McKinney High School

Teachers and staff - The red go bags are still being finalized. We will send out a notification once they are ready for pick up. Thanks so much!

Teachers and staff - We are missing 56 emergency folders. If you have one of these folders in your room, please drop it off in F203.

Good morning! We will begin the day in the cafeteria at 8am. Be sure you sign in for your PD credit. See you soon!

Teachers and staff - We will be in the cafeteria at 1:00 this afternoon for our staff handbook discussion. There will be prizes. Please be on time after lunch.

Good morning, Lion Nation! Our Marquettes are serving breakfast, so make your way to the cafe when you can. PD will start at 8am. If you are a classroom teacher, please grab a white book off the table after you sign in.

MISD Announces New Student Communication Device Policy in Accordance with HB 1481
McKinney ISD Communications

July 29, 2025

McKinney, Texas — In accordance with House Bill 1481, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, McKinney ISD—along with school districts across the state—will implement a new policy regarding student use of personal communication devices during the school day. This policy will go into effect on August 12, 2025.

To ensure full compliance with this legislation, McKinney ISD will take deliberate and consistent steps across all campuses. These steps include clearly communicating expectations to students, applying uniform procedures districtwide, and enforcing appropriate disciplinary actions in line with district policy and the Student Code of Conduct.

Students who have a personal communication device that is out, visible, or not properly stored during the school day will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

Prohibited personal communication devices include, but are not limited to:

Smartphones


Laptops and tablets


Smartwatches


Earbuds and earphones


Smart eyeglasses

Portable gaming devices

Key Points for Families:

All personal communication devices must remain out of sight from the moment students enter campus until the dismissal bell rings. This includes lunch and passing periods.



Devices may be carried and kept in backpacks and accessed only in the event of an emergency. McKinney ISD supports students having access to phones in crisis situations.



Students with documented health needs that require a device will be permitted to use it. Please coordinate directly with your campus nurse to make arrangements.




Students will continue to use district-issued devices, such as iPads or MacBooks, for instructional purposes.



The district’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy has been updated in the 2025–2026 Student Handbook to reflect that BYOD is no longer permitted under HB 1481.

In the coming weeks, additional details regarding disciplinary procedures will be shared through the Student Handbook.

2026 Seniors!

2026 RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION

So proud of our JROTC leaders! Just back from a week of developing their skills!

Science Summer Kick-Off at McKinney High School

See video: https://tinyurl.com/mv2b33ea

“We’re super STEMists,” explained Chase Berndt. “Jedi STEMists,” added Jimmy McGowan with a chuckle. These two McKinney High School Class of 2025 students are spreading their appreciation for science – even AFTER they have graduated high school.

This past Saturday, several students from Kelly Daescu’s AP Chemistry and AP Biology classes transformed the McKinney High School cafeteria into one large science lab so that elementary students and their parents could experience: Science Summer Kick-Off.

The MHS AP Biology and Chemistry students invite you to a summer kick-off party at the McKinney High Cafeteria this Saturday from 10-11:30am! Come take part in some fun experiments and other science related activities. Sign up using the QR code or at https://shorturl.at/ZmPKz. See you there!

The way we went running when we heard the @whipandtreats food truck made a surprise stop for teachers today! Thank you to Larry Turner, and his amazing wife Rianna, for serving up some joy in a cup! We appreciate you and your frozen goodness!

Congrats to our Teacher of the Week, Ms. Lira. She is the our yearbook advisor and does an amazing job with her students...as seen in the 24-25 Lion Yearbook! Ms. Soroa is our staff member of the week. We appreciate all that you both do for our teachers and students!

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Makayla Schaffran.

See video: https://youtu.be/Z081FcJSEy0

Makayla is a senior at McKinney High School where she is a 3-year member of the choir. She performs with the Harmony jazz ensemble, and she has served as varsity choir vice president.

Makayla currently has a 3.4 GPA, and she is a 2-year member of the National Honor Society. Mayayla is also a member of the Golden Girls.

In her free time, Makayla sings with her church worship team, and she is a student leader of the youth group. She also volunteers in the children’s ministry at her church.

After graduation, Makayla plans to attend Collin College to major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

That’s Makayla Schaffran, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.

The First in Family celebration is always special! We are so proud of our students! Thank you to the family members,teachers, and our board member that were present tonight. A special thanks to our MHS Counselors, MEF advisor, and Coach Wylie for making it so memorable! 💙🦁💛

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is Cadence Washington from McKinney High School.
/br> See video: https://youtu.be/5UN-eXdQrqU?si=piU_YOIGfD0a9IyL
/br> Cadence is a senior on the Lions varsity track team, and she has received the award for Team MVP. Cadence is a 3-time team captain, and she received the District Champion honor her Freshman year.
/br> Cadence has taken multiple AP courses.
/br> She volunteers with her school, and she feeds the homeless.
/br> Next year, Cadence plans to continue her track career in college and to study Dermatology.
/br> That’s Cadence Washington from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.

The Special Olympics Track Meet day is always one of the best days of the year! We are SO proud of the way our kids represent McKinney High School each and every day! Big thanks to the MHS PALS and Cheerleaders for all of their help and support! #GoldStandard 🥇🥈🥉🏅

This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Emerson Anderson.

See video: https://youtu.be/JkN-vM4lsTU

Emerson is a senior at McKinney High School where she is a 4-year member of the Theatre program. She is a Texas Thespians National Qualifier and Thespian of the Year. She also earned Outstanding Direction with Dallas Broadway.

Emerson is an International Thespians Society 4-year active member. She served as ITS Chair for 2 years, and she is involved in student directing and varsity productions.

Emerson ranks in the top 10% of her class with a 4.398 GPA, and she has received the Academic Excellence Award for the past 3 years.

In her free time, Emerson works at Tropical Smoothie, and she volunteers with the MHS PTO and First United Methodist Church.

After graduation, Emerson plans to attend Texas State University to major in Theatre Education with a desire to teach high school theatre.

That’s Emerson Anderson, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.

The tradition continues! The Lion Yearbook Staff won an NSPA Pacemaker Award for their 2024 Yearbook!! 🥳 This is the highest national recognition they can receive for their work as a staff. Congratulations to all! 🦁💛