The Source

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.

Happy Holidays from HR and Customer Service

Travel and Insurance- UHC Choice Network and ER or Urgent Care

Certification Reminders- Are you up to date?

In the Spotlight-CHS Algebra I Team

Contact Update- Making Sure Important Information Gets To You

Health and Wellness

DEDUCTIBLES AND OUT OF POCKET

CARE24

VIRTUAL VISITS

December is Winter Wellness Month-Fighting Colds and Flu

Customer Service Corner-Stand Out From The Crowd

HR and Customer Service FAQs

Our team wishes you and yours a happy holiday season! We know you support student success throughout the year and we hope this time allows you the opportunity to celebrate and unwind. Our jobs can be stressful and using this time to get much needed rest, socialize and re-connect with family and friends is a great way to de-stress and re-set for the new year.

Thank you for all you do to put students first! You make a difference!

Here are some tips to regain balance over the holidays:

1. Stay positive. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase "good" HDL cholesterol. Watch some good holiday comedies and laugh with family and friends.
2. Reflect. Inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. Meditation and yoga can also relax the mind and body.
3. Exercise. Every time you are physically active, whether you take a walk or play tennis, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only melts away stress, it also protects against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintain a healthy weight.
4. Unplug. It's impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere. Cut the cord. Avoid emails and TV news. Take time each day — even if it's for just 10 or 15 minutes — to escape from the world.
5. Find ways to take the edge off your stress. Simple things, like a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time on a favorite hobby, can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in your life.

Be prepared. If you are traveling over the holidays, use your app or the UHC website to locate a facility or physician near where you will be. The Choice network of United Health Care is nationwide!

ER or Urgent Care?

If you are experiencing an emergency health crisis –symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, have a possible head injury or broken bone– find your way to the nearest Emergency Room for treatment. But if you think you have a slight fever, might be coming down with a sinus infection or the flu, locate an Urgent Care Clinic near you or try a Virtual Visit online. Use the myUHC website or app on your phone to locate providers in your area. Emergency Rooms can cost you more than 10X the cost of a routine or Urgent Care visit.

Renewing My Standard Certificate

If you hold a standard teaching certificate in Texas you must renew it every five years. Your certification expires the last day of your birth month every five years.

Renewal Application Information

You must apply and pay online to renew your standard certificate. You will be sent an email reminder six months before the expiration date of your certificate. You must log in to your account to apply for renewal. You will be charged a late fee if you apply after your certificate expires. If you have any problems renewing your certification, please contact TEA at 512.936.8400.

Please let the Employment Specialist, Samantha Whitney, know once you have completed this.

The website is linked below. Make sure you use Internet Explorer as your browser. It is currently the only browser compatible with TEA.

https://pryor.tea.state.tx.us/TSP/TEASecurePortal/Access/LogonServlet

Renewal Requirements

Continuing professional education (CPE) is required to renew a standard certificate.

· Classroom teachers must complete 150 CPE hours.

· If you hold a professional certificate you must complete 200 CPE hours.

· Administrative and student services are professional certificates.

· Educational Aides are not required to complete CPE hours.

Frequently asked renewal questions (FAQs)

SHOWCASING OUR R.E.A.L.TEAM MEMBERS IN ACTION

We are proud of the tremendous work our 2,700+ employees do to make our district exceptional. In order to educate our team about all the unique and vital services provided by our employees, we will highlight Comal ISD team roles in each newsletter. You are encouraged to send your stories and suggestions to mandy.epley@comalisd.org for teams and roles you wish to see highlighted in future newsletters.

The CHS Algebra I Team is working hard to help their students grow this year in math. They have been meeting weekly with their Campus Instructional Coach, Bonnie Weed-Dietz, to analyze their data and plan engaging lessons for students. Pictured from left to right are Laura Hahn, Melissa Parma, Stacy Morris, and Angie Alexander.

Are you moving over the holiday? Did you get a new phone number? Did your name change?

It is important to make sure we have updated information on record for you so important information and documents are sent to your correct address and have your correct name.

If you need to update your mailing address, contact information or name, 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. If you are changing your name, please remember to send a copy of your new Social Security card to Rebekah Renteria in order to complete the official name change.

Don’t Forget! The Benefit year under our health insurance plans runs with the Calendar Year: January through December. That means deductibles will reset on January 1, 2018. Also – wellness claims and outpatient claims under the Critical Illness, Cancer and Accident plans run with the Calendar year as well. They will reset on January 1, 2018. Claim forms are available under Benefits on the Human Resources page of the Comal ISD website.

Care24 services provide a complimentary resource for members and offers you access to a wide range of health and well-being information and support – seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with one free phone call. See below for more information or log on to myuhc.com.

A virtual visit lets you see and talk to a doctor from your mobile device or computer. Review the frequently asked questions below to learn more about virtual visits or log on to myuhc.com for information.

INFORMATION ON FIGHTING COLDS AND FLU CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://www.uhctools.com/t4w_winter-cold-flu

Here are five ways to stand out from the crowd and deliver excellent customer service.

1. Respond as quickly as possible

One of the biggest factors in good customer service is speed, especially when a parent, student or colleague is requesting something that’s time sensitive.

2. Know your customers

Great interactions begin with knowing your customers wants and needs. Customers love personalization. Remember names and previous conversations. If needed, make a note of what was discussed previously so you can refer to it the next time you meet.

3. Fix your mistakes

Not taking responsibility of your mistakes is a sure fire way to getting a bad reputation. Transparency is important in customer service. Always strive for a high quality output as it shows you have a high level of standards.

4. Go the extra mile

Going the extra mile will not only result in an indebted and satisfied customer, it can also go a long way in terms of creating a positive and personal experience.

A great example of going the extra mile is the story of Lily Robinson:

In May 2011, a three year old named Lily Robinson wrote a letter to Sainsbury’s, a UK grocery store a letter asking why ‘tiger bread was called tiger bread and not giraffe bread?’. To Lily’s surprise, Chris King, the customer service manager of Sainsbury’s responded with “I think renaming it to giraffe bread is a brilliant idea!”. In January 2012, the bread was renamed to giraffe bread.

5. Think long term

Think long term when working with our customers. You represent Comal ISD and students, parents and fellow team members work together for many years. Remember that each experience they have with you is the reputation of the campus department and district.

Human Resources and Customer Service FAQs

Where do I send my transcripts to add a new degree?

How do I view my pay information?
How do I get a verification of employment?

Answers to these and many other frequently asked questions are posted in the Human Resources and Customer Service FAQs. You can access the information on the Comal ISD webpage on the main Human Resources and Customer Service page or under Employee Resources.

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) 221-2026
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comalisd
Twitter: @CISDNews