Monday Memo
August 21 - 25, 2017
How you do anything, is how you do everything. -Dr. Rick Rigsby
The communications office sent out a clarification email last week about posting student names. Please read carefully so that we are all on the same page. As long as you use FIRST NAMES ONLY, it is fine to have the list posted on your open door, as well as on your lockers etc. It would not be appropriate to have class lists of first and last names posted anywhere. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for a great day at C&I training at Boyd. Please remember to plug in your laptops so that you can bring them fully charged again tomorrow.
Sadly, I neglected to include a few summer pictures in our Academy video. I apologize profusely for the oversight and have added them. I will run the video again on Wednesday morning before we begin our day and will then share the video with everyone in Drive.
If you are new to McGowen, please make sure that Donna has your birthday information so that we can include that on our calendar.
Make today count!
JL
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Important BOY Information
C & I Days of Academy (August 21st & 22nd)
- Make sure you are registered in Eduphoria.
- We have interesting choice sessions as well as opportunities for teams to plan and collaborate.
- Resources will be available digitally. Teachers should bring a charged laptop each day.
- Sessions are designated for grade levels based on the content. We understand that some teachers might want to attend sessions that are not for their grade level. When we were determining what we could handle as a C&I team, it was decided that grades 3-5 would receive the Math Workshop training from Misty. The training is designed using fourth-grade TEKS, which she determined would be a good middle ground for upper-level teachers. The session is also intended to provide time for teams to plan workshop lessons. It would not be a good use of time for K-2 teachers to learn using TEKS that are not relevant to their grade level. We also will not be able to accommodate more than the set number of 3rd-5th-grade teachers. Understanding the need to train K-2 teachers, Misty trained instructional coaches this spring to turn that training around to lower grade level teachers. Some coaches were more comfortable than others turning that training around. We understand that and Misty is prepared to come to those campuses and train K-2 teachers as well as to schools with new instructional coaches. Please ask teachers only to attend the sessions designated for their grade levels.
Register in Eduphoria
Compliance Trainings
McKinney ISD is using SafeSchoolsTM.com to offer training courses online for your convenience. Follow these easy steps to complete your McKinney ISD safety training requirements:
Using your web browser, go to the SafeSchoolsTM website for McKinney ISD: https://mckinneyisd-tx.safeschools.com/
Enter your Username: 6 digit ID#
Once you log into the site, click on a course title to begin the training. Each course has audio, so be sure to turn up your speakers if you'd like to listen. You must complete each section of the course in order to receive full credit.
Your McKinney ISD SafeSchoolsTM contact:
Kathryn Robertson
Given that the beginning of the year is so busy, if at all possible, I strongly encourage you to complete these trainings prior to Academy.
SmartFind Absence Tracking System
The SmartFind Absence Tracking system was moved to a new location. It looks and functions exactly the same; however, there are two very important changes: a new telephone number and a new URL.
Here is how to the access the SmartFind Absence Tracking system.
New Number: 469-208-5567
New URL: https://mckinneyisd.eschoolsolutions.com
You may also access the system from the McKinney ISD website under Quick Links.
Please update your records accordingly. You may contact Kathryn Robertson, Human Resources Systems Manager, at 469-302-4122 or krobertson@mckinneyisd.net if you have any questions.
In the Building After Hours
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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 Ashley O'Connor 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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Happy Birthday!
August
Amy Arnold - 7th
Sharon Butler - 7th
Michelle Haas - 10th
Jen McCartney - 13th
Maria Elwood - 24th
Marley Goodwin - 30th
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In Need of GT Hours?
TAGT On-Demand Registration information is below:
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’ worth 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: u6515mck9131
Link: http://txgiftedcourses.responsivelearning.com/SelfRegistration/
IMPORTANT NOTE:
It is essential that you disable your popup blocker.
The courses are compatible with desktops, laptops and tablets in both PC and Mac, but 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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Watch D.O.G.S. Are Coming!!
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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.