Monday Memo
March 27th - 31st
Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. -Mattie J.T. Stepanek
As we face busy days and weeks ahead, I wanted to share something with you that I read last week. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get to the end of a busy day and find myself frustrated because I didn't get as much done as I needed or had planned. Often times this frustration is due to unrealistic expectations that I have for myself, but the feeling exists regardless. This stood out as a strategy that I thought might help. Ask One Question - Each day when you wake up in the morning ask the question, "What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?" While we might not get everything marked off the list, if we prioritize the three most important, our time is spent on the right things and rather than feeling like a failure for not getting everything done, we can feel good about accomplishing our top three.
Thanks to all of you who have been submitting the absence forms to Donna as soon as you know when you are going to be out. This has helped us a great deal with planning for subs and making sure that all classes are covered. While it seems like a long way off, we are already over 10% of our staff being out on May 22nd. Because of this, I will not be able to approve any other personal leave for that day. If you have an appointment scheduled and have not already submitted for approval, please work to move it to another day. If that is not possible, please let me know asap.
Great news! For teachers who were not observed this year, all that is required is an end of year conference with Sylvia or me to discuss your goals for the year. We will look at the evidence you have provided showing your progress toward your goal, and discuss your goals for the following year. Laura Garro has volunteered to help work through the process together, and we will share any additional information we learn from that experience. Shana Prugh has volunteered to help us work through the process for those who were observed and we will share out our learning from that as well.
The nights leading up to STAAR testing can be some of the most restless nights you face throughout the year. While it is easy to get caught up in the anxiety of how specific students may perform, I would encourage you to take a different approach. At this point, worry will not change how a student will perform. Instead, I ask that you reflect on the challenging and engaging lessons you've provided, the strategically planned guided reading/math/writing groups you've led, the positive relationships you've built, as well as the goals you've helped your students set and reach for themselves. Think about all that you have done to build their self confidence and how often you outwardly expressed your belief in them until they could believe in themselves. Collectively, those things are what have the power to impact testing outcomes. Worry does not. So rather than giving time and energy to anxiety, I encourage you to reflect on your choices that have brought you to today, take a deep breathe and find comfort in knowing you have daily given your best to your students. Celebrate that, and sleep well.
Make today count,
JL
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The Power of Positive Summit
I'm extremely excited to invite you to join us for the 2017 Power of Positive Summit, a free online event featuring over 40 brilliant thought leaders and experts sharing strategies on how to stay positive, overcome challenges and make a greater difference in the world. Each speaker will share a 5-15 minute video that you can watch, on-demand, at a time that works best for you, during the summit dates. Some of this years speakers include: Tony Robbins, Ken Blanchard, Coach Dabo Swinney, Andy Andrews, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Craig Groeschel, Dave Roberts, Ryan Holiday, Sally Hogshead, Inky Johnson, Molly Fletcher, Super Bowl champion Chris Hogan, All Pro running back Justin Forsett and many more! You can see the complete lineup (with a few more surprise speakers being announced soon) and sign up to join in at www.PowerOfPositiveSumit.com The actual online summit access will begin on April 10 and last through April 19. Sign up now and we'll email you access details before we begin. It's free during those dates, simply sign up for access. Spread the word and invite a friend! - Jon Gordon
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Below are the links for both days of Converge 2017 for this summer. Both days will count for GT update training. A call for presenters form will be going out to all staff on March 24 with the last day to submit proposals May 5th. Please encourage your teachers to share their greatness with others!
Converge Day 1- Monica Martinez Keynote Speaker
https://eduphoria.mckinneyisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=15458 Converge Day 2- George Couros Keynote Speaker https://eduphoria.mckinneyisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=15459
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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. 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 Donna Fabian for being the highest three staff contributors to Shoparoo this week!
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Focus for 2016 - 2017
In order to help every child their personal best, McGowen teachers and staff will:
- Knowledgeably speak about our current practices that contribute to McGowen becoming a Level 1 Certified High Reliability School.
- Actively participate in grade level and content Professional Learning Communities.
- 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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Appreciations
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Tanya – thank you for being the drink fairy. My tea was the perfect Friday surprise. G
Stacie- Thanks for all of your help with the ESL packets! SL
Shiela- Thanks for helping me prep for STAAR! I couldn’t do it without you! SL
Laurie L. - Thanks for taking one for the team by doing the teacher challenge!-Laura G.
Tara~ I can not thank you enough for sitting with me at 5:00 to get copies ready! Seriously, you are AMAZING and I love you!!!!! ~KT
JL – Thank you for the chair assist during RtI! I appreciate you! lp
Tebo - Thank you for pulling the wonderful vocabulary resource for me after RtI! lp
Nurse Shannon – Thank you for taking care of me this week! I appreciate you! lp
SL - Thanks for all that you do to manage TELPAS. -JL
MC & SdL - Many thanks for leading us through RtI mtgs.
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Bad Dude
We want to recognize Quin Hance as our Bad Dude of the Week. In addition to the fact that we just adore Quin and are so grateful that she joined our team this year, a student was recently added to her class who is experiencing some significant learning challenges. Quin welcomed him with open arms and immediately got to work with getting to know him personally as well as academically. Recognizing that he might need to be a "villiage kid", she has reached out to Michelle so that they can work together to determine next steps. In short, we appreciate her dedication to students, her collaborative nature, and calm spirit in all that she does.
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GT UPDATE OPPORTUNITIES - TAGT
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 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: 5491mck9544
Link: http://txgiftedcourses.responsivelearning.com/SelfRegistration/
IMPORTANT NOTE:
It is essential that you disable your popup blocker. The courses 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.
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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.