A NEW LEAF TOP STORIES - Harris County Department of Education
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A weekly publication of Harris County Department of Education for the HCDE Board of Trustees
WEEK OF August 16, 2021 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 45
A NEW LEAF
TOP STORIES
Head Start Welcomes Back
Smiling Faces
p.4
Teaching and Learning Center
Welcomes New Director HCDE’s Inaugural Tech Day
p.2 p.5
www.hcde-texas.org
Of Note... Back to School is my favorite time of the year. It is truly rewarding to see our exceptional staff busy at work supporting the students and educators of Harris County. This week our Head Start centers welcomed our youngest students to the classroom. The tears of leaving their parents quickly turned to smiles as they made new friends and began learning the lessons that will set them on a path for success. Our staff at ABS East and West, Highpoint and Fortis Academy have wrapped up their preparations and are ready to welcome students on their campuses next week. In addition to the professional development normally provided to the Schools staff, this year we had a Virtual Tech Day that gave them innovative tools like Microsoft Museum, allowing students to take field trips without leaving the classroom, to better serve their students. This morning we held our staff-wide virtual convocation. I really miss gathering together with everyone but with special guests like my friend C.E. and Mr. T, we still had a fun and engaging time. I took the staff on a tour of our facilities and gave them a preview of the planned upgrades. We also stopped by the location for our equine therapy program in Barrett Station. I shared with them the $15 minimum wage, raises and the retention incentive that you generously approved. Following the virtual event, I visited the ABS campuses and administration buildings to personally thank employees for the work they do. Everyone is excited about the upcoming year and I could not agree more. This week I have focused on ensuring everyone is ready and has what they need for the start of school next week. I also met with LAN, our project management team, for an update on the facilities project. It’s going to be a great year.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
HCDE Teaching
and Learning Center
welcomes new
senior director
The Harris County Department of
Education (HCDE) Teaching and
Learning Center’s (TLC) new senior
director sets a high standard for
innovative professional development
in education. Cynthia Brunswick,
Ed.D., brings the comprehensive
experience and insight necessary
to build a support system created
for educators by educators.
She will apply her expertise
and lead the TLC’s endeavors
to provide customized, relevant
professional learning opportunities
through content area specialists.
Brunswick says she was drawn
to HCDE by the leadership and
talent and, mostly, the chance to
shape a vision for professional
learning for 25 districts.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to
work in a new environment,” she
said. “I recognize that I have a lot of
work to do to build new relationships
and to understand the Texas
education system, but I think that I’ll
be able to make an impact here.”
Before finding her calling in
professional learning, Brunswick
taught middle school for ten
years in Chicago Public Schools.
She says this experience
motivates her every day.
“Working with [students],
discovering myself as an educator,
CONTINUED ON PG. 3
www.hcde-texas.org
www.hcde-texas.org 22
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
5
There’s an excitement right now
in education in that we have the FACTS ABOUT
opportunity to think outside of the
box and try things differently.
and understanding the role actualizing support systems for
CYNTHIA
education plays and how critical teachers and administrators.
it is in the lives of children is what
grounded me in the values that I Her roles lent the authority to
still hold dear today,” she said. enrich education communities in
many ways, including founding
Brunswick grasps this mindset as the Chicago office of the New
she acknowledges how educators Teacher Center (NTC), a California- She moved to Houston
have been presented with unique based nonprofit which specializes to be closer to family—
challenges and the need to remedy in new teacher support. There, particularly to her niece
COVID-19 learning loss. The she led the launch of a citywide and two nephews
disruption to traditional learning teacher induction program—the
has prompted a need for innovation first of its kind for the city.
in schools like nothing she has
seen in her career, she says. Brunswick was soon promoted to
senior vice president of program Her better half, “Lucy
“There’s an excitement right now strategy and delivery for the NTC. the Labradoodle,”
in education in that we have the She partnered with districts across rules her house
opportunity to think outside of the the country to design coaching
box and try things differently,” said systems supporting new and
Brunswick. “We now have school experienced teachers as well
systems in need of a strategy to as school and district leaders
close the opportunity gaps that and oversaw several large-scale Her favorite place to visit
we are even more aware of than federal grant-funded initiatives. is the serene shoreline of
before. It presents a challenge for This induction model gained What Door County, Wisconsin
the TLC team, in particular, to come Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
up with real solutions in a space approval as a proven solution
that, I think, is yet to be chartered.” for teacher effectiveness and
retention and its positive impact
Brunswick has nearly 30 years of on student outcomes. The WWC She is a die-hard
combined experience in teaching is part of the statistics, research, White Sox fan
and instructional leadership. The and evaluation arm of the U.S.
former director of curriculum, Department of Education which
instruction, and talent development reviews evidence-based education
for the Academy for Urban School programs to determine “what
Leadership, a turnaround network works.” Only three percent of all One of her favorite pastimes
that serves Chicago’s highest- education models submitted for is listening to audiobooks
needs schools, has an extensive while walking Lucy
review receive this distinction.
background in envisioning and
www.hcde-texas.org
www.hcde-texas.org 33
PROGRAM
CONNECTIONS
Head Start welcomes back smiling faces
Harris County Department of Tidwell Head Start Center Manager
Education’s youngest learners Carla LeVeaux acknowledged that
returned to the classroom on first days at Head Start campuses
Monday as Head Start campuses always come with struggles as
welcomed back over 290 students children enter a new environment
for the first day of in-person school. and often say tearful “see-you-
laters” to their parents. Yet, it
“I think the first day of school is never long before everyone
has gone really smoothly,” said settles in and is ready to learn.
Channelview Head Start Center
Manager Cynthia Johnson. “We “Our kids need the stimulation of
are still following all covid safety being inside a classroom, being
procedures, and I’m looking forward with their peers, and learning
to us remaining open. [We don’t from each other,” said LeVeaux.
want any] covid cases here.” “We can do it virtually, but face-
to-face is always best.”
At all Head Start campuses,
parents must complete a daily covid As the morning wore on, lots of
questionnaire for their child. Upon smiling eyes could be seen and
arrival at the campus, all students new friendships developed.
have their temperature taken and
are walked back to their classroom. “I want to thank our parents for
Because the program is federally entrusting us with their little ones
funded, all Head Start must comply during this time of covid,” said
with federal covid safety measures. Johnson. “We know it’s hard. We
had a couple of parents crying
Upon entering their classrooms, outside, especially because
students were greeted by their parents can’t come into the building
new teachers and welcomed on the first day of school.”
with breakfast before starting
the day’s activities. Head Start is now recruiting students
for enrollment. Go to hcde-texas.
org/head-start to learn more.
www.hcde-texas.org
4
PROGRAM
CONNECTIONS
Virtual Reality and PowerPoint hot topics during HCDE’s
inaugural Tech Day
Teachers at Harris County Department analysis to address our IT training gap
of Education will start the school and professional development needs.”
year with new skills to implement
in the classroom after its inaugural Educators had the opportunity to attend
Tech Day, held on Aug. 13. six courses, including a Microsoft
Innovator Educator course and Microsoft
Over 100 educators from all four Museums, allowing participants an
campuses registered for Tech Day inventive way to take a field trip without
virtual professional development leaving campus through a virtual reality
courses. Participants engaged in tour. The museum course was offered
sessions to learn new Microsoft Office as a demonstration of a tool that can be
skills, innovative ways to incorporate incorporated into the curriculum. The
technology into their curriculum, or most popular session was Microsoft
learn about LinkedIn Learning. PowerPoint L-100, with 49 registrants.
“These courses were carefully chosen Teachers who signed up for two courses
by Dr. [Charles] Ned, senior director for or more were entered into a raffle. Thirty
schools,” said IT training coordinator winners were chosen to receive an
Cindy Tan, who was hired to help the external cell phone battery charger or
Department develop a framework an insulated stainless-steel tumbler. All
for its new eLearning offerings. participants received a voucher for a free
Slurpee from 7/11 and a Tech Day t-shirt.
“Dr. Ned wants to help teachers become Assistant Superintendent for Academic
educational innovators by offering them Support Services Jonathan Parker,
21st-century skills,” said Tan. “All of Dr. Ned, and Tan visited campuses on
the classes were curated based on an Tuesday to hand out the prizes.
www.hcde-texas.org
5
PROGRAM
CONNECTIONS
ABS West supports
students and families in
back-to-school drive
Academic and Behavior School
West (ABS West) distributed
65 backpacks boxes of food
and to students and parents
during its second annual Family
Appreciation Day. Educational
aides and facilities staff set up
shop outside the school cafeteria
to distribute the items to families
one-by-one as they drove up in
their cars.
“This is an effort to support our
students and parents as they
battle the pandemic,” said ABS
West Principal Victor Keys. “It’s
a great feeling to know that we
are helping our students and their
families. It has been a tough 18
months, and I wanted to let them
know that we truly care and that
we truly appreciate them allowing
us to work with their children.”
Each student received a clear
backpack and a box of school
supplies, and each family
received one box of food
sponsored by the Houston Food
Bank. Keys and counselors also
offered additional support and
answered questions about the
start of the new year.
Keys says ABS West will host
monthly Family Appreciation
Days beginning in September
to continue supporting students
and their families throughout the
school year.
www.hcde-texas.org
6
IN THE NEWS
HARRIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 2021-2022 CALENDARS Compiled by Harris County Department of Education
DISTRICT CLASSES BEGIN THANKSGIVING WINTER BREAK SPRING BREAK EASTER OTHER HOLIDAYS CLASSES END
Aldine Aug. 16 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/18, 1/3 - 1/4, 1/17, 2/21, 3/21 May 26
Alief Aug. 10 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/6 - 10/8, 1/17, 2/21, 4/18 May 26
Channelview Aug. 23 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/4 - 10/8, 1/3, 1/17, 2/7 - 2/11, 5/30 June 3
Clear Creek Aug. 17 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Crosby Aug. 12 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Cy-Fair Aug. 23 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Dayton Aug. 11 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 7-11 April 15-18 9/6, 10/20, 1/17, 2/18, 2/21, 5/20, 5/30 May 25
Deer Park Aug. 18 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15-18 9/6, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Galena Park Aug. 12 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Jan. 3 March 14-18 April 15-18 9/6, 10/8, 10/11, 1/17, 2/21, 5/30 May 27
Goose Creek Aug. 18 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 7-11 April 15 9/6, 10/6 - 10/8, 1/17, 5/30 May 24
Houston Aug. 23 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 9/16, 1/17, 3/28, 5/30 June 7
Huffman Aug. 18 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/11, 1/17, 2/21, 5/30 May 27
Humble Aug. 10 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/4 - 10/8, 1/17, 2/9 - 2/11, 5/30 May 27
Katy Aug. 18 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/11, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Klein Aug. 18 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/11, 1/17, 2/21, 5/30 May 27
La Porte Aug. 18 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Jan. 4 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/11, 11/2, 1/17, 2/21, 5/30 May 26
New Caney Aug. 9 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Jan. 7 April 11-15 April 15 9/6, 10/11 - 10/15, 1/17, 2/21 - 2/25, 5/30 May 26
Pasadena Aug. 17 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Jan. 2 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Pearland Aug. 18 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15-18 9/6, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Sheldon Aug. 11 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Jan. 3 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/8, 1/17 May 25
Spring Aug. 11 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Jan. 3 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 10/11, 11/2, 1/17, 2/21, 5/30 May 26
Spring Branch Aug. 16 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15-18 9/6, 10/11, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
Stafford Aug. 10 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 17 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15-18 9/6, 9/24, 1/17, 5/30 June 3
Tomball Aug. 17 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31 March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 1/17, 2/21, 5/30 May 26
Harris County’s Waller Aug. 23 Nov. 22-26 Dec. 20 - Dec. 31
Harris County Department of Education provides the compilation of district calendars as a public service. We are not responsible for changes in
March 14-18 April 15 9/6, 1/17, 5/30 May 26
COVID-19 threat level
district calendars. Please consult your local school district for additional details concerning holidays/staff work days, etc.
Harris County Department of Education is a unique, educational hybrid serving school districts, governmental agencies, nonprofits and the public in the third-largest county in the U.S. HCDE annually serves a quarter-million students and
educators through schools for students with profound special needs; the largest adult education program in Texas; Head Start early childhood education; school-based therapy services; and afterschool programs. Educator professional
development and certification, school safety, records management, and a purchasing cooperative are also provided.
www.hcde - texas.org
went up, now what?
HCDE releases comprehensive 2021-2022 school
How does the increase in calendar for 25 Harris County districts
COVID-19 threat level in
Harris County affect the Key dates for the 2021-2022 school year for all 25 school districts
daily life of you and your in Harris County are available on the Harris County Department of
family? FOX 26 reporter Education (HCDE) comprehensive school district calendar.
Maria Salazar looks into it.
https://cw39.com/the-cw39-houston/back-to-school/back-
www.fox26houston.com/ to-school-hcde-releases-comprehensive-2021-2022-school-
video/963471 calendar-for-25-harris-county-districts/
AgriLife Extension camps provide educational opportunities
for Houston area kids
From robotics and data science to the power of Over the summer, seven camps were offered free
handwashing, children who attended a recent series of charge to children thanks to grants provided
of summer camps at the Steve Radack Community by various organizations. In July, CASE for Kids,
Center emerged with a wealth of real-world a branch of the Harris County Department of
knowledge that may help them in future pursuits. Education, along with Pct. 3 Commissioner Tom
Ramsey, awarded a $6,664 grant to the Texas
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Harris 4-H Foundation, covering the cost of the STEM
County recently wrapped up a summer camp Leadership summer camp so the program could
program providing hands-on educational be offered for free to participating children.
experiences for Houston area youth.
www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/cyfair/article/AgriLife-Extension-camps-provide-
educational-16379667.php
www.hcde-texas.org
7
SYSTEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT...
This week the following Board expectations were met:
HCDE BOARD
Superintendent Objective A: Management of Administrative, Fiscal, and
Board President
Facilities Function
• Recruit and maintain high-quality, professional staff at all levels. Danny Norris
1st Vice President
Richard Cantu
2nd Vice President
Andrea Duhon
Board Members
David W. Brown
Erica Davis
Eric Dick
Amy Hinojosa
UPCOMING
Harris County Department of Education’s event designed to equip teachers with EVENTS
youngest learners returned to the classroom tech skills they can implement in the
on Monday as Head Start campuses classroom. The goal of the courses is to
September 6
welcomed back over 290 students for the develop innovative educators who will Labor Day
first day of in-person school. We’ve missed use technology to engage students in the
their smiling faces and their laughter in our classroom. Feedback from campus-based September 15
hallways and are delighted to have them back staff has been positive, and we hope to Board Meeting
in the classroom during this critical time in hold Tech Day annually moving forward. To
their social and emotional development. thank our teachers for their commitment to
bettering themselves, we held a raffle for
We’re pleased to welcome Cynthia those who signed up for two courses. Thirty
Brunswick, Ed.D., as the new senior director winners were chosen to receive prizes, which
for the Department’s Teaching and Learning were handed out on Tuesday by Assistant
Center (TLC). Brunswick comes to us Superintendent for Academic Support
from Chicago, where she led curriculum, Services Jonathan Parker, Senior Director
instruction, and talent development for the for Schools Dr. Charles Ned, and IT Training
Academy for Urban School Leadership, a Coordinator Cindy Tan.
turnaround network that serves Chicago’s
highest-needs schools. I am confident that By recruiting and maintaining a high-
she is the right person to lead this innovative quality professional staff, I am meeting the
team of seasoned educators who work to expectation to find ways to improve programs
sharpen the skills of classroom leaders. and services without greater expenditures
and with concern for cutting expenses and
This week we also held our inaugural Tech costs to public schools for service without
Day, a daylong professional development sacrifice to high-quality services.
www.hcde-texas.org
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