FEBRUARY 2015 | WEB VERSION IN THIS ISSUE… APPLAUSE • Congratulations New Apple Corps Members! • West Mesquite High School Musical • Amanda Tecklenburg Receives Life-Saving Award • North Mesquite High School Musical • Poteet High School Musical DISTRICT NEWS • Perspective from Lanny Frasier NEWS YOU CAN USE • Mark Your Calendar for Spring Events! • Community Education • Education Foundation • My Dream My Future: Taylor Dupree • My Dream My Future: Selena Hernandez CAMPUS NEWS • My Dream My Future: Dr. Robin Johnson • Annual High School Art Exhibit • My Dream My Future: Jennifer Drake • Mesquite High School Musical • Tech Talk • John Horn High School Musical • Safety Report: It’s Still Flu Season Congratulations New Apple Corps Members! Juan Carlos Coronado Juan Carlos is a graduate of Mesquite High School and teaches math at Tosch Elementary. He has 14 years of experience – seven in Mesquite ISD. Principal Betsy Adams says, “Mr. Coronado is always smiling, shows respect to all students and carries the attitude that ‘nothing is impossible.’ In addition, he leads his team with enthusiasm and constant encouragement.” Juan Carlos’ sister, a professional educator, gave him his first opportunity to work with students. Following this, he knew working with children was his calling. He says, “I truly enjoy working with my students and their families. Year after year I get the opportunity to enrich the lives of kids in order to secure a better future for them.” While it’s important to teach math skills, Juan Carlos also focuses on lessons in kindness and respect through his own actions. Something unique about Juan Carlos is that his parents immigrated to the United States so he and his siblings could have the opportunity to attend good schools and get a great education. He is grateful for the support and love of his wife, who also teaches in MISD, and his parents. Juan Carlos’ goal is to become a principal in Mesquite ISD. Holly Good Holly teaches sixth grade at Porter Elementary and has been with Mesquite ISD for eight years. Principal Becky Rasco says, “Holly is truly here for the students. She works endlessly to come up with ways to inspire her children to develop a love for learning that will last a lifetime.” Holly began her teaching journey in junior high when she was asked to teach Vacation Bible School and has continued to teach in some capacity ever since. She says, “I enjoy teaching because it enables me to watch my students grow intellectually and socially. The best moments come when students feel confident to teach each other.” She strives to find a way for each child to turn a weakness into a strength. Holly’s husband is her greatest supporter, along with Ms. Rasco whose open door policy has made an incredible impact on her. Holly believes it’s never too late to learn something you love. Juan Carlos and Holly were inducted into Apple Corps during the February Board Meeting: [http://youtu.be/b_cJJUOE8bs] Amanda Tecklenburg Receives Life-Saving Award On Monday, January 5, Wilkinson Middle School teacher Amanda Tecklenburg assisted a student who was experiencing a seizure. Ms. Tecklenburg noticed that the student had fallen to the floor, was shaking and was unconscious. The student’s head was hitting the ground, so she immediately secured it with her hands and then rolled the student to the side. She was able to call for help and the administrators on duty called 911. The paramedics transported the student to Children’s Medical Center where she was treated and later released. Ms. Tecklenburg’s actions and appropriate response to the emergency saved the student’s life. Amanda was recognized at the February School Board meeting: [http://youtu.be/0yAoUI50Hnw] Perspective Lanny Frasier Assistant Superintendent – Personnel This is the time of year when we look ahead and begin the process of recruiting and hiring for 2015-16. With more than 5,200 total employees, there is generally an attrition rate of approximately 15 percent due to relocations, resignations, retirements, terminations, leaves, etc. Last year, we hired more than 825 replacements and new employees (to accommodate growth) according to the following: Professionals/Teachers 426 Paraprofessionals 125 Food Service 130 Custodial/Security 41 Transportation 53 Facilities/Tech Services 37 Crossing Guards 16 These numbers have remained fairly consistent throughout the past several years, and we anticipate the upcoming one to be very similar. The task of filling all these positions is becoming increasingly difficult as the economy improves, and the corresponding job market becomes more and more competitive. We try to be proactive and aggressive in our approach, and our recruiting efforts include: - General job postings - Extensive use of the internet - KEOM - Newspaper/magazine ads - Job Fairs (including the MISD Fair every May) - Partnerships with universities - Direct mailings In addition, more than 65 on-site visits are made to colleges/universities and other preparation programs resulting in approximately 2,500 contacts. We use our competitive salary schedule, tuition reimbursement program, benefits (including the health clinic and pharmacy), staff development opportunities, leadership stability, community support, awards and recognitions, and reputation for quality schools as recruiting tools. While all of these are well and good, our most effective recruiting effort remains with you – our current employees! Nothing says more about the district than those who work here, and you are our greatest ambassadors. Word of mouth goes a long way, and potential candidates consistently tell us that someone who works within MISD referred them. It truly takes a team effort, and we want only those with the highest level of commitment, character and integrity working with our students. This can only be determined by personal knowledge of the individual, and this is where we often rely on you. Your efforts in this regard are very much appreciated, and we want to encourage you to continue to promote and share positive experiences about the district with friends, relatives and others that you are familiar with in order for us to hire the very best! Mark Your Calendar for Spring Events! March 9-13 – Spring Break May 5 – Apple Corps Gala May 9 – Bond Election May 14 – Employee Recognition Program May 25 – Memorial Day Holiday May 30-31 – Graduation June 11 – Retiree Luncheon Education Foundation The Education Foundation presents the 9th Annual Lone Star Legacy Gala featuring the band Lifehouse. PURCHASE CONCERT TICKETS Concert tickets are on sale throughTicketMaster.com [http://www.ticketmaster.com/ event/0C004E4287FE255B ] or at the Mesquite Arena Box Office (1818 Rodeo Dr. Mesquite, 75149). Ticket prices: VIP - $75 (includes dinner and drinks from 6:15 - 9:15 p.m.) Premium Reserve - $25 Reserved - $20 BECOME A TABLE SPONSOR Visit www.mesquitefoundation.org/gala.html for more information and to download theTable Sponsorship Order Form [http://www.mesquitefoundation.org/galasponsors.html]. Table sponsorships include great seats on the arena floor, dinner and premium parking. A portion of the table sponsorship is tax deductible. Annual High School Art Exhibit Student art from all five MISD high schools was on display at the Professional Development Center from January 9 - February 3. [http://tinyurl.com/qaeduxp ] Mesquite High School Musical The musical for Mesquite High School this year was “Mary Poppins.” [http://tinyurl.com/mgztkdw] John Horn High School Musical The musical for John Horn High School this year was “Footloose.” [http://tinyurl.com/l42eeal] West Mesquite High School Musical The musical for Mesquite High School this year was “Annie.” [http://tinyurl.com/oaqt32o] North Mesquite High School Musical The musical for North Mesquite High School this year was “Guys and Dolls.” [http://tinyurl.com/pbz3ppb] Poteet High School Musical The musical for Poteet High School this year was “Big Fish.” [http://tinyurl.com/pee5eb3] Community Education 3/2 Mac: Tips and Tricks for a Beginner Instructor: Deanna Licatovich Location: PDC Computer Lab Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $29 3/3 Make a Deco Mesh Wreath – Spring Instructor: Vickie Cline Location: PDC Room 211 Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Fee: $22 3/23 So, You Bought an iPad for Your Child… Now What? Instructor: Deanna Licatovich Location: PDC Computer Lab Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $29 3/24 Senior Care: Information for Caregivers and Family Instructor: Marilyn Herrin Location: PDC Room 213 Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $19 (Bring a family member for free!) Register early at www.CommunityEdClasses.org or call (972) 88-CLASS! MISD Employees receive a $5 discount by entering promo code: MISD at time of registration. My Dream My Future: Taylor Dupree [http://youtu.be/chCB_xOgB5E] My Dream My Future: Selena Hernandez [http://youtu.be/zAwjc6hitBw] My Dream My Future: Dr. Robin Johnson [http://youtu.be/xBNu918ucSs] My Dream My Future: Jennifer Drake [http://youtu.be/v8GzXuv7eF4] Tech Talk Cannaday Students Create Videos for Kindergartners When the kindergarten teachers at Cannaday expressed a desire to start using more technology with their students, fellow teacher Emilee Simmons and her sixth-grade students responded in a big way! Using their iPads and the Explain Everything app, the sixth-graders create videos by using pictures and reading from kindergarten’s “read aloud” books. The students uploaded their completed videos to Google Drive and then created a QR code for the video’s location. Finally, the QR codes were printed, along with a picture of the book’s cover, and placed at kindergarten listening stations. It’s win-win situation for both student groups: sixth-graders got to work on their fluency, and kindergarteners were able to benefit from listening and reading along. Tech Tip: Turn it Off! Everyone knows the importance of turning off the lights when leaving a room to save money and conserve electricity, but did you know that there are additional considerations in our classrooms? Most classrooms in MISD now have ceiling-mounted projectors, while others use projectors on a cart.