Weekly Teacher Download for November 18

District Advisory Committee Voting: Cast your vote in the District Advisory Committee elections for district and campus-based employees beginning Monday, Nov. 18 to Friday, Dec. 6. 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

Annual Enrollment: Annual Enrollment runs from November 1-22, so click here for a new video regarding the changes for 2020, which include information about the new medical plan provider. This is the time of year when all benefits-eligible employees should enroll in or change their benefits, so please take a look at what’s new for 2020 at www.HISDBenefits.org. As of January 1, 2020, Aetna will be the administrator for the district’s medical plans and Flexible Spending Accounts. You have a choice of medical plans, including two new Accountable Care Organization (ACO) plans and an Aetna broad network plan. For more information on the annual enrollment period, click here.

2019 Astros Foundation College Night: The Astros MLB Youth Academy will be hosting their 2019 Astros Foundation and Youth Academy College Night on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Union Station – Minute Maid Park (501 Crawford St., 77002). A free event, students between 14- to 19-years-old will be able to hear from representatives from colleges and universities in Texas and from across the country, as well as military recruiters. Those interested in attending are required to register for the event. For more information on the event, 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

Prekindergarten Updates: In regard to the HB3 Teacher-Qualification submission, if you have not submitted your option for HB3, you will receive an email before November 22 informing you of your status. Please be sure to go to SharePoint to make your selection at your earliest convenience here. Also, PK trainings will be added to our Professional Development Calendar to accommodate the needs of 3-year-old classroom teachers.

Fueling Education Student Challenge: ​In partnership with Discovery Education, CITGO is excited to announce the launch of their new Fueling Education Student Challenge for students in fifth to eighth grades. For the challenge, students may work individually or in groups up to four, to solve a problem in their community that aligns to one of four United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. Students must submit a one to two-minute video detailing the identified problem and their STEM solution by February 13, 2020. Teachers can review classroom resources material that will help students brainstorm for the challenge. Students participation required parental consent. For additional details, click here.

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

Upcoming CTE Trainings: Are you a new CTE teacher or a seasoned CTE teacher who would like to learn more about lesson planning?  Join us for a lesson planning event on November 19 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Barbara Jordan Career Center, Room B201. Attendees will learn about digital resources, career exploration, menu boards, and the lesson cycle.  Please bring a copy of your TEKS, scope and sequence, and lesson plan template.  Register in OneSource, course #1440002.