Monday Memo
May 8th-12th
It always seems impossible until it is done. - Nelson Mandela
Thanks to all of you who took the time to exercise your right to vote. If you saw the results, you are aware that there was a close race or two. While sometimes it may feel like your vote doesn't matter, in these type of elections, every vote counts. In addition, who we elect to serve on our school board can have a tremendous impact on our world as a campus. Thanks again for your time and investment in our future.
We have a big week ahead of us! Please make sure that you read Sylvia's email that she sent to us today so that you are up to spend on what is going on regardless if your grade level is testing. As always, I would like for 3rd - 5th grade to carefully consider what they have planned for the time after testing as well as non-testing days, particularly on Thursday and Friday. Given the amount of quiet seat time they will have during the first part of the week, engaging and collaborative work should be on the agenda for Thursday and Friday. Readathons, movies, etc. have the appearance of time wasters and would not be appropriate.
Field Day will be held on Friday. It looks like we are due for great weather, so keep your fingers crossed. Coach Relle has sent out a few email messages. Please be sure to read those as well. In addition, at the last Ad Council, Suzy Woodard asked us to closely examine our wardrobe changing practices. Given an issue or two that we have experienced in the past, I can totally support her request. Therefore, if students need to change into play clothes or out of wet clothes, please make sure that you have a plan in place to ensure their privacy. Students should only change in the restroom stalls, not in the common area of the restroom or in a classroom. I know this may make the lines long, but their privacy will be worth the wait. In addition, plan your time accordingly so that you will have enough time for the students to change at the end of the day.
On June 7th, from 9:00am-12:00pm, we have scheduled a data meeting. We will use this time to reflect on both McGowen's data and district level data. This will also be an opportunity to begin revising our Campus Improvement Plan for next year. If you are interested in participating in these meetings, please let me know. While I completely understand the constraints of child care issues and summer plans, if it works with your schedule, you will receive PD credit for the time. Please do not feel pressure from me to attend. Instead of just inviting Team Leaders, we wanted to open it up to everyone. For those of you who are interested in dabbling in more leadership opportunities or just want to contribute to the direction of McGowen as a whole, this would be a great opportunity.
Make today count,
JL
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Interested in Attending Google Syndicate Academy???
Calling all campers! if you are interested in attending the Google Syndicate Academy (PK-12) on June 21, 2017 from 8:30-3:30 fill out the form below. Participants need a working knowledge of Google Apps for Education. The academy is limited to 30 participants. The application will be closed on May 19. Acceptance emails will be sent out Monday, May 22. If you have questions about the application please email Lynda Swanner lswanner@mckinneyisd.net or Amanda Gavin agavin@mckinneyisd.net
Application Link: https://goo.gl/forms/NR9rNV2sh8dgEaoQ2
Below are the links for both days of Converge 2017 for this summer. Both days will count for GT update training.
Converge Day 1- Monica Martinez Keynote Speaker
https://eduphoria.mckinneyisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=15458
Converge Day 2- George Couros Keynote Speaker
https://eduphoria.mckinneyisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=15459
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Important EOY Information
RtI
During RTI meetings, each of you were asked to pick up the purple RTI EOY Status form. This form will be filled out for each student on tier 2 or 3 and placed in the front of the RTI folder.
Shiela will have At Risk procedures spelled out for everyone as well, but we wanted to remind you that you will need to do your EOY update on each At Risk form. Don’t forget to attach the documentation. If you need a new plan, that can be found on the Google Drive.
** Note to 4th and 5th grade teachers **
If you will remember, we did not receive last year’s STAAR scores and CSRs until after the school year ended last year. That means that this year’s grade level was responsible for identifying students who failed STAAR last year as At Risk and attach copies of the CSR. (ie, This year’s 4th grade teachers were responsible for identifying students who failed 3rd grade STAAR as At Risk and attach a copy of each 3rd grade CSR to the student’s At Risk plan. This year’s 5th grade teachers were responsible for identifying students who failed 4th grade STAAR as At Risk and attach a copy of each 4th grade CSR to the student’s At Risk plan.)
Writing Samples
At our last Writing PLC, the group determined that there is value in passing up writing samples to the next year teacher. As you recall, the group agreed to use the same grade level prompt for students to produce a cold write. Students may use graphic organizer or blank piece of paper to plan, but this would not be a piece that they would spend several days peer editing or conferring with you about in your writing workshop. We will include the writing sample on the EOY checklist. K-2 will staple it to the DRA. 3-5 will turn a grade level folder into Michelle Caballero. Each grade level should also meet to review samples with the teams to ensure alignment with grade level writing expectations and determine their next steps.
EOY Slideshows
For those of you who are preparing end of the year slideshows, please remember to include any student in your grade level who participates in one of our self contained programs. Pictures of them interacting with their general education peers are preferred. Please feel free to contact Jenny, Krystal and/or Sharon if you need any help. They may already have some to share with you.
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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. 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.
Congratulations to Barbara Peebles, Ashley O'Connor and Jen McCartney for being the highest three staff contributors to Shoparoo this week!
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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!
May
Laurie Leotaud - 4thJennifer Smith - 15th
Miss Irma - 17th
Tracie Kelley - 18th
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Appreciations
- Stacie – Thank you for the glitter alert. You are a lifesaver! -JL
- Donna – Many thanks for doing all of the shopping for the teacher appreciation treats. I don't know what I'd do without you! -JL
- MC & SdL – Thanks for the time and effort you put into supporting our students and leading us through the RtI Mtg. -JL
- SL – Thanks for the tag team effort. -JL
- PTA - Thank you for the tasty sandwiches, salads and desserts on Monday, the decorations around the school, the t-shirt and Sonic drinks and the incredible breakfast.
- Elite Performance Chiropractic and JL - Thank you for the much needed massage that helped relieve some of my stress headaches. LR
- Ro and Cam - Thank you for the wonderfull relaxing bath salts. LR
- Jennifer Breazeale - Thank you for helping me out in carpool these last couple months. Your support, conversations and friendship will be missed. Have fun with your next long-term assignment. LR
- JL & SL - Thank you for the Teacher Appreciation dinner at La Hacienda, the food was great. LR
- Donna - Thank you for the planner. LR
A-Team---Thank you for all of the special treats this week. You really made me feel appreciated, and cared for. --CThomas
5th Grade Team- Thanks for working together to prepare for your team member being out! SL
Shiela- Thanks for all of your help with STAAR! SL
Michelle Cab- Thanks to much for sitting in on several parent meetings! SL
I want to say a big thank you to the A team for the massage, dinner and especially the sonic Diet Coke !!! - Angie
McGowen - Thank you for everything during the week w/Admins Day! - Love, Stacie
JL & SL - Thank you for all our treats during Teacher Appreciation Week! - Love, Stacie
JL & SL - Thank you for the wonderful lunch and flowers for Admins Day! - Love, Stacie
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Bad Dude
We want to recognize "Little Miss Sunshine", Krista Daniel, as our Bad Dude this week. Along with being an amazing teacher, she is a great team leader who supports her teammates. She consistently advocates for all students at McGowen, and her RtI interventions and documentation are appropriate, effective and thorough. We could not be more pleased, proud or grateful to have her as a member of the McGowen Family.
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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.