From the Support Team
Summit 2020: SGS Virtual Summit will take place on Wed. Dec. 9 - Thurs. Dec. 10. Summit helps district leaders build SGS Network connections and attend differentiated learning experiences. All SGS Board Presidents, Superintendents, CIOs, and relevant cabinet members should plan on attending Summit day 1. A high level agenda and Save the Date has been sent to all SGS district and Board Leaders.
CIOs and EA firms should use the agenda and registration form to help district leaders plan their attendance. The session registration form was shared at the 11/10 Lunch and Learn. The form allows attendees to select day 2 break-out sessions and submit questions for facilitators. Day 2 attendees should submit the form by Thursday, Nov. 19. For more information, please contact SGS@tea.texas.gov.
November Lunch & Learn: Thank you to all CIOs for attending the Nov. 10 L&L at which we welcomed leaders from our new SGS districts: Alicia Syverson, Dr. Taj Gross, Michael Perkins, Dr. Jovan Grant-Wells, and Tracy Davis. We enjoyed the introductory conversations!
Staffing Remote & On-Campus Instruction: TEA is offering webinars to help districts manage both remote and on-campus instruction. An introductory webinar provides background and we are hosting three additional webinars with a detailed discussion on three particular staffing approaches:
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Wed., Nov. 18: Virtual Academy Implementation Guidance (register)
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Fri., Nov. 20: Split Staffing Implementation Guidance (register)
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Fri., Dec. 4: Split Scheduling Implementation Guidance (register)
We particularly recommend attending these webinars if your LEA is interested in alternative staffing approaches for the spring semester that will reduce teacher load and improve the quality of virtual instruction for students. Please email questions to the Director of Resilient Schools Strategy, Megha Kansra, at Megha.Kansra@tea.texas.gov.
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Updates & Opportunities |
Texas Partnerships Deadline: Districts that are not using the TEA model authorizing board policy or model authorizing application must submit their version by Monday, Nov. 30 to DSSI@tea.texas.gov. Please use the rubrics on the txpartnerships.org/tools page to make sure the district's policy or application meet TEA eligibility requirements deadline.
Chief Innovation Officer Toolkit: In partnership with NewSchools Venture Fund and The Broad Center, EdFirst published a CIO Toolkit this week to help districts and CIOs make strategic decisions about their needs. |
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Grants & Resources |
The following grant opportunities may help districts provide the schools that students and families want and need. For more details on state grants, see the TEA Grant Opportunities Page.
The 2021-2022 Teacher Leadership Grant is a two-year program which provides districts the opportunity to plan and implement teacher leadership models to further professionalize teaching and provide teachers leadership pathways within local school systems. For more information, see the Oct. 16 webinar and resource documents. Applications are due Monday, Dec. 7.
The 2021-22 Nita Lowey Cycle 11 Grant ranges from $50,000 to $1.7m and supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours to help children meet state and local student standards in core subjects. A list of eligible campuses and resource documents is available online. An optional Notice of Intent to Apply is due Friday, Nov. 20; applications are due Thursday, Jan. 7.
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