The Source January 2018

The Source is a newsletter for all Comal ISD employees. The Source brings recognition, timely reminders and beneficial articles to the employees in an effort to provide increased communication and connection regarding human resources and customer service topics.

W2, 1095C, and Gift Card/Cash Incentives

Retirement

Employee Perks

Transfer Process

Resignation

Subs for Campus and District Meetings and PD

Comal Cares Shout Outs!- NEW

New Year, New You!- Updating Your Information

Real Appeal

Health and Wellness- Thyroid Awareness Month

Customer Service Corner- National Compliment Day and Weekly Compliments for Co-workers

Employee W2s are now available on the Comal ISD Employee Portal. Once you have logged in, select the W2 button on the left hand side navigation. The Employee Portal can be found on the Intranet. Printed copies are being delivered to campuses for those employees that requested a paper copy of their W2.

1095Cs will be distributed to employees no later than March 2. Per the IRS, while the information on the 1095-C form may assist in preparing your tax return, the form is not required to file. Taxpayers can prepare and file their returns using other information about their health coverage.

Some cash incentives, including cash reimbursements or cash equivalents (like gift cards) may be taxable and included in an individual’s gross income. If you have any questions regarding rewards that you earned in 2017, make sure to check with your tax advisor.

So you have talked with TRS and made the decision that you are ready for retirement and will not be returning for the 2018-2019 school year. What next?

Please notify your supervisor and HR of your retirement ,in writing, so we can offer support and help you with the process. Knowing about your retirement makes us aware of a need to find a qualified team member to continue your job responsibilities. We are excited for your new adventure and want to offer our congratulations and support.

Please feel free to contact Human Resources with questions about the process and Janice Sanders in Payroll at Ext. 2092 with questions regarding compensation.

Comal ISD is happy to offer the PerkSpot Employee Discount Program to all its employees.

What is PerkSpot?

As an employee, PerkSpot is now your personal online savings resource -- a place to find discounts and rebates on goods and services from many of the best known brand names in the U.S. --online and off, nationally and locally.

Here's all you need to do to put PerkSpot to work for you. From your work or home computer, go to Comal ISD PerkSpot site - http://www.comalisd.perkspot.com - and follow the step-by-step instructions to register. We've got all the discount information ready for you on our site, you've just got to login to have access to all our discounts -- many are updated daily and weekly! Just pick out what you'd like, follow the instructions provided on PerkSpot and check out. PerkSpot's savings are convenient and valuable -- from everyday purchases like groceries to special purchases like family vacations or auto insurance.

It's all possible on PerkSpot.

• The Request for Transfer of Assignment Application will open on February 1 in Recruit and Hire for teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians and classroom paraprofessionals (general education or special education) currently employed at CHMS, CMS, SBMS or SVMS wishing to transfer to one of the new middle schools for the 18-19 school year (Danville Middle School and Pieper Ranch Middle School). This posting is for current Comal ISD employees ONLY. Transfer of assignment application must be completed by February 9 in order for your request to be reviewed.

Please note:

• Requesting a transfer does not automatically mean it will be granted.
• Action on any transfers will not be taken until later this semester and into the summer.
• Once a transfer is accepted, the employee must remain at the transfer campus for the 2018-19 school year.
• Please read all of the information on the form carefully.

To access the form please follow the steps below:

• Go to the Comal ISD job listing page: https://comal.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
• Select Comal ISD Internal Transfer (Internal Comal ISD Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, Librarians ONLY) or Comal ISD Internal Transfer (Classroom Paraprofessionals ONLY)
• Review the job posting information
• Select Apply for this Position
• If you have submitted an application in Recruit and Hire, please enter your login information
• If you have not submitted an application in Recruit and Hire, please create an account
• Carefully read the application and complete the required information
• Electronically submit the application

· For Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, and Librarians: Complete the Educators Professional Inventory (EPI) You will receive an email notification with instructions once you have submitted your application. If you have previously taken this as a part of the transfer process last school year, or during your initial application to the District, you will not have to re-take it.

· A principal will contact you if he/she wants to interview you for a position. Requesting a transfer does not automatically mean it will be granted.

· Please feel free to contact the Human Resources Department, hr@comalisd.org, with any questions about this process or if you need assistance submitting the application in Recruit and Hire.

• The District-Wide Request for Transfer of Assignment Application will be open for teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians and classroom paraprofessionals (general education or special education) from ALL CISD campuses for assignment at ALL CISD campuses from February 12th through April 30th. This posting is for current Comal ISD employees ONLY. Transfer of assignment application must be completed by April 30 in order for your request to be reviewed.

Please note:

• Requesting a transfer does not automatically mean it will be granted.
• Action on any transfers will not be taken until later this semester and into the summer.
• Once a transfer is accepted, the employee must remain at the transfer campus for the 2018-19 school year.
• Please read all of the information on the form carefully.

To access the form please follow the steps below:

• Go to the Comal ISD job listing page: https://comal.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
• Select Comal ISD Internal Transfer (Internal Comal ISD Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, Librarians ONLY) or Comal ISD Internal Transfer (Classroom Paraprofessionals ONLY)
• Review the job posting information
• Select Apply for this Position
• If you have submitted an application in Recruit and Hire, please enter your login information
• If you have not submitted an application in Recruit and Hire, please create an account
• Carefully read the application and complete the required information
• Electronically submit the application

· For Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, and Librarians: Complete the Educators Professional Inventory (EPI) You will receive an email notification with instructions once you have submitted your application. If you have previously taken this as a part of the transfer process last school year, or during your initial application to the District, you will not have to re-take it.

· A principal will contact you if he/she wants to interview you for a position. Requesting a transfer does not automatically mean it will be granted.

· Please feel free to contact the Human Resources Department, hr@comalisd.org, with any questions about this process or if you need assistance submitting the application in Recruit and Hire.

If you know you will not be returning to Comal ISD for the 2018-2019 school year, it is important to communicate with your principal and HR as soon as possible. Please submit your resignation as soon as you know you will not be returning in order to assist with campus position planning. If you have any questions please speak with your principal or contact Mandy Epley, Executive Director of Human Resources at 830-221-2026.

It's time to review your campus and district meetings and PD schedule for the second semester. Any meetings or PD that require you to be off campus and require a sub should be put into the AESOP system immediately. Planned absences should be entered in the system as soon as possible in order to secure substitutes. Thanks for being pro-active in reporting your need for a substitute. This provides opportunity to increase substitute response and fill rate.

We are proud of the tremendous work our almost 2,500 employees do to make our district exceptional. In order to celebrate the excellent work happening throughout the district, we will showcase Comal Cares comments in this section of the newsletter. If you have a celebration you wish to share, click on the Comal Cares button on the website or scan a QR code on the Comal Cares poster at your campus. You can also send kudos or celebrations to mandy.epley@comalisd.org for recognition in future newsletters.

Survey: Comal Cares 12/11/17

Spring Branch Middle School's Wrangler Wrobotics Team advanced to state competition this last weekend. Under the tireless leadership and guidance of Mr. Troy Mann, their GT/Robotics Sponsor, these middle school students had the experience of a lifetime! His efforts went far and away beyond what any parents, students or administrators could have asked for in a teacher and mentor. I wanted to take this moment to acknowledge and share how thankful we are as parents that Comal ISD has such a stellar example of an educator who truly gives his all for his students success.

Survey: Comal Cares – 1/8/18

Micaeli Smith and Hannah Schramm both have provided great customer service and are truly fabulous team members. They both took extra time to support a project that would normally not fall to their plate. Kudos to them!

Survey: Comal Cares 1/9/18

I would like to give a shout out to the Sunshine Committee that is active at our SS Bldg. This is something that is voluntary, not part of someones job description, but a group of people put this committee together to brighten their co-workers day. I don't know who all began this wonderful committee, but I do know that Margaret Hamilton is a big part of it. Hooray for sunshine, smiles, happiness, and making others day a better day!!

Survey: Comal Cares 1/10/18

Amanda Trussell, librarian at SVHS, has created a "Rangers Read Harder" Challenge. This program challenges students to read books they wouldn't otherwise pick up and she's reaching students who are traditionally non-readers. In addition to a Twitter campaign, she's garnering interest on campus by creating a contest. She even e-mailed me, Kerry, and Mr. Kim to get us involved in the whole thing. So great!

Survey: Comal Cares 1/11/18

Jeremiah Smith, who works on our pools in the district, goes out of his way day in and day out to support the Comal Fit Games and other wellness efforts in the district. He is always willing to lend a helping hand with projects that others need assistance with.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/11/18

Micah Aten-Montgomery from MECHS is a PE and Algebra teacher who is always strives for innovation and excellence in planning learning adventures for her kids! She took the initiative to meet with a collaborative team of her peers to brainstorm engaging projects to integrate into physical education and health.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/12/18

A BIG THANK YOU to Karen Schulze and her students at Life Bridges! She is amazing and her students have done amazing work/projects! I am thankful for what Life Bridges provides to both the community and the students of Comal ISD.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/17/18

Orlando Dona from SVHS has provided lesson guides for teachers to follow for Comal Challenge. Thank you for your assistance in getting our program out to all teachers at SVHS.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/17/18

A big thank you to Cheryl Monroe from purchasing department for always being helpful with our purchasing questions.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/17/18

Courtney Odell received significant praise from a parent for her professionalism and dedication to students. Thank you, Courtney, for being data driven and student centered.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/18/18

I am sending you this mass email to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to TWO of our AMAZING COACHES!!!! SVMS – BRIAN COSGROVE and SBMS – MITCH ODOM BOTH saved the day on this cold morning!!!!! Not only did SVMS Coach Cosgrove so graciously transport SVMS students to a UIL One-Act Play Competition Field Trip as a team player for SVMS teacher Quay Logan, he also answered a dispatch call for someone on the air to assist a special needs driver who’s bus had broken down. Does this man have ANY LIMITS!!!?? TEACHER, COACH AND TOTAL DISTRICT TEAM PLAYER!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Not only did SBMS Coach Odom fuel a SBMS Coach Campus bus at Valero on Hwy 46 this AM as he so graciously takes care of this fueling task for many of the Coach trips for SBMS, he found a different route driver with a bus situation that needed assistance. He tried to help her start the bus and then since it would not start, he gave her a safe ride back to the SV transportation yard so she would not be late for her special needs midday bus route. THIS INCREDIBLE TEAM EFFORT NEEDS TO BE SHARED!! I cannot THANK THESE COACHES FOR REALLY GOING BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY ENOUGH!! These are examples of our GREAT DISTRICT with such GREAT PEOPLE!!! PLEASE HELP ME THANK THEM!!

Survey: Comal Cares 1/18/18

Darlene Whyte is a rock star at customer service! She can always make great things happen for kids!

Survey: Comal Cares 1/18/18

Special shout out to Jenna Stephenson, CHS Theatre Director, for going above and beyond to make sure the middle school one act play competition was rescheduled in a way that would accommodate everyone! She worked tirelessly with this group as contest manager to run a smooth competition!

Survey: Comal Cares 1/23/18

Kendi Quidachay is a first year math teacher at SBMS who teaches both 7th and 8th grade math. Her dedication in helping her students learn shows not only in her classroom teaching, but in her willingness to learn from her peers and do everything she can to help her students be successful.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/23/18

AT Hill always goes above and beyond to help teachers help students. Her lunch and learn at FES was a big hit! Students were asking for it the next day.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/23/18

Linda Robinson at RBES opens her classroom everyday during her lunch time for students to come in and work on their math skills.

Survey: Comal Cares 1/23/18

The new principal at MES has been great for the campus. She is always a present and friendly face. She has learned the students quickly and made the campus an exciting place to be.

Have you recently moved? Did your name change?

It is important to make sure we have updated information on record for you.

If you need to update your mailing address, please log on to the intranet and click on Employee Access Pay/Att to access ITCCS Employee Portal. Once logged on, you can update your profile information.

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to focus on YOU! If you are enrolled in medical insurance under United Health Care, you are entitled to a free membership in REAL APPEAL. Real Appeal is more than weight loss, more than chronic disease prevention and more than a program to feel healthy. It’s all of those things and more. Over 100,000 members have lost more than 1 million pounds with the program. Real Appeal helps you lose weight and reduce your risk of developing diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 4 out of 5 at risk members who participated in the program lost an average of 10 lbs after attending 4 online classes. To see Real Appeal in action or to get started, click here:

https://realappeal.com/

The thyroid gland covers the windpipe from three sides. Two hormones of the thyroid gland, T3 (thyroxine) and T4 (triiodothyronine), help the body to produce and regulate the hormones adrenaline (also called epinephrine) and dopamine. Hormones are chemical substances that help control certain cells and organs. Adrenaline and dopamine are active in many physical and emotional responses, including fear, excitement, and pleasure. Other hormones from this gland also help regulate metabolism, which is the process by which calories and oxygen are converted into energy.

Without a functioning thyroid, the body would not be able to break down proteins and it would not be able to process carbohydrates and vitamins. For this reason, problems with this gland can lead to uncontrollable weight gain. For many people, these irregularities can be controlled through medications, as well as a modification of their diet.

However, there is one other controlling factor. The gland cannot produce hormones on its own. It needs the assistance of the pituitary gland, which creates thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). As a result, a nonfunctional pituitary gland will eventually lead to thyroid-gland-related issues. TSH will either trigger the production of thyroxine or triiodothyronine. If TSH is not present at the right levels, too much or too little of either hormone will be made.

Great customer service starts from within an organization. The way co-workers speak to each other and support each other to reach common goals sets the tone for how well customers are treated and establishes the quality of service.

28 WAYS TO COMPLIMENT COWORKERS

So what can you say consistently that will cause your colleagues to gravitate toward you? What words will cause a peer to light up with a smile? What will have someone say at the water cooler, "I love working with [insert your name here]!"

Here are twenty-eight ways to expression appreciation, gratitude, and encouragement for the people you work with.

Appreciation

1. Having you on this team makes a huge difference.

2. The work you did to grow your students was fantastic!

3. It's inspiring to see how you always help other people.

4. The way you handled last week's crisis with your calm demeanor was a game changer.

5. It's so refreshing getting to work with you.

6. I am continually impressed by your results!

7. I absolutely love how you worked with that parent!

8. What you brought to this department the last three months has been invaluable.

9. Know that your role is important to our success.

Gratitude

10. Thank you for always speaking up in team meetings.

11. I'm grateful for you taking on the extra work.

12. Thanks for always being willing to lend a hand.

13. You've really made a tremendous difference here and I'm thankful you you are on our team.

14. You've gone above and beyond this week.

15. Thank you for being so flexible, I couldn't have done it without you.

16. Your were instrumental in making sure that (fill in the blank) was a success.

17. Just when I thought your work couldn't get any better, you pull that off! Thank you!

Encouragement

18. Don't worry, Your judgment and hard work will produce results.

19. I love your great attitude even when we know there is work ahead.

20. I know how hard this project is, but I just can't imagine working without you.

21. What can I do to help?

22. Thank you for being so flexible.

23. Is there anything any of us can do to help?

24. You are one of the most reliable employees I've ever had. I believe in you.

25. I was blown away by your work ethic this week.

26. Know that we're here for you. Just ask us anything.

27. I just wanted to let you know how much you mean to the team.

28. You are amazing with growing students through (fill in strategy). I would love to learn how you do that so I can use it with my students.

If you have news, topics, or celebrations you wish to have shared in this newsletter, please send an email to Mandy Epley, Executive Director of Human Resources and Customer Service at mandy.epley@comalisd.org.

Email: mandy.epley@comalisd.org
Website: www.comalisd.org
Location: 1404 Interstate 35 N, New Braunfels, TX, 78130
Phone: (830) 221-2044
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comalisd
Twitter: @CISDNews