June 2021 News

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System was recently awarded nearly $50,000 by the Tennessee Department of Education. Through the Perkins Reserve Grant (PRG), the district will receive $49,997 for FY22. The Tennessee Department of Education awarded 38 school districts from across the state, which collectively received over $2 million in awards.

These funds will support career and technical education (CTE) initiatives for students throughout Tennessee.

In a statement from the Tennessee Department of Education, Commissioner Penny Schwinn said, “Tennessee is continuing to focus on career and technical education to boost student readiness and postsecondary success, and the Perkins Reserve Grant awards help support this work, especially in our rural districts. These grant awards will ensure districts, schools and partners can continue coming together to help expand CTE opportunities for all students.”

CMCSS plans to fund an Educator Prep Program, through which qualified candidates who are coming directly from jobs in aligned business and industry sectors can become certified teachers. Historically, CMCSS has averaged 4-5 new CTE teachers per year entering the profession through this pathway. During the past two years, that number has risen to nine new teachers each year. As the district continues to grow and demand for career-ready pathways increases, the district will continue to actively prepare and support current educators and recruit new experts in their respective fields.

Not only will the district continue to recruit and train qualified teachers for CTE programs, but the PRG funding also will be used to continue educating students on the career opportunities and technical training available after graduation. CMCSS plans to increase engagement with middle school students in order to continue to generate interest and excitement for over 32 different CTE pathways, including those within the eight CMCSS Academies.

Introducing sixth through eighth-grade students to future careers allows them to better understand the multitude of options available after graduation. Likewise, it allows students to develop a more strategic path in their academic journey, providing the chance to explore future career paths while still in school.

“We are thrilled with the chance to expand our CTE educator training and recruitment,” said Dr. Dayna Paine, director of career and technical education. “Investing in students benefits not just the individual, but the community as a whole.”

For more information on the CMCSS Career and Technical Education programs, click here.

A recent communication was sent to some middle school families:

You are receiving this message because your eighth-grade student (name specified in email) has been promoted to high school even though they failed two or more classes in middle school. We are reaching out to you today to ask for your assistance in ensuring that your student comes to high school in August prepared for the academic course load. Montgomery Central High School will be offering a unique opportunity for your student to attend a High School Summer Session. The session will take place for two weeks, July 6-9 and July 12-16 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. Completion of this program will bridge the academic gap. Additionally, this program will ensure that incoming high-school student-athletes are eligible to play sports at the high-school level. All athletes must be academically eligible to participate in the fall in accordance with TSSAA rules.

 If you are interested in allowing your child to attend, please complete the following form by Friday, June 18: https://forms.gle/TjdC8aPQwvh9KS8g7 

 If you have questions, please email [email protected] or [email protected] 

The USDA approved for CMCSS to continue serving free curbside meal pick-up to all children 18 and under. The USDA stated that these free meals will be available through June 2022, or until funds run out.

Meals are available for all children 18 and under in Montgomery County, including children not enrolled in CMCSS schools.

Curbside meals will be available for pick-up at any of the traditional high school locations on Wednesday, each week, from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Families with multiple children can pick up all meals in one location. 

Children are not required to be present for curbside pick-up. The person picking up meals will need to provide the name of the child(ren) not present.