Almost 80 percent of those who responded to the Dec. 14 Friday eNews survey said that they still follow some high school football teams, with half of those rooting for the same schools that they themselves attended.
Another 20 percent said they cheer on the teams from their neighborhood campuses, while the same amount confessed an allegiance to their child’s school. Others simply rooted for any HISD team competing, and one said she followed the team where her husband coaches.
NOTE: This article was updated on Jan. 29, 2013, to reflect new information.
If you signed up for an HISD medical plan in 2013, you now have until Thursday, Feb. 28, to qualify for the full amount of one of two health incentives by completing an online questionnaire or signing up for a free screening.
The first payout (for those who completed either the questionnaire or the screening by the original Jan. 31 deadline) is scheduled to be added to the first check in March. Click here (.pdf) to see a full schedule of dates, times and locations.
REMEMBER: You will still be eligible to receive incentives for completing these activities after Feb. 28, but the amount decreases starting March 1.
Please note that the health screenings are only available to employees who are enrolled in a 2013 HISD medical plan. Employees must bring their Aetna medical card at the time of the screening to verify enrollment. A list of FAQ is here (.pdf).
Employees can call the Benefits Department at 713-556-6655 with any questions.
Since marrying her childhood sweetheart back in the early 1970s, Willie Nelson has heard all the jokes. No, she’s not related to the singer; yes, it’s her real (married) name; and no, she doesn’t teach music.
But the HISD veteran has spent the last 35 years teaching students in grades 3–5 with special needs—first at the campus she attended as a child (Reynolds ES) and now, at Cunningham ES, where she has served for the past two decades.
“I always knew I wanted to work with kids,” said Nelson, who celebrates her 35th anniversary with the district on Jan. 11. “I just love it.”
And while she didn’t set out to focus on children with special needs, the first time Nelson was asked to work with them, she realized she had found her calling. “It fit me like a hand in glove,” she explained.
Nelson is herself a product of HISD. She graduated from Worthing HS in 1974 and became an educator through the district’s own Alternative Certification Program. She will celebrate her 39th wedding anniversary to Robbie Nelson, whom she met in the sixth grade at Woodson MS, next month.
Many other HISD employees are also marking milestones in early January—see if you know anyone on this list:
30 Years
- Martha Bolanos, attendant, Food Services
- Garry Dunham, teacher, Kashmere HS
- Rudell Kizzee, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Debra Sapp, teacher, Northline ES
25 Years
- Beverly Bennett, teacher, Hartman MS
- Raul Garivey, lieutenant, Police Department
- Christine Hernandez, teacher, Janowski ES
- Rita Hubbard, teacher, Alcott ES
- Rita Jones, student information representative, Young ES
- Teresa Sanchez, teacher, Farias ECC
- Patricia Wood, teacher, Johnston MS
- Fredrick Terrell, teacher, Foster ES
- Joyce Yancy, teacher, Stevens ES
20 Years
- Jack Allen, warehouse, Food Services
- Tammy Fuller, teaching assistant, Harper Alternative
- Francia Gomez, custodian, Bush ES
- Alta Jennings, psychologist, Counseling and Guidance
- Anna Valls, assistant principal, Waltrip HS
- Antonia Ventura, custodian, Milby HS
15 Years
- Lynette Adams, plant operator, Mading ES
- Leticia Castillo, teaching assistant, Burnet ES
- Aura Cruz, teacher, Peck ES
- Irene Diflavio, teacher, Browning ES
- Ellie Garza, assistant principal, Berry ES
- Steven Hadley, teacher, Jones HS
- Laura Harlow, teacher, HSPVA
- Sirrenio Herrera, teacher, Lantrip ES
- Gretchen Kasper-Hoffman, principal, Grady MS
- Marcela Landestoy, ES specialist, Curriculum
- Elizabeth Payne, teacher, Reagan HS
- Michelle Taylor, teacher, Hartman MS
10 Years
- Portia Alvaro, teacher, Patterson ES
- Lorna Bowles, associate teacher
- Erik Carter, assistant principal, Hamilton MS
- Shartrina Charles, teacher, Lockhart ES
- Cheryl Contreras, teacher, Fondren MS
- Maria Cruz, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Gerardo DeLeon, graduation coach, Davis HS
- Blanca Fraire, teaching assistant, Scroggins ES
- Marisa Hartling, manager , Secondary Curriculum
- Sonya Gipson, teacher, Brookline ES
- Daymi Gomez, teaching assistant, Halpin ECC
- Candace Guest, teacher, Sherman ES
- Concepcion Guzman, attendant, Food Services
- Homeira Irani, teacher, Helms ES
- Mercedes Izquierdo, custodian, Johnston MS School
- Luis Jasso, plant operator, Poe ES
- Margaret Keaton, teacher, Scarborough HS
- Jessie LeBlanc, teaching assistant, Burbank MS
- Maria Lopez, teacher, Whittier ES
- Rosa Lopez, teaching assistant, Red ES
- Minnie Malone, teacher, Felix Cook ES
- Barry Matherne, teacher, Hamilton MS
- Luisa Medina, custodian, Lanier MS School
- Juanny Mendez-Guerrero, clerk, Sugar Grove Academy
- Aiesha Odutayo, instructional coordinator, Woodson K-8
- Silvia Ortiz-Cansinos, teacher, Valley West ES
- Esmeralda Padron, teacher, Sherman ES
- Veronica Pina, clerk, Askew ES
- Roxie Randolph, teacher, Oates ES
- Sandra Rodriguez, teacher, DeBakey HS
- Nina Roman, teaching assistant, Wainwright ES
- Dollie Smith, teaching assistant, Kennedy ES
- Cecily Stevens, teacher, Oak Forest ES
- Lorenzo Thompson, associate teacher
- Sandra Villanueva, teacher, Cage ES
- Lawerence Watkins, plant operator, Anderson ES
- Lashena Webb, secretary, Foster ES
- Brad Weber, school business manager, Lamar HS
5 Years
- Beatriz Aranjo, teaching assistant, Seguin ES
- Rosalinda Barrera, custodian, J P Henderson ES
- Kirk Belt, teacher, Vision Programs
- Daniel Bevill, teacher, Edison MS
- Lillie Blake, associate teacher
- Yady Blessinger, teacher, Halpin ECC
- Aretha Burleson, teacher, Rucker ES
- Adriana Caballero, teacher, Wainwright ES
- Stephen Cabell, teacher, Lanier MS
- Stephanie Calderon, teacher, River Oaks ES
- Rene Cavazos, teacher, Worthing HS
- Rufus Chaney, writer, Career and Technical Education
- Nadia Coleman, teaching assistant, Chavez HS
- Reginald Cooper, HVAC Repairer, Construction & Facility Services
- Antonio Cordova, team lead, Administrative Services
- Natasha Edmond, teacher, Henry MS
- Ana Estrada, clerk, Hogg MS
- Vida Gamble, associate teacher
- Gloria Guerrero, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Johnatan Guzman, teacher, Burbank ES
- Ellen Harrison, teacher Hogg MS
- Gwendolyn Hoston, custodian, Transportation Services
- Byron Ireland, HVAC Repairer, Construction & Facility Services
- Sylvia Jackson, teacher, J. R. Harris ES
- Celeste Jimenez, teacher, Southmayd ES
- Lydia Long, associate teacher
- Gary Marks, applications developer, Information Technology
- Frederick McGrew, plant operator, Cornelius ES
- Albania Martinez, teacher, Piney Point ES
- Alma Martinez, attendant, Food Services
- Maria Martinez, attendant, Food Services
- Adela Melendez, custodian, Petersen ES
- Mark Monita, teacher, Burbank MS
- Graciela Noonan, associate teacher
- Ian Olmstead, teacher development specialist, Professional Development
- Emilia Orozco Flores, teacher, Highland Heights ES
- Anitra Provost, teaching assistant, Kashmere HS School
- Dora Ramos, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Diana Rocha, teacher, Rodriguez ES
- Pascuala Santos, attendant, Food Services
- Kelly Streams, teacher, Grady MS
- Iriton Shabazz, crossing guard, Foerster ES
- Mary Shaffner, clerk, White ES
- Melvin Sheard, teacher, HSPVA
- Helen Shimada, teacher, Moreno ES
- Patricia Smith, associate teacher
- Veronica Smith, teacher, Sam Houston MSTC
- Patricia Swayzer Cooke, associate teacher
- Matt Tezeno, associate teacher
- Juanita Vallejo, attendant, Food Services
- Arturo Velazquez III, teacher, Browning ES
- Stacey White, teacher, T. H. Rogers MS
- Blight Williams, attendant, Food Services
- Mildred Woodson, bus driver, Transportation Services
| Check back next Friday for more January Milestones – and if you know someone who should be featured in this space, let us know at info@houstonisd.org. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
Six Houston-area museums will be conducting an Open House for Educators on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2013, and all interested HISD teachers and administrators are invited to attend. Attendees can learn more about educational resources, tools, and programs available, as well as training opportunities, field trips, and more.
Teachers who present proof of attendance for at least three presentations are eligible to receive Continuing Education credits. Details are available at the Houston Museum District’s website.
Good health is contagious! Learn how to assess the healthiness of your behaviors (including eating and exercise habits) and how they can influence your family and co-workers to live a healthier life.
Please join the Benefits Department at a ‘Lunch and Learn’ workshop presented by the Employee Assistance Program at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street) from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. Click here (pdf) to see a full schedule for classes offered. Please direct questions to Natalie Cascante or a Benefit Representative at 713-556-6655.
In Memoriam: Jaime “Jim” Melgar (1960–2012)
Our hearts go out to the family of Jim Melgar, a senior analyst in HISD’s Information Technology department. The 29-year HISD veteran died at the age of 52 on Dec. 23 from injuries sustained during a home invasion. Jim and his wife Sandra had just celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary on Dec. 12. He is also survived by their daughter, Elizabeth.
A memorial service was held in his honor on Dec. 29, but condolences may still be sent to his daughter at rose.elizabeth@gmail.com or mailed to the family at 12714 Pine Spring Lane, Cypress, Texas 77429. Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in Jim’s name is asked to consider www.kiva.org or Doctors Without Borders, which were particular favorites of his. A private investigator has also been hired by the family to find the criminals responsible for his death. A fund to pay for that has been created at Bank of America. For those wishing to contribute, please reference: Routing Number: 111000025, Account Number: 488042301923, and Name: Melgar.
Houston Rockets hosting HISD Appreciation Nights Jan. 15 and Jan. 26
HISD’s longtime community partner, the Houston Rockets, will be hosting HISD Appreciation Nights on Tuesday, Jan. 15, and Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013.
Employees can get tickets to both games at a discount, and the first 100 tickets purchased for each will get to sit courtside before the game and watch the players warm up.
For details, please see this flyer (pdf).
Nominate Someone for an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award
All public school districts and state-certified, full-time public school teachers and principals currently within the H-E-B service area are eligible for nomination. Check out this page for details on award categories available, and this page to nominate someone. The deadline to submit a name is Jan. 11, 2013.
Get LinkedIn! Join the HISD Employee Group for Discussion, Updates
The Houston ISD LinkedIn group is a virtual meeting place where district employees can connect, collaborate, and share information and ideas. If you have a LinkedIn profile, please take a moment to join the group—just select “group” in the drop-down search menu and enter “Houston ISD,” then click “join group.” If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, go to www.linkedin.com and create one. Please be sure to list your employer as Houston ISD.
Counselors Deborah Anderson (left) and Belva Parrish
The counseling program at HISD’s Clifton Middle School has been named a winner of the Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students of Texas (CREST) award by the Texas School Counselor Association for its efforts to create a college-bound culture on campus.
This marks the first time in CREST’s history that an HISD school or office has been so recognized.
Clifton was also highlighted as one of only six national case studies on proven and promising practices in the second annual National Survey of School Counselors (.pdf; pp. 24 and 25), released by the College Board. The 2012 edition was subtitled “True North: Charting the Course to College and Career Readiness.”
| If you know someone who should be featured in Accolades, please email us at info@houstonisd.org and tell us why. |
The Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP law firm is conducting its 17th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ (500 Clay Street, 77002) and the finals are slated to take place from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18. Details about the event are available here (.pdf). You can also click here to watch last year’s winner, Pleasantville ES fifth-grader Matthias McBride, and the other finalists give their speeches. HISD will provide similar coverage of this year’s event. . Here are some other dates you may want to mark on your calendar:
January 1–31: Board Appreciation Month
January 11: HEB Excellence in Education Award nomination deadline
January 11 (.pdf): Magnet application deadline
Jan. 15–Feb. 1: HISD’s Souper Bowl of Caring Food Drive
January 17: Board meeting
January 18: Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarship deadline
January 18 (.pdf): MLK Jr. Oratory Competition finals
January 18: AFP’s Youth in Philanthropy Award application deadline
January 21: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
January 25: Fund for Teachers application deadline
February 1: State of the Schools luncheon
February 9: Houston Hispanic Forum’s 27th annual Career & Education Day
February 11: G/T Speaker Night for Parents (postponed due to expected inclement weather)
February 14: Board meeting
February 16: T. H. Rogers 50th anniversary celebration
March 4 & 5: 27th annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference
This week’s Shout-Out goes to Technology and Information Services employees Harold Thompson (left) and Monte Krueger (right) from their team leader, Anthony Mendizabal (center).
“Right now there are only the three of us handling the phones for the entire district,” Mendizabal explained. “That encompasses 300 facilities, including the administration building, but they are very hard workers. Both miss work only very rarely, and if I’m out of pocket and something comes up, they will pick up the ball and handle it. Even if I call them after hours, they respond. Without them, we would not be able to do what we do. It’s great having them.”
Other shout-outs this week go to:
- HISD Payroll Department Manager Mary Perosa and her team: The payroll department worked 12 hours on the day after Christmas, and up to four hours a day on December 27 and 28 to process employee paychecks over the winter break. After all the holiday spending, it sure was nice to get that first paycheck of the new year, and we have Mary and her team to thank! Check out this HISD: Behind the Scenes video to learn more about what it takes to ensure that all employees get paid on time. —Multimedia Senior Manager Leila Walsh
- Teacher Jilliane Barzilla: A first-year teacher in the HCC/HISD Life Skills Transitional Program, Ms. Barzilla teaches with a contagious enthusiasm. Her excitement and passion are obvious in her lesson delivery. She has gone above and beyond to ensure that the young adults in her class have experiences which can be applied to vocations and community living by more than doubling vocational training sites. She has also involved community members as mentors and applied for and successfully obtained grant monies to help move students forward. —Special Education Senior Manager Holly Ortego
| 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. |
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