The McKinney Education Foundation made their annual festive rounds last Friday to delivery teacher classroom and professional development grants. This year, MEF awarded more than $125,000 of the grants which are funded through donations and dedicated endowments.

Bennett Elementary Assistant Principal Kassie Halpin has been chosen by the district as Bennett’s new principal. The change in leadership follows Principal Amy Holderman’s move to McKinney ISD’s new Frazier Elementary. Halpin brings 14 years of experience in elementary education to her new position.

This fall, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of 17 McKinney ISD seniors whose results on the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT earned them recognition as Commended Scholars and four who earned the title of National Merit Semifinalist. In addition, the College Board announced the names of 25 MISD students honored in the National African American Recognition Program, 40 students who were honored in the National Hispanic Recognition Program and two who earned distinction in the National Indigenous Recognition Program for their exceptional performance on the exam.

I’ve penned hundreds of letters during my career in public education but finding the appropriate words to convey my thoughts today has been more challenging. After 35 years in public education and nearly 8 years serving as the superintendent of McKinney ISD, I have decided to retire. It is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. Many people ask the question, “When will you know that it’s time to retire?” It’s my belief that there is no magic sign or perfect time. You just know.

After 14 years as the principal of Bennett Elementary, Amy Holderman will begin a new chapter in her career, as the principal of Frazier Elementary, which is set to open in the Trinity Falls community in the fall of 2023.

It’s been like a dream come true for Mike Bruck for the past 37 years as a history instructor in our district. McKinney High School has been Mike’s home for nearly his whole career. He and a few of his former students (now teachers at MHS) reminisce about their times with Mr. Bruck in this story.

Counselors have long used various forms of play therapy as a way to connect with children and help them work through emotions and behaviors in a setting that feels comfortable and non-threatening. In the pursuit of play, puppets can be a useful tool.

After a virtual version of the tour in 2021, the McKinney ISD Senior Tour returned in person on Oct. 20, 2022. A merry band of 33 senior adults, Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel, Board Secretary Stephanie O’Dell and Partners in Education Specialist Nancy Cowlishaw climbed aboard two blue and white MISD buses and wended their way on a day-long journey to Lawson Early Childhood School, Evans Middle School and the MISD Aviation program at the McKinney National Airport.

The McKinney ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2023–2024 MISD school calendar at their regular meeting on Oct. 24, and it is now available on the MISD website.

McKinney ISD announced Tuesday night at its October board meeting that Eddins Elementary Assistant Principal Cari Owens has been chosen as the new principal of Eddins.

Community Lifeline Center (CLC) and McKinney ISD have partnered to provide a Feeding Friends and Families food distribution event on October 26 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.