of Existing Data Summaries
• Notices of Action
• All other personally identifiable information within the Special Education or Section 504 file

*For Special Education: The reason for the destruction of the above-listed items is because they are no longer needed to provide educational services for the individual or valid information after the individual’s 26^th birthday.

*For Section 504: The reason for the destruction of the above-listed items is because they are no longer needed to provide educational services for the individual or valid information after the individual transferred out of the school system, the death of an individual, or the individual’s graduation.

*The district will maintain a permanent record, without time limitation, of a student’s name, address and phone number, his/her grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed, the year completed and a letter stating that the student was eligible and/or received special education or Section 504 services in CMCSS. These records should be requested from the Clarksville Montgomery County School System Student Records Office at (931) 542-5051.

Student Record Inquiry Process: https://employees.cmcss.net/misc/ViewISO?filename=REC-P002.pdf

Records Request

Special Populations: You may contact the Department of Special Populations’ Records at (931) 553-1160 or 1312 State Hwy 48, Clarksville, Tennessee 37040 to obtain your special education records.

Section 504: You may contact the District 504 Coordinator at (931) 553-1155 or 1312 State Hwy 48, Clarksville, Tennessee 37040 to obtain your Section 504 records.

 Please be advised, that you must show a picture ID before records will be released.

 If you are the conservator for an individual, you must show your ID and legal conservatorship documentation.

Excited for the 2022-2023 school year to start? Here’s what you need to know!

Before School

Communications from Schools and the District

Freshman Orientation

Immunizations

Kindergarten Information

Open Houses

Registering for School

Safety and Security

School Supplies

Student Code of Conduct

Tax-Free Weekend

During the School Year

When does school start?

What is my child being taught?

What is RTI2?

Attendance Policy

Graduation Information

Inclement Weather Days

School Breakfast and Lunch

Social and Emotional Learning

Student Transportation

Unplanned School Closings

Before School Begins

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 https://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. The CMCSS Enrollment Center, located at 430 Greenwood Ave., is open M-F, 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 such as birth certificates, health forms, statement of residence, etc., which will be scanned and sent electronically to the school at which the child is zoned. 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 21.
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 SchoolMessenger 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) 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.

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 Focus Video YouTube Channel @cmcssfocus.

For the directions below, please note that PowerSchool will be enabled on August 5, 2022. If you do not already have an account, please check back on or after August 5 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 parent.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.

SCHOOLMESSENGER TEXT ALERTS: Once you’re registered in PowerSchool, text (Y) to (67587) and opt-in to mobile messaging.

*Messaging and data rates may apply.

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What school supplies will my child need?

A great way to start the school year is to have your child prepared. Click here for a list of supplies needed for elementary students. The supplies will be collected and stored for classroom use. Depending upon usage, at some point during the school year, students may need to replenish their supplies. 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 2022 tax-free holiday weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 29, and ends Sunday, July 31 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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When are Open Houses at the school?

Elementary School Open Houses, or “Back to School Nights,” are Fri., Aug. 5 from 5-7 p.m.

Middle School Open Houses will be on Thurs., Aug. 18 from 5-7 p.m.

High School Open Houses will be on Thurs., Aug. 25 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 8. 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. 11-12 & 15-16). Your child will be scheduled to come into school on one of the four days following August 8. All kindergarteners will then begin school on Wednesday, August 17 for their first full day of school.

Click here for more information about kindergarten.

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When is Freshman Orientation?

Ninth graders will be contacted soon by their enrolled schools regarding the details of their Freshman Orientation on Fri., Aug. 5 in the morning.

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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?

Student safety has been, is, and will always be CMCSS’ top priority. To provide families with more information about CMCSS’ school safety and security protocols, the District is finalizing a School Safety Hub for families that will be launched and communicated to all stakeholders in the coming days.

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.

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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 start?

Monday, Aug. 8 is the first half day, and Thursday, Aug. 11 is the first full day.

Aug. 9-10 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. Please see below for information on how to register.

Visit cmcss.net/calendars for the 2022-2023 school year calendar. With a generous sponsorship from Jostens, the CMCSS Communications Department will provide a printed calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. These calendars will be arriving soon at the homes of enrolled students. Due to production and shipping delays, these calendars may not arrive before the first week of school, but a digital copy is available online. We apologize for the inconvenience!

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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 is RTI²?

Response to instruction and intervention (RTI²) 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. Please click here for more information.

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Will school breakfast and lunch meals be free again for all students in the 2022-2023 school year?

The USDA has not indicated that they will be extending the waiver for school districts to continue offering no-cost meals to all students 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 all students each school day because of the USDA’s waivers.

It is extremely important that all families who believe their children qualify for free or reduced meals complete the application for the 2022-2023 school year, beginning Monday, July 18, 2022. An application can be completed online at www.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 will need your student’s school ID number for the online application. If you do not know their student ID, please contact your child’s school.

At this time, unless CMCSS receives notification otherwise from the USDA, the district will be required to return to its normal meal payment methods this school year. Below are the 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 2023 graduations?
All ceremonies will take place at Austin Peay State University in the Dunn Center.

Wednesday, May 24

Middle College – 10 a.m.
Adult Education – 12 p.m.
CMCSS K-12 Virtual – 2 p.m.
CMCSS Adult High School – 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 25

Clarksville High School – 4 p.m.
Northwest High School – 7 p.m.

Friday, May 26

Northeast High School – 4 p.m.
Montgomery Central High School – 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 27

Kenwood High School – 9 a.m.
West Creek High School – 12 p.m.
Rossview High School – 3 p.m.

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How does CMCSS address Social and Emotional Learning?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Addressing the social and emotional needs of students is a primary focus for CMCSS. All schools continue to assess and address the resources and support available to ensure they meet students’ social and emotional needs. This focus extends to teachers, counselors, and staff. Connection with students includes classroom lessons, small group counseling, and individualized counseling.

Resources are available to families via the district website. For more information, visit www.cmcss.net/sel.

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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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How will we learn about school bus information?

Bus routing information will be emailed to families of enrolled students on July 25. Routing information for the 2022-2023 School Year will be available at cmcss.net/bus-zoning/ beginning July 22.

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 to not get off the bus if the stop is unfamiliar to them. Please visit cmcss.net/bussafety for more information.

Bus Rider Eligibility:

State Law

T.C.A. §49.6.2101 allows students living 1 ½ miles beyond their assigned school to be provided transportation.

CMCSS Qualifications

Effective the 2022-2023 school year, 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 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.

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.

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How do I know when there are unplanned school closings?

If school buildings must close due to inclement weather or other emergencies, the CMCSS Communications Department will use SchoolMessenger to notify families via call, text, and email. Parents and guardians can use the Parent Self-Service Portal at parents.cmcss.net to update contact information throughout the year. 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. For official CMCSS social media accounts, follow us @cmcssinfo on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

See the “How do I stay connected” section above for more information.

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How are inclement weather days decided?

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) takes as much time as reasonably possible to make a recommendation to the Director of Schools. We always err on the side of caution to ensure the safety of students. To make a good recommendation, the COO looks at weather data and has transportation and operations staff checking the road conditions all over Montgomery County. He also studies radar, attends the national weather service briefings, and calls forecasters. Sometimes the decision is easy. The more difficult decisions come with the timing or the significance of the event which doesn’t allow us to make a clear decision. When that happens, families will be kept informed of the status of a closing decision.

To learn more about how CMCSS makes a decision regarding inclement weather, watch this video.

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