This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Hailey Garms from McKinney High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/IXMVGc1GjYY
Hailey is a 4-year theatre member and a 2-year varsity theatre member. She served as ITS Vice President and as ITS Troupe 3604 President, and she was a State Thespian Officer candidate. Hailey earned several awards, including Outstanding Lead Performer in Night Sky, Outstanding Leadership in a Production Role and Outstanding Performance in Hadestown.
Hailey currently has 4.0 GPA with 7 AP classes. She earned the AP Scholar with Honor award, and she received Outstanding Academic Achievement in theatre three times.
In her free time, Hailey is a member of North Texas Performing Arts where she was in the productions of Carrie and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
After graduation, Hailey plans to double major in BFA Musical Theatre and Forensic Psychology, or she may major in Theatre Education.
That’s Hailey Garms from McKinney High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/IXMVGc1GjYY
Hailey is a 4-year theatre member and a 2-year varsity theatre member. She served as ITS Vice President and as ITS Troupe 3604 President, and she was a State Thespian Officer candidate. Hailey earned several awards, including Outstanding Lead Performer in Night Sky, Outstanding Leadership in a Production Role and Outstanding Performance in Hadestown.
Hailey currently has 4.0 GPA with 7 AP classes. She earned the AP Scholar with Honor award, and she received Outstanding Academic Achievement in theatre three times.
In her free time, Hailey is a member of North Texas Performing Arts where she was in the productions of Carrie and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
After graduation, Hailey plans to double major in BFA Musical Theatre and Forensic Psychology, or she may major in Theatre Education.
That’s Hailey Garms from McKinney High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
Teacher Appreciation Week, Day 2!
Our Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, and Board of Trustees are hitting the road this week to celebrate our most valuable asset: our teachers! Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students. It’s an honor to support you! 🍎✨
Our Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, and Board of Trustees are hitting the road this week to celebrate our most valuable asset: our teachers! Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students. It’s an honor to support you! 🍎✨
Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is tomorrow, May 6!
This annual event encourages students and families to walk, bike, or roll to school together. Whether you are on a bike or walking with friends, it’s a great way to start the day!
This annual event encourages students and families to walk, bike, or roll to school together. Whether you are on a bike or walking with friends, it’s a great way to start the day!
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This month, we celebrate the many cultures and contributions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.
“All that heaviness, they don’t carry it around. As a teacher…it helps me as an adult to realize that your circumstances don’t dictate your happiness.”
See video: https://youtu.be/Uqb0U0KSmzM
Kelly Miller is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McNeil Elementary. She teaches 2nd grade, and she has worked as an educator for 8 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/Uqb0U0KSmzM
Kelly Miller is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McNeil Elementary. She teaches 2nd grade, and she has worked as an educator for 8 years.
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating the incredible educators who pour their hearts into our classrooms.
Thank you for your patience and endless belief in every student who walks through your door. You are amazing!
Thank you for your patience and endless belief in every student who walks through your door. You are amazing!
Happy National Testing Coordinator Day!
Today we recognize our testing coordinators and the incredible organization and behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly in McKinney ISD during testing season. Your attention to detail and commitment make a huge difference for students and schools alike. Thank you for all that you do!
Today we recognize our testing coordinators and the incredible organization and behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly in McKinney ISD during testing season. Your attention to detail and commitment make a huge difference for students and schools alike. Thank you for all that you do!
“I started thinking, ‘What do I want to do with the rest of my life now that I’m out of the military? What is purposeful and impactful to me?’ And so I looked at education.”
See video: https://youtu.be/aKZpWycnhB0
Jessica Piecek is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Lawson Early Childhood School. She teaches bilingual pre-K head start, and she has worked as an educator for 4 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/aKZpWycnhB0
Jessica Piecek is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Lawson Early Childhood School. She teaches bilingual pre-K head start, and she has worked as an educator for 4 years.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is senior Andres Pinerua-Mata from McKinney North High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/zxs5-CQjUWg
Andres was the District Runner Up in the 100 meters for the Bulldawg Track and Field team. He was an Area Qualifier in the 100 meters and a Regional Qualifier in the 4x100 and 4x200 Relays.
Andres maintains a weighted GPA of 4.22, and he has taken 11 AP courses. He is ranked 72nd in his class of 562 students.
Andres participates in the PALS Mentorship program, and he has volunteered at his church. He has worked at a local restaurant and as a referee for a youth league.
After high school Andres is going to continue his track and field career and major in Biology at the University of Texas at Dallas.
That’s Andres Pinerua-Mata from McKinney North High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/zxs5-CQjUWg
Andres was the District Runner Up in the 100 meters for the Bulldawg Track and Field team. He was an Area Qualifier in the 100 meters and a Regional Qualifier in the 4x100 and 4x200 Relays.
Andres maintains a weighted GPA of 4.22, and he has taken 11 AP courses. He is ranked 72nd in his class of 562 students.
Andres participates in the PALS Mentorship program, and he has volunteered at his church. He has worked at a local restaurant and as a referee for a youth league.
After high school Andres is going to continue his track and field career and major in Biology at the University of Texas at Dallas.
That’s Andres Pinerua-Mata from McKinney North High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
May 1 is National School Principals' Day! Thank you to our incredible McKinney ISD principals who lead and inspire our students and teachers every day. These dedicated educators play a vital role in shaping our students’ futures and the trajectory of our district.
Let’s celebrate the extraordinary individuals leading our schools and the difference they make every day in the lives of our students!
Let’s celebrate the extraordinary individuals leading our schools and the difference they make every day in the lives of our students!
McKinney Boyd High School Top 10 Students!
McKinney ISD wrapped up its celebration of each of its 2026 high school Top 10 Students today at McKinney Boyd where Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Principal David Hodum greeted the honored guests and their family members at a special recognition breakfast.
As always, Pratt presented each of the students with a Top 10 Students shirt displaying their class rank on the back. These students have achieved something truly noteworthy, and Pratt commended them for the diligence that brought them to this moment, for the many hours that they have devoted to the pursuit of academic excellence, for all the times they chose the more difficult path.
"It's a big deal," Pratt said. "Being in the Top 10% is a huge deal, but being in the Top 10 students is really, really special. And, I am aware of the sacrifices that you made to be in the Top 10, a lot of late nights ... and that discipline is what sets you apart."
Congratulations to the Top 10 Students of the McKinney Boyd High School Class of 2026!
1. Cole Wakefield
2. Keira Bose
3. Akhil Vanga
4. Karen Shi
5. Robert McAllister-Ou
6. Joshua Lee
7. Hebbah Hussain
8. Brylee Weisz
9. Daniel Nance
10. Quinn Corich
McKinney ISD wrapped up its celebration of each of its 2026 high school Top 10 Students today at McKinney Boyd where Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Principal David Hodum greeted the honored guests and their family members at a special recognition breakfast.
As always, Pratt presented each of the students with a Top 10 Students shirt displaying their class rank on the back. These students have achieved something truly noteworthy, and Pratt commended them for the diligence that brought them to this moment, for the many hours that they have devoted to the pursuit of academic excellence, for all the times they chose the more difficult path.
"It's a big deal," Pratt said. "Being in the Top 10% is a huge deal, but being in the Top 10 students is really, really special. And, I am aware of the sacrifices that you made to be in the Top 10, a lot of late nights ... and that discipline is what sets you apart."
Congratulations to the Top 10 Students of the McKinney Boyd High School Class of 2026!
1. Cole Wakefield
2. Keira Bose
3. Akhil Vanga
4. Karen Shi
5. Robert McAllister-Ou
6. Joshua Lee
7. Hebbah Hussain
8. Brylee Weisz
9. Daniel Nance
10. Quinn Corich
McKinney ISD offers a full range of competitive athletics to well over 4,500 student-athletes. This includes McKinney High School, McKinney North High School, and McKinney Boyd High School as well as Faubion, Dowell, Johnson, Evans, and Cockrill Middle Schools. The staff on all eight campuses is extremely devoted to the ideals and basic fundamentals of sportsmanship, responsibility, work ethic, character development, and positive attitudes that are essential in any athletic program.
Athletics summer camps and conditioning sessions are officially open for registration. Visit the Athletics Camps & Conditioning page for more information.
The McKinney ISD Interdisciplinary Study and Mentorship (ISM) program held its Final Presentation Night last night at McKinney Boyd High School. Students showcased the focused, in-depth research they have conducted throughout the school year.
ISM is a rigorous course that provides students with the opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest through independent study, extensive research, writing and ultimately a mentorship with a professional in their chosen field.
ISM is a rigorous course that provides students with the opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest through independent study, extensive research, writing and ultimately a mentorship with a professional in their chosen field.
“Spending the whole year with them, seeing them grow, seeing their successes, their challenges…and then having to send them to another grade level…we cried so much at the end of the year.”
See video: https://youtu.be/VmX0K6mRpeg
Madalyn Whatley is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Webb Elementary. She is a 3rd grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 2 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/VmX0K6mRpeg
Madalyn Whatley is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Webb Elementary. She is a 3rd grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 2 years.
Today we celebrate National School Lunch Hero Day!
A huge thank you to the cafeteria teams who show up every day on our McKinney ISD campuses to nourish and support our students. Your hard work often happens behind the scenes, but it makes a lasting impact on our schools and in every classroom.
Thank you!
A huge thank you to the cafeteria teams who show up every day on our McKinney ISD campuses to nourish and support our students. Your hard work often happens behind the scenes, but it makes a lasting impact on our schools and in every classroom.
Thank you!
“People don’t realize the intentionality behind every single lesson…even the small things, like what questions do I want to ask them and in what order.”
See video: https://youtu.be/rlSfkdSctxo
Lauryn Zuercher is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McKinney High School. She teaches 9th – 10th grade math, and she has worked as an educator for 10 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/rlSfkdSctxo
Lauryn Zuercher is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McKinney High School. She teaches 9th – 10th grade math, and she has worked as an educator for 10 years.
The McKinney ISD SHAC Committee is taking applications for the 2026–2027 school year. Please complete no later than August 1, 2026.
The application may be found on the School Health Advisory Council page.
“I think teachers have a unique opportunity to plant seeds of kindness. The hope is that when they go out into the world, and they become global citizens that they do the same for others.”
See video: https://youtu.be/5f8uO5kasso
Lisa Cisneros is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Slaughter Elementary. She teaches 2nd grade, and she has worked as an educator for 9 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/5f8uO5kasso
Lisa Cisneros is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Slaughter Elementary. She teaches 2nd grade, and she has worked as an educator for 9 years.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Grace Carroll from McKinney North High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/IIHOsYgGNjE
Grace participates in the art program, and she received the highest score of 4 on the artwork that she submitted for the Visual Arts Scholastic Event.
Grace currently has a GPA of 3.4, and she has taken 2 AP classes.
In addition to art, Grace is a member of the Improv Club, and she continues to help the Drama Dawgs Theatre with their annual haunted house.
In her free time, Grace volunteers at Cathy’s Critters as a junior counselor, and she currently works at IPIC Theatres in Fairview.
After graduation, Grace plans to attend the University of Texas in Dallas and major in Animation.
That’s Grace Carroll from McKinney North High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/IIHOsYgGNjE
Grace participates in the art program, and she received the highest score of 4 on the artwork that she submitted for the Visual Arts Scholastic Event.
Grace currently has a GPA of 3.4, and she has taken 2 AP classes.
In addition to art, Grace is a member of the Improv Club, and she continues to help the Drama Dawgs Theatre with their annual haunted house.
In her free time, Grace volunteers at Cathy’s Critters as a junior counselor, and she currently works at IPIC Theatres in Fairview.
After graduation, Grace plans to attend the University of Texas in Dallas and major in Animation.
That’s Grace Carroll from McKinney North High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
Vega Elementary Kindness Parade 2026
"Just like bubbles, the autism spectrum is full of beautiful, different colors. When we show kindness, we help each other shine."
For Vega Elementary, that's not just a sentiment to tack up on the wall; it's a principle they strive to live out every day. So, in honor of Autism Awareness Month, Vega held their second annual Kindness Parade this morning to celebrate the joy of showing kindness.
"Last year, when we were putting up our autism acceptance bulletin board in the main hallway, our kids decided they wanted to have a parade," said Special Education teacher Leslie Demattia. "So, we decided to develop a kindness parade and include some of our friends from the general education population to walk with our STC students and make their dream happen for them."
The whole school was ready to help out. They lined the walk around Vega, equipped with signs and bubbles, to cheer on their friends, to remind them that they belong, too.
"This parade is a perfect opportunity for the Vega community to show that we include everybody and care for everybody," said Principal Mike Forsyth. "It gives our students a chance to show the kindness that we talk about all the time."
The parade honorees weren't content to just be the recipients of kindness; they put together goody bags to deliver to every student in the school, to thank them for taking part in the parade.
Because the students at Vega Elementary have figured out that kindness is not something we keep for ourselves. It only works when we give it away.
