Cowboy Parent Courier
April 3, 2020
Stay Connected to CMS
Website: http://cockrillms.com
Location: 1351 Hardin Boulevard, McKinney, TX, United States
Phone: 469-302-7900
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cockrillms
Twitter: @cockrillcowboys
Hello from CMS! I want to thank you for jumping into digital learning with us this week. The students are doing a great job. The teachers have loved interacting with students and we are using their feedback to help plan for the future.
We know many students are sharing devices with parents and/or siblings and this whole digital learning experience looks different in every home based on a multitude of circumstances. Everyone is just doing the best we can right now to get into a routine. Each day in my own home has looked different due to the time and attention I have been able to allocate to supporting my kids with assignments. I think that is fairly normal in many homes right now. Our teachers will leave lessons from this week up for another week so students can keep working if they need extra time. You should have received a message from Dr. McDaniel communicating that the school closure has been extended through May 1, 2020. Let's take this one day at a time and focus on being positive with the kids. We appreciate your support and encouragement so much. This kids are doing great with a huge transition!
We miss you!
Dr. E
Why do I see Grades Online?
Counselor News
Students/Parents -
Below is a link to a form that is a request to speak to a counselor. The information provided will allow us to better help you. Although our “meetings” with students will look different during this time, we want you to know that we are available during the school day to communicate with students as needed.
Link to form:
https://forms.gle/EXYh6JGV5rAQaFNW7
If, for some reason, you are unable to access or fill out the form, please email us directly.
Tana Hoover -Students with last names starting with A-G – thoover@mckinneyisd.net
Christal Helm- Students with last names starting with H-O- chelm@mckinneyisd.net
Courtney Starnes- Students with last names starting with P-Z- cstarnes@mckinneyisd.net
Helpful Strategies for Parents During this Time
1.Be Available to Talk- Kids have big questions, and it’s okay to answer them. Take cues from your kids and offer clear but concise answers in developmentally appropriate language. Keep the focus on what you are doing to prepare and prevention strategies that are within your control like proper handwashing and avoiding large crowds.
2. Limit News Exposure- Even when it seems like they’re not listening, kids pick up on what they hear on TV and radio. Newscasters’ tone of voice can be enough to set off alarm bells for kids, and unfamiliar words like pandemic and outbreak can be fear-inducing. Opt for watching or listening to news reports when kids are in bed or choose to read news articles if possible.
3. Set & Track Daily Goals- Set small daily goals and track progress so kids can work toward something important to them! Make sure the goals are within their control. Set goals around how much they’ll read each day, how many free throws they’ll practice each day, or how many kind gestures they’ll show toward family members. Track progress on a goal chart so they can have a visual reminder of the progress they’re making!
4. Set a Timer- When it’s hard to let go of worries, set a 3- or 5-minute timer. During those 3 or 5 minutes, tell kids they’re allowed to think about the worry all they want! But when the timer goes off, it’s time to get up, change positions, move to a different room or environment, and think of something else.
5. Use a Journal or Feelings Tracker- Give your kids a journal to write about feelings or use a feelings tracker daily. Sometimes worries are so big it feels like they define our whole day, but when we keep track of our feelings throughout the day with a visual tool, it’s easier to see that worries are a smaller part of a healthy balance of emotions.
Need Student Resources for Social/Emotional Support?
Tech Support for MISD Devices
Student Support (effective Monday, 4/6/2020)
· If a student needs help during this time or needs a laptop for distance learning, we ask that they email StudentHelp@mckinneyisd.net. This is for 1:1 High School students and any K-8 students that received a loaner via one of the deployments or need one. Students should email their name, student id, campus, telephone number and a detailed description of the problem/request.
· Technology Staff will strive to support the students over the phone or by remote control.
· If a student needs to be physically present to take care of their issue, whether that is for repair, replacement or issuing a loaner, AN APPOINTMENT MUST BE MADE WITH TECHNOLOGY.Please email studenthelp@mckinneyisd.net. Appointments will only be made between the hours of 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday. The student will be assigned a time to come to RON POE STADIUM TICKET BOOTH to meet with a technician.
· Please attend your appointment alone if at all possible. Friends and parents will be asked to wait in the car or away from the ticket booth while the student is at his appointment.
· For Parent HAC accounts, where you need a HAC username and/or password, please send those emails to hacsupport@mckinneyisd.net. Please include the student's home campus.
Updates for Special Education
Message from MISD Health Services
Dear Parents,
We wanted to remind you of the websites available for COVID 19 information:
Information from the CDC on Coronavirus in the United States can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Coronavirus in Texas may be found at: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.
The World Health Organization may be found at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
The City of McKinney https://www.mckinneytexas.org/2256/Coronavirus-COVID-19
The following information is not an all-inclusive list of telemedicine sites and resources, but rather resources that have reached out to the MISD nurses with information to assist families.
Drive through testing sites https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus testing.aspx
McKinney Texas COVID19 hotline 972-547-9000
Medicaid/CHIP application https://www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/what-we-offer/chip
Childrens Health virtual visits https://www.childrens.com/covid-19/for-patient-families/online-screening
Family Health Center at Virginia Parkway telemedicine 214-618-5600
Urgent care for Kids https://urgentcarekids.com/pediatric-telemedicine-for-kids/
211 may also be called for help with food, rent, utilities and community services
Here are also some asthma specific resources:
https://community.aafa.org/blog/coronavirus-2019-ncov-flu-what-people-with-asthma-need-to-know
https://acaai.org/news/message-asthma-sufferers-about-shortage-albuterol-metered-dose-inhalers
Digital Learning Q&A
My children need breakfast and/or lunch. How can I get help?
Students may pick up Grab & Go meals at Vega, Malvern, Webb, Finch, McNeil and Slaughter Elementary Schools from 11:00-12:30pm. Students will receive that day's lunch and the following day's breakfast.
Where will students access lessons?
All instructional materials will be in Canvas, which is our digital learning platform for middle school. Students log in to Canvas with their student login (Username: s+student ID#, Password: their unique password they created) and parents log in with their HAC account login.
What if my child has forgotten his/her password?
If a student needs help during this time, we ask that they email StudentHelp@mckinneyisd.net. Students should email their name, student id, campus, telephone number and a detailed description of the problem. Technology Staff will strive to support the students over the phone or by remote control.
What if we need help accessing some of the resources available?
Mrs. Scott, our Media Resource Specialist, has developed this Google Slides presentation to help you. It is divided into sections by topic to help you navigate more easily. Access that help HERE.
What if my family doesn’t have a device to access Canvas?
MISD sent a survey to parents requesting information about technology at home. One laptop is being provided to any family who indicated that no device is available in your home. If you completed the survey and that need exists, MISD should have already contacted you with instructions to pick up your device. If you did not receive the survey and need assistance, you may go to any middle school Friday, March 27th from 8:00 am-4:00 pm to receive assistance in the drive-thru laptop deployment line.
What if my family needs WiFi?
Please refer to the MISD or CMS Facebook page for helpful information. There is a post that lists various ways to access free internet at this time.
How much time should my child spend learning each day?
Teachers have designed self-paced units of study that will be open for a designated period of time, which is typically one week. Lessons are designed to take 25-30 minutes daily per content area. Some students will work more quickly and others may need to spend more time studying. We encourage students to develop a schedule based on their access to technology and other responsibilities in the home.
How will my student be evaluated?
Traditional letter grades are not being implemented during the week of March 30th. Teachers are providing lessons, opportunities for practice and online discussion, and quick checks that will allow teachers to provide feedback to students.
How will lessons be delivered?
A variety of instructional strategies will be utilized to deliver instruction, but students should be prepared to listen to a recorded lesson and complete independent practice.
How do students interact with the teacher?
Teachers are available to support students Mondays and Wednesdays - 9:00 am - 11:00 am and Tuesdays and Thursdays - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Students can access the teacher through Canvas.
How do parents contact the teacher?
Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher via email if you have questions.
How quickly can I anticipate a response from the teacher?
We anticipate being able to respond to parents and students within a 24 hour window.
How do we access support from a school counselor?
Our CMS counselors are available via email and they are ready to support you as needed.
Last Name A-G Ms. Hoover thoover@mckinneyisd.net
Last Name H-O Ms. Helm chelm@mckinneyisd.net
Last Name P-Z Ms. Starnes cstarnes@mckinneyisd.net
How can I talk with my child about Corona Virus?
This article from the Child Mind Institute provides some simple, straight forward ideas that might help you at home.
What social/emotional supports can CMS provide to support my child during this time?
Our school counselors and teachers have collaborated to develop a Canvas Club CREED course specific to this need. There are no assignments specific to the course, but there are a number of quality resources students may access. We encourage students to enroll in the Canvas course and check it out. Any student may enroll in the course using this link. https://canvas.mckinneyisd.net/enroll/CRF9FT - once students click this link, they will see a button that says "Enroll in Course." Once they do that they have access.