In the Feb. 22 issue of Friday eNews, we announced the return of the 4-10 summer schedule. In that same edition, we asked central office employees in our weekly survey if they would take advantage of onsite childcare if it were offered during that eight-week period.
About half of those who office at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (HMWESC) answered in the affirmative, so we looked into it. Unfortunately, no free childcare services are available, but the options we discovered are detailed below.
- Waltrip Child Development Center (1900 W. 34th St., 77018)—Located less than three miles away from the HMWESC on the campus of Waltrip HS, this facility is directed by Francine Robinson. Daycare services will be available M–Th for five of the eight weeks (June 10–July 11) in the summer schedule. Hours are 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. and the cost range is $140–165/week, depending on the age of the child. HISD employees receive a 10% discount. The facility serves babies as young as six-weeks-old and children up to age five. At press time, six spaces were still available, and they will be filled on a first-come/first-served basis. Call 713-688-1361 ext. 304 for details.
- Foster Family YMCA (1234 W. 34th St., 77018)—Just a bit further east on W. 34th Street than Waltrip HS is this facility, which offers daycare for children ages 4–12 from June 10 until Aug. 23. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. M–F and tuition ($125 or $155/week, depending on the membership selected) covers the cost of lunch, snacks, T-shirts, and field trips. Call 713-869-3378 or visit the facility in person for details.
Don’t forget: if you’re an aspiring school leader with at least two years of experience in the classroom, you might be a good candidate for the University of St. Thomas’ master’s degree program.
Don’t wait—the second cohort is now forming and the deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
For complete details, please see this related posting.
Survey reveals most employees stayed in state for higher education
Last week, we asked our readers where they went to college, and more than half said they stayed in Texas to pursue higher education.
The top two schools listed were local institutions: the University of Houston and Texas Southern University (tied for first), but they were closely followed by the University of Texas at Austin (#2), Texas A&M University, and Prairie View A&M University (tied for third). A trio of schools also tied for fourth place: Rice University, Sam Houston State University, and the University of Houston at Clear Lake.
In all, more than 35 schools from 13 different states and territories were represented in the survey, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, and even Puerto Rico. The survey also revealed one purely online university: Western Governors.
Early enrollment period for SSLB ends May 31
HISD’s Supplemental Sick Leave Bank (SSLB) program offers participants up to 30 additional paid leave days in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury resulting in an extended absence from work.
Enrollment forms and plan details are available on the SSLB webpage and will be emailed to eligible employees during the week of May 6, 2013. Current participants are automatically re-enrolled.
Eligible employees may enroll or cancel plan membership at any time during the early enrollment period through May 31.
Please contact Employee Support Services at 713-293-9780 for assistance.
Apply to TSU’s ‘Back to Basics’ Summer Institute by May 21
Texas Southern University will be hosting an intensive ten-day “Back to Basics” Summer Institute on its campus June 19–July 2, 2013, and the school is looking for both students and teachers to take part.
Teachers are invited to apply to the institute. If selected, they will need to identify five gifted students who might benefit substantially from the experience to bring with them.
To apply, please complete this form (.pdf) and follow the instructions for submission. The deadline to submit an application is May 21, 2013.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Bernnell Peltier-Glaze, coordinator of the TSU Back to Basics Summer Institute, at glazebm@tsu.edu or 713-313-7496. The event is made possible with funding from Chevron.
Early Bird Alert: Discount offer to Aug. 31 Texas Kickoff Classic
The Houston Texans, HISD’s longtime community partner, is offering district employees a savings of about 15 percent off of the regular price of tickets for a new fall tradition.
The inaugural Texas Kickoff Classic is coming to Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, and district employees can get a family value pack of four tickets, four hot dogs, and four soft drinks for prices starting at $120.
Come launch the college football season by watching the Mississippi State Bulldogs take on Oklahoma State Cowboys for less.
To take advantage of this special offer, please contact Warren Caguioa at 832-667-2319 or warren.caguioa@houstontexans.com. A downloadable flyer (.pdf) is available for reference.
All processing charges, taxes, and fees will be waived.
Secondary Health/Physical Education Manager Rose Haggerty has been selected as the this year’s recipient of the E. B. Henderson Award by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
The E. B. Henderson Award recognizes minority AAHPERD members who, through numerous years of proven dedication to scholarship, mentorship, and service, have increased involvement of ethnic minorities and/or underserved populations within their profession, AAHPERD, or society.
Haggerty is currently serving as president of Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (TAHPERD). She was formally honored at the organization’s national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 26.
Congratulations also go out this week to:
- Walnut Bend Elementary School teacher Ernie Bainbridge, who was selected by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce as its 2013 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
- Grady Middle School teacher Amy Railsback, who was named the Galleria Area Rotary Club’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.
| If you know someone who should be featured in Accolades, please email us at info@houstonisd.org and tell us why. |
Making purchases with the PROCARD is about to get a little easier.
Starting with the 2013–2014 school year, the new single transaction limit will double, from $500 to $1,000. The new monthly limit will also see an increase, from $5,000 to $7,500.
All PROCARD users will be required to attend a “refresher” training and then sign a new contract acknowledging that they understand and agree to the new rules.
Rules governing Fixed Asset purchases will be provided in detail at training.
If you think you might need office supplies, classroom materials, or furniture from HISD’s Warehouse Operations before the end of the month, then order early, as the office will be closed for inventory starting at the end of business on Thursday, May 16, 2013.
Warehouse Operations will reopen for business on the morning of Friday, May 27.
For more information, call Inventory Control at 713-676-9471.
Constance Rutherford has been many things since joining Team HISD in 1993. She started out a secretary in Data Services (part of what was then the Technology Department) at the McCarty facility, then assisted callers with technical issues for eight years as a Help Desk operator at the old Hattie Mae White facility on Richmond Ave.
In 2005, she assumed her current position as the Student Information Representative at Worthing High School, and that’s where she’s been ever since.
“Right now, I am the SIMS coordinator, interim registrar, and unofficial technologist here, since I worked the for Help Desk,” she explains. “I helped implement the study labs, and keep up with all our equipment.”
Rutherford, who was one of the first employees to implement the district’s transitions from Wordperfect to Microsoft (MS) Word and Schedule Plus to MS Outlook, officially marks her 20th anniversary with the district on May 10. She will also be marking another milestone with HISD this spring—her graduation from Yates HS in 1975.
Many other HISD employees are also marking milestones this week—see if you know anyone on this list:
30 years
- Donald Gaines, tractor operator, Construction & Facilities Services
20 years
- Linda Raisor, secretary, Psychological Services
15 years
- Michael Jones, maintenance repairer, Construction & Facilities Services
- Sharon Roberts, warehouse, Food Services
5 years
- Natalie Atkins, associate teacher
- Lisa Barnes, general clerk, Medicaid/Property Management
- Janis Fowles, associate teacher
- Leesa Giles, teacher, Paige ES
- Rodney Granville, production attendant, Food Services
- Rosa Meraz-Alvarez, clerk, Madison HS
- Dorothy Prophet, , associate teacher
| Check back next Friday for more May Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
The largest art car parade in the world will be cruising down Houston’s streets on Saturday, May 11, starting at 1 p.m., and HISD has eight schools participating! Be sure to get there early and you can walk around and inspect some of the more than 250 entries up close, including cars from Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center (pictured, #118), Poe ES (#120), Pershing MS (#125), Davis HS (#127 and #224), Reagan HS (#129), Oak Forest ES (#133), Sharpstown International School (#137), and DeBakey HS (#140). Click here to see a full lineup and here for general parade details. Also see this related article.
Here are some other dates you might want to mark on your calendar:
- May 1–31: Asthma Awareness Month
- May 11: Houston Art Car Parade
- May 15: Recipe for Success Garden Haiku contest deadline
- May 18: Young Inventors’ Showcase entry deadline
- May 27: Memorial Day holiday
- June 1: Hurricane season begins
- June 6: Last day of school (students)
- June 7–11 (.pdf): Graduation ceremonies
- June 10–Aug. 2: Summer Schedule in effect
- June 11: Summer School begins*
- June 11–July 18: Summer Meals program
- June 13: Board meeting (regular)
- June 20: Board meeting (budget)
- July 11: Board meeting
- August 26: First day of school (students)
HISD’s Supplemental Sick Leave Bank (SSLB) program offers participants up to 30 additional paid leave days in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury resulting in an extended absence from work.
Enrollment forms and plan details are available on the SSLB webpage and will be emailed to eligible employees during the week of May 6, 2013. Current participants are automatically re-enrolled.
Eligible employees may enroll or cancel plan membership at any time during the early enrollment period through May 31.
Please contact Employee Support Services at 713-293-9780 for assistance.
Deadline to apply to University of St. Thomas master’s program is May 15
Don’t forget: if you’re an aspiring school leader with at least two years of experience in the classroom, you might be a good candidate for the University of St. Thomas’ master’s degree program.
Don’t wait—the second cohort is now forming and the deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
For complete details, please see this related posting.
Participate in TSU’s ‘Back to Basics’ Summer Institute
Texas Southern University will be hosting an intensive ten-day “Back to Basics” Summer Institute on its campus June 19–July 2, 2013, and the school is looking for both students and teachers to take part.
Teachers are invited to apply to the institute. If selected, they will need to identify five gifted students who might benefit substantially from the experience to bring with them.
To apply, please complete this form (.pdf) and follow the instructions for submission. The deadline to submit an application is May 21, 2013.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Bernnell Peltier-Glaze, coordinator of the TSU Back to Basics Summer Institute, at glazebm@tsu.edu or 713-313-7496. The event is made possible with funding from Chevron.
Early Bird Alert: Discount offer to Aug. 31 Texas Kickoff Classic
The Houston Texans, HISD’s longtime community partner, is offering district employees a savings of about 15 percent off of the regular price of tickets for a new fall tradition.
The inaugural Texas Kickoff Classic is coming to Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, and district employees can get a family value pack of four tickets, four hot dogs, and four soft drinks for prices starting at $120.
Come launch the college football season by watching the Mississippi State Bulldogs take on Oklahoma State Cowboys for less.
To take advantage of this special offer, please contact Warren Caguioa at 832-667-2319 or warren.caguioa@houstontexans.com. A downloadable flyer (.pdf) is available for reference.
All processing charges, taxes, and fees will be waived.
Condit, Cunningham, and Pugh Elementary, Hamilton Middle, and Chávez High Schools have all been assigned new principals.
- Dan Greenberg (Condit ES)—
Dan Greenberg
Dan Greenberg has served as both the instructional coordinator and the assistant principal at Condit. Prior to moving into administration, he worked in HISD’s Professional Development Department as an academic trainer, primarily with the Gifted & Talented program and the educational technology teams. Greenberg also served as a classroom teacher and campus specialist in Grapevine-Colleyville and Plano ISDs. He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational theory and practice. He also earned a master’s degree in gifted education from Hardin Simmons University and a principal certification from Sam Houston State University.
- Anna White (Cunningham ES)—
Anna White
Anna White will be replacing Principal Nancy Mercado, who is retiring after 31 years of service to the district. White comes to Cunningham after serving as the principal of Port Houston for three years and the assistant principal for two years. Port of Houston was recognized as Exemplary under her leadership and she has been recognized individually for her data-driven instructional program.
- Dario Villota (Pugh ES)—
Dario Villota
Dario Villota became part of Team HISD in July 2011 and served as an assistant principal at Kashmere and Sharpstown High Schools. He started his career as an elementary bilingual teacher at Johnson Elementary School and English as a Second Language teacher at Hambrick Middle School in Aldine ISD. After teaching for ten years, he moved into a Curriculum and Skills Specialist position for Bilingual and Gifted and Talented education. Villota earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from the Universidad Autónoma de Colombia and his master’s degree in educational psychology at Texas A&M University.
- Wendy Hampton (Hamilton MS)—
Wendy Hampton
Wendy Hampton served as assistant principal at Deady Middle School and as Dean of Instruction at the high school level before being named principal at Hamilton. She is a former math instructor who served as president of the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association and Academic Decathlon regional director. Hampton earned her bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Texas at Tyler and her master’s degree in education from the University of Houston.
- René Sanchez (Chávez HS)—René Sanchez was the principal of East Austin College Prep in Austin, Texas when he was named the new principal of Chávez High School. He has also served as a principal at Orange Grove High School in Orange ISD and the Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School in Austin. Before that, he was an English and social studies teacher. Sanchez graduated from the University of Notre Dame, obtained a law degree from Ohio State University and earned his principal certification from the University of Texas at Austin.
The Children’s Museum of Houston will be hosting its next Professional Development Workshop for educators from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 11, 2013.
This month’s theme is “playing with math,” and participants can get some great ideas for how to keep kids engaged in the classroom with games and activities that reinforce math concepts and are aligned with math TEKS. The target audience is teachers of grades K–8.
For details, please visit the CMH website.
Other upcoming learning opportunities:
- Role of Central Office in Supporting PLC’s—What is the role of Central Office in the successful district-wide implementation of professional learning communities? This two-hour seminar (1– 3 p.m. on May 8 at the HMWESC) will explore the Participants will explore the ways that all members of the organization support schools by taking time to clarify priorities, specify conditions needed to achieve certain outcomes, establish indicators of progress, and align leadership behaviors to purpose. Sign up on eTRAIN using course code LD0207. Additional course offerings can be found in this catalog (.pdf).
- HMNS summer energy workshops: Middle- and high-school science teachers are invited to participate in one of two weeklong workshops over the summer sponsored by Marathon Oil Corporation. Participants will acquire knowledge of careers in the energy industry by touring production sites such as the Cedar Bayou Natural Gas Power Plant, the Varel Drill Bit Factory, and the South Texas Nuclear Project. The workshop costs $45, with lunch provided each day. Please see this related flyer (.pdf) for details.
