Science Newsletter
March 26, 2021
SAISD LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ACADEMIES
The following academies will be included in the development programs:
●Teacher Leader Academy
●Mentor Fellows Academy
●Academics Leadership Academy
●Aspiring Assistant Principal Academy
●Aspiring Principal Academy
The SAISD Leadership Development Academy Application will open Thursday, April 1, and close on Friday, April 30. Applicants will be required to upload a current resume. More information about the academies can be found on the SAISD Leadership Flyer and a detailed description of the program and the list of minimum eligibility criteria can be found on the SAISD Leadership Development Academies Smore.
An optional information session will be held on Tuesday, March 30 and Tuesday, April 6, and details will be communicated through an “All Staff” email. Pre-registration for the session is not required. Should you have any questions regarding this memo, feel free to contact the Leadership Development Program team via email at curriculum@saisd.net.
SAVE THE DATE - DISCOVERY EDUCATION
HIGH SCHOOL GRADE REPAIR
These modules will be created in Edgenuity, organized by nine-week periods, and aligned to the SAISD scope and sequence. Campuses will have the ability to duplicate, modify, and individualize the modules to further streamline assignments and content to help students repair spring nine-week grades. Modules for the third and fourth nine-week grade repair are currently available.
Should you have questions, please contact Agnes Gonzalez, Director of Online Learning & Student Support via email at aacosta2@saisd.net or by phone at 210-554-2654.
TEKS REVIEW - GRADES 6 - 8 AND OTHER HS COURSES
The SBOE review process for the TEKS calls for multiple, separate work groups. Work Group C’s charge was to developed recommendations for revisions to the science TEKS for middle school, grades 6–8. The charge for Work Group D was to develop recommendations to revise four high school courses: Aquatic Science, Astronomy, Earth and Space Science, and Environmental Systems. Additionally, Work Group D has proposed a new high school independent study course, Specialized Topics in Science.
Draft recommendations for Work Groups C and D are currently available for review and feedback on the Science TEKS Review Work Group Drafts web page. Feedback on work group recommendations will be accepted throughout the review and revision process for the science TEKS. When providing specific comments and recommendations, please identify the work group in the subject line of the email. For example, in the subject line, please indicate "Science TEKS Review Work Group C Feedback." Please submit comments to TEA at teks@tea.texas.gov
TEA SEEKING EDUCATORS FOR ASSESSMENT COMMITTEES
TEA is seeking classroom teachers, instructional coaches, campus and district content specialists, and campus administrators to serve on a variety of assessment-related committees. The involvement of Texas education professionals supports TEA in designing and building the best quality assessments. TEA is accepting applications for the following teacher committees:
- Early passage review meetings
- Educator item review meetings
- Essay rangefinding meetings
- Subject-area advisory groups
- STAAR redesign focus groups
Teacher and instructional specialists or coaches for the following grades and subject areas are encouraged to apply:
- English language arts and reading, grades 3–8 and English I-II
- Mathematics, grades 3–8 and Algebra I
- Science, grades 5 and 8 and Biology
- Social studies, grade 8 and U.S. History
- Spanish language arts and reading, grades 3–5
- Spanish mathematics, grades 3–5
- Spanish science, grade 5
PAEMST APPLICATION WINDOW NOW OPEN
The 2020-2021 application windows for grades 7-12 mathematics and science teachers, including CTE courses that satisfy a math or science credit for graduation, for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program are now open. The PAEMST awards are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Since 1983, more than 4,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Awardees also join an active network of outstanding educators from throughout the nation.
The application deadline is April 1, 2021. If you know great teachers, encourage them to join this prestigious network of professionals. In Texas, eligible teachers who submit a completed application by April 1, 2021 will receive 25 CPE hours. Sign up to apply or nominate an educator at www.paemst.org.
For questions, contact tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov.
NSTA LAB OUT LOUD
UPCOMING ASTRONOMY OUTREACH EVENTS
Virtual Viewing of the Sun - Mar. 27 (Saturday), 12-1pm PDT
UCR Astronomy and UCLA EPSS (Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences) are co-hosting a virtual solar viewing event! During this online event, we will be observing the Sun through telescopes and learning more about its properties and impact on our home Earth. Join us on Mar. 27 to have a detailed look at the nearest star and its surface features!
- Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021
- Time: 12:00-1:00 PM PDT
- Location: Virtual. The event URL can be found at the bottom of the EventBrite registration confirmation email
- Topic: Solar observing, featuring various surface features of the Sun
- Tickets: Free but RSVP is required through EventBrite (Note: school-district email addresses and other work emails with firewalls may block the EventBrite messages)
Virtual Stargazing - Apr. 1 (Thursday), 8-9:15pm PDT
Our virtual stargazing program is offering a special "April Fool" event on historically "bad” astronomy! We will explain several myths, misconceptions, and misnomers in astronomy using a selection of celestial objects. A live view of the targets will be presented. Join us on Apr. 1 to observe the targets that have reshaped our understanding of the Universe!
- Date: Thursday, April 1, 2021
- Time: 8:00-9:15 PM PDT
- Location: Virtual. The event URL can be found at the bottom of the EventBrite registration confirmation email
- Topic: Stargazing, featuring live view of the targets
- Tickets: Free but RSVP is required through EventBrite (Note: school-district email addresses and other work emails with firewalls may block the EventBrite messages)
AP TESTING UPDATES
SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP NOW AVAILABLE
The scholarships are designed specifically for African American and Hispanic graduating seniors this spring in Council school districts who plan to pursue college studies in one of the STEM-related fields. The deadline to apply is May 4, 2021.
For more information, please see the Scholarship Flyer and the Program Guidelines document.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, March 30: Middle School Department Chair Meeting
Monday, April 12: Staff Professional Development Day
Angela Paskell, Director of Science
Email: apaskell1@saisd.net
Website: www.saisd.net/science
Location: 406 Barrera Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-554-2525
Twitter: @SAISD_Science