Bennett Bear Business Newsletter
Week of April 6, 2020
MISD Bad Weather Make-Up Days to be Used as Student & Staff Holidays
The McKinney ISD bad weather make-up days designated for Friday, April 10, 2020, and Monday, April 27, 2020, will be utilized as school holidays for MISD students and staff.
MISD includes bad weather make-up days in the school calendar each year to be used in the event that students and staff miss instructional days because of inclement weather—or for any other unexpected event. If no days are missed, the bad weather make-up days are then designated as student and staff holidays.
When MISD made its announcement on March 13, that schools would close over concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it announced at the same time that the district would use April 10 and April 27 as make-up days.
Since then, Governor Greg Abbott has delayed students’ return to school until at least May 4, and the Texas Education Agency has determined that school districts no longer have to use bad weather days as make-up days. Therefore, April 10 and April 27 have now been designated as school holidays for MISD students and staff.
Bennett's Spirit Week - April 6-10
Update from McKinney ISD Superintendent, Dr. Rick McDaniel
Dear McKinney ISD Community,
I would like to begin by commending the efforts of our campus principals and teachers for their outstanding work in helping McKinney ISD prepare for and implement teacher-led digital learning that launched yesterday—and for the creative and heartfelt ways that they have reached out to their school communities during this time of school closure.
I would also like to thank you, MISD parents, for your patience and support as we move forward in this undertaking. The situation that we find ourselves in presents many challenges, but I am confident that we, as a district and as a community, will weather this storm and that our students will continue to learn and thrive in the midst of it.
In light of Governor Abbott’s executive order today extending closure of Texas schools, I want to inform you that MISD schools will remain closed through Friday, May 1.
Please know that our desire as a district is to get our students back on campus as soon as possible, but the spread of the novel coronavirus continues to advance in North Texas, other parts of the state and across the country, and we must wait until it is safe for students to return.
In today’s press conference, Governor Abbott stated that he would continue to monitor this ongoing situation and determine whether there is a need to further extend the suspension of normal district operations beyond May 1. Any decision to extend school closure or return students to campus will be communicated at the earliest possible time.
In the meantime, teacher-directed digital learning will continue, and academic and social-emotional enrichment resources remain available online for students and families.
MISD personnel will continue to operate from home with on-site district activities limited to only the most essential operations.
MISD will stay connected with students and parents through communication from our elementary and secondary campuses, and classroom teachers will be the primary point of contact for information related to specific classes and online lessons. I hope that you have already been in contact with your child’s teachers, and I encourage you to communicate regularly with them.
As always, please visit the MISD homepage at www.mckinneyisd.net and the MISD Facebook page to receive the most current and accurate information about the extended closure and the district’s response to the COVID-19 health concern.
In closing, I would like to recognize the tireless work of our MISD technology department who have worked day and night for the past week and a half to gather, set up and distribute approximately 3,000 laptops so that all MISD families can have the opportunity to take part in digital learning at home.
The term “unprecedented” has perhaps been overused during the past few weeks, but it is difficult to find a word that more accurately describes the circumstances in which we find ourselves. In light of that, I encourage every member of the MISD community to find ways to encourage one another, support one another and live out the kindness that I believe sets McKinney ISD apart.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rick McDaniel
McKinney ISD Superintendent
Bennett's Learning Commons - Reading Challenges & Student Recommendations
- NEW!!! K-2 Texas 2X2 eLearning Challenge: Participation information and a collection of these books read online may found at http://gg.gg/hshz5
- Six Flags Read to Succeed: The deadline to enter reading log minutes is April 17. More information may be found at http://gg.gg/SixFlagsApril2020
- NEW!!! REVISED for eLEARNING!!!! K-5 Major League Reading Challenge: Participation information may be found at http://gg.gg/elearningMLRchallenge
- Student Book Recommendation Google Site:https://sites.google.com/mckinneyisd.net/welovebooks/home
Technology Support
During McKinney ISD at-home digital learning, the MISD technology department continues to offer support for students who experience technical difficulties.
The following support options are available beginning Monday, April 6.
Support for Students Who Have a Laptop:
If a student needs technology assistance during at-home digital learning, they should email studenthelp@mckinneyisd.net. This support option is available for high school students with a district-issued (1:1) laptop and any K-8 students who received a district-issued laptop during one of the laptop deployments that took place on Wednesday, March 25; Friday, March 27; or Wednesday, April 1.
Please note: Students should include their name, student ID number, school name, a contact number and a detailed description of the problem/request.
Support for Students Who Need a Laptop:
If a student needs a laptop to use during digital at-home learning, they should email their request to studenthelp@mckinneyisd.net.
Please note: Students should include their name, student ID number, school name and a contact number with their request.
When an Appointment is Required:
—Technology Staff will make every effort to resolve student technology issues over the phone or by remote control.
—If a student must be physically present to take care of a technology issue—whether that is for repair, replacement or to receive a district-issued laptop—they are required to make an appointment with the technology department by emailing studenthelp@mckinneyisd.net.
—Appointments are available during the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The technology department will assign each student an appointment time.
—To maintain social distancing and reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure, students should come to the Ron Poe Stadium Ticket Booth window to consult with a technician during their appointment time. If a parent brings the student to the appointment, we ask that they wait in the car when possible and maintain six foot social distancing if it’s necessary to accompany the student at the window.
Support for Parents Who Need Assistance with Home Access Center (HAC) Accounts:
Parents who do not know their username and/or password should email
hacsupport@mckinneyisd.net. Please include your student’s home campus.
Istation At Home Parent Guide
April's Gratitude Calendar
Pack Assorted Colors for Kids - PACK Weeks - Starting April 13th
iStation At Home Parent Guide
Update From McKinney ISD Health Services Department
Dear McKinney ISD Parents,
We wanted to remind you of the websites available for COVID 19 information:
Information from the CDC on Coronavirus in the United States can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Coronavirus in Texas may be found at: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.
The World Health Organization may be found at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
The City of McKinney https://www.mckinneytexas.org/2256/Coronavirus-COVID-19
The following information is not an all-inclusive list of telemedicine sites and resources, but rather resources that have reached out to the MISD nurses with information to assist families.
Drive through testing sites https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus testing.aspx
McKinney Texas COVID19 hotline 972-547-9000
Medicaid/CHIP application https://www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/what-we-offer/chip
Childrens Health virtual visits https://www.childrens.com/covid-19/for-patient-families/online-screening
Family Health Center at Virginia Parkway telemedicine 214-618-5600
Urgent care for Kids https://urgentcarekids.com/pediatric-telemedicine-for-kids/
211 may also be called for help with food, rent, utilities and community services
Here are also some asthma specific resources:
https://community.aafa.org/blog/coronavirus-2019-ncov-flu-what-people-with-asthma-need-to-know
https://acaai.org/news/message-asthma-sufferers-about-shortage-albuterol-metered-dose-inhalers
Stay Healthy!
MISD Health Services
McKinney ISD Enrichment at Home Website
Zoom Meeting Etiquettes
April Student & Staff Birthdays
2nd - Evelyn
4th - Miriam, Andrew
6th - Cici, Kaylee
7th - Adam, Cameron, McKenna
8th - Hazel, Claire
9th - Jonah, Alanna
10th - Mrs. Tam - Speech Teacher, Drew, Grace
11th - Tristan, Alaina, Blake
13th - Liam
14th - Shiloh
15th - JayAna, Ella, Mr. Khreish - SPED Teacher
17th - Maili
18th - Kambria, Anna
19th - Kinley, Hailey
20th - Carter
21st - Yazmeen, Drake
23rd - Ithiel
24th - Camden
25th - Kaleb, Graeson
26th - Helene, Sarah
27th - Jaxton, McCall, William, Carly, Mrs. Scheidhauer - Speech Teacher
28th - Mrs. Woods - Dyslexia Teacher
29th - Jase, Rylee, Adalynn, Kendrick
30th - Georgia, Connor, Jack, Rhyan
McKinney ISD Grab & Go Meals - FREE to ALL McKinney ISD Students
Connect with Bennett Counselor, Christie Thompson - Virtual Counseling Sessions
Dear Bennett Parents,
I am happy to share that I will be available to consult with parents and communicate with students during the COVID-19 school closure, and I’ll be providing daily tips on announcements and weekly guidance lessons.
Here is more information about my virtual school counseling services:
REMIND alerts https://www.remind.com/join/thompsl (See attached pdf for more detailed instructions.)
- I will use Remind to alert parents when I’ve added a new guidance lesson, video, or resource to my site.
- This is a one-way communication tool, so email me if you need to reach me.
ZOOM or WebEx video meetings – I can consult with parents (and visit with students for up to 20 minutes beginning March 30th).
- Complete and submit this form for videoconferences: https://forms.gle/rxiJLiNU4qUrp1Dk9
- Confidentiality: to mitigate the confidentiality limits we’ll face, I will not record or save any of our meetings, but remember that it is occurring over the Internet where 100% security is not guaranteed. Also, I will still be required by law to report any instances of suspected abuse/neglect, or if I believe a student is a danger to themselves or to others.
a. If you, your student, or anyone in your family needs additional support, there is a nationwide
Crisis Text Line that you can access 24-7 by texting home to the number 741-741. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from a secure online platform.
b. Please call 911 in the case of mental health emergencies.
Videos & Resources – I’ll be reading and sharing some books about topics like worrying, accepting ‘no’ for an answer, technology usage, flexible thinking, gratitude, etc.
- When a new video or resource is ready, I’ll upload it to my site and send an alert through REMIND. I’ll also provide these to teachers to upload to See Saw.
- Here’s the first one! It’s about worrying and anxiousness > https://youtu.be/aQlMcNLWtwI
- Please see the attached COVID-19 Resources for students.
504 Meetings –I will contact parents and teachers who had/have meetings already scheduled for after spring break to reschedule them. You’ll hear from me soon!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I will be maintaining virtual office hours Mondays-Fridays from 9-11 and 1-3.
Warm regards,
Christie N. Thompson
School Counselor
504 Campus Coordinator
469.302.5437