CMS Engagement in Action!
October 2026
Family engagement plays a critical role in student success, and October offers many opportunities to strengthen school-family partnerships. Parent-teacher conferences are one of the most valuable ways families and educators can work together to support student achievement. These conversations help build shared understanding, celebrate growth, and identify strategies to help students reach their full potential.
In addition to conferences, we invite families to participate in upcoming district events, Family Academy, and community engagement opportunities. Thank you for being an active partner in your child's education and helping us create welcoming, supportive learning environments for all students.
Museum of Illusions Charlotte
Free admission is granted to local teachers year-round at the Uptown location. Simply present proof of your teacher status at the ticket counter. For additional information: moicharlotte.com
Educator Professional Development: Innovation Barn
Enjoy a hands-on workshop led by Dr. Jenny Pieratt of CraftED Curriculum focusing on project-based learning, sustainability, and real-world teaching strategies. October 3 at 9:30 a.m. Includes a tour of the facility and complimentary coffee. Register HERE.
Charlotte Checkers
The Meaningful Medicine program, an initiative from Atrium Health, offers health and wellness resources to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and its students while they are on campus, at school. To learn more about the resource, read over the information below which is located on the CMS website.
- An overview of the Meaningful Medicine program
- Watch the April 2026 Family Engagement webinar: CMS Family Academy: Meaningful Medicine. Atrium teammates joined to share details about the initiative at schools and how it is helping students.
- School Based Virtual Care – or Telemedicine – is offered at 126 CMS locations. If a student is not feeling well on campus, at school during school hours they can see a medical provider virtually in a private setting. Parents can join the visit on campus or virtually. Check out locations and watch the video on how it works:
- School Based Virtual Therapy is offered at 32 CMS locations supporting students mental and emotional wellbeing. The virtual therapy session is on campus, during school hours and supported by Atrium Health’s Behavioral Health team. It is referral based and to learn more connect with your school counselor, social worker, or psychologist or visit the School Based Virtual Therapy webpage on the CMS website.
FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get an annual seasonal flu vaccine. The Hindu Center of Charlotte is hosting a FREE community health fair on Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, where families may receive a free flu shot, but advanced registration is required.
Health Fair Registration: Registration
Flu Shot Registration: Flu Shot Registration
Meet experienced medical professionals, including: • Primary Care Physician • Pediatrician • Cardiologist • Gastroenterologist • Neurologist • Pain Management Specialist/Physiatrist
Discounted lab work will be available based on the physician’s recommendation.
Special Flu Vaccine Drive. Get vaccinated and protect yourself and your family this flu season.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Time: 10:30 AM- 12:30 PM
Location: 7400 City View Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212
For additional information, please visit: Community Health Fair
The CMS Family & Community Engagement (FACE) team recently joined Principal Erik Barton and community leaders for Devonshire Elementary’s 2nd Annual Partnership Breakfast! During the event, partners and leaders gathered to:
celebrate EOG academic growth across Goal 1 and Goal 2 targets
explore targeted campus initiatives designed to uplift and support female students
reframe community engagement around reciprocal, two-way value for schools and organizations
experience vibrant classroom culture firsthand through a school tour and Gallery Walk.
Through our Family Academy and on-site resources, FACE is excited to align with Devonshire's strategic goals to empower families and support students all year long. Thank you to all our community partners for helping kick off an extraordinary school year!
September 15 – October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month continues through October 15, providing an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, languages, histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Learn, share, and celebrate together—finding unity in the diversity and strength in the shared culture.
MORE FREE HISPANIC HERITAGE ACTIVITIES
Hola Charlotte Festival
📅 Saturday, October 3 | 12–6 p.m.
đź“Ť Uptown Charlotte
Celebrate Latin American culture with music, performances, art and a family area. This would be a particularly nice inclusion for CMS’s diverse families.
Latin & Hispanic Heritage Month Storytime Series
📅 Sunday, October 4 | 1–2:30 p.m.
đź“Ť Stevens Creek Nature Preserve & Center, Mint Hill
Ages through 18 | FREE
Families can enjoy stories in both Spanish and English, along with a themed craft or activity. Adult participation is required.
DĂa de los Muertos: Create Your Catrina/CatrĂn Look
📅 Tuesday, October 6 | 5:30–7 p.m.
đź“Ť South Boulevard Library
Ages 10–adult | FREE
A hands-on creative program inspired by the colorful Catrina and CatrĂn traditions.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff will come to your school to lead a fun, one-hour Read Together Workshop! During the workshop, parents and caregivers learn simple ways to:
make reading fun and keep children interested
ask questions and talk about books together
build reading skills through reading aloud
keep enjoying books together, even as children are already reading on their own.
Children and adults will practice together during the workshop and will be sent home with free books to keep! Come read, learn, and have fun together!
Schedule your Active Reading Workshop using the QR code found on the flyer, or by emailing Elyse Farmer, Program Coordinator, at efarmer@cmlibrary.org
CMS Learning & Language Acquisition
Looking for resources in your home language?
Homework Help at All CM Library Locations!
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library provides weekly homework help at all library locations! Trained volunteers utilize a pop up learning space filled with learning resources and manipulatives to help your child in one of these three ways: Homework Help, Skills Practice and Tutor.com.
Library volunteers are available at least one afternoon a week at all Library locations to help students complete assignments, practice a skill, or connect to Library resources. Student support is available on a first come, first served basis depending on volunteer availability; no registration is required unless otherwise noted in the list below.
Heart Math Tutoring
Want to support a CMS elementary student with only 1 hour per week?
CMS nonprofit partner Heart Math Tutoring is currently looking for volunteer tutors to provide 1:1 tutoring to help students build foundational math skills and confidence! With the support of an on-site coordinator, volunteers use an easy-to-follow, proven curriculum featuring hands-on activities and games. Volunteers work with the same student all year building a relationship and strengthening skills.
You can sign up to volunteer at https://heartmathtutoring.org/volunteers/become-a-volunteer/ and email volunteer@heartmathtutoring.org with questions.
Infinite Campus is our new student information system for this school year! Just like PowerSchool last year, Infinite Campus gives families easy access to important information—announcements, assignments, attendance, grades, your child’s schedule, and so much more—all in one convenient place.
The instructions for creating your Parent Portal account and completing your back-to-school forms are below. Please carefully review them. Be sure to enter your student's full legal name.
CMS Family and Community Engagement
Email: familyengagement@cms.k12.nc.us
Website: CMS Family and Community Engagement
Facebook: facebook.com/CMScpfe