CMS Engagement in Action!
November 2025
As we move into November, we’re reminded of how thankful we are for our families, schools, and community partners who make family engagement possible every day. This season offers a perfect opportunity to pause and celebrate the power of connection — the simple conversations at home, the teamwork between families and educators, and the collective efforts that help every child thrive.
We encourage you to stay connected this month by engaging in our Family Academy sessions, exploring our one stop location for resources through our Family Portal, volunteering at your child’s school, or sharing a moment of gratitude with a teacher or neighbor. Together, we continue to build stronger schools and brighter futures.
November is Family Engagement Month - We are excited to celebrate YOU!
Take time to connect and enjoy meaningful moments together as you participate in each weekly challenge.
November 3 - 7: Go on a walk and count how many different types of leaves or bugs you see. Discover science all around!
November 10 - 14: Snap a photo of your family reading a book together—bedtime stories count! Share the love of reading together!
November 17 - 21: Share a family recipe! Discuss family favorite dishes and the memories they bring! Snap a photo measuring ingredients while cooking or baking together to show your math in action!
Using this LINK, submit a photo of your family fun for a chance to be our weekly winner!
Join us for this month’s lineup of Family Academy sessions and discover new ways to support your child’s success.
Virtual Lunch & Learns - Every Thursday: 12-1 PM
Link to join each session: bit.ly/CMSFamilyAcademy
November 6: We're ALL Math People: Supporting Your Student in High School Math
November 13: CMS School Choice Lottery
November 20: All About MVPA + Attendance Matters
📚 Family Academy On Demand: Empowering Families to Support Learning at Home!
Looking for ways to better support your child’s learning journey? Family Academy On Demand offers a growing library of pre-recorded webinars designed to help families access and navigate district resources with confidence. Whether you're exploring academic tools, understanding school systems, or seeking strategies to support learning at home, these sessions are available anytime, anywhere to fit your schedule.
Family Portal
Visit the Family Portal for a one-stop shopping experience! Access district instructional resources, learning tools, curriculum guides, and more—all in one convenient location. Whether you're helping with homework or planning ahead, everything you need is just a click away.
📲 Explore the portal today at www.cmsk12.org/familyportal and stay connected every step of the way!
Learning at Home!📚
Elementary Resources
Quarter 2 began on November 1st and we want to highlight resources you can use to find out more about what your child is learning this quarter. To see how to access resources for Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages, use the bit.ly or QR Code below.
What you’re child will be learning in Quarter 2:
Orientation Video (https://bit.ly/CMSLearnsAtHome)
Webpage( https://bit.ly/K5Learns)
Resources to support learning at home:
Orientation Video (https://bit.ly/CMSAchieves)
Resources Webpage (https://bit.ly/CMSAssessments)
Middle School Resources
High School Resources
Click on the link below to explore high school family resources by quarter. Stay up to date with Quarter 2!
Tech Support for CMS Families!💻
Need support with device 1:1 program, key technology terms in CMS, digital safety, CMS LaunchPad, tech support, etc. Check out Tech Support for CMS Families.
Community Resources
Looking for resources in your home language?
Native American Heritage Month Event
Please join us at Independence High School as we celebrate the history and impact of Native Americans. Our theme this year is Cherished Culture: Honoring Native American Heritage, Past and Present. We will have traditional foods, local vendors, education and fellowship. New this year is a fashion show highlighting the traditional and modern fashions of Native American people.
📅 Date: November 8, 2025
🕕 Time: 2:00pm–5:00 PM
🥕 Fresh, Free Produce for Families!
The Bulb Gallery hosts mobile markets Monday–Friday at locations across Charlotte, bringing fresh, free produce where it’s needed most.
There’s no sign-up, no strings, just good food!
Check out the schedule and find a market stop near you:
Contingency For Loss of SNAP Benefits
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council is partnered with Mecklenburg County Public Health Department to provide financial assistance to SNAP users who shop at farmers markets by doubling their SNAP spend up to $50 each market visit.
For additional information, please visit: https://www.charlottefoodpolicy.com/snapdoublebucks
The Relatives: Safe Place for Youth in Crisis
The Relatives provides a vital lifeline for youth in Mecklenburg County who are facing difficult circumstances such as homelessness, abuse, or neglect. Their programs offer immediate support, shelter, and guidance to help young people find stability and hope.
Attention Parents of High School Students!
NC College Connect Admission Opportunity
If you’re a senior at a North Carolina public high school with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above, and you meet the NC College Connect requirements, you are automatically admitted to select North Carolina colleges and universities.
To learn more visit: https://www.cfnc.org/nc-college-connect/
🌟 Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship Now $10,000!
The Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship has now increased to $10,000!
Recently, we announced another legendary name has been added to our scholarship, now known as the Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship. As a result of the generous response to this announcement, we have increased this annual award to $10,000.
Please take a moment to watch this heart-felt video to learn about with this scholarship means for high school seniors in the future.
About the Scholarship: In 2012, the Johnston Ziegler Youth Leadership Scholarship was created to recognize a local high school senior who, like our founders, Dr. John G. Johnston and Barbara Ziegler, demonstrated outstanding leadership, advocacy, and passion for service in their community. Today, fourteen recipients proudly wear the name of Johnston Ziegler scholarship award winner.
Mark your calendars! Encourage a young leader who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, advocacy, or service for adolescents to apply for this distinguished award.
The application for the 2026 Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship will:
- CLOSE: December 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm
- Learn more at: Johnston Ziegler Scholarship – Teen Health Connection
- Application
2026-2027 School Choice Lottery
Endless Possibilities!
Attention Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Families! It’s time to start thinking about the 2026-2027 school year! The lottery period is taking place now through December 5, 2025. CMS has a school for every student - Endless Possibilities start with CMS!
Visit the link here for more information on school choice.
How to Talk with Young People about Vaping & Other Nicotine Products
Parents play a vital role in preventing youth tobacco and nicotine use. Building trust with your child takes skill and practice. This free workshop helps parents and caregivers learn how to have open, informed conversations with young people about vaping and other nicotine products - so you
can guide them with confidence and care.
Visit TrustEducation.orgfor more information and free resources Participants who complete the post-workshop survey will be entered to win a $50 gift card!
📆Mark Your Calendars!
Engage with Us!
CMS Family and Community Engagement is excited to support and promote family engagement opportunities within the community. From hosting professional learning sessions to sharing resources and engaging with your organization, we are here to support you! Please complete the form linked below to engage with our team related to your upcoming event. A member of our team will connect with the point of contact listed in the form.
CMS Family and Community Engagement
Email: familyengagement@cms.k12.nc.us
Website: CMS Family and Community Engagement
Facebook: facebook.com/CMScpfe