Family Academy Lunch and Learn brings workshops and resources to the CMS community and Families virtually! Each session covers key topics such as Academic Success, Navigating CMS, Health and Wellness, Financial Awareness, Life & Leadership Skills and Technology & Cyber Safety.
All families are welcome to join virtually, connect with CMS departments, ask questions, and leave with practical information to use right away.
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.
Join us for an informative session designed to help families navigate the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and stay connected with their child's education. You will learn how to access the portal to easily monitor real-time updates on student grades, attendance records, test scores, and more.
We’re excited to support your family as you prepare for the upcoming school year! Join this session to learn about the student placement process, key timelines for 2026–2027, and what to expect along the way. We’ll also share important information about transportation, school nutrition, and immunization requirements so you feel informed, prepared, and ready for a smooth start to the school year.
Get Connected: Understanding technology and resources at home
August 11, 2026
9- 10 AM
Join us for an informative session designed to help get connected and engaged with their child’s education. During this session, you will learn how to access and navigate key district tools, including Infinite Campus, CMS Launchpad, and ParentSquare. We will walk you through how to log in, find important information, and use each platform to monitor grades, attendance, learning resources, receive school updates, and communicate with your child’s school! Let's get connected for a great year!
We’re excited to support your family as you prepare for the upcoming school year! Join this session to learn about the student placement process, key timelines for 2026–2027, and what to expect along the way. We’ll also share important information about transportation, school nutrition, and immunization requirements so you feel informed, prepared, and ready for a smooth start to the school year.
Join us for an informative session designed to help families navigate the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and stay connected with their child's education. You will learn how to access the portal to easily monitor real-time updates on student grades, attendance records, test scores, and more.
Coffee Chat: Free Resources Your Student Can Use at Home
August 18, 2026
9-10am
In this session, we will go over the resources available to students at home, such as Sora free ebooks, OneAccess, MinecraftEdu, Adobe Express, and Canva. All of these resources are available for our students to use at home, are CMS-approved, and are easily accessible through either the student's Chromebook or the CMS Student Launchpad on a home device. We have held this session in the past, and it is generally well-received by parents at the beginning of the year.
We’re excited to support your family as you prepare for the upcoming school year! Join this session to learn about the student placement process, key timelines for 2026–2027, and what to expect along the way. We’ll also share important information about transportation, school nutrition, and immunization requirements so you feel informed, prepared, and ready for a smooth start to the school year.
Every Day Counts: Building Strong Attendance & McKinney-Vento Supports
August 19, 2026
This session highlights why attendance matters from day one and how early habits shape long-term success, including impacts on academics and social development. Families will gain practical strategies to support strong attendance and learn about McKinney-Vento guidelines, including student identification, support processes, and available resources such as transportation, tutoring, food, and housing assistance.
Coffee Chat: Leveling Up: The Parent & Student Guide to Honors Courses (Grades 8-12)
August 19, 2026
9-10AM
What does it actually take to thrive in an advanced high school course? This quick, one-hour session breaks down the specific roles and responsibilities for both students and parents to ensure success under the NC DPI honors framework. Grab your lunch and learn how we can work together to turn academic rigor into a rewarding experience.
Learn how to use the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) platform to explore college and career options, create an academic and career plan, and access resources for college applications, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. This session will help students and families navigate the planning process with confidence and make informed decisions about future educational and career pathways !
The Power of School Health: Supporting Mental Health and Student Success from Day One
August 21, 2026
Explore how mental health, student wellness, and learning are connected, and how schools support the whole child through coordinated health programs. In this session, families will gain insight into how safe, supportive environments help students thrive academically and emotionally.
Join us through Family Academy to learn strategies and resources that support your child’s success in and beyond the classroom!
Explore CMS’s Learner Profile tool, Naviance, and learn how it helps align students’ strengths, interests, and goals with postsecondary pathways. This session will highlight how intentional planning and personalized insights can improve student outcomes and meaningfully connect learning to life.
A Smarter Start: Helping Your Student Build a Strong (and Affordable) Future with CPCC
September 10, 2026
Parents don’t have to choose between college and career—or between cost and opportunity. Central Piedmont helps students start early, save money and stay on track toward real careers.
Get Connected: Understanding technology and resources at home
September 17, 2026
Join the CMS Educational Technology team for an overview of resources available to families supporting technology use at home. The session includes a deep dive into supporting your student with logging in at home and utilizing the CMS Launchpad.
Supporting Students with Disabilities: An Overview of the EC and 504 Process
October 1, 2026
A joint session with EC and 504 that discusses the differences and similarities of the two programs. Content will focus on meeting the needs of students with disabilities.
CMS School Choice Lottery Explained: What to Expect at Every Step
October 8, 2026
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.
Welcome to the LIbrary: Sharing OneAccess Resources
October 22, 2026
This session will explain how CMS and CM Library partner to provide resources that support students. This session is led by Camela Snyder from CMS and Elyse Farmer from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library.
Career & College Promise and Post Secondary Attainment
November 5, 2026
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!
Mapping the Move: Designing Your Advanced Academics Roadmap
November 19, 2026
Honors, AP, IB, Cambridge—the options can feel overwhelming, but choosing the right fit doesn't have to be guesswork. This session will help you navigate our spring scheduling process by breaking down the differences between each advanced pathway and how to build a rigorous, balanced schedule. Join us to learn how to align your student's workload with their long-term goals without sacrificing their well-being.
The grade span transitions, elementary - middle - high school, is a meaningful milestone filled with possibility and important choices. This Family Academy session invites families to learn, ask questions, and prepare alongside their students as they take the next steps in their educational journey. We’ll discuss the continuum of services, course options, academic expectations, and ways students can get involved and stay connected. Families will also gain strategies for supporting independence while maintaining strong communication and encouragement at home. By working together, we can help students feel confident, motivated, and ready to thrive as they transition to new experiences.
Stay on Track - Overcoming Barriers and Maintaining Momentum
January 14, 2027
As the school year progresses, attendance challenges can arise - illness, fatigue, transportation issues, or disengagement. This session will focus on identifying barriers and offering realistic solutions. Families will be encouraged to reflect on their current attendance patterns and learn strategies to get back on track and stay motivated. Families will also receive information about school and district resources available to support their needs in order to maintain good attendance.
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.
Coffee Chat: Unlock the SAT Advantage: Tools and Tips for Parents (9-10 AM)
February 3, 2026
The SAT Parent Information Session, hosted by Michelle Lourcey, Director of College Board State and District Partnerships, will give families a clear understanding of the digital SAT, what it measures, and how colleges use the scores. Parents will learn about available practice resources and simple ways to support their student’s preparation at home. By the end, families will feel confident helping their student navigate the SAT and plan for college readiness. Join at https://bit.ly/CMSFamilyAcademy
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.
Life is all about balance—especially when it comes to teens and technology. In this class, we’ll review the latest insights from leading experts on how tech impacts teens’ emotional and physical well-being. We’ll also explore practical ways to manage technology before it starts managing you.
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.
Stay on Track - Overcoming Barriers and Maintaining Momentum
January 21, 2027
As the school year progresses, attendance challenges can arise - illness, fatigue, transportation issues, or disengagement. This session will focus on identifying barriers and offering realistic solutions. Families will be encouraged to reflect on their current attendance patterns and learn strategies to get back on track and stay motivated. Families will also receive information about school and district resources available to support their needs in order to maintain good attendance.
Online Safety: What Families Need to Know About CMS Device Care, Digital Citizenship and AI
January 28, 2027
This session goes beyond common labels to explore how asynchronous development and heightened cognitive complexity shape the way gifted children experience the world. Families will discover practical ways to nurture their child’s unique sense of justice and deep empathy while fostering an identity that values personal growth over intellectual performance. By focusing on the "whole child," we will discuss how to support their need for meaningful peer connections and a safe environment to explore their intense intellectual passions.
Parenting for Potential: Understanding the Whole Gifted Child
February 4, 2027
This session goes beyond common labels to explore how asynchronous development and heightened cognitive complexity shape the way gifted children experience the world. Families will discover practical ways to nurture their child’s unique sense of justice and deep empathy while fostering an identity that values personal growth over intellectual performance. By focusing on the "whole child," we will discuss how to support their need for meaningful peer connections and a safe environment to explore their intense intellectual passions.
The Power of Showing Up: Sustaining habits & Preparing for the Next Year
March 11, 2027
The end of the school year can bring distractions, fatigue and increased absences. This session will emphasize the importance of finishing strong while celebrating progress. Parents will be provided with resources to maintain routines, keep students engaged and prepare for a smooth transition into the next school year.
Understanding Twice Exceptional Learners: Supporting Strengths and Needs
March 18, 2027
This virtual session introduces families to twice exceptional (2e) learners, students who demonstrate advanced abilities while also facing learning, attention, behavioral, or physical challenges. Families will learn how strengths and challenges can mask one another, why 2e learners are often misunderstood, and how a strength‑based approach supports both academic growth and social‑emotional well‑being. Practical strategies will be shared to support self‑awareness, self‑advocacy, and effective collaboration with schools so that students’ strengths and needs are addressed together.
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.
Learn what happens in the brain during stressful moments and why both teens and adults can struggle to stay calm. This session gives parents simple, practical tools to manage their own reactions, reduce conflict, and model emotional regulation in a way that strengthens connection with their teen.
Paying for college doesn’t have to mean taking on overwhelming debt. In this session, families will learn practical strategies to reduce costs—including scholarships, financial aid and ways to earn college credit while still in high school. Discover how starting smart can make college more affordable and keep your student on track for long-term success.
Teen Health Connection: From Power Struggles to Partnership: A More Effective Approach to Parenting Teens
Explore how different parenting styles show up during the teen years and how they impact behavior and relationships. Parents will learn how to move toward a more balanced, collaborative approach that sets clear expectations while also building trust and cooperation.
CPCC: What Parents Need to Know About Dual Enrollment (That No One Tells You)
Dual enrollment can be a powerful way for students to get ahead—but many families don’t fully understand how it works. This session breaks down the benefits, expectations, and important details parents need to support their student’s success. Walk away with clear guidance on how to take advantage of this opportunity and avoid common pitfalls.
Teen Health Connection: The Influence Blueprint: Why Control Backfires and What Works Instead
This session helps parents understand why control-based approaches often lead to resistance and disconnection. Participants will learn how to build influence through connection, consistency, and clear communication so they can reduce resistance and increase cooperation from their teen.
Teen Health Connection: Freedom With a Framework: Teaching Responsibility Without Constant Policing
As teens grow, they need more independence, but also guidance. This session helps parents balance freedom with accountability so teens can build responsibility, make better choices, and gain confidence while parents maintain clear and appropriate boundaries.
