Weekly Teacher Download for December 9
District Advisory Committee Voting Extension: Cast your vote in the District Advisory Committee elections for district and campus-based employees by Friday, December 13. Campus-based professional employees have two votes: One vote is for a “Classroom Teacher” and one vote is for an “Other Campus-Level Professional”. Central Office Employees will be able to vote for one Central Office nominee and may elect one person from the Central Office group. For more detailed information, click here.
ALL TEACHERS
12 Days of Code: HISD is celebrating 12 Days of Code from December 2-17 with interactive calendars that allow them to engage in a new coding experience every day. HISD’s 12 Days of Code coincides with Computer Science Education Week, which is December 9-15. During this time, students and the greater HISD community are encouraged to join the worldwide movement and try one hour of coding as an introduction to computer science. Through this “Hour of Code,” students are challenged to think critically and solve problems as they learn the basics of computer programming. For more information, click here.
Vaping Prevention Week: The district will recognize Vaping Prevention Week from December 16-20, and in an effort to highlight the dangers and risks associated with vaping and e-cigarette use among youths with HISD campuses focusing on a different activity each day. Teachers are encouraged to create daily classroom activities that bring awareness to vaping and e-cigarette use. During Vaping Prevention Week, share your photos, videos, and messages of support on social media using #SayNoToVaping and #HISDEmpowers. Let’s spread the word to raise awareness and send the message that vaping and e-cigarettes are dangerous and pose risks to the health of children. Click here for more detailed information.
Nominate a math teacher: Do you know a math teacher on your campus that’s hitting it out of the park in the classroom? The Houston Astros and ConocoPhillips have teamed up once again for the Math Teacher of the Month program for the 2020 baseball season. Teachers and school administrators, along with students and parents can nominate the teacher of their choice now through December 15, here.
Teaching Social Studies and Science to ELL: Multilingual Programs will bring two Seidlitz authors—Tina Beene and Dr. Stephen Fleenor. On January 27, Dr. Stephen Fleenor, author of “Teaching Science to English Language Learners (ELs)”,will show educators how to implement and foster academic language development and comprehension of science scaffolding each language proficiency level creating an environment where English Language Learners thrive. Tina Beene, author of “Teaching Social Studies to English Language Learners (ELs)”, will offer an overview of an in-depth approach to differentiating in the secondary social studies classroom on February 11. If interested in the workshop on Science, register in OneSource, course #1438195. If interested in workshop on Social Studies, register in OneSource, course #1438190. Participants will receive a copy of the book.
Training for Bilingual and Dual Language Teachers: In order to improve English language acquisition of the district’s Spanish speaking students, the Multilingual Department will host two sessions with Seidlitz Education Expert, Dr. Monica Lara on December 10 at Hattie Mae White, Room 2E02 (4400 West 18th St., 77092). Dr. Lara will offer two sessions completely in Spanish to ensure Bilingual and Spanish teachers have a better understanding on how to teach academic Spanish implementing second language acquisition methods, this methodology includes oral and written language development which in turn will allow transfer to the students’ second language. Pre-K through second grade teachers can register for the 8:30-11:30 a.m. session in OneSource, course #1438130. Third- through fifth-grade teachers can register for the 12:30-3:30 p.m. session in OneSource, course #1438132. For more information, click here.
Toys for Tots: All HISD employees and schools are invited to participate in Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps’ premier community action program with donations of new and unwrapped toys. We encourage schools and departments to select a coordinator, who can track collection efforts and complete the collection report form, to coordinate the drop-off at the Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092) by Tuesday, December 18. Coordinators should bring the complete form and all collected toys to the Strategic Partnerships Department, located at Level 1 SE at Hattie Mae White. Before drop-off, please email your collection forms and notify Tarah Davis when you will be dropping of your toy collection at tarah.davis@houstonisd.org.
SPED Cohort Application Extension: The Office of Special Education Services (OSES) is still seeking qualified Special Education (SPED) teachers and other instructional professionals with Special Education certification to apply for Aspiring Program Specialist and Aspiring Department Chair Cohorts, also known as A.S.C.E.L. Those interested, should apply by the December 15. The purpose of the aspiring cohorts is to develop a pool of potential SPED leaders to provide timely and relevant instructional support and services to campus leaders, special education teachers, staff and other stakeholders who serve students with disabilities. To apply, click here.
HISD Master Training Catalog: Haven’t found a training suited for you? The HISD Master Training Catalog for teachers and leaders is currently available through December 2019. To view a complete list, click here.
ELEMENTARY
Pre-K MOY CIRCLE Assessment: The MOY assessment window has been extended to allow additional time to complete before January 31. This year, the window will open on December 16 with completion rates by campuses being monitored so a proactive plan of action is recommended. If needed, there will be hosting a CIRCLE Assessment 101 training on December 9 and December 12 from 4-5 p.m. to provide support for new PK teachers and/or Tier II administrators as they administer and monitor completion. If interested in the training, register in OneSource, course #1440093.
Rodeo Decorating Contest: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) has partnered with HISD once again to distribute activity coloring booklets to third graders. The booklets will be delivered to schools between December 9-18, which are now TEKS aligned and reinforce the pillars of the HLSR. Students are encouraged to decorate the last page of the booklet and enter it into a contest for a chance to win ground passes to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Submitted entries will also be placed on display in the AGventure area during the Rodeo. Instructions for the contest appear on the last page of the activity booklet. All entries must be received no later than February 7, 2020. For questions or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Rozier at hlsractivitybooks@gmail.com.
SECONDARY
Study Abroad Opportunity: The Puranik Foundation, an official HISD partner, will offer full and partial scholarship opportunities for students and incentives for HISD faculty and staff to join students on the trip. Puranik will also provide need and merit-based partial scholarships to students. Those interested, can apply for the Spring Break trip, here by December 10. Puranik is a non-profit organization established in 2000 that runs a residential school – Vision International – for underprivileged students in India. Their flagship program in the U.S., Impact India, was initiated in 2015 as a way to give students across Houston international experiences and to create a cultural bridge between the United States and India. To learn more about the program, click here.
ELLevation Training: Multilingual Programs has partnered with ELLevation Education to provide instructional strategies for ELs training for secondary teachers on January 7 and January 28. There will be multiple session held each day that will introduce the Sheltered Instruction Dashboard coupled with instructional activities tailored for ELsto make differentiated instruction simple for classroom teachers. Participants will leave equipped with simple and flexible strategies for daily use to engage all students across content areas in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking in every classroom. Those interested can receive additional information and register in OneSource, course #1440052.
Upcoming CTE Trainings: The CTE department is hosting a two-day Auto CAD training on January 14 and January 21 at Barbara Jordan Career Center (5800 Eastex Fwy., 77026). For those interested, registration will open soon. Automotive teachers are invited to attend two informational sessions on January 17 and February 14 to discuss the Automotive Competition. Those interested, should register in OneSource, course #1440020.
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