Monday Memo
July 31, 2017
The flawed notion that progress happens in leaps and bounds is an organizational curse. Real progress starts and ends with teams committed to taking one step at a time together. -unknown
I hope this finds you well rested and feeling fabulous! I am currently working on our back-to-school video and need your help. Please either email me up to 3 photos to share with the group that features a few of the highlights of how you spent your summer, or you may upload them into this Google folder.
Watch D.O.G.S. are coming to McGowen! This year, PTA will be bringing this program to McGowen. While we have had Mav Dads in the past, this is a much more structured and organized way of involving dads in schools. You will be hearing more about this during Academy, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek of what is to come. Below is a quick video that will explain the program in a little more detail. Nick Relle has been a Watch Dog at his children's school for the past few years and loves it. I know he will be a valuable resource as we make this transition.
Please remember to register in Eduphoria for Academy days. It may be easiest to search by McGowen, and all Academy days that are eligible for credit will be listed as McGowen Academy (date). Also, you will need to register for the C&I days in Eduphoria. The listing is Elementary Academy PD: Deep Dive into Learning (2 day training).
It is my understanding that new teacher badges will not work until Monday, August 14th. With that in mind, if you are a veteran teacher and plan on coming up to school after hours, please send out a campus-wide email to let others know of the time you will be at school so that they may access the building as well. Another option for anyone without 24/7 access is to email/text Sylvia and I a day or two in advance to let us know when you are wanting to be at school, and we will see if we can schedule someone to come up and give you access.
As you begin to think about Academy, please remember to secure child care for your personal children. It would not be appropriate to be at school while you are on contract time. The only exception to this would be high school students earning green cord hours.
Enjoy your last few weeks of summer, and make today count!
JL
---------------------------------------
Watch D.O.G.S. Are Coming!!
---------------------------------------
2017 - 2018 Staffing Update
---------------------------------------
In Need of GT Hours?
TAGT On-Demand Registration information is below:
The district is providing you access to the TAGT Learning On-Demand, a library of online courses for professional development. You will be able to select six hours’ worth of courses. Please note that the library includes 1-hour, 3-hour, and 6-hour courses.
To begin, you will need to acquire a username and password. To do this, click the link below and use the registration code to complete the form.
Registration Code: u6515mck9131
Link: http://txgiftedcourses.responsivelearning.com/SelfRegistration/
IMPORTANT NOTE:
It is essential that you disable your popup blocker.
The courses are compatible with desktops, laptops and tablets in both PC and Mac, but are not compatible with smartphones.
We find that Google Chrome tends to provide the best user experience. You may download Google Chrome here: https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/.
If you need assistance, email support@responsivelearning.com and a support team member will be happy to assist you.
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
Important BOY Information
Compliance Trainings
McKinney ISD is using SafeSchoolsTM.com to offer training courses online for your convenience. Follow these easy steps to complete your McKinney ISD safety training requirements:
Using your web browser, go to the SafeSchoolsTM website for McKinney ISD: https://mckinneyisd-tx.safeschools.com/
Enter your Username: 6 digit ID#
Once you log into the site, click on a course title to begin the training. Each course has audio, so be sure to turn up your speakers if you'd like to listen. You must complete each section of the course in order to receive full credit.
Your McKinney ISD SafeSchoolsTM contact:
Kathryn Robertson
Given that the beginning of the year is so busy, if at all possible, I strongly encourage you to complete these trainings prior to Academy.
SmartFind Absence Tracking System
The SmartFind Absence Tracking system was moved to a new location. It looks and functions exactly the same; however, there are two very important changes: a new telephone number and a new URL.
Here is how to the access the SmartFind Absence Tracking system.
New Number: 469-208-5567
New URL: https://mckinneyisd.eschoolsolutions.com
You may also access the system from the McKinney ISD website under Quick Links.
Please update your records accordingly. You may contact Kathryn Robertson, Human Resources Systems Manager, at 469-302-4122 or krobertson@mckinneyisd.net if you have any questions.
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
August:
· 1st & 2nd - JL & SL @ off-campus training - all day
· 14th - Kinder Screener
· 14th-16th – New Teacher Academy
· 15th - New Teacher Breakfast - 7:30am
· 15th - Mentor/Mentee Kick-Off Mtg - 11:30am-3:30pm
· 17th-25th – Academy
· 24th – Back-to-School Night
· 28th – 1st day of school
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
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. 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.
Congratulations to Krista Daniel, Barbara Peebles and Ashley O'Connor 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
---------------------------------------
Happy Birthday!
July
Shana Prugh - 19th
Trisha Kincaid - 27th
Shiela de Leon - 29th
Michelle Caballero - 29th
August
Amy Arnold - 7th
Sharon Butler - 7th
Michelle Haas - 10th
Jen McCartney - 13th
Maria Elwood - 24th
Marley Goodwin - 30th
---------------------------------------
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.