KERA did a great profile on Seagoville High School Coach Mark Harrington, who leads the school’s successful Academic Decathlon team.
The Decathlon team has gone to the state championship for three straight years. Go here to read the full story!
Dallas ISD teachers and staff can enjoy discounts of up to 30 percent at special after-hours shopping event at select JCPenney stores from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, August 6.
District staff will be the guests of honor at a closed shopping event at JC Penney stores at Timber Creek Crossing, 6051 Skillman St., Dallas 75231, and Town East Mall, 6000 Town East Mall, Mesquite 75150. District identification will be required for admission. Go here to download the invitation.
Three Dallas ISD educators are among 17 in Texas nominated for the national 2017-2018 LifeChanger of the Year Award.
National Life Group has sponsored and coordinated the award since 2006. Multiple awards are distributed each year among nominees from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. One Grand Prize Winner will split a $10,000 prize with his or her school.
The district nominees are:
- Javier Chaparro, principal, Seagoville Middle School
- Katherine Evans, counselor, Bryan Adams High School
- Marisa Saldana, first-grade bilingual teacher, Gilbert Cuellar Elementary School
Learn more about this year’s Dallas ISD educators nominated for the award below. Find their full profiles and the list of all nominees here.
Chaparro was nominated by Deborah Johnson, a member of his community. He is committed to supporting students by mentoring them and showing compassion. “Mr Chaparro is a shining example of positive influence and leadership in our community, and we are so proud of him,” Johnson said.
Evans was nominated by Shannon Rodriguez, who has worked with her for the past three years. Rodriguez said that Evans helps students and their families in a variety of ways by knowing the challenges high schools students can face. “As her coworker, I know that I can always count on Katherine to do a great job or come through in a pinch,” said Rodriguez. “Overall, she is selfless and works tirelessly for the benefit of the students she serves.”
Saldana was nominated by a colleague who wishes to remain anonymous. She is an excellent teacher, but also understands each individual student in her classroom – and is heavily involved in each student’s education as if they were her own child. “I have not met any other teacher that has so much patience, perseverance and dedication for her profession,” the nominator said.
LifeChanger of the Year Award winners will be selected in Spring 2018.
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.
For details on available benefits and costs, employees can attend one of the series of information sessions set for Tuesday, July 25 through Thursday, August 17. Go here to view the full schedule of dates, times and meeting locations.