Find out what Fit for $40 participants are saying about HealthyWage Challenge No. 1
Congratulations to the more than 1,466 employees who completed their initial weigh-ins for the HealthyWage “Fit for $40” Challenge #1! It’s time to weigh out officially for Challenge #1 and gear up for Challenge #2, which launches February 21 and runs through April 1.
There were positive reactions from district employees who performed official HISD Fit for $40 Challenge No. 1 weigh-outs.
Theresa Corrina from Internal Audit lost 3.74%, thereby ensuring she will receive $40 as a reward and possibly more depending on how her team does. She has been working out with dumbbells and ankles weights in the mornings and evenings, as well as eating more salads and drinking lots of water, while reducing her carb intake.
Curriculum Specialist Melinda Viera lost 3.76% and also won $40. The main change in her lifestyle is that she has been drinking more water. For Challenge No. 2, she plans to start bringing a healthy lunch to work and walking more during the day.
Gloria Martinez in Elementary Curriculum and Development lost 6 pounds and met her goal. She brought a case of water to work and focused on drinking more throughout the day.
Dawn Miles in Benefits met her goal. She started doing yoga and other exercises as well. She added more salads and yogurt with chia seeds to her diet and she drank more water.
Operations Site Team Lead Roy Giles began substituting turkey bacon for regular bacon and cut out sweets. He plans to ride his bike more. He recommends having Malt-O-Meal for breakfast because he doesn’t get hungry during the day.
Raoul Rodriguez in Benefits lost 2.52% by eating chicken, fish, fruits, and vegetables. He cut out rice, pasta, and bread, as well as all sweets and sweetened drinks. If he is hungry when he gets home from work, he has oatmeal with flax seeds and walnuts to tide him over until dinner.
Weigh-out information
The official weigh-out period for Challenge #1 is now through February 19. To weigh out officially you must use the HealthyWage mobile app’s video-verification process. Simply open the app and login, and it will guide you through the process. Rest assured that your weight is totally confidential.
Additionally, you may use your official weigh-out weight as your starting weight for Challenge #2.
Fit for $40 Challenge No. 2
Employees who did not sign up in January can still register for Challenge #2. All you have to do is lose two percent of your weight and you can win $40. It can be a great start to improving your health and wellbeing.
Don’t forget that you are competing to win cash prizes! Participants who lose at least 2% of their body weight per challenge period could see two $40 cash prizes added to their paycheck for a total of $80—and more if they are part of a team of five, and that team meets certain milestones for each challenge. Registrants have the opportunity to change teams for the second challenge. Simply email info@healthywage.com.
Here’s a quick summary:
- Login into or sign up at HeathyWage.
- Weigh-out at the end of the first challenge between Feb. 12 and Feb. 19, 2022.
- Using your official weigh-out weight, work toward a second weight-loss goal of another 2% of your weight February 21–April 1, 2022.
- If you did not participate in Challenge #1, weigh in officially using the mobile app.
- Weigh-out at the end of the second challenge from March 26 to April 1, 2022.
If your entire team achieves their weight-loss goals, each member will receive an additional $20 team bonus per person per challenge. Additionally, successful teams will be placed in a drawing to receive one of five $5,000 prize awards ($1,000 for each team member).
The HISD HealthyWage Challenge website is open for registration. For more details regarding the HealthyWage challenge, including rules, a reasonable alternative standard, how the weight verifications work, payment of prizes, and verified weigh-in instructions, see HISD Benefits Fit for $40.
We want to hear about and see your progress! Please tweet your photos, comments, tips, and even recipes using the hashtag #HISDFit4$40. Be sure to tag @TeamHISD to highlight your personal growth, team collaboration, and to encourage and motivate others to stay on track!
Good luck!
Weekly Teacher Download for Feb. 14, 2022
ALL TEACHERS
Student Enrollment
Do you know a family with 3- and 4-year-old children? Please help us inform parents that HISD is offering one-on-one support for those seeking help enrolling their child in pre-K for the 2022-2023 school year. All elementary schools will participate in two events to assist parents with the application process for pre-K—available in person, by phone, and online—to ensure families have one-on-one options. The events will take place on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursday, March 3, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. For applications and more information, see HoustonISD.org/Pkfair.
- In person: Visit any HISD elementary school or early childhood center with all required documents
- By phone: Call the HISD hotline at 713-556-6734
- Online: Join a virtual information session on the Pre-K Fair website or sign up for a 15-minute consultation with a team member
Academic Instructional Technology
Tech Tuesdays
Please join us for Tech Tuesday sessions Feb. 15 to learn more about Making Learning Visible with Adobe Creative Cloud Express and Clevertouch Unplugged for Elementary. Win swag in certain sessions! Register by clicking here and searching OneSource #1461032.
Canvas launch and HUB phase out support
AIT is excited to announce Canvas as the new district learning management system for the 2022-2023 school year! Teachers and staff will have access to Canvas beginning March 21, 2022, and HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team is here to provide support with saving teacher-created HUB content through June 2022. We have created a series of HUB phase out resources (videos and how-to guides), and Educational Technology Specialists will be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30–5:00 p.m. to help you save content before access to the HUB is removed. Register in OneSource for #1468031.
Learning.com Keyboarding Contest
All students in grades 3-12 may enter the Learning.com keyboarding contest, which runs through Feb. 28. Learning.com is the district’s technology application curriculum resource that promotes keyboarding practice and skills. To participate, students must complete the initial diagnostic test and actively practice in the Learning.com Adaptive Keyboarding application to increase their word-per-minute (WPM) accuracy. In addition, campuses must post at least one promotional tweet with the hashtag #HISD_DigLitStrong and tag @HISD_Inst_Tech to be in the contest. The top two schools per Schools Office with the highest WPM accuracy and a Tweet will be awarded a prize. If you have questions or need additional information, contact AIT at InsTech@HoustonISD.org.
Free access to Adobe software
HISD is providing high school teachers and their students access to the most popular applications of Adobe Creative Cloud and the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. HISD is providing elementary and middle school teachers access to the entire collection of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and their students with access to the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. For Creative Cloud, once you’ve logged in, you can choose the apps you’d like to download. Please visit the website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192234 for guides and tutorials. You can use Creative Suite in any browser. To access Creative Express, you can sign in through Clever or from your web browser. Go to www.adobe.com/express/. On the top right corner of the browser select “sign in.” This will bring up a new page. Select “log in with school account” on the right side of the page and enter your school email and password. For Adobe Creative Express, please visit our website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192202 for guides and tutorials. You can use Adobe Creative Express in any browser, including Chromebooks.
Social and Emotional Learning
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Social and Emotional Learning framework helps cultivate skills and environments to advance student learning and development. It consists of interrelated areas of competence and examples of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The SEL online platform, reThink Ed located on Clever under Teacher Resources, provides lesson plans, activities, guided discussion questions, and more. Please find lessons under each of the competencies to help integrate SEL into your classroom. Refer to this flyer for more information.
Office of Special Education Services
Issue #5 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. The bite-sized lessons are designed to model digital tools and designated supports and accommodations appropriate to identified TEKS. It contains examples of how to support students with disabilities and those who struggle with learning.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Team will provide professional development sessions in February and March on the UDL Instructional Planning Process for reading language arts and math, grades 3-5. The guide is to be used in conjunction with the UPG and has been created to assist teachers in planning holistically for all students with an intense focus on closing learning gaps with student special populations. Click here for instructions to access the UDL Guides. Click this link to register for virtual sessions and times.
Elementary Math
See this flyer for 2022 February Math sessions. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemMath #MathMatters.
Teacher Service Day Math Sessions: Join us for Feb. 21 for STAAR 2.0 (new item types), TX-KEA Reports, and Region IV Resource Overview. If you register and attend a Region IV session, you will receive a personal copy of the resource. Region IV sessions in English or Spanish include:
· K-5 Engaging Mathematics
· G2-5 Closing the Distance
· G3-5 STAAR Workstations
See this document for the Feb. 21 Teacher Service Day math sessions.
Virtual HB3 Math Academies Grade 2 Math Fluency Part 4: Join us 3:30-5:00 p.m. on Feb. 22to gain a better understanding of math fluency and engage in activities from the fluency plan that builds students’ ability to be fluent in math. Walk away with just in time fluency plans (e.g., addition and subtraction) dependent on grade 2 HISD scope and sequence. Register for OneSource Course #1463008.
Virtual HB3 Math Academies Grade 3 Math Fluency Part 4: Join us 3:30-5:00 p.m. Feb. 22to gain a better understanding of math fluency and engage in activities from the fluency plan that builds students’ ability to be fluent in math. Walk away with just in time fluency plans (e.g., addition and subtraction) dependent on grade 3 HISD scope and sequence. Register for OneSource Course #1460066.
EXTENDED Kindergarten TX-KEA Assessment MOY Window: Jan. 10–Feb. 18, 2022
Elementary Science
Spring 2022 Elementary Science Sessions: Sessions will be offered synchronously (facilitator-led) after school. To view spring science sessions, see this link. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemSci.
Grades K-2 Science Instructional Planning—GK/G1: Unit 9/10 Living Organisms and Nonliving Objects; G2: Unit 10 Physical Characteristics and Needs of Plants: Join us 9:00–11:00 a.m. Feb. 21 to learn how to leverage teacher-facing and student-facing resources to plan for upcoming units of instruction and practice difficult concepts that are noted within data. Register for OneSource #1464072
Grades 3-4 Science Instructional Planning—G3: Unit 11 Part 1, Plant Life Cycles; G4: Unit 12 Part 1, Animal and Plant Growth: Join us 12:00–2:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to learn how to leverage teacher-facing and student-facing resources to plan for upcoming units of instruction and practice difficult concepts that are noted within data. Register for OneSource #1464073.
Grade 5 Science Instructional Planning—Unit 13 Food Webs and Unit 14 Inherited Trait: Join us 2:00–4:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to learn how to leverage teacher-facing and student-facing resources to plan for upcoming units of instruction and practice difficult concepts that are noted within data. Register for OneSource #1461119.
Grades K-5—Using the Discovery Education Experience to Support Flexible Science Learning Environments: Join us 12:00–1:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to learn how to use the DE platform for instructional modifications to reach varied student learning types. Register for OneSource #1467086.
Grades 3-5—STAAR 2.0 Redesigned: Join us 9:00–10:00 a.m. and 12:00–1:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to gain understanding on upcoming 2022-2023 STAAR 2.0 Technology Enhanced Items (TEI) and explore sample items and get a preview of new item types for 2023 spring STAAR assessment. Register for OneSource #1467081.
Elementary Science Lead Teacher Collaborative for lead science teachers and campus leaders: Join us 3:30 -5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 or 23 to learn trends outlined to district and state data, collaborate on best practices for increasing science outcomes, and plan for delivering learning to build campus capacity. Session will be styled within a ToT model. Register for OneSource #1458054.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: Students and their families are encouraged to engage in hands-on, minds-on science investigations at home. The Houston Museum of Natural Science and 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 Home Symbaloo web mix.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Please view this week’s CTE bulletin, February 2022, Volume II. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins. The next Teacher Service Day (no students) for CTE is Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.
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. You may enter:
- Photos
- Videos
- Event flyers
- Business partnerships
- Campus initiatives
- Professional learning
- Best practices and more!
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 Feb. 7, 2022
ALL TEACHERS
Academic Instructional Technology
Tech Tuesdays
Please join us for Tech Tuesday sessions Feb. 8 to learn more about PearDeck and WeVide, which engages students and enhances learning while incorporating technology into instruction. Win swag in certain sessions! Register by clicking here and searching OneSource #1461032.
Canvas launch and HUB phase out support
AIT is excited to announce Canvas as the new district learning management system for the 2022-2023 school year! Teachers and staff will have access to Canvas beginning March 21, 2022, and HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team is here to provide support with saving teacher-created HUB content through June 2022. We have created a series of HUB phase out resources (videos and how-to guides), and Educational Technology Specialists will be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30–5:00 p.m. to help you save content before access to the HUB is removed. Register in OneSource for #1468031.
Learning.com Keyboarding Contest
All students in grades 3-12 may enter the Learning.com keyboarding contest, which runs through Feb. 28. Learning.com is the district’s technology application curriculum resource that promotes keyboarding practice and skills. To participate, students must complete the initial diagnostic test and actively practice in the Learning.com Adaptive Keyboarding application to increase their word-per-minute (WPM) accuracy. In addition, campuses must post at least one promotional tweet with the hashtag #HISD_DigLitStrong and tag @HISD_Inst_Tech to be in the contest. The top two schools per Schools Office with the highest WPM accuracy and a Tweet will be awarded a prize. If you have questions or need additional information, contact AIT at InsTech@HoustonISD.org.
Free access to Adobe software
HISD is providing high school teachers and their students access to the most popular applications of Adobe Creative Cloud and the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. HISD is providing elementary and middle school teachers access to the entire collection of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and their students with access to the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. For Creative Cloud, once you’ve logged in, you can choose the apps you’d like to download. Please visit the website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192234 for guides and tutorials. You can use Creative Suite in any browser. To access Creative Express, you can sign in through Clever or from your web browser. Go to www.adobe.com/express/. On the top right corner of the browser select “sign in.” This will bring up a new page. Select “log in with school account” on the right side of the page and enter your school email and password. For Adobe Creative Express, please visit our website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192202 for guides and tutorials. You can use Adobe Creative Express in any browser, including Chromebooks.
Social and Emotional Learning
Self-Care: According to Webster, self-care (noun) is:
- The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health
- The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness during periods of stress
Please refer to the February self-care calendar for daily activities to add to your self-care regimen. Share with a colleague and/or friend. Be well and stay safe.
Office of Special Education Services
Issue #4 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. The bite-sized lessons are designed to model digital tools and designated supports and accommodations appropriate to identified TEKS. It contains examples of how to support students with disabilities and those who struggle with learning.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Early Childhood
Lead Teacher Meeting #4: PreK and early childhood special education teachers are invited to join us 4:00-6:00 p.m. Feb. 8 or 10 to learn how to facilitate communication between each campus and the early childhood department. Also included is current information regarding district/state issues and district initiatives, as well as professional development opportunities. Register for OneSource Course #1464081.
Early Childhood Conference: The Early Childhood Conference will take place 8:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 12. PreK teachers and teacher assistants, Head Start teachers, and administrators may choose breakout sessions that address various domains of instruction in early childhood to build a unique and innovative learning experience. Other sessions will focus on implementing best practices in PreK using the recently purchased instructional materials funded through ESSER. See this flyer for more information.
The Early Childhood Team announces the purchase of additional instructional materials through ESSER funds for Pre-K teachers (Pre-K, ECSE, Pre-K/K split) serving 3- and 4-year-old students to support high-quality instruction and mitigate learning loss. Teacher training on how to best utilize these materials in the classroom will be offered at the virtual Early Childhood Conference. See this ASM for details.
Elementary Math
See this flyer for 2022 February Math sessions. See this document for the Feb. 21 Teacher Service Day math sessions. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemMath #MathMatters.
Virtual HB3 Math Academies Grade 2 Building Content Capacity: Fractions, 3:30–5:00 p.m., Feb. 8: Join us to delve into grade-level specific concepts by exploring strategies that build conceptual thinking and teaching of mathematics. Also, to learn how to strengthen content knowledge and instructional delivery by exploring TEKS-specific strategies for upcoming mathematics concepts.
Virtual HB3 Math Academies Grade 3 Building Math Content Capacity: Measurement, 3:30–5:00 p.m., Feb. 8: Join us to delve into grade-level specific concepts by exploring strategies that build conceptual thinking and teaching of mathematics. Also, to learn how to strengthen content knowledge and instructional delivery by exploring TEKS-specific strategies for upcoming mathematics concepts.
HISD 100th Day of School: Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022
EXTENDED Kindergarten TX-KEA Assessment MOY Window: Jan. 10–Feb. 18, 2022
Elementary Science
Spring 2022 Elementary Science Sessions: Sessions will be offered synchronously (facilitator-led) after school. To view spring science sessions, see this link. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemSci.
Grade 5 Elementary Science STAAR 2.0 Item Types: Join us 3:30–5:00 p.m. Feb. 10 to learn about the new item types, implications for checking for understanding, and practice creating using Google slides. Register for OneSource #1464076.
Grades 3-4 Science Instructional Planning—G3: Unit 11 Part 1, Plant Life Cycles; G4: Unit 12 Part 1, Animal and Plant Growth: Join us 12:00–2:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to learn how to leverage teacher-facing and student-facing resources to plan for upcoming units of instruction and practice difficult concepts that are noted within data. Register for OneSource #1464073.
Grade 5 Science Instructional Planning—Unit 13 Food Webs and Unit 14 Inherited Trait: Join us 2:00–4:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to learn how to leverage teacher-facing and student-facing resources to plan for upcoming units of instruction and practice difficult concepts that are noted within data. Register for OneSource #1461119.
Grades K-5—Using the Discovery Education Experience to Support Flexible Science Learning Environments: Join us 12:00–1:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to learn how to use the DE platform for instructional modifications to reach varied student learning types. Register for OneSource #1467086.
Grades 3-5—STAAR 2.0 Redesigned: Join us 9:00–10:00 a.m. and 12:00–1:00 p.m. Feb. 21 to gain understanding of upcoming 2022-2023 STAAR 2.0 Technology Enhanced Items (TEI) and explore sample items and get a preview of new item types for 2023 spring STAAR assessment. Register for OneSource #1467081.
Elementary Science Lead Teacher Collaborative for lead science teachers and campus leaders: Join us 3:30 -5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 or 23 to learn trends outlined to district and state data, collaborate on best practices for increasing science outcomes, and plan for delivering learning to build campus capacity. The session will be styled within a ToT model. Register for OneSource #1458054.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: Students and their families are encouraged to engage in hands-on, minds-on science investigations at home. The Houston Museum of Natural Science and 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 Home Symbaloo web mix.
Elementary Reading
Please attend an “Ask/Answer” meeting provided by Really Great Reading Implementation Specialists Jill Dickerson, Susan Hohertz, and Roxanne Rooney. For questions, email Tasha Howard at thoward1@houstonisd.org.
- Feb. 8, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting
- Feb. 10, 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Click here to join the meeting
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Please view this week’s CTE bulletin, February 2022, Volume I. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins. The next Teacher Service Day (no students) for CTE is Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.
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. You may enter:
- Photos
- Videos
- Event flyers
- Business partnerships
- Campus initiatives
- Professional learning
- Best practices and more!
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.
Attend a Heart Health seminar for American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month and in an effort to educate staff about the warning signs and effects of cardiovascular disease, HISD Benefits is hosting a special live webinar with several door prizes.
Join us from noon to 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, for “Heart Health & Hypertension” facilitated by
Dr. Carlos Rivera, an internal medicine specialist at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic who practices at the Meyerland Plaza Clinic location. The link to register is https://bit.ly/3tWn4Fo.
Please share your photos at #HISDWearRedDay2022
For more information, see HISDBenefits.org/Heart.
Personal development opportunities for Latino, Latinx educators
Over 40 percent of Latino teachers leave the profession within their first four years. At a time when Latino student populations are growing across the country, it is imperative that we seek innovative methods in the recruitment, and more importantly the retention, of our Latino teachers. These educators are uniquely positioned to leverage their cultural currency in their students’ development, as well as deepen family engagement strategies with parents/caregivers.
The Latinx Teacher Fellowship (LTF) is a summer opportunity for K-12 Latinx teachers to gather in community to intentionally deepen their understanding of Latino student achievement and sharpen their skills in the areas of culturally responsive practice. For more information and to apply, visit
Latinx Teacher Fellowship.
The Aspiring Latino Leadership Fellowship (ALLF) is a unique nine-month opportunity designed for the mid-career educator. Ideal candidates are educators who would benefit from the framing of learning through case studies, landscape analyses, and engagement with content experts in the in-depth exploration of relevant leadership competencies among their community peers. These are also educators who are primarily first-gen college graduates and first-gen professionals, who have been plotting their career on their own with minimal guidance. ALLF offers explicit guidance and support to fellows in the development of their career via lessons/exercises in professional branding, and career coaching. For more information and to apply, visit Aspiring Latino Leadership Fellowship.
Another big game day is approaching, and Student Assessment is here to help you shoot the ball into the net and score major points! The Data All Stars Summit 2022 will be held virtually on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, via TEAMS beginning at 8:00 a.m.
During the summit, leaders and teachers will learn how to gear up with data-driven instruction best practices, call the right plays to avoid testing irregularities, block to ensure STAAR Readiness, and complete a winning playbook as we countdown to STAAR. These sessions will make summative and formative connections to STAAR and will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, and data tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Lead4ward Rockin’ Review and other partners will be there to help us count down to STAAR.
Superintendent Millard House and Executive Officer Allison Matney will open the event with greetings. Participants will have the opportunity to win gift cards during the half-time game show and victory celebration. There will be a virtual vendor expo for attendees to visit throughout the event.
Participants must register via OneSource using course #1464042 and register for sessions at 2022 Data All Stars Summit. See this flyer for more information.
Please contact Student Assessment at assessment@houstonisd.org or 713-349-7460 for assistance and/or questions.
Weekly Teacher Download for Jan. 31, 2022
ALL TEACHERS
Student Assessment
2022 Data All-Stars Summit, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Feb. 5: These sessions will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, and data-tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Lead4ward Rockin’ Review and other partners will count down to STAAR. Register for OneSource #1464042. For more information, see 2022 Data All Stars Summit and this flyer.
Academic Instructional Technology
Tech Tuesdays
This week, learn more about Quizziz, Kahoot, and Learning.com to engage your students and enhance their learning while incorporating technology into instruction. We will also give out swag in certain sessions to random lucky attendees! Register by clicking here and searching OneSource #1461032.
Canvas launch and HUB phase out support
AIT is excited to announce Canvas as the new district learning management system for the 2022-2023 school year! Teachers and staff will have access to Canvas beginning March 21, 2022, and HUB access will end in July 2022. The AIT team is here to provide support with saving teacher-created HUB content through June 2022. We have created a series of HUB phase-out resources (videos and how-to guides), and Educational Technology Specialists will be hosting weekly open labs each Thursday from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. to help you save content before access to the HUB is removed. Register in OneSource for #1468031.
Free access to Adobe software
HISD is providing high school teachers and their students access to the most popular applications of Adobe Creative Cloud and the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. HISD is providing elementary and middle school teachers access to the entire collection of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and their students with access to the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. For Creative Cloud, once you’ve logged in, you can choose the apps you’d like to download. Please visit the website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192234 for guides and tutorials. You can use Creative Suite in any browser. To access Creative Express, you can sign in through Clever or from your web browser. Go to www.adobe.com/express/. On the top right corner of the browser select “sign in.” This will bring up a new page. Select “log in with school account” on the right side of the page and enter your school email and password. For Adobe Creative Express, please visit our website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192202 for guides and tutorials. You can use Adobe Creative Express in any browser, including Chromebooks.
Social and Emotional Learning
Please register for spring professional development courses, including De-escalation, Sanford Harmony, Restorative Practices, Crisis Intervention: Trauma-Informed Practices, Mindfulness Adult SEL, Integrating SEL into Academics, SEL Culturally Responsive Classrooms, and Classroom Management: Procedures and Routines for Student Success. Please refer to this flyer for details on how to register in OneSource.
Office of Special Education Services
Issue #3 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. The bite-sized lessons are designed to model digital tools and designated supports and accommodations appropriate to identified TEKS. It contains examples of how to support students with disabilities and those who struggle with learning.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Early Childhood
Dual Language Instructional Strategies 4:00-5:30 p.m. Feb. 1: PreK teachers and early childhood special education teachers will become familiar with the Dual Language components of the day and planning resources. They will also learn instructional strategies to increase language development in the classroom. Register for OneSource 1464079.
2021-2022 Virtual Early Childhood Conference: Save the date for the conference scheduled for 8:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Feb. 12. Breakout sessions will address various domains of instruction in early childhood to build a unique and innovative learning experience. Sessions will focus on implementing best practices in PK using the recently purchased instructional materials funded through ESSER. Click here for more information.
Elementary Math
See this flyer for 2022 January Math sessions and One Source course numbers. Click here for Feb.1 Teacher Service Day math sessions. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemMath #MathMatters.
Virtual HB3 Math Academies Grade 2 Building Content Capacity: Fractions, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Feb. 8: Participants will delve deeper into grade-level specific concepts by exploring strategies that build conceptual thinking and teaching of mathematics. Join us and strengthen content knowledge and instructional delivery by exploring TEKS-specific strategies for upcoming mathematics concepts.
Virtual HB3 Math Academies Grade 3 Building Math Content Capacity: Measurement, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Feb. 8: Participants will delve deeper into grade-level specific concepts by exploring strategies that build conceptual thinking and teaching of mathematics. Join us and strengthen content knowledge and instructional delivery by exploring TEKS-specific strategies for upcoming mathematics concepts.
HISD 100th Day of School: Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022
Kindergarten TX-KEA Assessment MOY Window: Jan. 10–Feb. 11, 2022
Elementary Science
Spring 2022 Elementary Science Sessions: Sessions will be offered synchronously (facilitator-led) after school. To view spring science sessions, see this link. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemSci.
Grade 5 Backwards Planning Using the Snap 2 Blueprint: Join us via MS Teams from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Feb. 3 to learn how to use the upcoming assessment blueprint to plan lesson considerations, including Do Nows and Exit Tickets. Register for OneSource #1467039.
Grade 5 Elementary Science STAAR 2.0 Item Types: Join us via MS Teams from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Feb. 10 to learn about the new item types, implications for checking for understanding, and practice creating using Google slides. Register for OneSource #1464076.
Elementary Science Teacher Award
Nominations are now open for elementary science and STEM teacher awards through Feb. 4. Alliant Group is partnering with HISD to sponsor the ESTA award for outstanding K-5 science/STEM teachers. The sponsorship includes six teachers, with an overall winner to receive a $3,500 cash prize and $500 for classroom materials and supplies. Five additional winners will receive a $1,250 cash prize and $500 for classroom materials and supplies. Exemplary elementary science/STEM teachers can be nominated for the ESTA by a campus leader, colleague or they can self-nominate by completing the nomination form no later than Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Click here to view the academic memo.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: Students and their families are encouraged to engage in hands-on, minds-on science investigations at home. The Houston Museum of Natural Science and 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 Home Symbaloo web mix.
Elementary Reading
Please attend an “Ask/Answer” meeting provided by Really Great Reading Implementation Specialists Jill Dickerson, Susan Hohertz, and Roxanne Rooney. Use these links to register:
- Feb. 1, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting
- Feb. 2-3, 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Click here to join the meeting
For questions, email Tasha Howard at thoward1@houstonisd.org.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Please view this week’s CTE bulletin, January 2022, Volume III. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins. The next Teacher Service Day (no students) for CTE is Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.
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. You may enter:
- Photos
- Videos
- Event flyers
- Business partnerships
- Campus initiatives
- Professional learning
- Best practices and more!
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.
Nominations are now open for elementary science and STEM teacher awards through February 4.
Alliant Group, a local organization that promotes high-quality science/STEM education, is partnering with HISD to sponsor the ESTA award for outstanding K-5 science/STEM teachers.
The sponsorship includes six teachers, with an overall winner to receive a $3,500 cash prize and $500 for classroom materials and supplies. Five additional winners will receive a $1,250 cash prize and $500 for classroom materials and supplies.
Exemplary elementary science/STEM teachers can be nominated for the ESTA by a campus leader, colleague or they can self-nominate by completing the nomination form no later than Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Click here to view the academic memo.
Weekly Teacher Download for Jan. 24, 2022
ALL TEACHERS
Multilingual Programs
Bilingual & Dual Language Summit 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Jan. 29: Registration for “Cultivating a World of Possibilities for Bilingual Minds” is now open. Visit the Online Course Selection Guide and register in OneSource. Session links will be made available at least two hours prior to the event.
Student Assessment
2022 Data All-Stars Summit, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Feb. 5: These sessions will include state accountability, designated supports, TEKS monitoring, and data-tracking systems, as well as critical reports for teachers and leaders. Lead4ward Rockin’ Review and other partners will count down to STAAR. Register for OneSource #1464042. For more information, see 2022 Data All Stars Summit and this flyer.
Academic Instructional Technology
Tech Tuesdays
On Jan. 25 learn about a new digital tool or get a refresher on a particular platform to engage your students and enhance their learning while incorporating technology into instruction. Each virtual session lasts 30-45 minutes and features the digital tool’s basic functionality and specific features, along with interesting tips and techniques to increase learning or formative assessment. This week, we explore Clevertouch, BookCreator, and Adobe Acrobat DC. Check these offerings here. Register for OneSource #1461032 and you will receive a link. Some lucky attendees will win prizes.
Free access to Adobe Software
HISD is providing high school teachers and their students access to the most popular applications of Adobe Creative Cloud and the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. HISD is providing elementary and middle school teachers access to the entire collection of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and their students with access to the premium version of Adobe Creative Express, both at school and at home. For Creative Cloud, once you’ve logged in, you can choose the apps you’d like to download. Please visit the website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192234 for guides and tutorials. You can use Creative Suite in any browser. To access Creative Express, you can sign in through Clever or from your web browser. Go to www.adobe.com/express/. On the top right corner of the browser select “sign in.” This will bring up a new page. Select “log in with school account” on the right side of the page and enter your school email and password. For Adobe Creative Express, please visit our website at www.HoustonISD.org/Page/192202 for guides and tutorials. You can use Adobe Creative Express in any browser, including Chromebooks.
Social and Emotional Learning
Educators are incredibly busy and in fact, research shows that educators make more minute-to-minute decisions throughout the day than neurosurgeons. This means that teachers need to take some time to take care of themselves. This could be a breathing break or a moment of mindfulness, which can help them re-center, decompress, self-regulate after a busy day, and model self-care for their family and/or students. Mindfulness practices can be implemented throughout the day, either alone or in the classroom. Please visit seven ways mindfulness can help teachers to learn more.
Office of Special Education Services
Issue #2 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. The bite-sized lessons are designed to model digital tools and designated supports and accommodations appropriate to identified TEKS. It contains examples of how to support students with disabilities and those who struggle with learning.
Fine Arts–Dance
Dance Connect “Days of Dance”: Fine Arts is offering professional development for dance teachers and workshops for students in collaboration with prominent Houston dance organizations. The Arts Connect Houston dance organizations listed on this flyer will offer a variety of dance styles and stream live dance classes as follows:
- Jan. 25: 6 virtual classes for early childhood and elementary dance (these classes will be made available to all dance and physical education teachers).
- Jan. 26: 5 virtual classes for middle school dance programs
- Jan. 27: 5 virtual classes for high school dance programs
To register, email SKorman@HoustonISD.org.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
Early Childhood
Discovering the Spring Season from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Jan. 25: PreK and early childhood special education teachers will learn interactive activities for students to use in the spring, as well as engaging lessons including hands-on sensory, science, and more exciting opportunities to promote student outcomes. Register for OneSource #1464060.
2021-2022 Virtual Early Childhood Conference: Save the date for the conference scheduled for 8:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Feb. 12. Breakout sessions will address various domains of instruction in early childhood to build a unique and innovative learning experience. Sessions will focus on implementing best practices in PK using the recently purchased instructional materials funded through ESSER. Click here for more information.
Elementary Math
See this flyer for 2022 January Math sessions and One Source course numbers. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemMath #MathMatters.
HISD 100th Day of School: Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022
Kindergarten TX-KEA Assessment MOY Window: Jan. 10–Feb. 11, 2022
Elementary Science
Spring 2022 Elementary Science Sessions: Sessions will be offered synchronously (facilitator-led) after school. To view spring science sessions, see this link. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemSci.
Lead Teacher Collaborative: Join us 4-6 p.m. Jan. 25 or 26 at Alliant Group to learn trends outlined to district and state data, collaborate on best practices for increasing science outcomes, and plan for delivering learning to build campus capacity. Register for OneSource #1464090.
Grade 5 Backwards Planning Using the Snap 2 Blueprint: Join us via MS Teams from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Feb. 3 to learn how to use the upcoming assessment blueprint to plan lesson considerations, including Do Nows and Exit Tickets. Register for OneSource #1467039.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for Students and Families: Students and their families are encouraged to engage in hands-on, minds-on science investigations at home. The Houston Museum of Natural Science and 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 Home Symbaloo web mix.
Elementary Reading
The TX KEA MOY window (Jan. 10-Feb. 11) is open. All kindergarten students must be tested during this administration window. If you have any questions, email Tasha Howard at thoward1@houstonisd.org.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
Social Studies, German, and Dance Teachers
Arts Integration for Social studies, German language, and dance teachers: Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week is Jan. 24-28, and the Holocaust Museum Houston has teamed up with the Jewish Community Center to present a special arts-integration opportunity from Carolyn Dorfman Dance–The Legacy Project: Dance of Hope. The Legacy Project utilizes 40 minutes of pre-recorded narrated performances accompanied by songs in the German language, providing an opportunity for German language learners to exercise their knowledge. This program is addresses questions about human rights, active citizenship, contemporary genocide, immigrants, racism, xenophobia, and cultural diversity. A live Q&A Zoom session with Carolyn Dorfman will be offered on Jan. 27 at 2:00 p.m. for students who would like to participate. Digital resources, including a study guide, are available through the HUB Library (search The Legacy Project) until April 1. For more information, please email skorman@houstonisd.org.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Please view this week’s CTE bulletin, January 2022, Volume II. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins. The next Teacher Service Day (no students) for CTE is Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.
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. You may enter:
- Photos
- Videos
- Event flyers
- Business partnerships
- Campus initiatives
- Professional learning
- Best practices and more!
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.
Bilingual and Dual Language Summit 2022
Multilingual Programs will host the virtual Bilingual and Dual Language Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. Titled “Cultivating a World of Possibilities for Bilingual Minds,” this year’s summit will be held virtually on Teams and will focus on connecting bilingual and dual language teachers with evidence-based instructional strategies paramount for the success of emergent bilingual learners as they use their full linguistic repertoire to navigate academic content.
Registration for this event is now open. Please visit the Online Course Selection Guide and register in OneSource. Session links will be made available at least two hours prior to the event.
The day will start with a dynamic keynote address presented by Senior Education Consultant for Seidlitz Education Monica Lara. Educators will then be able to attend two 90-minute sessions and may earn a prize for attending.
Attend this year’s summit to receive turn-key instructional strategies; credit toward professional development hours required to receive a bilingual stipend; and entry into the prize giveaway.
Follow Multilingual Programs on Twitter (@HISDMultiPrgms) for real-time updates.
