With the winter break fast approaching please remember to enroll in our password reset utility called HISD Access
HISD Access allows you to:
- Change your password during the 90 day window
- Reset your password should it have expired
- Unlock your account
If you have not already enrolled please log in now using this link to make sure you do not miss out on using this utility, especially with the winter break fast approaching.
For details please click here: http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/115376
Central office employees get into the holiday spirit
Forget your typical ugly sweater contest. Employees in the district’s Human Resources Department have taken the spirit of a little friendly competition to the next level. In an effort to spread some holiday cheer among their staff and others who work at Hattie Mae White, the department decided to host a holiday decorating contest.
“We initially thought of the idea in October,” HR Employee Sheila Jenkins said. “We are a large department and this was a fun way to bring everyone together for a friendly team building activity.”
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Over the past two weeks, members have been coming in at the break of dawn with their “A” game in holiday decorating. From Candy Cane Lane to Santa’s Workshop, staff have decked the halls on the southwest and northwest sides of the first floor with holiday themes for everyone to enjoy. Some team members even dressed up in costume. Judging took place on Tuesday, Dec. 12 and winners will be announced next week.
HR’s holiday spirit seems to have spread across the building. Departments throughout the second and third floor of HMW have joined the decorating fun with a parade of nutcrackers, gingerbread homes, and a multitude of decorated holiday trees.
You can check out HR’s Winter Wonderland until Dec. 22 before the district’s holiday break. Also, be sure share your HISD holiday photos on Twitter using #HISDHolidays.
Sign up to donate an item from a child’s wish list
HISD’s College and Career Readiness Department is looking to support as many HISD families and students as they can this holiday season. Unfortunately, the need is so great this year that the team has found that they are needing assisting from other HISD departments and members of Team HISD.
If you are interested in supporting an HISD child in need this holiday season by providing them with a wrapped gift or item from their “wish list,” please sign up TODAY using this google spread sheet. https://docs.google.com/a/houstonisd.org/spreadsheets/d/1h4Nz1ezHfvH6PsUKtimCcVAU1fEITeDIYWYj7icO6ds/edit?usp=sharing
Please wrap gift items and drop off by Friday, December 15 to Elnora Talbert or Monika Banos in the Career Readiness Department (2nd Floor/ 2NE22B).
Questions can be directed to Elnora.talbert@houstonisd.org .
ALL TEACHERS
Grant Submissions due Dec 27: There is still plenty of time to submit an application for the HISD Foundation’s new Innovation Grant. Using the generous donations from local community members and business partners, the Foundation launched the program to provide funds for teachers and schools to purchase equipment, supplies, and other items to innovate teaching and learning in the classroom. The grants all open to all teachers in grades Pre-K through 12 and individual teachers can receive up to $7,000. It’s not too late! Apply now, here.
Attendance Tip of the Week: Research shows that positive relationships motivate students to attend school every day. Whether its welcoming students at the door of your classroom or making sure you inform the student on what they missed while they were absent, these types of reinforcements can help improve attendance. To find out more ways to help make a student feel more connected in your classroom, click here.
December Teacher of the Month: Through a sponsorship with Sterling McCall VIP Services, HISD is surprising one teacher every month with a luxury loaner vehicle they can drive for 30 days, a $150 gift card, an award, and lots of other swag courtesy of VIP Services. Read more about December’s Teacher of the Month, Jill Hobbs of Milby High.
2018-2019 Academic Calendar: The board-approved Academic Calendar for the 2018-2019 school year is available online at http://www.houstonisd.org/calendar. The calendar features:
- 174 days of instruction and 187 teacher contract days
- Nine pre-service days for teachers: August 13–23, 2018
- Three preparation days for teachers: August 24 and December 21, 2018, and June 3, 2019
- Five early-dismissal days to be used for professional development: September 21, October 19, and November 9, 2018, and January 18 and February 15, 2019
Coming Soon—New System for Grades and Attendance: HISD is launching a new Student Information System (SIS) in 2018 called HISD Connect that will replace Chancery. The new system will allow teachers to take attendance, enter grades, and have instant access to student data all in one place. Nearly 400 registrars, clerks, deans, and counselors from campuses across the district are assisting the district with the transition to the new SIS, and every Friday through the rest of the school year, they will be wearing HISD Connect T-shirts. All teachers are encouraged to talk with their campus change agent to learn more about HISD Connect. Read more about HISD Connect, here.
Nominate a math teacher: Do you know a math teacher on your campus that’s hitting it out of the park in the classroom? The Houston Astros and ConocoPhillips have teamed up once again for the Math Teacher of the Month program for the 2018 baseball season. Teachers and school administrators, along with students and parents can nominate the teacher of their choice now through Dec. 15, here.
ELEMENTARY
2018 Math & Science Summit: Interested in stepping up your math and science instruction? Join the Elementary Curriculum and Development Office for the 2018 Math & Science Summit on January 20, 2018 at Kingdom Builders Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, expand their learning, and deepen their understanding of effective instruction. Those interested can register in One Source using course #835001. Learn more about the event, here.
SECONDARY
Strategic Reading and Writing Monthly Meeting: Join the Secondary Curriculum and Development Literacy Team at the next Strategic Reading and Writing monthly meeting Jan. 11 at Lanier Middle School from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Teachers will learn how to focus on the implementation of literacy practices in reading, writing, and small-group instruction for students in need of intervention. Register now in OneSource using course #171003. For more information, click here.
Take a few moments to learn about new SIS coming in 2018
As we enter the final weeks of 2017, a cross-functional team made up of various departments is working to prepare HISD for the launch of a new Student Information System (SIS). It’s called HISD Connect, and the new system will be replacing Chancery in 2018.
Nearly 400 registrars, clerks, deans, and counselors from campuses across the district are assisting the district with the transition to the new SIS, and every Friday through the rest of the school year, they will be wearing HISD Connect T-shirts.
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Take a moment to talk to the change agent on your campus to learn more about HISD Connect and the changes it will bring to the way we manage student data and perform every day routines such as taking attendance and entering grades.
Because Chancery has been discontinued, a new system must be implemented. The migration to HISD Connect, however, is providing HISD with the opportunity to create a modern student data management system that:
- Integrates with HISD’s current digital ecosystem and digital transformation in teaching and learning
- Standardizes and streamlines district process and procedures surrounding student data
- Empowers staff to use data to personalize student learning and make school and classroom decisions that ultimately lead to student success
HISD Connect will launch at the start of the 2018-2019 school year, and a select group of campus-based employees will begin training on the new SIS in January 2018. All master scheduling and student scheduling for the 2018-2019 school year will be performed in HISD Connect.
Stay tuned for more information in the months to come, and please take a few moments to talk to the HISD Connect change agent on your campus.
Five officers including three HISD alums are welcomed into the HISD Police Department on Monday
It was a day full of emotion with every seat filled with a smiling face on Monday as HISD and the community welcomed five new law enforcement officers to the HISD Police Department, the nation’s only accredited public school district police department.
“We serve a great responsibility in keeping our school campuses safe, where students can learn and our staff can teach in a secure learning environment,” said HISD Chief of Police Robert Mock. “We should always strive to seek service over self, where the community is confident in the safety of the district.”
With nearly 50 family members, friends and local law enforcement officers in attendance, family members proudly walked to the front of the auditorium to place shiny badges on the new officers, which included three HISD alums.
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The new officers join a team that will work and interact with approximately 210,000 students and more than 25,000 employees districtwide. The department responds to more than 80,000 calls per year and covers more than 300 square miles in the Houston area.
“The officer at my HISD campus in high school served as a good mentor and motivated me to consider HISD Police,” said Officer Erica Gil, a graduate of Madison High School. “I would always see the officer involved and coaching students.”
“I leave with you three challenges to always keep in mind as you partake in this journey: Make a difference, do good and be someone to someone, including yourself,” Mock said, during opening remarks to the newly inducted officers.
Do you know a math teacher that’s hitting it out of the park in the classroom? The Houston Astros and ConocoPhillips have teamed up once again for the Math Teacher of the Month program for the 2020 baseball season. [su_document url=”https://blogs.houstonisd.org/employeenews/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/12/ConocoPhillips-MTOTM-Poster.pdf”]
Every month during the season from April to September, the program will recognize math teachers for their significant contributions both inside and outside of the classroom for a chance to win a $1,000 donation to their school or district, up to 10 game tickets and the chance to win a free trip to Florida.
School administrators and fellow teachers, along with students and parents can nominate the teacher of their choice now through Dec. 15, here.
Click here to nominate your favorite math teacher.
Earn a jeans pass and participate in an ‘Hour of Code’ this week
In support of National Computer Science Education Week, all central office employees are encouraged to participate in an “Hour of Code” from Monday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 8, for an opportunity to earn a jeans pass.
Employees can complete an hour of coding at home, at their desk, or during their lunch break by visiting www.hourofcode.com anytime during the week of Dec. 4-8. Once they complete their hour of code, employees should print a certificate that can be used to redeem a jeans pass on Friday, Dec. 8, from noon until 2 p.m. at a table outside the board auditorium at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.
To conclude an “Hour of Code,” the Advanced Academics department will be hosting a coding bash and technology showcase on Friday, Dec. 8, from noon until 2 p.m. inside the board auditorium. All central office employees are invited to stop by and see the latest in instructional technology. Microsoft also will have volunteers on hand to showcase basic programming and coding.
This event is just one of many activities planned by Advanced Academics for “15 Days of Code,” a districtwide celebration from Dec. 1 to Dec. 21 that encourages teachers to get students engaged in a new coding experience every day.
Join the fun and share photos of yourself coding using the hashtag #HISDecoded on Twitter.
ALL TEACHERS
15 Days of Code: In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, join Advanced Academics for 15 Days of Code starting Dec. 1 to Dec. 21. Teachers can find coding activities for every grade level that will engage students in a new coding experience each day. To learn more about how to get your students engaged in basic computer programming, click here. You can also send pictures to news@houstonisd.org, or post your coding event using #HISDecoded.
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 Mar. 29, 2018 and should be sent to http://tinyurl.com/DigLitMoment.
Group 1 Automotive VIP Services: HISD is excited to offer a new program giving all members of Team HISD access to a “VIP experience” when purchasing or leasing a new or used car. Together with Group 1 Automotive, the new VIP Services program offers a personal shopping experience that grants employees access to exclusive pricing, inventory access, and special concierge services at their more than 170 dealers located throughout the country. Learn more about the program, here.
Innovation Grant Program: Thanks to the generous donations from local community members and business partnerships, the HISD Foundation has launched an Innovation Grant program to provide funds for teachers and schools to purchase equipment, supplies, and other items to innovate teaching and learning in the classroom. The foundation will award $150,000 in Innovation Grants for the 2017-2018 school year and is open to all teachers in grades Pre-K through 12. It’s not too late! Apply now, here.
Attendance Best Practices: Each day, teachers are required to take attendance and monitor accruing excused and unexcused absences. With attendance serving as a gateway to identifying services that better serve student challenges, the Student Initiatives Department encourages all teachers to learn about Attendance Works, a national non-profit organization designed to promote attendance and help teachers identify methods that achieve student success. Learn more about the program and best attendance practices, here.
ELEMENTARY
Professional Development: The Elementary Curriculum and Development Office is pleased to offer a variety of professional learning opportunities for teachers during the month of December, including literacy training to support Literacy by 3 (OneSoure courses #826004, #826005, #826006, #826007). For more info, click the course list here.
Robert’s Rules for Kids and Big Kids: Elementary campuses are invited to participate in “Robert’s Rules for Kids and Big Kids”, a pilot program that teaches students through experiential lessons about rules of order and parliamentary procedure. The pilot also consists of a free professional development session for the campus to support implementation of parliamentary procedure including differentiated lessons per grade level and a copy of the book Robert’s Rules for Kids and Big Kids. For more questions and to RSVP by Dec. 8 contact mjohns64@houstonisd.org.
SECONDARY
Strategic Reading and Writing Monthly Meeting: Join the Secondary Curriculum and Development Literacy Team at the next Strategic Reading and Writing monthly meeting Jan. 11 at Lanier Middle School from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Teachers will learn how to focus on the implementation of literacy practices in reading, writing, and small-group instruction for students in need of intervention. Register now in OneSource using course #171003. For more information, click here.
College Board AP Readers: The Advanced Academics Department encourages all Advanced Placement teachers to apply as College Board AP Readers. College Board provides onsite AP Readers with an honorarium (last year was $1,639) as well as travel expenses to respective subject-area readings. Apply today, here.
National History Day: The Office of Advanced Academics is excited to support and coordinate the 2018 National History Day (NHD) competition for grades 6 -12. NHD expectations strongly align with HISD’s Social Studies disciplinary practices and give students the opportunity to act as historians. If your school would like to participate or learn more, contact Suzanne Acord at suzanne.acord@houstonisd.org and visit nhd.org. HISD’s districtwide competition will take place on March 24, 2018 at Hattie Mae White.
HISD partners with Group 1 Automotive to provide employees with exclusive car buying services
Did Hurricane Harvey damage or destroy your car? Are you looking to upgrade your current vehicle? HISD is excited to offer a new program giving all members of Team HISD access to a “VIP experience” when purchasing or leasing a new or used car.
Group 1 Automotive VIP Services is partnering with HISD to offer a personal shopping experience that grants employees access to exclusive pricing, inventory access, and special concierge services at their more than 170 dealers located throughout the country.
Whether you need guidance during the purchasing process or a car serviced, the program easily allows for HISD employees to shop for their new set of wheels from the comfort of their desk and avoid the countless hours spent at the dealership. As an added benefit, $100 will be donated to the HISD Foundation for each vehicle purchased through the program.
Recently, HISD and Group 1 Automotive partnered to launch a new teacher recognition program. Every month, an HISD teacher will be surprised and presented with a luxury loaner vehicle to drive for a month, along with a $150 gift card and other goodies.
Visit www.gp1vipservices.com to learn more about the VIP Services program. To ensure you receive VIP pricing, please contact vipservices@group1auto.com or call 888-977-8790 to register before visiting the dealership of your choosing.
