Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month is a public awareness campaign that takes place every February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. CMS strives to ensure that every student is ready for the next steps after high school, whether that step is college, career or military service. Joining us today to talk about how CTE prepares students who want to embark on a career trajectory while still in school are Ashlee’ Campbell, CMS CTE Director; Chris Carnes, SCALE Internship Manager at Scott Clark Toyota; Ranit Roy, Ardrey Kell High School senior and Ellison Norton, East Mecklenburg High School senior. 

CTE’s mission is to maximize academic achievement by engaging middle and high school CMS students in rigorous and relevant learning to prepare for postsecondary education and careers. For more information, on what is offered at your school, please visit our website at DiscoverCTE.com

The safety, security and well-being of students and staff are one of the top priorities at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. We are committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students to succeed. Among our valuable security assets are school resource officers who are trained to keep schools safe and respond to any emergency. Joining us today to talk about keeping our schools safe and learning environments thriving is Rocky River High school resource officer James J. "JJ" Flowers. More on safety at CMS: https://www.cmsk12.org/Page/725

It's the time of year that CMS families need to start thinking about student placement for the 2023-24 school year. In addition to the guaranteed seat at your neighborhood school, CMS School Choice offers families magnet, theme-based learning experiences. To apply for a seat at one of our magnet schools for the 2023-24 year, families must participate in the upcoming School Choice lottery. Current and new CMS students can participate, but those who are new to CMS must complete the future enrollment process first. Joining us to talk about what steps families need to take to get their students enrolled properly are Walter Hall, Director of CMS Magnet Programs and Magnet Programs Specialist Alis Mulero and Marisol Tomey, Oaklawn Language Academy parent.

Diciembre está a la vuelta de la esquina y ahora es el momento del año en que las familias de CMS deben comenzar a pensar a qué escuela van a ir sus estudiantes para el año escolar 2023-2024. Además de asegurarse que tendrán asiento en la escuela de su vecindario, u optar por la experiencia de aprendizaje basados en temas Magnet. Para solicitar un asiento en una de nuestras escuelas magnet para el año 2023-24, las familias deben participar en la próxima lotería de School Choice. Los estudiantes actuales y nuevos de CMS pueden participar, pero aquellos que son nuevos en CMS deben completar el proceso de inscripción futura primero. Se unen a nosotros hoy la Especialista en Programas Magnet, Alis Mulero y Marisol Tomey, madre de la Academia de Idiomas Oaklawn, para hablarnos sobre los pasos que las familias deben seguir para que sus estudiantes se inscriban correctamente y no dejen de pasar esta oportunidad.  

Mental health awareness is an important issue for all educators, who are often the first line of defense for their students. Now in the aftermath of virtual learning, educators are focusing on the impact that a student's mental health has on learning and achievement. Joining us today to talk about mental health resources available to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students are Natalie Moore, Mgr. CMS School Psychology Program; Monica Stevenson, CMS School Psychologist; Sydney Burgess, CMS High School School Counselor and High School Senior Madison.

CMS’ Comprehensive Review 2023 is a formal evaluation process of the district’s capital needs assessment, student assignment review and magnet program. As part of the review process, a comprehensive plan is developed that outlines plans for programs, boundaries and facilities within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. CMS is asking for public input on this comprehensive review and is hosting in-person and virtual engagement events that will provide CMS families and the community the opportunity to learn about the review process and voice any concerns. Joining us today to talk about the review process and how the public can be engaged are CMS facilities consultant Dennis LaCaria, Walter Hall, Director of CMS Magnet Programs and Claire Schuch, Director of CMS Planning Services. 

Each year from September 15-October 15 school districts across the country celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s no different here at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where schools look for ways to honor and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Hispanic communities. Joining us today to talk about how CMS is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month are executive director of CMS learning and language acquisition Charlotte “Nadja” Trez, Reedy Creek Elementary teacher Camille Bourguignon (Bur/geen/yawn) and CMS student Guadalupe Vargas, who is senior at South Mecklenburg High School. 

For Attendance Awareness Week, we join Dr. Matthew Hayes, deputy superintendent of academics; Yvette Watson, social work program specialist; and CMS student Isaiah Fogle, a senior at East Mecklenburg High who has near perfect attendance, to highlight the importance of attending school and the effects that chronic absenteeism can have on a child's education.