Monday Memo
April 9th-13th, 2018
“Press on – nothing can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Perseverance and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge
Our next Team Leader Meeting will be on Monday, April 9th. 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.
It is already time to start planning our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Please use this form to identify any volunteers who have supported you this year. We will need to collect all names by the EOD on Friday, April 13th. Actual invitations will be placed in your box by the end of next week, and you will need to send home those invitations on Tuesday, April 24th. More details will be pushed out as the event gets closer, but feel free to ask questions as you have them.
I am so sorry that we had to change the date of our next RtI meeting. Originally, it was scheduled for Thursday, May 3rd. However, that is also the day the district has scheduled our next High Reliability Schools training with Phil Warrack at Learning and Leading. Due to this, Michelle, Melanie, Sylvia and I will all be attending this session. We would not normally have rescheduled RtI on a Tuesday (5/1), but that was the only day that didn't have ARDs already scheduled. It is our hope that with enough advanced notice, you will be able to rework your planning schedule that week without too much hassle. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we hope you recognize that this is something beyond our ability to control.
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, and take care of each other!
JL
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As a small token for their appreciation, the Instructional Technology team has awarded everyone with a free jeans day on Thursday, April 12th.
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Calling All Presenters!!!
The Instructional Technology Team is looking for proposals from every grade level, PK-12 to share some of the innovative things you do every day in the classroom. I think sometimes when teachers are cloistered in their own classrooms they believe everyone knows how to do the things they do and they can’t bring anything new to the table. This could not be further from the truth. Everyone has a story to tell about their journey with innovation! Let me know if you have any questions, and please use this link to submit your proposal.
Enroll Now
Operation Converge 2018 is now listed in Eduphoria for registration! Teachers will receive their 6 hour GT update credit for both days of Converge. We have some exciting things planned for this innovative 2-day event. Check out the CONVERGE WEBSITE for more information on our plan for this summer and the link for breakout session proposals!
Don’t miss out! It’s going to be AMAZING!!
Links for registration:
Day 1-
https://eduphoria.mckinneyisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=17156
Day 2-
https://eduphoria.mckinneyisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=17157
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Background Checks for Chaperones
We have several field trips on our calendar the next few weeks. Please remind your parents that they need their MISD volunteer clearance to be a chaperone. This also includes staff members going as a chaperone. When you go as a parent, not a staff member, we fall under the same volunteer guidelines. The background checks can take over a week to process, so parents need to take care of this asap.
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Unannounced Lockdown Drill Update
Last week, unannounced lockdown drills began and will continue throughout the month of April. For the most part the drills will be conducted as they have been in the past with the exception that now Campus Administrators will be paired with the evaluators to check the classroom doors. At the end of the drill, the administrators will be the ones unlocking the doors, turning on the lights and advising that the drill is complete to the students and teachers in the classroom instead of announcing over the PA that the drill is over. This exercise will prepare the campus administrators for the implementation of the new lockdown procedures next year and it will help them evaluate their own campus on how the drills are being conducted.
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Kudos to the First Grade Team!
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Instructional Rounds Update
Below are just a few comments teachers recorded after spending time in another teacher's classroom.
Interesting to see what strategies students are taught and use in dyslexia.
I observed Number Talks and what stood out to me was the ways to involve many kids in one number talk. I have a much better understanding of the reason we do number talks. I saw kids prove their answer, and in the process find their own mistakes.
Students were working independently...I was impressed with their focus and willingness to quietly help others.
I wish I was as calm and patient as Valerie.
Would like to observe science stations in 3rd.
I would love to find a copy of her book Classroom Literature Circles for Primary Grades :)
The purpose of this practice is to learn from each other, and sometimes it is the simplest things we observe watching others that can dramatically change our whole world.
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Action Items
- Remind parents K-5th that the campus is closed to all visitors and volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday by the EOD, Monday, April 9th.
- Submit names for MVM by EOD on Thursday, April 12th.
- Submit names of classroom volunteers by EOD on Friday, April 13th.
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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 Barbara Peebles, Donna Fabian 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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APPRECIATIONS
- SL - Thank you for the hours you have put into getting ready for STAAR. That is a huge job in which every little detail is of great importance. -JL
- Jaime - Thank you for all of the laughs. I appreciate you so much! -JL
- SdL - Many thanks to you for managing the annual 504-palooza like a champ! -JL
- Valerie & Amber Noble - Thank you so much for your understanding and flexibility with rescheduling last week. -JL
- 3rd Grade Team- Thank you so much for your support and Tiff’s Treats last week! I feel so lucky to work with each of you! You are the BEST! —Noble
- Donna- Thank you for all of your help with finding a sub and kind words! I appreciate you! - Noble
- MC- Thank you for your help with our new friend! Your support and guidance is so appreciated! -Larpenteur, O’Connor, Noble
- JD-I missed this last week, but thank you to JD for offering to go to a meeting for me that I was going to be running late for! I appreciate you! :-)
- Krista- Thank you for all you do for me, from work to personal you’re always there! Love ya!
- Tebo- Thank you for always having it together and helping me plan! Love ya!
- 1st grade Team- Thank you for all the support you give me. You have made it an amazing first year!
- Trisha thank you for always being so helpful and creative when we need something made! Michelle
- Tara thank you for always being supportive and encouraging! Michelle
- Amy thank you for sending me pictures of Haley’s Art work and the sweet message for her! Michelle
- Everyone: Thank you so much for all the time spent on the TOY video! I will enjoy it for many years to come:) I am truly blessed to work with each and everyone of you! Love, Maria
- 2nd Grade: Thank you for being the rock stars that you are!
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BAD DUDE
Please join us in congratulating Tina Hudson as the Bad Dude of the Week. In her short time of being here, she has come in and won the hearts of students and coworkers alike. In addition, we have noticed a tremendous improvement in the student she works with daily. He is more mature, more responsible and more compliant. She is so much fun to be around and a great partner to have in the classroom. We are blessed to have her on our team. She is truly amazing!
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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.