Monday Memo
September 25-29, 2017
“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” —Lou Holtz
Many thanks to all of you who were able to come out and support the Crape Myrtle Fun Run this weekend. Remember that you may wear your Fun Run t-shirt with jeans tomorrow (Monday) as a small token of my appreciation. I will also send out a Remind this evening to inform the parents to have their children wear their Fun Run shirts as well.
As we are working to become an interdependent team, I wanted to send out a friendly reminder that students need to be in their dismissal spots by 2:55pm every day. Please review this expectation with your team. If this is not consistently happening, I need you to revise your process or current practices so that it does. When students arrive late to dismissal locations, not only does it hold up our carpool line, walker parent pick-up line, and daycare bus runs, it also likely means that some teachers are also arriving at their duty spots late. While I understand how lessons can run long, please remember the inconvenience you are creating for others to manage when you are not on time.
I know that I brought this up in last week's newsletter, but because it is so important, I wanted to include this again this week. Progress Reports are scheduled to go home on Wednesday. At McGowen, we have a No Surprise Policy. This means that no parent should ever first learn that their child is struggling in any content area by reading the progress report. If you have a student who is not meeting grade level expectations, if you haven't done so already, you will need to call them prior to progress reports going home to inform them personally. While initially, it does take more time on your part, I promise it will save your relationship with the parents and a great deal of time after the fact.
On Wednesday, we will also be having our first official Content PLC. Teams will get to decide who attends which Content PLC based on the needs of the teams and the topic being discussed at each meeting. We will send out a summary of what will be covered at each PLC this week. The expectation is that every grade level has at least one representative attend any PLC that pertains to their grade level. Please let us know if you have any questions.
The MEF grant submission deadline is on Monday, October 2nd. While there is always much to be done, this is a fabulous opportunity to secure funds for any great ideas that you may have or resources that you need but just don't have the money to make happen. Melanie Burford is a great resource and has been the recipient of several grants in the past. I'm sure that she would be happy to support you in any way. I am also available to help if needed.
Make today count!
JL
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PBIS Teacher/Staff Survey
In the upcoming months, the PBIS team will be meeting to review campus behavior and discipline data. Thank you to everyone that has filled out the short survey. We appreciate your feedback and will utilize this information as we create common language and expectations for various areas around the building. If you have not submitted your response, you can click on the link below.
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Camp Scholarships
If you are interested in sponsoring a student so they can attend camp, please let me know. The cost of camp per student is $177. If you have a particular student that you would like to sponsor, please make sure to let Donna know. If not, your donation will go into the general scholarship fund to assist our families that need assistance. Any amount helps as we work with families that are facing financial hardships. If you would like to contribute, please see Donna. You can either write a check payable to McGowen Elementary or give cash.
We appreciate your help!
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Teaching Success Stories - A message from TEA
In 2016, TEA launched a statewide social media campaign to tell the remarkable stories of Texas educators. The agency is seeking stories that show how rigorous and rewarding the teaching profession is and how teachers’ hard work is leading to greater student outcomes. TEA is looking for stories:
that demonstrate teachers providing a rigorous and rewarding academic experience
that highlight the critical role that educators play in the lives of students
where teachers are driving student achievement, a love of learning, and personal growth
where teachers are going above and beyond to provide meaningful learning experiences inside and outside the classroom
Share this with your teachers and have them email their story (in about 300 words) and a photo (or two) that visually captures their story to iamtxed@tea.texas.gov. They should include their campus and district information.
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EdCamp Dallas
A message from Trey Wright - Have you ever been to an EdCamp? Are you an EdCamp veteran? EdCamp Dallas is the morning (8am-1pm) of Oct 14th at the Sockwell Center in Plano. Educators from around the area will come together for an un-conference. All sessions will be participant driven and no vendors are allowed. It's real educators talking about how they do what they do. It's free and there will be door prizes! Come on! It will be held at the Sockwell Center for PD in Plano - Learn more and register here. If you have any questions, contact Trey Wright. If you attend this event, please connect with Trey while you’re there for a group picture!
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Action Items
- Complete PBIS Survey
- Join PTA
- Complete compliance trainings by EOD Friday, September 29th
- Write measurable T-TESS goals by your goal setting conference
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MEF Grants
The McKinney Education Foundation Grant application is open. Our deadline is October 2nd, 5:00 pm.
Apply: http://www.mmeeff.com/staff-grants/
Please call the MEF office with any questions: 469-302-6313.
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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. Please feel free to push this information out to your parents as well.
Congratulations to Krista Daniel, Jennifer Little and Barbara Peebles 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!
September
Jessica Bravo - 1st
Rico Sneller - 5th
Guadalupe Woodmansee - 5th
Jaime Hardy - 9th
Jen Dickinson - 12th
Angie Cochrum - 14th
Melanie Henry - 16th
Alisa Madina - 19th
Shannon Hershberger - 22nd
Tara Jackson - 25th
October
Mayella Torres - 7th
Sadie Hunsaker - 13th
Lori Peterson - 13th
Jenny Snyder - 13th
Melanie Burford - 15th
Marilyn Oliphant - 24th
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APPRECIATIONS
- Laurie - Thank you for staying late on Friday to meet with a parent. I appreciate all that you are doing to support this child. -JL
- Many thanks to Relle, Shambo, McKeen, Evans, Bianchetta and Goodwin for representing McGowen at the Crape Myrtle Fun Run on Saturday. -JL
- I would like to thank Gaby Shambo for being so sweet to me this week! Gaby and I both attended the UofA. When she realized that I no longer fit into my UofA shirt from college she gave me one of her hers. So thoughtful!!!
- Second Grade Team-- Thank you so much for all of the laughter and support! Also, thank you for the sweet birthday celebration. You all are a JOY to work with!
- Burford and Shambo – Thank you so much for helping cover duty for 3rd grade when we were all out for training/meetings! Y’all rock! - 3rd Grade
- 5th grade team- thanks for so much for staying late for the camp meeting last week! SL
- Lynn- thanks so much for all of your help preparing for our camp meeting! SL
- JL, Shiela, Donna- I appreciate your input and collaboration to make sure camp runs smoothly! SL
- Jean Possehl thank you for presenting the 1st grade team with Dyslexia Awareness training. Thanks, Laurie L.
- Jennifer thank you for staying late Friday to meet with me and a family. I appreciate your guidance and support. Thanks, Laurie L.
- Shiela thank you for staying late Friday and handling urgent documentation. I appreciate your urgency. Thanks, Laurie L.
- Lori, Renata, Lupita, Adriana, Angie, and Jeremiah— Thank you for all that you continually do each day for our students, and all of the support you also provide to us teachers!! -N. Atterberry
- Jaime- Thank you for being there for support during any situations that arise! -N. Atterberry
- Krystal- Thanks for being a rockstar, and helping me through all of the adventures in my first year! You’re the best! -N. Atterberry
- Barbara- Thank you for all of the work you put in each day, especially this week with POR deadlines! -N. Atterberry
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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.