CMCSS achieved an impressive system-wide composite student growth score of 5, the highest score possible, marking a significant 3-point increase from the score of 2 in the 2022-2023 school year. CMCSS’ district designation was upgraded to Advancing from Satisfactory last year. The district also made notable progress in literacy, rising by another point to reach a system-wide score of 4, which is a 3-point increase from 2021-2022. Additionally, CMCSS maintained top growth scores of 5 in both science and social studies.

"We proudly celebrate the significant growth in CMCSS, reflecting the hard work of our students and educators and strong partnerships with families and the community,” said Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, Director of Schools. “Together, we are fostering an environment of success for students. Our commitment to continuous improvement drives us forward as we strive to be the best school system in the state for students, families, and employees."

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/410UALw ...

SALUTING OUR VETERANS
🇺🇸 Rossview Elementary 🇺🇸

Thank you to the Rossview Elementary faculty and staff who have served their country and continue to serve our students!

Michael Mullins, US Navy, 32 years
Richard Clinard, US Marine Corps, 6 years
Benjamin Knight, US Army, 8 years
Marlice Ramos, US Army, 4 years
Kim Cutrona, US Army, 22 years
Hakeem Walton, US Marine Corps, 6 years (not pictured)
Windy Vieyra-Acosta, US Army, 4 years

This November, we will celebrate our military-veteran CMCSS employees. Nearly 30% of our students are military-connected, and many of our employees are military families or veterans who understand the unique situations our students experience. Thank you for your service!

📷: Rossview Elementary ...

SALUTING OUR VETERANS
🇺🇸 Communications Department 🇺🇸

Richette Cole supports the district as one of the primary Copy Center Specialists in the Communications Department. Today, we celebrate her as a military veteran who served in the US Army for 4 years.

Thank you for your service to our country and our community! ...

There is always time to celebrate another school psychologist!

The 2024 theme for National School Psychology Week is "Spark Discovery," which recognizes the work that school psychologists do to help their communities seek out new ideas, effect change, and expand horizons for children and youth. We asked one of our experts, Tanya Blackwell, how she engages and impacts her schools.

📕 "In order to support a child who must overcome obstacles and face challenges I need to gain a good understanding of the WHOLE-CHILD. Specifically it is important for me to understand all contributing factors impeding on child’s ability to access true abilities. Parent input/involvement is crucial in gaining this understanding. It is also very important for parents to ask questions and identify offered opportunities within the school to enhance their child’s learning."

📕 How important is a student`s mindset toward success? "Students need to feel success regardless of whether it is on grade level. As a school psychologist, I love finding student strengths (regardless of what level) and guiding others on how to build off of these strengths."

📕 What do people not realize about your role as a school psychologist? "That we do more than just testing. We are qualified to do many things which result in us wearing many hats and juggling many things throughout a day. Collaborating with others is essential in order to better understand our students as well as the environment they are receiving their education." ...

SALUTING OUR VETERANS
🇺🇸 Rossview Middle 🇺🇸

Rossview Middle School is a proud Purple Star School. The Tennessee Purple Star School Award highlights military-friendly schools committed to serving students and families connected to our nation’s military. With educators who are military veterans providing their unique perspective and insight, our Hawks continue to offer a military-friendly campus.

Dawn Bagby, Army National Guard, 8 years, 6th grade Math
Mark Krussow, US Army, 23 years, 7th grade Social Studies
Laura Lipinski, U.S. Navy, 11 years, PASS teacher

This November, we will celebrate our military-veteran CMCSS employees. Nearly 30% of our students are military-connected, and many of our employees are military families or veterans who understand the unique situations our students experience. Thank you for your service! ...

As we close out National School Psychology Week, join us in saying thank you to our dedicated team of school psychologists!

Their perspective, experience, and expertise help support students, families, and educators. Sometimes, the role of a school psychologist is confusing. Erika Christianson works with students at Montgomery Central Elementary and Middle Schools. She explained that, ultimately, she advocates for students` needs.

"My role in supporting a child along their journey is to be their advocate. Helping students overcome challenges within the classroom and social settings to become productive members of society is my goal when I work with students. My advice to parents/guardians and students is to reach out to the school and request support; there are so many supports available to students and their families within the school setting but school staff are not always aware of struggles faced at home. We are here to help navigate through the obstacles."

She also shared that encouragement and effort play a critical role in student success. "I encourage students by reminding them that they can do hard things as long as they try/put forth the effort. Mistakes are proof that an attempt is being made, and we do not learn if we do not make any mistakes."

❤ ...

National School Psychology Week - November 11 - 15

This year`s theme, "Spark Discovery," recognizes the work that school psychologists do to help their communities seek out new ideas, effect change, and expand horizons for children and youth. We asked one of our experts, Miranda Morris, how how she engages and impacts her schools.

📕 How can we encourage students who may be struggling to master a new skill or accept a setback?

"It’s important to remind children that success is different for everyone and that everyone learns at a different pace," shared Morris. "Creating a reachable goal for a child so they can experience success can be very helpful. Reminding children of their many other strengths is also a way to build confidence – if they struggle with reading but have a passion for drawing or athletics, utilize those areas to build them up and remind them of how great they are!"

📕 What do people not realize about your role as a school psychologist?
"Many people view school psychologist as solely the “testers” for special education. However, we are trained on not only assessments and evaluations but also individual and group counseling, system-wide data analysis, behavior analysis and intervention, resilience and risk factors, consultation and collaboration, academic/learning interventions, crisis preparedness and response, and professional ethics and school law."

Thank you to this passionate team for always putting our students first! ...

SALUTING OUR VETERANS
🇺🇸 Norman Smith Elementary School 🇺🇸

The Norman Smith Bears love seeing their military veteran faculty and staff lead their peers and the school community as they all serve students.

Sarah Blomberg - U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard- 4 years
Rachel Wainwright - U.S Army - 4 years
Chris Bailey - U.S. Army - 20 years
David Arnold - U.S Army - 8 years
Sean McGee - U.S. Army - 7 years
Will Hicks - U.S. Army- 4 years

This November, we will celebrate our military-veteran CMCSS employees. Nearly 30% of our students are military-connected, and many of our employees are military families or veterans who understand the unique situations our students experience. Thank you for your service!

📷: Norman Smith Elementary School ...

SALUTING OUR VETERANS
🇺🇸 Minglewood Elementary School 🇺🇸

Join us in celebrating our veteran Mighty Oaks - the Minglewood faculty and staff are proud to recognize the following:

Vanessa Jackson, US Army, 13 years
Alexandera-Reese R. Winn, US Army 9 years
Danny Praschak, US Army, 3 years
CW3 Randolph Puskas, US Army, 20 years (not pictured)

This November, we will celebrate our military-veteran CMCSS employees. Nearly 30% of our students are military-connected, and many of our employees are military families or veterans who understand the unique situations our students experience. Thank you for your service!

📷: Minglewood Elementary School ...