McKinney ISD -

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Jud Rector. https://youtu.be/C6Bzygtnw34?si=myGg_YkaSQNPIbEh Jud is a senior at McKinney North High School where he is a member of the True North Varsity Choir. For the past two years, he has earned a 1 in ranking on Solo & Ensemble contest, and he was a Honors Recital Winner in the 11th grade. Jud currently has a 4.3 GPA, and he has taken 10 AP courses. He ranks 32nd in his class and is in the top 6%. In his free time, Jud plays varsity baseball for the Buldawgs. He also plays select baseball and volunteers at the local library. Jud has spent 3 years working for Bearfoot Lifeguard Company, with 2 years of managing experience and 1 year of instructing experience. After graduation, Jud plans to dual major in Music Performance and Business and then potentially pursue an MBS in Business. He is interested in several schools, including UT Austin, Rice, SMU, TCU, U of Arkansas, Duke, UNC, Baylor, or Oklahoma University. That’s Jud Rector, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.

Culture, Diversity, Tradition – with the Valley Creek Community Video link: https://youtu.be/dwD0F15Yssw?si=8ZXuCcsrfFTubsZY “You just never know. The person down the hall may have the same traditions as you.” Dr. Ebonee King serves as principal at Valley Creek Elementary, and over a year ago the PTA for her campus created a culture & diversity committee with a unified goal in mind: acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of their community. The Family Cultures & Traditions Night, held last month on the campus, marked the first of what Valley Creek hopes to be MANY events that showcases and shares the heritage of their neighborhood.

Walker Elementary students and staff members came together to celebrate Veterans Day today with a special ceremony and breakfast. Video link: https://youtu.be/dPdUFQSIk5I?si=xJGgJwbMRBkI0LSP The talented Harmony Choir from McKinney High School performed the National Anthem, setting a respectful tone for the event. In addition, the enthusiastic Walker student body honored the veterans present with an engaging “Military Medley,” which showcased a selection of songs that resonated deeply with the significance of the occasion.

McKinney High School Commemorates Veterans Day Video link: https://youtu.be/x4QgoqcaNOQ Five members of the McKinney ISD family were honored for their service to our country this morning at McKinney High School. In appreciation for their service as veterans in the armed forces, MHS Principal Dr. Kent paid tribute to Sergeant Major Don Hernandez (Marines), Retired Chief Warrant Officer-3 Ron McPhatter (Marines), Natalie Walker (Air Force), Staff Sergeant Curtis Logan (Air Force) and Keith Thompson (Navy).

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Brady Stangl from McKinney North High School. Video link: https://youtu.be/pkVmQtWUCNA?si=CQUrywwrhAO911i7 Brady is a Senior on the Bulldogs Swim team. Brady is a State Qualifier, 2-time District Champion, and Swim MVP. He has been featured on WFAA as Scholar Athlete of the Week and named to Academic All-District First team. Brady is an AP Academic Scholar and has taken 4 AP classes. He is a Red and Blue cord recipient with a 3.96 GPA and is ranked 54th in his class. Brady is a volunteer at his church, is a part of his church's youth group, and is a swimmer for his Club Team. Next year, Brady plans to attend college and further his education. That’s Brady Stangl from McKinney North High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.

Superintendent Shawn Pratt's 2024–2025 Student Advisory Committee met for its second of four sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the CEC!

The group provides junior and senior student leaders from Boyd, MHS and North the opportunity to learn and grow in leadership and to give feedback about district and campus initiatives, events and procedures. Dr. Gere Feltus, McKinney Mayor Pro Tem and CEO of Healthy Family Services of Texas spoke about leadership and her path to public service. Superintendent Pratt, Deputy Superintendent Melanie Raleeh and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shelly Spaulding led lively discussions about school start times, the Evolv safety system and Career and Technical Education.

November 8th is National STEAM Day - a perfect opportunity for McKinney ISD to highlight the importance of integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into education. https://youtu.be/dTAO62eSwqo This day celebrates the critical role that STEAM achieves in fostering creativity, problem-solving, and innovation among our students. At McKinney ISD, we strive to cultivate curious, creative, and connected students every day, and this celebration aligns perfectly with that mission. By engaging our community in hands-on, collaborative, and critical thinking experiences, we not only inspire young minds to explore these fields, but we also emphasize teamwork, and real-world applications, preparing them for future careers. Ultimately, we aim to ignite a passion for learning and encourage students to pursue their interests in STEAM, shaping a more skilled and innovative workforce for tomorrow.

Congratulations to the McKinney North Volleyball Bulldogs on their big Bi-District win over the Lady Panthers of Lufkin! The Bulldogs swept the 10-5A champs in three sets 25-14, 25-14, 25-14 and now move on to the Area round where they will take on Highland Park on Friday, Nov. 8.

GO DAWGS!!!

More info: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4789/AS/5003562/VOLLEYBALL_-_Area_Round_Playoffs_2024.pdf

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Brooks Bell. https://youtu.be/_RWH5CEvK1E Brooks is a senior at McKinney Boyd High School where he plays percussion in the Bronco Band. He has earned TMEA All-Region Band 3 years in a row, All-Area in 2024 and All-Region Orchestra in 2022 and 2024. Brooks was selected as a McKinney ISD Concerto Contest Winner and as a Semi-Finalist in the Great Plains International Marimba Competition. Brooks currently maintains a 4.42 GPA, and he has taken 10 AP courses. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and he participates in Youth and Government. In his free time, Brooks is a member of Vigilantes Indoor Percussion and Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduation, Brooks plans to major in Music Education. He is undecided on a college, and he is considering the University of Texas at Austin, Florida State University or Oklahoma City University. That’s Brooks Bell, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.

Kelly Daescu's AP Biology students at MHS applied their graphing/statistics skills while investigating whether Double Stuf Oreos are truly double-stuffed compared to regular Oreos. The analysis process was more involved than one might think and included the usually messy activity of removing the stuff from the Oreo—in this case, with a fork. The results? According to their data, most found that their Double Stuf Oreos did indeed have about twice as much stuffing as regular Oreos.

Please join us for the 3rd Annual MISD Father Daughter Dance —A Night in Paris— for a night of dancing, pictures, and light refreshments.

The dance is for young ladies in K-5th grade. You do not have to be a McKinney ISD student to attend the dance.

Father Daughter Dance
Saturday, December 7, 2024
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
McKinney Boyd High School (600 Lake Forest Drive, McKinney)

Tickets: $24 per person

Photos
Pictures will be available through 5804 Photography. It's a great photo opportunity for the holidays. You may follow the link below and order packages online until Dec. 6, 2024.

Corsages and Boutonnieres will be available for $20 each.

Click below to register for the Father Daughter Dance (Photo pre-order link is available on the registration page.)

https://mckinneyisd.reg.eleyo.com/course/112/2024-2025-special-events/father-daughter-ball

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Lucas Hlavaty from McKinney High School. https://youtu.be/RqlAnJHwbn4?si=b36qaEXwzMevm1J3 Lucas is a Freshman on the Lions Tennis team. He earned first seed on Varsity his Freshman year. Lucas is taking AP courses and has received straight A’s for the first grade check for the school year. Lucas is a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chess club. He also plays in tennis tournaments outside of school. That’s Lucas Hlavaty from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.

Students in Charles Morton's science classes at North studied the exterior and interior anatomical structures of bony fish during their dissection lab on Oct. 31! It was a fascinating journey of academic discovery and olfactory stamina.

The MISD Leadership Academy met Tuesday, October 29, at the CEC for its second session of the year where they took part in a Q&A session with a panel of district and campus leaders and completed certification in Jon Gordon's Power of Positive Thinking! Thank you to panel participants Dr. Jessica Fair, Dowell Assistant Principal; Debra Fort, MISD Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling; Jennifer Frazier, MISD Director of Athletics; Dr. Ebonee King, Valley Creek Principal; Amanda Leader, McKinney North Associate Principal; Morgan Montaño, Webb Elementary Library Media Specialist; and Clete Wilson, McKinney North Instructional Coach.

The academy was launched five years ago to "identify, recruit and equip educators with a variety of levels of specializations and broad knowledge, skills and experiences that prepare them for potential leadership positions in both school and district leadership."

The group will meet two more times during the school year and will receive training in StrengthsFinder strength-based leadership, hear from more district and campus leaders, participate in a resume workshop, interview training and more.

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is senior Amaya Allen from McKinney Boyd High School. Watch video here: https://youtu.be/Wt5k2w6TRtM Amaya is a 3-year Elite Team Member of the varsity Bailadoras Dance & Drill Team, and she is 1st Lieutenant. She is a member of the 2023 National Grand Champion Team and the “Best of the Best” Dance Team at the American Dance Competition in 2023 & 2024. Amaya is a Division 1 Rating Soloist, and she has received Bailadora awards for Most Motivating, Highest Merits and Honor Medal. Amaya currently has a 4.235 GPA, and she has taken 7 AP Courses. She participates in the Interdisciplinary Study and Mentorship program, and she has served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council for the past two years. Amaya is a member of the PALS mentorship program, as well as the Principal’s “Students Voice” meetings for the past 4 years. Amaya is active with Hope Students at Hope Fellowship Church and with Believers International Ministries, and she volunteers within the South Oak Cliff community. After graduation, Amaya hopes to attend LSU to study Architectural Design and Interior Design. That’s Amaya Allen, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.

Amy Dankel, McKinney ISD Board of Trustees Vice President, brings you this month's School Board Summary. Watch video here: https://youtu.be/v3H08115kvY?si=tl1CXC3clSGJN1sa

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Maggie Celeste from McKinney Boyd High School. https://youtu.be/WuQbQBmARM4 Maggie is a Senior on the Lady Broncos Tennis team. She has been on Varsity for 2 years and was the MVP for Junior Varsity Tennis. Maggie has taken 6 AP courses, 1 dual credit class, and qualified for National Hispanic Recognition and National Merit Award for PSAT. She has received Academic Excellence for 4 years and she is ranked 25th in the class of 2025 with a 4.63 GPA. Maggie is a member of the STEM club, National Honor Society, and is an AP Scholar with Honor. She volunteers at church camp during the Summer, works at Pluckers, and practices the piano. Next year, Maggie plans to attend college to study Mechanical Engineering. That’s Maggie Celeste from McKinney Boyd High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.

Congratulations to McKinney North High School Band! Tonight they placed 3rd in Area and are advancing to the State UIL Marching Contest!

Understanding Your Child's PSAT Scores: A Virtual Information Meeting for MISD Families!

Mark Your Calendar!

Join us for a virtual information meeting to learn all about your child's PSAT score results. This session is designed specifically for parents and guardians of select 9th graders and all 10th and 11th graders who recently took the PSAT/NMSQT assessment administered at all MISD high schools on October 9.

PSAT Virtual Information Meeting
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual via TEAMS. (The link will be shared with MISD families prior to the event.)

What you'll learn:
—How to read and interpret your child's PSAT results
—Strategies to support your child at home based on their scores
—How the PSAT benefits your child's future college and career planning

Don't miss this valuable opportunity! This is a valuable opportunity to gain insights into your child's PSAT performance and support their academic journey.

Did you know? McKinney ISD oversees and maintains 4,512,380 square feet of facilities across the district!