Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations vendor representative receives January Customer Service Impact Award
Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations Vendor Representative Diana Villalta thought she was in a conference room for a meeting when her supervisor surprised her with cupcakes, flowers, and a Customer Service Impact Award.
The monthly award recognizes HISD Business Operations employees who display exemplary performance, deliver fantastic customer service, and regularly go above and beyond to add value to their division and positively influence co-workers.
Code Compliance Area Manager Anne Washington nominated Villalta for the award, citing her efficient problem-solving and in-depth knowledge of permit requirements and operating procedures.
“She is a natural leader, and her organizational skills are exceptional,” Washington said. “She displays warmth, wisdom, and kindness online, over the phone, and in person. She is capable, confident, and committed to our mission of extraordinary support.”
Villalta was instrumental in developing documentation trackers for over 300 permits and sprinkler system reports. She maintains those trackers and handles calls from campuses about trash services. She said she loves helping resolve others’ issues.
Villalta said she is ecstatic to receive this recognition and wants to encourage others who may feel overlooked.
“Be organized, have a daily to-do list,” Villalta said. “Continue working hard, even if you think no one sees everything you do behind the scenes.”
Tickets on sale for 2020 Educators of the Year celebration
Due to current CoVID-19 pandemic, we have canceled the HISD EOY banquet for May 1, 2020.
HISD recognizes teaching excellence across our district through the Teacher of the Year (TOY) awards celebrated at the annual HISD Educator of the Year banquet.
This year we are celebrating New Orleans-style to recognize our 2019-2020 Campus Teachers of the Year (TOYs), Beginning TOYs, Librarian of the Year (LOY), Instructional Coaches, Leadership Excellence and other special recognitions.
HISD Educator of the Year Banquet
Lagniappe: Recognizing Educators Who Provide the Extra Support
Hilton Americas Hotel
1600 Lamar Street
Houston, Texas 77010
Grand Ballroom
Friday, May 1, 2020
Reception: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner and Program: 7:15 p.m.
Attire: Masquerade Chic–Semi Formal
Every school is encouraged to purchase tickets for your campus TOY and one guest, BTOY honoree and one guest, as well as additional tickets for the campus/community team who will attend to support your campus honorees. The event will honor our educator honorees in an adults-only evening.
To provide an opportunity for all schools and honorees to participate, schools will be limited to the purchase of 15 tickets per campus. To purchase tickets by Friday, March 27, 2020, complete the following Ticket Form and purchase tickets via ProCard. If needed, other payment methods may be provided through email to TOY@houstonisd.org.
The 12 District Teacher of the Year finalists and other honoree winners will receive complimentary tickets issued from Strategic Partnerships. All honoree finalists and winners and their principals will be notified by March 23.
If you have questions, please contact:
Weekly Teacher Download for February 17
Gifted and Talented Survey: Principals and G/T coordinators are asking all teachers who currently provide instruction to G/T students to complete the district’s Gifted and Talented program teacher survey. The survey is designed to collect formative data on the implementation of G/T services on the campus, campus program design, and perceptions of the G/T program and impact on the students. As an incentive for teacher participation, teachers can enter a drawing to win one $500 incentive that can be used for professional development.
ALL TEACHERS
National History Day: The HISD Innovation & Postsecondary Programming Department is excited to coordinate HISD’s National History Day (NHD) competition for grades K -12 on February 23, 2019 at Hattie Mae White. HISD Social Studies teachers and students are encouraged to incorporate NHD components into their teaching. NHD expectations strongly align with HISD disciplinary practices. As a reminder, registration for the district’s event will close on February 10. For additional details, please click here.
Digital Literacy Moments Challenge: Digital Literacy Moments Challenge: The Education Technology team invites students K-12 to work as teams to produce a 60-90 second digital animation and/or video, highlighting important tips about how to be safe online. “Digital Safety Moments” can be produced in any format, including live video, animation or a sequence of narrated images. Click here to view previous submissions and review possible topics. Deadline for submissions is March 29. For more information on the challenge, click here.
HISD Self-Care Initiative: Have you ever experienced burnout? The Social and Emotional Learning Department will host a self-care series on February 26, where SEL trainers will hold one-hour yoga, mindfulness and other self-care sessions for teachers and district staff. This initiative is targeted to help teachers and staff avoid burnout, improve mental wellness and staff morale. Participants may register for the course in One Source, #1441062. For more information, click here. Principals can request to host a session for their campus teams by contacting Nicole Batiste at nbatiste@houstonisd.org.
Sheltered Instruction PD: The Multilingual Programs will offer Sheltered Instruction and Instructional Strategies Professional Development on February 22 from 8-11 a.m. for teachers who serve English Learners. The goal is to equip all teachers who serve the needs of English Learners, Newcomers, and SIFE students with the best research-based practices. Participants will leave equipped with simple and flexible strategies for daily use to engage all students across content areas in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking in every classroom.For more information on how to register and OneSource course numbers, click here.
Info Session-Early Reading Specialist: The Elementary Curriculum and Development team will host an informational session for any qualified teacher interested in becoming an Early Literacy Reading Specialist on February 17 and February 24 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Hattie Mae White Board Auditorium (4400 West 18th St., 77092). During the 86th legislative session, new reading requirements were included in House Bill 3, which states kindergarten through third-grade teachers are required to participate in professional development known as Reading Academies that focus on teaching core reading and writing skills. To learn more about the cohort and requirements, click here.
Grant Writing Course: If you are interested in learning how to effectively write a grant proposal, you are invited to Grants 102: Fundamentals of Grant Writing workshop on February 19 at HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). The course will provide participants with an opportunity to understand the content for completing a competitive grant proposal that highlights the key elements including goals and outcomes. To register, visit OneSource course #1441063.
Student Assessment Summit: The Student Assessment Department will be hosting a 2020 Spring Student Assessment Summit on February 29 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lawson Middle School (1400 Stancliff St., 77045). Sessions will focus on how to make summative and formative connections to STAAR and will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, data tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Register today in OneSource, course #1440130.
SECONDARY
Code.org Training: The Rice University School Mathematics Project (Rice USMP) Code.org Professional Learning Program is offering summer professional development to new as well as experienced teachers. The program is geared towards providing opportunities for teachers with diverse teaching backgrounds to engage with curricular materials, CS content, and pedagogy. The program provides ongoing support for teachers as they prepare to teach either Computer Science Discoveries, an introductory computer science course for middle and high school students, and Computer Science Principles, a higher-level introductory course for high school students. Teachers are encouraged to attend an information session on February 22 at Garden Oaks Montessori (901 Sue Barnett Dr.,77018). To RSVP, click here. For more information on the program courses, click here.
Do you suspect substance abuse with a team member? Join us for the Reasonable Suspicion Workshop on February 28 from 10 a.m.-Noon at the Retirement Storefront (6100 Knox St., 77091). Participants will learn the necessary tools and skills to recognize and appropriately handle employees exhibiting signs of substance abuse and prepare participants for determining whether or not reasonable suspicion exists and what to do when they suspect it. Those interested can register in OneSource or call Sandra Johnson at 713-695-5862. Seating is limited to the first 30 to sign-up.
Weekly Teacher Download for February 10
Speak Out on School Safety: As the district continues to explore measures to increase safety and security on our campuses, we want to hear from you. We have made an online form available on the district’s website for you to submit recommendations on how to improve campus safety and security. To offer your feedback, visit HoustonISD.org/SchoolSafety. Your recommendations could be general or specific to one campus. No suggestion is too large or too small – we want to hear all ideas. Also, take the time to watch an HISD Communications produced PSA encouraging students to “See Something, Say Something” to raise awareness around school safety and to help promote the district’s anonymous tip line to report incidents.
ALL TEACHERS
HISD Self-Care Initiative: Have you ever experienced burnout as a teacher? The Social and Emotional Learning Department will host a self-care series on February 12 and 26, where SEL trainers will hold one-hour yoga, mindfulness and other self-care sessions for teachers and district staff. This initiative is targeted to help teachers and staff avoid burnout, improve mental wellness and staff morale. Participants may register for the course in One Source, #1441062. For more information, click here. Principals can request to host a session for their campus teams by contacting Nicole Batiste at nbatiste@houstonisd.org.
Sheltered Instruction PD: The Multilingual Programs will offer Sheltered Instruction and Instructional Strategies Professional Development on February 22 from 8-11 a.m. for teachers who serve English Learners. The goal is to equip all teachers who serve the needs of English Learners, Newcomers, and SIFE students with the best research-based practices. Participants will leave equipped with simple and flexible strategies for daily use to engage all students across content areas in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking in every classroom.For more information on how to register and OneSource course numbers, click here.
Info Session-Early Reading Specialist: The Elementary Curriculum and Development team will host an informational session for any qualified teacher interested in becoming an Early Literacy Reading Specialist on February 10, February 17 and February 24 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Hattie Mae White Board Auditorium (4400 West 18th St., 77092). During the 86th legislative session, new reading requirements were included in House Bill 3, which states kindergarten through third-grade teachers are required to participate in professional development known as Reading Academies that focus on teaching core reading and writing skills. To learn more about the cohort and requirements, click here.
Campus TOY Nominations: Principal nominations for Campus Teacher of the Year are due by Friday, February 14 for this year’s Educators of the Year event, which will be held on Friday, May 1 at the Royal Sonesta-Houston Hotel. It’s important that you submit your nominations that will recognize 2019-2020 teachers who have provided an extra touch to truly enhance students’ performance and experiences. Nominations for Outstanding Beginning Teachers of the Year, Librarians and Instructional Coaches should also be submitted on February 14. To submit your nomination, click here.
Grant Writing Course: If you are interested in learning how to effectively write a grant proposal, you are invited to Grants 102: Fundamentals of Grant Writing workshop on February 19 at HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). The course will provide participants with an opportunity to understand the content for completing a competitive grant proposal that highlights the key elements including goals and outcomes. To register, visit OneSource course #1441063.
Student Assessment Summit: The Student Assessment Department will be hosting a 2020 Spring Student Assessment Summit on February 29 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lawson Middle School (1400 Stancliff St., 77045). Sessions will focus on how to make summative and formative connections to STAAR and will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, data tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Register today in OneSource, course #1440130.
SECONDARY
Code.org Training: The Rice University School Mathematics Project (Rice USMP) Code.org Professional Learning Program is offering summer professional development to new as well as experienced teachers. The program is geared towards providing opportunities for teachers with diverse teaching backgrounds to engage with curricular materials, CS content, and pedagogy. The program provides ongoing support for teachers as they prepare to teach either Computer Science Discoveries, an introductory computer science course for middle and high school students, and Computer Science Principles, a higher-level introductory course for high school students. Teachers are encouraged to attend an information session on February 22 at Garden Oaks Montessori (901 Sue Barnett Dr.,77018). To RSVP, click here. For more information on the program courses, click here.
Houston Roughnecks Exclusive Ticket Offer
The Houston ISD has partnered with the Houston Roughnecks to provide an exclusive offer to to employees at a very special group ticket rate.
Employees can visit the link here and use the promo code below to receive a special rate for the Roughnecks’ games on February 8 and February 16.
The Houston Roughnecks are a professional American football team and member of the new XFL , an American Football League.
American Heart Month and Wear Red Day
February is American Heart Month, and February 7 is National Wear Red Day. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., so it’s critical that you know your risk and protect your heart!
HISD’s Health and Medical Services is helping raise awareness of this killer disease, which affects women as well as men. In fact, heart disease and stroke kill one in three women, even though it’s 80 percent preventable.
Health and Medical Services is hosting a Heart Disease Information Fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at Hattie Mae White in the 3SW Lobby. There will be free heart health information, blood pressure checks, healthy snacks, and more.
Be sure to wear red on Friday, which is National Wear Red Day. Post your photos at #WearRedDay.
Be sure to join the #OurHearts movement, a national initiative to encourage people to be heart healthy together.
Here are some tips to help you be more heart healthy:
- Stay active together! Aim for 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
- Track your health stats together.
- Try yoga or meditation to reduce stress.
- Join an interactive workout class.
- Don’t sit all day! Take a walk with your co-workers during your lunch break.
Visit these websites for more heart health information:
Weekly Teacher Download for February 3
Speak Out on School Safety: As the district continues to explore measures to increase safety and security on our campuses, we want to hear from you. We have made an online form available on the district’s website for you to submit recommendations on how to improve campus safety and security. To offer your feedback, visit HoustonISD.org/SchoolSafety. Your recommendations could be general or specific to one campus. No suggestion is too large or too small – we want to hear all ideas. Also, take the time to watch an HISD Communications produced PSA encouraging students to “See Something, Say Something” to raise awareness around school safety and to help promote the district’s anonymous tip line to report incidents.
ALL TEACHERS
National School Counseling Week: Join the district in celebrating National School Counseling Week from February 3-7. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, National School Counseling Week, this year’s theme is “School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans,” which highlights the contributions that school counselors make in helping students achieve academic success, and the vital role they play in social and emotional development. Share photos and posts on social media using #NSCW2020 and #HISDcounselors. For more information, click here.
Campus TOY Nominations: Principal nominations for Campus Teacher of the Year are due by Friday, February 14 for this year’s Educators of the Year event, which will be held on Friday, May 1 at the Royal Sonesta-Houston Hotel. It’s important that you submit your nominations that will recognize 2019-2020 teachers who have provided an extra touch to truly enhance students’ performance and experiences. Nominations for Outstanding Beginning Teachers of the Year, Librarians and Instructional Coaches should also be submitted on February 14. To submit your nomination, click here.
Art-Based Creative Teaching Strategies: The HISD Fine Arts Department and the Office of Special Education Services have teamed up to present a free four-part course of professional development designed for foundation (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) who provide instruction to students with disabilities and special education teachers. Courses are currently underway and will introduce arts-based Creative Teaching Strategies that will support the delivery and differentiation of academic curriculum and Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). For more information and OneSource course numbers, click here.
Grant Writing Course: If you are interested in learning how to effectively write a grant proposal, you are invited to Grants 102: Fundamentals of Grant Writing workshop on February 19 at HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). The course will provide participants with an opportunity to understand the content for completing a competitive grant proposal that highlights the key elements including goals and outcomes. To register, visit OneSource course #1441063.
Student Assessment Summit: The Student Assessment Department will be hosting a 2020 Spring Student Assessment Summit on February 29 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lawson Middle School (1400 Stancliff St., 77045). Sessions will focus on how to make summative and formative connections to STAAR and will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, data tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Register today in OneSource, course #1440130.
Inaugural Arts Integration Summit: The HISD Fine Arts Department is presenting the inaugural Arts Integration Summit at Wharton Dual Language Academy on Saturday, February 8 from 9a.m.-1:00 p.m. The sessions will provide opportunities for elementary and secondary foundation teachers to develop art-focused lesson plans that create opportunities to check for understanding (I-2) and differentiate (I-3) their instruction within a student-centered lesson (I-1). Arts Integration practices build on good teaching strategies and can provide seasoned teachers opportunities to expand their teaching toolkit and growing teachers to work on areas of their craft in a supportive and engaging manner. Teachers that are preregistered and attend the summit will receive arts integration supplies and resources for their classroom. Please encourage your teachers to register in OneSource, course #1440087.
SECONDARY
BP Global STEM Academies: BP is partnering with AFS Intercultural Programs to provide an extraordinary, full scholarship study abroad program for students that are interested in STEM and are energized to help solve some of today’s biggest global challenges. The four-week program is for students between 15- and 17.5-years old who have demonstrated an academic and career interest in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM subjects). Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, ensuring a diverse and inclusive participation in the academies.
Northside HS teacher transforms academic outcomes through Rice University program
Northside High School Teacher Andrea Davis saw a window of opportunity when she learned about Project Equip, a pilot program offered by Rice University scientists and educators that is supported by the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.
Thanks to HISD and the Advance Placement office, Davis along with 17 other teachers was selected to attend a three-day workshop last winter to learn about OpenStax Tutor, an interactive learning platform that uses machine learning to adapt to the needs of individual students.
As part of Project Equip, the AP biology teacher is provided real-time data, which allows her to identify areas of opportunity for students and close achievement gaps at a faster capacity than most teachers across the district.
Project Equip was launched by Rice’s Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), a program that leverages sociology and data analysis to provide research-driven insights directly to decision makers, all aimed at creating a level playing field for disadvantaged students.
To learn more about Project Equip and Davis’ efforts, click here.
Weekly Teacher Download for January 27
HAABE Teacher of the Year Competition: The Houston Area Association for Bilingual Education (HAABE) has invited the district to participate in the annual HAABE Teacher of the Year (TOY) Banquet, which means elementary, middle and high school campuses may select one Bilingual and/or one ESL Teacher of the Year to represent their campus. The HISD TOY Bilingual and ESL representatives will then compete at the Houston-area level for HAABE Bilingual and ESL Teacher of the Year. Each year, HAABE recognizes outstanding bilingual and ESL educators from Houston. For detailed information, please view application packet. Nominations and recommendation letters must be submitted by January 31.
ALL TEACHERS
Future Forward Leadership Summit: The Leadership Development Department and Human Resources Leadership Recruitment will host the Future Forward Leadership Summit on Saturday, February 1 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092). The purpose of this summit is to provide current and aspiring leaders opportunities to learn what is takes to be a leader in HISD and engage in new learning focused on key leadership skills and behaviors. Participants will enjoy a keynote address from Northwest Area Superintendent Cesar Martinez, and a leadership Panel comprised of effective campus and district leaders, who will provide insight into their personal journey to leadership and other valuable leadership experiences. For descriptions of each session, log-in and register in OneSource, using course #14411015, #14411016, #14411017, #14411018, #14411019, #14411020, #14411021.
Grant Writing Course: If you are interested in learning how to effectively write a grant proposal, you are invited to Grants 102: Fundamentals of Grant Writing workshop on February 19 at HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078). The course will provide participants with an opportunity to understand the content for completing a competitive grant proposal that highlights the key elements including goals and outcomes. To register, visit OneSource course #1441063.
100th Day of School: The Elementary Curriculum and Development Department is excited to announce the designated 100th Day of School will be held on Friday, February 7. This date takes into account the inclement weather day off due to Hurricane Imelda on Friday, September 20. All campuses are encouraged to celebrate the 100th day of school and share your experiences via Twitter, by tagging @HISD_Curric and @HISD_ElemMath. For additional instructional resources, click here.
Student Assessment Summit: The Student Assessment Department will be hosting a 2020 Spring Student Assessment Summit on February 29 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lawson Middle School (1400 Stancliff St., 77045). Sessions will focus on how to make summative and formative connections to STAAR and will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, data tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Register today in OneSource, course #1440130.
Digital Literacy Moments Challenge: Digital Literacy Moments Challenge: The Education Technology team invites students K-12 to work as teams to produce a 60-90 second digital animation and/or video, highlighting important tips about how to be safe online. “Digital Safety Moments” can be produced in any format, including live video, animation or a sequence of narrated images. Click here to view previous submissions and review possible topics. Deadline for submissions is March 29. For more information on the challenge, click here.
Inaugural Arts Integration Summit: The HISD Fine Arts Department is presenting the inaugural Arts Integration Summit at Wharton Dual Language Academy on Saturday, February 8 from 9a.m.-1:00 p.m. The sessions will provide opportunities for elementary and secondary foundation teachers to develop art-focused lesson plans that create opportunities to check for understanding (I-2) and differentiate (I-3) their instruction within a student-centered lesson (I-1). Arts Integration practices build on good teaching strategies and can provide seasoned teachers opportunities to expand their teaching toolkit and growing teachers to work on areas of their craft in a supportive and engaging manner. Teachers that are preregistered and attend the summit will receive arts integration supplies and resources for their classroom. Please encourage your teachers to register in OneSource, course #1440087.
Souper Bowl of Caring: In partnership with Souper Bowl of Caring and the Houston Food Bank, all HISD schools and members of Team HISD are invited to participate in the 2020 Souper Bowl of Caring, a youth-led, national food drive that mobilizes thousands of young people to fight hunger and poverty in their communities. Staff and students are asked to collect food donations until February 10 and/or volunteer at your local food bank or hunger-relief charities. For more information, click here.
ELEMENTARY
National Children’s Dental Health Month Poster Contest: HISD elementary and middle school students are encouraged to participate in the Dental Health Poster Contest recognizing the American Dental Association’s National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) 2020 campaign. This month-long observance brings together dental professionals, health care providers, and others to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and adults, caregivers and teachers. Following campus judging, first, second, and third place winning posters in each grade level category should be brought to Health and Medical Services Department at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Building by Tuesday, February 25. For rules and criteria, click here. For more information, click here.
Elementary Math and Science Summit: The Elementary Curriculum and Development Department is excited to announce the annual Math and Science Summit. This professional development opportunity is intended to support elementary math and science teachers in grades Prekindergarten thru grade 5. The summit will feature a variety of sessions on math and science instruction presented by HISD teachers, Teacher Development Specialists, Curriculum Specialists, and local experts. For more information, click here.
SECONDARY
Upcoming CTE Trainings: The CTE department is hosting several professional development opportunities for January 2020. Automotive teachers are encouraged to register for “WIGU Competition” to discuss a great opportunity for students to compete in April. Teachers are encouraged to register in OneSource, course #1440020. STEM teachers are encouraged to register for a two-day event to enhance their skills in AutoCAD in OneSource, course #1440103. All teachers are encouraged to attend a one-day training on sheltered instruction and literacy routines for English learners in OneSource, course #1441024. For more information, click here.
