CCISD April 9, 2020 Intercom Issue

April 9, 2020

Virtual CCISD Spirit Week `

EVENTS APRIL 13

Regular Board Meeting: 3:30 p.m. Watch it here.

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REMINDERS

CCISD remains closed to the public until at least May 4.

Always wear your CCISD badge when on district property.

As we move through this developing situation, we will continue to keep you updated regarding the status of district events and activities. Please stay in touch with your supervisor as well.

EMPLOYEE FAQS

The District will continue to keep everyone informed with regular updates on the FAQ on our website.

Please email general questions to communications@ccisd.us and Human Resources questions to CCISDhr@ccisd.us While we may not be able to answer all individual emails, we will use the topics you raise to update our FAQs.

SOURCES FOR COVID-19 INFORMATION

• City of Corpus Christi • Texas Department of Health and Human Services • Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

Thank you to everyone for participating in our first Virtual CCISD Spirit Week!

We love seeing all of your smiling faces and miss all of our staff and students.

You make us #CCISDproud!

A MESSAGE FROM DR. ROLAND HERNANDEZ Dear CCISD family, Your dedication in recent weeks has lifted the spirits of our entire community. Your work to keep our city’s children fed, to keep our buildings clean and to continue our students’ education is public service at its finest.

As we settle into April and into the continued fight against COVID-19, my message is two-fold. First, please continue your efforts to boost spirits and your contributions toward helping our district continue its important work.

Second, I ask each one of you to follow health officials’ guidelines. Other than essential work and essential errands, please stay home. When you must be in a group setting, please stay 6 feet apart from others and wear a fabric mask. Please continue to wash your hands frequently and clean frequently touched surfaces in your home.

Together, we will get through this challenging time. I know you join me in anxiously awaiting the day we can reopen our schools and welcome our students. In the meantime, I thank you for showing our students what it means to serve others.

Sincerely,

Dr. Roland Hernandez Superintendent of Schools

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April 9, 2020

UPDATES FROM HUMAN RESOURCES Q: Are monthly membership dues at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club and Gold’s Gym still being deducted from my paycheck even though they are closed?

A: Although the April 15th deduction had already been processed, that amount will be reimbursed to employees on the April 30th pay check and no deduction will be taken from the April 30th paycheck.

Q: Are student loan deductions currently put on hold?

A: Yes. The Department of Education has suspended garnishment on federally-held student loans through September 30, 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Interest on these loans is also suspended during this time. It is the District’s understanding that the Department of Education will send instructions to employers regarding the garnishment suspension.

Q: I am a bus driver and would typically make more than what I am currently being paid during the closure due to various field trips and extracurricular activities. Is there a way to get a letter confirming this loss of income so I can provide it to my landlord?

A: Yes. Employees are welcome to contact the Human Resources Department by phone at 695-7250 or by e-mail at ccisdhr@ccisd.us in order for us to submit a current verification of employment.

FRIENDLY REMINDER

Please respect your co-workers’ privacy. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s the law! Please do not share health information, and definitely do not share rumors about positive COVID-19 tests. During these anxious times, we all appreciate a little extra kindness. If a coworker chooses to share health information, it’s certainly a good idea to support them while following CDC guidelines. Thank you!

#CCISDCARES

CCISD COVID-19 SURVEY On March 21st, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted updated guidance on medical examination in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure employers are complying with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how best to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect employees and others. Under the current circumstances, employers can ask employees to complete a survey on whether they would be unable to come to work because of their own or a family member’s health condition. However, any medical information an employer obtains will be kept confidential in accordance with the ADA. Please complete the COVID-19 survey if: • you traveled to a “hot spot” over Spring Break, or while the District has been closed to the public • you suspect you may have been exposed to, or are showing symptoms of, or tested positive for, the novel coronavirus, or • you have a family member who is confirmed as having COVID-19.

If you meet this criteria, please complete the CCISD COVID-19 Survey.

This survey is only to be completed by employees who have traveled, or have been exposed to the coronavirus. If you have not traveled and have not been exposed, do not complete the survey.

GATEWAY EXTENDING CCISD DISCOUNT TO EMPLOYEES

Gateway has made adjustments to assist all CCISD employees with special deliveries and pricing. Deliveries made to current residencies will be free, if an order exceeds $35.00. To access the Gateway website, please set up an account. For more information, please contact Marcus Pantoja at marcus@gatewayp.com or 946-7911. Message distribution does not imply endorsement.

Even though we may be in a season of physical distancing, you are not alone. The District is here to help you connect and receive help if you need it.

District’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Family Counseling Services, dial 852-7415 If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, dial 911 Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24/7, dial 1-833-9861919 National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7, dial 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line 24/7 - Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor April 9, 2020

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Above the Line Employees of the Month Nominations are always open for Above the Line employee recognitions. Click here to find out how you can nominate an outstanding employee. Thank you to our community partners for providing donations for the Above the Line employees.

SPECIAL MESSAGE CONCERNING ZOOM During the long-term school closure, there will be times necessary to utilize video conferencing tools. Zoom is one of the popular district-approved tools being utilized currently.

Please, keep in mind we still need to follow guidelines to ensure we are all safe and conducting the virtual meetings appropriately. All staff members must dress professionally for Zoom meetings and be prepared to use the camera function. Below are important guidelines and resources to follow: • • • •

SAFESCHOOLS MANDATORY TRAINING CCISD is using SafeSchools training to offer workplace training courses online.

All employees are required to complete the Texas Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Program.

Zoom Guidelines for Students and Parents Zoom Parents and Student Video Zoom Guidelines For Teachers Communication Strategies (Zoom #9)

Please note: To help prevent “Zoom bombers” or uninvited guests from joining your Zoom meeting, you must set a password upon scheduling the Zoom meeting and provide that password to the guests. We are here to support you. Stay safe and stay connected!

Vist the SafeSchools website for CCISD: https://corpuschristi-tx.safeschools.com Please complete your training by May 15.

COVID-19 MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GRIEF & TRAUMA INFORMED VIRTUAL SUPPORT AND STATEWIDE RESOURCES LIST As Texas schools continue to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, it is important for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to recognize students and families may be struggling with stress, anxiety, grief, and loss.

Schools can support the mental health, wellness, and resiliency of students through trauma informed approaches.

Please submit any questions, concerns and/or feedback to disasterinfo@tea.texas. gov.

Click here for a list of statewide resources that can help schools connect families with specific resources as needs are identified.

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April 9, 2020

Taking Care of Yourself During this time, you and your colleagues may be experiencing different reactions. There are several ways you can find balance, be aware of your needs, and make connections. Use this list to help you decide which self-care strategies will work for you.  Practice brief relaxation techniques during the workday

 Increase experiences that have spiritual or philosophical meaning to you

 Check in with other colleagues

 Keep a journal to get worries off your mind

 Prepare for worldview changes that may not be mirrored by others in your life

 Access support from colleagues routinely by sharing concerns, identifying difficult experiences and strategizing to solve problems

 Increase leisure activities, stress management, and exercise  Pay extra attention to health and nutrition  Self-monitor and pace your efforts  Maintain boundaries: delegate, say no, and avoid getting overloaded with work  Pay extra attention to rekindling close interpersonal relationships  Practice good sleep routines  Make time for self-reflection  Find things that you enjoy or make you laugh  Participate in formal help if extreme stress persists for greater than two to three weeks

 Stay aware of limitations and needs  Recognize when one is Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired (HALT), and taking the appropriate self-care measures  Increase activities that are positive  Practice religious faith, philosophy, spirituality  Spend time with family and friends  Learn how to “put stress away”  Write, draw, paint  Limit caffeine and substance use

Think of self-care as having three basic aspects: Awareness

The first step is to seek awareness. This requires you to slow down and focus inwardly to determine how you are feeling, what your stress level is, what types of thoughts are going through your head, and whether your behaviors and actions are consistent with the who you want to be.

Balance

The second step is to seek balance in all areas of your life including work, personal and family life, rest, and leisure. You will be more productive when you’ve had opportunities to rest and relax. Becoming aware of when you are losing balance in your life gives you an opportunity to change.

Connection

The final step is connection. It involves building connections and supportive relationships with your co-workers, students, friends, family, and community. One of the most powerful stress reducers is social connection.

Adapted from Psychological First Aid for Schools

April 9, 2020

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