Monday Memo
March 19th - 23rd, 2018
What isn't monitored becomes optional. - Robbie Rowen
What an amazing two weeks I have had the opportunity to experience! Like always, my conference was very informative and thought-provoking. While much of it deals with the 30,000 foot view, it affirms the path we are currently on and validates our goals to strengthen our PLC processes, constantly reflect on and refine our own teaching practices, and teach our students not only the content, but the soft skills needed for the world they will be working in.
This past week, I spent quite a bit of time catching up on my professional reading. For those of you who may be new to my professional reading binges, when this happens, I often share the information with those who have a connection to the topic. Therefore, if you find copies of articles in your box, please don't be alarmed. I am not implying anything. I'm simply just sharing something that might be of interest to you as well.
In addition, I will also include bits of information in the newsletter. I will do my best not to overwhelm you, but I also want to support you in our journey to continuously learn and improve together. Given the rise of students we have who struggle with anxiety issues, I found the five-minute video below from ASCD to be very helpful in tweaking my way of looking at breaks.
Thank you so much for your continued efforts to encourage parent participation in our BrightBytes survey. While we did not end up with the most parent participation, we had an impressive response that will help up tremendously in guiding our next steps.
While I am not one to count down to the last day of school, I did note that we have 12 weeks left of this school year. In short, this means there is not much time left for you to fulfill your purpose in the lives of each of the students you teach. My point is not to cause you stress; It is to stress the importance of each minute you have left with your students. Be purposeful in how you spend your time. Be present in all that you do. Continue to uphold the values of your classroom community. There will be many distractions over the upcoming weeks that can distract you from your purpose. Do not let them. There is much work left to be done, and I want us all to finish this race stronger than we started. We have grown so much this year and have too much to be proud of to quit the race too soon.
Make today count, and take care of each other!
JL
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Welcome Matthew Ryan Holguin!
6 lbs. 2 oz.
March 6, 2018
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Instructional Rounds Update
When responding to the question about what stood out to them the most, they shared:
- Ideas for how to manage data and address data.
- Wait time during number talks and how well the whole class participates
- The integration of technology within the lesson is what stood out the most.
- The routine is what stood out to me the most. It was evident that the students knew exactly what the expectation was and what was going to happen next.
- A way to teach vocabulary. "Weathering" breaks it, "erosion" takes it, "deposition" drops it. The kids did this saying with actions.
- The independence of students completing their centers
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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Layne Pethick is Back!
Behavior and the Brain: Neurological Factors that Affect Behavior and Learning
Participants in this session will gain information on neurological factors that affect the behavior and learning of children and will include such topics as stress and the brain, biological factors of the brain, neurological factors related to attention and emotion and the effect on behavior and learning. This presentation will be an open forum style with several engaging activities and the opportunity for inquiry and discussion by participants (Other topics addressed include: trauma; trauma informed instruction; social-emotional health; mental health, and socioeconomic issues). ** Please note: the main focus is the school environment and all educators and staff that interact with students at all levels. **
3 Part Series:
Part 1
February 5th OR February 6th
Part 2
March 5th OR March 6th
Part 3
April 2nd OR April 3rd
Sign up through Euphoria
All sessions are from 3:30 –5:00
McKinney North Cafeteria
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Action Items
- Publicize the Spring Garden Clean-Up in your communications with parents this week.
- Register in Eduphoria for STAAR Training by EOD Tuesday, March 20th
- TELPAS writing samples and Rating Roster due by SL by EOD on Wednesday, March 28th
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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, Jennifer Little and Amy Arnold 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
- SPED Team- Thank you so much for jumping in when I had to leave earlier than expected! I appreciate all of your help with getting everything set up with my class as well as pick-up and drop-off with Bradley. Ya’ll are the best!!! ~Holguin
- McGowen- Thank you for all of the sweet messages about baby Matthew. We are all doing well and adjusting to yet another boy in the Holguin household!!
JL: Thanks for always taking the time to listen and help. You are appreciated more than I could ever express! –Jaime
SL: I appreciate everything you do – I know you go non-stop! And, thanks for the super cute backpack! Peyton LOVED using it on our trip! –Jaime
MC: I love how invested you are in every child! Thanks for taking the time to chat on Friday morning. –Jaime
Karol: You are the BEST! Thank you for being the go-getter that you are! –Jaime
Nikki: You are an amazing teacher and teammate! I appreciate all of the great conversations we have had this year. I love that you are a problem-solver! –Jaime
- Office Team - Once again I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your collaborative efforts to manage the week before Spring Break. You are an amazing group of people, and I appreciate you all. -JL
- SL - You are the best partner I could ever hope to have by my side on this sometimes crazy journey. Thank you for being you. -JL
- Relle, Shambo, and McKeen- thank you so much for working with other students to help our friend with his fear of parachutes. He made great progress. Loved it! LR
- SdL, MB, & MC- thanks for your help and support this week! SL
- Tebo- you are a rockstar!! You were phenomenal in challenging situations! SL
- Lynn- thanks for managing bday lunch! SL
- Melanie- thanks for all of your help with TELPAS! SL
- 2-5th grade teachers- I appreciate you getting your ELL students promptly to the computer lab for TELPAS! SL
- Maria & Lori Peterson- thanks for helping to support a former student with short notice! SL
- Bravo- Thanks for sharing your computer lab time with me. You are the best! -JB
- Rico Sneller I appreciate you for being so patient with us while escaping!
- Maria~ Seriously, I don’t know what I would have done in that meeting without you. THANK YOU! You are sooooo good!!! ~KT
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2nd and 3rd grade – Thank you so much for your flexibility when I had to cancel last minute. I love that our campus all works together to understand when we have to “triage” situations when needed. I really appreciate your support and look forward to hopefully working with you this week! - Michelle C.
Lynn, Peebles, Shannon and Donna – I can’t thank you enough for all you do! You always take every curve ball…adjust…and support ---and always with a smile! - Michelle C.
Sylvia, Melanie, Shiela – I appreciate getting to work so closely with you! - Michelle C.
Jaime – Thank you for your behavioral support and documentation help. I am grateful for your time and leadership. - Michelle C.
Jen D. - You’re my hero! Thank you for taking one for the team! Our entire science supply is very grateful! Ha! You are so kind to always help wherever needed! - Michelle C.
Lindsay and Melanie – Congrats on a great book fair! - Michelle C.
Marley & Jessica – I appreciate your support with what needed to be done before Open House. You kind and comforting patience was exactly what was needed for my niece. - Michelle C.
Sylvia, Rico, and Gail – I would not have wanted to stay so late on a Friday before Spring Break (working on behavioral data) with anyone else! If it had to be done, I am glad it was with y’all! - Michelle C.
Sylvia – You are amazing! You handled difficult conversations and situations this week with love, patience and grace. - Michelle C.
Lori P. - Thank you for stepping in at dismissal in a pinch on Friday. It couldn’t be helped and you did without hesitation (as always:))! - Michelle C.
Entire Office Team – Thank you so much for the wonderful 1/2 birthday celebration! Great lunch, dessert, and I am excited to go shopping later! I am beyond grateful for each of you and so glad I get to do life with you all! -Michelle C.
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GT Training Opportunity
- Foundations 1: April 21st at Cockrill MS Library
- Foundations 2: May 19th at Cockrill MS Library
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BAD DUDE
Please join us in congratulating Alison Tebo as this week's Bad Dude! In addition to the support she gives her kids every day, Alison is cool under pressure. When facing challenging situations, she approaches them with solutions and swiftly works with parents and students to resolve them! We appreciate 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.