In January, 11 MISD elementary schools—Bennett, Caldwell, Eddins, Finch, Minshew, Press, RJE, Vega, Walker, Wilmeth and Wolford—embarked on a journey through MIND Education's ST Math with lovable penguin JiJi, a character from the program.
During the week of April 1, JiJi visited the schools to celebrate their success using the ST Math platform—to date, they have completed an astounding 2,534,213 ST Math puzzles!
MISD Coordinator of Elementary Math Sharon Sovereign said that the ST Math program is based on neuroscience and, using puzzles, begins by teaching foundational concepts visually. It then connects the ideas to symbols and language.
"With visual learning, students are better equipped to tackle unfamiliar math problems, recognize patterns and build conceptual understanding," Sovereign said. "Learning how to persevere and learning from their mistakes has made the students of MISD strong independent thinkers, ready to conquer the toughest problems."
We caught up with JiJi at RJE on Friday, where the penguin, who appears in each ST Math puzzle, received a boisterous welcome!
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is senior Finley Plant from McKinney North High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/bxvA9xtJ5Yw?si=s2IthAB9-TKJe83r
Finley plays cello in the orchestra, and she has served as First Chair for 3 years as well as an Orchestra Officer for 2 years.
She has received a ranking of 1 on Solo, and she was selected for the All-Region orchestra in 2025.
Finley is an AP Scholar with Excellence, and she currently has a 4.5 GPA.
She has taken 8 AP classes, and she has been awarded Academic Excellence for 3 years.
Finley is a member of the National Honor Society, STUCCO, PALS, and the Interact Club.
In her free time, Finley works at Sali’s Italian Restaurant.
After graduation, Finley plans to attend the University of North Texas to major in Business & Accounting.
That’s Finley Plant, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
April 7-11 is National Assistant Principals Week! A big thank you to our McKinney ISD Assistant Principals and Associate Principals for all the ways they contribute to the success of our district!
MISD Assistant Principals (and Associate Principals)
Bennett - Anita Tillson
Burks - Zoraya Palmer
Caldwell - Leslie Thornton
Eddins - Cody Martin
Finch - Mike Allen
Frazier - Sharna Rhone & Hadley Husman
Glen Oaks - Christi Jordan
Reuben Johnson - Ebonie Walls
Lawson - Kelly McKee & Veronica Muizers
McClure - Natalie Hebert
McGowen - Sylvia Lloyd
McNeil - Kelli Snyder
Minshew - Melinna Herrera
Press - Rachel Cotton
Slaughter - Cynthia Millar-Bice
Valley Creek - Ashley Cruz
Vega - Wendy Cottam
Walker - Misty Young
Webb - Susan Dobrow
Wilmeth - Amber Hooten
Wolford - Heather Rodriguez
Cockrill - Jay Cobb, Nikoya Carter & Brittni Wolfe
Dowell - Jessica Fair & Tiffany Bailey
Evans - Jaymee Robbins & Sarah Bates
Faubion - Sara Kriesel-Hall, Michael Demakas & Shelly Kramer
SJMS - Grace Roberts & Felipe Arellano
Boyd - Cruz Saenz, Gonzalo Campos, Jen Dixon, Josh Helms, Frederick Nickens, Amy Philachack Yuan & Jessica Rose
MHS - Josh Greenwood, Jesse Abel, Kelly Armbruster, Karelius Paul, Ferlanda Willis, Robert Quach, Felipe Torres & Stephenie Wood
North - Amanda Leader, Reuben Davis, Nataushe Jordan, Justin Landrith, David Weintraub & Michael Westfall
DAEP - Tom Wales
CRC - Margaret Taylor
Serenity High - Allie Long
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Kady Huggins from McKinney High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/_Ehk0OuhhIc
Kady is a senior on the Lionettes varsity softball team, and she is a 4-year varsity starter.
Kady has received Honorable Mention and Academic All-District 2 years in a row. She was nominated to 2nd Team All-District in 2024.
Kady has a 3.5 GPA, and she is a member of the AVID program.
Kady attends Revolution Church and is a member of a bible study group.
Next year, Kady plans to continue her academic and softball career at Southern Nazarene University, and she plans to major in Sports Marketing.
That’s Kady Huggins from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
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.
