Warehouse Operations to close Wednesday, Nov. 30, for inventory process
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.
ALL TEACHERS
- And on the 12th day of code, my teacher gave to me: Teachers across the district are invited to celebrate Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13) by having their classroom 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 www.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 then share a picture on social media using the hashtag #12DaysofCode. Click here for more information and a flyer to distribute to your students.
- Weigh in on next year’s school calendar: Would you prefer an entire week off for Thanksgiving or keep the current three-day holiday break? The district is soliciting input from students, staff, and the community on those two options for the 2017-2018 school year. The option where the district is off for the entire week of Thanksgiving would extend the school year from June 1 to June 4. Click here for more information and to take the survey.
- Crack the Code: A Coding Challenge Day for Students: The Advanced Academics Department will host a computer coding challenge day called Crack the Code for students in grades 3-8 from 9 a.m.-noon on Dec. 3. The challenge includes students and teachers moving through a variety of stations involving plugged and unplugged coding activities designed to increase computational thinking and challenge students to solve problems both individually and in teams. This year, the event will be held on two campuses simultaneously so that schools may select the location closest to them: McGowen Elementary School (6820 Homestead Road, 77028) and Southmayd Elementary School (1800 Coral Street, 77012). Each location will be open to 15 schools, registered on a “first-come, first-served” basis, with a maximum of eight students per campus. To register for the event, click here.
Teachers across the district are invited to celebrate Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13) by having their classroom 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 then share a picture on social media using the hashtag #12DaysofCode.
Teachers and schools are encouraged to build excitement around the 12 Days of Code by downloading and printing an English/Spanish flyer and sending home with students. read more…
The leader of a local think tank devoted to making Houston a world-class city will speak at the next Manager Resource Group meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Michael K. Jhin is the interim president and CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future, which is working to further the region as a top global community in which to work and live. Jhin will speak to district managers and leaders about servant leadership and how to maximize their talents and those of their staffs. read more…
Use #HISDSupport Nov. 15 to share your appreciation for Education Support Professionals Day
Trustees, along with Superintendent Richard Carranza, took time during the November Board of Education meeting to recognize some of the district’s hard working and dedicated support personnel. The recognition was part of Education Support Professionals Day, which is Wednesday, Nov. 15
Nearly a dozen executive assistants to district administrators throughout the district were presented with certificates of appreciation along with a single red rose given to them by Superintendent Carranza and Trustee Diana Davila.
[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000vlIHsI2t11Y” g_name=”20161110-BOE” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]
ALL TEACHERS
- There’s still time to take the #Bebras challenge! The Bebras Computing Challenge is a fun, interactive, 45-minute contest that introduces students to computational thinking to get them excited about computing and improve their problem-solving skills. The challenge, which is open to fifth- through 12th-grade students worldwide, runs through Nov. 23, 2016. In 2015, HISD was the largest participant nationwide, with more than 7,000 students taking part in the challenge last November. The district encourages you to that trend this year and lead the nation in participation this year! Challenge yourself, a colleague, or another school by sharing out on Twitter using #Bebras. Click here for more information and how to participate.
- Use Google to learn about teaching world languages: The next Tech Tools for LOTE training will feature Instructional Coaches Allison Bequette and Evelyn Oros from the Instructional Technology department leading training on Google apps for teaching world languages. Participants will learn about the use of certain applications that can be used to augment instruction. Register in OneSourceMe using Course Number 187001. The training is 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Sharpstown International School library.
- Online webcast provides inspiring story, practical ideas: Register for Education on Air: It Takes a Teacher, a free online conference Dec. 2-3, 2016, where teachers can share with and learn from other educators around the globe. Scheduled to speak are Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet, Dr. Jill Biden, second lady of the U.S., and Jahana Hayes, a recent national Teacher of the Year winner from Connecticut, who will speak about how she keeps her students engaged. Attendees also will get tips and tools to help boost student engagement, collaboration and productivity in the classroom. Regardless of the age of the students you teach, you’ll hear practical tips from other educators that you can apply right away. Register for the online conference by clicking here.
There are still seats available for the district’s next Paraprofessional Forum, which is set for Wednesday, Nov. 16.
The Onboarding and Organizational Development team is hosting the forum on an early dismissal day to allow the district’s paraprofessional staff – both instructional and non-instructional – to attend professional development opportunities that will build upon their existing skills. read more…
Cards featuring student artwork on sale and on display at HWM
Holiday cards featuring the creative talents of student artists from around the district are available for purchase from now until Dec. 2. The student designs were submitted as part of the district’s annual holiday greeting card competition. The winners were announced during a special ceremony Monday, Nov. 7, but the designs of all 40 student finalists are available for purchase from HISD Print Services.
All cards are on display in the cafeteria of Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Click here to fill out an order form or you can call HISD Print Services directly at 713-556-6041. A package of 10 sells for $8 and can paid for using a check, money order, or credit card.
In the event an employee experiences a catastrophic illness or event that requires a long absence from work, the Supplemental Sick Leave Bank (SSLB) program can provide some help.
The SSLB program provides participants an opportunity to request up to 30 additional leave days per year in the event of a catastrophic illness requiring a physician-approved absence from work exceeding seven (7) workdays. The employee must exhaust all earned and advanced vacation, state, and local personal leave to be eligible for SSLB days. Additional program information is available here. read more…
ALL TEACHERS
- Online webcast provides inspiring story, practical ideas: Register for Education on Air: It Takes a Teacher, a free online conference Dec. 2-3, 2016, where teachers can share with and learn from other educators around the globe. Scheduled to speak are Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet, Dr. Jill Biden, second lady of the U.S., and Jahana Hayes, a recent national Teacher of the Year winner from Connecticut, who will speak about how she keeps her students engaged. Attendees also will get tips and tools to help boost student engagement, collaboration and productivity in the classroom. Regardless of the age of the students you teach, you’ll hear practical tips from other educators that you can apply right away. Register for the online conference by clicking here.
- Nominations for HAABSE’s Outstanding Teacher Awards due by Nov. 18: The Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators is seeking nominations for their Outstanding Teacher Awards and Recognition Ceremony. Recipients are chosen based on demonstrated extraordinary teaching and learning practices with students on their campus. Teacher nominees from each participating school will be recognized and honored before the winners are revealed at HAABSE’s ceremony on Jan. 18, 2017. Click here for more information on the nomination process. Nominations for the 2016-2017 HAABSE Outstanding Teacher Award will be accepted online through Nov. 18, 2016.
- Resource to help support students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms: The Texas Education Agency is providing a new tool to help teachers support students with disabilities and learning difficulties. Targeting the 2 Percent (T2%) is a free grades K-5, ELA, and reading resource designed to improve the instruction, content knowledge, and academic achievement of Texas students transitioning from assessments based on modified standards to the STAAR. T2% provides teachers with research-based products and online resources. There are mini-lessons structured around five essential components of reading instruction: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The lessons are appropriate for use by all reading teachers. For a direct link to the resources, click here. For additional information, contact Barbara Mullen at bmullen@houstonisd.org or 713-556-7025.
- Are you up for the challenge? The Bebras Computing Challenge is a fun, interactive, 45-minute contest that introduces students to computational thinking to get them excited about computing and improve their problem-solving skills. The challenge, which is open to fifth- through 12th-grade students worldwide, will take place Nov. 7-18, 2016. HISD was the largest 2015 participant nationwide, with more than 7,000 students taking part in the challenge last November, and the district hopes to continue to lead the nation in participation this year. Challenge yourself, a colleague, or another school by sharing out on Twitter using #Bebras. Click here for more information and how to participate.
