Monday Memo
November 6-10, 2017
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. -William Arthur Ward
I hope our 3rd-5th grade students enjoyed Jim Hawley's (aka Jimothy Newton) visit on Friday as much as I did. I had no idea that he was planning on giving a book to every student. He also left books for students who were absent that day. I will deliver those on Monday afternoon. For those of you who would like to purchase a book. I do have a few left over. If any grade level decides to use this book for a lit circle, please let me know. I would love to take pictures, participate if I can, and send those to Jim.
Because Jim was here, we had another old friend come into town for a visit. In one of our many discussions, Craig, a Verizon executive, mentioned Verizon's guiding principles and how everything they do must align with them. Below is a list of those principles:
- Focus on the big rocks that move the numbers
- Stop doing things that have limited or no impact.
- Drive change. Do not manage or work around it.
- Own the outcomes. "Activities" are not outcomes.
- Stakeholder management is key. Do it often and plan well.
- Sustainable results means not doing the same project every two years.
As he shared them, I couldn't help but think of how those exact principles align with the work we are doing now. In the day to day of doing our jobs, sometimes these principles get lost and when they do, our effectiveness is compromised which causes us to then have to work even harder to make the same amount of progress. After this past week, I felt like I had driven off in the ditch, these guiding principles were a nice reminder how to get back on the road. My hope is that they may, in some way, help you as well.
Our next Team Leader Meeting will be held on Monday, November 13th. If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to add to the agenda, please use this link to submit your request. In addition, please share your question/concern with your team leader so that if we have any clarifying questions, we can get the needed information.
Make today count!
JL
---------------------------------------
Action Items
- Turn in your conference sign-in sheet to JL's box once you have met with all of your parents.
- Determine what you are wearing for the 50th day of school.
- Review appropriate assembly behavior with your students prior to the Veterans Day Program.
- Make sure your team has a representative attend PTA Story Night on Tuesday, November 14th.
- Prepare Progress Reports to send home on Wednesday, November 15th.
---------------------------------------
Support 5th Grade Camp
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
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, Barbara Peebles and Laura Garro for being the highest three staff contributors to Shoparoo this week!
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
Remind for Staff
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
APPRECIATIONS
- Quin - Thank you for providing the Potty Training for the staff last week. I absolutely loved it! -JL
- SpEd Team - Many thanks to all of you for pulling together last week. You were a perfect example of an interdependent team in the way you dealt with quite a few difficult situations. I could not be more proud. -JL
- Office Team - You are the best, and I cannot imagine doing this job without you. -JL
- Michelle Haas~ Thank you SO much for getting those ELAR plans to me early! ~KT
- Miss Irma~ Thank you for always being willing to go above and beyond! ~KT
- I can’t thank everyone enough that helped me with the Sonic drink catastrophe. If you’re going to make a horrific spill and embarrass yourself, you might as well surrounded by such dear friends! I love you all! - MC
- Sylvia – Thank you for always handling difficult situations with such grace and patience. I don’t know how you do it and manage it with such a happy heart. - Michelle C.
- Sped Team – You all have pulled together in such an wonderful way and continue to amaze us all with your willingness to do whatever it takes! Amazing job! - Michelle C.
- Lyn & SdL – You have handled yourself beautifully with something you shouldn’t have had to deal with and I am just so sorry that you took the uncalled for “heat”. Thank you for always keeping it together for the greater good! - Michelle C.
- Peebles – Thank you for being my Sonic fairy on Thursday. That was definitely a treat that got me through that day! You are AHHH-Mazing my friend! - Michelle C.
- Donna – Thank you for helping me out, always! - Michelle C.
- JL – Thank you for bringing your friend and author to McGowen. It looked like a BIG HIT and you pulled that whole day off even after what seemed to be one of the longest weeks EVER! Thank you, also, for the Sonic drink and pizza. You are always so generous and I appreciate it! - Michelle C.
- JD – Thank you for helping me with our friend. You are so helpful and caring and I appreciate you! - Michelle C.
- Adriana, Lori & Karol – Thank you for your help with my little friend and for always being willing to help out anyone that needs something! -Jen
- JL & SL – Thank you for our yummy lunch on Tuesday! It was so nice to not have to worry about that after conferences! -Jen
- First Grade Team-Thank you for always being there to listen to each other and give advice. I can't imagine doing this job without all of you! I also appreciate all the care and attention you give to our weekly plans. Thank you for having an open mind and being able to change and adapt to the needs of our kiddos. I LOVE BEING FIRST!!!-Laura Garro.
- Michelle C.-Thanks for helping me write goals for my little friend, we are so fortunate to have you at McGowen.-Laura G.
- Lynne and Barbara-It takes a lot of patience and tolerance to be the first line of defense in the front office. I have a great respect for the way you both handle difficult situations, we are so lucky to have both of you.-Laura Garro
- Jl, SL, SD-Thank you for always remaining calm and cool in difficult situations, always remembering what is best for the child at hand in any given moment. As hard as it is sometimes we have to continue to build relationships with parents in order to help our students be their best. I appreciate all three of your efforts in doing this while supporting the teachers as well. Laura G.
-
JL, SL, RD, MO, JH, & JC – Thank you all for coming together on Thursday to meet and discuss what is best for one of our students. It takes a village and we appreciate all that you do for our student on a daily basis. Love, JB & JD
Admin - Thank you for lunch on Tuesday! It was exactly what I needed. Love, JD
---------------------------------------
Bad Dude
Please join us in congratulating Laura Garro as this week’s Bad Dude! In addition to being a master teacher, she is also an exceptional teammate. Laura consistently collaborates with her team to create great lessons, to figure out ways to support each other with challenging student behavior and to navigate difficult parent situations. She is a model of our goals in action, and we are so grateful for her.
---------------------------------------
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.