See video: https://youtu.be/5pezog6oB6Q
Kami is a member of the choir program, and she has received a Solo Contest 1 Classification for the past 3 years. She served as choir librarian, and she is currently vice president of the choir.
Kami has taken 4 AP classes, and she has a 3.82 GPA. She is a 3-year member of the National Honor Society, and she participates in the PALS Mentorship program and Golden Girls. Kami serves as president of her church youth group, and she is a Youth Committee member.
After graduation, Kami plans to serve a church mission for 18 months with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then attend Brigham Young University.
That’s Kami Bloxham, from McKinney High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/8sV9G0T1j1w
Grace is a second-year varsity cross country and track runner. She received the “Best Newcomer” and the “Hardest-Working Runner” awards during her freshman year.
Grace is currently 14th in her class with a 5.0 GPA, and she has earned Academic All-District.
Grace serves as the Royal Pride Band bass clarinet squad leader, and she is also a bassoon player during the concert season.
Grace is an active member of First Baptist Church in Allen.
That’s Grace Ellis from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/jsIVu4bUTJ0
“To know Officer Petti is to love him!” Bennett Elementary principal, Kassie Halpin, proclaims the merits of their campus Armed Security Officer.
“He has done it all - from walking students to the nurse who have an injury, ensuring visitors follow our campus exceptions, to killing wasps! Officer Petti has become part of the Bennett culture, and he deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond for every single BEAR!”
We proudly present this safety and well-being Pillar Spotlight on Bennett Elementary ASO Officer Robert Petti.
Fall Break Week!
Student Fall Break is Monday, October 13 – Friday, October 17!
Teacher Fall Break is Monday, October 13 – Tuesday, October 14!
October 15 – District Wide Professional Learning
October 16 – Campus Professional Learning
October 17 – Parent/Teacher Conference Day – There will also be a parent/teacher conference opportunity on January 5, and parents can also schedule a conference with teachers throughout the month.
Classes resume on Monday, October 20.
Have a great break!
The guests were greeted by cheerleaders, a drum line and Principal Holly Rogers before MISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dennis Womack spoke about current happenings in McKinney ISD, including legislative updates, school finance and the Educational Facilities Alignment Committee (EFAC).
Afterwards, Rogers and her team led the group on a tour of SJMS classrooms—that included the newly refreshed band hall and science lab—where they had the opportunity to observe lessons and interact with teachers and students.
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.
Thanks to Principal Holly Rogers and the students of Scott Johnson Middle School for their hospitality!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign that’s held every October to promote screening and reduce the risk of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide. McKinney ISD has designated Friday, October 10, as McKinney ISD Pink Out Day. Wear pink to help raise awareness and show your support for all of those impacted by breast cancer.
See video: https://youtu.be/1GiDEqOlBu4
William plays trumpet in the Bulldawg marching band, concert band, jazz band, symphony orchestra and pit orchestra. He is a TMEA All-State Jazz 1 Member, a TMEA All-Area member and a McKinney ISD Concerto Competition Participant. William earned the Louis Armstrong National Jazz Award, the Outstanding Honors Band Member and the Outstanding Soloist Award.
William currently maintains a 3.74 GPA with 7 AP credits. He is a member of the Finance Club and the McKinney North Jazz Combo 1.
In his free time, William works at the El Dorado Country Club, and he performs with the Dallas Jazz Orchestra.
After graduation, William plans to attend Texas Tech or the University of North Texas to study Jazz Performance.
That’s William Ruthardt, from McKinney North High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/spaWDNKcvpo
Keira is a 3-year varsity letterman on the Lady Bronco volleyball team, and she was selected for the 2nd team All-District.
Keira is ranked 3rd in her class with a 5.02 GPA, and she is an AP Scholar. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and she currently serves as the Vice President.
Keira volunteers at the Community Garden Kitchen, Baylor Scott & White and the McKinney Food Pantry. She also participates in the Young Life youth group.
Keira plans on attending college next year to study biochemistry.
That’s Keira Bose from McKinney Boyd High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/wXMTArru-qs
Texas House Bill 1481 requires all school systems in Texas to adopt and implement a policy that prohibits the use of personal communication devices by students on school property during the school day. This bill passed during the last legislative session and went into effect this school year in McKinney ISD. Reactions to the policy varied, with teachers and staff applauding the reductions in distractions, while students were left feeling unconnected from their former way of a wireless life at school. All in all, though, the transition has gone well.
She was named Honor Graduate from her class of roughly 200 in UNG's Cadet Basic Leadership Course held in May 2025 and was recently featured in this spotlight article from UNG: https://ung.edu/news/articles/2025/09/cadet-embraces-growth-as-leader-in-corps.php
Well done, Campbell!
(Photo courtesy of University of North Georgia)
Did You Know?
McKinney ISD is proud to offer one of the most distinguished Fine Arts programs in Texas! Here are a few of their recent accomplishments...
In 2025, the Texas Art Education Association named McKinney ISD a District of Distinction for the second time—an honor awarded to only the top 7% of districts statewide.
For the tenth consecutive year, the district was recognized as one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants.
McKinney ISD stands out as one of the few districts in Texas to send honor ensembles from every level—elementary, middle school, and high school—to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association conference and other prestigious events. That legacy continued to thrive in the 2024–2025 school year:
The McKinney High School Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the Music For All Festival in Bloomington, Indiana.
Faubion Middle School’s Honors Orchestra and Honors Band were named TMEA State Finalists.
The McKinney North Bulldog Band qualified for the 5A UIL Marching Band Championships, earning 10th place in the state—a school record.
The McKinney Boyd High School Cadenza Quartet placed 16th at the state UIL Small Ensemble Contest.
In visual arts, 19 students qualified for the state Visual Arts Scholastic Event, with eight earning medals and two receiving the elite Gold Seal.
In theatre, the McKinney North Drama Dawgs were selected to perform on the Main Stage of both the Texas Thespian Festival and the International Thespian Festival.
Meanwhile, dance teams from McKinney High School, McKinney Boyd High School, and McKinney North excelled at nationals, earning multiple individual and team titles.
This continued success is a direct result of the exceptional educators across our elementary, middle, and high schools, who consistently raise the bar and deliver the highest quality Fine Arts education possible.
$17/hour
Must be 18 or older and have graduated high school. Contact Jennifer Harris at jharris@mckinneyisd.net for more information.
That’s why we’re proud to celebrate National Custodian Day. It’s a chance to honor the hard work, commitment, and positive impact custodians bring to our schools and workplaces.
Be sure to take a moment today to thank the custodians who keep your school or office running smoothly!
Let’s celebrate the extraordinary individuals leading our schools and the difference they make every day in the lives of our students!
Bennett Elementary — Kassie Halpin
Burks Elementary - Al Conley
Caldwell Elementary - Karla Massey
Eddins Elementary - Cari Owens
Finch Elementary - Erika Echegaray
Frazier Elementary - Amy Holderman
Glen Oaks Elementary - Kristi Andrews
Reuben Johnson Elementary - Kristen Patterson
Lawson Early Childhood School - Susie Towber
Malvern Elementary - Inetra Nelson
McClure Elementary - Kristin Ellis
McGowen Elementary - Kim Luyster
McNeil Elementary - Tracy Meador
Minshew Elementary - Jennifer Larriviere
Press Elementary - Rachel Corbin
Slaughter Elementary - Cyndy Bice
Valley Creek Elementary - Dr. Ebonee King
Vega Elementary - Mike Forsyth
Walker Elementary - Michelle Baumann
Webb Elementary - Karime Terrazas
Wilmeth Elementary - Grace Roberts
Wolford Elementary - Maria Hafner
Cockrill Middle School - Jenny Zornes
Dowell Middle School - Melanie Machost
Evans Middle School - Melissa Hernandez
Faubion Middle School - Mitch VandenBoom
Scott Johnson Middle School - Holly Rogers
McKinney Boyd High School - David Hodum
McKinney High School - Dr. Paula Kent
McKinney North High School - Justin Penio
DAEP/CRC/JJAEP - Kyle Luthi
—Held during the month of October, National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign founded in 2006 to connect communities around the world to help prevent bullying. It is more important than ever to join together in creating a world that is kinder, more accepting, and more inclusive. For more information and resources on bullying: https://www.mckinneyisd.net/page/bullying
See video: https://youtu.be/l_dgRnd3whc?si=6jMYpIq3uOorIGlU
Addison is a 4-year member of the varsity Bailadoras Dance Team, and a 4-year member of the Bailadoras Elite Team. She currently serves as captain for the team, and she has served as Lieutenant for the past 2 years. Addison was a member of the National Champion Team in 2023 & 2025 and the National Champion Officers in 2025. She was Regional Solo Winner for the past 3 years, and she was a National Top 5 Soloist in 2023 & 2025.
Addison has earned an Academic Excellence Award, and she is a 2-year member of PALS.
In her free time, Addison is a member of the Dance FX Studio’s Senior Competitive Team and a member of the Teen Competitive Company at Prodigy Dance & Performing Arts Center.
She participates in the National Charity League where she has volunteered over 300 hours, and she served as president in 2022-2023.
Addison is a “Mother Daughter Service” award recipient, and she works as a lifeguard for the City of McKinney.
After graduation, Addison plans to continue dancing and attend college.
That’s Addison Kinnon from McKinney Boyd High School 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 senior William Cody Seidel from McKinney North High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/-1yC2MuO5kY
William competed at the State 5A cross country meet last fall, and he was selected as the Most Improved Male Runner for his team last year. William is a 4-year member of the cross-country team, and he received the Academic All-District Award in 2023 and 2024.
William is currently ranked 56th in his class with a 4.28 GPA, and he has completed several AP classes.
William participated in the PALS mentorship program during his junior and senior years.
William is an Eagle Scout, and he works at Pickleman’s Gourmet Café.
Next year William plans on going to college to major in Biology and Pre-Med. He would like to serve in the military, then go to med-school and study to be a surgeon in either the neuro division or trauma division.
That’s William Cody Seidel from McKinney North HS, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
Superintendent Shawn Pratt's 2025–2026 Student Advisory Committee met for the first of four sessions on Friday, Sept. 26, 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.
The participants had the opportunity to introduce themselves, and Pratt offered an overview of the group's goals, shared about his journey from student to teacher and eventually superintendent, before leading the group in an overview and discussion of recent state legislation. They also looked at school finance and the recently formed EFAC committee.
In addition, they had the opportunity to meet cabinet members Deputy Superintendent Melanie Raleeh, Asst. Supt. Dr. Shelly Spaulding, Asst. Supt. Dr. Dennis Womack, Asst. Supt. of Teaching and Learning Dr. Amber Epperson and Asst. Supt. of Human Resources Alana Chisum.
