Staff News

How you say something can often be more important than the words you choose. What you do when you convey a message is also important. You can choose the right words and use an appropriate tone but send an entirely different message than you intended through nonverbal communication.

Actions speak louder than words. You may have a great attitude and personality, but actions will leave a lasting impression on customers.  Always be aware of your body language to make sure you are sending the right nonverbal message.

Smile often. A smile is one of the most powerful messages you can send.  It translates in any language, across any culture and age group. When you smile more, your smile will become a natural part of your demeanor. Get in the habit of smiling often.

Make eye contact. This is one of the most important factors of communication, yet it can be a tough habit to get into. If you are uncomfortable making eye contact when you speak, first try getting into the habit of making eye contact when you listen. Build your confidence doing that and move on to making a conscious effort to look at the other person in the eye when you speak.

Keep your energy level steady. If you are that person who needs a second cup of coffee before you can be cordial to anyone, you are not alone. However, there’s a huge benefit in pushing past the energy lull, especially when you need to assist customers. Try it, and you’ll find that being pleasant is contagious.

Join Dallas ISD from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy for our last-chance application event. Learn about the choice school options offered, such as Montessori, International Baccalaureate, talented and gifted, single gender, two-way dual language, STEM/STEAM, visual and performing arts, P-Tech/Early College, career institutes, collegiate academies and much more.

In addition to having strong academic options, students who attend choice schools can participate in after-school/extracurricular activities and receive free transportation if they live two or more miles from their choice school. See you Saturday. January 25!

Thinking of retiring this year? Dallas ISD will pay you cash for your unused local days. The more days you have remaining when you retire, the higher your award.

Employees who notify Human Capital Management by entering their intent to retire date in Oracle Self-Service by March 1 can receive a flat daily rate of pay for any unused local days accrued by July 31.  The exact rate to be paid will be determined upon calculation of all the participants’ remaining local days (calculated by July 31) for the year. There is no cap to the number of local days paid. There is no time in service requirement.

Remember, retiring employees must enter their retirement date in Oracle Self-Service by March 1 to be eligible to receive the award.  Those who do not enter their separation date in Oracle Self-Service by the March 1, 2020 deadline will not be eligible for the award.

For additional questions, you may contact the HCM Benefits Department at (972) 925-4300.

All employees who have set up their preferences to receive their W2 form online will have access to it starting Jan. 20, 2020.

The form can be accessed:

1. Inside the Network at Oracle Self-Service, choosing Payroll Information and Employee W2, or
2. Dallas ISD Main Page, choosing Staff and Oracle Login. Once logged in, go to Employee Self-Service, choose Payroll Information and Employee W2, or
3. Outside the network, going to the Dallas Portal https://disdportal.dallasisd.org, go to Apps Logon Links into Oracle, go to Employee Self-Service, Payroll Information and Employee W2.

If you have any problems, please send an email to notifypayroll@dallasisd.org with your ID number, name and the issue or question you might have and you will be assisted promptly.

For employees that are not set up to view the form online, the forms are being mailed to the employee’s address in Oracle and should be received by Jan. 31, 2020.

HCM Benefits Department is excited to introduce a new fitness opportunity as a part of a wellness initiative. We are hosting free group fitness classes with personal trainers every Tuesday and Wednesday beginning January 21^st. These unique classes will vary week to week. All fitness levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. The classes will be led by certified personal trainers that will meet you where you are in your fitness journey.

Tuesdays
Cardio Strength and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Linus D. Wright Building in Room 1350; room locations vary depending on availability

Bring comfortable clothes, shoes, water, a towel, and a mat and get fit!

Wednesdays
Stretch and Meditation
12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Linus D. Wright Building in Room 207 and 208; room locations vary depending on availability

If you have any questions, please call the Benefits Department at (972) 925-4300.

The Post Secondary Partnerships and Programs department would like to invite those who are interested in teaching dual credit courses to attend the Dual Credentialing Interest Meeting from 5:30  to 7 p.m. on Jan. 27. The meeting will be held at the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building, 9400 North Central Expressway, in Room 583. You will have an opportunity to meet with Dallas County Community College District representatives and have your credentialing questions answered. If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Woodall at ewoodall@dallasisd.org or (972) 925-5476.

For more information about the meeting, download the flyer.

Eight outstanding young public speakers from Dallas ISD have advanced to the finals of the MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, and their performances can be watched live starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, by clicking on this livestream link.

Established in Dallas in 1993, the Floey & Lardner LLP MLK Jr. Oratory Competition is hosted annually to encourage the community to remember and pay tribute to the late civil rights leader’s legacy. The competition is designed  to recognize and foster the writing and oratory skills of elementary students. Fourth- and fifth-grade elementary students composed their own original three-to-five minute speeches incorporating ideals from King’s writings, speeches and other records to answer the competition’s theme question, “What would Dr. King’s vision be for America in 2020?”

Do you want to sharpen your professional skills, develop your leadership ability, and become a more confident communicator?

At Dallas ISD Talk it Up! Toastmasters, you can accomplish these goals in a self-paced supportive environment alongside others pursuing the same goals. Toastmasters learn by doing, by following a proven program of speeches and leadership activities. Want to learn firsthand how Toastmasters can help you give voice to your potential?  Register through Cornerstone to attend Dallas ISD Talk It Up! Toastmasters Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. at the Linus D. Wright Administration Building, 9400 N. Central Expressway, Room 300.

Dallas ISD Talk It Up! meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Meetings are held at the H.B. Bell School Support Services Building on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of the month and at the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD School Administration Building on the second and fourth Wednesdays.

Dallas ISD has three district-approved, district-sponsored principal prep programs, one of which has an application deadline right around the corner: The Texas Principal Leadership Academy in partnership with The University of Texas at Austin.

UT Austin – Texas Principal Leadership Academy Program Highlights

• Fast-tracked program that can be completed in 12 months with courses completed in Austin, Dallas and online.
• Participants serve in a Teacher Leader Intern position under a mentor principal allowing candidates to engage in authentic leadership activities before moving into a leadership position.
• The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Jan. 15, at education.utexas.edu/principal.

Employees who may be thinking about retiring within the next five years will have the opportunity to explore the steps they need to take now to prepare at two free seminars.

Retired Teachers Association

The Dallas Retired Teachers Association will hold its annual retirement seminar for all public school employees at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Dallas Public Library–Community Showcase Room, 1515 Young St.

The seminar will include presentations about building a retirement plan, financial consultations, Dallas ISD retirement procedures, Social Security and Medicare rules, Teacher Retirement System benefits, and TRS health insurance. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided by the Credit Union of Texas.

To attend, you must register by Saturday, Jan. 18, by emailing richgrst@hotmail.com or vlusk2131@sbcglobal.net. For additional information, contact (972) 224-3186.

Dallas ISD Benefits Department

The Benefits Department will host a retirement information seminar for all employees at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Linus D. Wright Administration Building, 9400 N. Central Expressway, room 1350 on the 13th floor. Attendees will receive information regarding the district’s procedures, Teacher Retirement System benefits and helpful planning tips leading up to retirement. Those interested in attending can register by Jan. 31.  There are several ways to register:

• Register through Cornerstone
• Call 972-925-4300
• Email Retirement@dallasisd.org

For additional information regarding the Feb. 4 seminar, please contact the Benefits Department at (972) 925-4300 or benefits@dallasisd.org.