In the Know
An Internal Newsletter from the SISD Communications Dept.
Campus Halloween Fun!
Sherman ISD Recognizes School Priority Month!
Sherman ISD has recognized the month of October as ‘School Priority Month’ to promote our local public schools and foster important relationships with locally elected officials from every level of government.
School Priority Month takes place every other year prior to a legislative session, and this year, Sherman ISD joined with Van Alstyne ISD, Gunter ISD, S&S CISD, and Whitewright ISD, for the 2018 ‘Make Education a Priority’ day event.
Each school district invited locally elected officials from every level of government to visit and tour Van Alstyne High School. The attendees were able to visit classrooms, join in on lessons, and hear firsthand information from students about the great work taking place in their public school. After the tour, a teacher, student and superintendent panel was held. Students, teachers, and superintendents from each school district were asked specific questions about their current experience in the public education system and gave their thoughts on how elected officials could advocate for Texas public schools.
SmalTalK with Smalskas!
Assistant Superintendent of Student Engagement & Support, Dr. Tamy Smalskas would like to share helpful information on classroom procedures, management, 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.
Happy Halloween Bearcats,
As we near the holiday season and anticipate a much needed break, the level of frustration may start to increase between students and teachers. Let's discuss some ideas to regain your focus on classroom procedures and rules.
How many of you have revisited your classroom expectations, rules and procedures, since August? Remember, many students we work with, may come to us with limited or no expectations from home. We need to establish our systems to continually reinforce positive behavior.
Revisiting Classroom Rules, Responsive states that, “Most teachers establish rules at the beginning of the year, and many devote time to modeling and practicing rules with students in the first weeks of school. After that, however, the amount of time spent thinking about what rules mean and how to live by them often drops off dramatically.”
I want to provide you with tips to help you review classroom procedures to help carry you through the holiday season and beyond!
This website below provides 17 different ways to review classroom procedures and gives specific examples. https://teachingmadepractical.com/review-procedures/. I challenge all secondary teachers to read this link and ask if your students can complete some of the tasks recommended.
Robert Marzano book “Classroom Management That Works” provides excellent ideas to implement in the classroom. Take time and read this document. This article addresses five general components of effective classroom management: (1) rules and procedures, (2) disciplinary interventions, (3) teacher-student relationships, and (4) mental set. He also discusses the importance of (5) social-emotional learning in the context of promoting student responsibility.
Thank you,
Sherman ISD Cross-functional Technology Planning is Underway!
Exciting things are happening with technology in Sherman ISD. Upgrades and improvements are being made to technology systems throughout the district. This article is the first in a series describing the various technology initiatives, their impact on instruction, and the work of the Sherman ISD Cross-functional Technology Planning Team.
In February and April, the Sherman ISD Cross-functional Technology Planning Team met for the first time. The team, comprised of teachers, administrators, parents, and community members, is an advisory group as the district moves forward with the implementation of district technology initiatives including those funded by the 2017 bond. Using the CEPL framework from the Renaissance Institute and Dr. Andrew Berning, the planning committee considered the role of digital technology to Connect the learner, Evaluate and provide insight into key metrics, Promote literacy, and Level the playing field. The committee was asked to consider the technology infrastructure necessary to foster the purposeful use of technology throughout teaching and learning in SISD. A classroom technology toolkit including classroom projection devices, student mobile devices, teacher devices, assistive technology, campus computer labs, and an integration strategy is being developed.
The Technology Planning Team recently met in October for a fall update. During the meeting, participants were presented with an interactive projector and an interactive flat panel to review. The district is currently conducting a pilot of both projection devices at Piner Middle School.
Over the next four weeks, all Sherman ISD faculty and staff will have the opportunity to preview the two projection devices at the SISD Service Center and provide instructional feedback to the district. This information will be considered as the district moves forward in determining which device will be selected for the classroom toolkit. Please see the schedule below, make plans to attend one of the previews, and complete the feedback survey to provide your input.
We've Been Busy!
We are happy to provide you with bond updates and information as we move forward with our projects. We thank you all for your support of the 2017 bond and invite you to click the image below for the most recent bond project information. #BuildingBearcats
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.
Employee Perks!
Take the Oath to Vote!
Early Voting for the November 6, 2018 Election will be held October 22, 2018 through November 2, 2018.
Locations
- Grayson County Election Administration - 115 W. Houston, Sherman
- Grayson County Sub-Courthouse - 101 W. Woodard, Denison
- Pottsboro ISD Administration Building - 105 Cardinal Lane, Pottsboro
- Whitesboro City Hall - 111 W.Main, Whitesboro
- Grayson College - Van Alstyne - 1455 W. Van Alstyne Pkwy, Van Alstyne
Dates
- October 29 - November 2, 2018, 7 am to 7 pm
Upcoming District Events
Nov. 1-Piner Middle School Show Choir Performance at Knight Furniture @ 6:30pm
Nov. 2 Last Day of Early Voting
Nov. 2-SHS Football vs West Mesquite @ 7pm (Senior Night)
Nov. 3-Let's Move Sherman/Drive for Your School at Piner Middle School @ 10am-2pm
Nov. 6-Election Day
Nov. 12-School Board meeting @ 7:00pm
Nov. 15-National Parent Involvement Day
Nov. 19-23-Thanksgiving Break
Upcoming Community Events
Downtown Sherman Now’s Coffee with the Mayor at Quick Lane @ Bob Utter Ford Lincoln
Friday, November 2nd from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Please see Facebook event here.
NTYP Open Board Meeting at Wilson N. Jones
Friday, November 2nd from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Please see Facebook event here.
Small Cities Workshop Registration
Wednesday, November 7th from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Please see Facebook event here.