ALL TEACHERS
- Free version of Microsoft Office 2016 for district employees: Click here to find out how you can install Microsoft Office 2016 on your personal computer, tablet, and/or smartphone.
- District Advisory Committee elections now underway: All teachers can place their two DAC votes from now until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. One vote is for a “Classroom Teacher” and one vote is for an “Other Campus-Level Professional.” You are eligible to vote only for a nominee from your particular school area office group. To cast your vote, click here and sign in using your HISD Application user name and password (not your network credentials). If you get an error message, it may because you’re using the wrong password. If you encounter problems, email the IT Service desk at servicedesk@houstonisd.org.
- Plan now for STEM design challenges: The Advanced Academics department is pleased to announce that the spring semester STEM design challenges for grades K-8 are now available on the HUB. There is one challenge per cycle, per grade. Each one aligns to grade-appropriate math and science standards, as well as ELPS and CCRS standards, to reinforce your teaching. Embedded in each challenges are differentiation strategies, formative assessment tasks, as well as extension activities to help you meet the diverse needs of your students. Grading rubrics, supply lists, and all necessary handouts to implement these hands-on projects are also included. Contact Sabrina Provencher at sprovenc@houstonisd.org for more information, or to learn how these challenges can be adapted for use during your STEM Night, or even as part of an after school STEM club.
All HISD employees have access to Microsoft Office 2016 not only on district issued devices, but now they can install the software for free on their personal devices. All members of Team HISD can install Office 2016 on up to five personal computers, five tablets, and five smartphones. To install, follow the steps below: read more…
Honor is part of HISD’s participation in Inclusive Schools Week
The HISD Office of Special Education Services is partnering with the Inclusive Schools Network to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week Dec 5-9.
Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors read more…
Voting is now open for the 2017 District Advisory Committee. Select campus-based employees and central office staff members can place their DAC vote from now until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.
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 school area office group. read more…
ALL TEACHERS
- Be an “inclusive hero” for education: The Office of Special Education Services is partnering with the Inclusive Schools Network to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week Dec. 5-9. Schools, parents, and community members can take part in the celebration and download lesson plans, activities, and resources by clicking here. This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme focuses on the concept of being a hero. The week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
- Still time to participate in 12 Days of Code: Teachers across the district are invited to celebrate Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13) by having their students complete an Hour of Code during the 12 Days of Code. HISD is encouraging every student across the district to join the fun! Go to HoustonISD.org/12DaysofCode to find a calendar of coding activities curated by grade level. The calendar features a new coding experience each day. In addition, students and classrooms can print a special certificate once they have completed an hour of code and share a picture on social media using the hashtag #12DaysofCode.
- District Advisory Committee elections now underway: All teachers can place their two DAC votes from now until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. One vote is for a “Classroom Teacher” and one vote is for an “Other Campus-Level Professional.” You are eligible to vote only for a nominee from your particular school-area office group. To cast your vote, click here and sign in using your HISD application user name and password (not your network credentials). If you get an error message, it may because you’re using the wrong password. If you encounter problems, email the IT service desk at servicedesk@houstonisd.org.
A recent computer system upgrade at HISD’s Health & Wellness Clinics means patients now can use a new online system to schedule appointments, view lab results and communicate with the staff from the comfort of their computer.
The clinics, which are operated by Concentra, are now using the free FollowMyHealth patient portal, which gives you 24/7 access to medical records, scheduling appointments, and prescription refill requests. FollowMyHealth can also help you track your fitness and well-being. The portal offers applications that help you track weight, monitor blood pressure, and create charts to show goals and progress. All personal information on FollowMyHealth is regulated by HIPAA and is 100 percent confidential. read more…
HISD’s Secondary Curriculum and Development Department is ending the fall semester of the district’s “Literacy Speaker Series” with a big name. New York Times best-selling, Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña will be at Hattie Mae White on Dec. 9 for two sessions: one from 9-11 a.m. and the other from 1-3p.m.
School leaders are invited to attend and bring up to four others from their campuses. Register in OneSourceMe using Course Number 184001.
De la Peña is the author of six young adult novels: Ball Don’t Lie, Mexican WhiteBoy, We Were Here, I Will Save You, The Living, and The Hunted. He’s also the author of the critically-acclaimed picture books A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis and Last Stop on Market Street. De la Peña received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific. He currently lives in New York where he teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.
HISD lost a much-loved and highly respected former educator late last week, when Charlotte Parker passed away at the age of 61. Dr. Parker was a 35-year veteran of the district with a long track record of improving student success and mentoring educational leaders throughout the greater Houston area.
Parker graduated from Jack Yates High School and continued her education at Texas Southern University with a major in Elementary Education and Teaching. While teaching at HISD, she also obtained both her Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from TSU. read more…
HISD was recently surprised with the Super-Hero Award from The Learning Counsel, a research institute and media hub focused on the K-12 transition to digital curriculum.
HISD Senior Information Technology Manager Beatriz Arnillas accepted the award on behalf of Team HISD at the counsel’s conference Nov. 15. read more…
The Textbook Operations and Furniture Services departments will conduct their annual physical inventories beginning Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, through Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. As a result, the warehouses will be closed during those days and will not be able to process normal orders. Both departments will resume normal business operations on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016.
If you need assistance during the inventory process, you may contact your Textbook Specialist at 713-676-9410 or Furniture Services staff at 713-676-9230 for questions or and/or emergency assistance.