Staff News

Dallas ISD staff are working to stay heart healthy, and they shared some of what they are doing through last week’s poll in The Beat.

“Stairmaster! And lots of pacing around my classroom.”

Eating right and joining a gym were also popular responses. Others included meditation, prayer and keeping a positive attitude to keep their hearts healthy.

Others have made big life changes.

“I’m trying my best to have a better heart’” one staff member shared. “I have completely changed my lifestyle by forming better and healthier eating habits; being more active!”

Another quit smoking and now tires to “get in 5-10 miles of brisk walking weekly. I eat lots of vegetables, fruit and small amounts of meat (try to avoid dairy and sugar. Try.”

Keeping track of blood pressure levels is also a healthy heart habit.

According to studies from the National Institutes of Health, about one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, but many don’t realize it. Great news: high blood pressure is preventable and treatable. Early diagnosis and simple, healthy lifestyle changes can make a difference.

Blood pressure is affected by time of day, exercise, the foods you eat, stress, and other factors, so it can vary. But most current guidelines, according to the NIH, recommend aiming for a systolic pressure below 140.

If you are wondering about your blood pressure, the Benefits and Health Services departments have teamed up to offer blood pressure screenings from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, in the lobby of the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building.

Dallas ISD teachers, instructional coaches, counselors and media specialists who meet certain guidelines can accept a position at another campus for the following school year during the open transfer period.

Starting March 6, Human Capital Management will begin accepting principal recommendations. Eligible employees must apply online using their EAD login at www.dallasisd.org/careers using the internal openings link. Employees who do not apply will not be eligible to participate. The deadline for principals to submit a recommendation for the open transfer period is 11 :59 p.m. April 10.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for an open transfer, employees must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a valid Texas Teacher Certificate in the requested subject-area vacancy and meet TEA/SBEC Certification Standards for the position
• Must not be on a growth plan or have an unsatisfactory rating on the most current evaluation
• Must not be entering their fourth year of an Alternative Certification Program
• Must not be identified for non-renewal at the end of the current school year due to performance and/or misconduct
• For instructional coaches only—must receive approval from recommending campus executive director

Human Capital Management will send email notifications of approval/denial throughout the open transfer period. These notifications will be sent to the employee along with the current and receiving principal. Transfers are not final until an approval email notification has been sent from Human Capital Management. All notifications will be completed by April 24.

Starting April 11, transfers will need to follow the administrative transfer guidelines. If you have any questions about the open transfer process, please contact HCM at (972) 925-4200 or humancapitalmanagement@dallasisd.org.

Volunteers and partners enrich the educational experience of students in schools throughout the district. April—National Volunteer Appreciation Month—is a great time to celebrate and thank them.

The district will recognize the many partners and volunteers who provide support and services to our schools, teachers and students District Volunteer and Partners Awards Program at the end of April.

Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Volunteer of the Year for Student Support
• Volunteer of the Year for Classroom Support
• Volunteer of the Year for School Support
• Outstanding Business Partner
• Outstanding Non-Profit Partner
• Outstanding Faith Based Partner
• Outstanding P-TECH Industry Partner (Collegiate Academies Only)

But we need your input. The deadline to submit all nominations is Monday, March 2.

Nominations forms are available in a fillable pdf and Microsoft Word format which can be accessed at Volunteer and Partner Nominations Forms.  Go to the file named VPS Nomination Forms and click on the triangle.  Attached is a listing of criteria for each award to assist in completing the nomination.

Additional information if available from Partnership and Volunteer Services at (972) 925-5440, volunteer@dallasisd.org or partners@dallasisd.org.

Three Dallas ISD schools are among only 26 in Texas nominated for the 2020 National Blue Ribbon School award: Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy, Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Early College High School, and Edward Titche Elementary School.

The U.S. Department of Education awards the Blue Ribbon recognition to schools where students perform at very high levels or where exemplary progress is being made toward closing achievement gaps.

Edward Titche Elementary School
Titche Elementary Principal Damien Stovall said he is still in disbelief about the Blue Ribbon nomination. After constantly being rated as one of the state’s lowest-performing campuses and facing closure in 2017, Titche Elementary underwent a tremendous transformation.

“To go on this incredible journey with our amazing students, staff and parents is not something I can put into words,” Stovall said. “We are changing the mindset not just of this school, but of the entire community.”

Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Early College High School
Lassiter ECHS earned its second Blue Ribbon nomination in six years. Principal Michael St. Ama said the Blue Ribbon nomination is a testament to the school’s culture and community support.

“This group of students is so motivated to work hard and be successful, I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “We push our teaching and our focus to ensure our students achieve on the highest level.”

Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy
Longfellow Principal Lorena Hernandez said the school, which last earned a Blue Ribbon award in 2014, promotes student leadership at every opportunity.

“We are building leaders, not just students who excel at academics,” Hernandez said. “And this Blue Ribbon recognition lets our students, teachers, and families know that our commitment to excellence has paid off.”

Nominated schools must now complete a rigorous application process through the U.S. Department of Education. Announcements of the national award winners will be made in September 2020. Schools that receive the award will be recognized at the Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Looking at her family health history, Gaynel Jackson saw the writing on the wall, and a year ago decided to make heart healthy changes in her life.

Her father died at an early age from complications from diabetes, and her mother passed away suddenly. Several other relatives—including her grandparents and siblings—have diabetes or high blood pressure. Jackson, a certification coordinator with Dallas ISD Human Capital Management, knew that to avoid these serious health issues, she needed to make different choices.

While her cholesterol and blood pressure were within the acceptable range, both were one the high end and had been creeping up the past few years. Dieting had not been working for her, and last February during American Heart Health Month, she had an epiphany about what she needed to do.

“I had a wake-up call,” Jackson said. “I needed to lose weight. I needed to do something else. What I had been doing out there by myself wasn’t working.”

Jackson chose to join a doctor-led weight loss program, taking advantage of the convenience of the Flexible Spending Account offered as a benefit to district employees to cover the expenses. She met regularly with her doctor, learned about nutrition and exercise, and participated in group sessions for support and encouragement.

“It was the best investment I have made,” she said. “It kickstarted a whole new way of looking at how I eat, how I move. Now I think about everything I eat and the future effect it will have on me.”

In addition to making better food choices—like replacing the candy and sugary snacks on her desk with fresh fruit—she started walking several days a week for 15 minutes. She now walks for an hour at least three days a week and has started participating in the free Tuesday afternoon exercise sessions offered at the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building. Gone are the days of the 44-ounce sweet teas; she only drinks water.

While she has lost more than 40 pounds, her goal was never to simply lose weight. She wanted to be healthy—heart healthy. Her cholesterol and blood pressure are down, and she feels better and more energized.

“It has changed my whole world,” Jackson said. “I’m not dieting; it’s a whole lifestyle change. Little bitty changes in what you eat and how you move can transform you.”

Jackson will be wearing red Friday, Feb. 14, to show her support for American Heart Health Month and to encourage others to think about their food and lifestyle choices, too.

Keep up with your blood pressure

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans, but 80 percent of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. To raise awareness about heart health Dallas ISD Benefits and Health Services departments are teaming up to offer free blood pressure screenings for staff in the lobby of the Linus D. Wright Dallas ISD Administration Building:

• Feb. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Feb. 27 from 2:30 to 3 p.m.

For questions, contact Benefits at (972) 925-4300.

School counselors have a tremendous impact on helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

That is why the American School Counselor Association has designated Feb. 3-7 as National School Counseling Week. The week is meant to focus public attention on the unique contributions of school counselors within U.S. school systems. School counselors are helping students become better humans, every day. Thank your counselor today #schoolcounselor #NSCW2020.

To learn more about National School Counseling Week, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/nscw.

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.