Monday Memo
November 13-17, 2017
GRATITUDE IS NOT ONLY THE GREATEST OF VIRTUES, BUT THE PARENT OF ALL OTHERS. -CICERO
Thanks to everyone for the many birthday wishes. It is always a fun day to spend with students and be reminded of when it was exciting to turn another year older. ;) Given that none of us are promised another day, I am grateful to be spending my days with you. We are blessed to work in a profession where we have the power to positively make a difference in the lives of others. You are such an amazing team of people, and I cannot thank you enough for the richness you bring to my life.
Our next Team Leader Meeting will be held on Monday, November 13th. 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.
This week, we will be utilizing the scheduled content PLC Mtg in a different way. We would like for everyone to meet in the Learning Commons. Please sign up for Wednesday in Eduphoria by the end of the day on Tuesday so that you may receive credit.
While this seems so far away for many of you, I wanted to make sure that everyone in our building has the STAAR dates on your calendar. The purpose for this is to ask you to refrain from scheduling any appointments or taking personal days on these days. Given our sub situation, it will be more important than ever for us to have everyone on campus that is able to do so. This will leave our priority subs to cover us in the event of an emergency. While I know we cannot control when we get sick or when our children get sick, if we control what we can, we will be in great shape. STAAR dates are April 10-11 and May 14-16. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Make today count!
JL
---------------------------------------
Action Items
- Make sure your team has a representative attend PTA Story Night on Tuesday, November 14th.
- Register for Content PLCs in Eduphoria by EOD Tuesday, November 14th.
- Prepare Progress Reports to send home on Wednesday, November 15th.
- Block STAAR dates on your calendar.
---------------------------------------
Support 5th Grade Camp
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
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 Laura Garro for being the highest three staff contributors to Shoparoo this week!
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
Remind for Staff
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
APPRECIATIONS
- Alisa - Thank you for staying late on a Friday to meet with parents. You were simply fabulous in a difficult situation, and I really appreciate how well you handled it. -JL
- Holly - I don't have the words to express just how amazing the choir performance was on Friday. You guys were simply amazing, and everyone loved it!. Thank you for the effort you put into creating quality performances. -JL
- Amy - Thank you for all of the wonderful works of art used to decorate for our program. Everything looked fabulous, and the veterans were touched by the amount of effort our students put forth on their behalf. -JL
- Relle, Shambo, and McKeen - Many thanks to you all for being the parking attendants on Friday. It was so nice to be able to protect those spots for our guests of honor. -JL
- Michelle - Thank you so much for helping patrol the refreshments at the reception. Who knew we needed a bouncer to control the crowds? -JL
- Lynn - Kudos to you for managing all of the veteran photos for our honor wall. That was a tremendously huge job, and I really appreciate the time you put into getting that organized and displayed. -JL
- Donna - Many thanks to you for buying all of the supplies for our Veterans Day Reception. While much of what you do goes on beyond behind the scenes, please know that it is noticed and greatly appreciated. -JL
- Shiela - Thank you for coming to my rescue and covering for me at the Veterans Day Program. The Shiela Show was simply fabulous! -JL
- Makenzie, Jen McCartney, Lisa Barton- Thanks a TON for covering my duty while I was off campus this week! SL
- Nikki- I appreciate all of the work you have into being camp shirt captain! SL
- Lynn- I could NOT get prepped for camp without you! You are phenomenal! SL
- SdL- Thanks for helping with another edition of cabin games! I appreciate your input and insight! SL
- MC- Thanks for jumping in and helping manage some challenging situations while we were at training! SL
- I wanted to Appreciate the entire 5th Grade team for such great BIG HEARTs they have for all the students they work with, and going to great lengths to help ensure that a couple of our special friends in fifth grade that need extra support are getting the support they need and they are quick to communicate to SPED as needs arise and we problem solve together. What a GREAT team and what HEART!! :O)) -M. Oliphant :0))
- Thank you to Angie, Krystal, Jenny, & Lupita for helping me out the last couple of weeks due to my injury. I appreciate you all helping out. -Sharon
- Krystal, thank you for covering my ARD last week. I truly appreciate it! -Sharon
Thank you JL, SL, SD for helping my special friend these past weeks! I appreciate your guidance and support as we walk through these situations together. Love you, LL
McGowen Staff, the Veterans Day Assembly was a great tribute to our American Heroes and was respectfully presented! Thank you for your efforts! I am proud to be a Maverick! LL
Thank you MC, SD, SL for having the Kid Chat with 1st grade. We appreciate your time and support. Love, LL
Thank you MB & LS for organizing the book fair, it looks amazing! Love, LL
Thank you 5th grade team for organizing Leadership Day with the 5th grade students visiting our 1st grade classes. Love, LL
1st grade team you are all amazing and show true dedication to our profession, not only as an educator but as a team player and a friend. Thank you for your daily support and thank you for your flexiblity as we navigate day to day to assist in our students learning environment. Love you, LL
---------------------------------------
Bad Dude
Please join us in congratulating Holly Bianchetta as the Bad Dude of the Week. Holly has always done an exceptional job of creating performances which showcase our students. The Veterans Day performance was no exception. I heard so many parents, teachers and veterans talk about how much they enjoyed the choir. We appreciate her talent, dedication, and willingness to work collaboratively to create such a wonderful experience for our McGowen community. Congratulations, Holly!
---------------------------------------
THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING
T'was the night of Thanksgiving,
But I just couldn’t sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned,
The dark meat and white.
But I fought the temptation,
With all of my might.
Tossing and turning,
with anticipation.
The thought of a snack
Became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen,
Flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge,
Full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey,
And buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots,
Beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling,
So plump and so round.
‘til all of a sudden,
I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling,
Floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding,
And a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell
As I soared past the trees
Happy eating to all,
Pass the cranberries, please!!
---------------------------------------
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.