Weekly Teacher Download for May 31, 2022

Social and Emotional Learning

Thank you for your commitment to teaching during these difficult times. The pandemic, the most recent Texas school shooting, and other events are physically and mentally challenging.  See this PDF, which addresses compassion fatigue from reThink Ed (located on Clever) to learn about strategies to support your well-being. These School Violence Resources provide information and tips on speaking with students about bullying and violence. See the SEL-HISD-Need-to-Talk website for helpful hotline numbers.

Academic Instructional Technology

Introduction to Canvas Learning Series: The AIT team is facilitating the Introduction to Canvas Learning Series, multiple one-hour live virtual workshops that include modeling and guided practice of foundational skills to help you start strong with Canvas. Sessions will be held each Tuesday and Thursday through the end of May (excluding Focusweeks). Begin with Canvas 101: Getting Around by registering via OneSource for course #1470019, and visit the Canvas info website for details and updates.

Growing with Canvas is another training option for teachers and leaders interested in getting a jump start learning the Canvas Learning Management System. It is a series of self-paced modules that leads participants through foundational and advanced skills in Canvas. Once the coursework is complete, participants will receive six hours of OneSource credit, as well as badges we received through Canvas. Register for OneSource #1471008.

HUB Phase Out Support: HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team has created a series of videos and how-to guides as HUB phase out resources, and Educational Technology Specialists will also be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to assist with saving content before access to the HUB ends in July. Register for any of the HUB Phase Out open labs in OneSource using course #1468031.

Summer Tech Apps Lunch & Learn sessions June-July: Participants will explore tech tools that will make learning more engaging and accessible for all students. Register by clicking here and searching in OneSource for #1474064.

Office of Special Education Services

Issue #19 of the Instructional Digital Download, which supports teachers, leaders, and staff with timely, relevant research-based instructional strategies, mini-model lessons, resources, and coaching, is now available.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

Early Childhood

Join the ECH Team and become an Early Childhood Curriculum Implementation Coach (ESSER). We are looking for 14 dynamic individuals to join the team. It is an 11-month position with pay grade 30. If you are looking for a leadership opportunity in HISD while working with an amazing team, apply today! For details, see this flyer.

Rice University SLC Summer Institute on Reading, Writing, and Cultural Connections July 26-29 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Rice’s Anderson-Clarke Center. There will be four days of training on research-based strategies for supporting dual language learners and English speakers. Develop effective strategies to bridge the gap between a student’s home and school cultures. Participants will also receive hundreds of research-based, standards-aligned, practical ideas to create a literacy-rich early childhood classroom environment. Register in OneSource for #1474077.

CIRCLE EOY Assessment: The EOY (Wave 3) testing window runs through June 1. There are NO extensions granted during EOY, so please complete all required subtests within this window. For questions, contact Claudia.Azcarate@houstonisd.org. EOY (Wave 3) required subtests are ABC Names, ABC Sounds, Rapid Letter Naming, Rapid Vocabulary, Syllabication, Onset-Rime, Alliteration, Rhyming I, Words in a Sentence, Rote Counting, Shape Naming, Number Discrimination, Number Naming, Shape Discrimination, Counting Sets, Operations, and Observables.

Elementary Science

Grade K-5 Science Curriculum Feedback and End-of-Year Celebration: Join us May 31 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. for the next lead teacher collaborative session. Please come out and celebrate our wins this year! Let’s join forces to analyze existing curriculum documents and professional development to provide feedback on usage, implementation, and recommendations. This event will be held face to face at Alliant Group Headquarters, 3009 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2000. Register for OneSource #1473013.

Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and HISD Elementary Science Curriculum & Instruction present a series of videos and activities aligned to tough-to-teach standards in grades K-5. Click here to access these resources. Click here for the Science at HomeSymbaloo web mix.

SECONDARY TEACHERS

Fine Arts Summer Programs: Apply by June 8

The summer Fine Arts Intensives provide opportunities for students to be involved in age-appropriate art experiences in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. They take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 13 through July 7. Fine arts curriculum-based learning is combined with engaging instruction to encourage young performers and artists to enhance their cultural sensitivity and awareness. The intensives are led by HISD-certified teachers at 12 campuses and provided at no cost to students. All levels are welcome, but the middle and high school dance intensives are designed for intermediate and advanced dance students. For more information and to apply, see the Fine Arts website.

Career and Technical Education: See this week’s CTE bulletin, May 2022, Volume IV. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins.

Spotlight on CTE: To bring awareness to the district’s CTE programs of study and post-graduation opportunities, campus personnel are invited to showcase campus events, student work, and more. Please submit using the CTE Spotlight Form. Submissions will be highlighted on the Career Readiness website and social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). Contact your campus’s designated senior CTE program specialist with any questions.