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Good evening, CMCSS families,

Across the nation, schools are observing an increase in concerning student behaviors that are linked to social media, especially the app TikTok. As many CMCSS schools communicated with families a few weeks ago, an increase in vandalism and theft in schools and on buses was linked to a TikTok challenge. Recently, the District has been made aware of other planned challenges that promote crimes such as assaulting employees, sexual assault, and public nudity. 

“These social media challenges may appear to be harmless or fun to an adolescent, but what parents need to clearly understand is that these thoughtless actions will come with serious consequences,” stated Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson. “I have heard some say ‘what is the big deal, it’s just a soap dispenser’ or ‘I was just messing around.’ The reality is, the damages left behind to school property and the invasion or violation of another student or staff member’s person can easily lead to thousands in fines and restitution for parents to pay and a felony offense for their child. I encourage parents to pay close attention to what their children are doing and intervene where it is needed. We plan to take the most appropriate action necessary to help resolve this issue and get their attention.”

In addition to concerns about TikTok challenges, there are other digital dangers like cyberbullying, child exploitation, sharing personal information, and offensive content. 

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the leading federal law enforcement agency that investigates crimes involving exploitation of minors,” said Nashville HSI Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet Jr. “Our agents continually work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes and identify and rescue victims. While the internet is a great way to interact with friends and family, as well as meet new people, predators know this and actively stalk online meeting places such as chat rooms and social media sites. Education and community awareness regarding the dangers of online activity is extremely important.”

Finally, when a threat of violence is brought to our attention, we take it seriously and move forward to take the necessary action. Law enforcement and school officials work together to investigate. We will be vigilant in finding individuals responsible, and, as Sheriff Fuson has stated, “any and everybody involved will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

School Resource Officers and CMCSS employees work diligently to keep our schools safe, but it takes the entire community working together to provide a secure educational environment. We are asking parents and guardians to please talk to their children about online safety, appropriate behaviors, and consequences for criminal behaviors and offenses in the Student Code of Conduct.

Additionally, please talk to your children about the importance of immediately reporting any safety concern to an adult. Whether it is on social media or in the schoolhouse, if you see or hear something, say something. Please report concerns of school violence to officials, do not post or repost rumors or threats on social media.

Thank you for your support.

The following are a few resources on internet safety for parents/guardians:

•  CMCSS Internet Safety Site: https://sites.google.com/cmcss.net/cmcss-internet-safety/home
•  CMCSS Homeland Security Internet Safety Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkwj8QM304U
•  CMCSS Interview with Homeland Security Special Agent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycu2q3HcceM
•  Netsmartz: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home
•  Thorn Foundation: https://parents.thorn.org
•  Child Rescue Coalition: https://childrescuecoalition.org/education/
•  Digital Monitoring Software article from Child Rescue Coalition:  https://childrescuecoalition.org/educations/keeping-kids-safe-online-theres-an-app-for-that-or-5/

On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, the CMCSS School Board established a face mask requirement for students and employees indoors in CMCSS facilities when physical distancing is not possible. This requirement will be effective Monday, September 20, 2021, and will be revisited by the School Board at each monthly Formal School Board Meeting through January 11, 2022, when the requirement is set to expire. Parent(s)/guardian(s) can opt their child out of this requirement.

To streamline the opt-out process for parents/guardians and minimize the paperwork burden on employees, the Technology Department sent an electronic form to parents/guardians via text and email on Sep. 16. If you did not receive a customized electronic form for your child or had trouble accessing the form, you can complete the opt-out form linked here and return to your child’s school nurse. Please contact your child’s school if you need support with the opt-out process.

To access the CMCSS COVID-19 Dashboard, health and safety protocols, previous health and safety updates, and more, please visit ​​cmcss.net/covid19

CMCSS has communicated with families since last year that schools cannot eliminate the spread of COVID-19 during in-person learning, but our collective actions can help mitigate the spread. The District’s COVID-19 mitigation strategy has always been about using multiple layers to improve success, sometimes referred to as the Swiss Cheese model. For the 2021-2022 school year, CMCSS has been using the following primary mitigation layers:

• Using MERV 13 instead of MERV 9 filters in all buildings
• Increasing outdoor air ventilation
• Employing enhanced two-step cleaning throughout buildings
• Encouraging self-screening, masks, handwashing, covering sneezes, and staying home when sick for all students, employees, and visitors
• Identifying opportunities to promote physical distancing when possible in schools
• Replenishing hand sanitizing stations
• Promoting the use of personal water bottles and filling stations while water fountains are shut down
• Establishing School Health Screening Rooms
• Providing vaccination opportunities and COVID-19 testing for employees and their families at Onsite Employee Health and Wellness Clinics
• Updating and implementing the Return to School/Work Flowchart

To add more layers to CMCSS’ mitigation strategy, effective Monday, August 23, the following protocols will take effect until Montgomery County goes back down to moderate/low transmission levels:

• Modifying custodial procedures to further increase the focus on two-step cleaning throughout the day and decrease focus on other areas (window cleaning, floor buffing, etc.)
• Operating mechanical systems (HVAC) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as possible for each building’s situation to further increase filtration
• Limiting nonessential visitors from the school environment at the discretion of building administrators, to include temporarily not allowing lunchtime visitors
• Limiting indoor mass gatherings during the school day at the discretion of building administrators
• Providing masks in school buildings and on transportation for those who request one
• Increasing hand sanitizing stations in schools and on transportation

COVID-19 Exposure Response Plan

When a CMCSS student or CMCSS employee tests positive for COVID-19, they will need to notify either the school nurse (if they are a student) or their supervisor (if they are an employee). The medical office that performed the test will notify the Montgomery County Health Department for contact tracing. 

Click here for the current CMCSS Return to Work/School Flowchart developed by the CMCSS Safety and Health Department in collaboration with the Montgomery County Health Department. For the Spanish version, click here.

Events/Athletics Capacity

CMCSS will return to normal capacity for after-school events, meetings, and athletics for the 2021-2022 school year. CMCSS will continue following TSSAA’s guidelines for athletics. The district will keep families informed as guidelines are updated throughout the year.

Face Masks

Face masks are strongly encouraged for students, employees, and visitors inside buildings and on transportation. Families are encouraged to use their judgment on sending their student(s) to school with a mask and make whatever decision will be best for the health of their child(ren) or other members of their household. For more information from the CDC on the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19, click here. 

Self-Screening

Employees will be expected to self-screen before entering school premises.

Self-screening protocols for students and visitors will continue. Families are strongly encouraged to engage in self-screening at home prior to each school day. Click here for updated guidance from the CDC regarding screening K-12 students for symptoms of COVID-19.

Self-Screening Protocol

Have you had any of the below symptoms as a new-onset in the past 72 hours? (This does not include chronic conditions)

• fever of 100 degrees or greater
• new onset of a cough
• new onset of shortness of breath
• new onset of sore throat
• new onset of body aches
• diarrhea
• new onset of headache
• new onset of loss of taste or smell
• nausea or vomiting
• congestion or runny nose
• chills
• fatigue

If “yes”, please consult your personal health care provider before returning to any CMCSS locations. Students, employees, and visitors who are sick must follow the CMCSS Flowchart.

Water Fountains

Water fountains will be closed during the 2021-2022 school year. Water filling stations will be open where available. Students should bring their own water bottles. 

Effective June 1, 2021; Updated Aug. 20, 2021. Subject to change based on updated guidance and local, state, or national recommendations or mandates.

As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday, January 18 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King., Jr. Day. Classes for all students will resume on Tuesday, January 19, with traditional students continuing to learn remotely.

As we shared before Winter Break, the district has a contingency plan for a prioritized return to in-person learning for our youngest students. On Monday, January 25, CMCSS Pre-K through sixth-grade traditional students will return to in-person learning. Seventh through twelfth-grade traditional students will continue learning remotely until further notice. Next week, schools will be reaching out to parents and guardians of students in seventh through twelfth grade who are in self-contained, special populations classrooms to share more information about a phased return to in-person learning the week of January 25. After evaluating this phased return, the district will share more information about the return to in-person learning for all traditional students in upper grades.  

On average, there have been around 300 more students per grade level impacted by COVID-19 cases in the district’s upper grades than lower grades. CMCSS is prioritizing an in-person return for younger students and those in self-contained classrooms due to the greater difficulty distance learning poses for these students, the lower transmission rates among younger children, and the greater childcare burden placed on families with younger children. The district is hopeful this phased approach will help address staffing issues due to COVID-19 related leave and the substitute shortage that are expected to continue as the pandemic still exists.

Due to the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic, families should always have plans in the event that school buildings are closed and remote learning must take place. Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Health’s requirements for contact tracing and quarantines are still in place. Therefore, families should have plans in the event a child must transition to remote learning due to being a close contact to a positive case. 

Finally, as Onsite Employee Health and Wellness partners with the Montgomery County Health Department to distribute vaccines to CMCSS employees in the coming weeks, the potential exists that schools will temporarily transition to remote learning in order to expedite the vaccination process. The Communications Department will communicate with families as soon as plans are finalized.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System offers several non-traditional schools and programs of choice for students. Read below for more information on these innovative programs designed to provide families the opportunity to choose schools and programs that will help their children reach their potential. Please note that CMCSS will not be offering open enrollment in specific grade levels at select schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Unless otherwise noted, the application period is January 15 through February 15, 2021.

CMCSS K-12 Virtual

CMCSS K-12 Virtual is an at-home educational experience that provides families the opportunity for both structure and flexibility in learning. Students accepted into CMCSS K-12 Virtual will be immersed in direct instruction from CMCSS teachers and also provided the opportunity for independent application of skills. Previous CMCSS K-12 Virtual participants will be screened to determine successful participation in the virtual setting.

Eligibility: CMCSS incoming kindergartener through 12th grader who is self-motivated, organized, and, with the help of teachers and learning mentors, can take responsibility for their own learning
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2021
Application Link: Click here for the online application.

For more information, visit cmcss.net/k-12virtual.

Moore Magnet Elementary STEM School

STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, is embedded kindergarten through 5th grade at Moore. Students apply the knowledge they gain across the curriculum to solve challenges aligned with real-world problems tied to local community issues. Moore was one of the first schools in the state to receive the prestigious Tennessee STEM School Designation. Additionally, Moore was the first Montgomery County Green Certified School.

Eligibility: CMCSS incoming kindergartener through 5th grader
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2021
Application Link: Click here for the online application.
For more information, visit mooremagnetelem.cmcss.net.

Barksdale Elementary Spanish Immersion

The Spanish Immersion program is a proven method of educating children by immersing them in the Spanish language so they become bilingual. In a language immersion program, the classroom environment becomes the setting for language acquisition through subject content instruction, educational discourse, and social interactions. In the 2021-2022 school year, the Spanish Immersion Program will be enrolling a limited number of kindergarten students. Students who enter the program need to be committed to continuing Spanish dual-language learning through 5th grade at Barksdale.

Eligibility: CMCSS incoming kindergartner; early literacy benchmark screening required
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2021
Application Link: Click here for the online application.

For more information, visit cmcss.net/immersion.

Academies of CMCSS

College and career academies are schools within a school, aligned to a specific career theme. They are college and career preparatory small learning communities in which students focus their core class experience around a common career interest. Students share many of the same teachers, allowing educators to collaborate with each other in the coordination of lesson planning and classroom activities that align with the academy theme. Incoming high school freshmen will have the opportunity to apply to eight different college and career academies across the district. Rising sophomores interested in joining an Academy should talk with their school counselor.

Eligibility: CMCSS incoming 9th grader
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2021
Application Link: Click here for the online application.
Virtual Open House: Click here to explore each Academy.

For more information, visit cmcss.net/academies.

Middle College at Austin Peay State University (APSU)

Middle College is a unique collaborative program between CMCSS and Austin Peay State University. This program enables junior and senior high school students to complete a high school education while receiving direct and invaluable access to free college courses at the same time, while on a college campus. Through grants and scholarships, Middle College students are not required to pay tuition nor do they incur the expense of college textbooks.

Eligibility: CMCSS incoming 11th grader; 2.85 GPA or higher; maturity for a college environment; good attendance and behavior; and on track to graduate
Application Dates: Rolling Admissions Process
Application Link: Click here for the online application.

For more information, visit middlecollege.cmcss.net.

Early Technical College at Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)

The Early Technical College at TCAT is a unique, hands-on learning experience that allows students a no-cost opportunity to work towards an industry certification while also completing the necessary high school courses for graduation in the state of TN. Students can choose one option from four pathways, earning up to two certifications for the chosen pathway. Students who qualify can use funding from TNPromise to complete TCAT diplomas following HS graduation.

Eligibility: CMCSS incoming 11th grader; 2.2 GPA or higher; maturity for a college environment; good attendance and behavior; and on track to graduate
Application Dates: Rolling Admission Process
Application Link: Click here for the online application. 

For more information, visit cmcss.net/tcat.

CMCSS students’ report cards for the second nine weeks of the 2020-21 school year will be available on Monday, January 11. Since traditional students are learning remotely at this time, report cards will not be printed by the school. Report cards can be accessed online using the CMCSS Parent Self-Service webpage – parents.cmcss.net.

If you have any issues accessing your child’s report card using CMCSS Parent Self-Service, please contact your child’s enrolled school.

CMCSS will extend remote learning for all CMCSS traditional students through Fri., Jan. 22. The goal is to bring all traditional students back for in-person learning on Mon., Jan. 25.  However, the district has a contingency plan for a prioritized return for pre-k through sixth-grade traditional students it will be prepared to share later if the conditions do not improve for a full return.

On average, there have been around 300 more students per grade level impacted by COVID-19 cases in the district’s upper grades than lower grades. CMCSS would prioritize an in-person return for younger students due to the greater difficulty distance learning poses for our youngest students, the lower transmission rates among this age group, and the greater childcare burden placed on families with younger children. 

While many school systems across the state and nation had limited to no in-person learning over the fall semester, CMCSS faculty, staff, and administrators worked diligently to make traditional learning possible for the parents who chose that option for their children. Over the past week, Clarksville-Montgomery County’s community spread has remained above .8%, and this rate is projected to increase over the next few weeks due to holiday gatherings and travel. In the months before Winter Break, schools across the district struggled with staffing issues due to COVID-19 related leave and the substitute shortage. District leaders remain hopeful that this extended remote period will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and improve staffing issues so there are less disruptions to learning and schedules. The CMCSS Communicable Disease Team will continue reviewing data and updating families if there are any necessary changes.

At this time, all employees who are not on leave will be expected to report to their work location at their regularly scheduled time. The only exceptions will be some employee groups who will have alternative assignments communicated to them by their supervisors. This is subject to change based on the conditions of the pandemic.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a substitute teacher to help address the district’s staffing concerns, please visit cmcss.net/employment for more information. 

CMCSS will continue offering USDA approved no-cost meals through the end of the academic year in May 2021. Weekday meals are available Mondays from 1-2 p.m., and weekend meals are available Fridays from 1-2 p.m. at all CMCSS elementary schools.

Finally, please follow the guidance of our local, state, and national public health officials and medical experts to keep your family, friends, and neighbors healthy by reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Every CMCSS K-12 student will have a laptop assigned for the 2020-2021 school year, which starts Monday, August 31. The following information will assist with login information and general troubleshooting.  Please review the information below prior to the start of the school year.

Password Retrieval and Login Information

Information for your student’s login can be found through the link provided in your email. Each link is specific to your student.  This link will expire shortly after the start of the school year, so please retain this login information in a secure spot for future reference.

QuickCards

Quick Cards are a scan card that includes a QR code unique to your student. These cards are only provided for Kindergarten through second-grade. This should have been taped to your student’s laptop or included in their materials during laptop pick up. If you did not receive a QuickCard you must contact your student’s enrolled school. Third grade and above should use the password retrieval process indicated above.

Required Updates

If your CMCSS K-12 Virtual School student was issued a laptop last year and kept that laptop over the summer, they will need to have updates installed prior to the first day of school.  This will allow connectivity to the CMCSS network and access to required online resources.  This process takes only a few minutes, but must be done while near a CMCSS school building to ensure the computer can connect to the school’s network.

For details be sure to read the instructions here:

Please visit https://www.cmcss.net/installing-required-updates-on-your-cmcss-student-laptop/ which includes the necessary steps for these updates to be installed.   We would recommend these steps be followed prior to the afternoon of Friday, August 28, so that the student can contact the CMCSS Support Network for further assistance at https://sites.google.com/cmcss.net/cmcssk-12virtualstudents/live-assistance.

Traditional Students are welcome to follow these same steps in advance of the first day of school, or wait until the first day of school when they return to the classroom.

Troubleshooting Internet Connection Issues

Please have your CMCSS K-12 Virtual student attempt to log in prior to the first day of school.  If he or she can sign in successfully but cannot access the internet, a fix is available to address this issue.  This process takes only a few minutes, but must be done while near a CMCSS school building to ensure the computer can connect to the school’s network. For details be sure to read the instructions here.  Please visit https://www.cmcss.net/installing-required-updates-on-your-cmcss-student-laptop/ to view the necessary steps for this update to be installed.  Traditional Students are welcome to follow these same steps in advance of the first day of school, or wait until the first day of school when they return to the classroom.  We would recommend these steps be followed prior to Friday afternoon, so that the student can contact the CMCSS Support Network for further assistance at https://sites.google.com/cmcss.net/cmcssk-12virtualstudents/live-assistance.

Traditional Students are welcome to follow these same steps in advance of the first day of school, or wait until the first day of school when they return to the classroom.

Continued Laptop and Hotspot Distribution

Students who have not yet received their laptop should watch from communication from their enrolled school. The district will be communicating directly to families who have not yet received their device.

Attendance Concerns Regarding Laptop Connection Issues

CMCSS K-12 Virtual students who are still experiencing known connection issues, and have a work order submitted, that limits them from accessing their computer on August 31 will not be considered absent. The Technology Department is actively working to resolve connection issues. All CMCSS K-12 Virtual families are strongly encouraged to try the troubleshooting techniques above prior to submitting a work order. Traditional students should bring their device to school on August 31 to confirm all technology concerns are addressed while in the school’s network.

Additional Laptop or Hotspot Assistance

If your student needs additional assistance with their student laptop or hotspot, please have them submit a work order at http://techhelp.cmcss.net/secure/Dashboard.jspa or call (931) 920-7779.  Instructions on submitting a technology work order can be found at http://ior.ad/74bR

Every CMCSS K-12 student will have a laptop assigned for the 2020-2021 school year, which starts Monday, August 31. The following information will assist with login information and general troubleshooting.  Please review the information below prior to the start of the school year.

Password Retrieval and Login Information

Information for your student’s login can be found through the link provided in your email. Each link is specific to your student.  This link will expire shortly after the start of the school year, so please retain this login information in a secure spot for future reference.

QuickCards

Quick Cards are a scan card that includes a QR code unique to your student. These cards are only provided for Kindergarten through second-grade. This should have been taped to your student’s laptop or included in their materials during laptop pick up. If you did not receive a QuickCard you must contact your student’s enrolled school. Third grade and above should use the password retrieval process indicated above.

Required Updates

If your CMCSS K-12 Virtual School student was issued a laptop last year and kept that laptop over the summer, they will need to have updates installed prior to the first day of school.  This will allow connectivity to the CMCSS network and access to required online resources.  This process takes only a few minutes, but must be done while near a CMCSS school building to ensure the computer can connect to the school’s network.

For details be sure to read the instructions here:

Please visit https://www.cmcss.net/installing-required-updates-on-your-cmcss-student-laptop/ which includes the necessary steps for these updates to be installed.   We would recommend these steps be followed prior to the afternoon of Friday, August 28, so that the student can contact the CMCSS Support Network for further assistance at https://sites.google.com/cmcss.net/cmcssk-12virtualstudents/live-assistance.

Traditional Students are welcome to follow these same steps in advance of the first day of school, or wait until the first day of school when they return to the classroom.

Troubleshooting Internet Connection Issues

Please have your CMCSS K-12 Virtual student attempt to log in prior to the first day of school.  If he or she can sign in successfully but cannot access the internet, a fix is available to address this issue.  This process takes only a few minutes, but must be done while near a CMCSS school building to ensure the computer can connect to the school’s network. For details be sure to read the instructions here.  Please visit https://www.cmcss.net/installing-required-updates-on-your-cmcss-student-laptop/ to view the necessary steps for this update to be installed.  Traditional Students are welcome to follow these same steps in advance of the first day of school, or wait until the first day of school when they return to the classroom.  We would recommend these steps be followed prior to Friday afternoon, so that the student can contact the CMCSS Support Network for further assistance at https://sites.google.com/cmcss.net/cmcssk-12virtualstudents/live-assistance.

Traditional Students are welcome to follow these same steps in advance of the first day of school, or wait until the first day of school when they return to the classroom.

Continued Laptop and Hotspot Distribution

Students who have not yet received their laptop should watch from communication from their enrolled school. The district will be communicating directly to families who have not yet received their device.

Attendance Concerns Regarding Laptop Connection Issues

CMCSS K-12 Virtual students who are still experiencing known connection issues, and have a work order submitted, that limits them from accessing their computer on August 31 will not be considered absent. The Technology Department is actively working to resolve connection issues. All CMCSS K-12 Virtual families are strongly encouraged to try the troubleshooting techniques above prior to submitting a work order. Traditional students should bring their device to school on August 31 to confirm all technology concerns are addressed while in the school’s network.

Additional Laptop or Hotspot Assistance

If your student needs additional assistance with their student laptop or hotspot, please have them submit a work order at http://techhelp.cmcss.net/secure/Dashboard.jspa or call (931) 920-7779.  Instructions on submitting a technology work order can be found at http://ior.ad/74bR