Launched in the 2024-2025 school year, Family Academy offers a range of valuable resources and opportunities that support and empower families in playing a more active role in their children's education. Our goal is to strengthen engagement between the district and community while empowering families with the necessary tools to support the success of the whole child.
Focus Area
Academic Success
Navigating CMS
Health and Wellness
Financial Awareness
Life and Leadership Skills
Technology and Cyber Safety
By providing family-oriented courses, events, and activities, the program not only enhances families' skills and knowledge but also fosters a sense of self-assurance among participants. Covering a wide array of subjects, workshops range from assisting children in preparing for end-of-grade and end-of-course assessments to getting ready for transitions like Kindergarten, Middle School, and High School, as well as coping with the challenges of adolescence.
For all virtual Lunch and Learns, families can log in using the url bit.ly/CMSFamilyAcademy each week. When prompted, enter your name so we know you’re joining us!
Closed caption translation is available during the session to support families who speak languages other than English. Select the cc (closed caption) button in the top right hand corner, select show live captions, and auto translations should be visible.
Digital Resources to Keep Your Child Learning at Home
September 4, 2025
Do you know of all the educational resources available for your student to use for free? This session will highlight the approved digital applications available to all CMS students and how to access at home. Whether you’re reviewing student work in Canvas or exploring Minecraft Edu, join us to learn how to access and use these tools.
Learn about Exceptional Children (EC) program, the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process, and all about Section 504 plans. Gain insight into how these supports work, what to expect during evaluations and meetings, and how to collaborate effectively with school teams to ensure your child’s needs are met. Whether your child already has a plan in place or you’re exploring support options for the first time, this session will help you navigate the process with confidence and clarity.
Assessment Insights: Empowering Families to Support Student Success
September 18, 2025
Understand the purpose and process of beginning-of-year DIBELS assessment.Explore how this tools help educators identify students’ strengths and areas for growth in early literacy. Families will learn what the DIBELS assessment measures, how the results are used, and how they can support your child’s learning at home. Whether you’re new to this assessment or looking for a refresher, this session will provide valuable insights to starting the school year strong.
Join us for an engaging introduction to learn about the free resources available through CMS Library Services and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library—designed to support our CMS students and families!
Delve into the newly launched Mastery Connect Parent Portal. This powerful tool provides real-time access to your child’s progress on standards-based assessments, helping you stay informed and engaged in their academic growth. Learn how to access the portal, review assessment data, and use the platform to support learning at home. This session will equip you with the tools to be an active partner in your child’s education.
Delve into the newly launched Mastery Connect Parent Portal. This powerful tool provides real-time access to your child’s progress on standards-based assessments, helping you stay informed and engaged in their academic growth. Learn how to access the portal, review assessment data, and use the platform to support learning at home. This session will equip you with the tools to be an active partner in your child’s education.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a growing part of our world—and our classrooms—this session will provide clarity, answer your questions, and show how our district is using AI to empower students while keeping families informed and involved.
Parents and MTSS: Understanding my Role within the Framework
October 23, 2025
Become familiar with the MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) process and what that means for your student. Families will gain a deeper understanding of resources that are available and how to support learning at home.
Supporting AIG & Advanced Learners in Middle and High School
October 30, 2025
An overview of the continuum of services for gifted and advanced learners as they move into the middle and high school Families will have the opportunity to engage in important topics such as scheduling, honors and advanced coursework, Differentiated Education Plans (DEP), and nurturing the whole child.
We're ALL Math People: Supporting Your Student in High School Math
November 6, 2025
In addition to an overview of the structure and student experience in high school math, resources will be shared to support your student at home with Math 1 – 3. Caregivers will leave feeling confident that we are all math people!
Uncover the many educational opportunities available through CMS School Choice. Learn how to navigate the application process, discover unique program offerings, and engage with our CMS team. Whether you’re new to the process or looking for the best fit for your child’s interests and talents, this session will equip you with the tools and information you need to make informed decisions.
Join us for an interactive session focused on the MVPA assessment and how it connects to student learning. Discover how to read and interpret your child’s Individualized Student Report and explore practical ways to support learning at home. We’ll also highlight the critical role of regular school attendance in promoting academic growth and long-term success.
Learn about the various Advanced Course Options in CMS (AP, IB, Cambridge) and articulation through each program, how they are similar and different, and the benefits of each program.
Develop a deeper understanding of the primary causes of stress during the holiday season, differentiate between clinical depression vs. the holiday blues, and review useful coping strategies.
A recurring series for families highlighting the importance of regular school attendance and how it supports student learning and success. Each session offers helpful tips, resources, and stories to empower families in building strong attendance habits at home.
Online Safety: What Families Need to Know About Digital Citizenship and AI
January 15, 2026
Digital Citizenship is now much more than a list of do’s and don’ts. As parents and educators, our goal is to develop wise digital citizens who are upstanders, literate consumers of digital information who can recognize misinformation, and active positive members of the worldwide digital community. We will communicate how CMS seeks to fulfill this vision.
Assessment Insights: Empowering Families to Support Student Success
January 22, 2026
Understand the purpose and process of middle-of-year assessments, including i-Ready and DIBELS. Explore how these tools help educators identify students’ strengths and areas for growth in reading and math as the year progresses. Discover what these assessments measure, how the results are used, and how you can support your child’s learning at home. Whether you’re new to these assessments or looking for a refresher, this session will provide valuable insights to start the school year strong.
A recurring series for families highlighting the importance of regular school attendance and how it supports student learning and success. Each session offers helpful tips, resources, and stories to empower families in building strong attendance habits at home. Join Here: bit.ly/CMSFamilyAcademy
Online Safety: What Families Need to Know About Digital Citizenship and AIJanuary 15, 2026
Digital Citizenship is now much more than a list of do’s and don’ts. As parents and educators, our goal is to develop wise digital citizens who are upstanders, literate consumers of digital information who can recognize misinformation, and active positive members of the worldwide digital community. We will communicate how CMS seeks to fulfill this vision. Join Here: bit.ly/CMSFamilyAcademy
Assessment Insights: Empowering Families to Support Student Success
January 22, 2026
Understand the purpose and process of middle-of-year assessments, including i-Ready and DIBELS. Explore how these tools help educators identify students’ strengths and areas for growth in reading and math as the year progresses. Discover what these assessments measure, how the results are used, and how you can support your child’s learning at home. Whether you’re new to these assessments or looking for a refresher, this session will provide valuable insights to start the school year strong. Join Here: bit.ly/CMSFamilyAcademy
Thriving Together: Integrating SEL Into the Lives of Gifted and Advanced Learners
February 5, 2026
Examine the unique social and emotional needs of gifted and advanced learners. Specific challenges such as perfectionism, asynchronous development, over excitabilities and underachievement will be high-lighted. Activities and tips for developing self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness at home will be shared.
Learning and Language Acquisition explained. Review the programs and services available to multilingual students, including how CMS assess language development and academic progress. In school and at home resources will be shared to help students thrive in reading, writing, and communication.
Gain an understanding of the 5 skill competencies, how instruction strengthens those skills and affect positive outcomes, CMS resources and ways to support your student’s skill development.
Review effective strategies for approaching complex texts, including annotating, summarizing, and making predictions. Additionally, participants will engage in strategies for supporting student writing development at home, and discover resources for providing constructive feedback.
Wondering how your student can turn their passions into a career, college opportunity, or military service? Join us for an informative webinar that explores how our district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are preparing students for success beyond high school— whether they choose to be employed, enrolled, or enlisted.
Join us for an interactive session focused on the MVPA assessment and how it connects to student learning. Discover how to read and interpret your child’s Individualized Student Report and explore practical ways to support learning at home. We’ll also highlight the critical role of regular school attendance in promoting academic growth and long-term success.
Dive into the world of personal financial literacy! Discover valuable insights and resources to help make informed financial decisions and build a stronger financial foundation for your future.
Together We Grow: DIBELS and iReady Assessment End of Year Overview
April 30, 2026
Understand the purpose and process of end-of-year assessments, including i-Ready and DIBELS. Explore how these tools help educators identify students’ strengths and areas for growth in reading and math as the year concludes.
Family Academy On the GO! brings workshops and resources directly into the community to support student success and well-being. Each session covers key topics such as Academic Success, Navigating CMS, Health and Wellness, Financial Awareness, Life and Leadership Skills and Technology and Cyber Safety.
All families are welcome to join, connect with CMS departments, ask questions, and leave with practical information to use right away.
Join us for an informative session on School Health, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and School-Based Mental Health. Discover strategies and resources to support students’ emotional and mental well-being, leading to improved academic success and a more positive school experience. All families are welcome.
Delve into the newly launched Mastery Connect Parent Portal. This powerful tool
provides real-time access to your child’s progress on standards-based assessments, helping you stay informed and engaged in their academic growth. Learn how to access the portal, review assessment data, and use the platform to support learning at home. This session will equip you with the tools to be an active partner in your child’s education.
Discover how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools supports the whole child through health, social-emotional learning, and strong attendance practices. This session, Navigating Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, will be presented by the Student Wellness & Academic Support (SWAS) team, including Coordinated School Health and Social & Emotional Learning staff. Families will learn practical tips and resources to promote student well-being, encourage consistent school attendance, and create the foundation for academic growth.
