BEST. YEAR. EVER.
October 23, 2026
Have you heard? It's the BEST YEAR EVER at CGIS this year! And that means we're gearing up for the BEST BOOK FAIR EVER!
Come join the fun from October 26th-30th! The fair is open from 7:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. every day except Friday, when we'll close when school ends at 2:40 p.m. Those who wish to shop before school may come as early as 7:20, but must come with an adult.
We can't wait to see you at the Book Fair this year! We'll have new books, school supplies, and posters, plus several contests and quizzes to let students win free prizes.
Looking for a way to let your student enjoy the book fair without sending cash or a check with them? Try using eWallet! It allows you to place money on a student's account so they can shop without having to carry money. Essentially, it works like a digital gift card, and you can increase the amount anytime during the week if needed. Check it out if you're looking for an easy way to let your student shop!
(Find eWallet by clicking on the QR below for the book fair homepage, where you can also shop anytime from October 23-November 5.)
You may also contribute the Share the Fair here, a program that allows us to purchase and donate books to students who may not be able to participate in the book fair.
Interested in VOLUNTEERING to help with the book fair this year? Please click on the link below to access the sign up. We would love to have your help!
If you have questions, please contact Katie Voyles (katie.voyles@maryville-schools.org).
CGIS BOOK FAIR HOME PAGE
MCS SCHOOL POLICY ON CELL PHONES
UPDATED CELL PHONE AND WEARABLE DEVICE POLICY
At the June Board of Education meeting, the School Board approved updates to Policy 6.312 in response to a new Tennessee state law (HB 932/SB 897). This legislation restricts the use of personal wireless communication devices, such as cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar items, in schools.
Our policy requires that these devices be turned off and stored out of sight for the entire school day, unless specifically permitted for educational purposes by a teacher or administrator, or allowed under a student’s IEP or health plan. For CGIS students, this means no phones from 7:00am-2:40pm each day.
We believe this change will have a positive impact on student health, behavior, and focus by reducing distractions and preserving valuable learning time.
Please take a moment to review these expectations with your student before school begins. The full policy is available on the MCS website under Board Policies.
SELF-DIRECT
This month’s Leadworthy Character Trait is Self-Direct.
What does it mean to Self-Direct?
Self-Direction is the ability and learned skill to cast a vision of future goals and then take intentional steps toward who, where, and what we want to be. Instead of focusing on things to control or avoid, we emphasize our responsibility to make positive choices related to our emotions, attitudes, and actions.
Why focus on Self-direction?
- Self-direction strengthens relationships. Self-direction helps to grow social skills and develop meaningful, positive relationships with others.
- Self-direction teaches personal responsibility. Learning to self-direct teaches students to take responsibility for their own actions.
- Self-direction helps us to regulate emotions: Self-direction empowers students to regulate their impulses and emotional responses to situations and circumstances in their life.
Self-Direction in Action:
- Practice goal setting and action planning. When we establish goals and develop action plans, we learn to take intentional steps to successfully achieve goals.
- Monitor and adjust. Provide students with regular feedback and opportunities to self-assess progress toward goals to make adjustments and improvements in their behaviors.
- Reflect and evaluate. Facilitate discussions and reflection to prompt students to examine what they do, think, and say against their goals and vision for their life and learning.
