Teacher Update April

Important Links Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment

Teacher Resources

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Content Resource Site

Grading Resources ● Grading Guidelines

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HCISD Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Expectations

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Grading Timeline - Elementary

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HCISD Lesson Planning Guidelines

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Grading Timeline - Secondary

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District Assessment Calendar

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TEAMS Guide for Teachers

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Academic Calendar

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TEAMS Update 2023-2024

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TEAMS Skillbook for PreK

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TEAMS Guide for Monitoring Grades

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Exchange Day Info and PD Options

Technology

Schoology

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Technology Help Desk

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Schoology District PLC Codes

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Parent Resource Site

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Schoology Parent Resources

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Student Resource Site

SEND A HAYS HIGH FIVE HERE! The Hays High Five program is a way for you to salute any Hays CISD employee who goes above and beyond what is expected.

Whether you're a parent impressed with that special touch your child's teacher added to a moment, or you're a coworker who thinks the campus PEIMS clerk doesn't hear often enough about the great job she is doing - you can send a Hays High Five! Anyone can award any Hays CISD employee.

Table of Contents Department Pages Digital Learning Professional Development ● INSPIRE New Teacher Academy Guidance and Counseling ● College, Career and Life Readiness Human Resources Intervention Multilingual Department Pre-K Student Services Content Pages Advanced Academics ● Gifted and Talented Athletics Career and Technical Education (CTE) Fine Arts Literacy ● Elementary ● Secondary Mathematics ● Elementary ● Secondary Science ● Elementary ● Secondary Social Studies K-12 Special Education

Student Health Services

Digital Learning We are looking forward to growing our Hays CISD esports program as part of the 100% Hays initiative.

We are hosting an esports expo on Thursday, May 9 from 6-8 at Hays High School!

If you are interested in hosting a club at your school, please let us know!

Apple Certified Educator Program Last year, we had two teachers, Kate Curley (BES) and Tiffany Fenton (GES) go through the Apple Educator certification program through Region 13! We currently have two teachers, Michelle Zuniga (KES) and Patricia Segura (PES), completing that process with Keke Powell (SES) about to start! If you’re interested in this program, please reach out to Emily Herrin.

Professional Development April 1st- Staff Work day ● 8:00-9:30 - Campus PD & Meeting ● 10:00-12:00 - District PLC* ● 12:00 - 1:00 - Lunch ● 1:00-4:00 - Staff Work Time ● *District PLC for groups below: ○ Specials, Fine Arts, CTE, LOTE, AP and OnRamps, Specialized SPED Programs, Interventionists, and Dyslexia teachers

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PK will NOT meet for District PLC (new date coming soon

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 2024-25 NEW Professional Development Catalog.

This catalog is more than just a list of courses – it's a roadmap to success, offering a wide array of opportunities tailored to your individual aspirations and the evolving needs of our school district. Whether you're aiming to enhance your leadership skills, master the latest technologies, or expand your knowledge in a content area, our catalog has something for everyone. ● ●

Check out this screencast explaining the navigation of the catalog Registration opens April 26 in Eduphoria

Together, we'll embark on this journey of growth and development, empowering ourselves and each other to reach new heights of success. To access the catalog and get started with your professional learning journey, please click on the image below.

INSPIRE New Teacher We are looking forward to our INSPIRE celebration dinner for current 23-24 INSPIRE participants, campus advisors, mentors, and campus administrators coming up in May. Be on the lookout for an Outlook calendar invite coming soon!

INSPIRE New Teacher Hays CISD offers an exceptional opportunity for novice

Teacher Fellows is a graduate program designed to support beginning teachers in developing a solid teaching foundation while completing a Master’s degree. Hays CISD is looking for interested educators for the 2024-2025 school year. If you would like to learn more, this slideshow will walk you through some basic information regarding the program: https://bit.ly/TFCohort30 Cohort 31 applications are currently open, and if selected will begin graduate classes this summer and teach through the school year 2024-2025 while continuing courses.

Link to TXST Graduate College Teacher Fellows Program information and application: https://www.gradcollege.txst.edu/pro.../teacher-fellows.html

Program Exchange Teachers Staci Perkins and Amanda Rodriguez are available to answer any questions.

Staci.Perkins@hayscisd.net Amanda.Rodriguez3@hayscisd.net

http://bit.ly/42UvbSc Cohort 30

Scan for presentation

educators with Texas State Teacher Fellows.

Human Resources

Intervention mCLASS Lectura: Did you know?

Zones of Growth for mCLASS has launched. Teachers will be able to set custom goals and view student growth, similar to what you are able to do with DIBELS. Review how it currently works in Dibels 8!. This is written in the D8 context but explains the core principles and usage of ZoG, and is broadly applicable to Lectura as well.

Emergent Tree: Let’s Go Farming Instead of Fighting Fires Why is Repetition Important?

EOY mCLASS window opens on May 1. At this time we will also assess Kinder students for at-risk dyslexia characteristics.

Learning Ally’s Great Reading Games:National Competition Congratulations to Uhland Elementary School for placing 10th in this competition. The students at UES read 43,942 pages.

Congratulations to Barton Middle School for placing 6th in the national competition. The students read 151,663 pages.

Two individual students are Barton MS were awarded National Student Winners. Together they read 34,204 pages.

Way to Go!

Multilingual Department Bilingual/ESL Summer School Information: Elementary: The State of Texas requires that districts offer bilingual and ESL summer

school for PK & Kinder students. Please share the following Bilingual/ESL PK/K Summer School Interest form with your PK/K bilingual and ESL teachers so we can plan accordingly. Application to follow.

The multilingual department will also be offering a language acceleration summer school for students in their first 2 years of school in the US. Please share the following Language Acceleration Summer Academy interest form, Grades 1-5 link to the teachers of your recent arrival students so we can plan accordingly. Application to follow.

Site: Science Hall Elementary Dates: 6/3-6/28 (OFF 6/19) Hours: 7:30-2pm

Secondary: The multilingual department will be offering the Language Acceleration

Summer School for students in their first 2 years of school in the US. Please share the following Language Acceleration Summer Academy interest form link to the teachers of your recent arrival students so we can plan accordingly. Application to follow.

Site: Lehman High School Dates: 6/3-6/21 (OFF 6/19) Hours: 8am-12pm From the desk of Logan Stroud, World Languages District Lead: April 2024 Newsletter.

If you have not heard yet Community Action Inc. and Hays CISD Multilingual Department have partnered to offer FREE classes for Parents through a program called – Raising Highly Capable Kids!

For over 13 years, this program has helped parents raise children who become healthy, caring, and responsible adults and we will be facilitating our first round of classes (in Spanish) beginning upon return from Spring Break. These classes will be offered in Spanish. Please share this information in your newsletters.

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@ Lehman High School: Wednesdays, March 27 - May 8, 6pm - 830pm @ Community Action Kyle Learning Center: Fridays, April 5 - May 17, 9am - 12pm

Know someone who is a Language Learner Rock Star? Nominate them today for the Language Learner Rock Star Award.

Language Learner Rock Star Award Nomination

Pre-K Our Hays CISD Pre-K Team wears green and Pre-K shirts to send much love and support to our Tom Green Pre-K Family!!

#PREKSTRONG

Pre-K Our Hays CISD Pre-K Team wears green and Pre-K shirts to send much love and support to our Tom Green Pre-K Family!!

#PREKSTRONG

Pre-K Our Hays CISD Pre-K Team wears green and Pre-K shirts to send much love and support to our Tom Green Pre-K Family!!

#PREKSTRONG

Student Services

Please continue to encourage your students to attend school every day!

Every Day Matters isn’t just a slogan, it’s a fundamental truth about education. Every school day is a building block to the next. The absence of these building blocks creates holes in learning that may cause a student to fall behind and impact their readiness for the next grade level. The importance of attendance continues to be a priority all year…especially as we wrap up our year.

ENDING STRONG Key Strategies for a Successful Ending to the Year: ● ● ● ●

Maintain consistency in the classroom.

Incorporate more movement into your lessons.

Introduce new activities that incorporate skills they have already learned.

Address their concerns by having a class discussion around concerns.

Dr. Brian Dawson

Special Education ●

Upcoming events–please share with parents: ○

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Unified Champions 5k–April 6 ■ Register: https://www.athleteguild.com/event/buda-tx/2024-u nified-champions-5k-for-all ■ Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4AA5A62CA1 FC1-unified1#/ Special Olympics Track and Field Elementary Meet - Johnson High School - April 9 - 9:00am - 11:45am Special Olympics track and field Region event (Middle and High School students)–April 13 - Leander - Bible Stadium Special Ed Transition Fair–April 16 --CMS 6-8 pm

■ 2024 Transition Fair Flyer ■ 2024 Transition Fair Flyer-Spanish

April 1–Professional Development All times are from 10-12 ECSE Teachers–Special Education kitchen FL and FLS Teachers–all levels–Chapa Middle School Cafeteria SBI, FOCUS, SLC Teachers–Hays High School Room A226 18+ Teachers–Old Buda 18+ classroom Resource/Inclusion teachers (all levels) and Paraprofessionals–remain on campus

Michelle Velasquez

Special Education Congratulations to February’s top performing resource and foundational learning teachers who are rocking RAZ Plus with their students!!!

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Stephanie Locke – BES Brittney McCabe – NES Katy Hagy – DMS Gabriela Himede - SHES Kirk Fenton - MMS

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Katy Hagy – DMS Lauren Thapa - FES Nickie Ehrig - TGES Gothia’s class - DMS Lori Lopez – CRES

Michelle Velasquez

Gifted and Talented (G/T) CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!!

Know someone who is doing an awesome job supporting the needs of gifted and advanced students?

One person from each campus will be recognized.

Nominate someone for the G/T Spotlight Award by clicking on the link below.

G/T Spotlight Award Nomination

The district’s Spring G/T Magazine was shared with parent this week.

The English version can be viewed at THIS LINK and the Spanish version at THIS LINK.

G/T Awareness Week happens the first full week of April every year and was created to increase awareness and encourage support of gifted education in Texas. Through online community discussions and social media posts, parents, educators, and advocates come together to celebrate giftedness. All throughout the week, the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) will push out information and create conversations to dispel myths and provide a deeper understanding of the purpose of gifted education.

Looking For Resources to Celebrate?

Spread the word! Check out these resources TAGT put together just for YOU!

Gifted and Talented (G/T) Kasey and Veronica have been serving newly identified 1st - 5th grade students in small groups. During the month of March, the focus was on developing production of ideas as inventive thinkers. During the month of April, students will consider the importance of asking questions to gather information before making a decision.

Spring Gifted and Talented courses are now open and will close on April 30. A list of available courses can be found at THIS LINK.

Summer G/T PD: As a reminder, G/T cluster teachers are required to complete an initial 30 hours of G/T training that includes Nature and Needs and Identification and Assessment.

After that, teachers should complete an annual 6 hour update. Please make plans to complete your training this summer. Online and in person sessions will be offered. Check out the Hays CISD Professional Development Catalog at THIS LINK (G/T starts on slide 70) for more information. There will be multiple options available at Hays Con as well.

Contact Tish Cawley at tish.cawley@hayscisd.net if you have any questions.

Summer Gifted and Talented Referral Period Open for Kindergarten - 11th Grade Students during the month of April Note: Students can only be referred once per calendar year. If a student was assessed this school year, they cannot retest during this window. In addition, testing will occur the first week of June and parents must provide transportation. More information will be shared closer to the testing window.

District staff can refer students using THIS LINK. Parents/guardians can refer students using THIS LINK. ***Please note, the links for district staff and parent/guardians are different.

Gifted and Talented (G/T) G/T students in Mrs. Krause’s first grade class wrote rules for a Peeps Diorama Contest and evaluated the rules to make sure that the contest was fair for everyone. The students then created their own Peeps Diorama to be judged using their created contest rules. Mrs. Krause did an amazing job of extending the thinkLaw lesson- Peeps Diorama Contest with her students!

Denny Schulte, Sunfield's librarian, held their first G/T Challenge Showdown where groups of students worked together to complete challenges involving creativity, writing, and math skills.

Advanced Academics No foolin’!

AP and OnRamps Teachers meet one more time this year on April 1 at McCormick Middle School from 10 a.m.-Noon.

Summer Training for AP and OnRamps Teachers ○ APSI–Generally every other year for those interested; for 2024 limited to those new to their AP course this year or those whose courses have had significant updates (Physics) ○ OnRamps PLI–dates below; will not open until Philpott submits our courses and teachers for 2024-25 ■ New teachers ● June 24-28 OR ● July 22-26 ■ Returning teachers ● June 11-12 OR ● June 17-18 OR ● July 16-17 Teachers–be on the lookout for more information regarding registration during the first week of April

Hays CISD Athletics

Congratulations to Crystal Martinez for winning her 4th individual state championship in a row in Girls State Powerlifting! She now holds state records in all 4 lifts and took home the Most Outstanding Heavyweight lifter at the meet! Lehman girls took 3rd place overall and have cemented themselves as a true dynasty of Girls Powerlifting in the State of Texas!

Congratulations to Nate Cavarrubio for winning the 132lb State Championship in Powerlifting and to the Johnson Boys Powerlifting team who took home team gold at Regionals!

Hays CISD Athletics Congratulations to Johnson Jaguars Girls’ Soccer for a wonderful season that ended recently against state ranked Round Rock. They fought for the district title until the last week of the season and impressed everyone all year with great coaching and play by their student-athletes!

Spring is here! That means tennis, district baseball, district softball, post-season track, and post-season golf. Also, middle school district track, soccer, and tennis! Please go support all of our programs!

CTE (COOLEST TEACHERS EVER!) Cole Sims from Johnson HS was “pugged!”

In March we pugged, Mr. Cole Sims at Johnson High School! He is “pretty unbelievably great.” He is leading the district with the most industry based certifications in the district right now with a whopping 80! His students have been working on the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program and helping complete tax returns for individuals who make under $64,000 a year.

We loved seeing Mr. Sims class in action, too. His warmup is a great way to get students thinking about the topic and started for the day!

Jeremy Burge from Simon MS was “pugged!”

We pugged one of our amazing middle school teachers before we left for spring break. Jeremy Burge at Simon MS is Pretty Unbelievably Great!

Mr. Burge teaches both STEM and Printing & Imaging classes. When you see the shading his students are doing in Photoshop, it’s hard to believe they are middle school students! #youvebeenpugged

Crew Day is coming up soon!

April 11th!

Fine Arts Fine Arts Teachers: Look for an email regarding PLC instructions for 4/1.

Congratulations to all of the competing groups that are in the midst of competition or recently completed. So much to be proud of!!

Come check out the district art show that starts next week!

Elementary Literacy

Ms. Stinnett at HES conferencing with a small group on their extended constructed responses.

The 3rd grade students at BVES are working their way through STAAR Camp on a Jurassic Journey!

Ms. Bosquez at BVES did an amazing job during phonics with dictation!

The 4th grade students at TES are on tour with their ECRs! They graph and get feedback on each ECR as they tour through STAAR Camp.

Third graders at Negley are gearing up for a baseball-themed review!

Ms. Patrick’s 1st graders at UES partner up to read their decodable text:)

Mrs. Weedman’s 3rd graders at EGES practice writing a strong central idea during STAAR camp.

Elementary Literacy Hays CISD Reading Academies

Our next and last Reading Academy session is April 24th. This will be our last session for this year. Teachers should cancel their substitutes for the May 8th session.

We were able to complete the modules in 9 sessions.

Our literacy team is working on completing the 4 required classroom visits for each participant.

Remember to put your Module 10 artifact in the Final submission space once you receive your feedback.

23-24 Upcoming Reading Academy Training Dates: ● 4/24, 5/8 (canceled- session not needed) ● Time: 8:00-3:30 ● Location: Old Upper Buda Elementary Cafeteria- (300 N. San Marcos St. Buda, TX 78610) ● Teachers should sign up in Eduphoria

Secretaries can use this code to enter when creating the absences: ● 199-11-6112-RA-911-11-2-0

Do you still want access to the Reading Academy Content? ● Request for Alumni Course Link

Secondary Literacy Benchmark Thank you all for scoring as quickly as possible! There was a TON of scoring to be done at all levels, but I want to give a special shoutout to 8th grade and Eng I, as they had to score three constructed responses for each of their students. The time and energy you put into scoring and feedback has not gone unnoticed and is much appreciated!

I was SO impressed with your willingness to engage in mock-writing conferences at our “Just-in-Time” trainings. Almost all of you have facilitated writing conferences with your students over the last couple of weeks and continue to share your reflections with me. THANK YOU!

A reminder that our benchmark was the released 2023 STAAR test. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to compare your benchmark scores to your campus STAAR scores from last year.

STAAR/EOC Review STAAR review recommendations have been updated. All materials are in this folder. The folder is also linked on the Content Resources Site and within "District Curriculum" in each Schoology group for easy access.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need an ECR prompt!

Linked on e ac ELAR CRS p h age!

ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS TEA Math Academies at Region 13 - sign up here for more information FREE MATH PD FROM TEA!!!! Teachers receive $350 for attending.

K/1st grade: June 4-6 2nd grade: July 23-25 3rd grade: June 25-27 4th grade: June 11-13 5th grade: June 16-18 *all session are from 9:00-4:00 daily at Region 13

Best PD Ever!

STAAR Review

Approved Supplemental Aids (for STAAR)

Benchmark Resources

3rd Grade

3rd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

4th Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

5th Grade

5th Grade

Ms. Turner’s 3rd graders at PES working with peers on problem solving.

Look at that writing!

MIMI SALMON

6-12 MATHEMATICS Resources for Planning STAAR Review These Slides contain links to Teacher and Student Data Tools, Region 13 data, Spiral Content Review for Grades 6-8, “Transferable skills” problem sets for all STAAR Courses and a chart to help guide goal setting with students Using some of this information,

CMS has already created and is sharing these AWESOME activities: 7th grade - GP and Perez put together this packet that starts with the student data tool and focuses on working with proportions - make a copy here Algebra 1 - Jimenez put the transferable skills problems into Desmos Activities that self-check every 10 questions! Use or make a copy here: “Just Graph It” , “Vocabulary” (includes some graphing, etc), “Mix Tape” 8th grade - Gage, Atkins, Jimenez and Morales pulled together slides for practicing identifying and solving problems that use formulas or multiple representations (they turn it into a classkick for use, you could use as-is or create a desmos activity!) make your own copy here

6th and 7th at SMS are using the STAAR By Skill problems together with the student Data Skill Analysis to individualize for each student. They split the large slides into separate files for each skill. These aren’t finished yet, but they will happily share when they are finished! After filling out the data sheet, students will identify their strongest category, work all of the practice problems and then move onto their next highest category.

Natalee Peterson - Secondary Mathematics

5th Grade STAAR Review Program 5th Grade Science STAAR- April 23, 2024 Just in Time Training- 5th Grade Science Location- Upper Buda 401 Time- 12:30-3:15 - April 2, 2024 (UES, BVES, SHES, BES, CHES, NES, KES) - April 3, 2024 (CRES, HES, GES, SFES, EGES, PES, FES, TES) Curriculum Writing- Please join us to be a curriculum writer! See next page for more information!

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Secondary Science April 8th Solar Eclipse

Grades 6, 7, 8 & Biology New Instructional Materials Training & 24-25 Pacing Calendar Units 1 & 2 District PLC & Planning/Resource Share Two options are available for training on new instructional materials & PLC and Planning of Units 1 & 2 of the 24-25 Pacing Calendars.

English-Spanish Flyer

Please choose 1 date each for your appropriate grade level assignment(s).

Substitutes Paid (during school year) by C&I for May 6th-9th & Exchange Day Credit (start of summer) for May 28th-31st.

Date

Eduphoria Registration

Date

Eduphoria Registration

Eclipse Timeline Begins - 12:17pm

Peak - 1:36PM

Ends - 2:58 PM

Administration on your campus will distribute eclipse glasses to every Hays CISD student & employee before April 8.

Resources

Grade/Course: 5/6

Link

6th Science 5/28

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NASA 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

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Secondary Engage Eclipse Lesson (Connect to Prior Learning)

Grade/Course: 5/7

Link Grade/Course:

5/8

Link Grade/Course:

5/9

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7th Science 5/29

Link

8th Science 5/30

Social Studies Cross-Curricular Eclipse Lesson

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Eclipse Safety Lesson

**NEW Eclipse Lessons linked above!

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Biology 5/31

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Elementary Social Studies PD Opportunities!

Each year our district participates with a Colonial Williamsburg grant for a week long PD over Colonial America and the Revolution. If you are interested in this opportunity please complete this form.

We will have many HaysCon opportunities for Social Studies contents for all grade levels from one hour session to three hour sessions.

Please reach out to Kim Peña if you have any questions.

Know a Teacher doing great things with Social Studies?

Nominate a teacher for our monthly gift card! Send Kimberly Pena an email about great things you are seeing!

Elementary Social Studies Curriculum Writing We are starting to plan for our curriculum writing that will take place in the first few weeks of summer. If you are interested in being a part of our team please submit this form!

Need Help?

Could you use some Active Classroom training? Interested in doing a large Social Studies project? Not sure how to teach certain district lessons? Reach out! Kim is here to help!

Elementary Request Form for More Social Studies Support

Are you receiving the HaysCISD Social Studies monthly newsletter? If not sign up here!

Secondary Social Studies Social Studies Curriculum Writing We are starting to plan for our curriculum writing that will take place in the first few weeks of summer. We need your feedback to improve our content sites and resources. If you are interested in being a part of our team or just want to provide feedback please submit this form! Our team slots are limited and filling up quickly. Please reach out to Kim Peña if you have any questions.

PD Opportunity Each year our district participates with a Colonial Williamsburg grant for a week long PD over Colonial America and the Revolution. If you are interested in this opportunity please complete this form.

We will have many HaysCon opportunities for Social Studies contents for all grade levels from one hour session to three hour sessions. Please reach out to Kim Peña if you have any questions.

TEA Opportunity Each year the Texas Education Agency (TEA) invites Texas educators to provide feedback on the development of state assessments (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, and TELPAS) through educator committees across all assessed grades and content areas. Developing high-quality, aligned questions relies on the expertise and experience of Texas educators.

Participants collaborate with other educators from across the state to review, edit, and approve each potential question for state assessments. TEA is specifically looking for educators from your region!

The commitment is generally two to three days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA. All participants will earn Continuing Professional Education credits. If you are interested or know other educators who would like to participate in a committee, fill out the application form here: https://www.texasassessment.gov/educator-co mmittees.html.

Are you seeing great things on your campus? Nominate a teacher for a monthly recognition and gift card!

Email Kim Peña