Monday Memo
August 8th -12th
Any growth requires a temporary loss of security. -Madeline Hunter
McGowen will be hosting a quick back to school community outreach event tonight at the Village of Fairview fountains. We have invited the local fire station to join us to help Sylvia and I distribute popsicles and back to school information. If you are free to join us, we would love to see you there.
While I know that you are eager to know who your students are, please refrain from making name tags, locker tags, etc. until class lists have been distributed. It’s my understanding that some students are showing up in your class roster in Aware. We have learned from past years, that this information is not always accurate and there are always last minute changes made. We will distribute class lists Friday morning prior to our CUM folder review.
We are working to organize a fun and meaningful Academy. If you haven't signed up in Eduphoria, please do prior to Thursday. Regardless of the start time listed in Eduphoria, we will begin Academy each day at 8:00am. In addition, if you haven't emailed me a few pics of your summer, the deadline to send those to me is Tuesday.
As you begin to work in your room, if you are in need of additional furniture please email Donna with the request. If the item you are requesting is available, she will coordinate with Ms Irma to have it brought to your room. Remember that if you are in the building after hours, you need to write your name on the white board so that everyone will know who is responsible for setting the building alarm.
Make today count,
JL
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Academy 2016
We are ready to GO FOR THE GOLD this year and look forward to seeing all of you on August 11th! Search McGowen Academy on the Eduphoria main workshop page to easily locate all of our courses! Below is an abbreviated version of our agenda so you can have a general overview of our learning together. As time allows, we will incorporate planning time for you to design with your team.
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New McGowen Team Members
Welcome to our newest team members! We are so thrilled to have you and look forward to you becoming part of the family.
Quin Hance
Connie Morris
Laurie Leotaud
Fourth Grade:
Deanna Harris
Jennifer Smith
5th Grade:
Nikki Bibb
Special Ed:
Sadie Hunsaker- Speech
Tracie Kelley - Resource
Melanie Nimboorkar was transferred to us from Wilmeth. However, she moved to Florida this summer and will not be joining us. Therefore, we now have an open STC Aide position.
Bonnie Taylor was hired by Greer to serve in a specialized position, however she will remain with us until we are able to fill her position. We are looking for someone with experience in Special Education. If you are aware of anyone who might be interested, please let me know.
Specials:
Amy Arnold - Art
Tanya McKeen - PE Aide
WELCOME BACK!
Shana Prugh (5th) & Renata Sanchez (FAC/STC Aide)
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Updated Room Moves
Below is a list of the updated room moves. The names listed in parenthesis indicate who occupied the room this past year.
- Trisha Kincaid to E106 (Cathy Haney)
- Lora Lovell - D110 (Michelle Caballero)
- Deanna Harris - D107 (Aly Flint)
- Jennifer Smith - C111 (Trisha Kincaid)
- Rico Sneller - D104 (Resource)
- Shana Prugh - C107 (Tara Zappe)
- Nikki Bibb - C109 (Rico Sneller)
- Resource Room 1 location - D100 (Lora Lovell)
- Resource Room 2 location - C102 (open 5th grade room)
- Michelle Caballero - E100 (Dys/GT room)
- Connie Morris - F106 (Shannon Dophied)
- Dys (Rhonda Taylor) & GT (Lisa Crates) - H100 (Open Kinder Room)
- Laura Sifferman - F105 (Laurie Leotaud)
- Quin Hance - F104 (Colleen Everett)
- Laurie Leotaud - F102 (Laura Sifferman)
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August:
- 3rd - K-2 Sneak Peeks
- 4th - 3-5 Sneak Peeks
- 8th-10th - New Teacher Training
- 9th - New Teacher Breakfast - 7:30am
- 11th-19th - Academy
- 16th - PTA Board Meeting
- 18th - Back to School Night
- 22nd - First Day of School
- 26th - Fundraiser Kick-Off
- 31st - Faculty Meeting
- 31st - Pay Day
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Shoparoo
Did you know that each week I give out jeans passes to those who are one of the top three participants 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. If you use veft4467 as a referral code, McGowen will earn money for you just signing up. Please feel free to push this information out to your parents as well. Once you sign up, Shoparoo will give you a referral code for your parents to use when they sign up. Schools with just 40 supporters are earning an average of $1,000 every year.
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Focus for 2016 - 2017
In order to help every child their personal best, McGowen teachers and staff will:
- Knowledgeably speak about our current practices that contribute to McGowen becoming a Level 1 Certified High Reliability School.
- Actively participate in grade level and content Professional Learning Communities.
- 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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Happy Birthday!
August
Sharon Butler - 7th
Laura Sifferman - 9th
Michelle Haas - 10th
Jen McCartney - 13th
Maria Elwood - 24th
Marley Goodwin - 30th
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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.