Want a new school website for free? Sign up for Schoolwires by Dec. 19!
Campus leaders who have not already discovered the ease of the Schoolwires content management system are invited to sign up for assistance in developing a school website.
Almost 200 HISD campuses are already using Schoolwires to manage their websites, and nearly everyone who uses it says it’s extremely easy to navigate, and you don’t need to be a web developer or have technological expertise to post content.
The district will cover the set-up and annual maintenance cost for schools using Schoolwires.
For complete details, please see this related online memo. Interested campuses are asked to sign up by Dec. 19 for the next round of Schoolwires training sessions, which will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013.
Teachers and counselors who have been planning to seek national board certification this year need to act fast if they want to take advantage of a federal subsidy still available for that purpose.
The assessment fee for board certification is normally $2,500, plus a $65 application fee, with retake fees costing $350 per entry. But first-time candidates from Texas are eligible for a $1,250 federally-funded subsidy, available through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
2012 will be the final year for this subsidy to be offered, so be sure to get your application in before the Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 deadline.
Interested teachers and counselors should apply directly to the National Board at 1-800-22-TEACH.
HISD will be closed for its annual Winter Holiday from Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, through Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, is a preparation day for teachers, so students will not return to school until Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. HISD central and administrative offices will reopen for business on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. HISD employees should consult the duty schedules posted here for additional details. Here are some other dates you may want to mark on your calendar:
December 15: UIL Winter Fest
Dec. 24–Jan. 4: Winter Holiday
January 7: Jordan HS’s 16th annual Hair Explosion
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 31: Fund for Teachers application deadline
January 26: Museum Educators’ Open House
February 1: State of the Schools luncheon
February 14: Board meeting
This week’s Shout-Out goes to Furniture Services Manager Veronica Ruiz and her staff for saving the district from what could have been a costly—and embarrassing—mistake.
When alerted that a copier had been picked up in error from Hartsfield ES and dropped off at a recycler’s along with a roomful of unusable furniture and electronics, Ruiz “pulled out all the stops” to get it back by mid-afternoon that same day.
“That copier was part of the districtwide rental contract and not HISD’s property,” explained Technology Buyer Maria Cruz Goldman. “If Furniture Services had not been able to retrieve it quickly and undamaged, not only would the school’s operations have come to a stand-still, but the district would have been liable to Xerox to the tune of thousands of dollars.”
“Veronica turned what could have been an embarrassing situation into a positive one,” added Goldman. “I applaud the teamwork of Furniture Services and the Warehouse. They truly saved the day!”
Other Shout-Outs this week go to:
- Coordinators of the Dec. 1 UIL Middle School Tournament: They did a great job and it was very well-organized. Kudos also to the administrators from Pin Oak Middle School, YWCPA, and YMCPA, who spent the entire day out there, supporting their students and teachers. —HISD Board of Education member Paula M. Harris
- Senior Manager of Federal and State Compliance Mark White: “No” is simply not in his vocabulary. One weekend, he not only adjusted a presentation he was giving, but also conducted additional sessions at the request of community members. —School Services Officer Lupita Hinojosa
| 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. |
KHOU anchorwoman and Lamar HS graduate Sherry Williams advises HISD students to make the first move
In this week’s I am HISD, which features students, graduates, and employees, KHOU-11 news anchor and reporter Sherry Williams reflects on growing up in the Third Ward, trying out for cheerleading at Lamar High School, and running to deal with personal loss.
Photo courtesy KHOU-TV
You grew up in Houston’s Third Ward near Texas Southern University. What are some of your childhood memories growing up in this historic neighborhood?
I used TSU as my own private country club! My brothers and I would use the track, we’d use the tennis courts, and we’d ride our bikes all over campus. We walked from my house to Turner ES every single day for school.
As a student, you attended Turner Elementary School, Lanier Junior High, and Lamar High School – all HISD schools. What unique experiences did you have as a student that shaped who you are today?
When I got to Lamar, I tried out for cheerleader, even though in my mind, I didn’t fit the prototypical cheerleader type. I was not popular, I wasn’t really pretty, I had these little spindly toothpick legs – I kind of still do. I said, “I’m going to try out just to show that a normal girl can.” So I did and I made it! I really learned a lot about leadership and teamwork through that experience. And it also showed me that I’m not afraid to be on a stage performing in front of people. I’m still doing that today.
At KHOU 11, you have a segment called “What’s Right” where you give reports on what’s going on in the community. What segment stands out in your mind?
One story that sticks out is about this young lady, Diane Tran, an honors student. Her parents divorced and she ended up living on her own. She got in trouble because she missed a lot of school, she worked two jobs, she was exhausted, and the judge threw her in jail for chronic truancy. I did her story, and it went viral. Some people started a fund, they raised $100,000 for her. Stanford University invited her to come up for the summer and take part in a leadership conference and offered her a scholarship. She’s 17, a senior this year, and she just can’t bear the thought of moving away and leaving her siblings. I’m very proud of that story.
In January 2011, you began running half-marathons. You also participate in the MS-150 bike ride from Houston to Austin every year. What motivates you to stay so physically active?
The half-marathons I started doing out of sadness. My little brother got colon cancer and it claimed his life within just a few months, and it was such a shock. To cope, I just kept running. I would be running and crying; it would be quite a sight. So then I ran so far, kind of like Forrest Gump, and I thought, “Well, maybe I’ll do a half-marathon.” I run in honor of my brother. Then last summer, my dad died of prostate cancer, and so I ran my second half-marathon for both of them.
What advice would you give HISD students hoping to break out in broadcast news?
If you think you want to be in broadcast news, work on the student paper, do the morning announcements, and see how you feel. It’s a career that, especially at the beginning, can be thankless – and the pay is horrible in the beginning. And sometimes, in the middle it’s horrible, and at the end it is still horrible! Call a station and say “This is something I would like to do, can I stop by one day? I won’t ask questions until everything is over.” They may be impressed you have the gull and gumption to ask.
| If you know an HISD graduate or HISD employee who should be featured in I am HISD, please email us at info@houstonisd.org. |
HISD is paying tribute to Chief Financial Officer Melinda Garrett, who is set to retire at the end of the month after 30 years with the district. A video celebrating her career and legacy in HISD was shown at the monthly principals’ meeting in December.
On Garrett’s watch, the Houston Independent School District has maintained the highest possible bond rating and the lowest property tax rate of the two dozen school districts in Harris County. At the same time, HISD has gained a national reputation for excellence in public school financial accountability. In 2011, HISD became the first U.S. school district in three years to win the prestigious Award for Excellence in Financial Management from the Council of the Great City Schools. In 2010, Garrett won the Council’s Bill Wise Award for distinguished service to America’s urban public schools.
“No single person has contributed more than Melinda Garrett toward HISD’s national reputation as a model district when it comes to managing taxpayer money with a focus on doing what is best for children,” said Superintendent Terry Grier. “It is because of Melinda’s excellent long-term financial planning during these tight budget times that our students have the resources they need to continue outperforming their peers across the state and nation.”
HISD will be hosting a retirement party for departing for Garrett on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. The event will take place in rooms 1E01 and 1E02 of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092), just before the regular monthly Board of Education meeting. Please take a moment to stop by and wish her well if you have the chance, or leave a comment below.
| Check back next Friday for more December Milestones – and if you know someone who should be featured in this space, let us know at info@houstonisd.org. |
Plan on becoming a better teacher with the Professional Support and Development spring training calendars
Though most of us are thinking about vacation plans and family gatherings over winter break, it is never too early to begin planning how you are going to improve your classroom in 2013.
Professional Support and Development has compiled upcoming trainings for elementary and secondary school teachers to browse and preview in two spring calendar documents. Figure out the date, time, eTRAIN number, and whether the training offers compensation or credit towards your professional development. You can view the 2013 spring training calendars for elementary and secondary teachers below. You can also browse information on professional learning options on the PSD website training calendar – go to www.houstonisdpsd.org, then select Training Opportunities.
HISD’s Information Technology Department has announced that starting next week, “YouTube for Schools” will now be accessible to anyone using the district network.
YouTube for Schools is a subchannel of the YouTube website that contains high-quality educational content from well-known organizations such as Stanford, PBS, and TED, as well as up-and-coming content-providers like the Khan Academy, Steve Spangler Science, and Numberphile.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Who will be able to access YouTube.edu?
A: Anyone on the HISD network. This includes students, teachers, and all other district employees.
Q: Do I have to do anything special to access YouTube.edu?
A: No. Just use your preferred web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.) to visit YouTube.com on a district computer.
Q: What types of videos will be available there?
A: Only educational content will be visible, from providers such as those listed above. However, you will also be able to access all of HISD’s television productions, including news broadcasts, I Am HISD profiles, Within Our Walls (WOW!) videos, and regularly produced shows such as Community Connections and Edúcalos. In addition, vetted and approved videos submitted by staff will also be posted there.
Q: Can I add videos to the approved list?
A: Yes. We are still developing a work-flow process that will allow teachers and other staff members to upload videos for consideration. Once this feature is available, you will be notified.
Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: Contact the HISD Help Desk at 713-892-7378 or helpdesk@houstonisd.org.
If you are currently enrolled in an HISD health plan, you still have time to participate in a free health screening that could net you $125. The last screenings will take place on Thursday, Dec. 13, at Askew and Barrick Elementary Schools. For complete details, please see this related article. Here are some other dates you may want to mark on your calendar:
December 7: Deadline to submit Beat the Odds Scholarship applications
December 13: Board meeting
Dec. 24–Jan. 4: Winter Holiday
January 11: HEB Excellence in Education Award nomination deadline
January 11: Magnet application deadline for guaranteed first-round consideration
Jan. 15–Feb. 1: HISD’s Souper Bowl of Caring Food Drive
January 17: Board meeting
January 18: Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarship deadline
January 21: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
January 31: Fund for Teachers application deadline
February 1: State of the Schools luncheon
February 14: Board meeting
