Monday Memo
October 17th - 21st
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. - Rumi
I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing weekend! We enjoyed the beautiful weather and played outside a lot! This weeks newsletter is packed full of information, so please let us know if you have any questions!
Have a great week!
SL
PLC Spotlight!
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High Reliability Schools (HRS)
This week, we will be focusing on Leading Indicator 1.2- Students/parents perceive our campus as safe and orderly. Below are some lagging indicators that we identified at Academy. As you think about what lagging indicators on your team align with leading indicator 1.2, make sure to drop a few things in your team folder located at:
Data collected from parent and student perception surveys PTA meetings School security (doors locked, background checks, sign-in at office, SRO) Inviting parents/students to health & safety committee meetings Classroom expectations communicated to students & parents Name tags and badges worn Safety Patrol Teachers actively monitoring during recess or other school events Clean Building Orderly Processes for lunch, assemblies, moving throughout the building, arrival and dismissal Student behavior and management Student to teacher ratio is enforced Badge-only access Interior security vestibule School safety audits Sprinkler system- fire safety Volunteer background checks Dismissal procedures Knowledge of teacher training in health alerts/issues on TAC Open communication with parents Sign out with teacher for parties and field trips Permission slips for field trips & camp Playground fence Locked doors Raptor camera SHARP
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Team Leader Meeting Agenda
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Important Dismissal Information - End of the Day
As a reminder, we will be discontinuing Fast Lane beginning Wednesday. Below are some important reminders regarding dismissal.
- Tuesday, Oct. 18th – Teachers will send home requested numbers/cards in students’ take-home folders.
- Wednesday, Oct.19th – McGowen begins utilizing numbers.
End of the Day Procedures:
2:50
- Teachers/Students may not leave classroom to move to dismissal spot prior to 2:50.
- Teachers should leave in just enough time to arrive at dismissal location at 2:55.
- Organize your team so that one person delivers one group of students to a particular dismissal location.
- Teachers may not leave students unattended in the classroom nor dismissal locations.
2:55
- Teachers must be in their dismissal duty spots by 2:55.
- All students need to be in their dismissal locations.
- Walk-Away students will remain with one teacher until 3:00. At this time, the teacher will escort grade level students down the purple line out the back door and cafeteria. This person should be a person who is not on duty that day.
- Carpool: A-K in the Science Lab, L-Z in the Art Room- students with siblings that have different last names, default to oldest sibling.
- Gym: Bus and Day Care- We will have cones out so students are seated in grade level order. When a bus is called, students exit out of the doors by the stage (5th graders first).
- Carpool students begin to be released from the Art Room and the Science Lab.
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CALLING ALL ELL TEACHERS!!
ELPS Training
Below you will find the link and instructions for the required training for ALL teachers who serve ELL students. If you do not already have an account, you will need to create one before beginning this course. Please print the certificate when you complete the course and turn it in to Sylvia. This course must be completed by October 31st. Sylvia will turn-in a list to the Bilingual/ESL Department to receive credit in Eduphoria.
Go to: https://www.texasgateway.org/
Instructions: http://tinyurl.com/hx9v846
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Welcome Isaac Jeffrey Evans!
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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, Holly Bianchetta and Connie Morris for being in this week's top three on Shoparoo!
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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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Happy Birthday!
October
Carin Thomas - 4th
Mayella Tores - 7th
Sadie Hunsaker - 13th
Lori Peterson - 13th
Jenny Snyder - 13th
Melanie Burford - 15th
Marilyn Oliphant - 24th
Kristi Ward - 24th
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Appreciations
FAC Teachers/Paras- I wanted to show APPRECIATIONS for all the Teachers on the FAC staff! They really do ROCK and do miracles with their kiddos!!! It was also very nice to get to meet them at Team Planning on Wedensday. Marilyn
Lynn- Thank you for our color copies and grabbing last minute books for me!! You’re the best! -Krista
Melanie and Lynn- Thank you for getting our iPads set up! -Krista
Tracie Kelley- Thank you for loving our sweet friend and for wanting what is best for him. -Krista
1st grade team- Thanks for being awesome.. I love y’all! -Krista
Relle, Shambo, and McKeen-thanks for being so flexible on Friday during the Raytheon presentation. Love, That Third Grade
Stacie, Laura S, Marilyn and Michelle for so swiftly answering my call for help. I know who to call next time I have a phone charging emergency. Gaby
Cab- Thanks so much for getting all of the report card information ready! SL
Donna- Thanks for helping me get ready for my conference! SL
Office Team- Thanks so much for the drinks, flowers and treats! SL
Stacie- Thanks for making the daycare signs! SL
Ashley & Lhauren- Thanks for covering my duty while I was out! SL
Melanie- You saved my life when my laptop died this weekend! Thanks for taking care of me! SL
Second Grade - Team Time was a blast! Love y’all! - Haas
Stacie Bullock – Thank you for always helping me with the copier and all my other questions! - Haas
Fourth Grade Team, thank you all so much for being so helpful during our DMA field trip! You are wonderful!-Amy
Donna, thank you for assisting me with all of my questions this week! I would be lost without you!-Amy
Donna, Stacie and Barbara, thank you both for all of your help with the lunches, numbers and assistance for the 4th grade field trip.- Amy
Nick and Tara, thank you for all of your help and support with a student last week! I so appreciate you:) -Amy
Sylvia – Thanks for sending out the newsletter this week. It was a real treat not to have to think about it over the weekend. -JL
Office Team – Thank you so much for the treats on Friday. It was so nice of you, and they could not have been more perfect! -JL
JD & Chitwood – Many thanks for covering for me on Friday. I really appreciate it! -JL
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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.