We hope that Spring Break was restful! The last quarter of the 2024-2025 school year is beginning. This quarter, students will continue to prepare and take the TCAP Assessment April 14- May 6. Students will also be preparing to attend Junior Achievement Biz Town or Finance Park. There will also be many end of school year activities. We will be publishing the dates for those in the next few weeks.

Parents, we need your assistance in a few areas during this quarter:

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance Matters! We need all of our students in every class, every day, on time! We have 21 school days until we begin the TCAP Testing. Teachers are reviewing important content for the next weeks. In addition, we are engaging students in small group tutoring during FLEX time. We need all students in class! We will continue to have weekly attendance incentive for students that have weekly perfect attendance.

DRESS CODE:

Students must wear a collared shirt or Litton Pride shirt each day. A COLLARED SHIRT MUST BE WORN UNDER HOODIES. BLANKETS UTILIZED AS A COAT, YOGA PANTS, LEGGINGS, AND SWEATPANTS ARE NOT ALLOWED! Jeans must be free from rips and holes. As the weather gets warmer, please be reminded shorts must be the appropriate length. If students are found not in dress code, you will be called first to bring a change of clothes, and your student will receive accountability point. This will impact their ability to participate in Lions Club and Intramurals.

CLEAR BACKPACKS:

As we continue to ensure that security is our top priority, remember that it is an expectation that students utilize a clear backpack daily. If your student is found not to be in compliance with this, you will be called. Your student will be given an accountability point and further disciplinary action could be given.

COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY

As we get closer to TCAP Testing, it is imperative that all students have their assigned computer, and it is in good working order. Please remind your child to charge their computer each night and bring both the computer and charger to school each day. Some families have received notices informing you that your student's computer has a broken screen or keys missing. Please send the cost of those repairs to school ASAP so they computer can be fixed.

It is an expectation that Yondr Pouches are used to secure all cell phones and smart watches daily. If your child 's pouch is lost or missing, please report it to their homeroom teacher.

Thank you for your support and please reach out to any member of the administrative team with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Chara Rand

This school year, we are continuing our laser focus on student attendance. It is an expectation that ILSMMS maintain a chronic attendance percentage of 17% or lower to meet our Annual Measurable Goal set by the state of Tennessee. In addition, schools must have at least a 95% overall daily attendance rate. As of today, ILMS has an overall attendance rate of 93.3% and a chronic absence rate of 18.3%. Please review the graphics below to learn more about chronic absenteeism and our school's data. Parents, we need your help, it is imperative that all students are at school on time every day!

If your child arrives at school after 8:55, they MUST be signed in by an adult. In addition, if your child is absent, please send a note to the office. You can also email any excuse notes to LittonMSAttendance@mnps.org. In addition, NO EARLY DISMISSALS AFTER 3:30PM. After 3:30, families can pick up students in the car rider lane. As a reminder ILSMMS allows 10 handwritten notes per school year for excused absences. Any handwritten notes after the 10th one will not excuse the absence.

FLEX time is additional time built into our master schedule from 3:10-3:50. From February 24-April 11, all students will be participating in small group instruction aligned to academic standards tested on TCAP beginning on April 14. Teachers are spending additional time planning for these small groups on a weekly basis. It is "ALL HANDS ON FLEX!"

Q: What’s the purpose of this time?

A: Prepare students for TCAP in a way that may be different than what they are already doing, and at a pace that best meets their needs.

Q: What might our time look like?

A: Reviewing Grade Level standards that are most likely to benefit your particular group, and presenting them in a different way, or with new resources. Think stations, Games, Kahoots, Quizziz, Jeopardy Competition, White board games, Small group practice, drawing on desks, manipulatives, Choice Writing Prompts, Test Taking strategies, etc.

**DEADLINE TO ACCEPT SEAT IS MARCH 21**

The Spring Sports Season is upon us! Please direct any questions about athletics to the main office. All students that participate and/or tryout for a sport MUST have a valid Sports Physical and Concussion Form on file.