Region 15 Education Service Center

Weekly Newsletter - February 1, 2021

It is hard to believe that it is the first of February, but it is here and each of you should be proud of the hard work that you have accomplished in these challenging times.


This Thursday we will meet in the Quad for the first face to face meeting in a long time. We will start at 11:30 with a short legislative update from David Anderson via ZOOM. I will send the link later in the week for those of you unable to attend. We will have lunch and round table discussions after.


On Friday we will have our usual ZOOM meeting starting at 9 am. We are excited to have our friends from ASU Education Department including Dr. Clouse and Ms. Sklenarik to share what is happening in their world.


One of the general discussion topics will be how districts plan on attacking the learning gap with the school calendar in mind so bring your ideas and questions.


Thank you,

Casey Callahan, Ed.D.

512-269-9372-cell

casey.callahan@esc15.net

Superintendent Services

Internet Postings

TASBO has provided a comprehensive list of items that a school district must post on their website - TASBO Internet Posting


Board Training - Team of Eight


Each session will begin at 6:00 P.M. with a meal and a one hour training on Safe and Supportive School Programs for Board Responsibilities. Team of Eight training will then follow. Each participant will leave with 4 hours of board training. ($500 per board)


February 10 – Bangs ISD – Bangs Middle School Cafeteria (max 6 boards) – 6:00 P.M.


February 23 – Region 15 - Conference Center (max 6 boards) – 6:00 P.M.


February 24 – Junction ISD – Junction Middle School Library (max 4 boards) - 6:00 P.M.


March 3 – Region 15 – Conference Center (max 6 boards) - 6:00 P.M.


Please register your board for training with Sheri Durham sheri.durham@esc15.net



Teacher Incentive Allotment - District Contact for TEA

Districts who have not submitted contact information or an Letter of Intent, please complete the link to ensure communication of Teacher Incentive Alotment reports if you employ a designated teacher - https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6o0ZMXwWkfINiXb


Teacher Incentive Allotment Training Zoom sessions

February 3, 2021 – 1:00 to 4:00 Teacher Observations and Student Growth Session 037852


March 3, 2021 – 1:00 to 4:400 Student Growth Update and Spending Plans (TRS and TASB Policy) Session 037854


April 7, 2021 – 1:00 to 4:00 Application Review and Data Collection Session 037856


Upcoming Zoom Changes

Last week, we heard from Zoom that the 40 minute time limit will be reinstated on all FREE BASIC ACCOUNTS on July 31, 2021. Zoom had temporarily removed this limit for school districts due to COVID-19. If you received your licensing through Region 15, you have an EDU license which does not have a time limit. If you are relying on these FREE BASIC ACCOUNTS, then you will need to take these changes into consideration for next year. You can contact Randon Lance (randon.lance@esc15.net) for more information.


February Monthly Reminders are located at the end of the newsletter.


Laura Strube

325-481-4065

laura.strube@esc15.net

Business and Finance

The Comptroller’s Office has released the preliminary Property Study Values. You can view you district results at https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/pvs/2020p/index.php


Omar Garcia has released update #8 for his template. Most of the changes relate to districts receiving Formula Transition Grant funds. The Old Law cells have been removed and he gives instructions in the notes what to do instead. Release 9 should be released soon as he will preload the T values from the Comptroller’s Office. A template workshop will come soon after this next release.


Amendments to ESSER funds because of the reallocation of funds is due March 1, 2021.


For business and finance needs, contact


Henri Gearing
830-683-7615
henri.gearing@esc15.net

Curriculum and Instruction

Gear up your students to be successful on their STAAR Reading 2021 assessment!

Grades 3-5 STAAR Reading Field Test Questions

Find session details HERE.


TEKSCon is Coming!

July 27-29, 2021

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

San Antonio, TX

Find more information HERE.


FaBOOKalous Fridays

Live Author Visits Every Friday at 10:30 am

You, teachers, and students are invited to...


join us each Friday morning for the opportunity to experience authors from around the globe as they graciously lead a session for the students, teachers, and sometimes parents, in Region 15. While sharing their stories, they have been able to weave inspiring and instructional words leading all to pursue the art of reading and writing to deeper levels.


The ZOOM opens at 10:15 for classes and virtual students to begin joining for the 10:30 session, and we would LOVE to 'see' you there!

Find more information and schedules HERE.


Questions from the Chat Box: Lit and Lunch with Vivian Kirkfield--From Here to There


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Remote & Hybrid Instructional Best Practices Statewide Series

Webinar series in a “See It, Name It, Do It” format with relevant, actionable best practices that can be implemented in any grade and content area. These are turnkey trainings designed for LEAs to turn around and deliver at the district or campus level.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Theresa Spewak at Theresa.spewak@tea.texas.gov.

Audience:

  • LEA Curriculum & Instruction Leadership
  • Campus Leaders
  • Instructional Coaches
  • Teacher Leaders
  • Teachers


Session 2: Concurrent Instruction Strategies - Jan. 26th 1:30-3:00

Models for concurrent instruction that promote teacher-student and student-student instruction and collaboration


Session 3: Supporting Asynchronous Learning - Jan. 29th 9:00-10:30

Asynchronous learning strategies that support effective, meaningful asynchronous instruction that aligns to learning goals


Session 4: Checks for Understanding, Assessments and Data Usage - Feb. 3rd 1:30-3:00

Effective strategies to check for understanding, assessment, and data analysis in a remote or hybrid setting


Session 5: Differentiation and Personalization - Feb. 5th 9:00-10:30

Strategies to promote differentiation and personalization for students that provides choice without sacrificing alignment to rigorous learning goals


Session 6: Giving High Quality Feedback to Students - Feb. 10th 1:30-3:00

Strategies for giving high-quality feedback on lessons, assignments and assessments in a remote or hybrid setting


For your curriculum and instruction needs, please contact


David Bedford

325-481-4023

david.bedford@esc15.net

Data Services

For your data service needs, please contact


Melissa Anthony

Data Service Coordinator

325-481-4093

melissa.anthony@esc15.net


Administrative Services

The following workshops are now scheduled for the spring.


February

2nd—HR Virtual Symposium (Register here)


3rd—TIA Cohort D: Teacher Observation and Student Growth (Register here)


8th and 22nd—Impact Coaching (Register here)


16th—CNA/CIP (Register here)


17th—Certification Fundamentals (Register here)


25th—Proclamation 2021 for Pre-K (Register here)


March

1st-3rd—AEL (Register here)


3rd—TIA Cohort D: Spending Plans (Register here)


24th-25th—Staffing and Master Schedule (Register here)


April

7th—TIA Cohort D: Application Review and Data Collection (Register here)



19th-21st—T-TESS (Register here)


For Administrative Services assistance, please contact


Robin Graves

325-481-4026

robin.graves@esc15.net

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Federal Programs

Proclamation 2021 - PreK

In place of the face to face textbook showcase (previously scheduled 2/25) we have coordinated with publishers to offer a 1-hour preview of PreK instructional materials. The calendar is linked on the ESC 15 Instructional Materials home page. Sessions begin January 26. Visit the Updated PreK Calendar of Events to register.

Please check with your elementary principal and see if they submitted the PreK Contact - Proclamation 2021 form some of the publishers would like to send materials to districts prior to their zoom session.

Also, the ESC Region 15 Proclamation 2021 Preview Sign Up form is available for anyone who would like to schedule a time to preview materials. PreK materials will be displayed in the conference center Feb. 24-26. No publishers will be present.


If you would like to be added to the ESC 15 textbook listserv, monthly Instructional materials newsletter or have questions related to proclamations, please contact traci.terrill@esc15.net or 325-481-4074.


For Federal Programs assistance, please contact


Robin Graves

325-481-4026

robin.graves@esc15.net

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Special Education

If you have Special Education-specific questions, please contact:


Jam Page

Special Education Director

jam.page@esc15.net

325-481-4054

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FEBRUARY MONTHLY REMINDERS

Accountability and Assessment –

Ensure Federal Report Card and School Report Card have been released and distributed

TELPAS window opens


Administration and Leadership –

Develop district goals

Develop school calendar 2021-2022

Review Valedictorian & Salutatorian selection

Update Ask TED


Charter Specific –

Charter Amendments close April 1st

Expansion amendments open (TAC§100.1033(b)(9)&(10))

Update Ask TED with TEA Charter Division


Federal and State Programs –

Review/implement district/campus improvement plans in accordance with district planning process (TEC§11.251)


Finance –

Begin bid for depository contract (due June 15th)

Calculate State Aid using end of fourth six weeks’ student data

Establish scope and details of financial audit

Calculate enrollment projections

Review student attendance figures as compared to prior year and budget projections

Review preliminary 20120 CPTD Values

Appeal preliminary 2020 CPTD Values, if necessary

Begin budget calendar and budget process for 2021-2022


Food and Nutrition –

Food Service Management Company Request for Proposal deadline is February 15th

Verification Report deadline is February 1st


School Board –

*Call Trustee election for May

Review Superintendent evaluation instrument & procedures, including training for new Trustees

*Administrator contracts

Review schedule for Texas Public Schools Week

*Approve school calendar

Schedule Board candidate workshop

*Approve waivers as needed


Special Education –

Begin budget process for 2021-2022

Final TEAL TSDS Core (SPPI-14) submission due February 18th for 2020-2021 student data

Monitor special education expenditures from the general fund to ensure on track for MOE (Maintenance of Effort) compliance


Texas Student Data System/PEIMS –

Crisis Codes 1A, 1B, and 1C submission due to TSDS on February 5th

PEIMS Mid-Year resubmission due to TEA on February 11th

PEIMS Fall data available to customers on February 11th

ECDS Kindergarten data available to customers on February 11th

TSDS State Performance Plan Indicator 14 (SPPI-14) submission due by February 18th

TSDS Classroom Roster winter snapshot date February 26th


*Requires Board action/approval