District Advisory Committee Elections
Cast your vote in District Advisory Committee Elections
Click here, to cast your vote in the 2019 District Advisory Committee (DAC) elections from Monday, Nov. 18 to Friday, Dec. 6.
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.
Central Office Employees will be able to vote for one Central Office nominee and may elect one person from the Central Office group.
Membership Eligibility
Please note that DAC eligibility differs from eligibility to serve on a campus site-based decision-making committee (SDMC).
- DAC elected positions are exclusive to professional staff members, and only professional staff members participate in the nomination and election
- Classroom teachers include those teachers or positions assigned as a teacher in OneSource.
- Other professionals include administrators, counselors, and nurses
- Teachers from HISD contract charter schools are not eligible for
- Eligible central office professionals include positions that are a paygrade 25 or above.
- You must be in one of these categories to cast a vote.
Election of Professional Staff
There are 18 positions for professional staff.
- 5 positions for elementary teachers
- 3 positions for middle school teachers
- 4 positions for high school teachers
- 3 other campus-based professionals
- 3 central office professionals
Weekly Teacher Download for November 26
Please take this quick survey to provide feedback on the Weekly Teacher Download!
ALL TEACHERS
2019-2020 Academic Calendar: The HISD Board of Trustees has approved the academic calendar for the 2019-2020 school year. The calendar is now available online and features 187 teacher contract days, nine pre-service and four preparation days for teachers, as well as a host of other district-recognized days. To download the calendar, click here.
November 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. This month, the program recognizes science lab teacher Jennifer Howell at Longfellow Elementary as November’s Teacher of the Month. Every month, an HISD teacher will be surprised and presented with a luxury loaner vehicle from a different Group 1 Automotive dealer. Read more about Jennifer Howell’s surprise.
Dyslexia Session for Principals: The Dyslexia Team will share important information by conducting special dyslexia sessions on November 28 and December 5. Participants will receive an overview of the role of Dyslexia Interventionists and review the district and campus responsibilities as it relates to services to dyslexic students. Principals can register in OneSource, course #1363015.
District Advisory Committee Voting: Cast your vote in the District Advisory Committee Elections from November 26-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.
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.
SECONDARY
HART Ambassadors: Do you know a high school student that would like to serve as a health Health Ambassador for a Ready Texas (HART) with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)? As a health ambassador, high students have the opportunity to champion healthy eating and wellness within their school community. To become a HART, a student must be enrolled in ninth to eleventh grade, participate in the National School Lunch Program, and submit an application by November 30. For more information on the program and to apply, click here.
Facilities Services longtime employee receives Customer Service Impact Award
HISD Facilities Services Senior Administrative Assistant Sherry Jones thought she had been called to an emergency administrative meeting, but her colleagues instead surprised her with a cake, red roses, and the Business Operations 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.
Facilities Services and Fleet Officer Alishia Jolivette nominated Jones for the award, citing her unrivaled receptiveness to suggestions and feedback.
“She’s very positive and extremely dedicated,” Jolivette said. “She’s always here and she does so much. She’s just a great person to have on a team.”
Jones has been with the district for 46 years, and currently serves as the liaison between Facilities Services and Fleet Operations and the executive leadership team, as well as campus administrative staff.
When there are any issues, such as power and water outages or gas reports, Jones coordinates hourly updates. She also assists with onboarding and training of technicians, administrative staff, planners, and managers.
Jones said she appreciates the gesture and thanked the committee from the bottom of her heart.
“I just stay focused, do my best to handle any situation that comes my way, and just let the negativity fall away,” Jones said, highlighting her strategies for excelling in her role.
Finalists for the award were Business Operations Support Customer Service Representative Jessica Martinez and Food Service Attendant Gwendolyn Pierce.
Transportation Services to celebrate Appreciation Week
Employees in Transportation Services will be treated to a special lunch this week, as the department observes its annual Appreciation Week.
According to Interim General Manager of Transportation John Wilcots IV, the Appreciation Week is an opportunity to thank employees for their work.
“Our entire Transportation Services staff plays a critical role in providing access to HISD’s students,” Wilcots said. “The observance is a great way to thank them for all they do each and every day.”
The department will host a luncheon for its employees at each of its four bus terminals. The luncheons are scheduled for Monday at the Barnett Terminal, Tuesday at the Butler Terminal, Wednesday at the Central Terminal, and Friday at the Northwest Terminal. Each luncheon will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Weekly Teacher Download for November 12
Please take this quick survey to provide feedback on the Weekly Teacher Download!
ALL TEACHERS
HAABSE Teacher Awards: The Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) recognizes the incredible work of educators that impact the lives of minority students in the greater Houston area. Each principal may nominate a teacher from their campus for the 2019 HAABSE Outstanding Teacher Awards and Recognition Ceremony on February 6 at the Bayou City Event Center. The selected teacher must submit their application online by December 14. This is a great way to show your appreciation for excellence in your building by recognizing an outstanding teacher for their efforts.
HISD 2019 Benefits Enrollment: Benefits annual enrollment is now open through Nov. 15. You can also view the 2019 Benefits Guide and visit the NEW HISD Benefits website to explore your options and price the various plans. The good news for this coming year is that there are no major changes to your health care, life insurance, disability, and most of the other HISD benefit programs. And, we are introducing new programs and services designed to encourage all district employees and their families to live happier, healthier lives.
Team HISD Cares Scholarship: The HISD Foundation launched Team HISD Cares Scholarship, an employee-driven scholarship campaign. The new scholarship campaign will run until February 28, 2019 and was created to support our graduating seniors with a scholarship to any technical school or nonprofit two-year or four-year college or university of their choice. Campuses and/or departments that have the highest employee involvement or highest employee giving will be invited to join the District Scholarship Selection Committee, receive naming rights to a scholarship and present the scholarship with the Interim Superintendent. Click here to donate.
ELEMENTARY
Lemonade Day 2019: It’s time now to plan for the next Lemonade Day on May 4-5, 2019. Since 2007, HISD has partnered with Lemonade Day Houston to support students in developing an understanding of financial literacy and gaining experience running a business. The Lemonade Day Houston organization provides participating schools with training and materials that include activities and resources aligning with mathematics and social studies standards. The Lemonade Day Houston team has also identified TEKS alignment and ideas for lesson plans for grades K-5. Additional information can be found here.
SECONDARY
HAABSE Scholarship: The Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) is recognizing a high school senior in pursuit of a degree in education with a $1,000 college scholarship. Students can apply here until January 4.
Achieve 3000 Read-to-Succeed Contest: Achieve 3000 is hosting a Read-to-Succeed Contest until November 23, every time a student completes an Achieve 3000 activity, their class will earn a point. For every activity score of 75 percent or higher, the class will earn two points. For every activity with a score of 88 percent or higher, the class will earn three points. At the end of the contest, the class with the most points on average per student, wins a gift card to spend on a class celebration of their choice. To qualify for the contest, each student in the class must complete at least eight activities during the contest window.
Weekly Teacher Download for November 5
ALL TEACHERS
HISD 2019 Benefits Enrollment: Benefits annual enrollment is now open through Nov. 15. You can also view the 2019 Benefits Guide and visit the NEW HISD Benefits website to explore your options and price the various plans. The good news for this coming year is that there are no major changes to your health care, life insurance, disability, and most of the other HISD benefit programs. And, we are introducing new programs and services designed to encourage all district employees and their families to live happier, healthier lives.
Take LBB Survey: In June 2018, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees requested a management and performance review from the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). All campus and district staff are encouraged to take the survey to provide input on key areas of review. Please provide input on key areas of review and relay your concerns in the survey by Friday, Nov. 9. For details on the three main objectives to be reviewed, click here.
District Advisory Committee (DAC) Elections: All campus principals must make a transparent call for nominees to determine one classroom teacher and one campus-based professional (non-teacher) employee who want to run in the districtwide election to serve on the DAC. The nomination window is Monday, Oct. 29 to Friday, Nov. 9. Charter/Contract campuses are ineligible. Any eligible campus-based professional may be nominated by another campus-based professional or may self-nominate, by notifying the principal, to be included in the campus-based election process. Campus nominees must consent to be included on the district ballot. For more information on how to nominate, click here.
Special Education Cohort: Are you interested in a leadership role in the Office of Special Education Services (OSES)? The OSES will hold a unique cohort to provide timely and relevant support that will help develop your potential leadership skills in special education. If interested, the first information session will be held on Monday, Nov. 5 at Hattie Mae White, Room 2C06 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. For more information on how to apply, click here.
ELEMENTARY
Early Dismissal Trainings: The Elementary Curriculum and Development is committed to providing teachers with high quality professional development, which includes early dismissal trainings. The trainings will consist of just-in-time curriculum-based professional development and instructional planning sessions. Sessions will be aligned to the HISD Elementary Scope and Sequence and Unit Planning Guides. The target audiences are Pre-K through fifth-grade teachers in the content areas of reading/writing, math, science and social studies. For more information on the November 6 training and OneSource course numbers, click here.
Take the LBB Survey to provide input on key areas of review
Dear Team HISD member:
In June 2018, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees requested a management and performance review from the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). LBB is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations, completes fiscal analyses for proposed legislation, and conducts evaluations and reviews to improve the efficiency and performance of state and local operations.
The three main objectives of the review are to:
- Identify opportunities to save money or increase revenue
- Develop strategies to streamline and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations
- Highlight exemplary programs that could be replicated by other Texas school districts
LBB is requesting suggestions/feedback from personnel regarding opportunities for improvement in the quality of education and management of district resources.
Please provide input on key areas of review and relay your concerns in one of the following surveys by Friday, November 9:
- Campus staff: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HISD_campus_staff
- District staff: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HISD_district_staff
All responses are anonymous. For questions, please email schoolreview@lbb.state.tx.us.
Sincerely,
Silvia Trinh
HISD Chief of Staff
2019 Benefits Enrollment now open through Nov. 15
It’s time to enroll in your 2019 benefits
Benefits annual enrollment is now open through Nov. 15. You can also view the 2019 Benefits Guide and visit the NEW HISD Benefits website to explore your options and price the various plans.
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What’s New in 2019
The good news for this coming year is that there are no major changes to your health care, life insurance, disability, and most of the other HISD benefit programs. And, we are introducing new programs and services designed to encourage all district employees and their families to live happier, healthier lives. However, the dental plan costs are going up 7% for each plan option (DHMO and PPO).
Dental Premiums Going Up: The premiums for our DHMO and DPPO plans are increasing by seven percent due to higher claims costs. The QCD Discount Dental Program has a new website with additional benefits. See www.qcdofamerica.com for complete details. Please review all the rates in the Benefits Guide beginning on page 49.
New Pharmacy Programs: Our prescription plan is always free if you are enrolled in a HISD medical plan, and generic drugs for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and some women’s contraceptives are free as well with certain conditions. Find out more at HISD Prescription Drugs and www.Express-Scripts.com.
Register at myCigna.com for instant access to your medical, dental, FSA and HRA benefits, and electronic ID cards. For smart phone access, you can download the myCigna app from the App Store and Google Play. Your medical provider can simply scan your phone when you arrive at their office.
Eligible Dependents Coverage: Every year it is important to review your eligible dependents, as they are the only dependents who can be covered under your plans. It is your responsibility to remove ineligible dependents from all your voluntary insurance plans (dental, life, accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, cancer, etc.). If you have a dependent who no longer qualifies as an eligible dependent, you must notify the Benefits Services Center at 1-877-780-4473 immediately. If you fail to do so, we will make an adjustment to remove the dependent when we discover the ineligible dependent while auditing our plans, and there will be no refund of premiums paid for ineligible dependents.
Already enrolled and making no changes? No need to do anything! However, if you participate in an FSA plan, you must re-enroll every year. If you no longer qualify for the Select Plan, you must choose another plan in order to have medical coverage in 2019.
There are many ways to stay connected to and updated on your HISD Benefits:
- Follow us on Twitter at com/HISDBenefits.
- Like us on Facebook at com/HoustonISDBenefits/.
- Follow us on Instagram at HISDBenefits.
- Check the Benefits Calendar and Benefits website
Supplemental Sick Leave Bank (SSLB)
2018-19 Special Enrollment November 1 – 15, 2018
Program offers up to 30 additional leave days for catastrophic illness/injury
The HISD Supplemental Sick Leave Bank (SSLB) program offers participants up to 30 additional leave days for extended absences due to a catastrophic injury or illness.
The SSLB membership enrollment materials will be emailed to eligible employees during the week of November 1, 2018. Current SSLB members were automatically re-enrolled during the August enrollment period.
Eligible employees may enroll during the special enrollment period through November -15, 2018. Enrollment forms and plan details are also available on the SSLB webpage. This is the final enrollment period for the school year.
Contact Employee Support Services at 713-695-5561 for additional assistance.
Weekly Teacher Download for October 29
ALL TEACHERS
Special Education Cohort: Are you interested in a leadership role in the Office of Special Education Services (OSES)? The OSES will hold a unique cohort to provide timely and relevant support that will help develop your potential leadership skills in special education. If interested, the first information session will be held on Monday, Nov. 5 at Hattie Mae White, Room 2C06 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. For more information on how to apply, click here.
District Advisory Committee (DAC) Elections: All campus principals must make a transparent call for nominees to determine one classroom teacher and one campus-based professional (non-teacher) employee who want to run in the districtwide election to serve on the DAC. The nomination window is Monday, Oct. 29 to Friday, Nov. 9. Charter/Contract campuses are ineligible. Any eligible campus-based professional may be nominated by another campus-based professional or may self-nominate, by notifying the principal, to be included in the campus-based election process. Campus nominees must consent to be included on the district ballot. For more information on how to nominate, click here.
Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics: Volunteers are needed for the sixth annual HISD Special Olympics Field Days scheduled for Nov. 13, 14, and 15 at the Joe Kelly Butler Fieldhouse (13755 Main St., 77085). More than 1,000 volunteers are needed throughout the three days to help with setup and breakdown, athletic events, escorting students around the facility, serving lunches, and other tasks. If you’re interested in volunteering at one or more events, register here.
Team HISD Cares Scholarship: The HISD Foundation launched Team HISD Cares Scholarship, an employee-driven scholarship campaign. The new scholarship campaign will run from October 15, 2018 to February 28, 2019 and was created to support our graduating seniors with a scholarship to any technical school or nonprofit two-year or four-year college or university of their choice. Campuses and/or departments that have the highest employee involvement or highest employee giving will be invited to join the District Scholarship Selection Committee, receive naming rights to a scholarship and present the scholarship with the Interim Superintendent. Click here to donate.
Associate Teacher of the Month: Do you know an amazing Associate Teacher or Achieve 180 Dedicated Associate Teacher? The Office of Associate Teachers is pleased to announce the new Associate Teacher of the Month and Achieve 180 Dedicated Associate Teacher of the Month programs sponsored by Raising Canes. One Associate Teacher and one Achieve 180 Dedicated Associate Teacher will be chosen each month beginning October 2018. To nominate your favorite associate teacher, click here.
