CMS Engagement in Action!

We are thrilled to begin 2026 with exciting opportunities for families to connect, learn, and grow together! Let us make this year one of collaboration and success! Together, we will continue building strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community to support every child’s journey. Stay tuned for upcoming events, helpful resources, and ways to get involved—because when we work together, remarkable outcomes are possible!

Don’t miss this interactive event designed to give families practical strategies and resources to support their child’s academic success in the second semester!

• Actionable tips, tools, and insights
• Stay engaged & foster positive learning habits
• Help students finish the school year strong

🎒 FREE backpacks and essential school items (while supplies last)

🍕 FREE pizza for families

January 15, 2026 | 🕔 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Winterfield Elementary, 3100 Winterfield Place, Charlotte, NC 28205

Kick off the new year by joining our weekly virtual sessions designed to empower families and strengthen school-community connections. Every Thursday 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Join here: bit.ly/CMSFamilyAcademy

January 8: Attendance Matters

January 13: Substance Use Prevention: What Parents Should Know

January 15: Online Safety: What Families Need to Know About Digital Citizenship and AI

January 22: Assessment Insights: Empowering Families to Support Student Success

January 29: Helping Your Child Make Sense of Science

We’ve got you covered! Request a fresh Family Academy poster for your building by filling out this quick form:

👉 Request a Poster HERE

Already have one? Share our digital poster with your families and community! Available in multiple languages:

• English
• French
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

📲 Share these links with your community to help families access resources in their preferred language!

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!

CMS administers the Mastery View Predictive Assessment (MVPA) in grades 3–12 for Math, Reading, and Science. This assessment, given 2–3 times per year, shows progress toward content standards and predicts end-of-year performance. To support your understanding of the report, we’ve added a dedicated pathway in our Family Portal. Find all these resources under the K-12 Assessments Pathway on the cmsk12.org/familyportal page.

Watch this Quick Guide: MVPA Video

Resources by Grade Level:

Elementary (Grades 3-5)

• Learning At Home Resources by Standards (Grade 3)

• Learning At Home Resources by Standards (Grade 4)

• Learning At Home Resources by Standards (Grade 5)

Middle School

• MS MVPA Family Link

High School (Math 1 Focus):

• Parents Resource for Math 1

• Math 1 Family Letters

• Math 1 Foundational Support Lesson Videos

• Math 1 Foundational Support Supplemental Support Videos

• Math 1 Honors Lesson Videos

• Math 1 Honors Supplemental Support Videos Link

DIBELS assessments measure essential early literacy skills and are administered to K–2 students three times each year.

We are excited to share engaging, skill-building resources that families can use at home to support daily practice and strengthen key reading skills. These resources are also ideal for continued practice during Winter Break!

Kindergarten:

• Decodable Readers
• Phonics Speed Drills

1st Grade:

• Phonics Speed Drills
• Fluency Passages

2nd Grade:

• Phonics Speed Drills
• Fluency Passages

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.

English Version

Arabic Version

Chinese Version

French Version

Hindi Version

Portuguese Version

Russian Version

Spanish Version

Tamil Version

Telugu Version

Ukrainian Version

Vietnamese Version

Visit: CMS Learning and Language Acquisition Webpage

The Strong Families Network provides monthly resources for your families in English and Spanish, so you don’t have to search for multiple materials or reinvent the wheel to find quality content.

January 2026 Resources Include:

• Early Childhood Activity Calendar
  • English Version
  • Spanish Version
• Check-In Calendar
  • English Version
  • Spanish Version
• Handout: Screen-Free Families in January!
• English Version
• Spanish Version

Facing a Financial Crunch this January? Charlotte-area families have a clear path to vital resources. If you need help with rent, utilities, food, or are exploring long-term housing options, start with these key community and state programs.123

Essential Support for Charlotte Families45

• NC 2-1-1 (Dial 211 or visit NC211.org67): Your first and best call for comprehensive, local referrals to all essential services—housing, utility, food, and other social services in Mecklenburg County.

• Crisis Assistance Ministry: Offers emergency help for rent and utilities, free clothing and household goods, and one-on-one financial coaching to help residents in crisis regain stability.

• DreamKey Partners (House Charlotte): For those seeking potential housing assistance, check their website for income-based programs like House Charlotte, which can help with down payments or rent.

• NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): State-level programs for financial and basic needs:

  • Work First: The TANF program for short-term financial aid and job training.

  • Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP): Helps cover heating and cooling bills.

  • Food & Nutrition Services (SNAP): Monthly benefits for purchasing food.

• Legal Aid of North Carolina: Provides free legal assistance for civil issues, which is critical if your family is facing eviction.

Join us for a fun-filled Storytime at ImaginOn! Enjoy stories, songs, and movement activities that build early literacy skills and foster a love of reading in your child. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate.

When: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: 300 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Learn more: cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com

Want to host a FREE Active Reading Workshop for your families? This engaging session emphasizes the importance of reading together and provides key strategies and resources to help boost children’s: vocabulary, text comprehension, fluency and oral language skills.

Make reading a shared experience that builds lifelong learning!
Check out this free opportunity and sign up today: cmlibrary.org/active-reading

On January 15, we honor the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader whose vision of equality and justice transformed our nation. Born in 1929, Dr. King championed nonviolent protest and delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, inspiring generations to work toward a more inclusive society.

Local Events to Celebrate MLK:

January 15, 2026 — Memorial and Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Marshall Park (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM)

January 17, 2026 — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade in Uptown Charlotte

Join the community in honoring his life and continuing his dream of unity and peace.

Learn more about his legacy: The King Center

1. Update Immunizations – Call your pediatrician to confirm vaccines.
2. Build Healthy Digital Habits – Create a family media plan.
3. Read Together Daily – Strengthen bonds and literacy skills.
4. Get Outside – Fresh air boosts mood and sleep.
5. Check Car Seat Safety – Keep kids rear-facing as long as possible.
6. Cook & Share Meals – Make family time fun in the kitchen.
7. Create a Disaster Kit – Pack essentials together.
8. Prioritize Mental Health – Rest, exercise, and self-care matter.

For additional information, please visit the link here.

Returning to school after winter break can be challenging for students and families. Here are quick tips to make the transition smoother:

• Restart Bedtime Routines Early – Begin adjusting sleep schedules several days before school starts.
• Prepare for the Classroom – Use countdowns or family plans to ease the return.
• Build Excitement – Talk about seeing friends and teachers again.
• Prep for Mornings – Pack backpacks and prep meals the night before.
• Leave Early – Give extra time the first week back to reduce stress.
• Stay Connected – Ask engaging questions about your child’s day to support adjustment.

Start small, plan ahead, and make the return positive for everyone!

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.

https://bit.ly/CMSCommunityEngagementEvents

CMS Family and Community Engagement

Email: familyengagement@cms.k12.nc.us

Website: CMS Family and Community Engagement

Facebook: facebook.com/CMScpfe