TCTA attorneys will provide an update on mask mandates in schools amid the latest COVID surge, review appraisals and contract renewals, then answer questions from members during the next Tuesdays with TCTA session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11. Click here to register.

You can view previous sessions at tcta.org/twt, including November's webinar on extra duties and planning and preparation time and December's webinar on student discipline. If you have topics you'd like covered in the future, please email communications@tcta.org.

School districts across the state are grappling with staffing shortages as the omicron variant spreads rapidly. This afternoon, Education Commissioner Mike Morath told superintendents TEA had updated its public health guidance for educators with COVID-19 or those in close contact with someone who tests positive.

TEA's advice for school personnel who have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reduced the recommended quarantine period to five days from 10 in many situations. TEA has not yet changed its recommended 10-day quarantine for students who test positive.

TEA's guidance for school personnel who have close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual provides that those who are fully vaccinated, including boosters, or who have fully recovered from COVID-19 within the past 90 days do not need to stay home. It recommends personnel not in the above categories be isolated off campus but says school districts have the authority to determine when all personnel return to school. TCTA's COVID-19 FAQ has been updated with the new guidance.

TRS will issue supplemental checks to eligible retirees on Friday, Jan. 14. Those with direct deposit may receive the funds the same day, but TRS said it could take several days for paper checks to arrive in the mail. The Texas Legislature authorized the 13th checks worth up to $2,400 during the 2021 session.

TRS sent letters in December to over 429,000 members who will receive the supplemental payment. Retirees with questions about this payment can check out this FAQ or call TRS at 800-223-8778.

Educators now have the option to view and print the online version of their certificate record that best meets their needs. The State Board for Educator Certification's portal offers a “current” version that only includes certificates with active dates. The “historical” version includes certificates with expired dates.

Members of the public will continue to have access to the Certificate Lookup feature on TEA's website. Educators with a sanction on their file will have that information appear on both versions of their certificate record.

Public comments are being requested through Jan. 14 on the draft Health EC-12 Framework. It will help guide the test development process for the new Health EC-12 Exam. Comments may be emailed to Ebony Love at TEA.

Read the winter issue of The Classroom Teacher now

The Winter 2021-22 issue of The Classroom Teacher was mailed to members last week and is also available to read online. Be sure to check out our cover story on the "critical race theory" law that went into effect in December.

Other articles include TCTA's efforts to reduce mandatory CPE topics, understanding student discipline laws, TRS changes to its employment after retirement rules and a call to action from TCTA State President Sherry Miller. You can also learn more about the candidates seeking election to TCTA's Executive Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting on Feb. 26.

The U.S. Department of Education is seeking applicants through Jan. 14 for the 2022-23 cohort of its School Ambassador Fellowship program. Teachers, counselors, librarians and other educators selected for this professional learning community will have opportunities to share ideas and shape national education initiatives. Click here to learn more and apply.

Invite your new colleagues to join TCTA before enrollment ends Feb. 1. Eligible second-semester hires can join TCTA for half price.

We've also extended the Take 2, Make $25 program through Feb. 1 so you can continue to receive credit for recruiting new members.

Get your year off to a great start with special offers on winter travel, shopping deals, personal finance, health and wellness, and more with TicketsatWork. Log in or become a member using our company code: SWTCTA.