Welcome to the Alief ISD HR Newsletter,

Your go-to source for important updates, insights, and resources related to our district’s human resources information. Each edition is designed to keep you informed about new policies, upcoming events, professional development opportunities, and other key information that impacts our staff and schools. Whether you’re looking for updates on benefits, tips for enhancing your workplace experience, or information on district-wide initiatives, our newsletter has you covered. Stay engaged and informed with the latest HR news and resources tailored specifically for our district’s needs.

HR NEWS AT A GLANCE!

December 1, 2024

Volume 1: Issue 4

Welcome to December!

December is here and as we are stepping into the final month of the year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the many accomplishments and milestones we've achieved together in 2024!

This month is a time for celebration, connection, and gratitude. It’s also an opportunity to look forward to the exciting things ahead as we prepare for the new year.

Throughout this month, we encourage you to take time for self-care and to connect with colleagues and students as we wrap up the semester. Whether you're celebrating the holidays, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying some well-deserved time off, we hope this season brings you peace and joy.

In this edition of The HeRald, we’ll share important updates, upcoming events, and helpful resources to ensure you finish the year strong and well-prepared for the challenges and successes of the next.

Thank you for your continued dedication, hard work, and passion for our students and community. We truly appreciate everything you do to make this district a great place to work and learn.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and restful December!

Warm regards,

The HR Team

Important Dates

TEACHER ATTENDANCE AND THE IMPACT!

According to research, a student typically experiences having a substitute teacher in the classroom for around 5-10% of their K-12 school year which can equate to roughly one full school year spent with substitute teachers over their entire education.

High teacher absenteeism has consequences for students and school districts:

Student achievement

Teacher absences can negatively impact student performance.
When a teacher is absent, students miss key lessons, which can lead to gaps in their knowledge.
A 10-day teacher absence can lower student achievement in core subject areas.

Disruption to learning flow

Teacher absences disrupt the planned curriculum and learning flow.
Negatively impact student learning due to inconsistent instruction and classroom management.
Can cause frustration among students and reduce their motivation to learn.

Financial burden

Teacher absences can be a financial burden for school districts.
In addition to the cost of paying substitute teachers, districts also incur administrative costs associated with recruiting, training, and securing substitutes.

Texas educators, it’s your time to shine!

Apply now for the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Applications for the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are open until December 2.

H-E-B is now accepting applications for the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, which awards cash prizes to educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and their communities. All state-certified public school educators currently teaching in Texas are eligible to apply before December 2, 2024 at heblovesteachers.com/apply/.

Since 2002, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program has awarded more than $14 million in funding to finalists, winners, and their schools.

Finalists and winners will be selected by a panel of judges composed of educators, administrators, and community leaders throughout the state. Ten winners—six teachers, two counselors and two principals—along with an early childhood facility, public school board, and two school districts, will be announced at an awards ceremony in May 2025. Each award recipient’s school will also receive a matching grant.

In 2024, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program distributed over $780,000 in cash and grants to educators and schools. Through this program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile each day to serve their students and communities and who inspire others to do the same. To apply, visit heblovesteachers.com/apply/.

Alief C.A.R.E. Survey

Alief’s Climate and Culture Survey was renamed this year to the C.A.R.E. Survey – the Climate and Culture Assessment for Responsive Engagement.

The survey was conducted to measure employees’ perception of the district and of their campus/department, with 3 themes for district and 3 for campus/departments (see below).

Key District Data:

October C.A.R.E. Survey

*73% of respondents agree or strongly agree that Alief ISD operates by strong values – this indicates a positive perception of the district’s ethical and operational standards.

*79% of respondents agree or strongly agree that employees and teachers treat students fairly, regardless of their backgrounds and differences – this indicates a strong commitment to equity and inclusion.

*72% of respondents agree or strongly agree that their manager/supervisor (the one that does their evaluation) helps them learn and grow as professionals – this indicates a generally positive view of leadership and support for professional development.

*78% of respondents agree or strongly agree that their campus/department effectively communicates with parents, families, and community members, this indicates strong external communication practices.

Campus/ Department Next Steps

Department and campus leaders will share results with staff at December staffing meetings.

Campuses are also asked to follow up with 3 new goals to address each of the below:

1. Campus/Department Leadership and Support

2. Campus/Department Safety or SEL

3. District level: Values and Culture, Alief Processes, or Job Satisfaction

Response to C.A.R.E. Survey Concerns & FAQs

Fair Compensation

The district regularly reviews our compensation plan for salaries and stipends. Alief regularly participates in TASB’s salary data collection and also use their data to make recommendations for raises, staffing allocations, and salaries.

For the 24-25 school year, the board approved a $2000 retention supplemental pay (Sept. 15) along with an additional $1000 stipend ($500 paid on Dec. 13 and May 15)

With passing of the VATRE, the district will have additional funds to support providing supplemental pay or raises in the near future.

Employee Well-being and Morale

Department and campus leaders are always looking for ways they can recognize students and staff.

These programs look like: Superintendent’s MVP awards, Nutrition’s Employee of the Month, Instruction department’s Excellence in Leadership award, Killough’s Paraprofessional of the Month and Teacher of the Month, and many, many more!

We are always open to suggestions for more ways to support employee well-being and morale. If you have suggestions, please use the QR code below.

Consistency in discipline / safety policies

Our Student Services, PASS specialists, and instruction team will be working together to support campuses that indicated a concern regarding student discipline and safety.

Additionally, our Risk Management Department will be addressing the safety concerns raised and collaborating with our maintenance team for structural safety concerns or breaches as needed.

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Staff Spotlight: Ala Al Hasan

Ms. Al Hasan is an exceptional educator and leader, consistently demonstrating dedication and excellence in all that she does. A proud graduate of Taylor High School in Alief ISD, she began her career as an interventionist at Elsik Ninth Grade Center (ENGC) before transitioning into a teaching role. She quickly established herself as a phenomenal educator, building strong, positive relationships with her students while holding them accountable for their learning. Her impact is evident in her remarkable achievement last year, where every one of her students passed the Algebra STAAR test.

Ms. Al Hasan’s growth mindset and charismatic personality inspire both her students and colleagues. She encourages her students to "meet me halfway," emphasizing the importance of accountability and effort. A strong collaborator, she works seamlessly with her team and underscores the critical role data plays in driving student growth and success. This year, she has transitioned into a specialist role while continuing to teach, demonstrating her versatility and unwavering commitment to student achievement. Her ability to make students feel comfortable and confident in mathematics is unparalleled, and her steadfast support for her team and students makes her an invaluable asset to ENGC.

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herald — Click Here To See the December Spotlights

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Teacher Incentive Allotment Podcast

TIA NEWSLETTER:https://aliefisdtx.edurooms.com/engage/alief-isd-teacher-incentive-allotment/newsletters/tia-tuesdays-november-2024

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ESL Testing Updates

1st Time Testers ESL Prep Sessions

(Register ONLY if you have never taken the ESL exam)

1st Time Tester ESL Prep

(3 hour sessions)

Upcoming Sessions Scheduled

*December 3, 2024

OR

*January 30, 2025

Retest Test Prep Sessions

(Register ONLY if you need to retake the ESL exam)

Retest Test Prep Sessions

2- full-day sessions

Saturday, December 7th and 14th

Requirements:

Participants must attend both sessions
Registration for retesting must be scheduled within 30 days of the test prep session
Bring most recent test scores

TExES Exam Info

• English as a Second Language Supplemental exam-#154

• Find test dates and registration information at www.tx.nesinc.com

Alief ISD Staff Development Sessions Offered

• Region 4- ESL Exam Review Sessions (November - April)

• Retest Support Options (monthly)

Eligibility Guidelines for the ESL One-Time $500 Stipend

• Teachers must take and pass the ESL certification exam

• Teachers must add ESL to their existing standard certificate

• Teachers who already have ESL certification are not eligible

• Bilingual certified teachers are not required or eligible

Written Request Required for Payment of Stipend

After meeting the criteria a written request for payment is required.

Include name, employee ID# and school/dept. to Lety Shelley, Certification Specialist, Alief HR
Contact Lety Shelley at 281-988-3456 x29147 or at Lety.Ocampo-Shelley@aliefisd.net for details or questions

ALIEF ISD is

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Beating the Winter Blues

Tips for Alleviating Seasonal Depression

Source: https://www.pcom.edu/psychology/news/beating-the-winter-blues.html

Employment Verification Process

To streamline the process for handling employment verification inquiries, please follow the steps listed below. For detailed instructions, you can visit the Reference Document linked at the top of the image or refer to the information available on our district website Human Resources department page. All inquiries are processed through www.experianverify.com.