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.

April and May Observances

Last Call for Transfer Applications

Last Day to Resign

2018-2019 Position Begin and End Dates

What To Do If You Missed Health Insurance Open Enrollment and FAQs

PTA Teacher Appreciation Week

Customer Service Corner- Humor and Customer Service

National Month-Long Observances

April is Autism Awareness Month! Hosted by the Autism Society

• Alcohol Awareness Month: Hosted by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
• Math Awareness Month: Hosted by the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics
• National Humor Month
• National Garden Month: Hosted by the National Gardening Association
• International Guitar Month: Hosted by the Guitar Association
• National Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Hosted by the National Safety Council
• Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
• National Frog Month
• National Poetry Month: Hosted by the Academy of American Poets
• Month of the Military Child: Organized by the Department of Defense
• Financial Literacy Month: Hosted by Money Management International

Week-Long Observances

• National Library Week (second full week)
• Week of the Young Child April 16–20, 2018

April is Occupational Therapy Month Hosted by the American Occupational Therapy Association www.aota.org

Month-Long Observances

• Better Hearing and Speech Month
• Creative Beginnings Month
• Food Allergy Action Month
• Global Youth Traffic Safety Month
• Healthy Vision Month
• Hepatitis Awareness Month
• Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
• Mental Health Month
• National Bike Month
• National Photo Month
• National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
• National Military Appreciation Month
• National Inventors Month
• National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
• National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
• Young Achievers of Tomorrow Month
• National Family Month

Week-Long Observances

• National Family Reading Week (first week)
• Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (first full week)
• National Physical Education and Sport Week (first week)
• Teacher Appreciation Week (first full week, Monday through Friday)
• Children's Book Week (first week)
• Screen-Free Week (first week)
• Wildflower Week (first week)
• Astronomy Week (second week)
• Reading is Fun Week (second full week)

2018 Texas School Nurse Day Proclamation

Your Texas School Nurses Organization celebrates and acknowledges the accomplishments of School Nurses in Texas, their efforts in meeting the needs of today’s students by improving the delivery of health care in private and public schools, and their vital contributions to our local communities by helping all students remain healthy, ready to learn, in our schools. Governor Greg Abbott has therefore proclaimed Wednesday, May 9, 2018, as “School Nurse Day” in Texas, and commends its observance to all citizens.

The Request for Transfer of Assignment Application is now available in Recruit and Hire for campus-based personnel, specifically teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians and classroom paraprofessionals (general education or special education), who want to request a transfer to another campus for the 2018-19 school year. Please read it carefully.

Please note:

• The transfer of assignment application must be completed by April 30, 2018 in order for your request to be reviewed.
  
• 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.
  
• 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)

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 for the 2018-2019 school year, it is important to resign as soon as possible so campus leaders are aware they will have open positions.

Monday, July 16 is the last day to resign, without possible penalty, prior to the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

The 2018-2019 Position Begin and End Dates are posted on the Comal ISD website. Click here to see the dates:http://www.comalisd.org/pages/Comal_ISD/About_Us/Calendars

The 2018-2019 insurance plans and Frequently Asked Questions regarding insurance can be found at: http://www.comalisd.org/pages/Comal_ISD/About_Us/Departments/HumanResources/Benefits

If you missed open enrollment or have questions regarding benefits or the open enrollment process, please contact

Glenna Miranda

Employee Benefits Coordinator

Phone: 830-221-2040
Email: glenna.miranda@comalisd.org

Comal ISD teachers earn the V.I.T. treatment as they bring focus, planning, teamwork and inspiration to impact the lives of students both in and beyond the classroom. Thank you for all you do!

Join us as we celebrate the hard work and important contributions of teachers during National PTA’s Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11, 2018. Be sure to send your pictures and stories of V.I.T.'s on your campus to Mandy.Epley@Comalisd.org So they can be featured in next month's newsletter.

April is National Humor Month. Having a sense of humor and a smile on your face can make you more approachable and open to provide quality customer service.

National Humor Month was conceived as a means to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor. Laughter and joy - the benchmarks of humor - lead to improved well-being, boosted morale, increased communication skills, and an enriched quality of life.

It's no coincidence that the month begins with April Fool's Day, a day which has sanctioned frivolity and amusement for hundreds of years.

Humor as a tool to lift ailing spirits is an established notion supported by scientific research. The curative power of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may indeed be one of the great medical discoveries of our times.

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