AIM TTUISD TCPN
TACS COMMUNIQUE’
by Barry Haenisch, Executive Director
October 21, 2014
VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!
Tuesday, November 4th is election day. Many of you realize the significance of this date, and you have been “schooling” your staff on the need to vote for several weeks now. The importance of this election for educators cannot be over-emphasized. At times, educators are criticized for not voting, and when they do, some criticize them for voting uninformed. Now is the time to encourage all educators in your schools to begin studying the candidates for statewide offices and their positions on public education. A candidate for an office may declare, “I am the education candidate”, but that does not mean the person favors public education! Wise educators will dig below campaign rhetoric and discover candidates’ positions on issues that matter to them. It is important to vote, but it is more important to vote WISELY!! This year, VOTE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION!
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. across our state on November 4th to accommodate voters, but early voting began yesterday. For those wanting to vote early, they have through October 31st. To avoid long lines and long waits, educators may want to take advantage of early voting. School leaders can encourage a good voter turn-out by allowing employees to vote during conference periods or during breaks. Be wise, be creative, but please find ways to make this election the one where educators across the state made a real difference!!!
Lone Star Mini-Literacy Conference
TACS, Region 11 ESC, and Renaissance Learning (TACS Corporate Partner) teamed up to provide the Lone Star Mini-Literacy Conference in Ft. Worth this past week. Educators gathered on Monday, October 13th, and Administrators followed them on Tuesday, October 14th for a powerful day of inspiration and learning. Those who attended the conference had an opportunity to really dig into a topic of their choice. Presentations on attributes of an effective educator, on the use of formative assessments and other powerful strategies to direct instruction, and on making the connection between the state STAAR assessment and local literacy assessments provided those in attendance with practical, down-to-earth ideas that they could take back to their schools and classrooms to benefit their students.
Participants’ feedback concerning the conference was excellent. In fact, some teachers who attended Monday received permission to return on Tuesday so that they could learn more. If this sounds like something from which your staff could benefit, let TACS know. We can help bring a conference to your town or to your area. A reply to this message, a call to 512-440-8227, or an email to can start the ball rolling for better classroom instruction in your school!
TACS Construction Conference sponsored by TCPN
The TACS Construction Conference sponsored by The Cooperative Purchasing Network was held at Region 4 ESC yesterday. The conference was well attended, and it featured presentations on timely topics for any school district contemplating new construction or remodeling. School leaders from the Amarillo area to San Antonio and from East Texas to the Houston area joined with us in a day of learning. TACS is very appreciative of the support from TCPN with the planning and presentation of this conference!
TACS Membership
Last year 618 school districts were members of TACS, and this year we have set a goal of 658. Forty additional members? Man that sounds like a stretch! However, when you realize that it is just two more members in each ESC region, it becomes a more realistic goal. Today (Tuesday, October 21st) we have 590 who have joined with us this year. That number includes 40 school districts that did not join last year. When TACS receives the membership dues of the schools who were members last year but haven’t yet joined this year, we will exceed our goal. The goal is well within reach! TACS will make a difference for you during this legislative session. Why not join with us today?