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We will offer another Volunteer Orientation and Training Meeting for anyone interested in volunteering at school this year or anyone who plans to chaperone a Field Trip or proctor the TN Ready tests.  These trainings must be attended each school year to renew your credentials and recertify you for volunteer opportunities.  We have one Volunteer Training scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.  The next Volunteer Orientation meeting will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the EMES Cafeteria.  Another Volunteer Training will be offered on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.  The last Volunteer Orientation we have scheduled will be on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.  The training usually lasts about 20-30 minutes.  We hope to see you there!  Come help us as we finish out this school year!

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

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

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

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

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

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

East Montgomery Elementary PTO is excited to establish our first Community Clean-Up Day!  We have a variety of outdoor projects that we need your help with  Where can you serve?  We are looking for individuals to help pressure wash our sidewalks, pull weeds and help add landscape rock to our new landscape in front of the school.  We have painting that will need to be done.  We also need help with our new playground.  We will need help organizing food for all of the volunteers.  Do you have experience leading a group of volunteers?  Do you have a pressure washer we can use?  Do you belong to a group/ organization that loves or needs volunteer hours?  Do you just want to help?  We are ready for you to join us, even if you can only help for an hour or two.  Please contact our EMES PTO at [email protected] to volunteer or for more information.  We are looking for Project Leads and Volunteers.  Join us Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.  The Rain Date will be Saturday, April 29, 2023.

YEARBOOKS!  2022-2023 EMES Yearbooks are now on sale through April 5, 2023.  Prices start at $17.00.  Yearbook purchases will only be available online this year!  All yearbooks will need to be individually pre-ordered!  Extra yearbooks will not be available for purchase at the end of the year, like in years past.  Yearbooks are expected to arrive at EMES around the middle of May.  To purchase your yearbook, please visit the following website:  https://tr5.treering.com/create-account/101664294292770  Students will be able to customize 2 free pages, by purchasing the yearbook.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Hoye at EMES at 931-358-2868.

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 third-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.

As with all legislation, the laws, rules, regulations, and guidance are subject to change. CMCSS has been communicating with the families of students currently in third grade, sending individualized benchmark data and reports, and providing resources and informational meetings based on the current guidance. For more information, visit CMCSS’ third-grade promotion and retention resources webpage.

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).

Please see below for resources from the Tennessee Department of Education:

• TCAP Family Resources
• Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation Family Reading Time at Home Guides
• At-Home Decodable Reading Series

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students are encouraged to read a book and answer questions about what they read on the ReadnQuiz website, located on the East Montgomery School Webpage. (Once there, click on the library media center) Then, they will earn points that turn into Book Bucks which can be used towards fabulous prizes! (Prize menu located on the library media center webpage.)  

Student’s will log into the Read ‘N’ Quiz program by using their CMCSS email user name. For example first name.last name + 3 numbers (Do not use the @students.cmcss.net).  Their password is the same password they use to log into their school computers.

https://eastmontgomeryelementarylibrary.shutterfly.com/

Grade Level Goals for the Year

PreK: 5 pts

Kindergarten: 10 pts                

1^st grade: 15 pts                            

2^nd grade: 25 pts

3^rd grade: 50 pts

4^th grade: 75 pts

 5^th grade: 100 pts

CMCSS strongly believes in the importance of interscholastic athletic events and welcoming the community onto our campuses. However, providing a safe and secure environment on our campuses must always be the top priority. In an effort to improve safety and security, the following policies will be implemented for all spectators at high school football games on our campuses, effective immediately. Initially, the following policies are only for football games due to the number of spectators; however, policies for other athletic events at the high school and middle school levels will be evaluated and communicated ahead of those seasons.

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

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

We are trying a new system to help communicate when students leave campus in the afternoons via buses.

Like anything, there will be some glitches but we are hoping this helps! Click the link below to be taken to the Bus Information Document.  The information on this sheet will be updated each afternoon, so you are able to find out when your child’s bus arrived at EMES and when the bus was loaded and left the school.  This information will be cleared each morning.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/137A7ItN6lM7_gwMQrbK99fzUuqwYL1DFj5XxuVKz018/edit?usp=sharing