ESC TODAY
Timely Information and Resources for Region 11 Schools
August 31, 2016
ESC TODAY is published twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays throughout the school year.
Arlington Superintendent Selected Finalist for State Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, superintendent of Arlington ISD, Region 11 is one of five finalists for the annual Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award. The 2016 Superintendent of the Year will be announced September 23 at the TASA/TASB Convention in Houston.
With 17 years of administration experience, Cavazos serves about 63,000 students. He has led Arlington ISD for four years. Cited by the selection committee were his outreach and agreements with local universities to secure automatic admission for the top 20 percent of district juniors and emphasis on training to strengthen the leadership skills of aspiring principals and assistant principals. Cavazos earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at The University of Texas—Pan American and doctorate at The University of Texas at Austin.
Sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), the SOTY program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership since 1984.
The five 2016 finalists and their regions are Angi Williams, Galena Park ISD, Region 4; David Harris, DeSoto ISD, Region 10; Marcelo Cavazos, Arlington ISD, Region 11; Robin Battershell, Temple ISD, Region 12; and Greg Gibson, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, Region 20.
All Teachers, Specialists, Administrators
New Cohort for "What Do We Do With a Brain That is Wired to Forget? and Answers to Four Other Big Questions about Learning"
Teachers today are seeking ways to collaborate with others and refine their classroom practices so more students are successful, fewer students need interventions, students can make connections, and creativity again finds a place in learning.
Key leverage points in this challenge of accelerating student learning and retention are providing ongoing professional learning experiences for educators and finding ways to measure the resulting impact on student learning.
To support educators in this challenge, Richard Erdmann and Christine Drew, authors of The Art of Learning, are beginning a cohort in September to study and apply research on the brain and learning.
Download the flier for more information on this extended learning experience titled What Do We Do with a Brain that is Wired to Forget? and Answers to Four Other Big Questions about Learning.
Register today on the ESC 11 website.
Save the Dates for the ESC Region 11 STEAM Carnival
STEAM Carnival is a two- to three-hour field trip for students in grades 4-8.
Coming soon - more details about how your students can participate in this epic learning opportunity.
Student Showcase Projects for STEAM Carnival
Seeking student showcase projects for the ESC Region 11 STEAM Carnival in October. Showcase projects should reflect work integrating two or more areas - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
Projects can be showcased by individuals, student groups, classes, or programs.
Full guidelines and expectations. Projects should be submitted by Friday, September 23, 2016.
Digital form to submit showcase projects.
Join Us on Global Collaboration Day for a Fun Student Challenge
Remember the Marshmallow Challenge during last year's Global Collaboration Day? This year, students from all grades once again are invited to participate in ESC Region 11's Global Collaboration Day activity on September 15, 10-10:40 a.m. (CST).
Necessary supplies per group (4-5 people in each group):
- 20 unsharpened pencils
- unlimited rubber bands
There will need to be an official "judge" on site to measure the finished structures. The fun is multiplied by the connections to other teams via Zoom or a live stream, as well as Today's Meet for communications and questions during the event.
Details and registration here. Contact: Pam Neven, (817) 740-3607, with questions.
Charter Schools
Stay Informed
To get automatic updates for Region 11 charter schools, please subscribe to our listserv. Subscription information is located at the top of the charter schools home page.
Charter Roundtable
September 29 - 1 p.m.
The Charter Roundtable is a network meeting for Region 11 charter school personnel. For more information, contact Keela McGraw, (817) 740-7526.
TEA Newsletter for Charter Schools
Distance Learning - Bring Unique Learning Experiences to Students without Leaving the Classroom
It is an exciting time in distance learning as the former barriers of equipment cost, connectivity, and ease-of-use have all but disappeared! The Connect2Texas distance learning programs provide many student benefits including:
- educational experiences outside of the classroom
- stimulates deeper understanding & curiosity
- increases critical-thinking skills
- enhances retention of important academic detail
- delivers lesson reinforcement
- creates opportunities for access and engagement with content experts
- highlights artifacts, historical documents, works of art, technology, and other resources
- introduces students to various careers/professions
- fosters cultural enrichment
- exposes underserved, high risk and rural students to unique learning experiences
- inspires on-site visits to a variety of institutions (museums, zoos, etc.)
Connect2Texas offers numerous topics aligned to state and national standards for the K-12 curriculum. To see available programs go to www.Connect2Texas.net. Flexible scheduling available upon request.
Instructional Math Coaches, Teachers (3rd & 4th Grade)
Looking for practical ideas for your Mathematics Interactive Notebook? Join this innovative online course to get notebook inspiration that aligns to your grade’s TEKS!
The course will provide materials with mathematical concepts that you can use to design journal entries for your class. Once a month, participants will have an opportunity to video chat with peers about implementation tips and techniques.
More information
Teachers, Counselors - Unlicensed Diabetes Care Assistants Training
To comply with HB 984 mandates, schools are required to have one or more unlicensed diabetes care assistants, depending on the presence of a full-time or part-time nurse on campus. This workshop includes a component for those who are new to the position, as well as for those who need a refresher.
Download a flier that describes the training
New unlicensed diabetes care assistants
- Sept. 6, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register here.
- Sept. 27, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register here.
Refresher
- Sept. 6, 1:30-4 p.m. Register here.
Fort Worth Cultural District Hosts "Open House" for Educators
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ESC Region 11
Email: communications@esc11.net
Website: esc11.net
Location: 1451 Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX 76108, United States
Phone: (817)740-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/ESCRegion11
Twitter: @ESCRegion11