Weekly Teacher Download for May 27

ALL TEACHERS

End of Year Technology Checklist: While June 3 may officially mark the end of the regular school year for teachers, the Information Technology Department wants all staff members to “clean out their digital closets” before packing up and heading off to vacations, professional development opportunities, or other plans for summer break. Click here for a checklist of items you can complete to ensure you have a smoother transition when returning for the 2019-2020 school year. Also included are some tips on how to access technology from home during the summer.

Mayor’s Back to School Fest: Your help is needed to promote the Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Back to School Fest to elementary school students and their parents. Registration is now open for the annual event that helps elementary students across the city access the free resources they need for a successful school year, such as school supplies, backpacks, and medical services. To attend, all participants must register for an appointment by Friday, July 12. Registration is available via this link. Families may also register by calling 311 or 713-837-0311 to request an appointment.

Google Certifications: The Information Technology Department is offering two Google certification courses with GT certifications in June and July. The Google Certification Level I course will be offered on June 12-13 with 27 seats available. If interested, teachers should register in OneSource, course #1437111. The Google Certification Level II course will be offered on July 17-18 with 31 seats available. If interested, teachers should register in OneSource, course #1437112.

NASA Apollo Celebrations: This summer marks the 50^th anniversary of landing humans on the moon and NASA has several events planned to commemorate this historic moon landing. Teachers are encouraged to share the list of events and summer opportunities with their students and parents. For a complete list of events and details, click here.

Region 4 Summer PD Opportunities: The HISD Academics Department will be summer training opportunities through the Region 4 Education Service Center. If you are interested in a training, please register through OneSource by May 24 to reserve a spot using the OneSource course numbers that can be found here. Space and funding are limited and supported through the Region 4 School Support grant. If you have any questions, please contact Tho Mei via email at tmei@houstonisd.org.

Schlumberger Coding / Robotics Club Grant: The district is calling all Science teachers to apply for the Schlumberger Coding / Robotics Club Grant for a chance to receive $3,000 for their coding and/or robotics club. Schlumberger aims to increase student awareness and education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields by inspiring the future coders and innovators of tomorrow. The grant will be given to 20 HISD school coding clubs for the 2019-2020 school year. For guidelines and to apply, click here. All applications must be submitted by May 31 to Tarah Davis at tarah.davis@houstonisd.org.

Region 4 STEAM Conference: Instructional Technology is inviting teachers, who wish to attend the Region 4 STEAM Conference on June 17 to register in OneSource, using course #1435042. Teachers that register in OneSource will have the conference registration fee covered by Instructional Technology. However, please note space is limited and paid registration seats will be awarded on a first come basis. Participants will explore the power of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) as it applies to real-world connections, creativity through collaboration, and innovation through art and engineering. This one-day conference incorporates workshop-style sessions organized by grade bands and identified by STEAM strands, allowing you to personalize your conference experience. For more information, click here.

ELEMENTARY

Summer Math Academy Trainings: The Elementary Mathematics Curriculum & Development Department is excited to announce that HISD will host the Texas Education Agency (TEA) math academies during summer 2019 for kindergarten through third-grade teachers. The achievement academies will address effective and systematic instructional practices in mathematics, including problem solving, the place value system, whole number operations, and fractions. To participate, teachers must have an account with Region IV and register here. Please remember that registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also a $350 stipend for eligible teachers. For complete details on the academy trainings, click here.

SECONDARY

Summer 2019 Training Opportunities: The Secondary Curriculum and Development Department is inviting all secondary teachers to review the summer learning catalog for professional development opportunities that will be held throughout the summer.  The main summer learning event—“R3: Reflect, Refocus, Renew” is currently scheduled for July 24 and July 31 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at HISD Educational Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078) and Westbury High School (11911 Chimney Rock Rd., 77035). For the save the date, click here.