Starting today, it is faster and easier than ever to get answers about your HISD benefits. When you call the HISD Benefits Service Center at 877-780-HISD (4473), you will be asked to enter three things:
- Your HISD employee ID
- Your date of birth
- Your ZIP code
This will allow the Benefits Service Center to confirm your identity in a few seconds, and you won’t have to confirm verbally. You will then be connected with an HISD Benefits representative who can help you with all the information you need. It’s that simple.
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Managers from HISD Facility Services stopped by Atherton Elementary School this week to pay tribute and deliver lunch to the men and women working behind the scenes to keep campuses in good shape.
The stop was part of a campaign to honor the hardworking crews by delivering 1,300 lunches to HISD campuses and district support facilities.
“It’s hard to fill those positions, so when you find quality work or quality people you want to make sure you recognize them,” said Alishia Jolivette, officer of Facilities Services. “When you see them doing a good job you have to stop and say, ‘Thank you.’”
While some HISD staff get a break in the summer, the next few months mark the busiest time of year for the district’s 1,275 custodians and 1,900 facility services staff. Preparing campuses for the start of the school year in August is a team effort that begins as soon as the last bell rings in May.
“These are some hardest working individuals in the district, and are extremely humble in their service,” said Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby. “I am pleased to be a part of an organization that recognizes the integrity of what the custodial team does, day in and day out.”
Custodial Operations Area Manager Pervy Francis agrees. She began her HISD career as a custodian and stressed the importance of expressing gratitude to those who do the work to clean and maintain the schools.
“They need to hear it,” Francis said. “I enjoy showing appreciation to my staff.”
As the school year comes to a close, summer cleaning is beginning to ramp up. Custodial staff duties include sweeping, mopping, waxing the floors, and cleaning restroom areas, as well as any other maintenance required in the upkeep of each building.
Four-year custodian Kenneth Degree, who is assigned to Atherton, smiled when he saw the lunchtime delivery. “It feels good to be recognized,” Degree said.
Dear Team HISD,
As we close out the 2016-2017 school year, I’d like to thank the many Team HISD members who support our 215,000 students. Whether you are an educator or a member of our support staff, you keep our students safe, fed, and ensure they get a quality education regardless of where they were born, the ZIP code they live in, or the language they speak.
You are difference makers. You change lives.
Because of you, our students are prepared for the world when they graduate. Because of you, our students want to come to school to learn, to lead better lives, and to change their family’s destiny. But don’t take my word for it. Watch the video below to hear directly from the students whose lives you touch every day.
[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/218177428″]
Because of the work you do, you deserve more. That is why I am working with district staff and the HISD Board of Education to provide all employees with a pay raise for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year. However, because HISD’s budget will not be approved until next month, I cannot give you exact details or information on the amount at this time. But please know this is our top priority over the coming weeks.
If you are enjoying a break over the next few months, please take time to relax and recharge. For those of you working at our campuses and district offices, remember that our summer “40 in 4” schedule begins next week.
Thank you all for your hard work! I know that the 2017-2018 school year will bring new successes and challenges, and I look forward to seeing what students can achieve thanks to your hard work and dedication.
Best regards,
Richard A. Carranza
HISD Superintendent
Leaving for the summer? Here are some things you should know, do and consider
Things to do Before Leaving:
- Be sure to remove all USBs, CDs, and external hard drives from computers
- Turn off and secure all classroom electronic equipment in accordance with your campus administration
- Remember NOT to unplug, turn off, or move Ricoh copiers
- Back up your files and folders from your computer to How?
- Here is how to reset your password over the break using HISD Access. How?
- Back up your Internet Favorites. How?
- Create an “Out of Office” message for your Outlook email account. How?
- How to check your Voicemail on Cisco VoIP phones. How?
Things You Need to Know:
- Remember, EdPlan is read-only from 6/1/17 on and will be unavailable after 6/30/17. Teachers who wish to archive assessment reports must do so by 6/30/17.
- Visit the OnTrack site for information about the new Student Assessment System at org/OnTrackInfo
- Remember to be vigilant when checking email over the summer and watch for spam emails. Please read what you can to prevent cyberattacks here.
Remote Access:
- Your email from home
- Getting to know Office 365
- OneSource Employee Self-Service tips
- OneSourceMe Learning
Summer Technology Learning Opportunities:
A variety of technology training opportunities are available throughout the summer. Visit the IT Training Site for the most current course offerings, and register in OneSourceMe to attend.
Summer Assistance:
From May 30-July 28, the Service Desk will be available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Phone: 713-892-SERV (7378)
Web: https://servicedesk.houstonisd.org
Email: servicedesk@houstonisd.org
Documents must be submitted to 11, 11.5, and 12 month employees by June 9
Appraisers of non-teachers at schools and district offices across the district are encouraged to begin year end appraisals in order to meet the upcoming deadlines. Documents can be submitted to employees on or before June 9, 2017. All appraisals for 11, 11.5 and 12 month employees must be completed by June 16, 2017.
Appraisers can refer to the 2016-2017 Non-Teacher Appraisal EOY Guide for guidelines regarding the end-of-year process including navigation instructions for completing appraisals in OneSourceMe. A Video Tutorial for EOY Navigation is also available.
A new feature of the Performance and Goals system in OneSourceMe is a dashboard that allows the appraiser to track the status of employees within their campus/department. Refer to page 21 of the EOY Guide mentioned above for complete information.
Per Board Policy (DN LOCAL), “In the event an appraisal deadline is missed by either the employee or appraiser, the appraiser shall document the reason in a memorandum to the employee and a copy shall be sent to the appraiser’s manager. The appraisal process shall continue. A missed deadline shall not invalidate an appraisal document.”
For additional information on any step in the appraisal process, you may access Appraisal System Resources on the Performance Management webpage or call the Performance Management Office of Human Capital Accountability at 713-556-6903.
Teachers and students raving about new assessment platform
Teachers and administrators undergoing training for OnTrack, the district’s new assessment platform, are raving about the new system. OnTrack, which is replacing EdPlan, will launch districtwide during the 2017-18 school year, but staff undergoing summer school training are becoming familiar with the new platform.
Some are even taking to Twitter and using the hashtag #HISDOnTrack to sing their praises. See what Kristina Lopez, the Assistant Principal at Hartman Middle school recently tweeted out.
A group of 18 elementary, middle, and high schools across the district piloted the new system this spring, and the positive reaction from staff and students has been overwhelming.
“I love that there is a dashboard for students and that the students are able to take ownership of their learning,” said Heights High School Principal Connie Berger.
Check out the video below to see what else staff and students at Heights High School are saying about their experience with OnTrack.
[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/212645892″]
ALL TEACHERS
Contract deadline for 2017-18 school year: If you have not already done so, please log into OneSource Employee Self Service, click on the link under the “To Do” bar, and electronically sign your contract for the 2017-2018 school year. On May 26, 2017, at midnight, the contract link will no longer be available.
Say goodbye to EdPlan: May 31 will be the last day for EdPlan assessment scanning and data recording. All teachers should have benchmark Running Records, District Pre-Approved Assessments, and other assessments scanned by the end of the day on May 31. Click here for more information
Sign up for HISD Access: Set up your profile today so you can use this tool if you forget your HISD password over the long summer break! Click here for info.
Traveling over the summer: HISD is teaming up with the Houston Health Department to make staff aware of the dangers of the Zika virus, particularly for pregnant women who may be traveling to the Caribbean and Central America over the summer break. Click here for more information.
Protect yourself and HISD from cyber attacks: As you may have heard in recent news, a worldwide cyber attack was launched hitting businesses and large organizations throughout the world. Be sure to stay vigilant while examining any incoming emails, attachments, and links, both at work and at home. Click here for more information.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Summer professional development: Elementary Curriculum and Development will be offering a wide menu of professional development opportunities for teachers this summer. The sessions align to and support Literacy by 3, Dual Language, Writer’s Workshop, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Instructional Technology and Early Childhood. Session descriptions and details are included in the program.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Summer professional development: Secondary Curriculum and Development will be offering a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers this summer. High school literacy training will be offered in June and July. PowerUp and instructional technology training will be embedded within the literacy trainings in addition to instructional planning, strategies for independent reading, writing, small-group instruction, read alouds, and student discourse by content areas. Click here for a list of all opportunities:
PD for science teachers: HISD and the Rice University Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM) are providing 37.5 hours of science instruction professional development for high school biology, chemistry, and physics teachers through the RESST Summer Institute. Teachers who complete the summer session will have the opportunity to build their content knowledge and instructional skills. Apply to the RESST Summer Institute by clicking here. Space is limited and the deadline to submit an application is Friday, June 2.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER BREAK AND SEE YOU AGAIN IN AUGUST!
App allows remote network login over the summer
A year ago, HISD Information Technology introduced a new self-service application to allow HISD staff to remotely maintain their HISD Network login called HISD Access.
Over that year we have had over 8500 staff register to use this application which 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 summer break fast approaching.
Learn some new skills and classroom strategies for coming school year
Summer is great time for teachers to relax, recharge, but also to learn some new skills and classroom strategies for the coming school year.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Elementary teachers can choose from a wide variety of professional development opportunities organized by the Elementary Curriculum and Instruction office. The sessions align to and support Literacy by 3, Dual Language, Writer’s Workshop, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Instructional Technology and Early Childhood. Session descriptions and details are included in the Elementary Summer 2017 PD Guide.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Secondary Curriculum and Development will be offering a variety of professional development opportunities for middle and high school teachers this summer. High school literacy training will be offered in June and July. PowerUp and instructional technology training will be embedded within the literacy trainings in addition to instructional planning, strategies for independent reading, writing, small-group instruction, read alouds, and student discourse by content areas. Click here for a list of all opportunities. Teachers will receive a $100 stipend for attending Literacy in the Middle and Literacy Empowered Trainings.
Stay vigilant while examining any emails, attachments, and links.
As you may have heard in recent news, a worldwide cyberattack was launched on Friday, May 12. The attack primarily hit businesses and large organizations in Europe, Russia, and China.
At this time, the HISD IT team does not believe district devices or the network have been affected. However, we need your help to make sure the HISD digital environment remains safe and protected.
We ask that you stay vigilant while examining any incoming emails, attachments, and links. Do NOT click on links that you don’t recognize and do not download files that you were not expecting or are from people you don’t know personally. Be on guard for phishing messages that direct you to a spoofed website and get you to divulge private information (e.g., login account information, credit card, or other account updates). Always ignore and delete any emails that request personal and financial information.
In addition, be cautious about emails and website links on all your personal devices. Your cellphones and tablets are just as susceptible to such attacks.
The IT Department has many advanced filters that protect the district’s network and computers from most cyberattacks. However, we cannot stop all fraudulent emails.
If you have any further questions or need to report any suspicious messages, please contact the IT Service Desk.
The Houston ISD Service Desk can be reached by:
Phone: 713-892-SERV (7378) Option 3
Web: Service Desk Portal at https://servicedesk.houstonisd.org
Email: Service Desk
