Monday Memo
February 12th - 16th, 2018
Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. - Pele
Early voting for gubernatorial, congressional and senatorial primaries are currently underway and will remain open through March 2, 2018. While I cannot tell you who to vote for, I strongly encourage you to do your homework now and determine who best serves your interests, including those related to public education. Just like in our local elections, when working together, teachers can play an important role in determining the outcome.
As hard as we try, one or two parents always seem to miss the memo about helium balloons not being allowed in school and are devastated to hear the news when they arrive on Valentine's Day to deliver the balloon bouquet to their child. In effort to prevent Lynn and Barbara from crushing souls, please send out a reminder this week in your newsletter. If you haven't already done this, please make sure that you do that today.
Our next Team Leader Meeting will be on Monday, February 12th. If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to add to the agenda, please use this link to submit your request. In addition, please share your question/concern with your team leader so that if we have any clarifying questions, we can get the needed information.
Lexia training will be available on Feb. 19th as part of the elementary waiver day professional development. There will be three one-hour sessions in the morning to help teachers understand data and using all of the available resources. If you were not able to attend this training earlier in the year, please consider attending one of these sessions.
Make today count, stay healthy and wash your hands!
JL
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Kudos to Third Grade
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Layne Pethick is Back!
Behavior and the Brain: Neurological Factors that Affect Behavior and Learning
Participants in this session will gain information on neurological factors that affect the behavior and learning of children and will include such topics as stress and the brain, biological factors of the brain, neurological factors related to attention and emotion and the effect on behavior and learning. This presentation will be an open forum style with several engaging activities and the opportunity for inquiry and discussion by participants (Other topics addressed include: trauma; trauma informed instruction; social-emotional health; mental health, and socioeconomic issues). ** Please note: the main focus is the school environment and all educators and staff that interact with students at all levels. **
3 Part Series:
Part 1
February 5th OR February 6th
Part 2
March 5th OR March 6th
Part 3
April 2nd OR April 3rd
Sign up through Euphoria
All sessions are from 3:30 –5:00
McKinney North Cafeteria
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Action Items
- Make sure that all of your students have completed the appropriate MAP tests by Wednesday, February 14th.
- Sign up for the February 19th Waiver Day training in Eduphoria as well as register for the sessions you would like to attend on Sched.
- Complete online TELPAS Basic Training by Monday, February 19th.
- TELPAS writing samples and Rating Roster due by SL by EOD on Wednesday, March 28th.
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Shoparoo
Did you know that each week I give out jeans passes to the three highest scoring staff members on Shoparoo? I know that many of you have already joined, but if you haven't, it is not too late. Simply go to www.shoparoo.com to create your account. Please feel free to push this information out to your parents as well.
Congratulations to Krista Daniel, Barbara Peebles and Jennifer Little for being the highest three staff contributors to Shoparoo this week!
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Focus for 2017 - 2018
In order to help all children achieve their personal best, McGowen teachers and staff will:
- Knowledgeably speak about our current practices that contribute to McGowen becoming a Level 2 Certified High Reliability School.
- Engage in collaborative team planning and lesson design that addresses the four essential questions of a PLC.
- Present lessons in such a way that students understand and can speak knowledgeably about posted learning and language targets.
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Remind for Staff
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APPRECIATIONS
- MC, SdL, JL- thanks for all of your special support with a student on Friday! SL
- Peebles- thanks for helping out with pulling student/teacher information this week! SL
- Donna- thanks for your flexibility with the picture schedule! SL
- Cab & Shiela- thanks for going to support kids when needed this week! SL
- Kinder team & Jaime- thanks so much for covering my duty while I was at TCEA! SL
- Melanie- thanks for all of the on demand tips and tricks to help me navigate my way around TCEA! SL
- THANKS Jenny Snyder for loaning me a special desk for one of our friends in 3rd grade that needed a specially build desk to help with minimize distractions and wanted to thank her for use of her room for that same friend for a calm place for him after he eats his lunch. It has worked great and a GREAT Big THANK you to Jeremiah to who helping with our friend at lunch. Thank both of you guys you absolutly ROCK and are doing GREAT things for kids. Ms. Oliphant
- Rico & Gail- I appreciate you staying late the past two Fridays for parent meetings! SL
- Melanie- Thank you so much for helping with our polar bear newscast! Krista
- 1st grade- Thank y’all for always being willing to help each other out. Love y’all bunches! Krista
- Lynn-Thank you for the help with the binders! Garro
- Lindsey – thanks for all you do!! We appreciate you! - Tebo
- JB – Thank you for your support and collaboration last week as we do what is best for all. You are the best! - JD
- Cab, JL, & SL – Thank you for your support and wisdom last week. I appreciate you all so much. -JD
- Hoye – Thank you so much for your awesome science ideas and anchor charts. -JD
- Shannon - Thanks for being a friend more than once last week. -JL
- Donna, Shiela, Lynn and Peebles - Many thanks to you for helping me last week when there was no room in the inn. -JL
- MC - Thank you for being you. -JL
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GT Training Opportunity
- Foundations 1: April 21st at Cockrill MS Library
- Foundations 2: May 19th at Cockrill MS Library
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BAD DUDE
Join us in congratulating Krystina Ticehurst as this week’s Bad Dude! Krystina is one of the most organized and through people in everything she does. She does a phenomenal job meeting her students’ needs and is always able to speak knowledgeably about where her students are performing in regards to their RTI interventions and will reach out if help if needed. This week she did an excellent job in a parent meeting and lead with compassion and honesty. She is a positive team player and always willing to pitch in where needed!
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McKinney ISD's Vision, Mission and Beliefs
Any time we have an idea, concern, solution and/or comment, this is the filter through which we should speak. Let's help each other live up to our vision, mission, and beliefs.
Vision:
We are a cohesive, diverse community providing engaging learning experiences for all.
We will provide engaging learning experiences so students can become effective communicators, quality contributors and socially responsible citizens.
Beliefs:
- Partnerships between students, parents, community members and staff are foundational to educational success.
- Positive school culture and a safe environment foster growth.
- Everyone has inherent value and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Learning is an active process requiring engaging tasks and engaging minds.
- Relevant and authentic experiences ignite continuous, deeper learning.
- Meaningful relationships enrich learning.
- Confidence fuels risk taking and higher achievement.
- Financial stewardship ensures a tomorrow for education.