MCSD News
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July - 2020
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30
Mercedes Parham
WHEN: August 10-14, 2020
WHERE: Your student’s assigned school (each location will send specifc details)
WHO: Currently enrolled students (if not enrolled, see the registration details below)
WHAT:- Finalize enrollment process by picking up and returning required documents in Back to School Packets HERE.
- Pick up school schedules.
- Pick up instructional materials (e.g. devices, textbooks, etc.).
REGISTRATION VS. VERIFICATION: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
1.Registration is an on-going process throughout the year.
2.Registration can now be completed through the Online Registration System (OLR) HERE.
3.Verification happens during specific time frames prior to the start of each school year.
4.Verification occurs at the student’s assigned school and includes school specific forms, schedules, instructional materials, etc.
WHAT YOU NEED TO REGISTER
CURRENT STUDENTS
1.TWO proofs of address:- Lease/mortgage/property tax AND
- A current utility bill stating name and service address
If you are living with someone, that person must come with you and provide proof of address and a photo ID.
NEW TO THE DISTRICT
1. Student’s Birth Certificate
2. Student’s Social Security Card
3. GA Immunization Form (3231) or waiver form giving more time to get form 3231
4. GA Eye, Ear & Dental Form (3300) or waiver form more time to get form
For assistance with new student registration: Contact Central Registration, centralregistration@muscogee.k12.ga.us, 706-748-2271. In-person assistance is available by appointment at the Public Education Center on 2960 Macon Road.
IMPORTANT: All visitors must wear face masks/coverings and observe six feet of distance between individuals at all times upon entering any District sites.
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27
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – A former District student recently passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam as an end of pathway assessment with the District’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program. Alejandro Corredor, a class of 2020 Shaw High School graduate, is the first participant of the Raider Rescue EMT program to pass the exam. During the 2019-2020 school year, Shaw High School became a state-certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training facility by the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Office of EMS and Trauma.
Corredor overcame COVID-19 challenges to complete 16 hours of clinicals and prepare for the NREMT exam, with the assistance of Shaw High School’s paramedic teacher, Shannon Weikle. His exams fees were paid by the CTAE Perkins Grant. He has since been offered a position with EMS Care Ambulance Service.
The District CTAE program supports more than 25 career pathways, preparing high school seniors to enter directly into high wage, high skill, and high demand careers upon graduation. The starting pay for an EMT averages $35,000 annually, not including overtime pay. Employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016-2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Georgia Department of Labor statistics.
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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21
Mercedes Parham
Parents,
We have continued to closely monitor the data related to the spread of COVID-19 in our community to include discussions with epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists from Emory University. These specialists cited specific benchmarks that indicated increased spread of the virus for our community. Based on current data, in consultation our local medical and public health agencies, we will start school on August 17, 2020 with virtual instruction. In this model, instruction will be conducted virtually for all students through the first progress reporting period, September 9, 2020 (3 ½ weeks).
We are working diligently to prepare our teachers, hence the delayed start, to ensure the digital learning environment looks very different from what we experienced in March through May of last school year. Details related to device delivery, instructional supports, the Program for Exceptional Students, and Verification Day are forthcoming from your student’s assigned school. We have shifted Verification Day to begin August 10, 2020.
During this time, we will continue to monitor our community’s status for re-opening measures. In order to prepare for a tentative re-opening after September 9, 2020 with our choice model, we need your declared school preference for either in-person or virtual instruction by 12:00 noon, July 24, 2020.
Please know that this decision was not taken lightly. Balancing the educational needs of our students with the health and safety of over 31,000 students and 5,500 employees is difficult, but given the current health data, the many unknowns associated with this virus, and the potential tragic outcomes, I felt this was the prudent course of action. We understand your concerns and will do our best to address them with the resources available to us.
Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. We are committed to implementing the choice model as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
David F. Lewis, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Education
Muscogee County School District -
14
Mercedes Parham
UPDATE: The deadline for declaring your student's preference of virtual or in-person instruction through Online Registration has been extended to July 24, 2020 at noon.
Final Plan: At-a-glance view
Final Plan: Detailed view
PowerPoint presentation
FAQs (on-going under development)
Connect & Chat: Parent/Student Sessions
We invite all MCSD parents and/or students to join us for a Q&A session related to the District's Re-opening Plan. A panel of speakers will provide details related to the plan and allow you to present questions in the group chat for consideration.
July 15, 2020 | 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Register Here
The replay of this session can be found here .
July 16, 2020 | 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Register Here
The replay of this session can be found here.
Unable to attend the live sessions? No worries! You can access a re-play after the sessions on our website.
Online Registration Help
Email: centralregistration@muscogee.k12.ga.us
NEW! Phone: 706-748-2271
Reminder: Reopening plan preferences for either virtual or in-person instruction must be declared within the application by 5:00 p.m., July 17, 2020. Each declared preference will be reviewed to complete enrollment at each school site. The online application will not complete enrollment; all student assignments will be finalized based upon each student’s verified household address per the annual District-wide Verification Day, August 5, 2020.
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13
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – On July 13, 2020, the Muscogee County Board of Education adopted a tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2021/calendar year 2020 (FY 2021/CY 2020) of 23.404 mills. The Muscogee County Tax Commissioner has indicated that this is the roll back rate for FY 2021.This is the rate at which the taxes raised for the District will stay the same as last year.
All concerned citizens are invited to the remaining public hearings on this millage rate to be held through Zoom and live stream on the District YouTube channel during the following dates and times:
- Monday, July 20, 2020, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, July 20, 2020, 6:00 p.m.
Individuals who wish to address the Board regarding the proposed millage rate may do so with the following options:
- Virtually: to obtain an invitation to the Zoom meeting, each individual should email his/her request to Jones.Karen.P@muscogee.k12.ga.us at least three hours prior to the meeting. Each individual will use his/her personal device to access the meeting.
- In person: Public Education Center Boardroom, 2960 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia. Each individual must arrive no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled meeting start time.
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: July 13, 2020 | 5:00 p.m.
July 20, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: District YouTube live stream-http://bit.ly/mcsdyoutube
WHAT:The Muscogee County Board of Education will conduct the July 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 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.###
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6
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – In an effort to restore some of the budget shortfalls facing the District, as part of the recently announced State-wide budget cuts, the Muscogee County Board of Education has announced its intention to potentially adopt a millage rate for fiscal year 2021/calendar year 2020 (FY 2021/CY 2020) that will require a maximum increase in property taxes by 3.92 percent. The proposed levy will provide additional funding needed to implement safety precautions, related to the COVID-19 pandemic, to help cover the reduction of funding for public education from the State due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
The Board has determined that this proposed mill levy might be necessary to provide the resources needed for all students to achieve as the District continues its efforts to providing premiere services. In recent years, the District has improved on all performance metrics to include the Georgia College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI), SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement (AP), and graduation rates.
With consideration to the State budget, the lack of significant increase in the property tax digest for Muscogee County further compounds the budget shortfalls; the District will face a funding shortfall, for the current year, totaling $16,768,024. Thus, the Board of Education has deemed it necessary to levy 6.22 mills of tax to provide the local five-mill share revenue required for participation in the State education funding program.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 24.321 mills, an increase of .917 mill. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 23.404 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $125,000 is approximately $33.47 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $175,000 is approximately $64.19.
The proposed millage rate requires a millage rate higher than the rollback mill rate.Georgia law requires that before the Board can set a final millage rate, it must hold three public hearings to allow for public input.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held through Zoom and live stream on the District YouTube channel during the following dates and times:
- Monday, July 13, 2020, 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, July 20, 2020, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, July 20, 2020, 6:00 p.m.
Individuals who wish to address the Board regarding the proposed millage rate may do so with the following options:
1.Virtually: to obtain an invitation to the Zoom meeting, each individual should email his/her request to Jones.Karen.P@muscogee.k12.ga.us at least three hours prior to the meeting. Each individual will use his/her personal device to access the meeting..
2.In person: Public Education Center Boardroom, 2960 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia. Each individual must arrive no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled meeting start time.
Comments will be shared live as part of the Board’s virtual hearing on the matter. The District is adhering to the social distancing and face covering guidelines presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of illness. Members of the public must also adhere to these guidelines to enter District property.
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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MCSD
**Click the image for full screen
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2
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – In preparation for the 2020-2021 school year, the District has developed a new online application portal for registration and verification. Parents with new or returning students can access the application on the District’s website starting 8:00 a.m., July 3, 2020.
As part of the District’s COVID-19 re-opening plan, the application features a section for parents to declare each student’s preference for either in-person or virtual instruction. Preferences must be declared within the application by 5:00 p.m., July 17, 2020. Each declared preference will be reviewed to complete enrollment at each school site. The online application will not complete enrollment; all student assignments will be finalized based upon each student’s verified household address per the annual District-wide Verification Day, August 5, 2020.
Once confirmed, each option will be applicable for the duration of a full nine-week grading period or semester (block schedule). Upon acceptance, changes to each option cannot occur until the next grading period.
The following parameters indicate how to access and complete the online application.
New student registration:- Who: students who are not currently enrolled in the District and/or students who were enrolled during a previous school year but withdrew
- Access point: District login page
- Required documentation for each student:
- Student’s birth certificate
- Student’s Social Security card or waiver
- Withdrawal form and transcripts or last report card from previous school district
- Two proofs of residency with the parents/legal guardians’ full name and address:
- Currently lease and/or mortgage
- Current utility bill
- Parents/legal guardians’ identification (driver’s license, state-issued I.D., passport, or military I.D.)
- GA Immunization Form (3231) or waiver form giving more time to get form 3231
- GA Eye, Ear & Dental Form (3300) or waiver form more time to get form 3300
- Who: students who were enrolled during the 2019-2020 school year and are returning for the 2020-2021 school year0
- Access point: Parent Portal
- Required documentation for each student:
- Two proofs of residency with the parents/legal guardians’ full name and address:
- Currently lease and/or mortgage
- Current utility bill
- Parents/legal guardians’ identification (driver’s license, state-issued I.D., passport, or military I.D.)
- Two proofs of residency with the parents/legal guardians’ full name and address:
Parents who need assistance with completing the online application due to internet access, language barriers, etc. can contact the students’ assigned schools or Central Registration: centralregistration@muscogee.k12.ga.us, 706-748-2000.Central Registration will offer appointment-based in-person assistance upon request.
Parents and students experiencing homelessness should contact the McKinney-Vento department, 706-748-2276 or 706-575-1676, to complete registration for the 2020-2021 school year.
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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Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The District’s live graduation ceremonies have been cancelled in accordance with the recent Executive Order extended by the Governor’s Office and current COVID-19 public health emergency guidance affirmed by agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The ceremonies were previously scheduled for July 22-25, 2020.
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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