CMS Engagement in Action!

Inside, you'll find valuable resources, strategies, and information on upcoming engagements designed to support our schools and community.

As we move into February, it's the perfect time to get involved with the CMS Family Academy and take advantage of valuable resources to support your child’s success. Join us every Thursday this month for our Lunch & Learn sessions, where we’ll cover important topics designed to help families thrive!

These sessions provide an excellent opportunity to deepen your connection with your child’s education, support their academic success, and learn valuable strategies. We encourage you to join us each Thursday this February to help make a lasting impact on your child’s future.

Together, we can make February a month of growth and positive change for you and your family. We look forward to seeing you each Thursday as we work together to create a brighter future for our students!

February 6: Partnering for Success: Overcoming Academic and Attendance Barriers Through Parent Advocacy and Empowerment

• Join us to gain insight into the CMS attendance policy, identify common barriers to regular school attendance, learn how they can partner with schools to improve attendance, and how to access community resources to address barriers to regular school attendance.
• Link to Join: https://bit.ly/cmsfa206

February 13: Navigating High School Honors Coursework in CMS

• Join us to learn more about what honors courses look like in high school and how families can support their students with honors and advanced coursework.
• Link to Join: https://bit.ly/cmsfa213

February 20: For the Love of Math!

• Math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about passion, creativity, and discovery. Join us as we transform the way we see math, making it fun, engaging, and something our students truly love. From hands-on activities to innovative strategies, let’s create a learning environment where EVERYONE can thrive. We are ALL Math People!
• Link to Join: https://bit.ly/cmsfa220

February 27: Nutrition for a Healthy Heart: Simple Changes for Lasting Impact

• Prioritize Your Heart Health! Join our virtual Lunch & Learn to unlock practical, easy-to-apply nutrition tips that can boost your heart health! From key nutrients to simple dietary swaps, you'll discover how small changes can make a BIG difference. Whether you're cooking, dining out, or on the go, we'll help you make heart-healthy choices every day. Plus, stay ahead with the latest insights on nutrition and heart disease prevention!
• Link to Join: https://bit.ly/cmsfa227

February 13: Understanding Your Child’s Assessment Scores (DIBELS, MVPA, and iReady)

Join us from 9 - 10:30 am to connect with CMS Departments to learn more about the tests your students take. Families will review parent reports and identify next steps to support learning at home from the following assessments: DIBELS, MVPA, and iReady.

Link to join: https://bit.ly/febcmsfa

We are excited to bring Family Academy on the Go! to the community. We will host an Empowerment Workshop where families will gain valuable insights on how habits and behaviors influence financial success and learn how to create and maintain a conscious spending plan. In addition, the Charlotte Mecklenburg library will be hosting a fun interactive workshop for parents and children to explore creative ways to improve reading at home.

Where: Allegra Westbrooks Library (2412 Beatties Ford Road)

Don't miss out! Enjoy light refreshments, connect with CMS Departments and community organizations, and be entered into a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card.

If you were unable to join us for our January Parent Leadership session, we invite you to review the recording and learn more about the importance of building a network and connecting to your child’s school.

Building Bridges: Effective Strategies for Parent Leaders

Looking for resources in your home language? Visit: The CMS Learning and Language Acquisition Webpage

The Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture presents dynamic, exciting art in all genres that celebrate the African-American story. The museum also hosts frequent events, including family arts activities, afterhours events, films, lectures and special tours.

To learn more visit: ganttcenter.org

Mark your calendars for February 8, from 10 am - 1pm for Family Day at the McColl Center, located at 721 N Tryon Street. Join us for art classes and other fun activities inspired by the McColl artists and their work.

To learn more visit: mccllcenter.org/events/family-day-february

Join the ECAC on February 5 at 6:30 pm to explore different parts of the IEP for students attending North Carolina Public Schools and the rules of the road. This session will address how to navigate roadblocks and detours that may occur along the way. Upon reaching our final destination, passengers will have a better understanding of special education terminology, the IEP process and will know how to prepare for and participate in IEP meetings.

Presenter: Anastacia Newton, ECAC Parent Educator

To Join the webinar use the link: IEP Road Trip Webinar Link

The Office of Virtual Instruction is offering two Parent Webinars focusing on supporting parents to help their children succeed in the remote, online, and hybrid settings including high school students taking virtual course offerings at their local high school. Open to any parent or caregiver, reach out to tericia.eller@dpi.nc.gov to get an informational flyer you can share with families at your district or school.

February 25 - Making Your Voice Count: A Parent's Guide to Effective Communication in Virtual School"

• Link to join: bit.ly/PARENTWEBINAR1

• Link to join: bit.ly/PARENTWEBINAR2

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is using the Mastery View Predictive Assessments (MVPA) as a benchmark tool to help our district customize instruction on a timely basis for your student. We will use these assessments in the following areas:

• 3rd - 8th grade Math

• 3rd - 8th literacy

• 5th and 8th Science

• Biology

• English II

• Math 1

• Math 3

These assessments will be given 2-3 times a year/semester. The first two assessments will cover only content covered in the past quarter. The final assessments will reflect all of the standards for the grade level or course. These assessments are intended to inform future instruction and are not used for grades.

Linked here is an example of a MVPA individual student report. If you have questions regarding your student's report, please reach out to your school.

You can learn more about the MVPA assessment using the following link: https://bit.ly/46VOJY1

CMS: Lunch & Learn Understanding Parent Reports K-12 on Family Academy on Demand reviews the MVPA assessment and provides additional information to support families.

Additional resources to support learning beyond the school day: https://bit.ly/beyondschoolday

Research shows that families who are actively engaged within their school have a direct impact on student achievement. Unsure how to begin engagement? Make sure you are connected to your school via ParentSquare and have up to date information on file. Having accurate contact information allows your student’s school to contact you in the event of an emergency and share important updates and opportunities!

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is interested in your opinion on the two, traditional school calendar options for the 2026-2027 school year. These calendars are specific to elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and K-8 schools. These calendars do not apply to the CPCC or UNCC Early or Middle colleges.

Please review both Traditional School Calendar options and complete this brief feedback form to let us know your preference. This feedback form will be available from January 28, 2025, through February 13, 2025.

Thank you for your participation.

Missed a newsletter? No problem! Stay up to date by browsing past editions using the link: https://bit.ly/FACEnewsletters

February 17: Teacher Workday

February 26: Early Release Day

CMS Academic Calendars

CMS Family and Community Engagement is excited to support and promote family engagement opportunities within the community. From hosting professional learning sessions, sharing resources, and engaging with your organization, we are here to support you! Please complete the form linked below to engage with our team related to your upcoming event. A member of our team will connect with the point of contact listed in the form.

https://bit.ly/CMSCommunityEngagementEvents

CMS Family and Community Engagement

Email: familyengagement@cms.k12.nc.us

Website: CMS Family and Community Engagement

Facebook: facebook.com/CMScpfe