The window to enroll for 2017-2018 employee benefits closes August 22. Employee Benefits is holding a series of information sessions to answer employees’ questions about insurance plans. Know before you enroll. Go here to download the schedule of info sessions.
Central staff employees are encouraged to sign up to join their campus colleagues for next Monday’s Districtwide Neighborhood Walk to welcome students and families to the 2017-2018 school year. The Neighborhood Walk on Monday, August 21, will feature staff from all 230 district campuses walking their communities, knocking on doors and greeting parents in every neighborhood in the city.
Every school team is looking for three central staff members to add to their teams. Employees will pair up, visit homes, greet parents and students and share information about the new school year.
Campuses will treat central staff volunteers to a free neighborhood walk t-shirt, refreshments and snacks. Sign up for a campus and time from the links below to receive an immediate confirmation
Register here to volunteer at schools in the following feeder patterns:
Bryan Adams, Moises Molina, David W. Carter, L.G. Pinkston, South Oak Cliff, Skyline, W.T. White, Franklin Roosevelt and Transformation and Innovation Schools
To sign up for schools in the feeder patterns below, go here.
W.H. Adamson and Wilmer-Hutchins, Seagoville, Emmett Conrad and Hillcrest, Thomas Jefferson, North Dallas, Justin F. Kimball, W.W. Samuell, H. Grady Spruce, Woodrow Wilson and Townview Magnets, Accelerating Campus Excellence Schools, and Intensive Support Network Schools
The Dallas ISD Operation Services Division gave principals an overview of what they do and how they can assist on campuses.
Sunset High School teacher Laura Page was selected as one of 53 participants for the 2017 National Gallery of Art Teacher Institute on Art of the Renaissance held in Washington, D.C., in July.
The six-day seminar brought together teachers of art, English, history, math, and related subjects from 22 different states. The program emphasized the social and cultural context of Renaissance art in Italy and Northern European countries between the 14th and 16th centuries.
Participants learned about the development of oil-painting techniques, the role of prints in disseminating new ideas, using works of art as primary resources in classroom instruction, incorporating art into interdisciplinary teaching, and strengthening students’ visual literacy.
Through lectures, gallery talks, and hands-on activities, participants analyzed Renaissance artworks and focused on interdisciplinary teaching strategies. Activities were designed to meet teachers’ personal and professional enrichment needs. A demonstration of Venetian painting techniques and a site visit to a printmaker’s studio at Georgetown University rounded out the Institute’s course of study.
Generous support for the Teacher Institute was provided by the Park Foundation, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Sara Shallenberger Brown Fund, the PaineWebber Endowment, and the Annetta J. and Robert M. Coffelt Sr. and Robert M. Coffelt Jr. Endowed Fellowship.
Page was awarded a National Gallery of Art Fellowship.
Dallas ISD this week is hosting its annual weeklong AVID workshops that have been coined as “Brown Bag Trainings.”
AVID, which stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, is a global organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and postsecondary opportunities.
The AVID Center trains educators to use proven practices in order to prepare students for success in high school, college, and a career, especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
This week’s trainings serve as refreshers geared specifically towards AVID campus staff members for the upcoming school year.
“My teammate, Tamika Stevenson, and I strongly believe in perpetuating the AVID way by preparing our very own teachers with the skills to better service the district’s underrepresented students,” said Ebony Palmer, AVID district coordinator. “We hope this week’s trainings will motivate our teachers to take their instruction to the next level.”
A principal and their child were driving home when the child got angry that they didn’t stop for fast food.
After a decent amount of crying and fussing, the child went silent. When the parent turned around to see what was going on, they saw their child hugging themselves and becoming calm. The parent asked what was happening, and the child replied they were doing “The Turtle,” a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) technique for handling anger.
“And after that day, I can tell you that principal was sold on Social and Emotional Learning,” said Tim Shriver, the Chairman of the Special Olympics and co-founder of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), to an auditorium full of Dallas ISD principals.
Shriver talked with the Dallas ISD principals about the importance and usefulness of SEL. The entertaining and informative discussion wrapped up a week of professional development for the Dallas ISD principals.
SEL is a big priority for Dallas ISD: go here to learn more.
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.