Dear Team HISD:
HISD’s Chief Operating Officer, Leo Bobadilla, has accepted a similar position in Broward County, Florida. I have asked Chief Technology Information Officer Lenny Schad to assume the responsibilities of the Construction & Facilities Department, including the 2012 bond program, until we hire a new Chief Operating Officer.
The rest of the departments that reported to Leo have been reassigned to other members of HISD’s administration:
- Business Assistance, including Warehouse Operations, Risk Management and Supplier Diversity will become part of the Finance Department and report to Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Ken Huewitt.
- Transportation and Nutrition Services will become a part of the Office of Student Support and report to Chief Student Support Officer Mark Smith.
- The HISD Police Department will report directly to me with assistance from Chief of Staff Jason Spencer.
I have full confidence that our leadership team will continue the excellent work being done by these departments, and the transition will be a smooth one. Leo’s assignment for the remainder of his tenure will be to support the transition in each area and consult with those who have new duties. I also would like to thank Leo for his work with HISD, and we wish him well in his new role.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the students of HISD during this time of transition.
Sincerely,
Terry B. Grier, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
HISD’s annual health benefits enrollment period is Nov. 5–19, and employees will be seeing a few changes in the district’s health partners.
Cigna will take over as the new dental provider and EyeMed will provide vision benefits for 2016. The good news for employees is that both offer larger networks than the previous vendor, so most people will be able to continue seeing their current dentist or eye doctor. read more…
Teachers encouraged to use Bebras competition to get students thinking critically, digitally
HISD is already leading the way with its digital transformation in the classroom, and now teachers are being encouraged to participate in a competition that will get their students thinking like Global Graduates.
The Bebras Global Computational Thinking Challenge, which takes place Nov. 9–21, is a 45-minute exercise thatchallenges students in grades 5–12 to tackle a variety of interactive computing challenges. The exercised are designed to get them excited about computing through tasks that do not require prior knowledge of digital technology. read more…
The HISD Foundation was established in 1994 to support the district’s missions by raising money for school-based programs and initiatives that increase student achievement. Since its inception, the foundation has raised more than $30 million by working with local businesses and partners that share our vision of providing a quality education for HISD students. By supporting districtwide initiatives such as Literacy By 3, the expansion of Advanced Placement courses, and dropout prevention programs, the HISD Foundation is a vital partner in the district’s mission to produce Global Graduates.
Note: During the district’s Combined Charities Campaign, we’ll take a look at each of the Federations to which employees can donate. These profiles will be posted in no particular order, and will help employees learn about the work organizations are involved with so they can best choose which ones to donate to. For a full list of Federations and the associated organizations, click here.
Digital Safety highlights importance of protecting one’s personal information
Did you know that every time you or one of your students visit or use a website, some personal information may be collected, stored, and possibly sold for profit? Personal Identifiable Information or PII is protected by law, but in today’s digital world of applications and social media it’s easy to share too much and put your PII at risk.
HISD’s Office of Communications and the district’s Educational Technology Department have created a Digital Safety Moment that addresses the importance of protecting one’s personal information. The short video vignette can be shared with staff members and with students along with information and resources located on the districts cyber safety website.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcMNfXPGVtE”] read more…
Global Impact is dedicated to providing assistance for the neediest areas on earth. The organization represents more than 80 U.S.-based international charities focused on helping poor regions or populations affected by major crises. Each year, Global Impact and its member charities touch more than 400 million lives in virtually every developing country through disaster relief, education, health training, and economic programs. For more information, visit their website here.
Note: During the district’s Combined Charities Campaign, we’ll take a look at each of the Federations to which employees can donate. These profiles will be posted in no particular order, and will help employees learn about the work organizations are involved with so they can best choose which ones to donate to. For a full list of Federations and the associated organizations, click here.
MRG looking for mentors and ways to improve onboarding process for new managers
Department leaders and managers from the across the district gathered at the Houston Improv on October 21 not only for some laughs, but for some serious discussion on ways to support each other and share best practices. The gathering was the official kick off for the district’s Manager Resource Group (MRG) which is designed to bring together HISD managers in an open dialogue to discuss issues facing HISD departments/teams and to collaborate on strategies to offer continuous development for the district’s managerial community.
The inaugural event featured several presenters and panelists who provided insight as well practical tools to support district managers. A local comedian also hit the Improv stage to lighten the mood and get the group talking about ways to better support new managers, including those promoted from within and those new to the district. read more…
HISD’s Onboarding and Organizational Development Office offers a series of workshops to all HISD non-instructional employees to support staff in meeting the seven professional competencies that make up the district’s non-teacher employee appraisal system.
The next Organizational Development workshop is Handling Poor Customer Behavior (Course # OB0021 on eTrain) 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Topics include:
- Personal accountability in providing positive customer service
- Reframing negative customer service responses
- Minimizing the sting when you have to say no
- Recognizing and interpreting non-verbal communication during customer interactions
For a list of all upcoming workshops, click here.
Texans are proud of their state’s landscape, pride shown through the popularity of the state’s anti-litter campaign, Don’t Mess With Texas. EarthShare of Texas aims to help keep the state as pristine as possible. Founded in 1992, the organization works to further Texas non-profit environmental organizations.
The group represents more than 70 of the leading local, state, national, and international conservation and environmental organizations working to preserve and protect our natural resources and human health. Member organizations include the Audubon Foundation of Texas, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. For more information, visit their website here.
Note: During the district’s Combined Charities Campaign, we’ll take a look at each of the Federations to which employees can donate. These profiles will be posted in no particular order, and will help employees learn about the work organizations are involved with so they can best choose which ones to donate to. For a full list of Federations and the associated organizations, click here.
