Monday Memo
March 21st - 24th
You become the company you keep. Choose your relationships wisely. -Steve Forbes
Team,
I am so sorry to share that I will not be at work again tomorrow (Monday). This tooth thing has turned out to be a bigger deal than my dentist described. I am going to the endodontist tomorrow, and I'm hoping that he can do whatever procedure needs to be done then. Even though I don't have to write sub plans any more, I hate being out. Please know that I will be back as soon as I am able. If you need anything, please feel free to email me, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Team Leaders will be meeting after school on Monday. If you would like to add something to the agenda to discuss, please use this link to make that request. One of the things already on the agenda is to discuss how the new dismissal system is going. If you have any feedback or questions, please use this link to share your thoughts.
As you know, our 4th and 5th grade students will be taking STAAR next week. If you haven't already done so, please be sure to communicate that we will be a closed campus that day and visitors/volunteers K - 5th will not be allowed in the building. In spite of our best efforts, sometimes parents in the lower grade levels think that the "no visitor thing" just applies to the testing grade levels. Anything you can do to clearly communicate this to your families this over the next two weeks would be greatly appreciated.
I hope that you have liked the little bits of ELM information included in the last few newsletters. Given that the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, our hope is that by providing you manageable chunks of information each week, by the time we participate in ELM training you will have a fairly strong understanding of what it is and isn't.
Next week, I will begin the same approach with introducing you to T-TESS. If you have been reading the Teacher Scales For Reflective Practice that are included each week in the newsletter, the new system will look very familiar to you. The new appraisal system closely aligns to all that we have been doing and discussing for the past few years. You will notice a focus on growth mindset, goal setting, ELM, Marzano's work and High Reliability Schools. I think you will like it.
Since we began lock down drills, we have never gone this far into the spring semester without having the unannounced drill. Please make sure that you are prepared and have everything you need. Remember to review the process with any sub that is on your grade level as well. While they might know what to do, I would hate for one of them to be missing a window covering or the cards. In addition, if you have any new students in your room, it would probably be a good idea to review the process with them as well.
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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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 Krista Daniel and Barbara Peebles 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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Happy Birthday!
March
4th - Gaby Shambo
14th - Alison Tebo
17th - Colleen Everett
21st - Valerie Larpenteur
22nd - Lora Lovell
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APPRECIATIONS
- I would like to thank my entire team for our wonderful 1/2 birthday lunch, gift card and cake! It was perfect and greatly appreciated! I love you all so much! - Michelle C.
- Keri – Thank you for allowing my sweet friend to spoil me with love! - Michelle C.
- Thank you everyone for your hugs, kind words and sweet gestures as I transitioned back to working mom after 4-months at home with my precious new blessing!!!!! ~KT
- Michelle~ Thank you for taking so much time to sit and help me with my friend’s referral! You are incredible!!!!! ~KT
- Tanya~ Thank you a million times for not only your support while I was gone, but also for all that you have done for me- without my asking- this week! I SERIOUSLY could not have done it without you! You are DA BOMB! ~KT
- Melanie Reeves~ Thank you so much for the much needed Sonic pick-me-up!!! ~KT
- Thank you Jen M. for helping me w/ the photo backup! - Tebo
- Kindergarten team – thanks for making my birthday extra special!! - Tebo
- Thank you Shiela for answering all my questions this week. -Michelle H.
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Thank you 2nd grade for being the best team and always being there for me!
- Michelle H.
Thank you Krystina for taking my duty Friday! -Michelle H.
Bonnie, Thank you for being willing to pull some of our 504 students to help familiarize themselves with STAAR A. I also appreciate you getting the link out to the staff. I’ve already heard from one parent how excited her child is to be able to practice at home! ~Shiela
Tracey and Rico, thank you for doing a great job at our 504. You were able to provide supporting evidence of the students growth and identified needed accommodations going forward. Great job! ~Shiela
- Michelle, thank you covering a class so all necessary members could participate in a 504. ~Shiela
- Chitwood, thank you for your willingness to cover a 504 on such short notice. You did an excellent job of communicating the strengths and areas of concern for the student, as well as, helping to establish appropriate accommodations the student needs going into middle school. ~Shiela
- Marley and Ashley, job well done! You contributions during our 504 were great. Needed accommodations were identified and we were able to get some bonus information/paperwork from the parent. Thank you! ~Shiela
- A-Team, thank you for covering for me on Friday. I am grateful to be doing life with you! - JL
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Action Items
- Thursday, March 24th is the last day to submit requisitions
- Scan all 3rd and 4th Grade Sci DAs by EOD Thursday, March 24th
- PTA Wish List receipts due by EOD on Thursday, March 31st
- Dyslexia referrals due by EOD on Friday, April 1st
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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.