🚀 EdTech Tools = STAAR Success
Clint ISD provides you with full access to powerful instructional technology tools that don’t just engage students — they also prepare them for STAAR 2.0 and EOC exams by building skills in critical thinking, writing, and digital fluency. Help us by using these tools in your daily lessons!
Here’s how our tools align with STAAR success:
Nearpod → Interactive lessons aligned to STAAR 2.0 item types (drag-and-drop, inline choice, multi-select). Real-time assessment lets you track understanding instantly. Check out all the Nearpod updates!
Screencastify → Students record verbal ECR/SCR practice responses, replay and refine before writing. Teachers can also model exemplar responses. Learn how to use this tool by going to Screencastify University. (Share your badge for some swag!)
Classkick → Students practice open-ended responses with live teacher feedback — great prep for ECR/SCR writing. Check out their best practices!
Canva & Adobe Express → Build digital learning portfolios to showcase progress and evidence of mastery. Choose your poison: Canva Teaching Resources or Adobe Express.
Wakelet → Curate review materials, STAAR practice sets, and resources in one hub. Students can also build research collections. Ride the #WakeletWave!
Curipod → Use AI-driven prompts for ECR/SCR practice, brainstorming, and deeper classroom discussions. Don't miss out on what Curipod can do for all content areas.
Kami → Annotate passages and highlight text evidence — essential for STAAR skills. Scaffold constructed response practice. Kami resources that work great all year.
Wayground (Quizizz) → Gamify STAAR reviews with practice quizzes mirroring multi-select & multiple-choice questions. Provides student data tracking. Wayground is a must have in your classroom!
Figma & Google Applied Digital Skills → Encourage collaboration and real-world digital projects aligned to TEKS. If you haven tried a Figjam in your classroom yet your kiddos are missing out!
Securly → Keeps students focused during online reviews with classroom device monitoring. Have you been to the Securly documentation page? I think it is time you should. 😎
💡 Pro Tip: These tools aren’t “extra” — they are directly aligned to STAAR prep while building the future-ready skills our students need.
🤖 Computational Thinking & the New Technology Applications TEKS
The new Technology Applications TEKS (Kinder–12th) emphasize computational thinking (CT) as a foundation for digital learning and AI literacy.
Kinder–2nd: Students learn step-by-step sequencing and simple algorithms.
3rd–5th: Begin debugging, recognizing patterns, and creating algorithms.
Middle School: Apply CT in coding, robotics, data analysis, and digital citizenship.
High School: Solve real-world problems with CT in AI, app design, and digital projects.
By introducing CT early, we prepare students to understand how AI works (algorithms, data, decision-making) — not just use it. When students “think computationally,” they become critical consumers and responsible creators of technology.
🔗 Explore More:
Understanding Computational Thinking for More Effective Learning
From Unplugged to AI – Digital Promise
💡 Looking Ahead: Each upcoming newsletter will spotlight one Technology Applications TEKS concept (Digital Citizenship, Collaboration, Creativity, Problem-Solving, AI Literacy) with classroom strategies.
🌍 Digital Citizenship Week is Coming!
📅 October 13–17, 2025 → Celebrate Clint ISD Digital Citizenship Week with dress-up days and classroom lessons:
Monday – Inclusive: Team up for DigCit & Wear your favorite jersey!
Tuesday – Alert: Know your digital footprint wear your crazy socks.
Wednesday – Informed: Highlight your sources & wear neon colors.
Thursday – Balanced: Reflect on media use & wear your favorite hat.
Friday – Engaged: Promote kindness online by wearing your Pink Gear!
Join the daily activities and help students become safe, responsible digital leaders.
Check out this Wakelet with resources to help you deliver some short DigCit lessons in your classroom. Remember it is all of our responsibility to promote Digital Citizenship.
🔗2025 DigCit Week Lesson Ideas
#ClintDigCitWeek2025
✈️ First Aerial Drone Competition
October 31, 2025
We are excited to announce that Horizon Middle School will host our first Aerial Drone Competition on October 31, 2025!
This event will showcase student skill in drone piloting, teamwork, and problem-solving. Coaches and students are already preparing, and we’ll need volunteers — stay tuned for details on how you can help.
📝 Google Classroom Originality Reports
Teachers now have access to Originality Reports in Google Classroom — a tool that supports both student writing growth and academic honesty. Students can run their own checks before submitting work. Teachers can see flagged passages with links to original sources. Supports multiple languages and improves citation skills. 💡 Perfect for ECR/SCR prep, essays, and research projects in all subjects. As a Google For Education Plus district you get unlimited Originality Reports! Check out this video to help you run your first Originality Report.
🌟 Educator Scholarship Opportunity – Tech Frontier Summit
Thanks to El Paso Electric, Clint ISD educators have the chance to attend the 2025 Tech Frontier Summit at no cost!
📅 October 8, 2025 | 📍 The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park | 🕒 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
All scholarship recipients will receive:
Free admission
Reserved seating
Lunch provided
Badge access to a NASA keynote address 🚀
👉 Deadline to apply: October 1, 2025
👉 Apply here: bit.ly/TFSEducators
⚠️ Spots are limited — take advantage ASAP!
⚡ 3 Tech Hacks to Save You Time This Month
1️⃣ Closed Tabs → Ctrl+Shift+T to bring back closed tabs.
2️⃣ Chromebook Screenshots → Ctrl+Shift+Show Windows for a selected area. Snipping Tool (Windows) → Press Windows+Shift+S for instant snips.
3️⃣ @-Mentions in Google Docs/Slides → Type “@” to insert files, people, or dates directly into your doc..
🎮 Esports Are Live!
Our secondary campuses are competing in regional Esports leagues with PlayVS!
HHS, MVHS, CHS and HMS are competing in Fortnite, Smash Bros, Rocket League, Mario Kart.
Esports develops critical skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving — while also opening doors to scholarship opportunities at colleges and universities nationwide.
💡 Teachers and coaches: Please support your Esports students by celebrating their efforts on campus and following their competition schedules. Every cheer counts!
📢 Stay tuned for highlights, results, and shoutouts in upcoming newsletters as our Clint ISD teams continue their journey in competitive gaming.
✅ CFU Challenge = Win Swag!
Prove you read this newsletter — answer 3 quick questions in the Google Form for a chance to win socks, tumblers, pens, and more!