Monday Memo
April 18th - 22nd
"It is not what happens to you that matters most, it's how you react that does." -Epictetus
Team,
When looking for a quote in the newsletter, I try to pick ones in which we can connect. This one jumped out at me today as one that helps me maintain perspective. This time of year often finds us a little weary. We may be tired of dealing with the challenges students bring to the table, or exhausted from the length of our to-do lists. Sometimes we look ahead and fear a particular change that awaits us, whether it might be in the lives of our family members or those at school. I don't know about you, but I've been experiencing a little bit of all of that lately. When this occurs, what I know to be true is that I am not defined by my circumstance. I can be grateful and happy if I choose to be. All I need to do is accurately frame my thinking and know that, whatever the situation, I can handle it. I may need to plan a little more carefully, learn new skills, look at things in a way I haven't considered, ask for assistance or even just continue to be consistent in spite of my fatigue. Regardless, I am capable of all of those things, and therefore I can see this through. Life is too short to live unhappy, so today, I choose joy.
As we look ahead and begin planning the last seven weeks of school, I wanted to share a few timelines. A-Team will finalize our EOY Checklist at the What's Next Meeting on May 18th and will distribute a hard copy to everyone by the end of that week. For those of you with graduating Seniors, please inform Donna so that we will know who needs a modified timeline. In addition, please plan to provide tutoring through May 20th. When we stop this service after STAAR, it sends a message that the support was about testing rather than student mastery of the content. Moreover, when we cease this support sooner than the last two weeks of school, we risk sending the message to the students that school is already over. Along the same line of reasoning, RtI interventions and support should also be provided and documented through May 20th.
I also want to encourage you to continue to read and reflect on the Teacher Scales for Reflective Practice and the Easing Into ELM sections of the newsletter each week. Those of you who have done this will experience a much easier transition into T-TESS and ELM. If you haven't, I would strongly encourage you to do so by accessing previous newsletters linked to my Weebly. I promise it will be a good use of your time.
Thanks for all that you have done this year to support your students in meeting their learning goals. My hope for you is that through all of our EOY assessments and the classroom data you have documented in your monitoring system, you are able to clearly see their growth, recognize your contribution, and celebrate both your success and theirs.
As we continue to pray for The Prugh Family, count your blessings and make today count!
JL
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Teacher Scales for Reflective Practice
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Easing Into ELM
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
Please utilize this link to see information about the courses being offered this summer.
- 5 hours of G/T credit will be awarded with ELM training
- G/T credit can also be earned on the first day of Converge
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Shoparoo
Did you know that each week I give out jeans passes to those who are one of the top three participants 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 Barbara Peebles and Donna Fabian for being in this week's top three!
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Focus for 2015 - 2016
In order to help every child their personal best, McGowen teachers and staff will:
- Develop a common language needed to become High Reliability School.
- Develop an understanding and process for effective Professional Learning Communities.
- Engage in collaborative team planning and lesson design to promote higher level thinking and student engagement.
- 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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APPRECIATIONS
Sylvia and Donna - I've had quite a few unexpected absences lately. Thank you for managing them and picking up my slack as if it were nothing. I appreciate all that you do to allow me to take care of myself or my house as needed! -JL
Team Leaders - Many thanks to you for choosing to have the meeting on Monday in spite of all of the craziness that would have given you an good excuse to skip it. I love and appreciate your dedication. -JL
Bravo, Chitwood, & Zappe - Many thanks to you for supporting the 5th grade choir students at their performance on Tuesday. -JL
Nurse Vicky - Many thanks to you for helping us to prepare for the worst. While it is something none of us want to think about or consider, if anything were to ever happen, I know we will be much better off due to your training. - JL
Lynn and Melanie - I want to thank you again for the job you do. While most often it is done behind the scenes, your work helps develop a passion for reading and learning in our students, and supports the rest of us in getting our jobs done, while challenging us in ways to help us become even better. With much love, appreciation and respect -JL
Stacie - While I am sorry for the circumstances surrounding the situation, I appreciate you being my Sonic Fairy this week! -JL
Peebles - Much love to you, my friend. Thank you for doing the job that you do and setting the bar for others to match. I would never want to do this job without you, so please don't ever joke about retirement again! ;) -JL
Donna - Thank you for being my graduation coach! I'd be lost and behind without you! -JL
Nick and Amanda - I really appreciate you in more ways than I can say. - Gaby
L Garro - Thank you for being so flexible and adjusting your guidance time last week. I really appreciate it! -JL
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Action Items
- 3rd Grade - Schedule SS DA with Bonnie asap
- Submit MVM by EOD on Thursday, April 21st
- Send home Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Invitations in Tuesday Folders on April 26th
- Plan for Team Time on Wednesday, April 27th
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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.