Stepping into Kindness at Finch Elementary
See video: https://tinyurl.com/4y62d3ch
Every student at Finch Elementary received a brand-new pair of shoes last month! A special partnership between FedEx and the nonprofit organization, Operation Warm, provided new shoes for over 350 students.
With the help of 40+ FedEx volunteers, this incredible initiative ensured that every child has access to comfortable, well-fitting shoes, helping them walk confidently into learning and success. A huge thank you to Operation Warm and FedEx for their generosity and commitment to our students!
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Edwin Varghese.
See video: https://youtu.be/ix_uMag-1_0
Edwin is a senior at McKinney High School where he plays violin in the varsity orchestra.
He has been a member of the orchestra for 3 years, and he has earned scores of 3 or 4 at all previous solo and ensemble competitions.
Edwin is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist.
He has taken 15 AP courses, and he ranks 2nd in his class with a 5.14 GPA.
Edwin serves as President of the Engineering Club, Vice-President of the Computer Science Club and Deputy Secretary General of the Model United Nations. He has participated in Science and Computer Science UIL competitions.
In his free time, Edwin volunteers with the STEM education nonprofit Briidge the Gap, and he has volunteered for the national social justice initiative known as Youth Creating Change.
He works as a private math tutor, and he is a member of his church’s youth group. Edwin is also a FCC Licensed technician-class amateur radio operator.
After graduation, Edwin plans to major in Electrical Engineering at Texas A & M.
That’s Edwin Varghese, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
Today, MISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt's Student Advisory Council met with the MISD District Advisory Council at the CEC for lunch and a collaborative discussion of the district's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
Senior Director of CTE Jae Gaskill presented an overview of MISD's many CTE courses and pathways, and members of the Student Advisory Council shared their perspectives and experiences on the topic through a panel discussion.
As the meeting continued, the Student Advisory Council, made up of junior and senior student leaders from Boyd, MHS and North, worked in groups with the teachers and campus leaders of the District Advisory Council to explore strategies for promoting CTE, at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
It was a great opportunity for our students to meet and interact with leaders from across MISD and a great opportunity for MISD's leaders to receive thoughtful input from a student's perspective.
Hello! My name is Amy Dankel, and I proudly serve as the McKinney ISD School Board Vice President. Each month, after our board meeting, we provide our community with a brief summary of events and items covered during the meeting.
See video: https://tinyurl.com/fz4mj2jv
We started this month’s meeting with celebrations and recognitions.
We honored our “We Are McKinney” Superintendent award winners. Each month we honor one elementary staff member and one secondary staff member for going above and beyond to live out our vision of “Every Student, Every Day”. This month’s winners are Allie Stephenson from Evans Middle School and Jack Sears from McNeil Elementary.
Next we celebrated two students who were selected for the
“Every Student, Every Day” award. This month’s winners are Kalem Fassnacht from Slaughter Elementary and Ryan Mclaughlin from Wilmeth Elementary.
Then we celebrated Burks Elementary as our “McKinney ISD Lives Kind” campus winner for the month of March. We are proud of how Burks and their staff and students are leading the charge of spreading kindness in McKinney ISD.
Next we paid tribute to a few of our athletic achievements, including the state qualifiers from the McKinney North Swim and Dive program, the UIL State Qualifiers in wrestling from all three of our high schools and our UIL State Spirit Competition medalists from McKinney North and McKinney Boyd.
We also honored our Baylor Talent Identification Program award recipients.
Finally, we were able to celebrate our Texas Thespian Award recipients from all three high schools.
Following the recognitions, we held public comment and then moved into the presentation portion of the meeting.
Dr. Dennis Womack, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, provided the board with a McKinney ISD Financial Update.
Jae Gaskill, Senior Director of Career and Technical Education provided a CTE and AVID update. Her presentation showcased McKinney ISD’s progress this year to build a comprehensive plan to increase awareness about CTE programs, as well as create instructional pathways within the CTE department and provide staffing patterns and ensure program equity. She also highlighted AVID and the success achieved by our students in that program.
Next the Board approved the consent agenda and then moved to the discussion and action portion of the meeting.
Dr. Dennis Womack presented to the board a recommendation and authorization to form and convene a citizens’ bond committee to study future capital needs. The board approved the recommendation.
The board then approved the monthly written reports.
Those are the highlights from this month’s meeting. Thank you for watching, and we look forward to bringing you the highlights from our next regularly scheduled board meeting on April 21st at 6 PM.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Sophia Vlahos from McKinney Boyd High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/jxz9VTYiO8Q?si=LM-4yCKgpWcHeEDy
Sophia is a senior on the Lady Broncos softball team. She was awarded team MVP, elected to First Team All-District and led District 5-6A in Runs Batted In in 2023.
Sophia has received the Heart of the Bronco award two years in a row, and she was selected to play for the Under 18 Greek National Softball team.
Sophia has received Academic Excellence and the Outstanding Student in Languages award. She has taken 9 AP courses, and she is ranked in the Top 22% of her class with a 4.0 GPA.
Sophia is a Youth Volunteer at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and she is a pitching and hitting coach for young athletes.
Next year, Sophia plans to further her education by pursuing a degree in Accounting. She would like to become a CPA and a CFO of a large corporation.
That’s Sophia Vlahos from McKinney Boyd High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
MISD wrapped up its final McKinney CAN session of the 2024-2025 school year on Thursday, March 27, as Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Principal Melissa Hernandez welcomed the group to Evans Middle School.
Pratt and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dennis Womack gave an update on the current MISD financial picture and an overview of public school funding, then welcomed Chief Operations Officer Greg Suttle to talk about MISD facilities. Jae Gaskill offered a presentation on the district's Career & Technical Education programs, highlighting the focus of CTE at each level from elementary to high school.
With the goal of ‘pulling the curtain back’ on public education and McKinney ISD, it's been a great year for McKinney CAN, and the district thanks the participants and the presenters who have taken part in it over the course of the school year.
And, thank you to Principal Melissa Hernandez, her staff and the students of Evans Middle School for their hospitality!
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is senior Tylyn Hutson from McKinney High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/LgjTxv-Fy0A
Tylyn plays the cello, and she is a 4-year member of the orchestra. She also performs with the Philharmonic Orchestra, and she serves as the orchestra president. Tylyn has received several awards for her performances in solo, duet, and group competitions.
Tylyn has taken 7 AP classes and 11 Advanced classes. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has received all three academic excellence awards. She is a PSAT Commended Scholar and as a recipient of the College Board National African American Recognition Program.
Tylyn is involved with several clubs including STEMists, Golden Ambassadors, Spanish Club and the MHS Aviation Club, which she founded.
In her free time, Tylyn serves the community through organizations like Tango Charities, the Community Life Center, and the North Texas Food Bank. She attends St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Fair Pak where she serves on the Youth Council, and she is an ADORA Daughter.
Tylyn participated in the Southwest Airlines Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Academy and the University of North Texas Aviation Career Academy.
After graduation, Tylyn plans to attend Hampton University and major in Aviation with aspirations of becoming a professional pilot.
That’s Tylyn Hutson, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
McKinney ISD is excited to offer High School Summer School opportunities for current 8th-12th grade students for the 2025-2026 school year. Whether your student is looking to accelerate their learning with original credit courses or recover credits from a previous semester, our online summer school provides flexible, self-paced options taught by MISD.
Key Dates:
Parent Webinar: March 27 at 5:30 PM (Register online)
Accelerated Course Registration: April 4 - April 17 (Payment due April 21)
Credit Recovery Course Registration: April 28 - May 9 (Payment due May 12)
Summer School Dates: June 2 - June 20 (All coursework due by 11:00 AM on June 20)
Tuition:
$225 per course (semester) or $50 for students on free/reduced lunch or in AVID. Payment is required via My School Bucks to complete registration.
Next Steps:
Visit our website for full details and registration links: https://www.mckinneyisd.net/o/misd/page/high-school-summer-programs
Expect a welcome email from summer school teachers by May 29.
For more information, please visit our website or contact summerschool@mckinneyisd.net.
5th Graders Learn Square Dancing at Glen Oaks Elementary!
See video: https://youtu.be/wcWT865fE1Q
At Glen Oaks Elementary, PE Teacher Kayla Meadows is keeping tradition alive by teaching her 5th-grade students the art of square dancing! As part of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum, students learn rhythmic movement while having fun and preparing for a special performance for their family and friends.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
McKinney ISD will host two Para to Teacher Pathways sessions on Monday, April 14, 2025, for paraprofessionals who are ready to take the next step toward becoming a certified teacher!
Para To Teacher Pathways
Two Sessions Offered
Monday, April 14, 2025
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
MISD Community Event Center
4201 S. Hardin Blvd, McKinney, TX 75070
Local universities will be present for non-degreed employees, and alternative education programs will be present for degreed employees seeking teacher certification.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Tyler Young from McKinney High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/OMp3VZa57WQ?si=Ch2t74VJkN551FFQ
Tyler is a senior on the Lions varsity baseball team.
Tyler is an AP student, and he is an Academic Excellence Cord recipient. He is ranked 63rd in his class with a 4.27 GPA.
Tyler received the Nation First-Generation Recognition award. He has been recognized for Architecture and Construction Excellence, and he has been named First Division Solo and Ensemble 2-times.
Tyler is a member of the National Honors Society and the Interdisciplinary Study and Mentorship program. He also participates in band and the Admissions Club.
Tyler volunteers for multiple organizations in his free time, and he is employed at Ted E’s Kitchen.
Next year, Tyler will attend Texas A&M to major in General Engineering and to specialize in Mechanical Engineering.
That’s Tyler Young from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Morgan Goodmark from McKinney High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/6YoHVCyW1Uc
Morgan is a Senior on the Lionettes Varsity Soccer team. She has been named First Team All-District, Most Improved Player, and Academic All-District 2 times.
Morgan has received Academic Excellence 3 times and is a Green Cord recipient. Morgan has taken 13 AP classes, and she is ranked 7th in her class with a 4.76 GPA.
Morgan is a member of the National Honors Society. She volunteers at ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship and works at 54th Street.
Next year, Morgan plans to attend Texas Tech University to receive a Bachelors in Animal Science and earn a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
That’s Morgan Goodmark from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
Walker Elementary marked a historic milestone as students, staff, and community members came together to celebrate 25 years of excellence!
See video: https://youtu.be/gHkrZLmd8iI?si=4XgRK7VsZXMhb7PN
Named after Roy Lee Walker, the school hosted a special dinner welcoming past campus employees, followed by a memorable assembly attended by all students.
The celebration featured inspiring words from current Principal Michelle Baumann, founding Principal Ms. Beasley, and Mr. Walker’s daughter, Ms. Linda Rinn, reflecting on the school’s legacy and impact over the years. It was a night to remember for the Walker Stars, honoring the past while looking ahead to a bright future!
Positive vibes and colorful drawings covered the front entrance of Finch Elementary this week as they celebrated Big Art Day!
See video: https://youtu.be/cBOnJubx_8Y?si=k6YrcoNqQI_S8w5q
McKinney ISD has been recognized as a District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association, ranking in the top 5.5% of Visual Art programs in Texas.
The Finch Falcons showcased our district’s artistic excellence by beautifying their campus through vibrant sidewalk art pieces. Art teacher, Danh Nguyen, organized the community-based project that brought creativity and positivity to the school grounds, and music teacher, Dustin Taylor, captured the entire day from above with his drone.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Eli Worthy.
See video: https://youtu.be/prxna8KsYIU?si=ejU9Khqwil3MhXFV
Eli is a senior at McKinney Boyd High School where he is in the Broadway Broncos Theatre program. He received the Thespian Board Award in 2024, and he was a Group Musical Theatre National Qualifier in 2022. Eli previously participated in choir & band as well, and he was selected for the All-Region Choir from 2019-2022.
Eli currently has a 3.8 GPA, and he has taken 3 AP courses.
In his free time, Eli has earned the highest rank with Boys Scouts: Eagle Scout. He is a member of “The Order of the Arrow”, and he supports the non-profit organization, Carry the Load. Eli volunteers with Plano Parks and Recreation by assisting with dances for people with special needs, and he is a counselor-in-training for Collin County Adventure Camp.
After graduation, Eli plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas to double major in Technical Theatre and Business. He would like to create his own business in the technical theatre industry.
That’s Eli Worthy, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Dailey Poland from McKinney North High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/zUIDHRyynf4?si=eJOwyguQSzK9Yivp
Dailey is a Senior Captain on the Bulldogs basketball team.
Dailey is ranked 17th in his class, and he has a 4.63 GPA.
He is an AP Scholar with Honors and an Academic Excellence cord recipient.
Dailey is a member of PALS, and he serves as vice president of the Key Club.
Dailey volunteers as an HALO’s Buddy through Kiwanis, and he works with the McKinney Little Free Pantry.
Next year, Dailey will attend Texas A&M to pursue a masters degree in Business Administration.
That’s Dailey Poland from McKinney North High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
McNeil Elementary celebrated Read Across America last Friday with help from Superintendent Shawn Pratt, MISD Board member Lynn Sperry and Board Secretary Harvey Oaxaca who all stopped by to read to McNeil students.
The day's line up of readers turned out to be a who's who of Central Office staff as Principal Tracy Meador invited leaders from 1 Duvall St to join the celebration. Among them were Deputy Superintendent Melanie Raleeh, Human Resources Specialist Lindell DeBoue, Coordinator of District Assessment Amy Evans, Director of Data and Analytics Becky Jackson, Director of Fine Arts Dr. Jared Critchfield, Senior Director of Teaching and Learning Jenny McGowan and Chief School Improvement and Federal Programs Officer Jennifer Akins.
As always, it was a fun day with a crucial purpose, to engage students in the joy of reading and to inspire them to become avid, lifelong readers.
Preparing Students for Success – the AVID Program in McKinney ISD
“It’s the best program in the district!”
As an AVID instructor, Leslie D’Annibale may be somewhat biased, but her enthusiasm for the Advancement Via Individual Determination program in McKinney ISD is not overstated.
See video: https://youtu.be/66709GXiga8
AVID is transforming the way students learn and prepare for their future by helping students build strong study habits, manage their time effectively and prepare for college and beyond. From mastering study skills to tackling the SAT, AVID empowers students with the tools they need to succeed!
The 2024-2025 McKinney ISD Superintendent Student Advisory Committee met for its fourth of five sessions today at the CEC as they enjoyed lunch, discussed their experiences and opinions around academic planning and heard from local experts on the subject, Director of Guidance and Counseling Errin French and Coordinator Debra Fort.
The Superintendent Student Advisory Committee provides junior and senior student leaders from MISD's three high schools the opportunity to learn and grow in leadership and to give feedback about district and campus initiatives, events and procedures.
The group will meet for its final session of 2024-2025 on April 1. Thank you, Errin French and Debra Fort for sharing your time and expertise today!
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is senior Emma Oba from McKinney Boyd High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/6NMzgJlSHxI?si=EEPDCZSILwHfQNCP
Emma plays cello in the orchestra program, and she has been selected for All-Region Orchestra for the past 4 years.
She received Superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble, and she plays in a quartet that was selected for the UIL State Instrumental Chamber Music Competition.
Emma is also an accomplished pianist.
She has earned 1st place in the following: the Juanita Miller Concerto Competition, Baylor Waco Piano Competition, Texas Music Teachers Association, Dallas Symphonic and Dallas Solo. She won grand prize at the SMU Institute for Young Pianist Concerto Competition, and she was featured as a Rising Artist on WRR Classical 101.1 FM.
Emma has taken 9 AP courses, and she currently has a 4.44 GPA.
After graduation, Emma plans to major in Piano at the University of Michigan, UT Austin, Indiana University, TCU or UNT.
That’s Emma Oba, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
