ACADEMIC UPDATE
Every Student, Every Teacher, Every Day
January 2, 2023
Did you know?
Beginning with the spring 2023 STAAR administration, students who test online will interact with a variety of new question types in addition to traditional multiple-choice questions (Texas Education Agency). The following indicates a new question type:
HOT SPOT
STUDENT RESPONDS BY SELECTING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIC AREAS OF A GRAPHIC
Could appear for the following subject area and grade level:
- MATH--Grades 3-8
- SCIENCE--Grades 5, 8, EOC
- SOCIAL STUDIES--Grades 8, EOC
How to Create HOT SPOT Questions in Schoology?
January 18, 2023 | 2nd Annual Rising Writer's Expo
The Rising Writers’ district wide writing expo offers an equitable opportunity for any Spring ISD student, Prek - 12th grade, to produce authentic writing that expresses themselves. The Spring ISD second annual Rising Writer’s topic is: Tell Your Story. In her song titled Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield, we listen to the lyrics that state “I’m just beginning, the pen is in my hand…” This event is designed to inspire and engage any student with an opportunity to tell their story in their own genre. The ultimate goal is to support growth and make connections in the areas of literacy: listening, speaking, reading, writing and thinking.
We are looking forward to our 2nd Annual Rising Writers Expo, and encourage campus principals, assistant superintendents, board members, and community at large to attend our districts event. This year we will welcome back RJ from Spring HS, and welcome in person Da'Vion Westfield HS Valedictorian 2021, both to encourage our writers.
This years event will be held on January 18, 2023, at Dekaney High School, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Do you need childcare?
New Teacher and Mentor Professional Learning Series
January 11th, Remote Session
- February 25th, In-person Session
- March 22nd, Remote Session
- April 12th, In-person Session
5:00-6:00 PM
Register in Strive. Participants that register in Strive will be emailed Zoom link prior to the session.
February 16th, In-person Session
- April 18th, Remote Session
For more information, please contact
Tiffany Weston, tiffanyw@springisd.org
Multilingual Department Professional Development Opportunities
Multilingual WOW Wednesdays
Please see attached flyer for more information.
Multilingual Summit K12 Professional Learning Series 2022-2023
Curriculum and Instruction Department Professional Development Opportunities
Middle School Teacher Curriculum Sneak Peeks
MS Coaches Collaborative
High School Curriculum Sneak Peeks
Do you serve Gifted and Talented Scholars? Check out all the professional development opportunities!
Kindergarten-2nd Grade G/T Teachers and DLCs
The Third Quarter's session will focus on all the instructional components of the service design with a focus on Spring G/T expectations, Spring G/T Expo, using D/C Quick, Quality, Questions, and newly identified student services in Renzulli Learning. The session will close with a depth and complexity make and take.
Registration can be accessed via Strive.
For more information contact Christin Kimball, ckimball@springisd.org
3rd-5th Grade G/T Teachers and DLCs
For more information contact, Kaitlen Getz, kgetz@sprinisd.org
5th Grade Math Acceleration Plan
For more information contact Kaitlen Getz, kgetz@sprinisd.org
Middle School G/T Service Design
Participants will learn how to effectively implement the Middle School Service Design. The session will focus on the instructional components of the service design including Curriculum Unit Guides, Advanced Course Instructional Strategies, Advanced Course Instructional Models, and Depth and Complexity. NOTE: If you attended the Summer Leadership Institute (June or July 2022), please note these sessions are new learning and will provide time for teachers to plan differentiated lessons and activities for Cycle 1 and Cycle 2.
For more information please contact:
Shontel Newsome, snewsome@springisd.org
Christopher Sosa, cwarre1@springisd.org
Differentiating for the G/T Learner: High School
The following will be covered during this time:
- AP Specific Instructional Technology - During this time teachers will be receiving an introduction to AP Classroom and Shmoop.
- Learning Module Moment - This time will be dedicated to the 90 minute block as well pacing for the AP exams.
- Depth & Complexity - How to incorporate Depth & Complexity in your everyday routine.
- Literacy Strategy- Our Literacy strategy for this cycle will be Turn and Talk.
- Luminary Leader Lesson- This celebrity status teacher will share a content specific best practice.
- Cohort Workshop- Teachers will be allotted time to work with their cross district counterparts.
For more information please contact Dominique Brown, dbrown5@springisd.org
Differentiating for the G/T Learner: 2022-2023 Elementary Gifted and Talented Coordinator Meetings
G/T 30 Hour Foundational Training Request
Teachers who provide instruction to students identified as gifted and talented (G/T) are required to complete a 30-hour Foundational training in five areas:
- Nature and Needs
- Identification and Assessment
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Differentiation
- Creativity
Please copy and paste the link below to access the form. An email will be sent with further instructions thereafter.
https://forms.gle/H1MNjYA2cKbNyRAaA
For more information please contact Dominique Brown, dbrown5@springisd.org
Submit your request for G/T Credit in Strive
We are thrilled you are completing your G/T professional
development! Please follow the steps below to submit your
requests in Strive. The submission should occur once all hours are complete.
Note:
The 30 foundational hours are due December 9, 2022.
The 6-hour annual update is due March 31, 2023.
For more information please contact:
Shontel Newsome, snewsome@springisd.org
Performing and Visual Arts: Mandatory District Training Dates and Times for Teachers
Attached is the district-wide PLC calendar for the 2022-2023 school year for all Performing and Visual Arts teachers, directors, and coaches. All trainings are scheduled before or after the school day (or during conference time in the case of high school band) to eliminate the need for substitute teachers. Every effort has been made to avoid pulling staff members from instruction.
Additional PD Opportunities
Jason Learning's Launches their First Self-Paced Online Courses: JASON OVERVIEW
Go to https://lms.jason.org/
Select the course you would like to enroll in from the list.
Login or Create a new account if you do not already have one.
Confirm your email.
You should see enrollment options. Enter the Self Enrollment Key that corresponds to the course you are enrolling in from the course list on the next page:
- JASON Overview - Let's Get Started | Enrollment Key 12142021
For more information on JASON professional development opportunities click HERE.
Professional Development Opportunity through Project MOOPIL
Massive Open Online Professional Individualized Learning
For more information on their 30-60 minute courses please click on the flyer or visit Project MOOPIL's website.
Tuesday | January 3, 2023
Click on the link above to visit the January Job Alike Day website
Saturday | January 7, 2023
Session: Multilingual SIOP Cohort 3 Day 1 (District)
Audience: Teachers Grades K-12
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM