“Somos uno, juntos celebramos / We are one, together we celebrate”
See video: https://youtu.be/nSQzL-Q-yWY?si=dUP0_jCmEWJASdRy
Caldwell Elementary hosted its inaugural Multicultural Night last month. The event showcased and celebrated the rich diversity of our students, families, and community, highlighting the unique bilingual and bicultural experiences that define our campus.
During this special evening families experienced interactive displays, performances and presentations, representing a variety of cultures. Customs & traditions were shared through song, dance, art and food - offering a glimpse into the dual-language environment that fosters inclusivity and cross-cultural understanding.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is senior Joshua Coleman from McKinney High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/3xP1QfX6lC8
Joshua is a member of the theatre program, and he has performed in 7 shows. He served as assistant director for two mainstage musicals: The Music Man and Mean Girls, and he co-directed two student-lead productions: No Exit and a student-written play entitled Anybody. Joshua is a 2024 National Thespian Qualifier for Group Acting. He scored an Excellent rating for “Performance in a Leading Role” for Sheldon J. Plankton in The Spongebob Musical, and he is a 4-year Outstanding Thespian Award Recipient.
Joshua currently ranks 70th in his class with a 4.2 GPA. He is a 2-year active member of the National Honor Society, and he has served as President of the International Thespian Society Troupe 3604 for the past two years.
In his free time, Joshua participates in studio dance at the Dance Collective of McKinney.
After graduation, Joshua plans to attend Syracuse University to major in Psychology, and he intends to continue acting and directing.
That’s Joshua Coleman, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
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://youtu.be/vSh5GALurcg?si=1GuYyajx6V_LYGlD
We started the meeting with celebrations and recognitions.
We honored our School Resources Officers or SROs as they’re often called. We are grateful for all they do to keep our McKinney ISD schools safe.
Next we recognized our Paraprofessionals of the Month. This month’s winners are: Adriana Gonzalez from Burks Elementary and Martha Olvera from Faubion Middle School.
We celebrated our “Every Student, Every Day” Award. This month’s winners are Kylar Herod from Lawson Early Childhood School and Zeruiah St. James from Malvern Elementary.
We honored our McKinney ISD schools and counselors who received the CREST award. This year we had 24 campuses who received the award.
Next we celebrated our McKinney ISD Lives Kind recipient: Valley Creek Elementary.
We recognized our Counselor of the Year: Vanessa Arbaiza from Cockrill Middle School.
We celebrated our McKinney ISD campuses who have received Level 3 of the High Reliability Schools (or HRS) Certification. It’s important to note that only 9 school districts in the United States have accomplished this! We also recognized Frazier Elementary for receiving Level 1 HRS Certification, which was a big accomplishment for that school in its first year.
We wrapped up the recognition portion of the meeting by showcasing the 9 McKinney ISD TMEA All-State Participants. 55,000 students in Texas audition and only 2% become all-state musicians. These musicians are the top performers in the state of Texas, and we are proud of how they represent our district.
We then held the public comment portion of the meeting followed by closed session.
Next the Board moved into the presentation portion of the meeting where we heard from Dr. Dennis Womack, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, about the long-range facility plan and the future work of the committee.
The Board was presented with a proposal for the Caldwell Dual Language Academy, Finch Monolingual Program, and Attendance boundary adjustments including Webb Elementary. Dr. Womack shared more details about the program review, including information about the planning and preparing for the adjustments. Becky Jackson, Director of Data and Analytics, shared more about the accountability considerations that went into preparing for this change.
Zabdi Gonzalez, Senior Director of English Language Support, outlined the three options for our students and the choices parents will have through this process. She also shared details about the dual language program and clarified the differences in the one-way and two-way programs. The Board approved the proposal for the 2025-2026 school year.
Jennifer Akins, Chief School Improvement and Federal Programs Officer, presented the public hearing on the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) and College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR).
The Board approved the consent agenda and then moved to the discussion and action portion of the meeting.
The Board reviewed and approved the board legislative priorities presented by Aretha Jackson, Senior Director of Legal Affairs. The legislative priorities include a focus on school finance, assessment accountability, and to provide resources to recruit and retain great teachers who will champion a variety of learning pathways and provide exceptional experiences for our students.
Dr. Womack provided insight into the current state of finance and public education funding in Texas and how it impacts McKinney ISD. Marlene Harbeson, Chief Financial Officer, shared a budget update for the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the Board reviewed a proposal from Alana Chisum, Assistant Superintendent of HR, to declare a reduction in force due to a program change and a consideration and approval of Central Office employment areas that will be affected by the RIF. The Board members approved and moved forward.
Then the Board reviewed and 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 March 31st at 6 PM at the McKinney ISD Community Event Center.
Cockrill Middle School Counselor Vanessa Arbaiza Named 2024-2025 McKinney ISD Counselor of the Year!
McKinney ISD is pleased to announce that Vanessa Arbaiza, lead counselor at Cockrill Middle School, has been named the 2024-2025 MISD Counselor of the Year. With a decade of experience in education—seven of those years spent serving students in MISD—Arbaiza's dedication to her students, staff and the community has made a profound impact at Cockrill Middle School and beyond.
A graduate of Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, with a master's degree from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Arbaiza began her career teaching math and science at the elementary level before transitioning to school counseling.
In 2022, she began her journey as a counselor at Press Elementary before moving to Cockrill, where she has made a significant impact over the past two years.
Arbaiza’s leadership and commitment to building strong, positive relationships are key reasons she has been selected for this prestigious recognition.
“Vanessa builds strong relationships with both her students and staff and supports staff members by intentionally following up with check-ins,” said Errin French, MISD director of guidance and counseling.
“Vanessa has a heart of gold and is always willing to help others," French added. "She actively seeks opportunities to improve her knowledge—making her an even better professional. She does a wonderful job asking the tough questions and leaning in to help do what’s best for students.”
In addition to her regular responsibilities, Arbaiza is known for her creative initiatives at Cockrill Middle School. Her “Joke Thursday” shout-outs in the lunchroom with 6th graders are a hit with the students, and she is an integral member of the CREED planning committee, working to enhance social and emotional learning for students during the daily 22-minute CREED Time.
Outside of her work, Arbaiza enjoys spending time with her family, particularly in the outdoors, reading and sipping on a chai tea latte.
Vanessa Arbaiza's unwavering dedication to her students and staff exemplifies the spirit of the McKinney ISD counseling team. The district is proud to recognize her contributions and looks forward to her continued success in this well-deserved role.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Andy Alvarenga from McKinney North High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/DJnkqmfygGY?si=OUXNDlUKBXWneyCd
Andy is a senior on the Bulldogs Soccer team, and he received Newcomer of the Year and was selected to 1st team All-District.
Andy is ranked 42nd in his class with a 4.3 GPA, and he has taken 8 AP classes. He is a member of the National Honors Society, Interact club, and Spanish Culture Club.
In his free time, Andy plays club soccer and volunteers by doing community service projects.
Next year, Andy plans to go to college to study Engineering while continuing his soccer career. That’s Andy Alvarenga from McKinney North High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
McKinney ISD Podcast - S2, Ep. 2 - Finance and Funding with Dr. Dennis Womack
See video: https://tinyurl.com/3cn4mtyw
We are excited to bring you another episode of the McKinney ISD Podcast. Today we are talking about all things finance and public education funding and today our guest is our very own, Dr. Dennis Womack, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations.
MISD continued its 2024-2025 McKinney CAN series on Thursday as MISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Webb Elementary Principal Karime Terrazas (who was jumping out of an airplane the last time we caught up with her — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq2cRDcIV4o) welcomed the group to Webb.
Pratt started the session with an administrative news update and then turned things over to Maria Fields and Julie Ferraro who gave an overview of the McKinney Education Foundation and the crucial work of the MEF college counselors at our high schools. Next, MISD Director of Counseling Errin French and Counseling Coordinator Debra Fort spoke on the vital work and impact of the Guidance & Counseling Department. Finally, Asst. Superintendent of Human Resources Alana Chisum talked about the responsibilities of her department and key initiatives and processes they oversee in support of the district's employees. The group then took part in a tour of the school!
McKinney CAN meets four times a year at different schools to provide participants with in-depth knowledge about the vision, goals, and operations of McKinney ISD. The program aims to ‘pull the curtain back’ on public education and McKinney ISD and to show our stakeholders how each department works to support campuses and our students. The fourth and final session of 2024-2025 will take place at Evans Middle School in March!
Thanks to Principal Karime Terrazas and the staff at Webb for their hospitality!
In honor of Black History Month, we spotlight the remarkable life of Leonard Evans Jr., a man whose impact on McKinney ISD, and the entire McKinney community, is difficult to overstate. He was the first Black teacher to work at a white campus in McKinney ISD, and he became the first Black MISD school board member after more than 30 years as an educator.
Today, his name adorns Evans Middle School, and his legacy endures through the multitude of lives that he touched.
We invite you to read more about the inspiring life of Leonard Evans Jr.: https://www.mckinneyisd.net/article/2038877
McKinney ISD will hold a Job Fair on March 8, 2025, for the 2025-2026 school year!
MISD is seeking great people for a wide range of full-time and part-time positions for the 2025-2026 school year. Join the MISD team!
Job offers will be given for some critical need positions at this event!
Use the QR code on the flyer to register for this event or click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aSy48bwUdDGkdvcnEpWWwDu_6v85xyvxUiMxmqAzAkM/viewform?edit_requested=true
Starting salary for first year teachers: $62,100
Stipends: SPED: $5,000
Bilingual: $3,000
Master's: $1,500
McKinney ISD Job Fair
Saturday, March 8, 2025
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
McKinney High School
1400 Wilson Creek Pkwy
McKinney, Texas 75069
MISD is seeking:
General Education Teachers
Special Education Teachers
Bilingual Teachers
Childcare
Paraprofessionals
Durham Bus Drivers
Aramark Food Services
Aramark Custodial Services
Crossing Guards
Substitutes
Maintenance and Grounds
Congratulations to MHS junior Lauren Smith who placed 4th at the Fort Worth Livestock Show with her heavy weight Dorper lamb. Lauren also placed 7th at the San Antonio Livestock Show with her heavy weight Southdown lamb and qualified for the Sale of Champions, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Thursday, February 20. Congratulations!
BLAZE! 2025
While MISD students were enjoying an extended weekend, it was still a day of learning for MISD on Tuesday, February 18, as elementary teachers and staff filled the halls of McKinney North and their secondary counterparts gathered at MHS for the annual BLAZE professional development day.
"BLAZE was a fantastic day of professional learning for our MISD teachers!" said MISD Director of Professional Development Judy Mercer. "I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the presenters and staff members who made it possible. With more than 275 sessions available, educators were actively engaged in meaningful and impactful learning experiences throughout the day. It was a huge success!"
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is senior Rebekah Lessner from McKinney Boyd High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/sKbxa5011Eg
Rebekah is a member of the Fusion Choir, and she is a 2025 Texas All-State Choir member.
She was selected for the Region 24 Choir the past 3 years, and she was a State Finalist for TMTA Vocal Competition. Rebekah received Superior score and Honors Recital performance for Vocal Solo & Ensemble contest, and she earned a Top Score on the PMTA Theory Test.
Rebekah currently has a 4.93 GPA with 9 AP classes. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the McKinney Boyd Track team.
In her free time, Rebekah participates in service work and mission trips through First United Methodist Church of McKinney. She is also a lifeguard and swim instructor for the City of McKinney.
After graduation, Rebekah plans to major in Political Science on the Pre-Law track.
That’s Rebekah Lessner, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
It’s common for elementary student to exchange cards and treats for Valentine’s Day, but last week 3rd and 4th graders from Finch Elementary gave away something even more sentimental: their hearts. The art students from Mr. Nguyen’s class created pastel chocolate boxes in the shape of a heart and had them delivered to patients in the ICU at Medical City of McKinney.
This collaboration between the hospital and the campus culminated during Valentine’s Day and Love Week as the ICU nurses visited Finch Elementary to pick up the art pieces. They returned to Medical City over the weekend and handed out the precious artwork to their patients.
McKinney North High School recently took on a special Kindness Challenge, inspiring students and staff to spread positivity throughout the school and community.
See video: https://youtu.be/38sZuTTN9CE?si=SWNsvz5HLWg970g5
Organized by counselor Nikki Summers, this initiative honors the memory of Blake, the son of a longtime friend, whose family encouraged acts of kindness in his honor as he became ill before his 3rd birthday.
Through this challenge, students are making a difference, one kind act at a time. Let's keep the kindness going!
You're invited to our Quarter 3 Personal Financial Literacy course!
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Aniyah Johnson from McKinney Boyd High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/InLnGgLYn5M?si=q3q0HcBE3iTZcvd0
Aniyah is a senior on the Lady Broncos Basketball team, and she is 3-time 1st team All-District selection and a 2-time varsity team captain.
Aniyah is an AP student, and she has taken 3 AP courses.
Aniyah is a member of the McKinney Boyd Black Student Union, and she is very involved with the Flow church community.
Next year, Aniyah plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington to study Criminal Justice.
That’s Aniyah Johnson from McKinney Boyd High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
MISD will Host a ZAPS SAT Test Prep Seminar on Saturday, March 1
McKinney ISD continues to offer our students from Boyd, MHS and North opportunities to prepare for college entrance exams with a ZAPS® SAT one-day test preparation seminar on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at McKinney North High School.
ZAPS SAT Test Prep Seminar
McKinney North High School
March 1, 2025
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Seminar fee: $85
Register at https://www.doorwaytocollege.org or call 877-927-8378.
Sign up today to reserve your spot!
As Black History Month continues, we turn our attention to the life of Jesse McGowen, namesake of McGowen Elementary, a man who epitomizes joy, kindness and gentle strength. During the integration of McKinney ISD schools in the 1960's, McGowen was called upon to help make it work. He stood in the gap and worked for understanding at a time when tensions could easily flare. He is a true hero of McKinney ISD.
Today, you can often find him at the school that bears his name, a living testimony to the enduring power of love.
Before the passing of Leonard Evans in 2018, Jesse McGowen visited McGowen Elementary with Evans to share with students their experiences in McKinney ISD.
We invite you to read the account of that visit, the story of one of the most important figures in the history of McKinney ISD: https://www.mckinneyisd.net/article/2031246
The MISD Leadership Academy met yesterday at the CEC for its third session of the 2024-2025 school year. For this gathering, they took part in activities and discussion exploring strengths based leadership and heard from Evans Middle School Principal Melissa Hernandez; MISD Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Accountability Dr. Amber Epperson; and English Learner Support Coordinator Erica Ranel who each talked about her journey in education and experiences in different leadership roles.
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."
MISD schools will be closed on Monday, February 17, and Tuesday, February 18. Those days have been designated as a student holiday on the MISD calendar. Classes will resume on Wednesday, February 19.
We hope you have a wonderful, extended weekend!
