You’re eligible for a scholarship at Grand Canyon University!
HISD employees are eligible for a scholarship at Grand Canyon University to earn a bachelor, master, or doctoral degree online.
HISD is a participant in Grand Canyon University’s “Participants in Learning, Leading and Serving” program (PLLS), which provides members of our school community the opportunity to earn a bachelor, master, or doctoral degree online and receive a scholarship.
Grants and scholarships amounts for graduates of HISD high schools:
- 10% scholarship for HISD faculty, staff, and governing board members (when combined with the College of Education scholarship, teachers will receive 25%)
- 15% scholarship for paraprofessionals and classified staff entering an online bachelor’s program through the College of Education, a Secondary Education Emphasis degree program, or a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management degree program
- 5% scholarship for spouses of faculty, staff, and governing board members
- 5% scholarship for students’ parents for degrees related to the field of education
Dual enrollment opportunities for students:
To learn more, please contact GCU’s local University Development Counselor Carrie May at carrie.may@gcu.edu. You can also call or text 281-245-7657 or inquire online.
You may also register to attend the GCU webinar on Wednesday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. where you may ask questions on how to become a teacher, administrator or counselor. Learn about how to advance in your education and career with a bachelor, master or doctoral degree online. Click Here to REGISTER.
Everyone must contact Carrie May (the local counselor) directly to qualify for the HISD scholarship. Call or text 281-245-7657 or inquire online.
For current GCU students, the scholarship will apply to all future classes as long as you are continuously enrolled in the program. The 15% scholarship for paraprofessionals and classified staff is available to new students only.
More GCU information:
- 100% online and in-state tuition no matter where you call home
- may transfer up to nine graduate credits for teachers with alternative certification through iTeach or Texas Teachers
- No GRE required for graduate admissions
- Complimentary transfer evaluations provided (email unofficial transcripts to Carrie.May@gcu.edu)
To learn more about GCU, please visit click here.
Summer professional development for HISD full-time teachers
All full-time HISD teachers are invited to attend two districtwide summer professional learning events and receive $100 per day upon completion of session requirements. Payment will be received in October.
- July 26-28, 2022: Instructional Impact Institute (I3)
- August 1-3, 2022: Curriculum in the Classroom Camp (C3)
During I3, teachers can build their own schedule for three days of learning facilitated by departments across the district. Hourly lecturers, associate teachers, teacher assistants, and paraprofessionals are welcome to attend but are not eligible for compensation.
This year, I3 is face-to-face and will take place in three locations across the city: the HISD Education Learning Center (HELC) in the northeast, Hines Caldwell ES-Kingdom Builders Center in the southwest, and Milby High School in the east. All sessions will be offered at all three locations.
To sign up, select your location in OneSource #1480140. Then review the sessions and pick your location. You must pick one location and attend all sessions at that same location to be compensated.
More than 100 choice sessions will be available from the following strands: College & Career Readiness, Communication/Customer Service, Data-Driven Instruction, Effective Instructional Practices, Family Engagement, HISD Curriculum, HR/New Employee Sessions, Instructional Technology, Productivity-Information Technology, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education Services, Special Populations, and Student Support Services (Wraparound Services).
When you register in OneSource you will be provided a link to Sched, our conference app, which goes live on Thursday, July 21. Once you download the app, you may select your sessions. Bookmarking sessions in Sched does not guarantee you a seat in the session. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and capacity is based on room size.
Lunch will also be provided all three days, which is why you must select one location and attend all days at the same location. Your OneSource registration is your “lunch ticket”. You will only be compensated if you attend the location you selected in OneSource. Make sure you scan in and out each day with your HISD badge for attendance credit and be sure to complete the survey at the end of each session for OneSource credit.
You must have your HISD Employee ID to register. Be sure to bring your HISD ID badge and wear it so that it is visible. You will be scanned in and out each day for attendance purposes. Buildings can be cool, so bring a sweater or light jacket. Masks for indoor gatherings are encouraged but not required. Be sure to bring your mobile device. Printed handouts will not be distributed, and all materials will be accessible via Sched or Canvas.
To inform our planning, please take a few minutes to complete this survey to express your interest in participating and share your thoughts about how the district can improve your professional learning experience.
For more information, email newteachersupport@houstonisd.org.
*The following conditions must be met for stipend payment to be processed for a teacher:
- Must attend the entire day (four 90-minute sessions); stipends will not be prorated
- Must meet the attendance specifications for the stipend
- Must be a full-time teacher of record when stipend payment is processed (by October 2022)
- Must be active in the HISD system when the training stipend is processed
The COVID-19 paid sick leave was originally part of a federal mandate that expired in December 2020. Supplemental COVID-19 paid sick leave was important in the early days of the pandemic when we were still learning about the coronavirus, and vaccinations were not available. HISD elected to extend COVID-19 paid sick leave through the 2021-2022 school year by providing up to 10 days for approved COVID-19 paid sick leave.
Effective August 1, 2022, HISD will no longer offer COVID-19 paid sick leave. New applications will not be accepted on or after this date.
All employees incurring absences on or after August 1, 2022, will be required to submit their absences in OneSource per the district’s absence-reporting procedures. Employees must use available leave time for these absences. Employees should not report to work when ill and should follow all current HISD protocols.
Family Medical Leave or Temporary Disability Leave coverage may also be available for absences that meet eligibility requirements. Please contact Leave Administration with any questions pertaining to an extended leave at LeaveAdministration@houstonisd.org or 713-556-6590.
Want to be a teacher? HISD can help.
Changing careers and becoming a teacher is getting easier at HISD.
Candidates can apply now to become a teacher for HISD through the Alternative Certification Program. It is a one-year program dedicated to recruiting individuals from diverse educational and career backgrounds who are passionate about students, teaching, and learning.
The program is free for candidates who accept teaching positions with HISD.
“HISD’s strategic plan places world-class talent at the center of our work, and the vision of the strategic plan is attracting interest from many new and veteran educators,” said Chief Talent Officer Jeremy Grant-Skinner.
HISD is implementing one of the most competitive salary compensation packages of any Houston area school district. A new teacher’s annual salary begins at $61,500. The school district offers up to $5,000 stipends for teachers in critical shortage areas.
Weekly virtual information sessions are every Tuesday beginning July 12, 2022.
For more information or to apply, visit houstonisd.org/acp.
Tycoon Comedy Music Fest with 50 Cent coming to Houston August 25
The G-Unity Foundation presents “Tycoon Houston,” a comedy music fest on Thursday, August 25.
HISD staff and family members may purchase tickets at 25 percent off through Tuesday, June 21. All proceeds benefit the G-Unity Business Lab and G-Unity Foundation with HISD.
Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. You will need a code to receive the discount.
The code is GUNITBIZLAB.
The fest will take place at Toyota Center, 1510 Polk Street. It is presented by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unity Foundation. 50 Cent has curated a must-see lineup of sought-after comedians, including B-Simone, Karlous Miller, Michael Blackson, Bill Bellamy, DC Young Fly, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, and D’Lai, as well as a few yet-to-be-announced major musical performances. This jam-packed night of entertainment will be capped off by a performance by 50 Cent and some surprise guest friends.
Weekly Teacher Download for June 6, 2022
ALL TEACHERS
Academics
Teachers, as the school year comes to an end, it is time to start thinking about how to expand your instructional capacity over the summer. The district has been re-envisioning what professional learning looks like for teachers, and they have coordinated it into structured, districtwide opportunities. We recognize that a teacher’s commitment to learning over the summer should be compensated, so you will earn a $100 stipend for each full day you attend. See this story for more information, and email newteachersupport@houstonisd.org any questions.
Social and Emotional Learning
Thank you, teachers, and have a safe summer break. Please add a self-care regimen to your summer activities. Also, the national Sandy Hook “Say Something” anonymous reporting system will continue to provide 24-hour services for HISD teachers and students throughout the summer. Please refer to this flyer and share with your students how to report tips anonymously. Visit the Sandy Hook-SEL Google Site to learn more.
Academic Instructional Technology
Introduction to Canvas Learning Series: The AIT team is facilitating the Introduction to Canvas Learning Series, multiple one-hour live virtual workshops that include modeling and guided practice of foundational skills to help you start strong with Canvas. Sessions will be held daily throughout June and July starting June 13. Begin with Canvas 101: Getting Around by registering via OneSource for course #1470019, and visit the Canvas info website for details and updates.
Growing with Canvas is another training option for teachers and leaders interested in getting a jump start learning the Canvas Learning Management System. It is a series of self-paced modules that leads participants through foundational and advanced skills in Canvas. Once the coursework is complete, participants will receive six hours of OneSource credit, as well as badges we received through Canvas. Register for OneSource #1471008.
HUB Phase Out Support: HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team has created a series of videos and how-to guides as HUB phase out resources, and Educational Technology Specialists will also be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to assist with saving content before access to the HUB ends in July. Register for any of the HUB Phase Out open labs in OneSource using course #1468031.
Summer Tech Apps Lunch & Learn sessions June-July: Participants will explore tech tools that will make learning more engaging and accessible for all students. Register by clicking here and searching in OneSource for #1474064.
Summer Reading Programs with HISD Literacy Partners: HISD Library Services, in partnership with Houston Public Library and myON, is encouraging all students to participate in a summer reading program to prevent summer learning loss. The district’s literacy partners are offering two summer reading opportunities. For more information, click here.
- “Oceans of Possibilities” – Houston Public Library
- myON Summer Reading Challenge – myON Digital Library
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Early Childhood
Rice University SLC Summer Institute on Reading, Writing, and Cultural Connections July 26-29 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Rice’s Anderson-Clarke Center. There will be four days of training on research-based strategies for supporting dual language learners and English speakers. Develop effective strategies to bridge the gap between a student’s home and school cultures. Participants will also receive hundreds of research-based, standards-aligned, practical ideas to create a literacy-rich early childhood classroom environment. You must attend all four days of the training to receive credit, and lunch will be provided. This opportunity is only open to the first 50 PK teachers who register on OneSource for course #1474077. If you have any questions about this training, email Sharon.Lowery@houstonisd.org.
Elementary Science
Grade K-5 Science Cumulative Learning Projects: Participants will learn how to access, navigate, and put into practice any K-5 Science cumulative learning projects during summer enrichment programs and/or end of cycle implementation. Register in OneSource #1474060.
Let’s get INTO Science on June 29 from 10-11 a.m.: Learn how to make the most of the new science resources you have access to with “Into Science” (included with HISD’s Science Fusion adoption purchase): New science leveled readers, tech-enhanced items, and You Solve! (virtual simulations). Click here to register.
19th Annual Summer Institute for K-12 Educators July 18-22: Join us for this annual, award-winning institute where Texas teachers are introduced to innovative, educational modules. The SI workshops feature integrated [STEM, health, LA, social studies, and GT] modules and hands-on activities. For workshop descriptions, schedules, FAQs, and online registration visit www.k12summerinstitute.org. Registration is free.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and HISD Elementary Science Curriculum & Instruction present a series of videos and activities aligned to tough-to-teach standards in grades K-5. Click here to access these resources. Click here for the Science at HomeSymbaloo web mix.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Fine Arts Summer Programs: Apply by June 8
The summer Fine Arts Intensives provide opportunities for students to be involved in age-appropriate art experiences in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. They take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 13 through July 7. Fine arts curriculum-based learning is combined with engaging instruction to encourage young performers and artists to enhance their cultural sensitivity and awareness. The intensives are led by HISD-certified teachers at 12 campuses and provided at no cost to students. All levels are welcome, but the middle and high school dance intensives are designed for intermediate and advanced dance students. For more information and to apply, see the Fine Arts website.
Career and Technical Education: See this week’s CTE bulletin, June 2022, Volume I. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins.
Spotlight on CTE: To bring awareness to the district’s CTE programs of study and post-graduation opportunities, campus personnel are invited to showcase campus events, student work, and more. Please submit using the CTE Spotlight Form. Submissions will be highlighted on the Career Readiness website and social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). Contact your campus’s designated senior CTE program specialist with any questions.
Weekly Teacher Download for May 31, 2022
Social and Emotional Learning
Thank you for your commitment to teaching during these difficult times. The pandemic, the most recent Texas school shooting, and other events are physically and mentally challenging. See this PDF, which addresses compassion fatigue from reThink Ed (located on Clever) to learn about strategies to support your well-being. These School Violence Resources provide information and tips on speaking with students about bullying and violence. See the SEL-HISD-Need-to-Talk website for helpful hotline numbers.
Academic Instructional Technology
Introduction to Canvas Learning Series: The AIT team is facilitating the Introduction to Canvas Learning Series, multiple one-hour live virtual workshops that include modeling and guided practice of foundational skills to help you start strong with Canvas. Sessions will be held each Tuesday and Thursday through the end of May (excluding Focusweeks). Begin with Canvas 101: Getting Around by registering via OneSource for course #1470019, and visit the Canvas info website for details and updates.
Growing with Canvas is another training option for teachers and leaders interested in getting a jump start learning the Canvas Learning Management System. It is a series of self-paced modules that leads participants through foundational and advanced skills in Canvas. Once the coursework is complete, participants will receive six hours of OneSource credit, as well as badges we received through Canvas. Register for OneSource #1471008.
HUB Phase Out Support: HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team has created a series of videos and how-to guides as HUB phase out resources, and Educational Technology Specialists will also be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to assist with saving content before access to the HUB ends in July. Register for any of the HUB Phase Out open labs in OneSource using course #1468031.
Summer Tech Apps Lunch & Learn sessions June-July: Participants will explore tech tools that will make learning more engaging and accessible for all students. Register by clicking here and searching in OneSource for #1474064.
Office of Special Education Services
Issue #19 of the Instructional Digital Download, which supports teachers, leaders, and staff with timely, relevant research-based instructional strategies, mini-model lessons, resources, and coaching, is now available.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Early Childhood
Join the ECH Team and become an Early Childhood Curriculum Implementation Coach (ESSER). We are looking for 14 dynamic individuals to join the team. It is an 11-month position with pay grade 30. If you are looking for a leadership opportunity in HISD while working with an amazing team, apply today! For details, see this flyer.
Rice University SLC Summer Institute on Reading, Writing, and Cultural Connections July 26-29 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Rice’s Anderson-Clarke Center. There will be four days of training on research-based strategies for supporting dual language learners and English speakers. Develop effective strategies to bridge the gap between a student’s home and school cultures. Participants will also receive hundreds of research-based, standards-aligned, practical ideas to create a literacy-rich early childhood classroom environment. Register in OneSource for #1474077.
CIRCLE EOY Assessment: The EOY (Wave 3) testing window runs through June 1. There are NO extensions granted during EOY, so please complete all required subtests within this window. For questions, contact Claudia.Azcarate@houstonisd.org. EOY (Wave 3) required subtests are ABC Names, ABC Sounds, Rapid Letter Naming, Rapid Vocabulary, Syllabication, Onset-Rime, Alliteration, Rhyming I, Words in a Sentence, Rote Counting, Shape Naming, Number Discrimination, Number Naming, Shape Discrimination, Counting Sets, Operations, and Observables.
Elementary Science
Grade K-5 Science Curriculum Feedback and End-of-Year Celebration: Join us May 31 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. for the next lead teacher collaborative session. Please come out and celebrate our wins this year! Let’s join forces to analyze existing curriculum documents and professional development to provide feedback on usage, implementation, and recommendations. This event will be held face to face at Alliant Group Headquarters, 3009 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2000. Register for OneSource #1473013.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and HISD Elementary Science Curriculum & Instruction present a series of videos and activities aligned to tough-to-teach standards in grades K-5. Click here to access these resources. Click here for the Science at HomeSymbaloo web mix.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Fine Arts Summer Programs: Apply by June 8
The summer Fine Arts Intensives provide opportunities for students to be involved in age-appropriate art experiences in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. They take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 13 through July 7. Fine arts curriculum-based learning is combined with engaging instruction to encourage young performers and artists to enhance their cultural sensitivity and awareness. The intensives are led by HISD-certified teachers at 12 campuses and provided at no cost to students. All levels are welcome, but the middle and high school dance intensives are designed for intermediate and advanced dance students. For more information and to apply, see the Fine Arts website.
Career and Technical Education: See this week’s CTE bulletin, May 2022, Volume IV. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins.
Spotlight on CTE: To bring awareness to the district’s CTE programs of study and post-graduation opportunities, campus personnel are invited to showcase campus events, student work, and more. Please submit using the CTE Spotlight Form. Submissions will be highlighted on the Career Readiness website and social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). Contact your campus’s designated senior CTE program specialist with any questions.
Teachers, expand your instructional capacity over the summer
As the school year comes to an end, it is time to start thinking about how to expand your instructional capacity over the summer. The district has been re-envisioning what professional learning looks like for teachers, and they have coordinated it into structured, districtwide opportunities.
We also recognize that a teacher’s commitment to learning over the summer should be compensated. Teachers can earn a $100 stipend for attending each full day. Stipends will be received in the October 2022 paycheck.
What is available for the summer that any teacher can attend?
Instructional Impact Institute (I3) July 26-28: Three days of learning opportunities facilitated by departments across the district. Participating teachers will be compensated for participation. Face to face sessions will take place in three locations across the city, and July 25 is an optional kickoff at Delmar Stadium.
Curriculum in the Classroom Camp (C3) August 1-3: Three days of content/grade level-learning focused on unpacking the TEKS, HISD curriculum, and the Canvas platform taking place in multiple locations across the city.
To inform our planning, please take a few minutes to complete this survey to express your interest in participating and share your thoughts about how the district can improve your professional learning experience. Once you complete the survey, they will send you all the details.
For more information, email newteachersupport@houstonisd.org.
Weekly Teacher Download for May 23, 2022
ALL TEACHERS
Social and Emotional Learning
May is Mental Health Month. Did you know that one in four people worldwide suffer from mental health concerns and problems each year? May is dedicated to encouraging people to talk about their mental health and reduce the stigma that stops people from asking for help. Here are five causes that may lead to mental illness.
- Family lineage
- Life experiences
- Biological factors
- Pre-birth exposure
- Isolation and loneliness
Seek the help and support you need to enhance your quality of life and general well-being. Please see the SEL-HISD-Need-to-Talk website for hotline numbers.
Academic Instructional Technology
Adobe Creative Challenge: We know our students are “more than a score.” The AIT team, in partnership with Adobe, invites students to show all the things that make them special by participating in our Adobe Creative Challenge. Adobe will be offering prizes to teachers and students! Click here to learn more.
HISD Summer STEM Camp: AIT is now recruiting teachers and students for the 2022 HISD Summer STEM Camp from June 15-29. The deadline for students to apply has been extended to May 24. This three-week program includes HISD students in grades 3-12. The program for grades 3-8 will emphasize student knowledge and skills in STEM while introducing them to the collaborative world of coding, LEGO Spike Prime robotics, and a unique field experience. High school students will learn the fundamentals of design, story mapping, recording, publishing, and video promotion through a partnership with Adobe and utilization of their Adobe Pixar in a Box curriculum. Students will interact with a professional artist and experts in the entertainment industry, all culminating in a final video project. For deadlines, locations, and the application process for teachers and students, visit the HISD STEM Camp website.
Introduction to Canvas Learning Series: The AIT team is facilitating the Introduction to Canvas Learning Series, multiple one-hour live virtual workshops that include modeling and guided practice of foundational skills to help you start strong with Canvas. Sessions will be held each Tuesday and Thursday through the end of May (excluding Focusweeks). Begin with Canvas 101: Getting Around by registering via OneSource for course #1470019, and visit the Canvas info website for details and updates.
Growing with Canvas is another training option for teachers and leaders interested in getting a jump start learning the Canvas Learning Management System. It is a series of self-paced modules that leads participants through foundational and advanced skills in Canvas. Once the coursework is complete, participants will receive six hours of OneSource credit, as well as badges we received through Canvas. Register for OneSource #1471008.
HUB Phase Out Support: HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team has created a series of videos and how-to guides as HUB phase out resources, and Educational Technology Specialists will also be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to assist with saving content before access to the HUB ends in July. Register for any of the HUB Phase Out open labs in OneSource using course #1468031.
Office of Special Education Services
Issue #18 of the Instructional Digital Download, which supports teachers, leaders, and staff with timely, relevant research-based instructional strategies, mini-model lessons, resources, and coaching, is now available.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Early Childhood
Summer Prekindergarten Backpacks: Summer backpacks for 3- and 4-year-olds will be received starting this week and should be sent home with students for the summer. They will reinforce skills learned throughout the year and contain pencils, a journal, quality bilingual books, letter tiles, a kinder math kit, and more in a drawstring backpack (click here for a list of all items). If you need extra backpacks for classrooms with over 22 students, use extra backpacks from the ECSE/PALS classrooms. If you have backpacks left over, reach out to mwaymire@houstonisd.org.
CIRCLE EOY Assessment: The EOY (Wave 3) testing window runs through June 1. There are NO extensions granted during EOY, so please complete all required subtests within this window. For questions, contact Claudia.Azcarate@houstonisd.org. EOY (Wave 3) required subtests are ABC Names, ABC Sounds, Rapid Letter Naming, Rapid Vocabulary, Syllabication, Onset-Rime, Alliteration, Rhyming I, Words in a Sentence, Rote Counting, Shape Naming, Number Discrimination, Number Naming, Shape Discrimination, Counting Sets, Operations, and Observables.
Elementary Math Assessments Windows:
Kindergarten TX-KEA EOY: April 28 – June 1, 2022
Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2 District Pre-Approved Assessments (DPA): May 2-27, 2022
Elementary Science
Grade K-5 Science Curriculum Feedback: Reflection and Preview. Join us May 31 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. for the next lead teacher collaborative session. Participants will preview modifications to 2022-2023 school year documents to provide feedback, revisit STAAR 2.0 item types, and preview proposed changes to the new science TEKS. This event will be held face to face at Alliant Group Headquarters (3009 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2000). Register for OneSource #1473013.
2022-2023 Texas K-8 Mobile STEM Lab: To learn more about the Texas K-8 Mobile STEM Lab, complete the Texas Mobile STEM Labs Interest Form before May 27.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and HISD Elementary Science Curriculum & Instruction present a series of videos and activities aligned to tough-to-teach standards in grades K-5. Click here to access these resources. Click here for the Science at HomeSymbaloo web mix.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Fine Arts Summer Programs
The summer Fine Arts Intensives provide opportunities for students to be involved in an array of age-appropriate art experiences in dance, music, theater, and the visual arts. They take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from June 13 through July 7. Fine arts curriculum-based learning is combined with engaging instruction to encourage young performers and artists to enhance their cultural sensitivity and awareness. The intensives are led by HISD-certified teachers at 12 campuses and provided at no cost to students. All levels are welcome, but the middle and high school dance intensives are designed for intermediate and advanced dance students. For more information and to apply, see the Fine Arts website. The deadline to apply is June 8.
Career and Technical Education: See this week’s CTE bulletin, May 2022, Volume III. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins.
Spotlight on CTE: To bring awareness to the district’s CTE programs of study and post-graduation opportunities, campus personnel are invited to showcase campus events, student work, and more. Please submit using the CTE Spotlight Form. Submissions will be highlighted on the Career Readiness website and social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). Contact your campus’s designated senior CTE program specialist with any questions.
Weekly Teacher Download for May 16, 2022
ALL TEACHERS
Summer School Opportunities
HISD invites teachers to join the Summer School 2022 team. The dates are June 13–July 7. The Summer School OPT-IN process for teachers and nurses is open through May 20, 2022. For details, see this story.
Social and Emotional Learning
May is Mental Health Awareness Month: The SEL department is recognizing Mental Health Awareness month on May 19. Please share this flyer with your school community. Contact Social and Emotional Learning at 713-967-5235 with questions.
Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you are sensing and feeling in the moment without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress. Here are three practices you can incorporate immediately.
- Accept yourself
- Live in the moment
- Focus on your breathing
Please consider registering for the last virtual Mindfulness Adult SEL session on May 26 (One Source #1460111). Take care of yourself and each other.
Academic Instructional Technology
Adobe Creative Challenge: We know our students are “more than a score.” The AIT team, in partnership with Adobe, invites students to show all the things that make them special by participating in our Adobe Creative Challenge. Adobe will be offering prizes to teachers and students! Click here to learn more.
HISD Summer STEM Camp: AIT is now recruiting teachers and students for the 2022 HISD Summer STEM Camp from June 15-29. The deadline for students to apply is May 17. This three-week program includes HISD students in grades 3-12. The program for grades 3-8 will emphasize student knowledge and skills in STEM while introducing them to the collaborative world of coding, LEGO Spike Prime robotics, and a unique field experience. High school students will learn the fundamentals of design, story mapping, recording, publishing, and video promotion through a partnership with Adobe and utilization of their Adobe Pixar in a Box curriculum. Students will interact with a professional artist and experts in the entertainment industry, all culminating in a final video project. For deadlines, locations, and the application process for teachers and students, visit the HISD STEM Camp website.
Introduction to Canvas Learning Series: The AIT team is facilitating the Introduction to Canvas Learning Series, multiple one-hour live virtual workshops that include modeling and guided practice of foundational skills to help you start strong with Canvas. Sessions will be held each Tuesday and Thursday through the end of May (excluding Focusweeks). Begin with Canvas 101: Getting Around by registering via OneSource for course #1470019, and visit the Canvas info website for details and updates.
Growing with Canvas is another training option for teachers and leaders interested in getting a jump start learning the Canvas Learning Management System. It is a series of self-paced modules that leads participants through foundational and advanced skills in Canvas. Once the coursework is complete, participants will receive six hours of OneSource credit, as well as badges we received through Canvas. Register for OneSource #1471008.
HUB Phase Out Support: HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team has created a series of videos and how-to guides as HUB phase out resources, and Educational Technology Specialists will also be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to assist with saving content before access to the HUB ends in July. Register for any of the HUB Phase Out open labs in OneSource using course #1468031.
Office of Special Education Services
Issue #17 of the Instructional Digital Download, which supports teachers, leaders, and staff with timely, relevant research-based instructional strategies, mini-model lessons, resources, and coaching, is now available.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Early Childhood
CIRCLE EOY Assessment: The EOY (Wave 3) Testing Window is April 28-June 1. There are NO extensions granted during EOY, so please complete all required subtests within the assessment window. If you have questions, please contact Claudia.Azcarate@houstonisd.org. EOY (Wave 3) required subtests: HISD ABC Names, HISD ABC Sounds, Rapid Letter Naming, Rapid Vocabulary, Syllabication, Onset-Rime, Alliteration, Rhyming I, Words in a Sentence, Rote Counting, Shape Naming, Number Discrimination, Number Naming, Shape Discrimination, Counting Sets, Operations, and Observables.
Elementary Math
To view HB3 Math Academy Grade 2 and Grade 3 asynchronous sessions, click this flyer.
Upcoming Assessments Windows
- Kindergarten TX-KEA EOY: April 28 – June 1, 2022
- Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2 District Pre-Approved Assessments (DPA): May 2-27, 2022
Elementary Science
Grade K-5 Science Curriculum Feedback: Reflection and Preview. Join us May 31 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. for the next lead teacher collaborative session. Participants will preview modifications to 2022-2023 school year documents to provide feedback, revisit STAAR 2.0 item types, and preview proposed changes to the new science TEKS. This event will be held face to face at Alliant Group Headquarters (3009 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2000). Register for OneSource #1473013.
19th Annual Summer Institute for K-12 Educators: July 18-22: The Summer Institute is an annual award-winning PD conference where Texas teachers are introduced to innovative, educational modules. The SI workshops feature integrated (STEM, health, LA, social studies, and GT) modules and hands-on activities. For more information, including workshop descriptions, schedule, FAQs, and online registration, visit www.k12summerinstitute.org. Registration is free.
2022 Region 4 Shell Science Leadership Collaborative: The shared objective with Shell is to inspire more students, especially girls and minorities, to pursue careers in science and STEM. By improving the content knowledge and instructional practices and skills of district science leaders, they are better prepared to influence programs that provide opportunities for students to access quality and equitable science and STEM education. Click here to apply.
2022-2023 Texas K-8 Mobile STEM Lab: To learn more about the Texas K-8 Mobile STEM Lab, complete the Texas Mobile STEM Labs Interest Form before May 27.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and HISD Elementary Science Curriculum & Instruction present a series of videos and activities aligned to tough-to-teach standards in grades K-5. Click here to access these resources. Click here for the Science at HomeSymbaloo web mix.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Fine Arts—Dance
Middle and high school students are invited to participate in the Dance Connect Film Fest 2022 from Frame Dance Productions. The deadline to submit dance films is May 20, and the screening/awards will be held at 6 p.m. May 31 at Meyerland PVA Middle School. Music for the films should be copyright-free; more information and a list of copyright-free music can be found at Dance Connect Film Fest. For questions, contact Frame Dance Productions or HISD Dance Curriculum Specialist Sanja Korman at skorman@houstonisd.org.
Career and Technical Education: See this week’s CTE bulletin, May 2022, Volume II. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins.
Spotlight on CTE: To bring awareness to the district’s CTE programs of study and post-graduation opportunities, campus personnel are invited to showcase campus events, student work, and more. Please submit using the CTE Spotlight Form. Submissions will be highlighted on the Career Readiness website and social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). Contact your campus’s designated senior CTE program specialist with any questions.
