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Weekly Teacher Download for December 17

2018 December 14
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by HISD Communications

ALL TEACHERS

December Teacher of the Month: This month, the program recognizes English teacher Margaret Licea at Sam Houston Science, Math and Technology Center as December’s Teacher of the Month. Through a sponsorship with Group 1 Automotive VIP Services, HISD launched a new Teacher of the Month recognition program last year to honor the district’s hard-working teachers. Every month, an HISD teacher will be surprised and presented with a luxury loaner vehicle from a different Group 1 Automotive dealer.

Nominate a Science Teacher: In an effort to support the district’s goal to increase student achievement, the Elementary Curriculum & Development department has partnered with Alliantgroup to recognize the district’s most outstanding elementary science teachers. Five kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers will be selected to win a $1,250 cash prize each, as well as $500 for classroom material and supplies. An overall winner, will receive a $3,500 cash prize coupled with $500 for classroom materials and supplies. To nominate yourself or a teacher, click here.

Winter Reading for Students: HISD is encouraging students to join the Houston Public Library’s winter reading program for kids and teens. From December 15 through January 15, students are encouraged to read or be read to 20 minutes a day for 10 days. Students can read anything they like—books, comics, newspapers, magazine articles, blogs, web pages, and listen to an audiobook or have someone read to aloud. The Houston Public Library’s Readers’ Advisory staff can also create a personalized reading list. Registration and program attendance badges will be available for pickup beginning Sat., Dec. 15. For more information on the program, click here.

ELEMENTARY

Rodeo Activity/Coloring Contest: HISD has granted the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo permission to distribute activity coloring booklets to third grade students. The activity booklets will be delivered to schools the week of January 7 and reinforce the pillars of the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which are education, agriculture, western heritage and entertainment. Click here to view the guidelines. Entries must be mailed by February 1. If you have any questions, contact Lauren Faulkner at hlsractivitybooks@gmail.com.

SECONDARY

Achieve 3000 Access Program: Thanks to the Multilingual department, teachers can use the HUB to build their classroom ESL skills. The department has purchased the Access program option of the Achieve 3000 program for the 2018-2019 school year. The extra support will provide English learners differentiated instruction: one-on-one that features grade-appropriate content to each student’s individual reading level, with 12 levels in English and eight in Spanish. The software lowers the readability of expository text so that ELs can build fluency and comprehension reading skills with text that they can access at their independent reading level. As a student’s reading level progresses, the program increases the complexity to continue expanding each learners’ language development.

DLA Calibration and Scoring Support: Secondary ELA Curriculum and Development is offering a variety of supports and resources to assist teachers in effectively scoring Grade 7 and English I DLA writing compositions, and utilizing data to impact instruction. Several sessions will be held on December 18 and December 20 at HISD Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078) and Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092). For more information on the sessions, click here. For OneSource course numbers, click here. Writing toolkits are also available here.

Public Education Matters Audition: Do you know a charismatic high school senior? The HISD Foundation is requesting all high school seniors interested in emceeing the annual Public Education Matters Benefit Dinner on March 5, to submit an audition via the HUB. Deadline for all submissions is January 11, the submission video cannot exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and meet all of the components listed here.  The selected student will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Prospective emcees will be judged on speaking ability, creativity, and personality.

from → Employee news, Weekly Teacher Download

Leading Impact Program Kicks Off with Anti-Bias Workshop

2018 December 10
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by HISD Communications

Participants engaged in lively discussion during the inaugural session of Leading Impact, a new interactive management development program for Business Operations.

Fifty managers — selected from 140 applicants across Business Operations — have been tapped to participate in the seven-month program, which focuses on leadership, communication, decision making, team and talent management, and performance management.

The program, which was organized by Business Operations Support and kicked off in November, calls for participants to attend a full-day training session once a month.

“We are all in this room because we’re leaders,” Business Support Officer Mary Lehnartz said. “We need to be a voice, not just because it’s our job, but because it’s our communities. It’s our kids that are being impacted.”

Leading Impact is one of two programs designed to cultivate leadership skills across the division. In January, a cohort of senior managers will begin a three-month, six-session course Leadership Series provided in partnership with the University of Houston and focused on leadership empowerment, including development of self-awareness and effective leadership behaviors.

At the first Leading Impact session, attendees received a socio-economic history of public schools and an overview of HISD’s Government Relations Department and participated in a workshop about removing bias in the K-12 environment. During the workshop, the paired up and were told to make assumptions about their partner’s spoken languages, ethnicity, favorite foods, and other preferences.

“Judging someone without knowing them makes people uncomfortable — and it should,” Custodial Team Lead Octavio Lopez said, explaining that he though the activity was effective.

Anti-bias workshop Presenter Rhoda Linton stressed that prejudice can have a detrimental effect on productivity.

“When people are experiencing these microaggressions in their workplace, it impedes their performance,” Linton said. “They seem to be harmless, but over time they wear the culture of a company down.”

Maintenance Team Lead Ronald Richardson said he will use some of the program activities with his own team.

“I want to take this back and show those guys,” Richardson said. “Everybody needs this.”

In addition to the scheduled sessions, managers also are required to participate in “experience” activities — touring a 2012 Bond school, visiting the Customer Care Call Center, volunteering at a transportation hub or motor pool — that allow them to get a glimpse of the different departments under Business Operations and the breadth of work they do.

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Facilities Services and Fleet Operations host annual recognition luncheon

2018 December 10
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by HISD Communications

The basketball court in the Field House at Barnett Motor Pool was transformed into a dining hall on Wednesday for Facilities Services and Fleet Operations’ annual employee recognition luncheon.

Facilities Services and Fleet Operations Officer Alisha Jolivette said the purpose of the luncheon was to thank employees for their hard work and to give them an opportunity to enjoy themselves.

The lunch was part of the department’s employee appreciation week, which also included several “Cookies and Conversation” events designed to engage employees and solicit their feedback and suggestions.

“We definitely appreciate you for all that you do,” Jolivette said to attendees. “A lot of times we don’t get the same recognition as some of the academic departments. Just know that we are deeply grateful for your efforts.”

At the appreciation lunch, musical entertainment was provided by a live jazz band, and employees were given a raffle ticket for a chance to win a gift. Jolivette also presented certificates of appreciation to retiring employees and gift bags to Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Eugene Salazar.

“I’m kind of new to all this,” Transport Mechanic Team Lead Jorge Martinez said, noting that this was his first appreciation event at HISD. “I think everybody getting together and spending a bit of time away from the workplace really brings a positive vibe.”

Fleet Operations Manager Gary Daigle said he enjoyed seeing the fellowship among his employees.

“The importance that the district is placing on showing appreciation for their employees is something that I have not seen in the private industry,” Daigle said. “I think we all appreciate that openness and that sense of family.”

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Weekly Teacher Download for December 10

2018 December 7
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by HISD Communications

ALL TEACHERS

12 Days of Code: In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, join Advanced Academics for 12 Days of Code starting December 3 to December 18. Teachers can find coding activities for every grade level here:  elementary,  middle, and high school.  After students complete an hour of code from either of the activity boards, they can download a certificate of completion. Share your photos with us on social media using #HISDecoded.

Nominate a Science Teacher: In an effort to support the district’s goal to increase student achievement, the Elementary Curriculum & Development department has partnered with Alliantgroup to recognize the district’s most outstanding elementary science teachers. Five kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers will be selected to win a $1,250 cash prize each, as well as $500 for classroom material and supplies. An overall winner, will receive a $3,500 cash prize coupled with $500 for classroom materials and supplies. To nominate yourself or a teacher, click here.

Winter Reading for Students: HISD is encouraging students to join the Houston Public Library’s winter reading program for kids and teens. From December 15 through January 15, students are encouraged to read or be read to 20 minutes a day for 10 days. Students can read anything they like—books, comics, newspapers, magazine articles, blogs, web pages, and listen to an audiobook or have someone read to aloud. The Houston Public Library’s Readers’ Advisory staff can also create a personalized reading list. Registration and program attendance badges will be available for pickup beginning Sat., Dec. 15. For more information on the program, click here.

Toys for Tots: All HISD employees and schools are invited to participate in Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps’ premier community action program.  New and unwrapped toys should be dropped off at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center by Tuesday, Dec. 18. We encourage schools and departments to select a coordinator, who can track collection efforts and complete the collection report form. Coordinators should bring this form and all collected toys to the Strategic Partnerships Department, located at Level 1 SE at Hattie Mae White, by Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Shell Science Teacher Awards: ​Shell and the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) are partnering to offer science-related opportunities to schools and science teachers. Please have your science teachers nominate and/or apply, where applicable: The Shell Science Teaching Award recognizes one outstanding classroom science teacher (K–12) who has had a positive impact through exemplary classroom science teaching. The winner will receive $10,000 and an all-expense paid trip to the NSTA National Conference in April. Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award provides support to seven educators (K-12) in pursuit of professional development and serves to increase the talent pool of minority science educators. Winners will receive $1800 to attend the annual NSTA National Conference. Deadline to apply for both awards is Monday, December 17.

Shell Science Lab Makeover: Science teachers can also apply for the following lab makeovers: The Shell Science Lab Challenge Competition recognizes outstanding middle and high school programs for their exemplary approaches to science lab instruction utilizing limited school and laboratory resources. Recognition includes a lab makeover support package valued at $20,000. The Shell Lab Regional Challenge recognizes exceptional and innovative science educators and outstanding K–12 school programs for their exemplary approaches to science lab instruction utilizing limited resources. Recognition includes a lab makeover support package valued at $10,000 for elementary and middle schools, and $15,000 for high schools. Deadline to apply is February 4, 2019 by noon EST.

ELEMENTARY

Social Studies and Literacy Summit: The Elementary Curriculum & Development Department invites all pre-k through fifth-grade teachers in content areas of reading/writing and social studies to the Social Studies and Literacy Summit on Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Houston Education Learning Center (10725 Mesa Dr., 77078) from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Professional development offerings will include social studies, dual language, ESL and literacy sessions presented by teachers and curriculum and teacher development specialists. Register in OneSource, course #1378001. For more information, click here.

SECONDARY

DREAM Summit: HISD is welcoming all Dreamers, DACA recipients, visa holders, permanent residents, refugees and asylum grantees and their parents to attend this year’s DREAM Summit on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Those attending will learn how to successfully complete their college applications, apply for financial aid, and how to make the most of their college experience. The event is free and transportation is available from some high schools. For more information on the event, click here.

from → District news, Employee news, Weekly Teacher Download

Make a toy donation by Tuesday, Dec. 18

2018 December 7
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by HISD Communications

All HISD employees and schools are invited to participate in Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps’ premier community action program.  New and unwrapped toys should be dropped off at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center by Tuesday, Dec. 18.

We encourage schools and departments to select a coordinator, who can track collection efforts and complete the collection report form. Coordinators should bring this form and all collected toys to the Strategic Partnerships Department, located at Level 1 SE at Hattie Mae White, by Tuesday, Dec. 18.

In addition, all central office employees who donate a toy and drop it off to the Strategic Partnerships office will receive a pass to wear jeans on January 11.

Marines, with the aid of local social welfare agencies and churches, will distribute the toys to children from economically challenged families on Christmas Day. The ultimate success of the Toys for Tots program depends on the support of Houston citizens, which is why we encourage  HISD employees to participate and make this the most successful year.

Before drop-off, please email your collection forms and notify Dorina Carrillo when you will be dropping of your toy collection at dcarrill@houstonisd.org.

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Free Lunch on Thursday, Dec. 13

2018 December 7
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by HISD Communications

Sign up for a Dine & Dash mammogram

Solis Mammography is making it easy for HISD employees to get their annual screening mammogram before the end of the year, and they are even including a free boxed lunch!

Located just seven minutes from the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Solis Mammography is so convenient you can use your lunch hour to get the mammogram you may have been putting off.

Call today to schedule your appointment between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, as time slots fill up quickly.

Contact Solis Mammography at 281-245-3620 to make an appointment. Located at 1900 North Loop West, Suite 350, Houston 77018, Solis is a Cigna provider.

 

 

from → Benefits

Elementary Science Teacher Award sponsored by Alliantgroup

2018 December 3
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by HISD Communications

In an effort to support the district’s goal to increase student achievement, the Elementary Curriculum & Development department has partnered with Alliantgroup to recognize the district’s most outstanding elementary science teachers.

Five kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers will be selected to win a $1,250 cash prize each, as well as $500 for classroom material and supplies. An overall winner, will receive a $3,500 cash prize coupled with $500 for classroom materials and supplies.

A committee of school office and curriculum leaders, teacher development specialists, strategic partnerships, and university partners will select finalists in February.

Additionally, teachers will receive trophies and be recognized during the week of April 15 at a sponsored luncheon from Alliantgroup. To be eligible, teachers must be current, departmentalized or self-contained science teachers in kindergarten through fifth-grade.

To nominate yourself or a teacher, click here.

from → Uncategorized

Complete your Health Assessment for a chance to win a gift card

2018 November 30
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by HISD Communications

The deadline for completing a Health Assessment has been extended.

How healthy are you?

Complete an easy, confidential health assessment on MyCigna.com and be entered to win a gift card! The deadline has been extended to December 7, and it only takes about 15 minutes. There will be a drawing after the deadline, and some lucky HISD employees will win gift cards up to $125, just in time for the holidays.

Earlier this fall, we launched the READY phase of our READY, SET, GO campaign to help you get healthy or maintain your health (see the steps to get READY here.)

Once you have completed the READY phase, it’s time to get SET to get healthy. Just follow these steps to better health:

  1. Get your biometrics done. There were dozens of mini-health fairs at schools and departments across the district in November where various health checks were performed, including blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, and glucose levels. These are important key indicators of your health and will inform you as to what to do next.
  2. If your school or location did not have a mini health fair, this information can be obtained through your annual physical, or you can have your biometrics done at one of HISD’s two Health and Wellness Centers. You will need this information to complete your Cigna Health Assessment.
  3. The final step is to complete your HEALTH ASSESSMENT on com. After you log in, go to the My Health tab and click on the health assessment tile to get started. If you have any questions, you can call 800-Cigna24 (800-244-6224). After you complete your Health Assessment, you will receive a health score and the tools to help you maintain or improve your health. The more you know about your health, the easier it is to take care of it.

 Once you complete your Health Assessment, you will be entered to win a gift card, AND you will be ready to start the new year with the new MotivateMe program (details to come).

from → Benefits, Employee news

Weekly Teacher Download for December 3

2018 November 30
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by HISD Communications

Please take this quick survey to provide feedback on the Weekly Teacher Download!

ALL TEACHERS

District Advisory Committee Voting: Cast your vote in the District Advisory Committee Elections until December 14. Following submission of all the nominees, a district ballot will be opened for electronic voting, via a secured HISD portal application. At the end of the voting window, nominees with the most votes will be notified of their election to the DAC. Campus-based professional employees have two votes: One vote is for a “Classroom Teacher” and one vote is for an “Other Campus-Level Professional”. School employees are eligible to vote only for a nominee from their particular grade level group. Cast your vote here.

National History Day: The Office of Advanced Academics is excited to support and coordinate the district’s 2019 National History Day (NHD) competition for grades K -12 on February 23, 2019 at Hattie Mae White.  The office is asking teachers to please consider providing teacher and/or peer feedback on NHD projects before the winter break, followed by class and school competitions being held at the end of January. As a reminder, registration for the district’s event will close on February 10. For additional details, please click here.

Tough Kid Training: Are you interested in learning new techniques to help your students exhibit appropriate student behavior? Social & Emotional Learning Department will be offering Tough Kid Training on December 11 at the East Field Office (1102 Telephone Rd., 77023). The Tough Kid training is focused on providing practical and proven strategies to help students manage their behavioral excesses and deficits, and learn appropriate behaviors. It is also a training that can empower staff members with simple and practical evidence-based practices that will help your school’s Tough Kids succeed. Register in OneSource, course #1004001.

ELEMENTARY

Writing Composition Party: The Elementary Reading Curriculum and Development will host a DLA Writing Composition Scoring Session for all fourth-grade ELA and SLA teachers on Tuesday, Dec. 18 and Wednesday, Dec. 19 at Kingdom Builders Center (6011 W. Orem Dr., 77085). We encourage our campuses to have teachers score each other’s compositions for unbiased feedback and a change in perspective. These scoring sessions will provide all our campuses with an organized way to get their compositions scored by someone outside of their campus. Register in One Source, course #1367001.

MetaPlay Coaching and Training: PALS Teachers are encouraged to attend a special coaching and training on the Meta-Play method on December 3-6. The Meta-Play method offers a play-based, systematic approach to fostering the development of imagination and related social and cognitive skills in young children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and social and emotional disabilities. Register in OneSource, course #1337001.

SECONDARY

STAAR Prep: Are you interested in learning new strategies to help your students raise STAAR scores? You are invited to attend a STAAR Prep with Apex Learning course on January 18 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092) from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Come learn strategies on how to raise STAAR scores, promotion rates, course pass rates and post-secondary readiness for students in grades ninth through twelfth. Participants will also learn how to use Apex Learning Tutorials to raise EOC STAAR scores by 21 percentile points. Register in OneSource, course #1348002

DREAM Summit: HISD is welcoming all Dreamers, DACA recipients, visa holders, permanent residents, refugees and asylum grantees and their parents to attend this year’s DREAM Summit on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Those attending will learn how to successfully complete their college applications, apply for financial aid, and how to make the most of their college experience. The event is free and transportation is available from some high schools. For more information on the event, click here.

from → Employee news, Weekly Teacher Download

Secondary Curriculum Director Receives 2018 National Social Studies Leader Award from NSSSA

2018 November 29
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by HISD Communications

The National Social Studies Supervisors Association (NSSSA) awarded HISD’s Director of Secondary Studies, Montra L. Rogers the “2018 Mel Miller Outstanding Social Studies Leader Award”  at the NSSSA Annual Conference in Chicago on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Rogers has worked as a social studies educator for 22 years, which includes teaching at the middle and high school levels and working as a Secondary Social Studies Curriculum Specialist.  She has also served as an adjunct professor of history at Houston Community College.  Currently, Rogers works as a director in HISD’s Secondary Curriculum and Development department, where she has served for 17 years.

Rogers is also the current president of the Texas Social Studies Supervisors Association (TSSSA).  In February 2018, the TSSSA awarded her the “Dr. Rosemary Marrow Social Studies Supervisor of the Year Award” in recognition of her leadership in social studies education in the state of Texas.

from → Employee news, Shout outs

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