August 2023 News
August 25, 2023
Hello Lion families,
Congratulations to our MHS Lions for their win over the Lobos last night! Our first pep rally was incredible. So much talent, so much fun! Thanks to everyone that braved the heat to help cheer the Lions, in games like that the energy from the fans can make all the difference.
Kudos to all our student leaders and teacher sponsors for the plethora of clubs available to students at MHS. Most existing clubs had their first meetings this week. I encourage all of our students to be involved in something. If your child is not currently involved in a club or organization, please encourage them to look for ways to get involved. There are lots of options!
Annual laptop fees due. ($74/$37) and can be paid in person by check or cash or on credit card at https://www.payschoolscentral.com/ . All fees and fines must be paid before students
Marquettes – Mini Camp
Saturday, September 9th – 9am-12pm @ McKinney HS Performing Arts Center
We are excited to have a magical Mini Camp this year. All K-5 students come join us for dance, games, snacks, pictures and a fun t-shirt! We will perform at the Varsity Pre-Game for football on October 13th! Get registered today! Cost is $40.00 before September 5th.
Our first progress report will be next week. Grades should be available in HAC after 5 pm on Friday. If there’s a delay, please keep checking. Sometimes technology does not always work as expected.
PTO
We encourage you to join and be involved. Below are links to help you get plugged in!
Join the PTO to support student scholarships, teacher grants, and teacher appreciation events:
Roar Store: Open during lunches, run by volunteers! Sign up to help with the Roar Store Sign-Up Genius
MHS PTO Game Day Spirit Wear Sales – Volunteer to sell spirit wear during lunches on football game days: Spirit Wear Sales Sign-Up Genius
MHS PTO Football Concessions – Volunteer at the MHS concession stand and receive FREE admission to the game: Concession Sign-Up Genius
MHS 2024 Senior Yard Signs – Purchase yard signs for seniors: Senior Yard Sign Sales
MISD Volunteer Background Check – Complete the required background check to volunteer at MISD for the safety of our students and staff: MISD Volunteer Background Check
Follow MHS PTO on Facebook and Instagram. @MHSPTO
Green Cord Hours
Our StuCo sponsors have put together some information for those of you curious about How to Earn a Green Cord. Click the link for more information.
Upcoming events:
Please make sure students have a ride home from events within 15 minutes of the event being over. Students that are not picked up in a timely manner risk being banned from after school events.
Annual laptop fees due. ($74/$37) and can be paid in person by check or cash or on credit card at https://www.payschoolscentral.com/ . All fees and fines must be paid before students
Upcoming events:
August 26th- MHS Mini Cheer Clinic-9am at MHS in the Cafeteria
August 29th-Varsity Team Tennis Lions – Lionettes vs McKinney Boyd High School-.3:30pm at MHS Home Court
August 29th-Varsity Volleyball Lionettes vs Walnut Grove-6:30p-.Place-TBD
September 1st….Varsity Football Lions vs Richardson Berkner- 7:00pm…..Richardson Stadium
August 18, 2023
Dear Lion Parents,
Thanks to all of you that came out to support our extra-curricular activities this week. We are looking forward to our First Pep Rally this coming Thursday, August 24 at 2 PM. Parents and guardians listed on the student’s registration sheet may attend. The original photo ID is required. We cannot accept photocopies or pictures of IDs shown on a phone.
Please remember, ALL VISITORS must come in through the front doors and show their ID. NEVER ask a student to open a door for you, even if you are helping with a club or an organization. Our students have been directed not to open doors for anyone, even staff members.
PTO
We encourage you to join and be involved. Below are links to help you get plugged in!
Join the PTO to support student scholarships, teacher grants, and teacher appreciation events:
Roar Store: Open during lunches, run by volunteers! Sign up to help with the Roar Store Sign-Up Genius
MHS PTO Game Day Spirit Wear Sales – Volunteer to sell spirit wear during lunches on football game days: Spirit Wear Sales Sign-Up Genius
MHS PTO Football Concessions – Volunteer at the MHS concession stand and receive FREE admission to the game: Concession Sign-Up Genius
MHS 2024 Senior Yard Signs – Purchase yard signs for seniors: Senior Yard Sign Sales
MISD Volunteer Background Check – Complete the required background check to volunteer at MISD for the safety of our students and staff: MISD Volunteer Background Check
Follow MHS PTO on Facebook and Instagram. @MHSPTO
Green Cord Hours
Our StuCo sponsors have put together some information for those of you curious about How to Earn a Green Cord. Click the link for more information.
Tardies
This week we extended grace to our students by eliminating tardies from Monday – Thursday. Many students that had been issued detentions for tardies this week had their detentions forgiven. We know that our building is big and we felt many of our students needed a little extra time to find their way around. Moving forward, we will be counting tardies. Students will be given 2 warnings before house offices begin issuing detentions.
The majority of our tardies come during the first period. We realize that traffic is heavy during drop off, but we must have students in class on time. Our doors are open at 6:50 each morning. Additionally, many of our teachers offer morning tutorials. Traffic is light between 6:50 and 7:05. Families arriving after 7:10 experience the longest wait time during drop off. We recommend that parents drop their children off as early as possible.
Marquettes – Mini Camp
Saturday, September 9th – 9am-12pm @ McKinney HS Performing Arts Center
We are excited to have a magical Mini Camp this year. All K-5 students come join us for dance, games, snacks, pictures and a fun t-shirt! We will perform at the Varsity Pre-Game for football on October 13th! Get registered today! Cost is $40.00 before September 5th.
Upcoming events:
Please make sure students have a ride home from events within 15 minutes of the event being over. Students that are not picked up in a timely manner risk being banned from after school events.
Tuesday 8/22 – 4pm – Varsity Team Tennis Lions – Lionettes vs Little Elm High School @ Little Elm HS
6:30pm -Varsity Volleyball Lionettes vs Wakeland @ McKinney HS Competition Gym
Thursday 8/24 – Pep Rally – 2:00pm, Football vs. Longview @ MISD Stadium – 7:00pm
Varsity Volleyball Lionette vs San Marcos @ San Marcos
Friday 8/25 – 3:30pm – Varsity Team Tennis Lions – Lionettes vs JJ Pearce High School @ McKinney HS
Home Court
Saturday 8/26 – 7:30am – Varsity Cross Country Lions – Lionettes vs Greenhill 6mile Relay @ Norbuck
Park
6:30pm – Varsity Volleyball Lionettes vs San Marcos @ San Marcos
Sept. 11 – Meet the Teacher Night – 5:30 – Parent Presentation; 6-7 Walk building/meet teachers
August 11, 2023
Greetings Lion Parents,
This is not the end-of-the-week email I planned to send. As you know, we had to dismiss early today due to a power outage. Our central administration did a great job of supporting us with logistics and communication. Most buses were ready to roll by the time we had to dismiss. Thank you to all the parents that came early to pick up your children. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. We were disappointed that there was a disruption to what was otherwise a very smooth week. Although the power outage was beyond our control, we were impressed by the level of self-control and cooperation demonstrated by all involved.
Several of you have reached out to us about our campus expectations this year. Below is some information that may help. Also, we are having our Meet the Teacher Night on Monday, September 11. At that event I will be addressing parents and parents will be able to walk the building and visit classrooms.
Phones and electronic devices:
In order to protect instructional time, all three of our high schools are expecting that students keep their personal electronics devices away from their person during instructional time. Most teachers are asking students to put their devices in their backpacks and have a location in their room for backpack storage. Some collect devices at the beginning of class and have an alternate storage method. Students that need their devices for medical purposes or accommodations are allowed to have them. We have learned from experience that this is the most effective way to deal with constant disruptions these devices cause. The buzzes of notifications are like a baby’s cry in that they are impossible to ignore. Our “out of sight, out of mind” approach has all but eliminated these distractions. We have already noticed a tremendous increase in student engagement and student discourse in our classrooms.
First 10/Last 10
Due to the vital information that teachers share during the first and last 10 minutes of class, we ask that students remain in the classroom during these times. If there is a true need for a student to leave class during these times, our teachers will work with them. During the middle of class when students are doing independent work, teachers provide passes for students that need to leave the classroom.
Tardies
We did not count tardies during the first three days of school, but we will begin counting them Monday. Students that are late for class will report to house offices (or new tardy stations). This will help us keep better track of tardies and attendance, and it reduces disruptions to instruction. If a teacher marked a student absent and that ended up coming in late, the house offices will make the correction. Any student that is more than 10 minutes late will be counted absent.
“High Traffic Area, Please Keep Moving”
In an attempt to reduce student tardiness, there are a few areas in the building where we are asking students not to congregate. We encourage students to visit with each other between classes. There are a few areas where students have traditionally gathered that impede the flow of traffic and access to bathrooms. We have signs in these areas directing students to keep moving. Our students have been very cooperative and we now have excellent traffic flow in these traditionally congested areas.
Dress Code
Overall, kudos to our student body for adhering to the dress code this week. The only change in the district dress code this year is that shorts and skirts no longer have to be fingertip length. As a campus, we will allow PJs as most of them are very modest and look like plaid pants. Shirts that show midriff were the biggest issue this week. We were lenient with these infractions this week, but we will be increasing our enforcement moving forward.
Student Parking
In order for students to be issued a parking tag, we must have the following:
- a copy of the student driver’s license and
- proof of insurance for the vehicle they drive with the student’s name listed on the policy
School Lunch Information
Free & Reduced Lunch Application: www.mckinneyisd.schoollunchapp.com/
- Applications open Aug. 2
- Grace period ends Sept. 22
To set up lunch accounts and deposit funds go to www.myschoolbucks.com
Find updated menus at https://mckinney.schooldish.com/
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, 8/15
Mainstage musical auditions begin (fine arts area, various locations)
Varsity tennis at Sherman High School, 4 PM
Volleyball v. Plano West; MHS, 6:30 PM
Thursday, 8/17
Varsity Football v. Lovejoy, MISD Stadium, 6 PM
Friday, 8/18
Senior Sunrise, PAC, 6:45 AM
Tennis v. Plano East Senior HS, MHS courts; 5 PM
Volleyball Tournament v. Allen, MHS gyms, times TBD
Saturday, 8/19
Volleyball Tournament, MHS gyms, times TBD
August 3, 2023
Greetings Lion Nation,
This is Dr. Kent reaching out to let you know we are ready to welcome our MHS Lions back to school on August 9. Many of our students have been on campus this summer for sports, dance, band, StuCo, etc., and it has been nice having them around. I’ve enjoyed getting to visit with students as I walk the building each day, and look forward to meeting the rest of our MHS Lions.
To help you prepare for the upcoming school year, I wanted to provide you with some information. Throughout the year, you can expect an email from me each Friday that will include information we hope you find helpful. We will be reducing the number of call outs we send, so please get used to looking for these emails for important information. Our campus website is also a great resource.
Registration
Our staff is currently working to ensure all our students are properly registered. Many returning students have still not registered for the upcoming school year, and of those that have completed the online registration, we are finding that many still need to provide a Proof of Residency (POR) that meets our district guidelines. As our staff evaluates the PORs that have been submitted, they are sending emails to families who need to provide updated documentation.
If you still need to register:
On our MHS website: https://schools.mckinneyisd.net/mhs/, you will find an Infosnap Code icon on the right just below the campus life picture. To begin the registration process, click on the icon and enter your snap code. There is also a Registration icon where you can find the list of acceptable POR documents.
If you need your InfoSnap code, please check your email inbox and junk inbox. If you cannot find it, reach out to:
Jill Jenson, Receptionist: 469-302-5704 [email protected]
Victoria Winters, Receptionist: 469-302-5700 [email protected]
Christina Dominguez, Registrar: 469-302-5729 [email protected]
Melori Torres, Registrar: 469-302-5714 [email protected]
Pictures, registration help, fees, and schedule pick-up: Aug. 4, Grades 10 – 12
Please arrive at the following times according to the your last name:
A – Cas – 12 PM
Cat – Fra – 12:30
Fre – H – 1 PM
I – Mc – 1:30 PM
Me – Po – 2 PM
Pr – So – 2:30 PM
Sp – Z – 3 PM
- Please be dressed appropriately for school pictures.
- If you need to turn in a POR, we will have staff available to help.
- Schedules will only be provided for students who have completed the entire registration process, including a valid POR.
Students can also pay for parking stickers ($60), laptop assurance fees ($74 or $37 F/R), purchase a yearbook ($60, flash sale price) and pay any outstanding fees from the previous year.
Freshmen Pride Camp
Students will have the opportunity to have their school pictures taken, tour the building, and learn about our campus culture from our upperclassmen. Parents will be able to pay laptop assurance fees ($74/$34), turn in PORs, purchase a yearbook ($60, flash sale price), buy spirit wear, and attend an orientation presentation by Dr. Paula Kent, Principal, Amanda Leader, Associate Principal, and Angie Wylie, Lead Counselor. Parents will be given 30 minutes to take care of fees, PORs, yearbook and spirit wear purchases. Parent presentations will begin at 8:30 and 10:30.
All participants will enter through the Performing Arts Center (PAC) doors. Parents will remain in the PCA. Students will head to the cafeteria.
Please arrive by alpha:
8:00 – Students with last names A – L
10:00 Students with last names M – Z
School pictures will be taken during Pride Camp, so please dress appropriately.
For those that cannot attend on Aug. 4 or Aug. 5, do not worry. We will have a make-up picture day in October, and schedules will be live in Home Access Center (HAC) after 5 pm on August 7. If you have not set up HAC, please visit our HAC icon on our website to set it up. https://schools.mckinneyisd.net/mhs/
Laptop Assurance Fees have been loaded into HAC and can be paid online via www.payschoolscentral.com.
Student Parking
In order to park on campus, students will be required to have a student parking tag. In order for students to be issued a parking tag, they must provide a copy of their driver’s license and proof of insurance for the vehicle they drive with the student’s name listed on the policy. As a safety protocol, and to protect the property of others, we will strictly enforce our parking policies.
From the Nurse:
New health plans and medications need to be on file in the clinic. If you want to drop off medication and paperwork for your student before school starts, a parent or guardian can bring it to the clinic on August 7th or 8th between the hours of 8:00 am -11:30 am and 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
School Nutrition Information
Free & Reduced Lunch Applications
www.mckinneyisd.schoollunchapp.com/
- Applications open Aug. 2
- Grace period ends Sept. 22
To set up lunch accounts and deposit funds go to www.myschoolbucks.com
Find updated menus at https://mckinney.schooldish.com/
Meal pricing:
Combo: fruit, 4 oz juice, vegetable, and entree. Milk is always optional.
Breakfast:
Paid meal: $1.25
Free/Reduced: Free
Lunch Paid meal: $3.10
Free/Reduced: Free
We hope this information is helpful. We will be sending additional information each Friday. We look forward to seeing our students on Aug. 4 and Aug. 5.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paula Kent
Principal
McKinney High School