Monday Memo
May 31 - June 3
Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
Team,
Happy last week of school! While I know there is still much to do, these next three days will fly by. Be purposeful in each moment that you have with your students. They will follow your lead on how to behave these last few days of school. Also be mindful of the students who will be sad to leave you and the safety, structure and predictability that school provides for them and recognize that fear and sadness manifest in students in a variety of ways.
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of attending the Years of Service and Retirement Banquet to honor Nurse Vicky. While one evening could not possibly even come close to thanking her for all that she has done for the McGowen family, it was a really special night. Vicky's husband joined us for the event, and I must say that they are simply the sweetest couple ever! Much to Vicky's surprise, each retiree was given the opportunity address the group, and even though she had no desire to do so, she did a lovely job.
I apologize for the delay in getting class list spreadsheets out to you. I uploaded them into Google last week but quickly realized that Sheets is not as sophisticated as Excel and the formatted cells do not carry over. I will email each team their spreadsheet tonight. If you will save a copy to your desktop, you can fill out the information for your students, save it, and then email it back to me. I will then copy and paste them all into one document. Please be as brief as possible when making comments. Think of it like a mini-Tweet. Sample comments include, "Do not place with...", "Needs structure", "Peanut allergy", etc.
Please make sure that you check the calendar to know when your grade level is going to the library for yearbook signing. This is a time set up for students who are interested in getting A-Team signatures in their yearbooks. You will need to work with each other to make sure that the students who do not want signatures are supervised in the classroom, and those who do are supervised on the way to the library and while in the library.
As we continue to pray for The Prugh Family, count your blessings and make today count!
JL
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Updated Room Moves
Below is a list of the updated room moves. If you are changing rooms, we ask that you do not pack nor have students help pack during instruction time.
The EOY Checklist applies to your current room. If you are not moving, please consider helping a friend who is changing rooms. We know this is a big job, but many hands make light work.
- Trisha Kincaid to E106 (Cathy Haney)
- Lora Lovell - D110 (Michelle Caballero)
- Deanna Harris - D107 (Aly Flint)
- Jennifer Smith - C111 (Trisha Kincaid)
- Rico Sneller - D104 (Resource)
- Resource Room 1 location - D100 (Lora Lovell)
- Resource Room 2 location - C102 (open 5th grade room)
- Michelle Caballero - E100 (Dys/GT room)
- Dys (Rhonda Taylor) & GT (Lisa Crates) - F106 (Shannon Dophied)
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
- 5 hours of G/T credit will be awarded with ELM training
- G/T credit can also be earned on the first day of Converge
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Shoparoo
Did you know that each week I give out jeans passes to those who are one of the top three participants 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 and Jen McCartney for being in this week's top three!
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Focus for 2015 - 2016
In order to help every child their personal best, McGowen teachers and staff will:
- Develop a common language needed to become High Reliability School.
- Develop an understanding and process for effective Professional Learning Communities.
- Engage in collaborative team planning and lesson design to promote higher level thinking and student engagement.
- 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!
Rhonda Taylor - 3rd
Lisa Crates - 16th
Miss Irma - 18th
June
Sylvia Lloyd - 1st
Donna Fabian - 17th
Krystal Holguin - 17th
Lhauren Chitwood - 24th
Ashley O'Connor - 24th
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APPRECIATIONS
- Tara~ Thank you for volunteering to switch Recess/Lunch duties on Thursday, and for the donut holes!!!!! ~KT
- Jen McCartney- much love and appreciation to you for filling in for LPAC! SL :)
- Stacie- I appreciate your help getting TELPAS information sent home! SL
- Sylvia, Michelle, Shiela ,and Tanya - thank you for all your help last week! Sometimes it takes a village and so thankful for you friends! - Donna
- Barbara-- You are always so thoughtful and taking care of everyone's needs and always come through will a Sonic drink when it is needed the most! - Donna
- Vicky - You will be greatly missed! I know I am still in denial. Love you - Donna
- JD - You are a such a good friend and I appreciate you so much! - Donna
- Lori - So thankful for your smiles. positive consistent positive heart and especially our chats! - Love you pal, Donna
- Stacie - You juggle 100 things each day and always pull through with a smile! Love you friend, only 3 more days! -Donna
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Action Items
- Send Report Cards home on Thursday, June 2nd
- Class List Spreadsheet due by EOD on Thursday, June 2nd
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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.