Dearest Walker Families,

Dear Parents and Guardians,

MISD recently announced a new communications platform in McKinney ISD. Part of the new communications platform is the use of Apptegy Rooms to streamline communication and keep you informed about your child's education.

**What is Apptegy Rooms?**

Apptegy Rooms is a user-friendly resource that is available through the McKinney ISD mobile application that allows teachers to share important updates, class announcements, and school events directly with parents. With this tool, you can receive real-time notifications, access your child's class information, and communicate easily with teachers, all in one convenient place.

**Key Features:**

- **Instant Notifications:** Get immediate updates on class activities, homework assignments, and important school news.

- **Direct Messaging:** Communicate directly with your child's teacher, ask questions, and receive timely responses.

- **Calendar Integration:** Stay on top of school events, parent-teacher meetings, and other important dates.

**How to Get Started:**

1. **Download the McKinney ISD mobile application:** Apptegy Rooms is available for both iOS and Android devices. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play by searching for McKinney ISD.

2. **Create an Account:** On Monday, August 19, you received a guardian invite directly from Apptegy from accounts@edurooms.com. The title of the email is McKinney ISD is inviting you to claim your Rooms account. Follow the prompts to create an account using the email address you have registered with the school.

3. **Connect to Your Child's Class:** After logging in, you will be able to connect to your child's classroom.

We believe that Apptegy Rooms will significantly improve our ability to engage with you and support your child's learning journey. Your involvement is crucial to your child's success, and this tool will make it easier than ever to stay connected.

Have a wonderful weekend!

With great respect,

Michelle Baumann, Principal

Misty Young, Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

MISD is pleased to continue using the MAP Growth assessment this year for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, as well as those in Algebra I and English I. This assessment is an important tool that helps us understand and support your child's academic progress throughout the school year.

What is MAP Growth?

MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test designed to measure what your child knows and what they are ready to learn next. Unlike traditional tests, which are often limited to a specific grade level, MAP Growth adapts to each student's individual learning level, providing a personalized assessment experience. The test is conducted three times a year—fall, winter, and spring—allowing us to track your child's growth over time.

Why is MAP Growth Important?

The results from the MAP Growth assessment are invaluable for both teachers and students. They help us identify your child's strengths and areas for improvement, tailor instruction to meet your child's specific learning needs, set realistic and achievable academic goals for your child, and measure growth over time, ensuring your child is making progress. MAP Growth is not just about a single score; it’s about understanding your child's unique learning journey and ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed.

When Will Your Child Take MAP in the Fall?

MAP Reading (Grades K-8 and HS English I) - September 9 - 13

MAP Math (Grades K-8 and HS Algebra I)- September 16 - 20

MAP Science (Grades 3-8) - September 23-27

*Campuses may make adjustments to this timeline in order to accommodate other campus events, but all testing will be completed in the September 9-27 window.

How Can You Help Your Child Prepare?

While there is no need for extensive studying, there are several ways you can help your child feel confident and ready for the MAP Growth assessment:

1. Ensure Adequate Rest: Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep before the test day. Rested minds are better equipped to focus and perform well.

2. Healthy Nutrition: A balanced breakfast on the morning of the test can give your child the energy to concentrate.

3. Encourage a Positive Attitude: Remind your child that this assessment is just one of many tools to help their teachers understand their needs better. Encourage them to do their best and stay calm and relaxed.

4. Practice Basic Skills: Although the test adapts to each child's level, practicing basic math and reading skills at home can boost their confidence.

5. Talk About the Test: Sometimes, children may feel anxious about assessments. Discussing the test with your child can help ease any worries they might have. Let them know that the test is designed to help their teachers help them.

The MAP Growth assessment is a powerful tool in helping us support your child’s educational journey. With your support, we can work together to ensure your child continues to grow and achieve their full potential. More information about MAP can be found on the family guide located on the NWEA website (Eng) (Spa). If you have any questions or concerns about the MAP Growth assessment, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s math, RLA, or science teacher.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.

Sincerely,

McKinney ISD

We will start our kindness journey on September 6! 👀Be on the lookout for registration info!

What is Raise Craze? Raise Craze is an online platform enabling students to set up secure, custom websites where they request donations via email, text, or social media. During the fundraiser, students pay it forward by completing Acts of Kindness for others.

Why are we doing Raise Craze for our annual school fundraiser? We want to continue to make our school a better place by providing helpful and enriching benefits to our students, staff & families, but that takes money!

We’ve chosen Raise Craze to help with these needs because it keeps kindness and inclusivity at the center, while allowing our school to keep 90% PLUS! WooHoo!

Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Cell Phones, and Other Electronic Devices (See Appendix I) The district permits students to possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes. Devices should be kept in student backpacks during the school day.

https://www.mckinneyisd.net/page/rules-regulations

Please be aware that student prescribed antibiotics must be on them for a full 24 hours before returning to school; this is for any infection.

Upcoming Hearing, Vision, and Acanthosis Nigricans health screenings for all students of McKinney ISD will be during the first semester of school. Screenings will be conducted the week September 9 – 13th , or at other times throughout the year if they are requested for testing purposes.

Texas State Law requires that the following students be screened:

• Vision and Hearing: PK, KG, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th

• All students new to MISD

• Acanthosis Nigricans 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th

Please make sure that your child is at school on screening days and please have your child bring any required glasses or contacts to school for health screenings.

• FREE Breakfast, $2.85 for Lunch

  All sites: Free & Reduced price – $0.00 for Breakfast and Lunch

  Adult (including school staff): $2.25 for Breakfast, $4.25 for Lunch

• Online by credit/debit or electronic check at My School Bucks. You will need your student’s 6 digit ID number to make an account. If you do not know your student’s ID, please contact their campus. My School Bucks now has an option available to pay an annual, one-time flat fee of $12.95 for a single student or $26.95 for a family. The “OnePay” option gives you unlimited transactions for 12 months, instead of the per-transaction fee of $2.75 for individual transactions. Please note that if you don’t specify the OnePay option when signing up, the system will charge $2.75 per transaction no matter the amount of funds you are loading, so the OnePay option is a better deal if you will consistently add money or are on a recurring transaction plan.

Free and reduced price meal applications are available to all students throughout the year, and families can apply at any time using the online application OR paper application, although online applications are the preferred method, as they are usually much quicker and reduce dependence on paper. The online application can be accessed at: mckinneyisd.nlappscloud.com.

Additional Information: https://www.mckinneyisd.net/school-nutrition/

MISD's After School Program - Now Enrolling!

McKinney ISD's After School Program is open for enrollment. Now featuring new programming, more registration options and new lower rates! Space is limited. Register early to reserve your child's spot.

2024-25 Registration Fee & Rates

Registration Fee: $40 Per Child

Full Time M-F: $300 Per Child, Per Month
Full Time Sibling: $290 Per Child, Per Month
MISD Employee Full Time M-F: $165 Per Child, Per Month
Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Full Time M-F: $125 Per Child, Per Month

Part Time (3 days): $206 Per Child, Per Month

Daily Drop – In Rate: $ 22.50 Per Child, Per Day

All MISD After-school Program Policies and Procedures can be found in the MISD After-School Parent Handbook. The MISD After School Program Parent Handbook is unique to the after school program but does not include all of MISD Policy/Procedures. The parent handbook is a supplement to the MISD Policy/Procedures.

Information About MISD After School Program

Dear Walker Families,

My name is Christine Aldridge and I would like to welcome YOU to the Walker Elementary PTA. What a privilege it is to serve alongside such amazing families, teachers and administrators for the 2024-2025 school year!

Please visit our PTA website, https://walkerstarspta.net for all the information on PTA activities. On our website you will find volunteer opportunities, calendars of PTA events and so much more. (Please keep in mind that the information contained in our website is specific to PTA-related events and programs and may not encompass ALL of your student’s school activities).

The PTA’s goal is to enrich the Walker environment for our children, families and community. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions regarding Walker PTA- we welcome your feedback and the opportunity to connect with each parent/guardian of our Walker Stars. I look forward to an amazing year as we work together to enrich the lives and education of our Walker community.

Sincerely,

Christine Aldridge

President, Walker Elementary PTA

president@walkerstarspta.net

Follow us on Instagram: @royleewalkerpta

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WalkerStarsPTA

Grade Level Rosters are developed by PTA and distributed to all families in each individual grade. The email address(es) provided will also be used by your child's Room Representative to contact you with information about classroom needs and volunteer opportunities as well as school and PTA events (class parties, teacher birthdays, field day, etc). It is also a great way to connect with other families in your child's grade level!

Please click here and complete the form by Mon. 8/26. (If you have more than one child at Walker, you'll be able to complete them all in one step. Just be sure to click "yes" when asked "Do you have another student to enter information for?").

Feel free to contact Amy Troutman at roomrep@walkerstarspta.net with any questions or concerns.

STEP ONE: The first step in volunteering is to complete a confidential volunteer application required by MISD. Volunteers will not be permitted without first completing this step. Be advised, this could take between two days to two weeks to complete. You will receive an email once you're approved, and you are welcome to volunteer any time throughout the school year following that. Please note, this must be completed annually.

Click HERE to fill out your volunteer application now!

STEP TWO: Please fill out the form below to tell us what areas you are interested in helping with. This form allows us to pair you with opportunities that interest you most. This is simply an interest inventory and not a commitment to any service. Based on your selections, you will receive email invitations to volunteer throughout the year. Please check all applicable volunteer opportunities.

Click HERE to fill out the volunteer interest inventory form.

The McKinney ISD GT Department is currently accepting referrals for 1st & 2nd Grade Gifted and Talented services. We are looking for students who are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, and environment. Parents, teachers, community members, and students are welcome to submit the referral either online or paper-based. The deadline for these referrals is September 26, 2024.

Parent Online Referrals (For Parents to Complete Only):

English Referrals

Referencias en español

Paper-Based Referrals Parent Referrals:

Paper-based referrals can be found here for PDF Download, printing, and completion.

*This form is REQUIRED for our department to assess any student for GT Services. This must be completed prior to the deadline on September 26th.

As a service to McKinney ISD students and families, the district provides the Community Folder for school related, non-school related, and non-profit organizations. Electronic communication has become standard and is preferred by many parents; the schools are sharing more and more information via email as a convenience to parents. This also cuts back on paper coming home in folders. Information posted and accepted must be youth-oriented and will be reviewed and approved by the Communications Department. Updates will be posted often, so we ask that you check back for the latest opportunities and information from our community.

To view the latest information posted in the Community Folder- CLICK HERE

A critical ingredient in the safe school recipe is the uniform classroom response to any incident. Weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to student safety are scenarios that are planned and trained for by all McKinney ISD schools and District Administration and staff. Historically, schools have taken this scenario-based approach to respond to hazards and threats. Each McKinney ISD classroom is furnished with the Standard Response Protocol poster that provides teachers with readily accessible response procedures and provides information during a crisis event. The attached handout explains Standard Response Protocol that is taught to students, faculty and staff.

Please this link to view the Standard Response Protocol parent information.

A valid state or government issued photo ID must be presented each time you visit, volunteer, or pick up a student. Please be prepared with your ID upon arrival. Photos of ID will not be accepted.

A background check is required each school year for people wanting to volunteer in McKinney ISD. This includes making copies, lunch duty coverage, classroom parties, field trips, and any other volunteering that takes place in our building or on our campus. We encourage you to complete your volunteer application as soon as possible to avoid any delay in the processing.
Volunteer Application

We always welcome your feedback. Connect with us via email, phone or schedule a meeting with Mrs. Baumann and/or Mrs. Young. Below is also a link to provide feedback, appreciations, compliments, concerns, or suggestions as we continue to ensure we are doing our very best at Walker.

mbaumann@mckinneyisd.net

myoung@mckinneyisd.net

469-302-4600

Share your ideas and feedback about Walker

My School Bucks (online cafeteria payment system)

Breakfast & Lunch Menus

Free/Reduced Lunch (participants complete each year)

Student Accident Insurance (optional insurance)

Mrs. Baird's Teachers on the Rise

KLAK Teacher of the Month

H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Email: mbaumann@mckinneyisd.net
Website: https://schools.mckinneyisd.net/walker/
Location: 4000 Cockrill Drive, McKinney, TX, USA
Phone: 469-302-4600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkerelem
Twitter: @WalkerElem