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MCS To Host its First-Ever School Choice Fair

Memphis City Schools is offering parents a chance to make more informed decisions concerning their children’s education at the First Annual School Choice Fair.

“This is an exciting opportunity for parents to talk one on one with representatives of the various schools and make sound choices for their children’s education,” said Superintendent Carol Johnson. “We wanted to provide an event that was both informative and convenient.”

The School Choice Fair will be held on Saturday, November 5th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

The fair will offer more than 250 booths featuring the various schools, educational programs, Optional programs, business vendors and much more. Special guests such as V101’s Stan Bell, Rocky the Redbird, Mr. Chuck and Ronald McDonald will also be on hand.

“We want this to be an event where the entire family can learn and have fun,” said Johnson.

According to Johnson, parents can attend workshops on Open Enrollment and the No Child Left Behind law at the fair. Free childcare will be provided for parents with children between 2 and 6 years old.

Free parking will be available at the Cook Convention Center and the Pyramid parking lot. The district is also offering shuttle services from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on the date of the event at the following locations:

• Board of Education building at 2597 Avery Ave.
• Whitehaven High School at 4851 Elvis Presley Blvd.
• Raleigh-Egypt High School at 3970 Voltaire
• Willow Oaks Elementary at 4417 Willow
• Getwell Elementary at 2795 Getwell Road

For more information regarding the School Choice Fair, visit the district web sites School Choice Fair web page by Clicking Here.

Admission is free. Partners in Public Education (the local education fund), is a sponsor of the event.

Attention All Schools: A mandatory orientation regarding the School Choice Fair will be held on Monday, October 24th at 9 a.m. in the Telecommunications Center Auditorium. One representative from every school is expected to attend.

2005-06 Annual Health Enrollment Period Approaches

“It’s that time of year again…. time for our Annual Health Enrollment! The MCS Benefits Department is holding the Annual Health Enrollment on the following dates: NOVEMBER 14, 2005 – NOVEMBER 30, 2005. This is the time of year for employees to make changes to their benefit plans. For example, if you need to add or drop dependents, if you want to change health plans, or if you missed your enrollment deadline, this is your opportunity to make changes.

The MCS Benefits Department will be sending Health Enrollment packets to all employees who are eligible for benefits during the first week of November 2005. The Health Enrollment packet will contain information on all of the available health plans, insurance rates, enrollment instructions and other benefit-related materials. Please make sure MCS has your most current address information to ensure you receive the Health Enrollment materials. If you need to update your address information, please visit the Human Resources section of the MCS web site (http://www.mcsk12.net/admin/personnel/hr_forms.htm), print the address change form and fax it to the benefits department (901-416-5644).

The MCS Benefits Department will also hold Benefit Enrollment Sessions. The dates, times, and location information will be included in your Health Enrollment packet. Please feel free to attend these meetings if you need any additional assistance with your benefits or if you have questions regarding your benefits.

District Administrators Introduce Cross-Functional Team Concept

Memphis City Schools has organized its first cross-functional team format for the district. The new cross-functional team is a collaboration between the Curriculum and Instruction Department at the Teaching Learning Academy and the Academic Superintendents and the Deputy Superintendent’s Office.

The cross-functional concept originated from the work of Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and the Executive Leadership Team, whose members participated in the PELP Project at Harvard this summer. The PELP Project is a collaboration between the University’s Colleges of Business and Education. Harvard professors trained district leadership from eight urban school districts in competencies to meet common challenges.

Each Academic Superintendent will work with a team consisting of an Academic Coordinator, Exemplary Educatory, literacy and math coaches, prevention/intervention specialist, parental involvement specialist, coordinator of Exceptional Children, New Teacher Induction, NCLB, Attendance Teacher, and Instructional Technology coaches.
The team will also interface with “critical connector” staff persons from Research, Facilities, Human Resources, Communications, Instructional Technology, Auditing, Finance, and NCLB.

Cross-functional team members participated in professional development on strategic planning and goal-setting. This collaborative, transparent process will engage all stakeholders with a common focus as they work to improve student achievement

Schools Urged to Take Stock of Their Enforcement of Fire Safety Codes

Memphis City Schools’ Office of Risk Management is asking that classrooms and other school areas be carefully examined to ensure the spaces are safe and hazard-free. Schools will be inspected by the Fire Marshal for deficiencies. Doorways should be free of anything that would impede an emergency exit for students and staff including fire and earthquake emergency situations. Large furniture, boxes or supplies should not be stored on top of other items where they may fall and block an emergency exit from the room. TV monitors and other wall-mounted objects must be secured to prevent them from falling and blocking the exits. Obstacles in the hall that may block walkways should be removed.

Artwork and teaching materials cannot exceed 20% of the wall area of classrooms or corridors. Fire code excludes placing artwork or teaching materials on blinds or suspending items from the ceiling. Both situations create a fire danger. Artwork and papers should not be applied to the walls by hot glue, super glue or other non-removable adhesive.

Curtains, draperies, flags and other similar furnishing and decorations that have been tested and approved as flame-resistant should be used, per Life Safety Code 101.

Electrical appliances including but not limited to heaters, fans, coffee pots, and other items are not allowed in the classroom or in an area where they may pose a safety hazard.

Practice fire drill procedures with your students. During a drill, make sure that your students know exactly where to meet. Identify a meeting area that is not in the way of emergency equipment such as fire trucks or ambulances. Also avoid high power lines, underground utility vaults or above-ground transformers.

Identify all students present at the designated meeting area. Notify the principal or designated person of any students who are not accountable. Such lists are very important in the case of a real emergency.

MCS Reads October School of the Month winners
To Be Announced Soon!

If your school has planned a number of creative MCS Reads activities this month, then we want to hear from you! The MCS Reads committee will be choosing Elementary, Middle and High school winners at the end of October.

The Elementary School of the Month winner can choose to have a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog or Ronald McDonald. Our Middle School of the Month winner will be able to give 50 Grizzlies’ tickets to deserving students, and the High School winner will be able to send 25 students on a tour of K-97 studios! In addition, K-97 will host a party at the winning High School!

In order to qualify, you must send the good news about your MCS Reads activities to goodnews@mcsk12.net.

“Instruction, Information and Imagination” Take Center Stage
at 11th Annual Technology Conference

The Memphis City Schools 11th Annual Technology Conference scheduled for November 2 and 3, at the Teaching and Learning Academy will give educators from around Memphis and the Mid-South an opportunity to share experiences, best practices and success stories relating to technology integration, data-driven instruction, and the use of imagination and creativity to produce technology-based projects. It will also showcase cutting edge technology that is likely to impact teaching and learning in the future.

Many informative and exciting sessions are being planned that will include the use of practical applications across all grade levels to support all teachers in successfully integrating technology into the classroom.

Hundreds of teachers, technology coordinators, library information specialists, administrators, and education industry representatives from all over Memphis and the Mid-South are expected to attend to gain new information and insight on teaching and learning practices and technological products that integrate the three components: Instruction, Information, and Imagination. Using information, or student data, to plan and deliver instruction makes teaching and learning much more efficient and effective. And encouraging students to use their imagination and creativity to develop projects to demonstrate their learning brings the whole educational process full-circle.

In addition to a wide assortment of sessions on instructional technology-related topics, exhibitors from many well-known educational and technology companies will be on hand to display and explain the latest in hardware and instructional software. The conference will also offer door prizes and drawings. Lunch will be provided to registered attendee, sponsored by ENA and NetTrekker.

More information is available at http://www.mcsk12.net/admin/tlapages/tech/2005_conference/index.asp .

Inventory Control & Warehousing Reorganized

The Divisions of Inventory Control and Warehousing will be merging under the direction of Otis Gibson, Coordinator of Inventory Control and Warehousing. The staff members are being reorganized as work to streamline the processes, implement new technology, and increase efficiency of its operation is conducted.

Within three weeks, each principal and department chair will receive a packet containing Board ID tags. The schools and departments will tag their own items, and update their inventory by completing and sending an Equipment Transfer Form to Inventory Control.

Data entry on inventory will continue into the computer program as other staff will assume this responsibility.

Other processes for the annual inventory and for adding, transferring, and disposing of furniture and equipment will be conducted using the existing process that requires the completion of the Equipment Transfer Form.

Contact Information for Staff:

Otis Gibson, Coordinator: 320-6227
Eddie Woods, Warehouse Manager: 320-6228
Willie Jones, Textbooks: 320-6236
Cecil Bridgmon, Educational Supplies: 320-6234
Billy Earle, Transportation 320-6230
Jack Bolton, Inventory Control 320-6284
Robert Braden, Inventory Control 320-5208
Billie Norris, Finance Clerk 320-6222
Betty Wadlington, Records Clerk 320-6224
LaTosca Griffin, Finance Clerk 320-6283

For further information, please contact the Division of Inventory Control and Warehousing by using the phone numbers below:
Farmville Warehouse: 320-6220
Inventory Control: 320-6280

Preparing Children for College
To be Topic for Parent Learning Academy October 19

The Division of Parental Involvement and Family Support will offer district parents the opportunity to learn about “Preparing Our Children for College” at its next Parent Learning Academy Training session. The session for parents is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19 at the Martin Luther King Center at 9 a.m. Presenters will be Mark McClellan from the University of Memphis and Julia Howard from Middle College. There will be several area colleges/universities present with booths set up and representatives available to speak with parents and GED students.

There is also an evening parent training/workshop at the Ed Rice Community Center on Thursday, October 20 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The topic for this evening will be "NCLB Review" presented by Trevor Thompson and "The Blue Ribbon Plan" presented by Denise Johnson.

Additional parent training sessions are scheduled in the upcoming months. On November 16, a session entitled “Keeping Our Schools Safe” will cover medical illnesses such as hepatitis, meningitis and pink eye, presented by Brenda Hefner, coordinator of MCS Health Services, gang awareness, presented by a member of the Metro Gang Unit, and the role of the Watch D.O.G.S. in our schools.

Future topics for the Parent Learning Academy Training sessions include “Maintaining a Healthy Family” (December 14), “TCAP/Gateway Preparation” (January 18), “Financial Literacy” (February 15), and “Memphis Reads - It’s Time to Read“ (March 22). A Literacy Luncheon is being scheduled for April, followed by a Fatherhood Luncheon May 10.

Overton High School Hosts College Fair October 23

High School students who are interested in going to college are encouraged to attend the 3rd Annual College Fair. This is an opportunity for students to talk with college representatives and hear about scholarship opportunities.

“We are really proud to put this event on each year,” said Phyllis Roy, Overton High School administrator. “We want our college bound students to be aware of the options available to them.”

The event will be held on Sunday, October 23rd from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the Overton High School gymnasium located at 1770 Lanier Lane.

For more information, please call Phyllis Roy at 416-2142.

Do you know an outstanding individual who has what it takes to teach our students?

The Department of Human Resources is currently looking for educators to teach Math, Geography and Spanish in our District.

We know that as a talented educator you have networks of colleagues and friends in your social and education networks who could make a difference in our schools; please help us connect them to our district by sharing these opportunities.

To be eligible for a teaching position, candidates must be a U. S. citizen or be a permanent resident, have a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and hold/or qualify for a valid teaching license. Candidates with a degree in Math, Geography or Spanish may be eligible for an alternative license.

Spread the word and tell them to visit our website for more information: www.teachmemphis.org.

In Memoriam The late Thelma Brooks, MCS Supervising Building Engineer, of Hollywood Elementary, was memorialized October 14 at a 12:15 p.m. ceremony at Hollywood Elementary. The school dedicated its new breezeway to Ms. Brooks, a project she worked on with the principal, Carla Shaw, prior to Ms. Brooks’ death in July of 2004.