Memphis City Schools Resources 2008
July 1st, 2008 by Jane Schneider
MEMPHIS CITY SCHOOLS
2597 Avery • 416-5300
www.mcsk12.net
General Information
Memphis City Schools (MCS) is the largest public school system in Tennessee and the 23rd largest metropolitan school system in the nation. The school system operates 190 schools, employs more than 16,000 workers, and serves more than 113,000 students. Fifty-five percent of MCS teachers have earned advanced degrees, and 63 percent have at least 11 years teaching experience. MCS administers 32 optional schools, offering students accelerated programs and intensive studies in fields such as health sciences, engineering, creative and performing arts, technology, and aviation. MCS also operates two special education schools, Avon Lenox and Shrine School. In addition, by the fall of 2008, MCS will include 13 charter schools.
Special Programs and Services
Division of Exceptional Children and Health Services • 416-5600
The special education programs in Memphis City Schools are available to eligible students between the ages of 3 and 22. Available programs address the following needs: intellectual giftedness (the Creative Learning in a Unique Environment [CLUE] program), autism, hearing impairment, speech or language impairment, visual impairment, mental retardation, specific learning disabilities, developmental delay, emotional disturbances, multiple disabilities, and other health impairments.
If you have a child with a disability, contact the principal of the school in the attendance area in which your child resides for determination and provision of services. All students must meet eligibility criteria and have an Individual Education (IEP) plan on file before services can be provided. For information, call the Division of Exceptional Children at 416-5600.
Nutrition Services • 416-5550
Students from households with limited incomes may qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Applications for free and reduced-price meals may be completed at the school where the child is enrolled. Elementary school lunch menus are posted on the MCS website. Free breakfast is provided at all schools.
Transportation Services • 416-5540
Memphis City Schools provides free bus transportation for most elementary and middle school students who live 1.5 or more miles from their assigned schools, and high school students who live 2.0 or more miles from their assigned schools. Some exceptions apply. Transportation information sheets are provided to eligible students at the time of registration at the school.
Note: Transportation is not provided for students on transfer.
English as a Second Language (ESL) • 416-5411
The ESL transitional program is available to students from non-English language backgrounds who have scored less than English proficient on the Idea Proficiency Test (IPT). The ESL program focuses on developing the student’s competency in English skills and academic achievement standards. Services are provided by certified ESL teachers at 41 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and four high schools. If ESL services are not available at the students’ home schools, the student is reassigned with bus transportation to the nearest ESL center school.
Other services offered through the ESL program include: interpreters/translators for school meetings and conferences, training for teachers and parents, bilingual mentors, and special classroom materials.
Extended Learning
After-school learning opportunities are available in 95 percent of Memphis City Schools through state or federal grants, Title I services, tuition programs, or other funding opportunities. Many schools provide services before and after school for working parents. To learn more about extended learning opportunities in your community, contact your school.
Each summer the district offers a variety of academic intervention and enrichment programs. Last summer, more than 20 different programs were offered at school locations throughout the district.
Mental Health Services • 416-5600
The MCS Health Center is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide mental health treatment and evaluation, alcohol and drug counseling, crisis intervention, crisis management and consultation, and education services for students of the district and their families.
Additionally, staff of the mental health center work in collaboration with parents, teachers, principals, and other school staff as well as community agencies and organizations to reduce social-emotional barriers to academic success including learning problems, truancy, behavior management problems, and chronic health problems, including emotional disorders.
The primary goal of the center is to promote early identification and prevention of social, emotional and behavioral problems, including emotional disorders.
Optional School • 416-5338
The district offers optional programs at 32 elementary, middle, junior high and senior high schools throughout the city. (In some cities, the term “magnet” is used for similar programs.) The district’s programs include courses that focus on college preparatory, creative and performing arts, health sciences, international studies, and a variety of approaches to elementary education. Assignment to an optional school is based on specific qualifications, including test scores, grades, attendance, conduct, and earliest registration. Please call the division of Optional Schools to learn when registration begins. Demand is high, and parents are encouraged to act early. Information regarding the application process and requirements of each school may be obtained by calling the optional schools at the numbers listed for each program. Qualified students can transfer into the optional programs when the following conditions are met: 1. The applicants meet the entrance requirements of the school, which may vary. 2. Space is available in the school.
SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS
Students entering public or private schools are required to present a number of health and birth documents, as well as residency information, upon registration. Make sure you have what you need to start the school year off right.
Age requirements: All children entering kindergaren must be 5 before September 30th. Those entering first grade must have attended an approved kindergarten program and be 6 before September 30th.
Medical requirements: Any child entering Tennessee schools for the first time must have a complete physical.
• 3 doses of hepatitis B (Kindergarten & 7th graders only)
• 4 doses of polio
• 4 doses of DPT (diphtheri/tetanus/pertussis) (if 4th dose is after age 4)
• chicken pox vaccine or history of the disease (Kindergarten only)
• 2 doses MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), with both doses having been given after the child’s first birthday
Immunization requirements for children under the age of 5 in group care(preschools, day care, etc.) are different. For more information about immunizations, contact your pediatrician or the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department at 544-7600 or the MCS Health Services at 416-5810. NOTE: A Tennessee certificate of immunization (commonly known as the “green card”) is required for all student registration. These are available at health department clinics and private doctors’ offices.
Birth Certificates: The State of Tennessee requires a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate (not the mother’s copy received at the time of child’s birth). You can get a certified copy through the mail or at the two Memphis and Shelby County Health Department vital records offices. Call 544-7605 (814 Jefferson, Rm. 101), or 362-1015 (6590 Kirby Center Cove) for more information. Birth certificates may also be ordered over the Internet (for anywhere in the country) at: vitalcheck.com. Persons requesting birth certificates must show proof of identification (such as a gas or phone bill), and be the parent or legal guardian If the parent or guardian’s name does not appear on the certificate, you must bring a letter of consent from the mother, with her identification, or a letter from Juvenile Court. Certificate copies cost $7 each for the short form, additional copies are $4. Long forms are $12 (Shelby County births only). Order in person or by phone. No checks; money orders or credit cards accepted ($8 service fee).
Enrollment requirements for Memphis and Shelby County Schools: Shot records, birth certificate, two original documents as proof of residence (utility bill, lease, house note, real estate tax records), Social Security card (child), or previous year’s report card (MCS only). Regarding custody requirement: only the residence of the parent with legal custody of the child can be used for registration.
Registration requirements for Shelby County Schools: All students must have two original documents to verify proof of residence at registration. Acceptable proofs of residence include: mortgage statement, current MLGW bill or turn-on receipt, municipal water bill, sales contract with no contingencies, rental contract, or real estate tax receipt. (Naval personnel living on base may provide government housing letter as proof of residence.)
Registration date, time, and place
To register a MCS student: Go to your child’s assigned school Thursday, August 7th (8 a.m.-3 p.m, 6-8 p.m.). If you don’t know your school assignment, contact MCS office of admissions: 416-5830.
To register a Shelby County student: Go to your child’s assigned school. All students register Tuesday, August 5th (7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.) High school students register on August 5th at the following times:
• 9th graders: 6 p.m.
• 10th graders: 4 p.m.
• 11th graders: 3 p.m.
• 12th graders: 2 p.m.
NOTE: Students not present on this day will be deleted from school rolls. New students to SCS who have not enrolled or selected classes may register at any time between 2 and 6 p.m.
If you are unsure of your assigned school, contact student services at 321-2560 or go to the school zone locator on the SCS Web site: scsk12.tn.us.
Memphis city schools calendar
August 7
School registration
8 a.m.-3 p.m. & 6-8 p.m.
August 11
First day of class
August 18
First day of kindergarten
September 1
Labor Day holiday
No school
October 10 & 13
Fall break
No school
October 13
Parent/teacher conference
November 26-28
Thanksgiving break No school
December 16-18
First semester exams
December 19-January 2
Christmas break No school
January 5
First day, second semester
January 19
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday
No school
February 3
TCAP writing assessment
February 16
Presidents’ Day
No school
March 16-20
Spring break
No school
April 10
Good Friday
No school
April 20-24
TCAP achievement tests
May 5-7
Gateway testing
May 22
Last day of school
Tags: enrollment, ESL, extended learning, medical requirements, mental health services, registration time and place, school registration, School transportation