Greer Gazette
McKinney ISD Special Education April Issue
Special Olympics
On April 1st, our McKinney Mavericks hosted the 11th Annual Special Olympics Track and Field Meet.
The meet took place at Ron Poe stadium with 274 athletes from McKinney and over 400 athletes from Frisco, Princeton, Sherman, Denison, Anna, Blue Ridge, Irving, Van Alstyne, Community, Commerce, Pottsboro, and Wylie. The event was the largest local Special Olympics track meet in the state of Texas.
Special Olympics T-Shirts are still available for purchase for $10.00. Email jmorriss@mckinneyisd.net
A special THANK YOU to all the volunteers and the sponsors who this day wouldn't have been possible without your support.
Special Olympics Pep Rallies
Opening Ceremony
Track and Field Events
Awards
All Smiles
April is Autism Awareness Month
WASHINGTON, DC-- President Barack Obama issued a White House proclamation recognizing World Autism Awareness Day declaring that “everyone deserves a fair shot at opportunity” and celebrating the work of “advocates, professionals, family members, and all who work to build brighter tomorrows alongside those with autism.”
The President highlighted the signing of the Autism CARES Act, which dedicates $1.3 billion in federal funding for autism over the next five years and the ongoing BRAIN initiative to “revolutionize our understanding of conditions like autism and improve the lives of all who live with them.”
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2, 2015, World Autism Awareness Day,” the proclamation reads. “I encourage all Americans to learn more about autism and what they can do to support individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.”
Summer Staff Development for Special Education
Sign up through Euphoria.
Staff Spotlight
Dennis Wyatt
We appreciate you Coach Wyatt!
Teacher of the Year!
LAUREN GONZALEZ
"I enjoy teaching and I guarantee that any student in my classroom will have a good time. I believe that school needs to be a place that they want to be. I try to begin and end each day with a group activity that's fun. I know you can't have fun all of the time, but I like for my students to have a positive start and finish to their school day. Keeping things fun and fresh is good for both students and staff in the classroom environment. I have fun, and I enjoy what I do, which makes stressful situations easier to manage. My students are learning because I enjoy being their teacher." -Ms. Gonzalez
LEIGH BARNES
"I became a teacher because that was what i was designated to do. My character traits, skill set, knowledge and desire to help others grow and live their best life possible have prepared me to be a teacher. I don't really feel I had a choice in what profession I would choose. It was my destiny.
"All of me and who I am fit with this profession. I don't think that I would be as well equipped or happy in any other career. Sure. I could work really hard, learn something new...I could even bend my will through discipline to progress at any job and provide for my family. However, that would conflict with who I am at the core of my being."
-Ms. Barnes
Teacher's Receive Grants
Leslie says the kids are loving them and they are using them next week in Partner’s PE for yoga!
Valerie Long and her students are so excited to see the fruits of their grant taking place at Evans Middle School.
We would love to say thank you again! With our money, we built our kitchen!!! The kids were very excited about getting it, and are so excited about getting to use it all! -Ms. Long
Technology Around Town
APPRECIATIONS
Thank you to my MHS STC staff for being so flexible and working as a team to meet the needs of our students. Shelly Kramer
A BIG thanks to Paige for being an incredible lead teacher at Malvern!!! -Trey
Thank you to McNeil’s awesome Sped Team- Lauren, Lisa, Sarah, Gerrit, Judy, Robert, Bryan, Martha, Chassidy, and Iris! Your teamwork and friendly smiles make so many students’ (and
teachers’) day! - dolly
Special Olympics Track- What another awesome event! Thank you, Janice and Trecia
-Valarie
Colleen Aungst- thank you for always taking that extra time to help, supporting us, and leading us! We appreciate you!- Valarie
Jennifer Hise- Wow, you have done an amazing job this year! Thank you for always lending a hand, sending books every time we ask :)), and just having that sweet smile!
Sally- love the Greer Gazette, it fun to see what everyone is doing! Thank you for all the time you have put in that!
Kathleen Briones- Thank you for your hard work and always being ready for each day! You are a go getter and are never afraid to step in and get messy! Your hard work is appreciated and I couldn’t do my job without you by my side! You are the best! Kathy
Thank you to Monica Hoover at Webb Elementary for agreeing to assist with a sped Alpha student from Wilmeth! I cannot express my gratitude adequately!
Thank you to our SDIF’s OJ and Jennifer for your support! You both go above and beyond and are always willing to go the extra mile for our admin., teachers, para’s, and students!
Thanks to you all for making the 2016 Special Olympics Track Meet a success. Although the weather was not the best, it was still one of the BEST days of the year. Smiles are present all around this day and it would not be possible without your dedication to our McKinney Mavericks!
A big shout out to the SJMS SPED team working together in the absence of a team member! Synergy at it's best :)