Boon Chew
Boon Chew was a college graduate fresh out of the University of Houston when he joined Team HISD back in 1980. Little did he know that 35 years later, he would still be working for the district.
“I am very fortunate,” said Chew. “I consider myself very blessed. You always hope you’ll be with an institution a long time, but you never imagine it will turn out to be your one and only employer.”
Chew started out as a clerk in the Payroll Department, but worked his way up to senior budgeting manager, a position he has held for the past 20 years.
“It always amazes me how we used to do things without computers,” said Chew. “Back then, it was all done manually. We had long ledgers, a big box of ten-key-by-touch machines, a pencil, a pad, and there you go.”
Chew describes his career with HISD as “quite challenging, but interesting.”
“Anyone who works in HISD has to have a focus on kids, but what makes it extra satisfying is being able to provide funding equities among schools,” explained Chew. “HISD has a very unique funding formula, based on per pupil, but 99 percent of school districts in the nation go by a more traditional one based on staffing ratios. HISD is one of the pioneers in this area, and that is something dear to my heart. At the time, it was considered a big leap, so it’s been very gratifying to be involved in such an initiative.”
Chew officially marked his 35th anniversary with the district on Jan. 21, but a few other employees have also marked theirs this month (Jan. 18–31). See if you know anyone on this list:
40 years
- Priscilla Cohen, teaching assistant, Milby HS
35 years
- Camila Perez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Jose Rangel, senior mechanic, Transportation Services
- Roslyn Vaughn, principal, Anderson ES
- Delores Washington, teacher, Washington HS
30 years
- Claudette Deese, teacher specialist, Harper Alternative School
- Lawana Green, clerk, Construction & Facility Services
- Cynthia Moore, senior program manager, Special Education
25 years
- Bridget Akazie, teacher, Welch MS
- Mark Chapman, teacher, Bellaire HS
- Michael Clark, teacher, Bellaire HS
- David Johnson,senior computer operator, IT
- Elaine Lee, teaching assistant, Blackshear ES
- John Perlitz, analyst, Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Yolanda Ramos, teacher, Rucker ES
- Concepsion Romero, attendant, Food Services
- James Schrader, teacher, Briscoe ES
- Lourna Yzaguirre, teacher, Rucker ES
20 years
- Mona Beckham, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Barbara Dow, teacher, Bush ES
- Margaret Evans-Range,teaching assistant, C. Martinez ES
- Judy Garza, assistant principal, Coop ES
- Patricia Hernandez, secretary, Port Houston ES
- Johnnie Jackson, assistant principal, Lamar HS
- Muriel Jones, teacher, YWCPA
- Harold Krueger III, senior telecommunications repairer, IT
- Bradley Morrison, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Matilda Orozco, school support officer, Elementary Schools Office
- Carolyn Vanderbilt, teacher, Stevenson MS
- Stan Wright, senior HVAC repairer, Construction & Facility Services
15 years
- Joyce Byrd, associate teacher
- Carl Green, outreach worker, State Comp Ed/At Risk/Homeless
- Nanette Green, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Bob Liggins, associate teacher
- Karen Marshall, teacher, R. P. Harris ES
- Acquanetta Oaks, senior secretary, Tax and Financial Mgmt.
- Jose Perez, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Stephanie Perry, speech therapist, Child Study
- Jacqueline Phillips, associate teacher Humberto Salazar, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Jacqueline Posey, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Billy Reed, general manager, Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Patricia Syzdek,clerk, Challenge Early College HS
- Diane Wattenbarger, teacher, T H Rogers School
10 years
- Gershon Ahiabor, teacher, Milby HS
- Tristan Anderson, clerk, West University ES
- Danny Avalos, officer, Police Department
- Earline Banks, program specialist, Special Education
- Jacqualine Barrett, teacher, Neff ECC
- Maria Bedolla, attendant, Food Services
- Angela Byrd, teacher, Davis HS
- Lilia Cerna, clerk, SHMSTC
- Daniel Clark, plumber, Construction & Facility Services
- Joseph Dugas, associate teacher
- Mary Estrada, teacher, Roberts ES
- Francisco Garcia, attendant, Food Services
- Norma Garcia, attendant, Food Services
- Kimberly Green, student case worker, Dropout Prevention
- Josie Gibson, attendant, Food Services
- Adrienne Hicks,teaching assistant, Twain ES
- Nathaniel Howard, officer, Police Department
- Brenda Johnson, teacher, Stevenson MS
- Edwina Johnson, teacher, Foerster ES
- Virginia Lara, substitute aide/clerk
- Eddie Lascola, associate teacher
- Dina Lopez, teaching assistant, Waltrip HS
- Audrey Meshack, crossing guard, Love ES
- Julie Morris, attendant, Food Services
- MarthaMurillo, attendant, Food Services
- Laurel Parks, associate teacher
- Gene Platt, teacher, Eastwood Academy
- Raul Roque, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Dinora Saravia, attendant, Food Services
- Andrea Schultz, teacher, Condit ES
- Jose Serrano, asphalt worker, Construction & Facility Services
- Shirley Thomas, secretary, Construction & Facility Services
- Dolores Vazquez, budget clerk, Medicaid/Property Mgmt
- Nancy Watts, clerk, Westside HS
- Axinia Zepeda, teacher specialist, Berry ES
5 years
- Patrice Burfict, clerk, Worthing HS
- Efren Castillo, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Gabriela Cervantes, attendant, Food Services
- Danielle Clay, teacher, Codwell ES
- Katina Davis, budget clerk, Finance General Accounting
- Nelson Diaz, associate teacher
- Brooke Dies, teacher, Briarmeadow Charter
- Regina Ford, teacher, Highland Heights ES
- Janie Guajardo,secretary, McReynolds MS
- Maria Hernandez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Natalie James, clerk, Human Resources
- Eric Jimenez, teacher, Davis HS
- Sonia Lopez, attendant, Food Services
- Ragan Morgan, teacher, Marshall ES
- Shanica Smith, teacher, Frost ES
- Olga Sokolova, teacher, Wilson Montessori
- Minerva Vela, clerk, Marshall MS
- Ryan Wanda, teacher, Kennedy ES
| Check upcoming editions for more Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
Jose Chacon
This week’s Shout Out goes to José Chacon, a senior plant operator with Construction & Facility Services who works at West Briar Middle School.
“He is the hardest working man on this campus,” said sixth-grade reading teacher Lauren Foltz. “He also has the best attitude and is eager to help teachers in any way possible. Seeing Mr. Chacon’s positive attitude improves my attitude simply by example. West Briar would not be the same without him and we are very blessed to have him on this campus.”
| Know someone who deserves a shout out? Send an email to info@houstonisd.org with the subject line “Shout Out for eNews!” and tell us why. |
Alex Jones, a science lab teacher at Gallegos Elementary School, has been named one of only three finalists for Texas Computer Education Association’s (TCEA) Classroom Teacher of the Year. The award is presented annually to the educator who best recognizes the importance of technology in school and actively tries to promote its use in his or her classroom.
Read the full story here.
Congratulations also go out this week to:
- High School for the Performing and Visual Arts alumnus Jasper Snow, who will be performing on an episode of National Public Radio’s “From the Top” program starting this week. Get the full story here.
- Carnegie Vanguard High School students Cole Bennette, Ariel Simmons, and Kerrigan Quenemoen, who have been recognized recently for their performance in art, fencing, and piano, respectively. Also recognized was Kerrigan’s partner, a student from Bellaire High School Read the full story here.
- Ten students at HISD’s Inspired for Excellence and Harper Alternative School, who received new Kindle Fire tablets as part of an attendance-boosting initiative. Read the full story here.
| If you know someone who should be featured in Accolades, please email us at info@houstonisd.org and tell us why. |
Teachers at all high schools in phases one and two of the district’s one-to-one laptop distribution program are encouraged to attend a PowerUp Super Saturday training on Feb. 7, at Lamar High School (3325 Westheimer, 77098).
There, teachers will learn innovative strategies to integrate web tools and practical resources to help digitize their own instruction. All those who attend from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. will earn six hours of professional development credit and receive a $100 stipend. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Register on eTRAIN for the courses you would like to take that day by Friday, Feb. 6. A full schedule is here (.pdf). You can read more about each one in the course description list here (ignore the old dates).
Employees with health benefits must complete dependent verification process (with FAQs)
HISD has implemented a dependent verification process for employees enrolled in the district’s medical, dental, and vision benefit plans.
If you have dependents covered on any of these programs, you must provide documentation – such as a birth certificate, marriage license, or federal tax return – to support the eligibility status of each dependent by April 21, 2015.
If an employee does not provide proper documentation by the deadline, those dependents will lose their coverage and cannot be added to the plan until the employee shows proof of eligibility during the next enrollment period or qualifying life event.
Additional information has been mailed and emailed to each employee who currently has dependent coverage with full details regarding the requirements and how to submit the documentation.
For questions regarding the dependent verification process, please contact the HISD Benefits Service Center at 800-553-3823.
Dependent Verification Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this dependent verification being done?
A: At HISD, we are committed to providing affordable health care benefits for all employees and their eligible dependents. One way to ensure we effectively spend our benefits dollars and provide an equal level of benefit to all employees is to verify that we are only paying the expenses of eligible dependents as specified in our healthcare plans.
Q: Who will be conducting the verification?
A: HISD has partnered with Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) to conduct the dependent eligibility verification process.
Q: Who will be included in the verification?
A: All active employees with dependents enrolled in a medical, dental and/or vision plan will be required to provide supporting documents to substantiate dependent eligibility.
Q: How do I know if my dependents are eligible?
A: The definition of eligible dependents is:
Your legal spouse, as determined by the laws of the State of Texas
- Your dependent children
Eligible dependent children under 26 years of age include:
- Your biological children
- Your stepchildren
- Your legally adopted children
- Your foster children, including any children placed with you for adoption
- Your child who qualifies as your dependent under the terms of a qualified medical child support order (QMSCO)
Your child (age 26 or older) who otherwise meets the requirements above may be eligible for dependent coverage, provided the child is either mentally or physically incapacitated to such an extent as to be dependent on you on a regular basis as determined by Aetna, and meets other requirements as determined by Aetna. The employee (and the dependent’s attending physician) must complete a Request for Continuation of Coverage for Handicapped Child form and Attending Physician’s Statement to provide satisfactory proof of the disability and dependency. Forms are available by contacting HISD Benefits Office. The forms must be submitted no later than 31 days after the date the child turns 26. To avoid any gap in coverage, the forms must be submitted and approved prior the end of the month the child turns 26.
Eligible dependent grandchildren under the age of 25 may be covered if you claimed the grandchild as a tax dependent on your Federal Income Tax return in the first year you covered him or her and have covered him or her ever since.
Q: What types of documentation do I need to provide to satisfy the verification requirements?
A: There are multiple forms of documentation that will be accepted for your dependents.
List of Acceptable Documents
Spouse:
- Current Federal Tax Return with Dependent Listed
- Declaration of Informal Marriage
- Marriage License/Certificate
Child* (as may be applicable):
- Adoption Certificate
- Adoption Placement Agreement
- Birth Certificate with Parent’s Name Listed
- Current Federal Tax Return with Dependent Listed
- Documentation of Legal Custody
- Documentation of Legal Guardianship
- Hospital Birth Record (within 90 Days of Birth)
- Qualified Medical Child Support Order
*Please Note: If the dependent is a stepchild, you must also provide a copy of a marriage certificate or current tax return to substantiate the child’s relationship to the employee or spouse.
Important Tips When Submitting Documents
- Do not send original documents because they will not be returned.
- Birth certificate must list the parent(s) name.
- Only send the first page of your most current Federal Tax Return that shows your dependents (you are encouraged to remove or block out all financial information on the return)
- Marriage Licenses or Certificates must be the final document that includes the date of the marriage.
Q: What do I need to do at this time?
A: You should refer to your letter and collect the documents that you are required to provide for the verification to be approved. They should be submitted as soon as you have the available documents, but no later than April 6, 2015.
All you need to do is complete these three simple steps:
1. Review the enclosed cover sheet and confirm that each dependent is eligible for coverage.
2. Obtain the required documentation for each dependent listed on the cover sheet.
3. Upload, fax or mail the completed cover sheet, along with the required documentation, by April 6, 2015.
SECURE UPLOAD: https://www.adpdvs.com
Registration Code: n3wTqDDQ
Note: To upload scanned images of your documentation, please log onto https://www.adpdvs.com. If this is your first time using the site, you will need the registration code listed above, along with additional requirements that will be listed on the website. Click on the First Time Registration link and follow the instructions on your screen.
The website allows you to view the required documents, view a copy of this letter, submit documents and check the status of your audit.
SECURE FAX: ADP Dependent Verification Services 866-400-1686
MAIL:
ADP Dependent Verification Services
ADP-DVS
PO Box 2338
Alpharetta, GA 30023-2338
Note: Do not mail original documents; they will not be returned.
ADP is committed to protecting employee privacy and can assure you that all documentation will be treated confidentially. You will receive a confirmation letter from ADP Dependent Verification Services after your documentation has been processed.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding the necessary documentation, call:
Dependent Verification Service Center
800-553-3823
Representatives are available 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday (except holidays) to assist you.
In some situations, you may need to contact a state or local agency. You can access http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm for information on where to obtain the necessary documents.
Q: Can I bring my documents to HR instead of sending them to ADP?
A: No. HISD’s Human Resources department will not accept your documents; you must provide your documents to ADP. ADP will send you a letter and email directly that will provide the submission instructions.
Q: How will I know if my dependents pass the verification?
A: Once your documentation has been processed, you will receive a letter and email informing you that your dependents have been approved. However, if the documentation provided was insufficient, you will be notified by letter and email what information is still required.
Q: Will my private information be protected?
A: Yes. The information that is needed for the dependent verification is your name, address and dependent information. You can remove or black out any information that pertains to your Social Security Number, account information, account numbers and financial information.
Q: How can I provide my documentation?
A: The letter and email sent from ADP outlines three options for providing your documentation.
You can scan it and upload it to a secure website, fax your documentation, or mail it to the Dependent Verification Services mail box.
Q: What will happen if I don’t respond to the verification letter?
A: Any dependent not verified by document submission by the verification deadline date will be removed from all HISD Benefits effective May 1, 2015. Any necessary rate change due to the removal of the dependents will be reflected in your paycheck starting in May.
Q: Who should I contact for more information?
A: ADP’s Dependent Verification Service Center will be available to you during the verification process to answer any questions that you have. You can contact the Service Center by calling 800-553-3823 and representatives are available 7 a.m.-7 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday (except holidays) to assist you.
Employees enrolled in one of HISD’s medical benefits plans have until Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, to receive the full $125 cash stipend for completing their annual health assessment.
The online health assessment is a simple questionnaire which provides a snapshot of overall health and suggests ways to improve it.
Employees who complete the assessment by Saturday will receive $125. Those who complete the questionnaire later can earn $75 if they do so by April 30, $50 by July 31, or $25 by Oct. 31.
In addition to the health assessment reward, employees can also earn more money – up to $150 – for participating in healthy activities throughout the year.
Click here to take the health assessment and to learn more about the healthy living resources available through the RedBrick website.
Teachers at schools in the HUB pilot will be able to attend a variety of trainings over the next several months including early dismissals, Saturdays, campus open labs, centrally offered open labs, campus requests, and online self-directed professional development courses.
February has been declared “HUB Awareness Month” at HISD, and teacher development specialists will spend the entire month visiting with teachers on their campuses to spread awareness about the online teaching and learning platform. During their school visits, specialists will distribute brochures and flyers that will provide a detailed list of all upcoming trainings. In addition, a “HUB Summer Camp” is planned in June to provide teachers across the district with a deep dive into all aspects of the HUB, including the building of lessons and digital content; the delivery of assignments, tests, and quizzes; and collaboration
The Council of the Great City Schools has recognized HISD’s Transportation and Facilities Services departments as top performers in student transportation and facilities maintenance and operations.
The Council’s Performing and Benchmarking Project’s “Managing for Results in America’s Great City Schools” report defines and presents an extensive array of statistical indicators developed by CGCS and its member urban school districts to measure performance on a broad range of operational functions, including business services, finances, human resources, and technology.
Read the full story here.
Congratulations also go out this week to:
- The 11 HISD principals who were accepted into the Rice University Education Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) recently. Read the full story here.
- Cornelius Elementary School student Chase Roberts, who took home the first-place prize in the 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition on Jan. 16. Watch Chase deliver his award-winning speech here.
| If you know someone who should be featured in Accolades, please email us at info@houstonisd.org and tell us why. |
HISD understands that healthy employees are happy and effective employees. So the district is once again kicking off its 4 for $40 Weight Loss Challenge for 2015.
This free weight-loss program rewards employees by paying them $40 for every four pounds they shed during the program, up to $160 in four months. The challenge begins on Friday, Jan. 30, and ends on Friday, May 22. Employees have until Feb. 13 to register for the challenge.
Any active district employee (not including contractors, or anyone employed by a third party) is eligible to participate.
But the perks go beyond a boost to your bank account. Maintaining a healthy weight has well-documented benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. And in addition to winning money for losing weight, a healthier lifestyle also can save you money in the form of fewer doctor visits or prescription medications.
Additional prizes
In addition to the payments for losing weight, there also will be a monthly drawing for teams of five who meet their collective weight-loss target. Each member of the winning team will receive an iPad. Individual employees who also meet their target are entered in a drawing to win a Fitbit fitness tracker.
For more information on registering for the challenge, please visit www.healthywage.com/clients/houston-isd.
For a list of locations where you can verify your weight, click here.
