Human Capital Management has announced the summer 2017 four-day workweek for Central Staff is being extended an additional week. The four-day workweek will run from June 5 to August 11 for monthly employees and from June 9 to Aug. 10 for biweekly staff. For full details, go here to download a memo from HCM Chief Chief Karry Chapman.
The Employee Benefits team reminds employees that the window to change your benefits for 2017-2018 is July 24 through August 22. This is a time when many employees may be away from the office on vacation. While reminders will be sent via U.S. mail and email, it’s a good idea to mark your calendar now so you won’t forget this important activity.
This year, your current benefit elections (excluding Flexible Spending Accounts) will roll over to the 2017-2018 plan year, unless you make changes during annual benefits enrollment.
Tatum Elementary teacher Carolyn Myers was driving to work when a car crashed into her, flipping her automobile on its side.
Myers was trapped, thought she smelled smoke, and, as she puts it, “was totally freaked out.”
After screaming for help, a man came to her rescue, climbing down into the car and steadily talking her through the situation—calming her down— until the ambulance arrived.
“I truly believe this man saved my life,” Myers said. “I can not thank him enough.”
The man turned out to be Sgt. Dewye Jiles, a veteran of the Gulf War and current JROTC instructor at W.W. Samuell High School. Jiles said his army background and medical training kicked into high gear when he saw the car wreck.
“Helping people and being a Good Samaritan is something I teach to my ROTC class,” Jiles said. “I was happy to be able to help Carolyn in her time of need. I could see in her eyes how terrified she was, so I’m glad I got to be there to help.”
A Dallas ISD teacher saw his suggestion to Gov. Greg Abbott become a reality over the weekend.
Eric Hale, a teacher at Burnet Elementary, served on an education panel with Abbott late last year that focused on ways to attract and retain effective educators. At the meeting, Hale suggested that the State of Texas start an annual tradition where it recognizes the best teachers from across the state for going above and beyond in their efforts to help students.
Fast forward to Saturday, April 29, and Hale attended a special reception at the Governor’s Mansion honoring more than 100 outstanding teachers from across the state. And at the reception, Abbott publicly credited Hale with coming up with the idea for the event honoring outstanding Texas teachers.
“I couldn’t believe it, here was the governor telling this story to everyone about how this was my idea,” Hale said. “He came over to me and handed me the microphone, and I got to say a few words. It was a huge honor to get to represent Dallas ISD at the event.”
Hale said the governor plans to hold the teacher reception on an annual basis.