Staff News

As part of its efforts to provide a safe and secure environment, Dallas ISD has implemented contact tracing procedures, which are part of a public health process used to halt the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Health Services in collaboration with Operation Services and Human Capital Management will be conducting contact tracing throughout the district.

Contact tracing procedures

The contact tracing process is initiated when the district is notified that an employee has received a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.

The first step is to let the district know of a suspected or confirmed diagnosis by filling out the appropriate form or contacting a supervisor who will then contact Health Services to trigger the contact tracing.

Health Services will then contact the employee to provide information on isolation requirements, return to work protocols and resources. They will also begin the process of determining who at work came in contact with the person who has been diagnosed. Once this information is gathered, Health Services will then contact the employees who may have been exposed and provide information on quarantine requirements and return to work protocols.

Exposure generally involves having had close contact within the workplace two days before symptoms began or two days before a positive test results. Within 24 of receiving notice, Operation Services will provide an intensive cleaning with an industrialized germ spray for exposed areas by completing the following:

Confidentiality is key

Contact tracing is a private process. As part of local, state and federal laws, an employee’s personal information may not be released to the public or shared. Employees are prohibited from disclosing confidential information about other employees.

Notification will be provided when the purpose of the notice is to control spread of the infection and protect those who have been potentially exposed.

For more information about contact tracing and other safety precautions implemented by Dallas ISD as employees transition to working in district facilities, visit www.dallasisd.og/educationevolution and click on Central Staff Re-entry Playbook.

Royse Thigpen
Coordinator | Benefits
Human Capital Management
Years in the position: 20
Years in Dallas ISD: 20

What do you do in your position?

As a benefits coordinator specializing in retirement, one of the things I tried to specialize in is TRS rules, regulations and requirements so I can do retirement counseling. I try to answer all the questions retirees have. I also work with other like compensation and payroll in how the TRS rules apply to them. It gives me an opportunity to focus on the needs of whoever it is, employee or department, trying to understand their needs from their perspective.

What do you enjoy most/what is your favorite thing about what you do in your position?

What I enjoy most is having the opportunity to serve others. People come to me who have never retired before and it’s a new start for them. I enjoy explaining how rules work and the procedure, and it’s Core 4 customer service to me if I can find out what their needs are, focus and work through issues with flexibility.

Another thing I enjoy is that I do the majority of the new employee orientations. People come up to me rewarding later and tell me that they first met me at their orientations. You are the face of employee benefits. What we want to do is serve the needs of our employees. If teachers are focused on teaching their kids, they don’t need to worry about their retirement or benefits. They need someone who can help them or get an answer so they can focus on what they do. And I’m glad I can help them.

What was your favorite subject in high school?

Math because it came the easiest to me. My dad was an accountant, so I guess all of us have a little bit of an accountant mentality.

When you take notes during a meeting—paper or electronic? Or is it all in your head?

I take brief notes in a piece of paper because I have been successful in remembering what was said and how it related to the subject. After the meeting, I might summarize it briefly in computer. I usually go back and digest it and put it in my mental file.

What is your favorite restaurant? Food?

My favorite restaurant is Prego Pasta House on Greenville. Every birthday, I go over there with the family and have chicken fried steak. It’s off the menu, but if you know to order it, they’ll make it for you.

What do you appreciate most in your friends?

Dependability. If you find someone you can trust and depend on when you need them that is invaluable. I try to be like that.

What is your idea of happiness?

Family. Because they are the ones that you should be able to depend on, the ones you love and care for. You want to see your family do well. When I am with family is when I am happiest.

Are you a dog, cat, fish or no pets person? Why?

Dog person. We have a little rescue dog that was really mistreated and has been quite a process to get her to settle down. We finally succeeded in convincing her that we are not going to hurt her, that we are here to take care of her. Her name is Poppy, and she is a shih tzu and poodle mix.

Every American with a dream can breathe a little easier today after the Supreme Court’s ruling that lets stand for now the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. The ruling is a vindication of the country’s time-honored promise that success is within reach of anyone willing to work hard, save, obey the law and become a productive member of society. As the immigrant son of Mexican immigrants, I count myself and my family among those who have realized this promise. I stand with those who applaud the court for making a decision that affirms the country’s tradition of embracing immigrants.

Created by President Barack Obama eight years ago, DACA promised the Dreamers—undocumented immigrants brought here as children—that if they met certain requirements, they would be allowed to live and work temporarily in the U.S. In his executive memorandum announcing DACA, Obama voiced the hope that federal legislation would make the promise permanent. While Congress debated how to protect the Dreamers’ right to remain in the only country most have ever known, the case wound its way to the Supreme Court.

As lawyers and court watchers parse the outcome of today’s ruling, and as questions persist around the larger issue of immigration, it is good news that Dreamers are free to pursue their life goals and continue making contributions to the nation. The Dallas Independent School District is fortunate to have 88 of them in our ranks, including 41 teachers who bring important skills and valuable perspectives to students in need of worthy young role models.

The Dreamers have already enriched our country and have much more to offer. While the full impact of the court’s ruling has yet to be clearly revealed, Thursday’s ruling is a breath of fresh air and cause for hope.

NOTE: For more about Dallas ISD’s position on DACA, visit www.dallasisd.org/daca, a webpage with resources and information.

After consideration of the latest COVID-19 data and the rising number of cases in Dallas County and in the district, district employees will be expected to report to work in-person on Monday, August 3, instead of the original date of July 6. The district will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional guidance.

The safety and well-being of staff are top priorities for Dallas ISD as the district transitions to returning to district facilities. New practices and protocols have been implemented to follow recommended safety guidelines from federal, state, and local health officials.

The district will continue to screen staff as they arrive at district facilities and strongly encourage the use of face masks, social distancing in common areas (lobbies, elevators, conference rooms, break rooms, supply rooms, etc.) and frequent hand washing. Masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes will be available at all work sites.

Employees will continue to be encouraged to take a working lunch, which means they will be required to work a 10-hour day. Employees who take a working lunch will be compensated for this time, which will be considered part of normal work hours. This will reduce the need for staff to leave for lunch and receive food deliveries and well as limit lobby and elevator traffic. Working lunches will reduce the need for additional pre-screening upon re-entry to the building and will maximize employee safety.

Employees who require a non-working lunch break should check in and out for that time, and should report earlier to ensure the 10 work hours are completed before the building closes at 7 p.m. Nonexempt employees will be able to use the biometric clock or the Web Clock to check in and out. Exempt employees should confirm their check-in procedures with their supervisors.

All buildings will close at 7 p.m. to allow for intensive cleaning in preparation for the next workday.

For more information about the re-entry plan and to see a copy of the Education Evolution playbook for central staff, visit www.dallasisd.org/educationevolution.

Dallas ISD is offering scholarships for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds to attend J.J. Rhoads All-Day Learning Center in South Dallas at no cost starting this August.

The scholarship guidelines are designed to increase opportunity by making early learning available to more Dallas families.

Families can qualify and receive a scholarship based on the following criteria:

1. Dallas ISD’s historical academic needs, as identified in district data (currently identified as African American students).
2. Expanded income bracket: meet scholarship income guidelines.

* More family sizes/ income limits are available.

3. English language proficiency. Families of all races and ethnicities may request that their 3- or 4- year-old be tested for English proficiency.

To submit an application:

• Go to our website: PreKDallas.org
• Call the Pre-K Enrollment Hotline at (214) 932-7735 if you have questions or need help. The call center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
• Text PREK to (972)-687-7735
• Email PreK@dallasisd.org.

This week’s Core 4 tip again stresses the need for excellent phone etiquette while working from home. When you deal with customers on the telephone, your verbal communication skills, particularly your tone, are important. The customer will “see” you through your voice, so whether it is tinged with enthusiasm, sarcasm, boredom, or exhaustion, the customer will hear you—loudly and clearly. Make sure the attitude you convey is a helpful and interesting one that says you are happy to assist with the request.

When you answer your work phone, even from home, you represent Dallas ISD. To the person on the other end of the phone, you are “the district.” You may be the initial contact or the only contact they experience that day. Make it a positive customer experience for everyone with whom you speak.

Suggestions for Core 4 answering the telephone from home

• Answer the phone promptly
• Identify your campus/department and then identify yourself; e.g. “ABC Department; this is Kim.”
• Speak with a smile in your voice. If you smile when speaking on the phone, your tone of voice is more welcoming and friendlier.
• Show interest in the caller and their concerns.
• Do not engage in other conversations while you’re picking up the phone.
• Be of service and offer assistance.
• Be informed about the district’s services, and personnel. Have basic information readily available for reference.
• Listen. Take notes to help you remember important details.
• Make referrals to other people and departments properly.
• Avoid eating and chewing while you’re on the call. Chewing destroys good diction, not to mention it’s just rude.
• Consistent positive communication is the key to quality service.

Dallas ISD’s Benefits Portal is your information hub for all things benefits-related. Beginning July 15, you can log on to the Dallas ISD Benefits Portal to make a change to your current benefits or enroll in a Flexible Spending Account for 2020-2021. Annual Enrollment ends Aug. 21.

You must re-enroll annually to participate in flexible spending accounts (Health FSA and Dependent Care FSA).  New plan offerings, such as the new Hospital Indemnity plan and the new Critical Illness plan, also require an active election.

New medical plans will be available for staff to choose from, so everyone is encouraged to carefully review current benefits and consider the new plans. If you choose not to enroll or make any changes to your current benefits, we still encourage you visit the Dallas ISD Benefits Portal to review your beneficiary designations and make sure your designations are up to date.

The 2020-2021 Enrollment Guide and benefits website will be available soon.

More than 3,000 district teachers have leveled up on their knowledge and skill and gained CPE credit hours through 148 offerings and 112 unique sessions. Two teachers who took their participation to the highest level also won gift cards.

Sarah Perez, a teacher at S.S. Conner Elementary School, and Evan Dewar, a teacher at Martha Turner Reilly Elementary School, each won a $50 gift card donated by Office Depot. There are still opportunities to participate in sessions to earn an entry into weekly drawings for exciting prizes and to unlock access to resources from departments hosting the sessions.

When teachers collaborate and reflect in the Twitter contest (@PDL_DallasISD), they have an opportunity to enter into a weekly grand prize drawing. The more teachers tweet about their Level Up learning using #levelupDallasISD, the more chances they have to win.

In addition, teachers can earn credit hours toward their Texas Education Agency continuing professional education requirements. For the 2020-2021 school year, teachers are not required to attend 21 credit hours of professional development outside their work calendar to meet their contractual obligation. Instead, five professional development days have been built into the teachers’ work calendar.

Summer offerings from Dallas ISD’s departments in Level Up will be entered into the district’s learning management system and maintained on the electronic transcript.

For additional information, contact Professional and Digital Learning at PDL@dallasisd.org or visit our webpage at www.dallasisd.org/levelup.

The HCM Benefits Department is here available to help when it comes to questions and concerns about benefits. Virtual meetings are available. Please contact the Benefits Call Center at (972) 925-4000 or the department at (972) 925-4300. You can send an email to benefits@dallasisd.org. Information related to benefits is located at www.Dallasisd.org/Benefits.

By now, many of us have successfully transitioned home from a place of rest and relaxation at the end of a workday to our workplace. Our homes have been invaded by Zoom meetings, emails and work phone calls, which may make it easy to forget some of the skills that used to come so naturally in the office.

Phone etiquette is just one example. Maintaining a professional and friendly telephone demeanor, keeping an ongoing dialogue, asking appropriate questions, and responding appropriately to customers are important skills to remember when interacting with customers anytime, and especially from home.

Conducting business by telephone requires a different skill set than dealing with people face to face. Something as critical as listening becomes even more important. When customers can’t see you and you can’t see them, what you say and how you say it is key.

Remember they can’t see you, so verbalize what you are doing. Silence, to a customer, can mean different things: Are you still there? What are you doing? Answer the customers silent questions before they ask. For example: “I am reading the notes on my computer screen. It will be just a moment.” Now, the customer knows you are still there, and you are working on the request.

Remember, these days, your home is also where you work. Making these necessary adjustments will help you provide, and excellent customer experience each time you answer your phone

Brought to you by Core 4. Because you make the difference!