Important Dates & Announcements are posted here weekly to help keep you informed.

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Communications Contact Workshop Thursday, September 15

The Department of Communications & Public Affairs will renew the Communications Contact program this year with the schools. For those of you unfamiliar with the program, Communications Contacts have previously served as a liaison between our department and your school for news about positive events and programs used for media coverage, newsletter placement and in other means that promote your school and the district.

We will host a workshop on Thursday, September 15 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Telecommunications Center Auditorium (main auditorium at the Teaching & Learning Academy). We are asking that each school send its Communications Contact representative to this workshop to learn about the role of communications and how we can work together to promote your school.

This year, the role of the Communications Contact will be expanded to create better communications between administration and the schools on district-wide initiatives and/or programs. The contact will also serve as and assist with the following:

• MCS Reads Campaign Coordinator
• School Profiles
• Key Communicator Network

Please contact Nikita Flynn at 416-5628 with any questions.

Retirement Meetings Scheduled

A series of meetings are scheduled for MCS employees who want to learn more about retirement. The meetings, presented by the Memphis City Schools Retirement Office in the Department of Human Resources, will cover:

• An overview of the retirement plan through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance as it relates to retirement
• An overview of Social Security benefits
• How to complete application packets
• Questions and answers

The meetings are scheduled from 4 – 6 p.m. on the following Thursdays in the Board of Education Auditorium:

• October 27
• November 15
• December 15
• January 19
• February 16
• March 9
• April 20
• May 18

The meetings are open to all MCS employees. Persons interested in attending should select a date convenient to their schedules, and send a note with their name, work location and the session they would like to attend to the Benefits Office, Room 158 of the Administration Building, or they may contact the Benefits Office at 416-5464.

MCS Receives $5,000 Literacy Grant
to Support ‘Memphis City Schools Reads’ Initiative

The Memphis City Schools Reads annual literacy campaign received a jumpstart last week, when the Alcoa Foundation provided a $5,000 grant.

“We are very thankful to receive this generous grant from the Alcoa Foundation,” said Nikita Flynn, marketing communications manager and MCS Reads coordinator. “It is very encouraging to know that community organizations are supporting the school district’s focus on improved literacy skills for our school children.”

MCS Reads asks each member of the Memphis City Schools community to read at least two books a month, at least 25 in a year. The program offers special incentives for the top readers on elementary, middle and high school levels. Last year, MCS students read more than books through the MCS Reads program.

The campaign for the 2005-06 school year kicks off on Monday, September 19.

"Seeing what Memphis City Schools is doing to accommodate Hurricane Katrina evacuees reinforces the fact that the Alcoa Foundation made the right decision to partner with the school system for its literacy program,” said Robert Lowe, human resources manager at the Olive Branch office of the Alcoa Foundation. “I believe every child deserves a quality education."

Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina and makes and markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap®, Alcoa® wheels and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks.

To sponsor Memphis City Schools Reads, contact Nikita Flynn in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at 416-5628.

Parent Learning Academy Training for Parents September 14

The Parent Learning Academy will hold a workshop for parents from 9 – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14 at the Martin Luther King Center Library, 620 S. Lauderdale.

Aubrey Bond, MCS Director of No Child Left Behind/Accountability, will give participants an overview of what is involved in the No Child Left Behind Act. Brenda Cassellius, Middle School Superintendent, will discuss the Blue Ribbon Behavior Plan.

The meeting is free. For more information, call 416-7264.

Last Call -- Greater Memphis Arts Council Invites Memphis City Schools to Apply for Student Ticket Subsidy Funding
Applications due Sept. 15

For MCS teachers interested in the arts, one of the most important back-to-school rituals is selecting cultural events for their students to enjoy through the Student Ticket Subsidy program. The 2005-2006 Student Ticket Subsidy program application form, guidelines, and list of events are posted on the Greater Memphis Arts Council website at www.memphisartscouncil.org (click on Arts for Kids). The Arts Council will begin receiving applications via fax at (901) 578-2784 at 12:01 a.m. on Thurs. Sept 15.

Funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered by the Greater Memphis Arts Council in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC), this program provides ticket subsidy funds to public school students for arts and cultural events. A total of $153,676 in funding is available for public schools in Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Lauderdale, Benton, Crockett, Dyer, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley counties. The Tennessee Arts Commission’s award for West Tennessee represents an increase of more than $32,000 in funding compared to last year’s grant. The maximum funding amount that can be requested per school is $3,000.

“We were delighted to get an increase in Student Ticket Subsidy funding this year because it allows us to bring the arts to more students,” said Emily Patterson, Arts Council Director of Grants. “Last year, more than 83,000 public school students in this region were able to enjoy live arts performances through this program. We greatly appreciate our state legislators who continue to provide this funding. For many of the children whose teachers participate, this will be the first time they’ve ever visited a professional arts venue for a live performance. We believe these experiences are the building blocks for developing a lifelong appreciation of the arts.”

Student Ticket Subsidy guidelines have been mailed to principals in the Memphis City Schools, Shelby County Schools, and West Tennessee public school districts. If for some reason your school did not receive this mailing and/or you need more information about this program, please contact Emily Patterson at (901) 578-2787, ext. 250, or epatterson@memphisartscouncil.org.

Applications received before 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 15 will be returned. Incomplete applications will also be returned. In keeping with the first-come, first-served policy, all applications will be processed according to the date and time they are received. Schools sending multiple applications should coordinate and fax applications as one document. The application form requires a principal’s signature, a confirmation number from the arts organization, and the percentage of students on free/reduced lunch.

Teacher Initiative Grants Deadline is September 16

Carol Barnett, Project Coordinator of the Memphis Rotary Foundation, has announced that The Memphis Rotary Foundation, together with Partners in Public Education (P.I.P.E.), has thousands of dollars to give away this fall to Memphis City Schools teachers.

The Teacher Initiative Grants (T.I.G.) applications have been delivered to schools, and every teacher, guidance counselor and librarian is eligible to apply.

Last year, one out of every three grants applied for was funded! Teachers unanimously agree this is one of the simplest grants to apply for.

Call Carol Barnett at the Memphis Rotary Foundation, 202-8924, if you need more information. The application forms may be copied if you need additional ones.

The application deadline is September 16. The application is due into the MCS Grants Office, Room 256 at the Board of Education, by 5 p.m. on the 16th.

Support Our Schools (SOS) Week Announced

Next week, September 19 – 23, will be a week devoted to enlisting and showing support for the Memphis City Schools.

A variety of activities are planned, beginning with the kickoff of the 2005-06 MCS Reads campaign on Monday, September 19. A video announcement about the campaign this year will be provided to district schools over Cable 19 at 9:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m.

Hundreds of Adopt-A-School participants will meet Tuesday, September 20 at Hope Presbyterian Church for the Adopt-A-School Partnerships Workshop. The workshop is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The office of Parental Involvement and Family Support will hold its Informational Seminar for Parents on Wednesday, September 21 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. The meeting is centered on assisting parents in working with schools and their children to support the district’s Blue Ribbon Behavior Plan. Featured speaker will be Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family based in Minneapolis, Minn. Dr. Walsh has emerged as one of the world’s leading authorities on parenting, family life and the impact of the media on children and teens. A highly sought after speaker, his presentations are down-to-earth and engaging while focusing on factors that influence school performance, literacy, violence prevention, the impact of media on children and brain development.

The Memphis Urban League will hold its annual “Do the Right Thing” celebration from 6 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 22 at Ridgeway High School. Each year the Urban League honors students for their achievements and parents for their efforts to drive the message home to our children that ACHIEVEMENT MATTERS! This is part of an annual nationwide celebration of our youth and parents in September sponsored by the National Urban League, its affiliates and collaborative organizations. The Celebration will be Thursday, September 22, at 6 p.m. at Ridgeway High School. Last year, 478 students and parents representing 116 city, county and Catholic schools were honored.

On Friday, September 23, the community is invited to “Meet and Greet” Superintendent Carol Johnson and her staff from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Teaching & Learning Academy, 2485 Union.

Attention: Fifth Grade Teachers!!
The Exchange Clubs of Memphis/Shelby County Announce
Annual Crime Prevention Essay Contest

The Exchange Clubs of Memphis/Shelby County are sponsoring the Annual Junior Police Chief and Junior Sheriff essay contest in conjunction with Crime Prevention Month in October. The Exchange Clubs are inviting the 5th graders at your school to participate in this contest.

Eight finalists from entries from Memphis City Schools and eight finalists from Shelby County Schools will be selected. A Junior Police Chief and Junior Assistant Chief of Police will be selected from the Memphis City Schools. A Junior Sheriff and a Junior Deputy Sheriff will be selected from Shelby County Schools. The winning students will be honored at a luncheon on October 17, 2005 at 11:45 a.m. at Southwest Tennessee Community College, 5983 Macon Cove Campus.

Representatives from the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, along with other city and county officials will be present as the students are presented honorary law enforcement badges and CASH prizes. The winner’s parents and a representative from their school are also invited to attend.

Please select the TWO BEST essays from your school and forward them to:

Crime Prevention Essay Contest
Exchange Clubs of Memphis/Shelby County
P. O. Box 11-1213
Memphis, TN 38111

Entries MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE September 30, 2005. Please help us promote Crime Prevention by encouraging your students to participate. The eight finalists from the City and County Schools will be asked to come to the Exchange Club Family Center, 2180 Union Ave. at 4:30 p.m. October 11, 2005 where they will be interviewed by a panel selecting the winners.

Contest rules have been sent to all schools that have fifth grade students. If you need additional information, please contact Tommy Condrey, Crime Prevention Committee, at 753-1923.

Celebrate Ernest Withers: Free Family Day at the Brooks

Join the celebration on Saturday, October 1 as Memphis Brooks Museum of Art honors the work of acclaimed Memphis photographer Dr. Ernest Withers. The festivities are being held in conjunction with the current exhibition, “Ernest Withers and Memphis: Capturing a City,” on view through October 15. Ernest Withers Family Day will take place from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Brooks Museum in Overton Park.

Family Day visitors will learn about the history of Memphis through Dr. Withers’ images of musicians, the Negro Baseball League and the civil rights movement. Children will have the opportunity to create photograph-inspired artwork and experience the energy of the Bantaba African Dance Company. Bantaba African Dance Company is a traditional African dance and percussion ensemble whose electrifying performance will consist of dances and rhythms highlighting various aspects of African cultures.

Ernest Withers Family Day starts at 10 a.m., and Bantaba will perform at 11:30 a.m. Dr. Withers will deliver a lecture about his work at 2 p.m., which will be free with museum admission. Ernest Withers Family Day and lecture are sponsored by the Briggs Foundation with additional support from the International Paper Foundation.

Training for Volunteer Tutors Underway;
Training Dates Scheduled

Our Children – Our Future is holding training sessions for persons interested in tutoring students in the Memphis City Schools during the 2005-06 school year. Trained tutors are paired with students in kindergarten through 12th grade and work with them to improve reading or math skills.

Anyone interested in becoming a tutor should contact Our Children – Our Future at 416-5732 and sign up for one of the following training sessions:

• Thursday, Sept. 15, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (elementary reading and math)
• Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1 – 4 p.m. (elementary reading and math)
• Tuesday, Sept. 27, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (elementary, middle & high reading and math)
• Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. – noon (elementary, middle and high school math and reading
• Tuesday, Oct. 18, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (elementary math and reading)

All training workshops will be held in the Teaching & Learning Academy, 2485 Union.
For more information, call 416-5732.

Employee Giving Campaigns to Begin in September

Three non-profit organizations – The Greater Memphis Arts Council, the Black United Fund and United Way – are kicking off their annual employee giving campaigns this month. Last year, MCS employees had the top employee-giving campaign in the City of Memphis for The Greater Memphis Arts Council and were among the top contributors in both the United Way and Black United Fund campaigns as well.

Black United Fund packets and United Way packets have been delivered to schools. School coordinators of the Greater Memphis Arts Council will receive their pledge cards and information this week.

Mentoring Program Recruiting Volunteers

All young people have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society. However, not all children have the support they need to thrive. An astounding 17.6 million young people, nearly half the population between 10 and 18 years of age live in situations that put them at risk of not living up to their potential.

Many parents of Memphis City Schools’ students would welcome a little extra support from other caring adults to help counter the many negative influences their children experience daily. More than 70 percent of Memphis City Schools’ students are from families headed by single female heads of households and live in communities considered to be socially and/or economically challenged.

Without immediate intervention by caring adults, these children could make choices that not only undermine their own futures, but, ultimately, also undermine the economic and social well being of our city.

If you know of someone who would be a good mentor for a Memphis City Schools student, have him or her call (901) 416-5700. Additional information and an application form can be found on the MCS web site by Clicking Here.

Put on your walkin’ shoes….Make strides against breast cancer Oct. 8

On October 8, the American Cancer Society will hold its 5th annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk in downtown Memphis. This is a great opportunity to rally together with colleagues, friends and family, parents and students, in support of the ongoing research to combat breast cancer. Some area schools are walking in honor or memory of a fellow teacher or student, other schools are involving student groups as a community service project. It is a non-competitive, family-friendly walk, and the money raised will be used for breast cancer research, as well as to provide programs locally for cancer patients.

The American Cancer Society encourages all Memphis City Schools to get involved. It’s really simple to form a team, and there is NO registration fee to participate.

Last year, several schools participated: Carver, Central, Colonial Middle, Craigmont Middle, East, Frayser, Melrose, Northside, Oakhaven, Overton, Sea Isle, Treadwell, Trezevant, Trezevant Career & Technology, Westwood and Whitehaven. Frayser raised $1452 and had 70 students on its team. Sea Isle Elementary raised $685 and had a nine-member teacher team, and Carver raised $267 and had a total of 54 students and teachers on its team!

If you are interested in learning more about the walk, please contact American Cancer Society’s Malinda McDaniel at 725-8620. Posters, walk-papers and brochures containing registration forms are also available from Deborah Baker in the MCS Communications Office, 416-5628.

School Choice Fair Set for Saturday, November 5

The district’s first School Choice Fair will be held at the Memphis Cook Convention Center on Saturday, November 5 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m., and is an exciting opportunity for each Memphis City School to sell itself to parents in the area. The Fair is also an opportunity for parents to learn about various services available to them concerning their child’s education.

Each school will have a booth for the Fair and is encouraged to put is best foot forward in promoting itself. For tips on how to market your school, visit the School Choice Fair section on the Memphis City Schools web site by Clicking Here.