ESC TODAY
Timely Information and Resources for Region 11 Schools
December 6, 2017
ESC TODAY is published twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays throughout the school year except during holiday breaks and summer break.
Certification for Teaching: Where Do I Start?
ESC Region 11’s Teacher Preparation Program spring application deadline is Friday, Dec. 15. If you or someone you know is interested in this state-approved alternative certification program, don’t miss this opportunity. Join the spring cohort now by sending your application and supporting documents by the December deadline. If you have questions about the process or your qualifications for the program, please check the Certification website or contact a Certification staff member at (817) 740-7614.
Charter Schools: Roundtables
Charter Roundtable Meeting
Thursday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m.
ESC Region 11, 1451 S. Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX
The Charter School Roundtables will follow the Instructional Leaders Advisory Meeting. We hope you'll make plans to attend both. (If there is a topic you'd like to see on the agenda for the Roundtable, please email Kayce Hale.)
College Day for Students at ESC Region 11
#ESC11CollegeDay | @ESCRegion11 | Friday, January 26, 2018 | 9-11 a.m.
High school students have a great opportunity to attend a daytime college fair on Jan. 26 at ESC Region 11. Community college, four-year university, and military recruiters will be on hand to interact with and provide information to your students. This come-and-go event is brought to you by your friends at the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrar and Admissions Officers (TACRAO) and ESC Region 11. Register your high school students by completing the form in the Counselors Update flyer below.
Connect2Texas: No More Technology Stress
Did you know that Connect2Texas content enhancement programs are available directly in your classroom? No more stress of scheduling special distance learning rooms, moving heavy equipment, or finding a campus tech to troubleshoot issues. ESC Region 11 educators or anyone around the world can now participate using Zoom.
Zoom is a desktop and mobile-friendly, software-based videoconferencing solution. Through special licenses obtained by ESC Region 11, any registered teacher can use Zoom to access Connect2Texas programming - and it's FREE. All it takes are these three simple steps:
- Create your Connect2Texas login account at www.Connect2Texas.net.
- Register for a program.
- Click on the Zoom link sent to your email address before the program begins.
If you are interested but still have questions about Connect2Texas or using Zoom, contact Lori Hamm-Neckar at (817) 740-7516.
In the News
School Counselors Receive State Counseling Awards
Congratulations to six school counseling teams and one individual counselor in Region 11 recognized for excellence in counseling at the Lone Star State School Counselor Association Conference. Those award-recipients include:
Dr. Summer Martin, Keller High School, Keller ISD - one of five finalists for the 2017 Texas School Counselor of the Year;
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Grapevine High School - Silver Award;
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Colleyville Elementary School - Bronze Award; and
Keller ISD - Bronze Award winners
- Eagle Ridge Elementary School,
- Heritage Elementary School,
- Keller High School, and
- Trinity Meadows Intermediate School
Learning Opportunities for YOU at ESC Region 11
Spring Conference-Style Opportunities
- February 28, 2018 - STAART Your Engines! Rev Up for a Winning Assessment Season
- March 28, 2018 - Assistant Principals and Counselors: Managing the Present - Shaping the Future
- April 18, 2018 - From Primer to Promise: Laying the Foundation for Literacy in the Early Grades
- May 7, 2018 - 8th Annual Administrative Assistants/Secretaries Conference
Download the Save the Date flyer for additional information on all of these outstanding conference-style events!
Canvas Mini-Conference in June; Call for Presenters
Take your Canvas training experience to the next level and attend Leveraging Canvas, our first Canvas mini-conference on June 14, 2018 (#leveragingcanvas).
Leveraging Canvas is designed to provide hands-on opportunities for teachers to meet and support district instructional goals through innovative applications of technologies in Canvas.
Sessions will include teaching and learning innovations with tools and technologies, providing teachers with opportunities to learn from their peers, and experimenting with new and different applications. Conference participation supports a variety of goals tied not only to the TEA Strategic Priorities for 2017-2021 but also supporting teachers with TTESS objectives. Sessions in Leveraging Canvas are designed to help teachers move toward a deep knowledge of learning technologies and how to implement them for success in the classroom.
Call for proposals
Interested in presenting? Leveraging Canvas is also a great opportunity for you to share your expertise and experiences with your peers. Submit your proposal today.
Texas Education Agency News
Final 2016-2017 Financial Accountability Ratings
TEA released final financial accountability ratings for more than 1,200 school districts and charters across the state, with 99 percent of all Texas school districts and charters earning a successful final rating for 2016-2017. The School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) is designed to encourage public schools to better manage financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. The 2016-2017 ratings are based on annual financial reports provided to TEA by districts and charters from the 2016 fiscal year. The financial accountability system requires TEA to review the audited financial reports from all districts.
Survey of Teacher Shortages for School DIstricts and Charters
Please complete the Teacher Shortage Survey to help TEA improve the quality and precision of the Teacher Shortage Report submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. This report determines which subject areas are considered eligible for federal teacher loan forgiveness programs. Historically, TEA has used internal data to generate the content of this report. Please complete the voluntary survey by Monday, December 18.
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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