Weekly Teacher Download for December 18

ALL TEACHERS

Grant Submissions due Dec. 27: There is still plenty of time to submit an application for the HISD Foundation’s new Innovation Grant. Using the generous donations from local community members and business partners, the Foundation launched the program to provide funds for teachers and schools to purchase equipment, supplies, and other items to innovate teaching and learning in the classroom. The grants all open to all teachers in grades Pre-K through 12 and individual teachers can receive up to $7,000. It’s not too late! Apply now, here.

Attendance Tip of the Week:  Studies from The National Drop Out Prevention Center, reports that three-fourths of students who are chronically absent in sixth grade will drop out of high school and that a student who is chronically absent in high school is 7.4 times more likely to drop out.  Read more here on how to give children a reason to stay in school.

IT’s New Solution Center: Having computer problems and need answer quickly? The IT Department has launched a new resource site. The Solution Center contains quick answers to frequently asked questions and covers a wide range of topics.

ELEMENTARY

2018 Math & Science Summit: Interested in stepping up your math and science instruction? Join the Elementary Curriculum and Development Office for the 2018 Math & Science Summit on Jan. 20, at Kingdom Builders Center.  Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, expand their learning, and deepen their understanding of effective instruction.  Those interested can register in One Source using course #835001.  Learn more about the event here.

Career Awareness: Join the Career Readiness Department for a free opportunity to promote career awareness at your elementary school.  The Career Ready Wagon, a traveling career exploration show, is currently taking visit requests from all HISD elementary schools.  The Career Ready Wagon brings an entertaining, interactive, and informative career experience to students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.  Click here to request a visit to your campus. For more information, please contact Jacob Breier, jbreier@houstonisd.org.

K-5 STEM Academy: Session four of the K – 5 STEM Academy will be held on Jan. 8 at McGowen Elementary School from 4 – 5:30 p.m. The focus of this session is computational thinking. Participants will explore the concept of computational thinking and its impact on student success in STEM. Opportunities will be provided to experience plugged and unplugged activities that can easily be incorporated in K – 5 classrooms. Register in OneSource course #742005.

SECONDARY

Strategic Reading and Writing Monthly Meeting: Join the Secondary Curriculum and Development Literacy Team at the next Strategic Reading and Writing monthly meeting Jan. 11 at Lanier Middle School from 4 – 5:30 p.m.  Teachers will learn how to focus on the implementation of literacy practices in reading, writing, and small-group instruction for students in need of intervention. Register now in OneSource using course #171003. For more information, click here.