Central Staff News

By introducing Let’s Talk!, Dallas ISD is launching a new way for community members and staff to engage with the district. Let’s Talk! is an online customer service and communication tool that is now available on the district’s website.

Through Let’s Talk! anyone can submit a question, comment, concern, suggestion or compliment 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any device connected to the internet and receive a prompt response. The goal of Let’s Talk! is to build stronger relationships, identify opportunities for engagement, and spot potential concerns before they occur. Let’s Talk! also offers unique features to help the district improve its customer service.

In the first phase of the Let’s Talk! rollout, community and staff will be able to connect with Student Transportation Services, Enrollment, the Call Center, Parent Advocacy and Support Services, Special Populations, and Bilingual ESL Parents. Connecting with these departments to get answers is just a click away.

To address such topics as paychecks, short pay, payroll benefits, PTO, vacation, compensation, contracts, benefits and more, staff can click on the Call Center.

Central staff have access to a variety of sessions for professional growth during February. All sessions are available through Cornerstone.

The 5 Languages of Workplace Appreciation—In today’s workplace, it is crucial for employees to feel valued. Join us to learn more effective ways to show appreciation.

Multiple Generations at Work—This session will identify the multiple generations in the workplace and formulate a better understanding of their specific needs and motivations. Language skills to effectively communicate and collaborate will be discussed.

Results Focused Leadership: Developing People and Feedback—Effective development and feedback are management tools that yield results whether you are a new or an experienced leader.

Ignite and Unleash Potential Through Talent Conversations—If done effectively, talent conversations play a vital role in engaging employees and influencing their performance and development.  This session will provide tools to prepare for and facilitate effective talent conversations.

Because all learning is social and emotional, the Social and Emotional Learning department is offering multiple professional development sessions for credit during the spring.

Session topics for the spring include Culturally Responsive Teaching, Self-Care, Question Formulation Technique, and Creating an Engagement Intervention Plan. For session descriptions and to formally register, staff is encouraged to visit Cornerstone. Don’t forget your laptop.

The professional development sessions are offered as part of the work the SEL department does to build the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that both students and adults need to be successful in school, work, and life. They include things such as knowing and controlling your emotions, teamwork, understanding others, making positive choices, and resilience.

The SEL team directly supports approximately 150 campuses with building positive relationships, implementing engaging student practices, and creating opportunities for social and emotional learning for both students and adults.

If you have questions about the training, contact Kevin Kerr at kkerr@dallasisd.org or (972) 925-8951.  For more information about the sessions, download the flyer or visit Cornerstone.

A difficult customer can rattle even the most patient and composed employee. Learning how to effectively work through these somewhat exasperating interactions will give you the confidence and ability to resolve almost any issue.

Be mindful. Customers may be difficult to deal with for several reasons that have nothing to do with you. They may be upset because something was mishandled, frustrated about a delay in handling a request, impatient with the response time, or maybe they are simply having a bad day. You just happen to be the person standing in front of them at that time. We have all been there. Regardless of the reason he or she is upset, how you handle the situation can determine whether the customer remains a customer.

When a customer complains, look at it as an opportunity to improve. It’s not always easy to know what to say or how to handle customers who are upset, but here are four key steps to start with:

1. Remain calm and composed—take a deep breath, smile, and then respond.
2. Assure the customer you are here to help.
3. Listen carefully with empathy.
4. Stay positive, and don’t take it personally.

The next time you come face to face with a challenging customer—and you will—use these Core 4 steps to help gain and maintain control of the situation for a better resolution.

Heart disease claims the lives of 2,200 people each day—making it the leading killer of Americans. That is why during February, American Heart Month, people are encouraged to take steps to improve their heart health.

Studies have shown that 80 percent of cardiovascular disease may be preventable with education and action. Simple lifestyle changes can make a big impact when it comes to heart health. Show your heart some love by practicing these three tips:

• Stop smoking–One year after you quit, you cut your risk of coronary heart disease by 50 percent.
• Get active–Walking 30 minutes a day can lower your risk for heart attack and stroke.
• Eat smart–Adding salmon, nuts, berries and oats—a few of the heart “superfoods”—may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

Another way to fight heart disease is to be aware of the symptoms of heart attack and stroke:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest. Most often, it starts slowly with mild pain or discomfort.

Shortness of breath. This can occur with or without chest discomfort and may involve coughing or wheezing.

Other possible signs of a heart attack or stroke may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Support heart health awareness by wearing red on Friday, Feb. 14. Visit the American Heart Association webpage at https://www.heart.org/ to learn more.

Sleek, modern furniture, inviting art and a popular salad bar greet staff and visitors at the newly inaugurated Café @ 9400.

While the café—located in the lobby of the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building— currently has some of the same choices as the food cart it replaced last week, it will eventually offer visitors a variety of hot and cold entrees for breakfast and lunch.

The café is expected to house a working kitchen and a chef. It will also have a component that connects what students are learning in the classroom with a real-life experiences, said Michael Rosenberger, executive director of Food and Child Nutrition Services, which runs the café.

FCNS is partnering with schools to use vegetables grown at campuses in the café, he said. It will also provide students in culinary arts programs real-life experience by having intern in the café. For staff, the café is a place where they can eat, take a break, and recharge their devices.

“We want you to come here, be happy, have amazing healthy food and amazing beverages, and have a moment to relax,” Rosenberger said.

More than 1,700 students from 125 schools embraced their inner trolls to tap into their creative thinking and problem-solving skills for the Student Activities Destination Imagination Winter Blitz Workshop earlier this month.

Students and their sponsors—with the help of the Student Activities staff “trolls”—came together for a day of fun and experimentation in preparation for the regional, state and global competitions. The 215 Dallas ISD teams used everyday materials with imagination, creativity and bold choices to conquer challenges.

The workshop teaches team members to work cooperatively in practice for the competitions, said Angie Nuno, coordinator in Student Activities.

Destination Imagination incorporates creative thinking, hands-on problem solving, the arts, engineering and teamwork in a nurturing environment.

“The Winter Blitz Workshop is always an exciting and fun event for Student Activities,” Nuno said. “It provides an opportunity for students to explore their creativity with instant challenges that force them to solve problems using their imagination.”

More than 300 teams from Dallas ISD schools are expected to compete at the Dallas Regional Destination Imagination Tournament to be held Feb. 29 at Emmett J. Conrad High School.

“With one of the largest DI programs in Texas, Dallas ISD always has more than 25 teams qualify for the state competition,” said Sharla Hudspeth, director of Student Activities. “The DI program has grown tremendously over the years because it motivates our students to seek solutions to life challenges, working together as a team.”

Watch a video of the Winter Blitz Workshop.

Due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Credit Union of Texas has extended the deadline to apply for the William H. Cotton Scholarship until July 15.

Dallas ISD educators and administrators can now apply for the William H. Cotton Scholarship, which funds the pursuit of a continuing post-baccalaureate education, including certifications, to further a career in the field of education for the benefit of the Dallas ISD community and its students.

The $20,000 scholarship was established by the Credit Union of Texas to honor the legacy of William H. Cotton for his 46 years of dedication and service to Dallas ISD and the Credit Union of Texas.

The application might does not reflect the new dates. For information about the scholarship and the application, download the flyer.

The window to apply for Grants for Innovative Teaching is now open.

The purpose of the Junior League’s Grants for Innovative Teaching is to encourage and support excellence in teaching through innovative projects. Grants of up to $2,500 for the 2019-2020 school year funded classroom projects that ranged from an “escape room experience” and aquarium kits to 3D printing pens and ukuleles.

Over the years, Dallas ISD teachers have received thousands of dollars from the Junior League of Dallas to fund their unique and innovative classroom projects. The grants are used for special projects that otherwise would not be included in school budgets.

The Junior League would like to have grant applications from each Dallas ISD campus for the 2020-2021 school year. Applications will be received through Sunday, March 22.

Grant application details:

• All Dallas ISD educators are eligible to apply
• Projects span all grade levels—kindergarten through 12th grade—and all subject areas
• Educators may request funding of up to $2,500 for innovative teaching projects
• Application can be completed and submitted electronically
• Funded projects MUST be completed within the allowable time frame of Sept. 1, 2020 – April 1, 2021.

Additional information and the application are located at https://www.jld.net/grants-for-innovative-teaching/.

Fitness classes at the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building are off to a great start. But there is always room for more participants at the Tuesday and Wednesday free group fitness and meditation classes.

The fitness classes are hosted by certified personal trainers who cater to all fitness levels from beginner to advanced and will meet participants where they are in their fitness journey. The experienced personal trainers will keep the classes varying from week to week, and no one workout will be quite the same.

Midweek is a great time to revive your energy and learn ways to stretch and relax even at your desk. The meditation and stretch classes are the perfect way to learn new strategies to release tension and to take care of your well-being.

Tuesdays

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

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

Wednesdays

Stretch and Meditation Time
Noon-1 p.m.
Linus D. Wright Building; room locations vary depending on availability

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