Cowboy Courier
August 29, 2019
Thank you for being active participants in our faculty meeting yesterday. I want to appreciate Lauren for setting up that learning opportunity for us.
T-TESS goals are due in Eduphoria today, and formal observations can start tomorrow. Your assigned T-TESS admin will be in touch about a goal conference.
I want to remind you that being back in school means sharing school germs again. One of my kids has already missed school due to illness. Be prepared to have a sub even if you are completely sure you won't be out.
Learning walks started this week, and I got to see some great things in action! Thank you!
Have a wonderful extended weekend!
Amber
Tornado Drill Location Assignments
Many classrooms do not have tornado maps. Please see the attached link for the updated tornado location list. We will be holding a “Shelter in Place” aka Tornado drill Friday, 9/13 at 2:15 pm. If you are assigned a hallway, please file into the area sitting by lockers and along the walls, while leaving space for doors. We anticipate having to make some adjustments to the locations, so let Machost know what is not working.
We will have the September fire drill prior to the tornado drill. The fire drill will be at 2:00 pm.
MEF Grants are Open
FOR QUESTIONS:
Please email mefgrants@mckinneyisd.net with questions. Sign up for MEF Grant Workshops in Eduphoria. Two workshops are offered on September 5th.
The McKinney Education Foundation Grant Application is open. All requests are due September 30th at 11:59pm.
Lunch Detention Info
As the honeymoon phase comes to a close…below you will find the lunch detention link. We will having a hard stop at 10:30 am for lunch detentions that could be served day of to help with cafeteria prep. If you issue a lunch detention, a student may serve it the following day. Thank you for your patience.
From Amber: also remember that a lunch detention will not fix an on-going problem and it won't engage a disengaged child. You can't punish a student into wanting to be good for you. It is an appropriate and sufficient consequence in some cases, but if lunch detentions fixed real issues, anyone could do our job. Thank you for being mindful, reflective teachers who problem solve every day.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrVdV2pP5KndnBPhL3e8NLmbUb7Ahub7HZW5uX6dT4zhm5Tw/viewform
Fundraiser Kick-Off
Sandra Carter is the contact for questions that might come up. I will include a few informational flyers below so you know the scoop. The Social Studies department will show the kick-off video Tuesday. Thank you to our SS teachers!
Wednesday Meetings
9/4 Faculty Meeting
9/11 Faculty Meeting
9/18 Leadership *SpEd teachers will be in Xlogs/MSB training.
9/25 No Meeting
10/2 Faculty
Attendance Notes
We have an new email for submitting absence/sick notes for students. I will put this in the Parent Courier, but feel free to send in your newsletter too.
Please use cockrilloffice@mckinneyisd.net email for submitting your student absence
notes. Please only use this email address for attendance/absence communication. All absence notes need to be received by the third day following an absence.
School Trips
Blank Triangles
Club CREED Staff Dare
Kudos!
Mandy Bourland,
You are a true gem of a person, mentor and teacher! I SO appreciate your kindness and wisdom. You have helped my transition to the dyslexia team so easy and always with a smile on your face. You have a heart of gold!
Thank you!
Deidre Baird
Hello, Dr. Epperson
Dear Dr. Epperson, My daughter is a new 6th grader. We had a bit of a wacky start with a few things and I just wanted to compliment your staff on how beautifully and graciously they handled each situation.
When we couldn’t figure out our schedule or our bus situation, Ms. Lafferty was amazing. She jumped right in and was prompt and clear and helped us make the next right choices to get our situation taken care of. I couldn’t praise her enough for the way she helped us feel empowered as parents to advocate and act on behalf of Kiana.
When we couldn’t figure out the mybucks account, my daughter called me on her (what we call her “dumb” phone because there is nothing “smart” about it- gotta love the old school flip phone, but it did its purpose that day!) phone during lunch to tell me she had to put her lunch back. Distraught, I immediately went online and figured out what went wrong with her account and then called her back. I was on the line listening as she spoke with the cafeteria staff about lunch. They were so gracious and gentle and just awesome! They first made sure she had something to eat and then when she told them I had resolved the issue but wasn’t sure how long it would take to update the system, they just had her write down her id number and they would take care of it later. They made sure she was fed first and then figured out what to do next. I was almost in tears as I listened to this sweet woman love on and parent (in the “it takes a village” kind of sense) my child.
I just wanted to tell you that two weeks haven’t passed yet and I am such a super fan of how Cockrill goes about doing school. As a former public middle school teacher myself, you have exceeded my highest expectations for the way my child experiences and feels about learning and life. I often think Middle School exists to use subject matter to teach our kiddos how to be people and you’re doing such a wonderful job. I just couldn’t let another day pass without telling you how grateful I am for your intentionality.
So grateful!
Happy Parent
Judy,
Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful news about Cockrill's ELAR Distinction. Any acknowledgement of ELAR accomplishments would be incomplete without acknowledging your contributions. Your leadership, support, encouragement, coaching, and mentoring are invaluable. I know you laugh when I say that my motto is "WWJD--What would Judy do?", but it is the truth.
Thank you for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Rosalyn
Hi. I just wanted to let you know how much my son already appreciates you. He’s told me that he finally understands division, thanks to you. Math, along with printing and spelling, has been challenging for him. He feels like a lightbulb finally has gone off with division, and that now he finally “gets it”. I made him do long division problems at the beginning of summer, and there was much drama! Great job. Please let me know if we can do anything to help from home.
Thank you!
Happy Parent
Hey Shelli! I wanted to thank you and brag on your PALS. They were doing a great job this morning truly talking with our new students. When I entered, every table took the initiative to introduce me to the new students. It was a great event. -Amber
I want to thank the 8th grade history team for working so easily with us in creating a computer schedule that would work for both teams! I know it can be difficult to make changes like that, but they jumped right in and made it happen! I am so thankful for them (and you) for making it possible for us to meet our new objectives. -Alisha
Shelli, I just wanted to let you know how great our PAL did today in my Club CREED class. She worked with the students like a pro! I was very impressed. I love that you are encouraging your PALS to be leaders through Club CREED. Yes, they help us teachers, but more importantly, they are serving as positive role models for our students. Love this! Thank you for always finding positive ways for our kids to step-up and shine. -Trisha