Monday Memo
August 15th -19th
"Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it." -David Starr Jordan
Thank you all for a great first few days of Academy. It was great seeing everyone again, and I love the energy that fills the room when we are all together. We have designed the week ahead to allow us time to all get on the same page with High Reliability Schools, Engage Learning Model, T-TESS, and our culture. These are the critical components of the work we are doing. How well we embrace them will determine our success. We have been moving in this direction for a few years now, and I believe we have finally reached our tipping point. I am excited to see what this year brings and what we will be able to accomplish together.
Each teacher will need to receive copier training prior to being able to using the machine. Our copy moms attended a training last week and will be able to make copies for you this week. Please follow the normal procedures for requesting copies be made. We will work to send out the training video this week, however it would be best to count on the copy moms for anything needed next week.
While I know many of you have already completed the online compliance training, I just wanted to remind those of you who haven't, myself included, that this needs to be completed by Friday, September 30th. Please also remember to register for the training in Eduphoria as well.
I added a few more pictures to our Academy video and uploaded it into the Academy Folder in Google. If you would like to view it, you may use this link or locate it in the folder.
Make today count,
JL
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Academy 2016
We are ready to GO FOR THE GOLD this year and look forward to seeing all of you on August 11th! Search McGowen Academy on the Eduphoria main workshop page to easily locate all of our courses! Below is an abbreviated version of our agenda so you can have a general overview of our learning together. As time allows, we will incorporate planning time for you to design with your team.
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Eduphoria 1.0 for New Teachers
If you are new to MISD and are not familiar with Eduphoria, an Eduphoria 1.0 course can be found in our Canvas Public Course Library. Anyone can access these courses by clicking on the "Quick Links" drop down menu and choosing "Browse Courses" in the top right hand corner. No need to login.
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Samaritan Inn
The district is partnering with the Samaritan Inn so students can receive free clothes with a voucher. Information below will explain how it will work.
1.Each campus will receive one voucher booklet. When another booklet is needed it can be requested from our office.
2. Counselors, CIS and MISD Community Liaison will complete the 30$ voucher and give to the student. ($30 buys a lot there)
3. A family member will take the child shopping at the Samaritan Inn Thrift Store.
4. Our hope is that students will have more freedom to pick out what they want.
5. There will be less of a risk of a child being embarrassed, or their clothing recognized at school as donated clothes. (This has happened. A student said, “Hey that was my shirt during a hall full of other students”
Here is how McGowen can help.
*All size children and youth clothes are needed. If you have any donations, please drop them off at the Samaritan Inn Thrift Store.
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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.
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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!
August
Sharon Butler - 7th
Laura Sifferman - 9th
Michelle Haas - 10th
Jen McCartney - 13th
Maria Elwood - 24th
Marley Goodwin - 30th
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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.