MCSD News
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May - 2020
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28
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The Muscogee County School District will host its annual Seamless Summer Feeding Program June 1-July 17, 2020. Meals will continue to be distributed at the established alternate meal sites Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Safety guidelines for social distancing and protective personal equipment will be observed, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to prevent the spread of illness.
Student meals will be provided at the following school sites:- Baker Middle School
- Carver High School
- J.D. Davis Elementary School
- Dawson Elementary School
- Double Churches Middle School
- Fox Elementary School
- Key Elementary School
- Spencer High School
- Elizabeth Canty Apartments
- Chase Homes
- Eagle Trace Apartments
- Jordan High School
- Kendrick High School
- Midland Academy
- 30th Avenue Pre-K School
- Victory Mission
- Warren Williams Apartments
- Whisperwood Apartments
- Wilson Apartments
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national original, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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19
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA- The District originally scheduled virtual graduation ceremonies with our broadcast media partner, WTVM, for May 22, 2020. Unfortunately, we were recently notified by WTVM that their national syndication rights were only approved for June 1-5, 2020. In the interest of presenting the ceremonies as previously planned, with the highest quality possible, we will move forward with the revised schedule as presented by WTVM below.
All ceremonies will appear on WTVM's live broadcast platforms HERE as follows:
Monday, June 1
10:00 a.m. | Carver High School
10:37 a.m. | Columbus High School
Tuesday, June 2
10:00 a.m. | Catapult Academy
10:18 a.m. | Northside High School
Wednesday, June 3
10:00 a.m. | Hardaway High School
10:49 a.m. | Spencer High School
Thursday, June 4
10:00 a.m. | Kendrick High School
10:37 a.m. | Jordan Vocational College and Career AcademyFriday, June 5
10:00 a.m. | Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts
10:29 a.m. | Shaw High School
Where to watch:
1. Broadcast television-WTVM-9
2. Facebook Live via WTVM
3. WTVM's websiteThe mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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11
Mercedes Parham
WHEN: May 11, 2020 | 5:00 p.m.
May 18, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: District YouTube live stream-http://bit.ly/mcsdyoutube
WHAT: The Muscogee County Board of Education will conduct the May work and voting sessions, as scheduled, through Zoom and livestream, on the District’s YouTube channel. Requests to appear on the public agenda will be fulfilled through email. Requests should be submitted, by 2:00 p.m. each Monday of the Board meeting, through the link on the District’s website or to Karen Jones, jones.karen.p@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at
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8
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The District has prepared plans for students to retrieve items from their assigned locations and return District property issued during the 2019-2020 school year. High schools will observe the distribution and collection plan May 13-22, 2020; elementary and middle schools will observe the plan May 18-22, 2020. All items will be collected and distributed through designated time frames, without contact, in accordance with CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of illness.
All individuals must present proper forms of identification upon arrival, practice social distancing with at least six feet of distance between all individuals, wear CDC-approved face coverings/masks, and proceed according to each school’s plan. Individuals with signs or symptoms of illness should not report to any sites; alternate arrangements should be coordinated with the school in that instance.
Please note the following details:- Students will retrieve all personal items that do not belong to schools/the District to include medicine, instruments, yearbooks (if available), clothing, etc. per school guidelines.
- Staff members will collect all items belonging to the schools/District to include instruments, Chromebooks, textbooks, library books, athletic equipment, uniforms, fees and/or dues, etc. per school guidelines.
- Chromebooks will be collected in a designated area and reviewed for damage. Chromebooks must be returned fully charged and with all accessories such as power cards.
- Each school will send specific instructions detailing pick up times, areas, and guidelines for maintaining social distancing.
- Refunds for cancelled or postponed events can be requested on site per school guidance. Refunds will not be issued on site the day of the request.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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April - 2020
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28
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The Muscogee County School District (MCSD) has been awarded $776, 305.00 as a recipient of the Georgia Department of Education’s (GaDOE) Title I Section 1003 School Improvement Digital Learning Grant. The District received a perfect score of 100 on its application and is one of 55 school districts in the State who will receive the funding to further assist digital/distance learning infrastructure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this time of uncertainty, we are pivoting toward more innovative ways to create equity in our student learning strategies,” said Dr. David Lewis, MCSD Superintendent of Education. “These funds will further advance the development of our digital curriculum and professional development components within our established Personalized Learning initiative, which allowed us to continue digital learning throughout the District in light of closures amid COVID-19.”
The awarded funds will allow the District to further its Personalized Learning initiative with additional digital resources and professional development to the following State-identified Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) or Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI) schools:
Baker Middle School
Brewer Elementary School
Carver High School
Davis Elementary School
Dorothy Height Elementary School
East Columbus Magnet Academy
Georgetown Elementary School
Jordan Vocational College and Career Academy
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
Rigdon Road Elementary School
Rothschild Leadership Academy
Wesley Heights Elementary School
“The 'digital divide' in Georgia is not a new issue, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more apparent," said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “…there is still a need for better digital learning infrastructure within our state, particularly in rural and underserved communities.”
Funds will be distributed by the State for availability now through September 30, 2021.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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27
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA- The Muscogee County School District will open its application window for student transfer options on May 11, 2020, 12:01 a.m. The window will close at 11:59 p.m., May 22, 2020; late submissions will not be considered for selection. Approval and/or denial statuses will be sent, by email, to the parent and/or legal guardian by July 10, 2020 for grades 1-12; kindergarten transfer requests will be processed through August 14, 2020. Applications will be made accessible online at https://www.muscogee.k12.ga.us/Families.
The District currently offers two student transfer request options: 1. Open Seat Transfers, in accordance with Georgia House Bill 251 (HB 251); and 2. Hardship Transfers. Parents and/or legal guardians can apply for either an Open Seat or Hardship transfer, not both. Students currently enrolled under an Open Seat or Hardship transfer do not need to reapply except in the case of an elementary student moving to middle school and/or a middle school student moving to high school.
Parents should note the following important information if preparing to apply for either of the student transfer request options:
Open Seat Transfers (HB 251)
- HB 251 allows parents or guardians of students enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in Georgia to elect to enroll their student in a public school that is located within the school district in which the student resides, other than the one to which the student has been assigned, if such school has permanent classroom space available after its assigned students have been enrolled.
- The parent and/or legal guardian shall assume the responsibility and cost of transportation of the student to and from the school.
- If the student receives Special Education services, the school being applied to must already have the Special Education services in place, as required by the student's current Individual Education Plan (IEP) or the transfer request will be denied.
- If the number of requests exceeds the number of spaces available at a school, the requests will be selected via a lottery. There will be no appeals.
- The parent and/or legal guardian will have 14 days from the receipt of approval to confirm enrollment. Failure to confirm enrollment by the deadline will forfeit the transfer approval.
- Any change of school placement which is not the result of a bona fide change of residence, such as transfers under HB 251, may impact a student's eligibility to participate in Georgia High School Association (GHSA) sanctioned varsity activities and events for a period of one calendar year. The parent and/or legal guardian is responsible for investigating and determining the impact on such a transfer.
- There will be no sibling priority with the exception of a student with simultaneous multiple birth (e.g. twins, triplets, etc.) who is selected for a seat. Siblings of that exception will be drawn at the same time during the lottery with the other sibling(s) of that set receiving placement, if a seat is available.
Hardship Transfers
- Requests for transfers to another school are only approved under certain conditions based on available space at the requested school and the validity of the reason stated in the request.
- The parent and/or legal guardian shall assume the responsibility and cost of transportation of the student to and from the school.
- Eligibility for Georgia High School Association (GHSA) governed activities such as athletics or literary events, could be lost by a student granted a hardship, especially where a high school student has already attended another high school within the District. Parents are encouraged to discuss eligibility with the school principal before applying for transfer requests.
- Hardship requests are automatically denied for the following reasons:
- Inadequate documentation to support hardship being submitted prior to the application deadline
- No available seats due to class size restrictions at requested school
- The inability to accommodate all siblings
- The request is based on the following:
- Hardship requests may not be submitted for the following schools:
- Britt David Elementary Magnet Academy
- Clubview Elementary School
- Columbus High School
- Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts
For more information related to transfer requests or assignments, parents and guardians should contact the zoned school of assignment or the Central Registration office, centralregistration@muscogee.k12.ga.us.The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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15
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – In an effort to uphold additional safety precautions and reduce in-person contact, the District will adjust the alternate meal service dates. Effective Monday, April 20, 2020, meals will be distributed three days per week, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Meals will be distributed in the following manner to ensure the volume of weekly meals is maintained to a breakfast and lunch item per weekday:- Monday – Two breakfast and two lunch items
- Wednesday – Two breakfast and two lunch items
- Friday – One breakfast and one lunch item
Student meals will be provided at the following school sites:- Baker Middle School
- Carver High School
- J.D. Davis Elementary School
- Dawson Elementary School
- Double Churches Middle School
- Fox Elementary School
- Key Elementary School
- Spencer High School
Buses will also deliver meals to the following sites:
- Elizabeth Canty Apartments
- Chase Homes
- Eagle Trace Apartments
- Jordan High School
- Kendrick High School
- Midland Academy
- 30th Ave Pre-K School
- Victory Mission
- Warren Williams Apartments
- Whisperwood Apartments
- Wilson Apartments
During this difficult time, the District’s utmost priority remains the safety and well-being of its students and employees. We ask that all individuals maintain a social distance while waiting in line for their meals. Meals will not be consumed on site.
District schools will remain closed through the remainder of the school year. Updates related to the District’s COVID-19 Pandemic Plan can be found on the District website.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national original, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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14
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The District has implemented guidelines to address the posting of final grades, awarding of credit, promotion/retention decisions, and graduation for the 2019-2020 school year. Grading procedures will be applied to student work from March 12 through May 8, 2020. Graduating seniors will have an opportunity to participate in virtual commencement ceremonies scheduled for each high school, May 22, 2020. Live ceremonies have been tentatively re-scheduled for July 22-25, 2020.
Final course grading
The following grading parameters were developed with guidance provided by the Georgia Department of Education, in consideration of the unique and disparate learning opportunities available to students after March 12, 2020.
- Each student’s final grades will be calculated as the average of the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd nine weeks’ final grades as of March 12, 2020.
- Each student’s final grades should not be lower than those received up until March 12, 2020.
- Students will continue to complete assignments through May 8, 2020; grades entered will only be used to improve each student’s final grade(s).
- Teachers will continue to instruct students and collect assignments through May 8, 2020.
- Schools will follow the normal grade reporting processes for finalizing the 4th nine weeks.
- All student grades will be entered by May 13, 2020.
- Final report cards will be mailed to home addresses prior to the completion of post-planning.
- Schools will provide additional instructional support opportunities, based upon each student’s overall academic progress, during the High School Summer Credit Recovery Program or K-8 Summer Learning Program for ELA/Reading and Mathematics.
- The schedule for additional instructional support opportunities is contingent upon further COVID-19 guidance issued by Governor Kemp’s Office, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Virtual graduation ceremonies for each high school have been scheduled for May 22, 2020 and will be available for public viewing through broadcast and digital platforms.
- The live ceremony schedule is tentative, contingent upon further COVID-19 guidance issued by Governor Kemp’s Office, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the CDC.
- Please do not secure travel arrangements or non-refundable plans related to the tentative live ceremony schedule until the event receives final approval from our state and national agencies.
- Details related to senior dues and other school-based purchases will be addressed by each high school.
For more information and updates related to the District's COVID-19 plan, visit our website.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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10
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The District will provide printed instruction packets, as previously planned, with additional protection, based on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to ensure the safety of its parents, students, and staff.
Packet pick-up- The District has designated packet pick-up at each school, April 15 and April 16, during the following time-frames: 7:00-9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- All individuals should remain in their vehicles and maintain a distance of six feet at all times. No building entry will be permitted.
- Items will be provided, without contact, by staff members wearing District-provided masks and gloves.
- The District has designated packet drop-off at each school, April 23 and April 24; April 30 and May 1; and May 7 and May 8, during the following time-frames: 7:00-9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- Completed assignments should be placed in the marked bin(s) at each school location.
For more information and updates related to the District's COVID-19 plan, visit our website.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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10
Mercedes Parham
WHEN: April 13, 2020 | 5:00 p.m.
April 20, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: District YouTube Livestream Channel-http://bit.ly/mcsdyoutube
WHAT: The Muscogee County Board of Education will conduct the April work and voting sessions, as scheduled, through Zoom and livestream on the District’s YouTube channel. Requests to appear on the public agenda will be fulfilled through email. Requests should be submitted, by 2:00 p.m. each Monday of the Board meeting, through the link on the District’s website or to Karen Jones, jones.karen.p@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at
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