Monday Memo
October 9 - 13 , 2017
“Stay focused. Your start does not determine how you’re going to finish.” —Herm Edwards
Tomorrow is a professional development day. We will begin in the library at 8:00am. Feel free to dress casual, and if you haven't already done so, please sign up in Eduphoria. Remember that it is not appropriate to bring elementary aged children to work tomorrow. However, secondary students earning volunteer hours may work in your rooms unattended.
As you begin working on report cards, please remember that parents should never be surprised by the grades. If you have a student who's grades are not what the parents are expecting, please be sure that you have the documentation to explain the difference when you meet with them. Also, even though you will have parent conferences the first nine weeks, you will still need to include a glow and a grow in the comment sections. Comments should be specific to each child's learning goals. 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. You will gain so much trust with the parents if they believe that you truly know their child, and your comments about their progress and goals are a great way to prove that you do. In addition, please make sure that you allocate at least 20 minutes per conference. We will be sending out information about the talking points that need to be included sometime this week. You will want to carefully read that information so that you will be fully prepared for conferences. Let me know if you need help with this.
Our next Team Leader Meeting will be held on Monday, October 16th. 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.
I have included an article that briefly describes the phases of teaching throughout the year. While I have shared this before, I believe it is worth reading again. I hope that you will take the time to review it as I believe that it accurately reflects where many of you may be right now. My hope is that by recognizing that if you are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated because you aren't progressing at the rate in which you believe that you should be, this is perfectly normal. In fact, I bet if you thought about it, you probably felt the same way last year. While I can't change the normal progression of the year for you, I hope that this information gives you a perspective that this too, shall pass. Lean on each other. Look for ways to maintain balance. Set realistic goals and celebrate the small successes. You are doing a great job, and things will get better.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the doors to our building open at 7:15 each morning. Because of this, we need someone to be on duty in the security vestibule every morning from 7:15-7:30am. If you are interested in taking this duty spot in exchange for a Golden Jeans Pass, please let me know.
Make today count!
JL
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Phases of Teaching Throughout the School Year
Anticipation: Teachers are eager and excited about the new school year. They have "big plans" about how it is going to be.
Survival: Reality hits. Teacher can become overwhelmed with all the aspects of the job. They are working 60 hours weeks. They still maintain their enthusiasm but are getting tired.
Disillusionment: Teachers are working hard, but feel they are not getting anywhere. They are shocked at reality and wondering if they are accomplishing anything, illness often characterizes this phase.
Rejuvenation: Teachers have just had a few weeks off for winter break. They have completed half the year and can see the end in sight. They have gained some coping strategies to manage the problems they may encounter. They begin to feel a sense of confidence . They begin to focus on curriculum development. They are more optimistic about their capabilities.
Reflection: Towards the end of the year, teachers begin to reflect on changes that they want to make for the next year. They begin to critically analyze the past year , thinking ahead to what they will change for next year.
Anticipation: Teacher begin to look forward to the next year but their eagerness to try again is more reality-based.
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EdCamp Dallas
A message from Trey Wright - Have you ever been to an EdCamp? Are you an EdCamp veteran? EdCamp Dallas is the morning (8am-1pm) of Oct 14th at the Sockwell Center in Plano. Educators from around the area will come together for an un-conference. All sessions will be participant driven and no vendors are allowed. It's real educators talking about how they do what they do. It's free and there will be door prizes! Come on! It will be held at the Sockwell Center for PD in Plano - Learn more and register here. If you have any questions, contact Trey Wright. If you attend this event, please connect with Trey while you’re there for a group picture!
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Action Items
- Sign up for Sunshine Tailgate (October 13th)
- Follow Report Card Timeline
- Plan Team Time (October 18th)
- Prepare for RtI Meeting (October 19th)
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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 Jennifer Little 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!
October
Mayella Torres - 7th
Sadie Hunsaker - 13th
Lori Peterson - 13th
Jenny Snyder - 13th
Melanie Burford - 15th
Marilyn Oliphant - 24th
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APPRECIATIONS
- Marilyn, John and Jaime - Thank you for your time on Thursday. We really appreciate having an opportunity to discuss our SpEd students, ask questions and share ideas. -JL
- Shiela - Many thanks for providing us with 504 training last Wednesday. -JL
- SL - Thank you for covering the Garden Clean Up this weekend. I really appreciate it! -JL
- JL, Shana, and Melanie thank you so much for letting me interview you. I appreciate all the help you are giving me for graduate school. -NH
- Carol & Lori – Thank you for taking care of my kiddos when I had one with some med issues! I’m so thankful ya’ll spend so much time down our hall! - Jen
- Hoye – Thanks for helping me get back to the Kinder hall after lunch with a surprisingly strong, hysterically crying 5 year old!!! We need all the help we can get! -Jen
- Jenna – I’m so glad you’re part of our crazy Kinder world! Thanks for always being willing to help with anyone or anything! -Jen
- Burford – We so appreciate your help muddling through this MAP thing. Thanks for answering your phone and texts when we can’t figure something out!!! –Jen
- Nurse Shannon – Thanks for dealing with all my medical (& not so medical) issues in my room. I’m so glad I can come sit in your office and laugh! -Jen
- Tara- Thank you SO much for braving the cockroaches for me!!! Thank goodness they didn’t fly!!!!! -KT
- Melanie H.- Thank you for being the BEST new teammate!!!!! -KT
- A big thank you to Jessica, Marley, Rico, Deanna, Gail, and Miki for all the work you did to help make the Art field trip to the DMA be amazing!!!! Amy
- Donna, thank you for all the help and guidance you gave me for making our DMA field trip a success! I couldn't do it without you! Amy
- Lynn and Barbara, thank you so much for all your help and assistance for making our DMA field trip run smoothly. You are the best! Amy
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Bad Dude
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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.