Posted in Elementary School:

The following announcements were made on October 29, 2024.

Oakland Elementary School Principal

Molly Willis has been selected as the principal of Oakland Elementary School. Currently, she serves as an assistant principal at Glenellen Elementary School. Willis has nearly a decade of experience in administration, serving as an assistant principal a Hazelwood Elementary, Moore Magnet Elementary, Barkers Mill Elementary, Rossview Elementary, and Oakland Elementary schools. Before becoming an administrator, she served as an Academic Coach at Hazelwood Elementary and Minglewood Elementary schools and had ten years of teaching experience, serving as an educator at Rossview Elementary and schools in Crossville, TN and Kentucky. Willis is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrator Academy and CMCSS Leadership Development Class, and she completed McREL Balanced Leadership training for school leadership. She earned her M.A. and B.A. in Elementary Education from Oakland City University in Indiana and her Instructional Leadership License from Bethel University.

Kenwood Elementary School Assistant Principal
Rusty Guzman-Bowe has been selected as an assistant principal at Kenwood Elementary School. She joined CMCSS in 2022 as a special education CDC and Resource teacher at Hazelwood Elementary School. Guzman-Bowe began her career in public education in 2016, and as a military spouse, has served as a special education coordinator and teacher in schools in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Washington. She served as an Education Project Consultant for the University of Kentucky focused on developing college and career readiness state standards for Kentucky. Guzman-Bowe earned the Green Apple Award in 2023, is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrator Academy, and completed a Summer Administrator Internship in 2024. She has presented at state and national educational conferences and has served in numerous school, district, and state-level leadership roles. Guzman-Bowe earned her M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Liberty University, B.S. in Special Education K-12 from Austin Peay State University, A.A. from Hopkinsville Community College, and A.A. in Language and Rationality from Hartnell Community College in Salinas, CA.

The following announcements were made on October 4, 2024.

Byrns Darden Elementary School Principal

Dr. Ashlie Perry has been selected as the principal of Byrns Darden Elementary School. Dr. Perry has served as the principal of Oakland Elementary School since 2022. Previously, she served as the principal of Minglewood Elementary School for three years. Dr. Perry began her career with CMCSS in 2009 and has served as an assistant principal at Minglewood Elementary, Academic Coach at Norman Smith Elementary, and teacher at Liberty and Minglewood elementary schools. She completed the CMCSS Leadership Class Series, Aspiring Administrators Academy, and McREL Balanced Leadership training. She has served in numerous school- and district-level leadership roles, and has presented at several local, state, and national professional learning conferences. Dr. Perry earned her Ed.D. and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and M.A.T. from Austin Peay State University and her B.S. in Child Development from Middle Tennessee State University.

East Montgomery Elementary School Assistant Principal

Christina Irwin has been selected as an assistant principal at East Montgomery Elementary School. Irwin has served as the principal of Byrns Darden Elementary School since 2022. Previously, she served for seven years as an assistant principal at Woodlawn Elementary School. Irwin began her career in public education in 2003 and has served as an Academic Coach at Pisgah Elementary School and a school in Texas and as a teacher at Kenwood Elementary School. She received Teacher of the Year distinctions in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and the Distinguished Classroom Teacher award in 2014. Irwin earned her Certificate in Leadership K-12 from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, M.A.Ed. in Elementary Education from Cumberland University, and B.S. in Elementary Education from Austin Peay State University.

Rossview Elementary and West Creek Elementary Assistant Principal

Cynthia Parcells has been selected as an assistant principal in a split position for Rossview and West Creek elementary schools. Parcells began her career with CMCSS in 2007 and has taught physical science, biology and middle school science at Northwest High School and Montgomery Central Middle School. She has served in several leadership roles, including Lead Science Teacher and professional learning facilitator. Additionally, Parcells is a successful local business owner, community relations specialist, and professional photographer. She is a graduate of the CMCSS Teacher Leader Academy. Parcells earned her M.A.T. and B.S. in Geosciences from Austin Peay State University. She earned her administrator’s license from Carson-Newman University, where she is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Administrative Leadership.

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.

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.

See a list of the necessary documents here.

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 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 to bring on the first day, they can carry their backpack and water bottle. It may also be a good time to drop off school supplies.

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 5.

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. Click here to 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!

The following administrative announcements were made on Friday, April 27, 2023.

Glenellen Elementary School Principal

Abby Binkley has been appointed the principal of Glenellen Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year. She currently serves as the principal of Minglewood Elementary School. Previous administrative experience includes serving as an assistant principal at Minglewood Elementary, assistant principal at Glenellen Elementary, the Executive Director of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation, and an assistant principal at Northeast High. Binkley has nine years of teaching experience in CMCSS at Rossview High, Rossview Elementary, and West Creek Elementary schools. She is a graduate of Leadership Middle Tennessee and Leadership Clarksville. Binkley completed the CMCSS Leadership Class Series, Aspiring Administrators Academy, and McREL Balanced Leadership training. She earned her M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Bethel University and B.S. in education from Kennesaw State University.

Minglewood Elementary School Principal

Emily Clark has been appointed the principal of Minglewood Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year. She currently serves as the principal of Glenellen Elementary School. Previously, she served as the principal of Norman Smith Elementary for five years and as an assistant principal at the school for three years. She began her career in CMCSS in 2009 as a teacher and has taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades at Sango, Rossview, and Barkers Mill elementary schools. She earned her M.A. in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University and B.A. in Elementary Education from Oakland City University in Indiana.

Kirkwood and Rossview Middle Schools Split-Position Assistant Principal

Dr. Lauren McCurdy has been selected as an assistant principal at Kirkwood and Rossview middle schools for the 2023-2024 school year. Currently, she serves as an assistant principal at Rossview High School. She has 15 years of teaching experience at Rossview High and in Trigg County. Dr. McCurdy has served in several school- and district-level leadership roles, and she graduated from the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy in 2019. She earned her Ed.D. in Leadership and Professional Practice, Ed.S. in Accountability and Instructional Leadership, and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University and her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

CMCSS made the following administrative appointments on April 15, 2023.

Employee Relations Specialist

Staci Sohn has been selected as the CMCSS Employee Relations Specialist, replacing Patti Koloski who was selected as the Director of Certified Employment. This ESSER-funded position assists the Chief Human Resources Officer in conducting investigations, resolving human relations problems, promoting employee morale and well-being, collecting and analyzing employee retention and recruitment data, and focusing on improving retention and employee satisfaction.

Sohn has served as the Online Professional Learning Facilitator for 10 years. She began her career in public education in 2003 and has served as a teacher, cheerleading coach, and new teacher mentor in CMCSS and Henry County Schools. Before beginning her 20-year career in public education, she was a business manager in the private sector. Sohn has earned several national trainer certifications, including Classroom Organization and Management Program (COMP) and the Ruby Payne Framework for Understanding Poverty, and is a graduate of the Learning Forward Academy. She earned her M.S. in Advanced Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin and B.A. in Spanish, Anthropology, and Business Administration from Murray State University.

Barksdale Elementary School Assistant Principal

Sabrina McAllister has been selected as an assistant principal at Barksdale Elementary School, beginning the 2023-2024 school year. Currently, she serves as an assistant principal at Pisgah Elementary School. McAllister began her career with CMCSS in 2000 as a teacher at Barksdale Elementary School, serving there for 18 years, and serving for three years as an Academic Coach at Ringgold Elementary. She has served in numerous school and district-level leadership roles, including STEM Coordinator, Site-Based Induction Specialist, Before- and After-School Program Administrator, and Camp Invention Director. She earned her M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration and her B.A. in Education from Austin Peay State University. McAllister is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrator Academy and McREL Balanced Leadership Training.

Barkers Mill Elementary School Assistant Principal

Brock Wilee has been selected as an assistant principal at Barkers Mill Elementary School, beginning the 2023-2024 school year. He began his career with CMCSS in 2005 and has served as a 4th and 5th grade classroom teacher and health and physical education teacher at West Creek and Moore Magnet elementary schools. Over his 18 years in public education, he has served in numerous school and district-level leadership roles. Wilee was named Teacher of the Year in 2022 and won the Green Apple Award in 2006 and 2007, in addition to several other awards, honors, and grants. He earned his Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University and both his M.S. and B.S. in Health and Human Performance from Austin Peay State University.

Hazelwood Elementary School Assistant Principal

Tonilynn Mosley has been selected as an assistant principal at Hazelwood Elementary School, beginning the 2023-2024 school year. Currently, she serves as an assistant principal at Glenellen Elementary School. Previously, she served as an Academic Coach and teacher at Glenellen Elementary, beginning her career with CMCSS at the school in 2010. Mosley has served in several school, district, and state-level leadership roles, including the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network Cohort, Tennessee Department of Education K-2 Science Standards Facilitator, CMCSS STEM Externship Mentor, and CMCSS STEM Lead Teacher. Mosley was named a Teacher of the Year in 2016 and 2018 and a CMCSS Difference Maker in 2016. She earned her M.S. in Educational Leadership from Western Governor’s University and her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies K-6 from Austin Peay State University. She is a graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy and McREL Balanced Leadership Training.

Northeast Elementary School Assistant Principal

Eleya Robertson has been selected as an assistant principal at Northeast Elementary School, beginning the 2023-2024 school year. She has served as a Second-Grade Multi-Classroom Leader at West Creek Elementary School since 2019, leading and mentoring a team of teachers and Teacher Residents. She began her career with CMCSS in 2010 as a classroom teacher. Robertson earned her Endorsement in K-12 Special Education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, M.S. in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State, and B.S. in Education from the University of Southern Illinois.

Rossview Elementary and Oakland Elementary Schools Split-Position Assistant Principal

Molly Willis has been selected as a split-position assistant principal at Rossview and Oakland elementary schools, beginning the 2023-2024 school year. She entered school leadership in 2016 and has served as an assistant principal at Moore Magnet and Hazelwood elementary schools. Willis began her career in public education in 2005 and has served as an academic coach, K-6 teacher, and RTI Coordinator in schools in Kentucky and Tennessee. Willis completed the Instructional Leadership License Program from Bethel University, and she earned both an M.A. and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Oakland City University in Indiana.

Sango Elementary School Assistant Principal

Wimberly (Katie) Hackett has been selected as an assistant principal at Sango Elementary School, beginning the 2023-2024 school year. She has served as an Academic Coach at Sango Elementary since 2020. Hackett began her career with CMCSS in 2009 and has served as a classroom teacher and visual arts teacher at Barkers Mill and Carmel elementary schools. She has served in numerous school- and district-level curriculum and instruction leadership roles. She earned her M.A. in Educational Leadership, B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, and A.S. in Liberal Studies from Austin Peay State University. Hackett is currently completing the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy.

Kindergarten enrollment has begun for the Class of 2036!

How to Register

Begin the registration process here.

Information on registration and required information can be found on our registration page. The registration page includes a list of all necessary documents required and information on preparing for kindergarten.

Visit Your Child’s New School

CMCSS Elementary Schools offer a Kindergarten Kick-off to introduce students to their new schools. Kindergarten Kick-off will be held in person at each child’s zoned school on Tuesday, April 4, from 5:30-7 p.m.

If you are unsure of your zoned school, visit http://businfo.cmcss.net/. Families can input their child’s primary residence address to find out which school their child is zoned.

Interested in CMCSS K-12 Virtual?

For kindergarten families interested in enrolling in CMCSS K-12 Virtual, details on informational sessions will be shared soon.

We look forward to welcoming all our new CMCSS students and families this August!

Kindergarten enrollment has begun for the Class of 2036!

How to Register

Begin the registration process here.

Information on registration and required information can be found on our registration page. The registration page includes a list of all necessary documents required and information on preparing for kindergarten.

Visit Your Child’s New School

CMCSS Elementary Schools offer a Kindergarten Kick-off to introduce students to their new schools. Kindergarten Kick-off will be held in person at each child’s zoned school on Tuesday, April 4, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

If you are unsure of your zoned school, visit http://businfo.cmcss.net/. Families can input their child’s primary residence address to find out which school their child is zoned.

Interested in CMCSS K-12 Virtual?

CMCSS K-12 Virtual kindergarten kickoff will be at 5:00 pm via Zoom. Here is the link for the Zoom session.

Help Your Child Prepare

Watch this video and learn simple ways you can help your child prepare for school!

We look forward to welcoming all our new CMCSS students and families this August!