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Weekly Teacher Download for March 8, 2021

2021 March 5
by HISD Communications

ALL TEACHERS

Academics
Are you interested in learning more about the DDI Specialist program? Do you enjoy supporting teachers in PLCs and using data to inform instruction? Student Assessment is hosting this cohort to help develop skills in aspiring DDIS in conjunction with the Leadership and Development Department.  Student Assessment is seeking interested candidates for the DDIS cohort and possible candidates for future DDIS support in schools. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online by March 24, 2021. Please contact Student Assessment at 713-349-7460 for assistance and/or questions.
DDIS Cohort Application Link: http://tiny.cc/DDIS2021

Multilingual
Save the date! The third annual multilingual symposium, “The Blueprint: Engineering Foundations that Build Academic Language,” via Teams is set for June 25-26, 2021. The deadline to register is June 24, 2021. See this story for more information.

Teacher Appraisal and Development System
In response to changes to our traditional instructional approach, as well as anticipated data limitations, the HISD Board has approved the omission of Student Performance as a component of the Teacher Appraisal and Development System for the 2020-2021 school year. Teacher’s summative ratings will be calculated based on 70% Instructional Practice and 30% Professional Expectations. Please contact your assigned appraiser if you have questions.

The HISD COVID Student Engagement Survey is currently open for all students in grades 4-11. Students may access through a link placed prominently in the HUB and have through March 8 to complete it, but you may give them the direct link, which is hisdstudentsurvey.net. The survey is not timed and should take students 5-10 minutes. It should be done in a structured environment—at home or at school—and can be done on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. For more information, see this flyer (updated). The survey is available in English and Spanish. 

Special Education
Part 3: Antiracism and Designing Instruction
Goalbook, the web-based resource that provides academic and behavior strategies, will host the final session of its three-part webinar series focused on using their resources to create an anti-racist learning environment so that all students succeed. Please contact jander13@houstonisd.org or call 713-556-6844 with questions.  Click on either date below to register:

Strategy and Innovation
HISD is seeking innovative project proposals from educators for HISD By Design, a new program aimed at funding innovative projects and programs from educators that directly impacts student achievement. The application deadline is March 24, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Please join the HISD By Design information session on Tuesday, March 9, at 6:00 p.m. To learn more about HISD By Design, visit HoustonISD.org/HISDByDesign.

Social and Emotional Learning
Please joining Social and Emotional Learning’s selfcare series for teachers and staff. The SEL team will visit your campus to provide trainings on anxiety management, mindfulness, building positive relations (with students and staff), understanding trauma and triggers, and other specialized sessions. These trainings will address mental wellness and facilitation of positive relationships, as well as reinforce the importance of adult Social and Emotional Learning.  Consider attending other SEL selfcare workshops to address mental health and wellness. See this flyer for more information. Teachers and staff may register for OneSource Course #1441062. Contact nbatiste@houstonisd.org to join the SEL Selfcare Series. 

SECONDARY TEACHERS

Career and Technical Education
Attention all middle and high school CTE teachers, as well as CTE administrators: Please view the Weekly CTE Bulletin for the latest CTE updates, highlights, curriculum, certification and instructional support. You will also find Region 4 professional learning opportunities, summer professional development requests, teacher-led professional development requests, virtual programs, workshops, conferences, scholarship opportunities for high school seniors, career tips, teacher resources, and opportunities for juniors and seniors to engage with professionals. Sign in here using your credentials to visit the Career Readiness Course on the HUB for weekly announcements.

CTE Career Tip Tuesdays: CTE teachers, encourage your students to join CTE career advisors every second and fourth Tuesday during February for sessions led by expert professionals and educators on how to stand out from the crowd and become a competitive job applicant. This month’s topics are Job Search Platforms and Graduate With Top Industry Certifications. See this flyer for more information.

Save the Date: When I Grow Up, the ninth annual career expo for HISD students in grades K-12, is going to be virtual this year. Set for 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, it features hands-on career exploration, summer job opportunities, raffles, prizes, and entertainment. See this flyer for more information.

ELEMENTARY AND PRE-K TEACHERS

HB3 PK teacher qualification requirements update: The SharePoint site is now open for spring submissions. Option 6: PK Teachers must submit professional development tracking forms outlining 15 hours of face-to-face training and 15 hours of campus coaching before spring break. Tracking forms must be typed and signed and approved by the principal before uploading to Option 6 on SharePoint. Instructions on how to upload the form can be found on the SharePoint site or by watching this how-to video. All forms must be received by March 12.

Houston Dynamo/Dash Soccer Starts at Home Program: HISD has partnered with Houston Dynamo and Dash to provide virtual classes for early childhood students and their families with the Soccer Starts at Home Program (SSAH). This targeted preschool program focuses on building the brain-body connection for students, reinforcing, and building brain pathways, and reinforcing parent-child bonds. It also provides training for Pre-K, kinder, and physical education elementary teachers. 

  • The next PD session is 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24. Course # 1449038 SO: 1816257
  • Virtual Development Classes: The Houston Dynamo and Dash team is offering parents a weekly live development class from 6:00-6:30 p.m. March 10 – June 2. Teachers, please share this meeting link with parents and encourage them to attend.

“Discovering the Spring Season” for EC teachers is offered from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on March 9 (Course #1448098). Participants will learn interactive activities for students to use this spring. Invite your students to participate in engaging lessons, including hands-on sensory, science, and more exciting opportunities to promote student outcomes.

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