In the Know
An Internal Newsletter from the SISD Communications Dept.
October is National Principals Month #ThankAPrincipal
Deloris Dowell
Fred Douglass Early Childhood Center
Rhonda Johnson
Crutchfield Elementary
Michelle Eackles
Fairview Elementary
"I believe student learning will improve by intentionally motivating and building the capacity of all learners (students, teachers, and parents) to inquire, collaborate, and problem solve."
Kelli Abohosh
Neblett Elementary
Dr. Tammy MacDonald
Jefferson Elementary
Eartha Linson
Wakefield Elementary
Amy Pesina
Washington Elementary
Steven Traw
Sory Elementary
Pam Voss
Dillingham Intermediate
Amy Porter
Piner Middle School
"I believe that all children should be provided the opportunity to learn. I also believe that education is a major component in determining a person's path to success in life. Our programs are designed to give all students that opportunity".
Jim May
Perrin Learning Center
Jenifer Politi
Sherman High School
THE NEW SHERMAN HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY RECAP!
On Monday, October 1, 2018, Sherman ISD celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Sherman High School. Parents, students, Sherman ISD staff, and community members were all present to celebrate the future of Sherman ISD and the construction of the new high school, which will open in August of 2020.
“The evening represented a new beginning for the Sherman community and showcased how our new school will positively impact the lives of future Bearcats,” Superintendent Dr. David Hick expressed. “It was only fitting that our celebration recognized the growth and development within our district and the incredible commitment our parents, community members and business partners have towards our student’s education.”
The ceremony included remarks from School Board President Tim Millerick, City of Sherman Mayor David Plyler, and performances by the Bearcat Marching Band, Hi-Steppers Drill Team and SHS Cheerleaders. VLK Architects and Cadence McShane Construction were also in attendance to showcase the building’s renderings and answer questions regarding the construction site.
On August 8, 2018, the district began the earthwork phase of construction for the new building. The process will consist of moving dirt and grading the site in preparation for structures to emerge in January of 2019. SISD Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Tyson Bennett, says the facility will accommodate 2,600 students and will be a state of the art facility.
“Our community will be proud of what our students will access and experience during their high school career for many years to come,” he explained. “The new Sherman High School will stand out with 21st century technology integration and will enhance the vast array of academic, fine arts, athletics and career & technology programs we provide for our students.”
If you missed the groundbreaking ceremony, don't worry, we've got you covered. To view the media coverage, please click on the links listed below.
SmalTalK with Smalskas!
Assistant Superintendent of Student Engagement & Support, Dr. Tamy Smalskas would like to share helpful information on classroom procedures, classroom discipline and student behavior. If you have any questions or helpful tips you may use inside of your classroom, please feel free to reach out and share with Dr. Smalskas at TSmalskas@ShermanISD.net.
Hello Bearcats!
Did you know that providing students with simple classroom procedures help to decrease student discipline by nearly 90%. To keep your days running smoothly, establish consistency using these general procedures, daily tasks, and activities.
Here are the top five general procedures to teach. You can adapt them to your grade level and school setting:
- Entering the room: Enter quietly and politely; remove your hat if you're wearing one; don't interrupt other students; follow the appropriate procedures for each time of day (e.g., morning, after lunch, after a special class).
- Lining up: Stand up quietly; push in your chair; take all necessary items; line up without touching others or talking; face the front of the line; watch where you are going.
- Leaving the room: Tell me where you are going; take the correct hall pass; do not run or play in the hallways or restrooms.
- Beginning the day: Enter the room politely; put away your backpack, lunch, and coat; turn in your homework; sit at your desk and read alone or do before-school work silently.
- Ending the day: Clean off your desk; leave out your work notebook; pick up any trash within three feet of your desk; stack your chair; collect your mail; wait quietly to be dismissed.
Click here to look at the entire list of procedures that you can implement in your class today!
Thanks,
Dr. Smalskas
Classroom Corner
The weather is cooling off which makes it a perfect time for outdoor learning fun. Below are some ideas to incorporate outdoor learning in any of your lessons.
Outdoor Learning for Math
- Write math problems (for example, 2 + 4) on the ground with sidewalk chalk and have your students find pine cones, rocks or leaves to represent the answer.
- Use sidewalk chalk to create a grid where your kids can count and sort objects.
- Challenge your kids to see how many triangles they can make with 9 sticks.
- Have your students measure the circumference of your school or the width of the doors or the length of the parking lot.
Outdoor Learning for Language Arts
- Pick a great novel for each of your reading groups and have your kids head outside and read together out loud under the shade of a tree.
- See how many sounds your kids’ footprints can make over various surfaces and then write onomatopoeia poetry using the sounds.
- Practice hand-writing using water, paintbrushes and rocks. Get active while practicing grammar.Instead of “Duck, Duck, Goose,” play “Noun, Noun, Adjective.”
- Have your students write poetry about something they observe outside.
- Bury magnetic letters in sand or dirt and have your kids dig them out.
- Make story stones to summarize a story graphically that you have read in class.
- Build a “campfire” (don’t use real fire!) and lead a book discussion.
Outdoor Learning for Science
- Start a community garden on your school grounds.
- Go on a scavenger hunt to find certain types of plants, rocks or insects.
- Study an anthill. (Unless, of course, you live in Texas and they’re fire ants.)
- Make a graph of how many types of clouds your kids can spot over a period of time.
- Hike to a nearby pond and turn the wetlands into an outdoor classroom.
- Give your students the job of “Season Detective” and have them scour the schoolyard for all the signs of any given season.
- Compare and contrast the fragrances of various flowers.
Outdoor Learning for Music and Art
- Collect flowers and leaves and do leaf-rubbings with crayons.
- Create a xylophone or other musical instrument with materials you find outside.
- Use clay, grass, leaves and other plants to make funny face sculptures.
- Use items you find outside like plants and flowers to inspire artwork to decorate your classroom.
- Get permission from your principal to paint an outdoor mural in your schoolyard.
- Bring drums or a guitar outside and have a sing-along.
- Challenge your students to make shapes out of sticks, rocks and leaves.
Outdoor Learning for P.E.
- Create an obstacle course on your school grounds using rocks, trees and other natural “obstacles.”
- Go on a hike around campus.As you walk, discuss the things that keep a person healthy.
- Challenge your students to finish certain physical feats in a small amount of time. (For example, “Can you run to the playground and go down the slide in 25 seconds or less?”)
- Do a numbers freeze dance on the playground using sidewalk chalk and music.
Click here for the full article.
Sherman ISD School Guardian Program Application Process is Now Open
The safety and security of Sherman ISD students and staff are paramount, and the District fully understands that SISD staff are first on the scene in the event of an emergency intruder situation. As a result, the Board of Trustees established local policies CKC, DH, and GKA to facilitate the implementation of a School Guardian Program. This program permits selected and approved employees to receive the necessary training and carry a concealed firearm on Sherman ISD property. An application process is currently available for interested and eligible employees. If you would like to consider applying as a School Guardian, please contact Tyson Bennett, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, at tbennett@shermanisd.net or 903-891-6415.
Maintenance and Operations
The Maintenance and Operations Department is hiring for custodial and grounds crew positions. If you know someone that would be a great addition to the Bearcat family, please have them visit our website at www.ShermanISD.net to apply online or in person in the Human Resources Department.
Health Services
Free Skin Screenings for Faculty and Staff
A physician’s assistant from the Texoma Dermatology Clinic will be on campuses to conduct free suspicious moles screenings for faculty and staff. You may contact your campus nurse for additional information and the locations and times are listed below.
Sherman High School
October 4, 2018
8:30am-11:00am
Other campuses that may come to SHS for screenings are Crutchfield, Jefferson and Washington.
Health Services
Wal-Mart Pharmacy will hold staff immunization clinics on all campuses throughout the months of September and October. All vaccines are free with Sherman ISD insurance. Please bring your insurance care and click here to access the forms you are required to submit before receiving any immunization. The campus immunization dates and times are listed below.
Tuesday, October 9
Piner Middle School: 11:30am-1:30pm
Washington Elementary: 3:00pm-3:30pm
Thursday, October 11
Neblett Elementary: 7:30am-9:00am
Fred Douglass ECLC: 11:30am-1:00pm
Take the Oath to Vote!
Are You Registered to Vote in Grayson County?
The general election will be held on November 6, 2018. In order to participate in the general election, you must be registered to vote by October 9, 2018. Early voting will take place October 22-November 2, 2018.
Grayson County Voter Information
Requirements
- You must BE REGISTERED to be eligible to vote.
- You can register to vote at any time; however, you must be registered at least 30 days before an election in which you wish to vote.
- Voter registration is permanent, IF YOU KEEP YOUR REGISTRATION CURRENT. You must notify the voter registrar of any changes in information such as name change, moving to a new location within the county, or a change in your mailing address.
To research information on candidates in your area, visit http://texaseducatorsvote.com and you may click here to learn about candidates’ positions on public education issues.
Website: http://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/vote.home
Location: 115 W. Houston SHERMAN TX 75090
Phone: (903) 893-8683
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/votegrayson
Upcoming District Events
Oct. 4-Fall Manufacturing Day
Oct. 4 SHS Football @ Mesquite Poteet-7:00pm
Oct. 5 SHS Volleyball @ Denton Ryan-5:30pm
Oct. 8-12 Teen Read Week
Oct. 9-Voter Registration Deadline
Oct. 9-Rachel's Challenge
Oct. 13-Sherman High School Hi-Steppers Dance Clinic
Oct. 15-19 - National School Lunch Week
Upcoming Community Events
Saturday, October 6th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Please see Facebook event here.
The 31st Annual Denison Fall Fest on Denison's Main Street
Saturday, October 6th from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Please see Facebook event here.
Stroll on the Square: hosted by Downtown Sherman Now
Saturday, October 6th at 6:00 PM
Please see Facebook event here.
Sherman Symphony Orchestra's Farm to Table dinner at Old Quail Run Farm
Saturday, October 6th from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Please see Facebook event here.
Sherman Community Players presents: Little Shop of Horrors at the Finley Theater
Friday, October 12th – Sunday, October 14th
Thursday, October 18th – Sunday, October 21st