Monday Memo
December 11-15, 2017
The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the world you see. -Dr. Robert Holden
As you begin entering grades, please keep in mind the following guidelines regarding comments. Remember that comments should be unique to each child's goals and contain a glow and a grow. A good rule of thumb is that if you can copy and paste a comment to use with more than one or two students, the comment is probably not specific enough. Refrain from using the phrase, "We will continue to work on..." as part of your grow. As a parent, it is difficult to determine if "we" means the entire class or the teacher and my child. Finally, comments should be related to the child's performance rather than the content that will be covered in the upcoming weeks.
Our next Team Leader Meeting will be on Monday, December 11th. 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.
Each year, we take up a collection for Ms. Irma and present her with our Christmas gift (of cash) at the December Mav Fan Jam. It is one way in which we are able to express our appreciation for all that she does for us and provides her with a nice Christmas bonus. If you would like to contribute to her gift, Donna will have a collection envelope on her table in her office. We will accept donations until the end of the day on Thursday, December 21st.
At this time, we have reached our limit on the number of people who can be out this Friday, December 15th. Unless it is an absolute emergency, please do not schedule any appointments on this day. In addition, if something happens and you must be out, please have a plan ready to split your children. It is highly likely that we will not be able to get a sub.
Make today count!
JL
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Action Items
- Confirm who has signed up to attend the Winter Concert on Tuesday to serve as your team representative.
- Enter grades by 8:00am Monday, December 18th.
- (Optional) Drop off donation to Ms Irma's gift in Donna's office by EOD, Thursday, December 21st.
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Support 5th Grade Camp
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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 Laura Garro 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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Happy Birthday!
December
Barbara Peebles - 9th
Nikki Hoye - 11th
Danielle Fortenberry - 13th
Nick Relle - 13th
Krista Daniel - 24th
Amber Evans - 26th
Mandy Moore - 29th
Quin Hance - 31st
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APPRECIATIONS
- JL- I appreciate you for your time this week, your support and reassurance. It really helped me through! :-) Deanna
- -Barbara - Thanks for helping me with the poster maker! You do so much and I’m very appreciative! - Trisha
- -Lynn - Thank you for always answering my questions, getting me supplies and for all the other little things that go unnoticed. - Trisha
- Donna - Thank you for answering my Sunshine questions and for your never-ending candy supply! - Trisha
- -Ms. Irma - Thank you for escorting a sick kiddo to the nurse while I was on lunch duty! You are so selfless and we are lucky to have you! - Trisha
- -Sunshine Committee - Thanks for your hard work and time preparing for the Christmas party! - Trisha
- -Second Grade Team - Working with each of you is a blessing. You all make me a better teacher! Thank you!!! - Trisha
- Lindsay - Thank you for printing, helping find books and everything else! I appreciate all your help! - Trisha
- 2nd Grade Team~ You guys have been so flexible with me while I haven’t had a SmartBoard! Thank you Tara, Michelle, and Maria for letting me take over your rooms for a while!!! Love you all!!!!! Krystina
- Jennifer~ Thank you VERY much for all of your help with replacing my SmartBoard!!! Krystina
- Sylvia~ Thank you SO much for the shirt and for the jeans pass!!! Krystina
- Shiela~ Thank you for keeping my kiddos a little longer for guidance! Krystina
- Barbara~ Thank you for copying that paperwork for my friend who is leaving! Krystina
- Lindsey~ Thank you for the YUMMY peppermint bark! Krystina
- Thank you to my team JH, MO, JC, and my McGowen family for all the love and support I receive everyday. Karol
- Donna F. - Thanks for always always listening with such a kind ear, and helping me out this week with a situtation where I needed to find a sub pretty quickly. You are a JEWEL. Ms. Oliphant
- John C. -Thanks for covering my kids while I was in 2 ARDs back to back on Wednesday. It is such a pleasure to share a classroom with you and watch you do such fun and creative lessons with your kids! You inspire me. Ms. Oliphant
- Michelle C. - Thanks and I appreciate you for being such a conscientious leader and checking in on me to ensure my curriculum needs are met. You have such a spirit of “excellence” about you and kind spirit. Ms. Oliphant
- Donna – Thank you very much for the cocoa on Friday morning! It was the perfect end to our first bitter cold carpool morning. Gaby
- A-Team, thank you for all the delicious pies. LR
- Thanks Amy, Jaime, Barbara, Sylvia, and the coaches for letting my students use your areas for our scavenger hunt! John
- Thank you Lynn, for helping me so much. she is the best..
- JL, thank you so much for allowing me to attend the 1st grade conference with Garro!!
- Sharon - Thank you for taking care of my students Wednesday while I was at a meeting. You’re the best!
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Bad Dude
Please join us in congratulating Michelle Caballero as this weeks Bad Dude! Michelle works tirelessly to ensure that teachers are supported with curriculum, planning & instructional framework and life in general! Michelle's passion for student learning shines through every interaction she has with students, teachers and parents. She is always willing to jump in any situation and help where she is needed and always has a happy heart about it!
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Important Pay Day Information
Due to the holiday breaks, paydays are slightly different. Here are dates so you can plan accordingly.
- Nov 15 (includes extra stipend)
- Nov 30
- Dec 15
- Dec 22 (Dec 31 check paid early)
- Jan 12
- Jan 31
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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.