DS Update Newsletter: II

DS Update Newsleter:  II

Opening Comments from the Editor

Welcome to the second edition of the DS Update!

In case you were not able to read the first issue of this newsletter, some important announcements have been reprinted below.  We have more details about the College Academic Support Programs Conference (CASP), which will be a wonderful (and very affordable) professional development opportunity.  Dorothy Reade, our fearless Faculty Senate President, submitted information about the district-wide Achieving the Dream initiative.  And, finally, don't forget about the department's Saturday in-service later on this month!

Hopefully the first weeks of the semester have been treating you well.  When the grading gets difficult, just remember that you are indeed helping our students-even if they aren't aware of it yet.

Chris Partida

Lead Faculty for Developmental Writing

The Writing Center (North Harris Main Campus)

The NHC Writing Center (A200) offers free tutoring, handouts, and a website: http://nhcwriting.nhmccd.edu/

Please check our website to see what is available for your students and to see our fall tutor schedule!

Pat Szmania, Writing Center Director                 281-618-5755     [email protected]               A208B

Tara Edwards, Writing Center Coordinator        281-618-5483     [email protected]       A204B

CASP 2007 Conference Information (Free Registration for Six to Eight Lucky People!)

Title V

Title V will sponsor 6-8 adjunct faculty for a one-day (Thursday, October 18) registration at CASP 2007-College Academic Support Programs-to be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott.  The one-day registration includes the whole day of concurrent sessions, lunch and the keynote address by Dr Hunter Boylan.  Those interested should contact Jack Dixon.

Do you have an important announcement that you would like to include in the DS Update?  You can submit announcements to the editor, Chris Partida, either through e-mail or in print.

E-mail: [email protected]                          Mailbox: North Harris Campus, A162

Achieving the Dream Initiative

NHMCCD is part of a nation-wide initiative of 84 colleges that focuses on students who are not succeeding as well as we'd like.  First-generation-in-college, students with financial challenges, and students of color are targeted.  The process includes gathering data, asking questions that arise from the data, and basing institutional decisions on that data. 

We are beginning year 2 of a 5 year initiative to improve retention, success, completion of developmental courses and movement from DS to credit courses.  Our first year was spent gathering information to focus on our highest priorities and submitting our proposal.

Nine taskforces have been formed to consider interventions and policies.  Task forces will consider placement of students into English courses and support for DS reading and writing students and faculty.  Because students who place into developmental math seem to be the most vulnerable, this year's main emphasis will be on support and focused intervention for DS math students.  The English Curriculum Team and several faculty will be serving on task forces. 

Adjunct instructors are an important part of our instruction and you can expect opportunities to participate in Achieving the Dream activities.

For more information, go to atd.nhmccd.edu or contact Dorothy Reade (A 160 G) 281-618-5539

Don't Forget to Sign the Official Day Rolls!

If you haven't received them by now, you will soon be given the Official Day Roll for each class that you teach.  You must sign this document and turn it into the staff assistant of your area.  If you teach at one of the satellite centers, you should receive instructions on where to turn in the rolls.  For problems at either center, contact the Instructional Program Manager (Parkway: Pat Mabry; Carver: Ann Swint).

Adjunct Observations (Reprinted from Issue 1)

If this is your first semester as an instructor in the developmental studies department, you will need to be observed before the semester is complete. 

Either Jack Dixon (the chair) or one of the Lead Faculty members (Wei Li, Chris Partida) will observe approximately one hour of your teaching.  After a successful observation, you will only need to be observed once every three years, although Jack could request more frequent observations if necessary.

The observer will not interfere with the class, and he will share with you what he observed before any official documents are filed.  This is really more of an opportunity for the observer to offer you reassurance and advice.

Important Dates (Record them now!)

W-Day (last day students can withdraw from a class; last day you can withdraw a student): Friday, November 9.

North Harris DS Adjunct In-service: Saturday, September 22, 8:30-12:00 (See below for more info.)

Thanksgiving Holiday: The campus closes at 3:00 on Wednesday, November 21.  Classes resume on Monday, November 26.

English 0307 District Common Final Exam Dates: Wednesday, December 5-Saturday, December 8

Poem and Writing Prompt (thanks to an anonymous contributor)

IF A DOG WAS THE TEACHER...

If a dog was the teacher, you would learn stuff like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing
and pout.  Run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle
them gently.
Be patient, good things and times will come.
Enjoy them fully and live in the moment.

Writing prompt:

What would you learn if a cat was the teacher?

Professional Development Opportunities

North Harris DS Adjunct In-service: Saturday, September 22, 8:30-12:00 (For more information, contact Jack Dixon: [email protected]; 281-618-5506)

College Academic Support Programs Conference (CASP): October 17-19 at the Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands, Texas  (Go to http://www.tade.org/ or http://www.txcrla.org/ for registration details.)  Also, contact Jack Dixon for information about how you may qualify for free one-day registration (see above)!

English 0307 District Common Final News (from Steve King, Reprinted from Issue 1)

Please Note: THERE SHOULD BE NO UNNECESSARY TEACHER CONVERSATION DURING TESTING. Last spring, I received a complaint about distracting "teacher talk" during one administration of the DCF. This was the first time that I know of that we have ever received such a complaint about our testing, and of course I hope that it's the last. While we cannot, of course, guarantee perfect silence during a testing administration, I would appreciate your help in keeping the rooms as quiet as possible.

Dates for Fall 2007 DCF

(While I don't expect any of this information to change, regard it as tentative; the intervention of some Higher Power could force a change.)

Training Session

All teachers should choose to attend ONE of these two sessions.

Testing at NHC

(Students at Parkway and Carver are tested in-class)

All teachers are expected to choose at least at least one exam to proctor

Grading

All teachers must attend ONE of the grading sessions.

*We will begin grading as soon as all graders are present. Since Saturday testing will probably end by noon, we can begin and finish earlier than the scheduled times if everyone is willing. Talk amongst yourselves. However, I don't want to schedule people to work from around 10:15 to 2:30 or so without a lunch break unless everyone involved is in favor.

DCF Results: Summer 2006 and 2007